Feb 17: Bluegrass Duo Night - Three Big Acts

Nell Robinson & Jim Nunnally
More sunshine for San Francisco – but at night – with Nell Robinson’s big, bright, sunny charm and way down-to-earth bluegrass rhythms. Robinson (of Red Level, the Henriettas) is making a stop at Cyprian’s at the end of a much-acclaimed East Coast tour. Joining her is world-class picker and signer, Jim Nunally (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, John Reischman and the Jaybirds) to make this duo one stand-out performance for the annual Bluegrass & Old-Time Fest.

Sam Misner & Megan Smith
With the gift of engaging story-telling through music and acting, Sam Misner & Megan Smith enthrall audiences with their unique vocal harmonies and lyrics that take flight. They’re a gem of a musical pairing, offering a fresh take on contemporary folk music. They earn applause and deep appreciation for the connection to roots music that’s been called “the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary.” Can anyone resist asking them to perform their award-winning Madeline (Paradise Cracked)? (West Coast Songwriters Association award, 2007).

Jeanie & Chuck Poling
Cyprian’s has some of the best, most talented neighbors, and Jeanie and Chuck Poling rank right at the top. They say it best: “our mission is first and foremost to give folks a show.” Hands-down and feet-stomping – they know just how to do that with bluegrass, honky-tonk, powerful vocals and fine guitar work. Jeanie and Chuck have been playing music together since 1982, and they were featured at Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park (before the “Hardly” was tacked on). They formed their Country Roundup band in 2001 to include whoever else they could add to their masterful musical mix.

Tickets
Friday, Feb 3, 7:30 pm
Adv $16, door $18; over 65, under 12, students with ID $14
brownpapertickets  

"We Love This Place" - Cyprian's Helps Launch SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival

"We love this place" -- Cyprian's At Night, the new venue on Turk & Lyon

Nell Robinson w/John Reischman & the Jaybirds

Hard to keep the cam steady w all the foot-stompin -- The Nashvillains pack the house

Bill Evans banjo-riffs the Beatles with the Nashvillains

Opening Night Smash: SF Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival packs the house. Top talent drew nearly 200 curious, excited, and deeply-pleased neighbors, friends, and visitors from further away to Cyprian's last Friday and Saturday nights. From a banjo riff of Beatles tunes by virtuoso Bill Evans to a heart-stopping, hold-your-breath Nine Inch Nails cover by Nell Robinson, Friday was a stellar opening. And who knew clucking like chickens and telling the tales of a 1930s yodeling duo could transport an audience to new feathered heights? Songbirds Cary Sheldon and Nell Robinson, of course, and then everyone else too.

Does bluegrass picking and old-time wailing work in a church sanctuary like Cyprian's? With no prompting, really, performers and members of the audience gave the thumbs-up: "We love this place!" "The sound is amazing," "This is sweet." One neighbor summed it up, "This is a great space. It has everything good about a church -- the acoustics, the warmth, the community feel -- but nothing too religious for a general audience."

The festival launch coincides with the 30th year anniversary for SF Live Arts (formerly the Noe Valley Music Series) and the 50th anniversary of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church.

Thanks to everyone in the community for making the concert so successful. We're thrilled to be the new venue for SF Live Arts.