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

Water Tower Bucket Boys Bring "Wide Open Spaces" to Cyprian's Friday Night

How many bands encourage fans to send in photos of themselves near water towers? But their music -- that's what sets apart the Water Tower Bucket Boys. In this clip from Wide Open Spaces, the WTB Boys revel in some real Pacific Northwest yearning:

"Well I just have to spend some time near the cold night sky for to give me satisified"

Here's just two of the raves for Portland's hot bluegrass band with their "three-part harmonies and tight instrumentals":

“They've adopted the intensity of rock and punk and channeled it into their songs and tunes...their far-ranging influences enable them to see the common ground between folk, rock, punk and even jazz, and they draw from this common ground to create their unique sound.”
-No Depression

"They have total control over everything they play and are a really tight accomplished band, their individual vocals all being well-suited to the type of song they lead on. Add this to their excellent harmonies, infectious enthusiasm and their ability to form and easy rapport with the audience and you pretty much have a complete package…"
-Maverick Magazine

Friday, Feb. 18, 8 pm at Cyprian's 2097 Turk (at Lyon Street) in collaboration with SF Live Arts (formerly Noe Valley Music Series)

Free bike valet parking, on or near major Muni lines, and free vehicle parking for patrons (see Getting to Cyprian's on this site)

Students with ID, kids, & seniors -- just $16 (at the door only) for 3 hours of Portland's prize bands

Second up from the north Jackstraw:

This avant-garde bluegrass band from Portland, Oregon plays on the cutting edge of acoustic music with wild solos and a great mix of traditional, original and inspired material Cartwright’s Music – Salem, OR

And then there's more and back to Cyprian's home ground:

Followed by the Bay Area's own The Brothers Comatose. You loved them at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, see them again at Cyprian's: