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.

"Just Because It's In A Church Doesn't Mean You Can't Dance!": Colm O'Riain

Photo: wordandviolin.com

Colm O'Riain has just the thing for you this weekend -- "Celebrate Irishness and all that goes with it." He's got a party going Saturday night at Cyprian's and dancing might be mandatory or at least encouraged. Not only can you dance in church, you can drink wine and beer and feast on snacks.

All the while Colm and his band will offer up a "fireworks display of virtuosity" with their "characteristic intelligence and pizzazz." (Irish Herald) Colm on his fiddle, and his band on guitar, bass and percussion take on Gypsy, Tango, Jazz, Blues and Irish Music for a full evening starting at 8pm. And, says Colm, "Bring a friend or two -- your best ones." Colm is doing the same: his friend is a special guest, an official Bulgarian National Treasure.

Cyprian's is located at the corner of Turk and Lyon and easily accessible for however you travel: an easy walking distance for neighbors, a good spin for cyclists across town, a Muni stop just across the street, and free car parking in a lot two blocks away. (Bike parking available at Cyprian's)

Colm O'Riain & Band will perform as part of the SF Live Arts series (formerly the Noe Valley Music Series).

Saturday, March 19th, 8:00pm

SF Live Arts presents at Cyprian's

Colm Ó Riain & Band

2097 Turk Street at Lyon

$20/door, $18/adv, $16 for folks 65+, kids, and students with ID at the door

Tickets available:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/159917
Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero; Phoenix Books & Records, 3957 24th Street

Listen to Colm here

"He Knows How To Dance You"

Photo: colmoriain.com

Photo: colmoriain.com

Click here for Quicktime movie of Colm at Cafe du Nord

Take the word of Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow when it comes to the accomplished and fiery improviser in many genres, Irish-born violinist Colm O'Riain: he really does know how to "dance you." Colm brings a worldly touch to SF Live Arts at Cyprian's for the St. Patrick's Day Weekend. Exploring the connection between Irish music and Jazz, Brazilian, Cuban, Indian, Gypsy and other musical genres, he has performed in festivals and venues throughout the world—from Argentina and Brazil to Sweden and Vietnam — while also thrilling audiences at festivals and venues across the United States.

Colm's CD Bridge Across the Blue, produced with partner-in-crime, poet Pireeni Sundaralingam, features a dazzling array of musicians and poets and was cited by About.com as "one of the Top 7 recordings of poetry and music of all time."

Join Colm, his band - Geoff van Lienden (guitar), Joe Kyle Jnr (bass) & Wade Peterson (percussion) - and some very special guests for a wonderfully diverse night of music from Bach to Blues and many sideroads along the way.

More buzz about Colm:
“A genius fiddler.”
—Mike Scott, The Waterboys

“Ó Riain’s fireworks display of virtuosity easily spans the diverse genres of gypsy, tango, jazz, blues and Irish music all with his characteristic intelligence and pizzazz.”
—The Irish Herald

Visit Colm's website here, another Quicktime clip from his performance at Cafe du Nord here, and invite friends to join you at the 3/19 concert via his Facebook event page.