Fans Brave Rain and Cold for More Bluegrass

Portland's Water Tower Bucket Boys drew patrons in from the cold and wet

The Brothers Comatose added their huge Bay Area following

And Jackstraw, also from Portland, packed the house with walk-ins to the end

A little pre-performance jamming downstairs with Jackstraw

A cold -- really cold for San Francisco -- and drenching wet night simply made bluegrass fans all the more resolute in their pursuit of the sweet picking and fine vocals of three top bands at Cyprian's Friday. More than 120 people packed into the new performance space for another night of the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival, produced in cooperation with SF Live Arts.

The two Portland bands -- Jackstraw and The Water Tower Bucket Boys arrived at Turk and Lyon direct from a long trip south with some of the guys traveling in a truck without heat, little fluid for the windshield, and wipers that didn't quite work. Through the mountains, in the rain, reaching out the window with a bottle of water to splash on the windshield. These are guys who really want to play San Francisco.

Robyn Amos, a long-time member of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, welcomed the audience at intermission, and reflected on the church's 50 years at Turk and Lyon streets. "We've been in the neighborhood a long time," she said, "but now we're becoming of the community as well." Then she added, "And we're Episcopalian, you can drink wine and beer, if you want, in our church."

Three hours of prime bluegrass for three nights -- a perfect launch of Cyprian's. We're excited to be the new venue for SF Live Arts (formerly Noe Valley Music Series).

Next on the schedule: Saturday, March 5th, 8pm:

• The George Cole Quintet - gypsy jazz with the Django Reinhardt-inspired ensemble
• Glass House - Bobby McFerrin vocalist Dave Worm & exotic guitarist Mark Vickness

At Cyprian's, 2097 Turk (@ Lyon)

Tickets $18 advance/$20 door, $16 students w/ID, seniors and kids at door only

brownpapertickets.com (800) 838-3006

Swankety Swank, 289 Divisadero; Phoenix Books, 3857 24th Street

"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.