Dec 2: Cascada de Flores and The Stairwell Sisters

Cascada de Flores (“waterfall of flowers”) has been interpreting the traditions and diversity of Mexican and Caribbean folk music and dance for the past 10 years with elegance and originality. The trio, who have all traveled domestically and internationally to grow and perform their talents, showcase a remarkable number of traditional instruments including, but definitely not limited to, guitar, flute, donkey jawbone, and zapateado (percussive dance).


Members of Cascada de Flores are all highly regarded. Vocalist, dancer, and player of traditional Mexican rhythm guitar Awren Lawrence had her performance described by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the most authentic moments of the evening, performed with such loving purity that it stayed with the audience long after the curtain fell." Guitarist Jorge Liceaga comes from a rich musical heritage and has been part of other notable innovative groups such as Potaje, which explores the musical bridges between Spain and Cuba. Sabra Weber is trained in classical flute performance and is currently director of SONando Santa Barbara, a Latin American cultural arts organization.

The Stairwell Sisters return to Cyprian's stage for another "old-time tear-down" with a punk-rock intensity. Sweet country music, rowdy fiddling, steel strings, step dancing and bluegrass through-and-through claim raves for these five San Francisco women on tours all across the U.S. and Europe. Ten years, three albums, from the Lincoln Center to Prairie Home Companion -- The Stairwell Sisters could not be more welcome at Turk & Lyon.


Awesome Double Bill: Cascada de Flores & The Stairwell Sisters
Doors open 7:30pm, performance begins at 8pm
Cyprian's, 2097 Turk St. at Lyon
$18 adv/$20 door; $16 for kids, seniors, and students with ID


Tickets:
brownpapertickets
Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero, San Francisco
Phoenix Books & Records, 3957 24th St., San Francisco
Down Home Music, 1034 San Pablo, El Cerrito


Check Getting to Cyprian's above for bus lines (with a stop across the street) and secure off-street parking options. Secure bike parking provided on site.
Refreshments for sale and you can drink in the church.


Cascada de Flores and The Stairwell Sisters appear at Cyprian's as part of the SF Live Arts Music Series

Back to Bali: Traditional Balinese Shadow Theatre for the Family at Cyprian's Saturday September 10

Back to Bali series

Images: Larry Reed

ShadowLightProductions c 2010

You are cordially invited to an experience of a lifetime- a Balinese shadow theatre performance. ShadowLight Productions presents The Marriage of Adimbi, performed by Artistic Director and founder Larry Reed. This is a wonderful event for children and adults alike and has a special early starting time, 7:30pm, to accommodate families. Production includes gamelan accompaniment (a treat in itself).

The ancient art of Indonesian shadow play, known as wayang kulit, is a unique form of theater in which light, shadows, and intricate handmade puppets are used to tell stories of folklore and myth. The performances are important in ritual, lesson, and entertainment. Each performance is a unique, improvised experience that depends upon the shadow master and his rendition of the tale as well as his connection with the audience.

Artistic Director and puppet master Larry Reed is one of the few Americans who has been trained in Balinese shadow theater. During his young adulthood he completed a decade of intense study with an Indonesian shadow master. Reed is known for his expansion of the art form, which includes a new shadow casting method that allows for integration of traditional theatre techniques as well as cinematic effects and modern theatre and dance styles.

“Afterward their whole dreamscape changes and they start dreaming differently or remembering things differently,” says Reed of his audiences in a KQED Spark segment. “It makes it worth doing these projects, even though they are so much work.”

Note: Back to Bali is a series of six performances. One of the six will be presented at Cyprian's.

-- Constance Cavallas

Saturday September 10

Doors Open 7pm, performance begins 7:30pm, ends at 9pm
Cyprian's, 2097 Turk St. at Lyon
$13 adv/$15 door; $11 for kids, seniors, and students with ID

Tickets:

• brownpapertickets.com
• Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero, San Francisco
• Phoenix Books & Records, 3957 24th St., San Francisco
• Down Home Music, 1034 San Pablo, El Cerrito

More info: please see the website for ShadowLightProductions http://www.shadowlight.org/slp/

Back to Bali is a presentation of SF Live Arts (formerly the Noe Valley Music Series) noevalleymusicseries.org

Cyprian's Celebrates Six Months -- 22 Acts with Local, US and International Performers, 1000 Patrons

We touted Cyprian's as San Francisco's newest venue in February this year, wondering how much success would follow. Now we know -- it's been a smash 6 months. Performers continually extol the great acoustics of the space and the welcome, intimate atmosphere. Patrons keep coming back, glow during the performances, love the home-baked goods on sale, and delight in taking their drinks upstairs "in the church." Our favorite quote from a performer: "We love this place."

Everyone loves the music too. San Francisco Live Arts (formerly the Noe Valley Music Series) brings an amazing array of music and performers to Cyprian's each month. Cyprian's also co-produced several independent shows. During the six months of music, patrons enjoyed

• 3 nights of bluegrass (the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival)
• gypsy jazz
• Irish fusion violinist (jazz, Brazilian, Cuban, Indian, and gypsy)
• classical guitar
• country western
• acoustic fusion vocals and guitar
• folk, rock, pop, jazz elements
• banjo riff of Beatles tunes
• yodeling and chicken clucking
• Irish/Cajun rebel sound
• a master guitar class
• old-time gospel
• traditional gospel quartet
• Indian and new world sound
• blues and more blues
• tango

So many artists -- bands, duos, and soloists -- have graced our stage in just six months. We hope they all return:

• The Stairwell Sisters
• Nell Robinson with John Reischman & The Jaybirds
• James Nash and the Nashvillains
• The Water Tower Bucket Boys
• Cahalen Morrison & Eli West
• Jackstraw
• Misner & Smith
• Glass House
• George Cole Quintet
• Brothers Comatose
• Merle "Ian Shoales" Kesler & Joshua Raoul Brody with their Evening of Song
• Colm O'Riain
• Justin Houchin
• Culann's Hounds
• Lucia Comnes
• Vieux Farka Toure
• Men of Endurance
• Fret Not Gospel
• Tango No. 9
• Maurice Tan, Jean Courtney & 77 El Deora
• Jeffrey Halford & Band
• Lisa Sangita Moskow

Just under 1000 patrons have found their way to Cyprian's to hear sometimes stirring, sometimes raucous, always amazing music. For a few hours each time they create a community of kindred spirits.

A huge thanks to

• Larry Kassin, SF Live Arts producer, and his staff (Marlene, Ron, Elliot)
• St. Cyprian's congregation and Rev. Will Scott
• Gigi Smith for the best home cooking available at many concerts
• Cyprian's many volunteers -- ushers, greeters, parking attendants, and promoters
• Lucia Comnes for bringing Vieux Farka Toure to Cyprian's
• Everyone who came to Cyprian's for the amazing sounds and good spirits
• All the artists who grace our space and make it glow

The performance schedule for the next six months is filling up. We're anticipating some fine folk, amazing acoustic sounds, premieres of classical violin compositions, opera cabaret, string quartets, and an emerging artists series. Check back for listings.

25 Singers! 25 Songs! Special Price, New Time

Photo: americanidol.com

OK, Cyprian's isn't a tryout venue for American Idol. Yet. But this Saturday night the newest performance space in San Francisco features 25 singers each singing a favorite song celebrating Spring, Summer and New Beginnings. Joshua Raoul Brody and Merle (Ian Shoales) Kessler will host the performers along with The Experimental Love Orchestra in SF Live Arts' Evening of Song.

New Ticket Prices and New Start Time
Evening of Song
Cyprian’s at Turk & Lyon (2097 Turk)

Saturday, June 4

7:30 pm, doors open 7pm
$13 adv / $15 door
More information: noevalleymusicseries.com (415) 454-5238

Tickets available:
Brownpapertickets.com or (800) 838-3006
Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero (415) 932-6615
Phoenix Books & Records, 3957 24th St, SF, (415) 821-3477
Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito (510) 525-2129
$11 for kids, seniors & students with ID – at the door or online only

Bus, Bikes, Cars (and Walking too)
Any way you travel is good. See Getting to Cyprian’s above for info on each, including secure bike parking on site and free vehicle parking two blocks away. On-street parking is often available on Nido, the small local street north of Turk Street one block west of Cyprian’s.

Free Concert for All - Justin Houchin, Guitarist, Plays Music of Venezuela, J.S. Bach, Ravel's Pavane

Cyprian's, San Francisco's newest venue, presents a free guitar recital for neighbors and friends on Wednesday, May 4th from 6:30-7:30 pm. Justin Houchin, a senior guitar student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, will play music of Venezuela, J.S. Bach, the classical and romantic guitar masters, his own transcription of Ravel's Pavane, and a set of pieces written for him by the extraordinary composer Nicholas Pavkovic.

Houchin has been playing guitar for 11 years. During the last year he's been working to present a series of 50 minute concerts highlighting a variety of guitar music from the last few hundred years and from around the world. Cyprian's is excited to have Justin Houchin join us for this gift to the neighborhood.

Please note: easy transit to Cyprian's via Muni buses #5, #24, #31, #43), secure bike parking on-site, and free vehicle parking in a lot two blocks away. See Getting to Cyprian's above.

Upcoming concerts: Men of Endurance, previous winner of the Gospel Singing Award from the Bay Area Blues Society, and Fret Not with its old-time roots gospel singing on Saturday, May 14th, 8pm. Produced by SF Live Arts (noevalleymusicseries.com)

"If Tears Could Heal" -- from Noe Valley to Cyprian's on Feb 11

Far and wide Nell Robinson with John Reischman & The Jaybirds have taken their country vocals and bluegrass sound -- including SF's own Noe Valley. Next stop: Cyprian's, the new performance space at Turk & Lyon, Friday, Feb. 11, 8pm. Help launch the 30th year of fine music for SF Live Arts and toast Cyprian's while you're at it. Opening night Feb. 11 with more on Feb 12 and Feb 18.

Cyprian's Welcomes Renowned Music Series in February

Cyprian's, a new performance space on the corner of Turk and Lyon streets, is excited to welcome the much-respected SF Live Arts music series (formerly known as the Noe Valley Music Series). For thirty years, SF Live Arts has presented a stunning mix of musical performances at the Noe Valley Ministry. During major renovations to that space for the next year or more, the series will bring to Cyprian's the performers that packed the house in Noe Valley. Expect bluegrass, country, old-time, jazz, classical, world music, spoken word, and comedy to stir the North Panhandle twice monthly.

SF Live Arts has introduced up-and-coming talent and award-winning artists to Bay Area audiences. Jeanrenaud of the Kronos Quartet, folk troubador Ramblin Jack Elliott, Kitka's Women's Vocal Ensemble, and Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale are just a few of the series' previous acts. Under the direction of  musician Larry Kassin, SF Live Arts has developed a fine reputation among patrons and performers alike.

Beginning February 11th SF Live Arts presents three evenings of world-class picking and all-around foot-stomping as part of the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival. Cyprian's invites everyone to celebrate the new home for SF Live Arts with these stellar acts:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 8 P.M.—OPENING NIGHT
NEWLY ADDED: The NashVillains 

This new acoustic supergroup, featuring virtuosos James Nash of The Waybacks on guitar, Bill Evans on banjo, Jesse Cobb of the Grammy-nominated Infamous Stringdusters on mandolin, and Bryan Horne from Hot Buttered Rum on upright bass, promises an evening of innovative, high-octane picking. Sit back, set aside your expectations, and enjoy as this dynamic and adventurous ensemble pushes the boundaries of bluegrass to parts unknown.  

Nell Robinson with John Reischman & The Jaybirds with their distinctive bluegrass and country vocals with world-class pickin'

The Henriettas, those fine-feathered song sisters fresh from A Prairie Home Companion 
$18 adv/$20 door

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 8 P.M.
Stairwell Sisters Featured at New York's Lincoln Center, the Bay Area's favorite all-gal old-time teardown has performed all over the U.S. and Europe
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West A young duo with an entirely new and refreshing take on bluegrass and old-time traditions with some fine Northwest deepwater roots influences added to the pot
Misner & Smith Their tune Madeline (Paradise Cracked) won the West Coast Songwriter Association's Song of the Year
$18 adv/$20 door

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 8 P.M.
Jackstraw Portland's purveyors of Northwest mountain music feature some of the hottest, most amazing pickers to be found anywhere
Water Tower Bucket Boys with their raw, hard-driving sound, and tight harmonies, play a combination of classic bluegrass, old-time and country
The Brothers Comatose with infectious foot-stomping, shout-along sound, they received a Norby for Best Country/Americana Band. They've performed at the Hardly Strictly Festival, Great American Music Hall, The Fillmore and recently headlined at Slim's
$18adv/$20door

Tickets are available in advance at:
Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero, SF
Phoenix Books & Records, 3957 24th St., SF  /  (415) 821-3477
Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito  /  (510) 525-2129
Please support our free ticket outlets!

You can also purchase tickets online at www.brownpapertickets.com or www.tickets.com (by phone at (800) 225-2277) or by mail at P.O. Box 862, Fairfax, CA 94978

Cyprian's can be reached easily by several Muni bus lines: the #31 Balboa, #24 Divisadero, #5 Fulton, #43 Masonic. Free bicycle parking provided.