BY KAREN YOUNG

Sometimes a special  “find” moves you outside of your immediate radar.  This is one of those times to take a couple short drives — one, on the 134, and the other, just over the hill from the 818, for a free concert series benefiting a special cause,  featuring Vanessa Carlton, Ashley Tisdale, Michelle Branch and Gavin Rossdale.

Vanessa Carlton

Throughout the month of August, the Donate Life Concert Series, will be presented at The Americana at Brand in Glendale and The Grove in Los Angeles.  Donate Life America, formerly the Coalition on Donation, was founded by the transplant community in 1992 to educate the public about organ, eye and tissue donation and avoid duplication of effort.   It assists in mobilizing the transplant community to educate the American public on the need for organ, eye and tissue donation and motivating the public to make an actionable donor designation.

THE AMERICANA AT BRAND, GLENDALE

Vanessa Carlton: August 5 at 8 p.m. – Known for her smash hits “A Thousand Miles” and “Ordinary Day,” three-time Grammy nominee Vanessa Carlton will kick-off the summer concert series at The Americana at Brand.  The talented musician exploded onto the scene in 2002 with “Be Not Nobody” and received Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist.  Her latest album, “Heroes and Thieves,” showcases the maturing talents of the 26-year-old singer/songwriter/pianist.

Ashley Tisdale

Ashley Tisdale : August 12. at 8 p.m. – Ashley Tisdale, from the mega-hit High School Musical franchise, will make her debut at The Americana at Brand performing songs from her new album, “Guilty Pleasure.”  The album, released by Warner Bros. Records on July 28, has an edgy, guitar-driven pop-rock sound, a creative and mature leap forward for this appealing young singer and songwriter.  The young star recently received a 2009 MTV Movie Award in the Breakthrough Performance, Female category for her role in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

THE GROVE AT  FARMERS MARKET, LOS ANGELES

Michelle Branch

Michelle  Branch: August 19 at 8 p.m. – Grammy Award-winner and four-time nominee Michelle Branch has captivated audiences for years with her distinguished vocals and heartfelt guitar playing.  The musician won critical acclaim when she teamed up with Santana to record the mega-hit “The Game of Love” which won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals as well as for her first country smash hit album “Stand Still, Look Pretty” by The Wreckers that was nominated for both a CMA Award and a Grammy.  Her most recent effort is the compelling “Everything Comes and Goes.”

Gavin Rossdale

Gavin Rossdale:  August 26 at 8 p.m. – Gavin Rossdale will rock The Grove performing songs from his debut solo album “WANDERlust,” including his hit single “Love Remains the Same.”  Gavin Rossdale is best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist for the British post-grunge rock band Bush.  The band’s hit debut album “Sixteen Stone” produced chart-topping singles such as “Glycerine,” “Comedown” and “Machinehead,” leading Bush to the forefront of modern rock in the mid-90s.

The series is presented by  Palm and the new Palm  Pre, and promoted by 104.3 MyFM.   Guests will find a Palm Pre Experience Center at The Americana at Brand and The Grove offering visitors a unique, hands-on demonstration of the new Palm Pre phone, including quick one-on-one tutorials; larger groups can also observe demonstrations on several LCD screens.

The Americana at Brand is located in the heart of Glendale and is bound by Brand Boulevard, Central Avenue and Colorado Street. For more information about the concert series or for specific store and restaurant hours, please call The Americana Concierge at: (877) 897-2097.

The Grove is located at Third Street and Fairfax Avenue, adjacent to L.A.’s historic Farmers Market.  For more information about the concert series or for specific store and restaurant hours, please call The Grove Concierge at: (323) 900-8080.

Karen Young is the Editor/Publisher of MY DAILY FIND

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