A local concert series has kicked off its second season in the Westbrae neighborhood and offers the opportunity to enjoy free music, food and socializing on lazy summer weekends.
The Westbrae Garden Concert series, which take place on Saturday lunchtimes in the garden next to the Bagel Shop and Toot Sweet on Gilman Street at Santa Fe — right by the BART tracks — were conceived last year by Berkeley resident Abbot Foote. They run from June to mid-October, or “until it rains”, said principal organizer Mary Prophet.
Prophet said the music ranges from Cajun-Zydeco, a variety of folk music, early music played on the recorder, several different Oud players, Jazz, Broadway tunes and blues
“This is very much local performers and local audience. We have had a range of performers, from those who are new to performing to well-known local musicians, who perform at Ashkenaz and local churches, such as Betsy Rose (pictured top left), Arlene Sagan, Hali Hammer and Sauce Picante,” she said.
Blair Kilpatrick, the accordionist with Cajun Creole band Sauce Picante, said: “It’s a wonderful grassroots effort by some folks in the Westbrae neighborhood. My fiddler-husband and I live close by, near the Monterey Market. We first learned of this when we saw a flier posted last year.”
The concert series is looking for local musicians who want to perform. If you are interested, contact Mary Prophet at mlprophet@earthlink.net or drop by the garden to sign up.
