Go See A Show Tonight

Every day, I'll be listing a "must-see" concert that is happening in the tri-state area for that particular day. It's part of a new series I'm calling "Go See A Show Tonight."

Monday, February 23
Argentina's Juana Molina, is marking her debut at the Southgate House tonight, and she's also touring with a band in the United States for the first time.

The singer/songwriter and actress combines elements of acoustic, folk music with ambient and electronica. She sings in Spanish, and her songs are often accompanied by other instruments.

Juana was brought up in a musical environment with her "tango-singing" father teaching her guitar at five years old. At 14, Juana and family moved to Paris from Argentina, as a result of the military coup in Argentina of 1976.

She began her acting career in 1988 as a comedic television actress on the show "La Noticia Rebelde. She later starred in a sketch show called "Juana y sus hermanas", popular among the Spanish-speaking world and Latin America.

In 1996, she decided to begin her music career, and released her debut album, "Rara", later that same year. Her second album, "Segundo" was named "Best World Music Album" in 2003 by Entertainment Weekly.

She continued on a rising path when her third album, "Tres Cosas" was placed in the Top Ten Records of 2004 by the New York Times. The next year, she released the critically acclaimed "Son" in 2005. Her latest was "Un Dia", released in 2008, on Domino Records.

She is often compared by critics to Bjork, Beth Orton and Lisa Germano. She usually writes, mixes and performs on her own.

Juana Molina plays the Ballroom tonight at Newport's Historic Southgate House. Doors open at 7:30 pm and the show starts at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Parking is available nearby in several lots, side streets and also at Newport on the Levee.

When that show ends, make sure to stop upstairs in Junie's Lounge, where 500 Miles to Memphis frontman, Ryan Mallott, will be hosting tonight's Open Mic Night. It's free, and if there's any down time, you may even hear Ryan play a few songs.