Peter Nero. Photo: Courtesy Cal Performances GERSHWIN PROJECT Pianist Peter Nero, a two-time Grammy winner, “romps through” George Gershwin’s music with bassist Michael Barnett and vocalist Katherine Strohmaier on Sunday, Feb. 8 at Zellerbach Hall, as part of Cal Performances’ jazz series. Nero’s trio will perform songs from musicals and films like “Strike Up the Band,” “Porgy […]
Ashkenaz
Posted inCrime & Safety
Update: Man found dead in Berkeley was Gary Skupa, 70
The body of a man was found on West Street, a pedestrian/bike path, in North Berkeley on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. Image Google Maps Update, Feb. 2, 12:25 p.m. The man found deceased on West Street was 70-year-old Gary Skupa, according to a close friend of his who asked to remain anonymous. Skupa was a native of Colorado, a […]
Posted inArts
Feel grateful (dead) for the holidays: Stu Allen in Berkeley
Stu Allen. Photo: Henry Hungerland Stu Allen holds down one of the most consistent gigs in Berkeley. For the past three years the guitarist has led Mars Hotel, which is less a band than a revolving cast of accomplished players dedicated to the music of the Grateful Dead. While Allen and his merry crew perform […]
Posted inArts
Berkeley concert marks free speech movement’s birthday
Singer-songwriter-activist Hali Hammer will lead a song circle at the free speech movement concert at Ashkenaz in Berkeley on Saturday Sept. 27. Photo: courtesy Ashkenaz As a brief catalytic blast of energy, the Free Speech Movement achieved its primary goals so quickly that it didn’t have much time to inspire enduring songs and anthems. But […]
Posted inArts
Safra: The sound of coexistence at Berkeley’s Ashkenaz
Safra: The sound of coexistence at Ashkenaz
Posted inCommunity, Events, Housing & Development
4 Berkeley buildings to get upgrades after library lawsuit
Ashkenaz will use a $27,000 grant it received from the Berkeley Preservation Trust to seismically upgrade its building and help fund a new roof. Photo: Joe Balestreri A bell tower constructed in 1878. A nursery school built in 1927. An import-export warehouse converted into a music venue. A prefabricated panel cottage put together in 1887. […]
Posted inArts
Sharing the music in a Berkeley backyard, Cajun-style
Five folks with fiddles in a Berkeley backyard. Photo: Dorothy Brown By Dorothy Brown It is Monday evening and five folks with fiddles are seated in a circle in the backyard. Four of them are learning a traditional Cajun tune, The Milk Cow is Dead.* There is no sheet music in sight, and nobody expects any. […]
Posted inEvents
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
American skateboarder Kenny Reed skating in Palestine. Adam Abel’s new film about Palestinian skateboarders premieres this Saturday at the La Peña Cultural Center. Photo: Qalqilya SKATING IN PALESTINE Adam Abel, a New York City filmmaker, will premiere his newest project Friday night at La Peña Cultural Center. The film, called Qalqilya, will show at 7:00 p.m. It’s a feature-length […]
Posted inArts
Tango with a Z: Playing the seductive dance in Berkeley
Orquesta Z: playing Ashkenaz on Thursday at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon. Left to right: violin: Jim Shallenberger, double bass: Sandy Schniewind, violin: Carol Braves, piano/’ukelele: Barbie Wong, director/vocals/guitar/bandoneon: Bendrew Jong Orquesta Z: playing Ashkenaz on Thursday at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon. Left to right: violin: Jim Shallenberger, double bass: […]
Posted inArts
Z’Amico: A world of sound… in Berkeley Thursday
Hard-grooving Afro-Brazilian-Caribbean band Z’Amico plays Thursday at Ashkenaz. Photo: Z’Amico Hard-grooving Afro-Brazilian-Caribbean band Z’Amico plays Thursday at Ashkenaz. Photo: Z’Amico At 26 years old, David Eagle hasn’t had a chance to travel much outside the United States. But by just about any measure the Berkeley percussionist is a supremely cosmopolitan artist well versed in many […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
Judge says alleged Ashkenaz shooter must stand trial
Ashkenaz has stepped up security following its robbery during a crowded 40th anniversary party earlier this year. Photo: Jeremy Brooks After nearly two days of witness testimony, the man arrested earlier this year in the shooting that sent two Ashkenaz employees to the hospital with serious injuries was ordered to face the nine felony charges […]
Posted inArts
The Six String Season / BHS jazz at Ashkenaz today
Guitar quartet Seasons performs Friday at Berkeley’s Jazzschool Most guitar quartets are highly rehearsed ensembles devoted to a repertoire of intricately arranged material. Seasons is something very different. Balancing searching improvisation with exquisite through-composed passages, the ensemble brings together four brilliant, versatile, and accomplished composers and bandleaders with Anthony Wilson and Larry Koonse from Los […]
