The Ojai Post

Headliner Mason Jennings hails from Minnesota and includes Leadbelly, Hank Williams, and Led Zeppelin among his influences. While grounded in American traditions of folk and blues, Mason Jennings’ music is constantly exploring new territory. “I have no use for being a retro artist,” declares Jennings. “I want to understand my past and come from something, but move forward at the same time.” Jennings’ 6th album “In the Ever” was released in 2008 on laid-back superstar (and 2005 Locally Grown headliner) Jack Johnson’s Brushfire label. According to Jack, “Every time I hear a Mason Jennings album, it changes the way I see the world around me.”

Ojai resident and Grammy nominee Perla Batalla first gained international attention as a backup singer for legendary songwriter and performer Leonard Cohen. She then went on to record several solo albums featuring not only her stunning voice, but her own artistic vision as a songwriter and arranger. Batalla’s other musical identity is summed up well in her 2002 album “Discoteca Batalla,” named for her parents’ Spanish-language record store in Los Angeles. The mix of new compositions interspersed with pristine treatments of traditional Spanish language classics reflects Perla’s rich bi-cultural personal and musical heritage.

Returning for a second time after an amazing performance at Locally Grown in 2007, Perla will be joined onstage by East Los Angeles Chicano music pioneers Quetzal. Founded by community organizer Quetzal Flores and featuring the dynamic vocals of Martha Gonzalez, Quetzal embody the soul and struggle of the Mexican-American legacy. Both Perla and Quetzal continue to honor their musical and cultural roots and to use music as a tool for social change.

Rounding out the bill, openers Culver City Dub Collective will be familiar to fans who caught their opening act on Jack Johnson’s tour dates last summer. According to Franchot Tone, one of the founders of Culver City Dub Collective, “our sound is a blend of Afro-Cuban beats, roots reggae, funk rhythms, West Coast Bossa, and whatever else we need to get the right cross-cultural groove happening.”
As in years past, proceeds benefit Food for Thought’s farm-to-school program, which educates children about healthy food choices, where their food comes from, and the importance of good environmental stewardship. Food For Thought’s programs are in six of the seven schools of the Ojai Unified School District.

Locally Grown will be a “Green Event,” with staff on hand to help concertgoers to minimize their carbon footprint and keep trash production to a minimum. “To begin with,” according to Javier Moreno, production manager, “we encourage people to ride bikes and walk to the event and will have a valet bike parking area near the entrance. Also, there will be volunteers running ‘Zero Waste’ stations, where glass, plastic and metal can be recycled, and food scraps, napkins and biodegradable tableware can be composted. And be sure to take advantage of free water refill stations by bringing your own reusable water bottles from home.”

The food court will feature locally sourced organic, healthful fare and merchandise will include organically grown cotton tees made with non-toxic printing techniques. Also, all the programs and publicity materials are printed using recycled paper and soy inks. The VIP party following the concert will also go green and feature dishes prepared by local chefs using locally grown, seasonal produce.
“Locally Grown is a family event where people can not only listen to some great music, but also learn about how to stay connected to the earth and to their community,” says Fujita.

The Locally Grown concert will be held on Saturday, June 20th in Libbey Bowl. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com . For more information go to www.foodforthoughtojai.org.