Barillapalooza

Sunday, August 4, 1996

Westwood takes a crack at the music festival crazeBarilla’s
eclectic L.A. a la carte will bring together an ensemble of musical
talents, 60 of L.A.’s restaurants and a host of other entertainment
ranging from face painting to magic shows.

Kids and adults alike will surely find something to suit both
their palates and their ears.

The food and music festival will kick off on Friday evening with
L.A. Motown band The Scarletts, who will open for the legendary
godfather of soul, James Brown.

While The Scarletts and Brown take the main stage, Freddie Ravel
and Art Porter will begin a weekend of world-class jazz on KTWV’s
"Wave Stage," whose highlight will be renowned jazz artist Herb
Alpert. He and his trumpet will share the spotlight with
keyboardist Jeff Lorber on Saturday night. The House of Blues will
also be showcasing its performers from noon to midnight Saturday on
their own stage.

With three stages and continual pop, Motown, jazz and country
shows, there’s not a moment of silence or waiting between
bands.

The musical talent is by no means restricted to men. If country
music is what you like, Tracy Byrd will be the one to look out for
on the main stage on Sunday.

Eleven-year old Ashley Ballard, whose vocals have been compared
to Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston, will appear on Friday. Her
talent and age (or lack of it) have gotten her much attention
lately.

All of this music is the perfect thing to wash down the tons of
food available at the festival. While enjoying the entertainment,
walk through the the enticing aroma of foods prepared by 60
different restaurants and you might just stop for samples.

If you come with empty stomachs, be sure to have loaded pockets
because sampling of foods runs from $1 to a steep $5.

Here’s a preview of some of the many restaurants you will find:
Bistro Garden, Drago, 3rd Street Promenade’s Gotham Hall, Cha Cha
Cha, Great Harvest Bread Company, Harriet’s Cheesecakes Unlimited,
La Salsa and Rick Royce’s Premier BBQ.

For those who would like to get in on the secret of the various
dishes, the Gas Company’s Chef Pavilion will house chefs who will
share their diverse recipes so that you can bring some culinary
knowledge back home with you. Be sure to get tips from Chef Joe
Cochran Jr of the Mission Inn in Riverside, Chef Jean Francois
Meteigner of La Cachette and Zov Karamardian of Zov’s Bistro and
Bakery in Orange County.

Children are not forgotten in the midst of all this. Kid’s
Street will be a strip where can have their faces painted, learn to
cook pasta or help paint a mural.

The adults get three stages, so it’s only fair that the kids get
their own too. Radio AAHS Kids’ Stage will have music, comedy and
magic. There will also be a children’s choir, Kid Improv, Clowning
Around and a host of other entertainers.

With food and music, it promises to be a perfect place to spend
a summer weekend.

Barilla’s L.A. A La Carte at Westwood Village; Aug. 9, 5 p.m.
­ Midnight; Aug. 10-11, Noon ­ Midnight; Admission
(includes all concerts) $8 adult, $3 children 3-12, under 12 free.
Shakey’s and 20/20 Video are giving away tickets with purchase.