News that the Subterranean Arthouse is closing didn’t come as a complete surprise, but that doesn’t make the loss of the inviting downtown performance and exhibition space any less disappointing. Founded seven years ago by Claire Duplantier and Nicole Rodriguez, the intimate storefront at 2179 Bancroft Way in the Odd Fellows Building quickly became a […]
Subterranean Arthouse
Posted inArts, Events
Exploring the round world with Ramon and Jessica
To paraphrase Gertrude Stein, song is a song is a song is a song. The Oakland-raised writer’s elliptical verse serves as the source of inspiration for the latest project by Ramon and Jessica, the singer/songwriter duo of Dina Maccabee and Jesse Olsen Bay. They present Roses are Blue, a suite for vocal ensemble inspired by […]
Posted inArts, Events
The It List: Five things to do in Berkeley this weekend
THREESOME: ARTISTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE The eye-catching title refers to an artistic trifecta — performance, visual, and literary. All three modes of expression will be squeezed onto one bill at the Subterranean Arthouse on Saturday, August 30. Berkeley based singer/songwriter Austin Willacy will perform, as will performance poet Graham Hackett, who goes by LoosiD. East Bay artist Laura VanDuren’s sculptures […]
Posted inArts, Events
Subterranean rising: An arthouse grows in Berkeley
Whether you call it fate, karma, or kismet, the friendship of Claire Duplantier and Nicole Rodriguez exemplifies the power of seizing an opportunity when it’s ripe. They’ve spent the past five years pouring their energy into downtown Berkeley’s Subterranean Arthouse, a cozy and invitingly bohemian performance space and art gallery in the historic Odd Fellows […]
Posted inArts, Community, Nosh, Video
Klezmer and latkes and Christmas
One of the more joyous street gatherings on Christmas Day happens in front of Saul’s, the Jewish deli on Shattuck Avenue near Vine. For the last three years, Klezmer musicians have gathered to play outside the deli, their lively, upbeat music serenading the long line of people waiting to go inside the restaurant or those […]
Posted inArts, Events
Out in Berkeley: Bravura accordion player Petar Ralchev
By Andrew Gilbert Tenor saxophonist Al Cohn famously quipped that a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the accordion, but doesn’t. Once emblematic of squareness, the maligned accordion is ascendant these days, playing a key role in resurgent roots styles, while also championed by intrepid musicians unconcerned about old musical categories. In Balkan […]