Saturday, November 16, 2019

Red Poppy Art House: December, 2019

It is unclear how busy the Red Poppy Art House will be next month. However, three events have been posted for the first half of December on the Upcoming Events Web page; and I tend to take three as establishing a “critical mass” for posting the information. As usually seems to be reliable, I shall continue to monitor additions through notification of Facebook Events. I can then update this article and use my “shadow” Facebook site to let followers know about the latest additions.

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:

Sunday, December 1, 6 p.m.: Zhu Zhuye maman will be a departure from the usual offerings at the Poppy. It will be an interactive performance by Rayyaneh Karami that will take place in the setting of an exhibition of her sculptures. Karami conceived this project to honor her lost baby Zhubin, and all of the sculptures were created shortly after the baby’s death. As a musician Karami plays the daf, the large Persian and Arabic frame drum that is used in both popular and classical music. The drum’s repetitive rhythms will complement the sculptures on display. Video and images will be provided by Vahid Zamani.

Guests may visit the performance space any time between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. They are invited to interact with the performance either by improvising a song, playing their choice of musical instrument, or by tearing a piece from the bottom of the long dress that the artist will be wearing, writing a wish on it, and re-attaching it to the dress. There will be no charge for admission. However, reservations through the Eventbrite Web page are recommended.

Friday, December 6, 7 p.m.: Makrú is a sextet that calls its genre “rumba ska with global beats.” This amounts to a fusion of rumba flamenca, ska, reggae, cumbia, other global beats, and songs with lyrics in Spanish, English, and Turkish. The members of the group are Jenny Rodriguez (vocals, vihuela, and percussion), Raúl Vargas (vocals, and cajón), Alberto Gutierrez (vocals and guitar), Haluk Kecelioglu (vocals, guitar, oud, and violin), Vinicio Peñate (bass), and Jesse Weber (percussion). 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 11/22, 8:25 a.m.:

Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.: The next flamenco performance to be given at the Poppy will be presented by dancer Mizuho Sato. Sato was born in Japan and began classical ballet training at the age of three. Her first encounter with flamenco took place during university studies, and she has been pursuing the art form since then. The instrumentalists for this performance will be David Mclean on guitar and Marlon Aldana on percussion. There will also be a vocalist, not yet named. 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.]

Saturday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.: Yuri Liberzon will give a solo guitar recital. He is currently recording an album of his own transcriptions of solo violin music by Johann Sebastian Bach. He has already recorded his transcription of the BWV 1004 solo violin partita in D minor, best known for its concluding Chaconne movement. His repertoire also includes transcriptions of the music of Astor Piazzolla, some of which are included on his ¡Acentuado! album. Admission will be on a sliding scale between $25 and $30 for tickets purchased in advance. General admission at the door will be $30 with a $25 charge for students and seniors with valid identification.

[added 11/21, 9:30 a.m.:

Friday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.: Rebirth Canal is a new jazz ensemble led by pianist, vocalist, and composer Camille Mai. Their repertoire is a synthesis of influences from both Latin sources and Vietnam. Daniel Riera takes the front line with flute, an electronic wind instrument, and synthesizers. Mai in joined in the rhythm section by Ernesto Maza Kindelán on bass and percussionists Marcelo Perez and Ahkeel Mestayer. 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 11/22, 8:35 a.m.:

Saturday, December 21, 7:30 p.m.: Corazón Tango is a combo that presents popular contemporary Argentine tango pieces arranged by world-renowned maestros from 1980 to the present. As might be guessed, much of the program will be devoted to the music of Astor Piazzolla, including some of his early pieces that predate his neuvo tango movement. The program will also include works by more recent tango composers, including Horacio Salgán, Víctor Lavallén, and Leopoldo Federico. The core members of the group are Hanel Yeon on bandoneon, Sumi Lee on piano, and YooHo Jeong on bass. They will be joined by guest artists Ahram Kim on violin, Maximiliano Larrea on guitar, and vocalist Teresa Tam. 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.

Sunday, December 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.]

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