Thursday, August 15, 2019

Red Poppy Art House: September, 2019

As was observed at the beginning of July, the first half of this month has been a very busy time. However, what holds for the first half of this month will be just as valid, if not more so, for the entirety of next month. Therefore, it seems timely to set up a Web page accounting for activities at the Red Poppy Art House, even if, as of this morning, only three concerts have been announced for next month. Since all three of those events have been scheduled for the first half of September, sooner is definitely likely to be more useful than later. As always, I shall do my best to monitor the Upcoming Events Web page on the Poppy’s Web site. This Web page will be updated to reflect additions; and, as always, I shall use my “shadow” Facebook site to put out the word each time new information has been added.

The Red Poppy is located in the Mission at 2698 Folsom Street on the southwest corner of 23rd Street. Tickets are now being sold in advance online through Eventbrite. As a result, the dates provided below are hyperlinked to the Eventbrite event pages for purchasing tickets.

Given the demand for these concerts, it is likely that only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Remember, the Poppy is a small space. Even those who have purchased their tickets in advance should probably make it a point to be there when the doors open one half-hour before the performance is scheduled to begin. Here are the specifics for the events that have been posted thus far:

[added 8/22, 8:20 a.m.:

Friday, September 6, 7 p.m.: Local vocalist will celebrate the release of her first single “Levanta!” She will present a set of her original music and a set of son jarocho. In addition to singing, she plays jarana jarocha, guitar, and bass. The will be joined by a special guest artist from Veracruz, who specializes in zapateado; and the program will begin with a zapateado for the audience. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $20 and $25 for tickets purchased in advance. General admision at the door will be $25 with a $20 charge for students and seniors with valid identification.]

Saturday, September 7, 7:30 p.m.: Benji & Rita is the duo of Benji Kaplan and Rita Figueiredo. Both play guitar, both are vocalists, and both contribute compositions to their repertoire. The title of their program will be Brazilian, Jazz & Classical Traditions. Their program will draw upon material from their debut album entitled simply Benji & Rita. They will perform selections that channel the scents and sounds and the flora and fauna of their respective homelands, drawing on everything from samba and baião to waltzes and pop tunes, much as Brazilian popular composers have done over the last five decades. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $15 and $20.

Friday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.: Sevillian flamenco singer Juan Murube has inspired a show that combines flamenco influences with those of Latin music. He will be joined by two flamenco dancers, Bianca Rodriguez and Radha Garcia. The instrumentalists will be guitarist Gopal Slavonic, flutist Chus Alonso, and Marlon Aldana on percussion. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $15 and $20.

Saturday, September 14, 7:30 p.m.: Hawaiian mezzo Nicole Takesono has prepared another program inspired by music with roots in the Iberian peninsula. She will be accompanied by guitarist Sharon Wayne. The program will explore classical Spanish songs, traditional Portuguese fado, classical guitar repertoire, and traditional Hawaiian tunes. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $20 and $25.

[added 8/21, 10:45 a.m.:

Thursday, September 19, 7:30 p.m.: This will be a solo recital by Cuban-born flamenco guitarist Norberto Guerra. This repertoire is organized around both classical and flamenco genres, as well as his own original compositions. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $20 and $25 for tickets purchased in advance. General admision at the door will be $25 with a $20 charge for students and seniors with valid identification.]

[added 8/16, 10:55 a.m.:

Friday, September 20, 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.: Istanbul Connection will return to the Poppy with a program entitled (what else?) Reconnecting. The group is a nine-piece band whose repertoire includes Balkan, Turkish, North African, and flamenco music. Members of the audience encouraged by this music to dance are encouraged to do so! The performers will be Kata Miletich (vocals), Haluk Kecelioglu (vocals, oud, and violin), Raúl Vargas (vocals, cajón, and percussion), Melissa Cruz (percussion and dance), Sean Terguis (darbuka and tupan), Isaac Weiser (bass), Javier Jimenez (guitar), Danny Cao (trumpet), and Joey Friedman (saxophone). Admission will be on a sliding scale between $15 and $20. There will be two separate shows, and the Eventbrite Web page allows the user to select which show to attend.

Sunday, September 22, 2 p.m.: This will be the next installment of the free Monthly Community Rumba, with music provided by Rumberos de Radio Habana. While this is a free event, donations are warmly accepted. All donated money goes to the performing musicians, and a recommended amount is between $5 and $10.]

[added 8/21, 10:50 a.m.:

Thursday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.: The Bywater Band is a quartet based in Boston that plays traditional Scottish and Irish music. The group is making its second-ever appearance on the West Coast on its way to KVMR Celtic Festival. All members of the group contribute as vocalists. The leader is Elias Alexander, who plays border pipes, whistle, and harmonium. The other members of the group are Maura Shawn Scanlin (fiddle), Eamon Sefton (guitar), and Patrick Bowling (lute, whistle, and bòdhran) Bowling is also a proficient step dancer. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $20 and $25 for tickets purchased in advance. General admission at the door will be $25 with a $20 charge for students and seniors with valid identification.]


[added 8/18, 10:20 a.m.:

Friday, September 27, 7:30 p.m.: With the release of their second album this coming October, the French Oak Gypsy Band will change its name to Bandjango Collectif. This should better represent their repertoire, which melds French jazz manouche and chanson, New Orleans jazz, global traditions, and folk. This visit to the Poppy should serve to preview the new album. The group is led by vocalist Stella Heath. Thierry Gabriel Pirard provides harmony vocals and guitar accompaniment. Jimmy Inciardi plays baritone, tenor, and soprano saxophones. Rhythm is provided by Josh Fossgreen on bass and Jamie Foster on drums. Admission will be $20.]

[added 8/25, 10:45 a.m.:

Saturday, September 28, 7:30 p.m.: Corazon Tango is a particularly striking trio of classically trained musicians, all of whom happen to be of Asian descent, committed to pursuing the traditional and contemporary repertoire of Argentine tango. The performers are Sumi Lee on piano, YoonHo Jeong on bass, and Hanei Yeon on bandoneon. For this performance they will be joined by a special guest artist from Argentina, guitarist Maximilliano Larrea. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $25 and $30 for tickets purchased in advance. General admision at the door will be $30 with a $20 charge for students and seniors with valid identification.]

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