Calendar

2023 Season

Sunday June 4th 2pm-Dark

Strings BBQ POTLUCK JAM

Fully vaccinated Members and Musicians are invited to join us for great music and food.  You are welcome to invite guests as long as they arrive with instrument in hand!  We will have the grill going and look forward to making music together. 

Doors open 2pm.

Please bring beverages and food to share along with your instrument!  Thank you!

Please support Strings

********************

June 10th Saturday 8pm
New Esterházy Quartet

Lisa Weiss-violin, Anthony Martin-violin,Kati Kyme-viola, William Skeen-cello

With Haydn’s 68 quartets as their core repertoire, the New Esterházy Quartet is increasingly recognized as one of the world’s top period-instrument string quartets. The quartet has been praised for their “sumptuous sound with beautifully controlled dynamics” and recently received accolades in Early Music America Magazine for their Haydn in America CD.

June 24th Saturday 8pm
Chimera Ensemble
Chimera⁠—a mythical beast composed of parts of different animals, often wildly imaginative or dazzling; also a trio of composers who create emotional music distilled from Western Classical, Indian, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Celtic, Jazz and more.
Katrina Wreede – viola
Moses Sedler – cello
Diana Rowan – harp
Chimera is a symposium of Bay Area composers who put the joy of ongoing creation at the top of their artistic to-do list. The members nurture their music with both western classical training and years of study in other musical traditions.  The blending of centuries of human experience produces pieces of striking power.  Chimera’s creative process is always dynamic and collaborative, including much space for the kind of self-expression that only improvisation allows.  Each performance is a deep dive into the performers as both composers and people.  And no performance is ever the same, much like life.
****************
July 29th Saturday 8pm
Celebrating Songwriters
Alexis Harte hosts a special evening featuring some of the best contemporary songwriters  from The Press Record Songwriting Society (PRSS) a group of talented Bay Area songwriters.  This evening presents:  Alexis Harte, Tamsen Fynn, Steve Gallup, Emily Zisman, Edie Ohara, Erik Yates.

**********************

September 30th Saturday 8pm
Janam

Juliana Graffagna, Dan Auvil, Tom Farris, Gari Hegedus and Shira Kammen
Turkish, Romani, Sephardic, American roots and original music performed by some of the Bay Area’s most innovative and accomplished musicians.  www.janamband.com

2022 Season

*************************************

November 19th Saturday 8pm

Felsen

Andrew Griffin-guitar/vocals,  Dara Ackerman-percussion/vocals,  Bryan Bixby Dean-bass, Toledo Rob Tucker-percussion
One of the best kept secrets of the Bay Area.  Felsen is a contemporary rock group with excellent musicianship, tight harmonies and smart lyrics that keep the listener engaged.  Felsen proves that acoustic rock and roll is alive and well!
https://www.reverbnation.com/felsen

*****************************

December 17th Saturday 8pm

Strings Holiday Benefit Show

Strings staff invites you to attend our Holiday Benefit.  Each performer will do one tune and then we will celebrate!  If you have not performed on this show please contact Joey at stringsconcerts@gmail.com or call: 510-653-5700 to speak with him.

Strings staff in 2015 at the Holiday show.

2023 Season

February 25th Saturday 8pm

Maurice Tani

One of the best country performing songwriters today Tani writes songs both lyrically deep and musically engaging.  Joined by Mike Anderson and Henry Silvia.  Musicianship and cutting edge lyrics place this performer outside the mainstream.  Creating a unique sound from the roots of country, blues and rock this is entertainment at its best.   http://www.mauricetani.com

March 25th Saturday 8pm

Justin Ancheta Band

Justin Ancheta, Honey of the Heart & BrightSide Blue

Acoustic World Roots with Rich Harmonies.  Featuring songs from their recently released collaboration live album “Live at The Center” from 2021. BrightSide Blue, Honey of the Heart & Justin Ancheta progress their musical prowess with intention to set ceremony and ritual at the forefront of their shows, deepening the connection and power of in-person experiences through music, movement, ritual, and ceremony. Come to this event with an open heart and expansive idea of what is possible with music and your own energy field.

************************

April 29th Saturday 8pm

A Study in Strings

Rebecca Roudman of “Dirty Cello” fame performs with her group:

Rebecca Roudman – cello, Jason Eckl – guitar, Ariel Wang –violin Michael Nicholson – violin
Classical music is reimagined:  Honoring the sounds and techniques of the past. Melody, rhythm, and the soaring sounds of strings are the bread and butter of this group.

May 27th Saturday 8pm
Tom Rigney & John R. Burr


Stellar cajun fiddler Rigney performs with virtuoso pianist John R.  Burr for an evening sure to make you dance in your seats!  Heart, soul and foot stomping energy.
www.rigomania.com

 

******************************************************************************
PAST SHOWS 2022

February 26th  Saturday 8pm

Maurice Tani and Mike Anderson

One of the best country performing songwriters today Tani writes songs both lyrically deep and musically engaging.  Joined by Mike Anderson on bass.  Musicianship and cutting edge lyrics place this performer outside the mainstream.  Creating a unique sound from the roots of country, blues and rock this is entertainment at its best.   http://www.mauricetani.com

March 26th Saturday 8pm

Miles Graber Piano Quartet

   
We are thrilled to welcome back Miles Graber Chamber Music.  Miles performs with the talents of Sam Weiser-violin, Alexandria Simpson-viola and Saul Richmond-Rakherd-cello.


Beautifully played classical music in our intimate setting.  This performance will feature music by Molly Axtmann, Mozart and Brahms.
************************************************

April 30th Saturday 8pm

FREE PEOPLES
Tim Sawyer-vocals/guitar, Mike DiPirro-vocals/bass, Jason Thor- trombone/vocals, Sam Hamby-guitar/vocals and Dylan Garrison on drums.

We welcome back this extraordinary band.  Fine harmonies, reggae edges with rock elements.  All combine into a joyful sound with impeccable musicianship and excellent songs. freepeoples.com

May 28th Saturday 8pm

Dan Cantrell & Friends

Dan Cantrell-accordion, piano & voice
Lila Sklar-violin & voice
Eric Perney-bass
Max Baloian-guitar
Jason Ditzian-clarinet
with special guest percussionists
and the fabulous dancing talents of Elizabeth Strong & friends.
Original music inspired by the folk traditions of eastern Europe, the middle east, American folklore, film scoring, and the far reaches of Danistan.
——————————————————————————————-
June 25th Saturday 8pm
Chimera Ensemble
Chimera⁠—a mythical beast composed of parts of different animals, often wildly imaginative or dazzling; also a trio of composers who create emotional music distilled from Western Classical, Indian, Balkan, Middle Eastern, Celtic, Jazz and more.
Katrina Wreede – viola
Moses Sedler – cello
Diana Rowan – harp
Chimera is a symposium of Bay Area composers who put the joy of ongoing creation at the top of their artistic to-do list. The members nurture their music with both western classical training and years of study in other musical traditions.  The blending of centuries of human experience produces pieces of striking power.  Chimera’s creative process is always dynamic and collaborative, including much space for the kind of self-expression that only improvisation allows.  Each performance is a deep dive into the performers as both composers and people.  And no performance is ever the same, much like life.
Special guests: La Zuli: Briana di Mara (violin) and Anis Shehiri (guitar)
July 30th Saturday 8pm
Melissa Cruz is a full-time professional flamenco dancer based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She performs tomorrow with:
Guitarist Keni “El Lebrijano”
Special Guest Dancer/Singer Tamar Ilana

August 19th Friday 8pm
Opener: Frances8/Headliner: Westerly
FRANCES8

Nicole Laby: Singer-Songwriter   Revi Airborne-Williams: Violin, Viola, Vocals  Jason Roberts: Upright Bass  Michael Tornatore: Drums  Mark Fassett: Guitar

Anthony’s Song.

WESTERLY
Sterling spence- vocals/guitar
Lou Vera Mesa – vocals/keys
Jeff Peck – bass
Mike Bond – drums
Scott Wilson – guitar
Reason to Believe:
August 27th Saturday 8pm
Tom Rigney & John R. Burr


Stellar cajun fiddler Rigney performs with virtuoso pianist John R.  Burr for an evening sure to make you dance in your seats!  Heart, soul and foot stomping energy.
www.rigomania.com

*******************************************

October 22nd Saturday 8pm
Visual Concert
We are very happy to present a Visual Concert at Strings.  Live music will be played to photography projected on a large screen.  This tradition was started in the 90s by John Pearson and this concert honors him. 
Photographers: John Pearson, Richard Blair, Nancy Rubin, Kathleen Goodwin.
Musicians: Harry Whitney (piano), Joey Lent (guitar) and The Chimera Ensemble (Katie Wreede-viola, Diana Rowan-harp, Moses Sedler-cello) accompany the images.  

Sunday November 6th  2pm-Dark

Strings BBQ POTLUCK JAM

Fully vaccinated Members and Musicians are invited to join us for great music and food.  You are welcome to bring a guests as long as they arrive with instrument in hand!  
We will have the grill going and look forward to making music together.Doors open 2pm.

Please bring beverages and food to share along with your instrument!  Be sure to take any leftover food home!

————————————————————————————————–

SHOWS: 2021

First live show.  Saturday September 25th 8pm

FREE PEOPLES

Tim Sawyer-vocals/guitar, Mike DiPirro-vocals/bass, Jason Thor- trombone/vocals, Sam Hamby-guitar/vocals and Dylan Garrison on drums.

We welcome back this extraordinary band.  Fine harmonies, reggae edges with rock elements.  All combine into a joyful sound with impeccable musicianship and excellent songs. freepeoples.com

October 23rd Saturday 8pm

Nosferatu

Murnau’s silent horror masterpiece screened to live accompaniment.

Molly Axtmann and the Invisible Ensemble

Rachel Durling, violin, Shira Kammen, viola, Dina Weinshelbaum, cello

Molly Axtmann, composer/pianist

Please note: No one will be admitted after the film begins.

November 20th Saturday 8pm

pickPocket Ensemble
 
Rick Corrigan-accordion, composition, Chloe Allen-violin, Yates Brown-guitar, John Slattery-percussion, Colin Williams-bass, Matthew Souther-trumpet
Inspired by many world musical traditions, the pickPocket ensemble inhabit a country all their own.  Original and fresh,  the pickPocket ensemble create contemporary chamber café music that moves both body and soul.  pickPocketensemble