Page 8 May 12, 2016 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Dylanfest - At The Torrance Cultural Arts Center Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Last Sunday, if you happened to be near Torrance Boulevard and Madrona Avenue, you heard the sweet sounds of live music reverberating from the Torino Festival Plaza. For the third year in a row, Andy Hill and Renee Safier along with their band, Hard Rain, hosted, along with other talented musicians, Dylanfest at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, exclusively singing only Bob Dylan songs for eight solid hours. You heard me right. Few artists boast such a volume of music. Since their meeting in 1985, Andy and Renee have been making music together, and started Dylanfest over 25 years ago. Dylanfest was created for the sole purpose of celebrating and playing nothing but Bob Dylan music. What if you don’t like Dylan? “You might say ‘I don’t like Dylan’ – so we always say – well, he’s not going to be there,” said Renee. “There are two different things, the artist and the art. We’re here to celebrate the art,” added Andy. Years have gone by since that first gathering in Andy’s backyard in Torrance, and the sets of music have increased, the musicians who gather for the event from all over the United States and abroad have grown, and the fans and supporters, (also from all over the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, etc.) who make a day of it, have swelled. Musicians and music aficionados collectively converge for one special day each year… for Dylanfest. The guest musicians who joined Andy and Renee and Hard Rain on stage this year were John Brown, Kelly Fitzgerald, Luis Oliart, and Bob Malone. Accomplished musicians took turns jamming, singing, and playing on stage, making their way through the long the sixty-one selected songs from the playlist of Bob Dylan. The festival boasts a complete staff of volunteers. If ever there was a music festival of love, this is it. The securing of banners, signs, posters, setting up of equipment, souvenirs, ticket taking, etc. are all accomplished by cheerful volunteers. The event is very well planned and executed. I haven’t missed a Dylanfest in years, since hearing about it from a friend. Nowhere will you find such a stellar combination of truly dedicated musicians and supporters in the South Bay than at this event. It is as much a music festival right in our own backyard, as it is a reunion and celebration. Entering the event, I put on my wristband, and looked for a seat, as the sweet sound of music filled my ears. Acoustics on the plaza are perfect for an outdoor venue and there really isn’t a bad seat in the ‘house’. Delicious food and drink were provided by Torrance restaurateur, Chef Michael Shafer, owner of the Depot and the Buffalo Fire Department, both located in downtown Torrance, on Cabrillo Avenue. The barbecue aromas reminded me it was way past lunchtime and nothing would stop me from sampling the food. What always surprises me about Bob Dylan’s music is how many songs are so familiar, but not associated with Dylan per se. True artists not only write songs for themselves, but for other artists as well. That truth became quite clear recently when Prince died. So many of his songs were sung by others. Prince spread his talent around. Dylan remains the consummate musician and poet, doing the exact same thing. In fact, Bob Dylan will be performing live with The Rolling Stones, at The Empire Polo Field in Indio, on October 7th. Each year Andy and Renee and Hard Rain, and their guest artists, perform anywhere from sixty to sixty-five songs at Dylanfest, and considering the fact that one person wrote all of those songs, it is even more astonishing that there are over four-hundred plus more songs they don’t have time to play – is truly amazing. The Torrance Cultural Arts Center has been home to Dylanfest for three years now and it has proved to be a beautiful marriage of music and venue, with all participants having a very special day. I say participants because everyone seems part of the show. They wear 60s clothing, some dress up in a theme of one of Bob Dylan’s songs, and then dance, and dance, and dance. It is a celebration of music, friendship, and yes, peace and love. Among the dozens of Bob Dylan songs played this year, some of my favorites were Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Forever Young, Tangled Up In Blue, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, The Mighty Quinn Feat, and the last song you have to sing along with was - Like A Rolling Stone. Don’t miss next year’s Dylanfest. It is a fantastic, yearly, daylong music festival right in our own hometown, where families come together from near and far, celebrating music and making friends. Check out the website at www.andyandrenee.com. See you next year! • “Since their meeting in 1985, Andy and Renee have been making music together, and started Dylanfest over 25 years ago. Dylanfest was created for the sole purpose of celebrating and playing nothing but Bob Dylan music.” Andy Hill and Renee Safier. A Packed House at Dylanfest 2016. Chef Michael Shafer and Ron Kovic. Renee Safier.
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