Multiple San Diego Music Award winner for Best Americana, Sara Petite and her band put on one heck of a show at the historic Mainstage Theatre in Ramona, CA. Originally opened as a movie house in 1947, the theatre like many grand old theatres around the country closed down and fell into disrepair. It was purchased in 2003 by Orrin and Cheryl Day and was restored to its original art deco grandeur. It now plays host to bands and musicians from all genres.
The Last Friday Concert Series is a monthly free show held at the Mainstage every last Friday of the month. This month’s opening act was Ramona’s own Americana band, Farm Truck. Farm Truck is currently working on an EP and are a main staple in country bars around San Diego county. They recently opened up for Cody Canada at the Mainstage.
Sara Petite is a 4-time San Diego Music Award winner for Best Country/Americana Band, grand prize winner of Portland’s Songwriting Contest, San Diego Songwriting Contest winner, 5-time International Songwriting Contest finalist and she took second place in the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest. She was recently named San Diego’s 2019 Woman of the Year for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Sara opened the show with a cover of Patty Scialfa’s, “Rumble Doll.” She went on to play songs from throughout her career including the title track from her first album in 2006, Tiger Mountain. From her 2010 album Doghouse Rose she sang, “Magnolia” and finally from her latest album, Road Less Traveled, released in 2017, she sang “It was Just A Kiss,” I will Rise and for the encore “Sweet Pea Patch.”
She sprinkled in some new stuff and some other covers as well. The crowd was dancing to the dance tunes and listening intently to the ballads like “Scars” and “Floating with the Angels.” As a matter of fact, I don’t remember a time I have ever heard the crowd at the Mainstage or any show for that matter as quiet as this crowd when Sara sang “Floating with the Angels.”
Sara is a pleasure to watch on stage. She and her band obviously enjoy what they are doing and they like doing it with each other. There is a lot of laughing, smiling and joking on stage between and even during songs. When Sara momentarily forgot the words to one of her songs she joked, “This happens all the time. It’s what makes me endearing.” Later in the show she had a little trouble with her capo and one of the audience members shouted out it just made her even more endearing. All in all, a great night.
Sara is currently on tour. Below are some of the places she will be performing in the next few weeks.
April 7 – Sculptera Winery, Paso Robles, CA (solo)
April 8 – Morro Bay Wine Sellers, Morro Bay, CA (solo)
April 12 – Murphy’s Irish Pub, Sonoma, CA (trio)
April 27 – Adam’s Avenue Unplugged, San Diego, CA (full band)
May 12 – Gator By the Bay – San Diego, CA (full band)