COUNTY PARK BLUES FEST TO BENEFIT HOMELESS EVENT NEXT MONTH TO FEATURE COCO MONTOYA, TONI DODD.

Byline: ERIC LEACH

Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - The city isn't known for its blues music or as a haven for transients, but a group of musicians wants to put Simi Valley on the map for both by hosting a blues festival to benefit the homeless.

The Write 4 Hope Blues Festival is planned for April 28 at Oak County Park, less than a mile from the spot along the Arroyo Simi where officials disbanded a homeless encampment last month.

Proceeds will benefit Samaritan Center, which provides food, showers, clothing, employment assistance and social services to scores of homeless people in Simi Valley.

Last year's festival raised $1,400 for Samaritan Center and for the Coalition to End Family Violence.

"We sponsor and organize charitable events for local charities that don't get the federal funding they need," said Goldie Thomas, founder of Write 4 Hope.

"The first year we had around 700 people for the (blues) event, and we're anticipating we're going to double the turnout this year. We have really great acts," said Thomas, who expects it to be Ventura County's biggest blues festival.

"There are a lot of blues fans in Ventura County," she said. "And last year we had people driving all the way out from Long Beach. A lot of people love the blues and are really excited about it."

"It's a lot of really top-quality musicians," she said. "They are coming out of the goodness of their hearts."

Thomas said Simi Valley has a sizable -- but relatively invisible -- homeless population that camps in the hills and along the arroyo, sleeps in cars and seeks haven at winter shelters.

"The Samaritan Center plays a real vital role in Simi," she said. "We have a lot of families that need clothes and shelter. You might not see them but they are there."

The acts slated to appear in the festival include Coco Montoya, the Delgado Brothers, Blues Stew, Gino Matteo, Jeff Jensen, BB Chung King, Toni Dodd, Southland Blues, and Michael John.

Actor and musician Mickey Jones, who lives in Simi Valley, will be master of ceremonies.

"I'm really high on this whole thing. I applaud the Samaritan Center and totally support their cause," he said.

"Coco Montoya is one of the greatest blues guitar players around. He's at the top of the game," said Jones, who has played drums for Bob Dylan, Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers and Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.

Jones toured as the drummer in Europe with Dylan in 1966 and recently produced the documentary "1966 World Tour: The Home Movies," using footage he shot himself on the controversial tour, during which Dylan shocked his fans by changing his style from folk to electrified rock 'n' roll.

Jones has also appeared in television shows and films, including Kevin Costner's "Tin Cup," for which Jones helped create the song "Double Bogey Blues."

"We all need to do what we can to help the homeless," Jones said of the Simi Valley blues festival. "We're trying to help them get a leg up. This festival is made up of people from the area that is served by the Samaritan Center. When we get a chance to benefit folks in our own backyard, we love to do that."

Virginia Nelson, director of the Samaritan Center, said she was grateful for the support.

"Last year was their first year, so we didn't know exactly what to expect, but it was great," she said. "The musicians were great. Goldie is just wonderful. She has taken us under her wing."

Nelson said there is enough variety in the festival to appeal to people of all ages.

"People dance and sing along. Everybody has a great time," she said.

Nelson said homeless people who use the Samaritan Center help with the festival, making sure the trash is picked up and the park clean at the end of the day.

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If you go

The Write 4 Hope Blues Festival will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 28 at Oak County Park, 901 Quimisa Drive in Simi Valley. Tickets are $15; $5 for ages 5-12; free for children under 4. Call [phone] or go to www.write4hope.org.

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(color -- ran in Simi edition only) Actor and musician Mickey Jones will be master of ceremonies for the Write 4 Hope Blues Festival on April 28 at Oak County Park.

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