Is everybody enjoying the summer heat? Did anybody miss us last month? Yes. For the first time in 100 issues we actually missed a month's column. Unfortunately, we cannot even say that it was because we were doing something fun. Nope, it was due to illness. We are happy to say that things look a bit better this month and that illness did not completely keep us from going out and having fun. The venues that we were entertained at were some of our usual and favorite places, these include both the San Manual Indian Bingo and Casino and its Amphitheatre in Devore, as well as Claremont’s Candlelight Pavilion and, one of our seasonal favorites, the Orange County Fair.

The fair runs until August 15th, so you can go check it out too. They have the usual county fair fixings. This includes roasted cob corn, corn dogs, cotton candy, sodas, strolling musicians, carnival rides and games, concerts, magicians, and hypnotists. Whew. There are contests, animals, wine tastings, displays, crafts, baked goods, retail opportunities, pretzels and, well, you know.

The Pacific Amphitheatre is a great place to see a show and it is utilized well during the fair. Do you like country music? Country sensation LeAnn Rimes will perform on August 12th. If you want rock or m,etal, well you can still check out Blondie, the B52s, Joan Jett, ZZ Top or Sammy Hagar and the Wabos. Soul music is represented in the form of John Legend. Weird Al Yankovic will be at the PacAmp for two nights rather than being on one of the smaller stages at the fair. All of these shows have an extra charge, but include admission to the fair.

For more information or to purchase concert tickets go to www.ocfair.com. Remember, concert tickets will get you into the fair but fair tickets will not get you admission to the concerts. Concert tickets range in price from $10-$100.

Entertainment with the price of admission includes Hypnotist Mark Yuziuk, Peking Acrobats, the Alaskan Racing Pigs, and the Russell Brothers Circus. There is a whole bunch more we have no room for, so go check it out for yourself.

The fair is located in Costa Mesa at 88 Fair Drive and the telephone number is 714-708-1500. Hours are noon-midnight Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturdays and Sundays and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Remember that it is going on until the 15th of August.

The San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino drew us in when they enticed us with Johnny Mathis. Johnny Mathis has been serenading people since the 1950s. He has recorded more than 100 albums, many of which have gone gold or platinum.

Mathis came out to cheers from the audience and went into “When I Fall In Love.” He proceeded to perform two 45 minute sets that included songs he made famous, “Chances Are,” “It’s Not For Me To Say,” “Wonderful Wonderful” and “The Twelfth Of Never” as well as other songs that included “Moon River,” “It’s All In The Game,” “Outside Looking In,” “Misty,” “My Foolish Hearts” and the Stylistics’ “You Make Me Feel Brand New” to name a few.

Mathis is not a demonstrative performer. He does not move much on stage and moves from one song to another almost without a break. He looked fit in a blue suit and white shirt with open collar. He was in good voice with his lilting tenor hitting almost every note.

Between sets was comedian Gary Mule Deer. He told the crowd that he had the greatest job in the world: “Where else can you get Johnny Mathis to open and close for you?”

Mule Deer, in addition to telling jokes also sings and plays guitar. He told jokes from the vocal microphone, the guitar microphone or just standing in front of the mikes yelling at the top of his lungs.

He seems to specialize in what might be called groaners. For example he said a policeman pulled him over,“You were going 90 miles an hour.” Muledeer responded “I haven’t been out an hour.” Muledeer further went on to say “I took a breathalyzer test and it said one at a time please.”

“I was circumcised at birth and couldn’t walk for a year.” “If everyone around the worlds held hands two thirds of us would drown.”

He also did song parodies where he performed lyrics he thought he heard rather than the actual lyrics: “You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille. With 400 children and cops in the field.”

The audience cheered every song Mathis sang though there were no standing ovations. Johnny Mathis and Gary Mule Deer performed a show that satisfied all of their fans.

Other shows his month at San Manuel include B.B. King with Buddy Guy on the 12th and Funk Fest featuring the likes of Morris Day on the 26th.

At the other San Manuel venue in the I.E. is where we caught a majority of the Mayhem Festival. The Mayhem Festival will be touring the country until its final stop in Oklahoma in August. That is OK for Oklahoma when all the bands are worn out and ready to rest. However, the Inland Empire got to be the first stop at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in Devore. We got them while they were fresh and eager to get going.

About 25,000 fans came to check out the festival, some waiting to arrive until it was time for Rob Zombie and Korn. There was metal long before those bands hit the stage as the two side stages were up and banging early.

The two side stages, Jagermeister and Silver Star, had the thousands of early goers dancing, moshing and crowd surfing (which kept the concert security busy making sure no one fell and hurt themselves when they surfed over to the stage). Some folks brought their recreational vehicles and stood on the roofs in the parking lot to watch the show (made it a lot easier to get to the bathroom we would imagine).

In addition to the bands there was daredevil motorcycle exhibitions while the bands performed. During the tour all of the acts are being asked to autograph some guitars that will be auctioned off at the end of the tour with the proceeds going to a number of charities.

The first band we caught was 3 Inches of Blood. Unlike many of the bands present who tried to sound like Testament, Vancouver BC’s 3 Inches of Blood lean more toward groups like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Cam Pipes’ vocals were soaring over the crowd who cheered them enthusiastically. Pipes told us that he was influenced by Bon Scott of AC/DC and Ian Gillan of Deep Purple. Pipes is grateful to the fans of the band who have allowed him to live the dreams he had as a teen of making his living as a thrash metal musician for the last seven to eight years.

The next band was Boston’s Shadows Fall. Lead singer Brian Fair had his dreadlocks flying as he screamed out the lyrics to songs from “Retribution” and other albums. We spoke with Brian who told us that he likes playing on the side stages as opposed to the main stage because there are no seats. He feels there is less separation between the band and their fans. There is more energy from the fans whom he thanks for their support over the years.

The last band we caught was on the main stage in the form of Lamb of God. They entered the stage to canned music as the audience chanted their name. They then ripped into an energetic set that included a lot of call and response. Singer Randy Blythe was all over the stage as he worked the crowd.

By that time the heat was getting to us so we took our leave of the Mayhem Festival, although we were definitely in the minority. From what we saw everyone who was there appeared to be having a great time. Coming next to this venue is the godfather of “head banger” music. Ozzfest is to be held on August 14.

It seems as if we cannot keep ourselves away very long from Claremont’s. Candlelight Pavilion. We recently had our itch scratched.

The current show at Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater is the classic “Once Upon A Mattress.” “Once Upon A Mattress” started out as a one act play that was the brainchild of Mary Rogers, daughter of Richard Rogers. It proved to be so popular it was extended and expanded into a two act play. Carol Burnett was cast in the lead role and the show continued to gain fame as did Burnett, who used the show as a springboard for her career.

The show is based on the Hans Christian Anderson tale “The Princess And The Pea.” “Once Upon A Mattress” tells the story of Princess Winnifred who swims a moat to get to meet a prince. Prince Dauntless has been kept single by his mother, Queen Aggravin who eliminates prospective princesses using impossible tests that she creates with the help of the court wizard. Winnifred is the thirteenth and appears to be the most unlikely candidate. Winnifred’s task is to sleep on twenty mattresses with a pea under the bottom mattress. If she can sleep then she is not considered a true princess. Of course she passes the test and marries the prince.

Performing in the role of Princess Winnifred is Jennifer Stratton. Stratton has always appeared in supporting roles at Candlelight but in “Once Upon A Mattress” she steps out as the lead and does a marvelous job. She displays a vocal range that she was not able to in the past. Her comic acting and timing is impressive except when she tries to recreate Carol Burnett’s shtick. This did not ring true and detracted from the great job she was doing otherwise.

John Lynd is King Sextimus the Silent who has a curse on him that he can not speak until “when the mouse devours the hawk.” Lynd absolutely channels Harpo Marx, right down to the whistling.

James McGrath performs as the Minstrel. The Minstrel acts as a narrator of sorts. His tenor voice is perfect for the role. To us he sounded just as we would expect a minstrel from the middle ages to sound.

DJ Gray’s choreography was very impressive. There were many times we enjoyed the dancing more than the singing.

For this performance Candlelight has placed some craft items out in the lobby. Children can make their own crowns or color in a coloring/item search page that is out there. The show will appeal to children but there are plenty of jokes aimed at adults as well.

“Once Upon A Mattress” will be presented through August 15th. The price of admission includes salad, warm rolls, entrée, the show and sales tax. Appetizers, beverages, desserts and gratuities are extra. Ticket prices range from $48-$68. Call (909) 626-1254 for ticket information or go to their Web site at www.thecpdt.com. The next big production to hit the Candlelight stage will be The Will Rogers Follies starting August 20th. Make sure you check this out. Danny Michaels is one of the best Will Rogers we have ever seen. Also in August are the Candlelight Cabaret on the 5th and Ticket to Ride (a Beatles tribute) on the 12th.

OK, so much for the past. Let us start planning for the future. Beginning with the Gibson Amphitheatre we have the Teen Choice Awards being hosted there on the 8th, Rush brings their Time Machine Tour  to the Universal City Walk on the 11th followed on the 12th, 13th and 14th by Meatloaf, Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Hamilton with Keb Mo. The 21st brings Los Caminantes while Lynyrd Skynyrd shows up on the 26th. Joan Sebastion closes out the month on the 27th and 28th.

The two House of Blues outlets closest to us our plenty busy. Starting with the Sunset Strip K’Naan entertains on the 4th, Pat Green on the 6th, Reverend Horton Heat the 13th, and Kix on the 27th.

At House of Blues Anaheim in Downtown Disney is Matis Yahu on the 2nd, a tribute to the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith on the 6th followed by Roman Alexander the 7th.On the 9th see the battle for the Warped Tour finals and Club Lucky on the 11th. On the 13th and 14th are a tribute to Journey and Hepcat respectively. Earlier on the 14th is Allstar Weekend with Action Item. Wolfmother is on the 19th followed by Bad Brains and Ramon Ayala on the 20th and 21st. Volbeat is on the 27th.

Acts that are at both venues include Yonder Mountain String Band in Anaheim on the 12th and on the Sunset Strip on the 20th. Motor City Madman Ted Nugent is in Anaheim on the 15th and the Sunset Strip on the 17th. The Maine arrives in Anaheim on the 22nd and moves to the Sunset Strip on the 24th. Moenia is in Anaheim the 26th and on the Sunset Strip the 28th.

We often wonder why so many venues that are great for concerts have so few a month. Is it due to bands not touring as much? Why not present local bands? Anyhow, here are some of those venues with the handful of shows they are offering. In this case we are considering a few less than half a dozen.

The Honda Center in Anaheim presents Wisin y Yandel on the 14th and American Idol Live! on the 17th. The Idol tour is also one of the two shows at the Staples Center this month. The other is Lady Gaga on the 10th and 11th. LA/LIVE NOKIA give us Jenni Rivera on the 5th through the 7th and Camila on the 8th.

Some of the other venues that fit into the under-utilized category are the Music Box at the Fonda which gives us Empire of the Sun from the 11th through the 13th and Hepcat on the 20th, the Wilterns only shows this month are Ludacris on the 6th and Coheed and Cambria on the 12th, the Palladium, Irvine Meadows, the Citizens Business Bank arena in Ontario, and the Orpheum. The only show at the Citizens arena is Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp on the 19th. The two shows at the Palladium are Coheed and Cambria on the 12th and Billy Idol the 14th. The Orpheum has Natalie Merchant on the 13th, Nanny McPhee the 15th, and Melissa Etheridge on the 31st. Irvine Meadows (or Verizon Wireless if you prefer) has Rush on the 13th, Dave Matthews on the 21st and 24th and Green Day the 31st.

The National Orange Show in San Bernardino will be hosting the Suburban Noize Event on the 7th, the Sizzling Summer Music Series Evening of Jazz on the 14th and the 28th. Between the nights of Jazz will be the return of Rock the Bells Festival to where it all began on the 21st.

The Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga is another of those under utilized venues presenting Cloris Leachman on the 6th and a stage presentation of “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten” on the 13th and 14th.

Club Nokia on the other hand has quite a few shows starting with Hillsong on the 3rd and the 5th. Then on the 12th, 13th, 14th and the 16th are Queens of the Stoneage, The Rising, Seu George and Matisyahu in that order. T’ Pau is there on the 25th followed by Asia on the 27th and Something Corporate on the 28th.

The beautiful Greek Theatre has Silversun Pickups on the 6th followed by Ringo Starr and his All Star Band on the 7th. My Morning Jacket is on the 12th followed by Carlos Santana, Los Lonely Boys and Levon Helm on the 13th, 14th and 15th. Rufus Wainwright comes in on the 20th and is followed by the pairing of Al Green and the Pointer Sisters the 21st. Chris Isaak is there on the 24th, Norah Jones the 25th, Cyndi Lauper the 27th, Funk Fest featuring Morris Day and others on the 28th and the Goo Goo Dolls on the 29th.

Two other venues offering up music in plentitude are The Grove of Anaheim and the Hollywood Bowl. The Grove kicks off the month with Dusty Rhodes on the 5th, Dance Festival Gala on the 7th, Mary Chapin Carpenter the 8th and Blok on the 12th. The second half of the month sees the Sugar Babies taking the stage on the 19th, Don’t Stop Believin’ the following night and The Colourist on the 26th. Something Corporate perform on the 27th and rounding out the month is Asia on the 29th.

Over at the Hollywood Bowl are B.B. King and Buddy Guy on the 11th, Harry Connick Jr the 13th ,a Smooth Summer concert featuring, among others, Brian McKnight on the 15th and The Neville Brothers with a slew of others perform on the 18th. On the 22nd is John Mayer followed by the Dave Matthews Band on the 23rd and The Chemical Brothers on the 29th.

The first show at the Hollywood Bowl this month is Rent from the 6th through the 8th. Other places are also noteworthy for their stage productions. A partial list would include The Center Stage in Fontana Tibbies on the Queen Mary, the Pantages Theatre and the Center Theatre Group (the Ahmanson, Kirk Douglas and Mark Taper). The Ahmanson is dark this month while the Mark Taper presents The Glass Menagerie the entire month and the Kirk Douglas presents Bones through the 8th. Young Frankenstein will, also through the 8th, be presented at the Pantages.

Fontana’s. Center Stage has Noches con Ritmo every first and third Thursday, “Oh, What A Night on the 7th and 8th and  Dancing on the Ceiling on the weekends. The Queen Mary is presenting an impressive list of entertainers this month. On the 13th are Joan Baez and Roger McGuinn they are followed quickly by Smokey Robinson on the 18th, the Beach Boys the next night and Lucinda Williams on the 26th. Every weekend this month Rockin’ Down Broadway continues to be presented in Tibbies.

To tickle your funny bone head to the Improv in Ontario. This venue is not only an intimate comfortable place but they also have great comedians and comedy shows every week. Here is what they have in mind for August. Paul Rodriguez performs from the 6th through the 8th, while headliner Christopher Titus takes the stage from the 19th through the 22nd, Kevin Hart makes us laugh the 19th through the 22nd and Gabriel Iglesis is there from the 26th through the 29th. Some of the other shows at the Improv are “one night only” shows. This list begins with The Jamba Jew Eric Schwartz on the 5th, Steve Trevino the 10th, the Vagina Dialogues on the 11th and Blow Out Comedy is the 17th. The next night are Cory and Chad and then the month is brought to an end with The Ultimate Sit-Down Workout the 24th, Spicy Latinos on the 15th and on the 21st is the I.E. Comedian Bash.

As you know, Catalina is one of our favorite “get away and go to” places. Did you know that it is also a stop on at least one Mexican Baja cruise from Southern California? What a great idea! Combines two of our favorite things – going to Catalina and cruising. If your family gets to Catalina soon they can partake in Summer Camp 2010 through the 8th until the 25th Summer Beach Bingo on Tuesdays and Thursdays and through the 26th is a kids fishing derby. On the 30th and 31st  try to win the 20th Annual Church Mouse Marlin Invitational. For more information go to www.catalinachamber.com.

Disneyland and Universal Studios both want to remind you that Halloween is not too far off. As each Halloween they seem to outdo themselves they think you should start early in planning your fall trip to the parks – like now.

They both also continue through this month to feature their summer specials. In the case of Disneyland this means stay and play packages, and their SUMMER NIGHTASTIC! The park transforms into a magical experience as the sun goes down. Some of your favorite shows and attractions will, as in the case of Pixie Hollow, take on a whole new glow. Other places where you might want to find yourself after dark are at the Hyperion Theatre for Aladdin, at Toy Story Mania, or at the TLT Dance Club.  The word for Disney this summer though is “color.” These can be found in the fireworks, at Fantasmic! and, at the newest attraction, “World of Color.” This spectacular nighttime water show tells stories incorporating light, fire, water, music and animation. The illness we spoke of earlier prevented us from checking this out ourselves. Have you seen it? What do you think?

Over at Universal, check out their latest restaurant, The International Café. And you will want to check out the summers newest and World’s Largest 3-D Experience - King Kong 360 3-D. This summer also featured the debut of a new stage effect stage and tram tour. A couple of the ticket discounts over there are six months for only sixty dollars and get two days for the price of one. For more information go to www.universalstudioshollywood.com.

SeaWorld in San Diego also suggests you save time to visit them during the Halloween season. As a matter of fact, if you so desire head down there the 7th of this month and you can audition to be part of this annual event. Interested? Call 800-225-SHAMU. This is also the number to contact should you wish to take advantage of this last opportunity for the year to attend SeaWorld Adventure Camp. As a reminder, Summer Nights continues with special shows and nightly fireworks.

Here is another unique volunteering option. You have heard of Route 66, haven’t you? Well, they need volunteers also. This event, the State Brothers Route 66 Rendezvous, is celebrating their 21st anniversary the weekend of September 16 – 19. They need volunteers for so many different areas that you probably call first and speak with somebody. The number is 909-388-2934. You can get to them on line at www.route-66.org/volunteers.

Last but not least the Palm Springs Follies also request you look to the future for shows. In their case they have announced their theme and stars to help them celebrate their 20th anniversary. The theme this year is FOLLIES FOREVER! And The Crystals are first up. They will be part of the show beginning October 27th and performing through December31st. From January 5th through March 5th the headliner is scheduled to be Leslie Gore. The Four Preps will take the stage On March 8th and stay there through May 15th. For tickets or more information go to www.psfollies.com.

That’s about sums things up for yet another month. Enjoy what is left of the summer and stay healthy - it is the only way to go.