Author Archives: Shirley Pena

Shirley Pena

About Shirley Pena

A native of Southern California, Shirley Peña began her career as a music journalist almost twenty years ago, writing for her websites "Stars In My Eyes: the Girlhowdy Website" and "La Raza Rock!" and progressed to creating various fan sites on Yahoo, including the first for New Zealand singer/songwriter Tim Finn. From there, she became a free agent, arranging online interviews for Yahoo fan clubs with various music artists (Andy White, John Crawford, Debora Iyall, John Easdale, etc.). She also lent her support in creating and moderating a number of Yahoo fan clubs for various music artists from the 1990s-today. As a music journalist, Shirley Peña has contributed to a number of magazines (both hard copy and online), among them: Goldmine, American Songwriter, Classic Drummer Magazine and UK-based Keyboard Player (where she was a principal journalist). A self-confessed "fanatic" of 1960s "British Invasion" bands, Classic Rock and nostalgic "Old Hollywood ", she also keeps her finger on the pulse of current trends in music, with a keen eye for up and coming artists of special merit. Shirley Peña loves Los Angeles, and is thrilled to join the writing staff of The Los Angeles Beat!

Warren Miller’s ‘Flow State’ Coming to Theatres Soon

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Victoria Simarano Director, Grassroots and Strategic Partnerships: Climate Reality: “Hi, LA Beat readers! Winter is almost here! But our planet is heating up … and our ski slopes and sledding hills need to be there for the next generation. Climate … Continue reading →

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Help Smuckers Donate Another $100,000 to Protecting our National Parks

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Katie Eucker, senior manager for National Parks Conservation Association: “Hello, LA Beat readers; The J.M. Smucker Company and its Adams®, Laura Scudder’s®, and Smucker’s® Natural Peanut Butter brands recently made a combined donation of $100,000 to NPCA and will make … Continue reading →

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Serendipity and the Headstone That Wouldn’t Stay Put

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Shirley Pena

All photos-except where indicated, courtesy of Kurt Miller. Copyright 2012. Serendipity plays an important part in the life of every human being…and sometimes even after they have left “this mortal coil” too!  This week’s guest writer, Southern California  genealogist Anthony Ray … Continue reading →

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UFW Lawsuit Accuses Cal/OSHA of Failure to Enforce Regulations Protecting Farm Workers

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Shirley Pena

Thursday, October 18: a lawsuit in California’s state court was filed against the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) for its “systematic failure” to enforce the regulation that requires farmers to provide water, shade and rest to their … Continue reading →

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President Obama Delivers Speech at the César Chávez National Monument

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Shirley Pena

With the media arriving bright and early (some as early as 6 a.m.) the press shuttles did a brisk business of departing to the event site every 30 minutes, beginning at 6:45 a.m. until 9:15 a.m., with final media access … Continue reading →

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Peter Murphy: ‘Miracula Halloween’ October 27!

Posted on October 6, 2012 by Shirley Pena

MIRACULA HALLOWEEN NEWS: ‘DEEP’ IN ITS ENTIRETY! Peter Murphy: “Greetings, LA Beat readers! Miracula Halloween will be a night of firsts… a Night of Power. For the first time ever, I will perform my Deep album in its entirety and in the original recorded order … Continue reading →

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‘Detonation’ of the Blues: An Interview with Dave Fields Part 2

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Shirley Pena

How did you come to select David Z as your producer for ‘Detonation’? Well, I’d met David Z in Memphis a few years ago, and the second I met him he struck me as being such a nice, easy-going guy. … Continue reading →

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‘Detonation’ of the Blues:an Interview with Dave Fields Part 1

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Shirley Pena

“I know that’s why I’m here: to bring happiness to people. There’s nothing more amazing in this world than to see another human being smile, and if it’s because of something I’ve played or sang or performed then that makes … Continue reading →

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“WalMarch” Comes to its Completion at LA City Hall

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Shirley Pena

All photos, except where indicated, courtesy of Elizabeth Brennan, Communications Director, Warehouse Workers United.  Copyright 2012. No reproduction or use thereof without the permission of WWU. WHAT: WalMarch Final Day: Hundreds rallied and greeted warehouse workers at the end of a … Continue reading →

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Save the Sando! Save Live Music! Part 2

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Shirley Pena

With ever-increasing frequency, banks and other lending institutions are closing iconic, important live music venues all over the world, ruining both the lives of everyday folk as well as robbing communities of their history, heritage and culture, all in one … Continue reading →

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