Events & Info

A beginning hula workshop geared to kids and kids at heart will take place in connection with the Sigmund Stern Grove festival on Sunday, June 27th at the West Meadow from 12noon till 1pm. This is in conjunction with the hula performance of Oakland’s Academy of Hawaiian Arts and the music of the award winning duo, Hapa. As with all the summer events at Stern Grove, this performance and the workshop are free of charge and open to everyone. Bring a blanket and a picnic. The Hapa with AHA performance begins at 2pm. Get there early as this will be very well attended. (For anyone who saw Lilo and Stitch, the music was performed by Mark Keali’iho’omalu who is the Kumu (leader/teacher) for AHA.) Kainani Hartnett will be leading the hula workshop.

Several Sing Thing kids are among the cast of this delightful musical based on Dickens’ Oliver Twist. The preview is April 24th at 2pm, opening night is Saturday April 24 @ 7pm. The show runs through Sunday May 16 and shows most Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays with matinees and evening performances.

https://www. ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing-bph
http://www.berkeleyplayhouse.org/oliver-april-23-to-may-16-2010

This just in–
The Stern Grove Summer schedule will include Oakland’s award winning Academy of Hawaiian Arts led by Kumu Hula Mark Keali’iho’omalu. Their performance will take place on Sunday, June 27, 2010. The Stern Grove website will be updated in May. If you aren’t familiar with this group, Mark did the chanting and he sang the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride in the Disney film, Lilo and Stitch. His halau (hula school) is known world-wide for it’s innovative choreography, athletic performance style and Mark’s beautiful chanting and singing. The Stern Grove Summer performances are free and open to the public. Come early, bring a picnic and a blanket. Performances begin at 2pm.

From May 27, 2010 through June 20, 2010 a production of Woody Guthrie’s American song will be running at the Marin Theatre. Woody composed many songs which have become a part of our musical heritage and this is a wonderful chance to see and hear his work on a live stage. For more information go to www.marintheatre.org

On January 23rd 2010 the Kapalakiko Hawaiian Band will be playing at Tiki Tom’s 300-29th Avenue in Oakland from 6-9pm.  This is an ensemble of a dozen musicians who play and sing wonderful Hawaiian music under the leadership of Saichi Kawahara.  Saichi is a bay area treasure who sings true Hawaiian falsetto and has performed and taught here for many years.  It is a good way to enjoy this music and also some very nice happy hour treats.  Children are welcome and there is a happy hour menu until 7 with $2 items.  For more information go to www.kapalakiko.org

Mulan Jr. is a rousing musical that will have you up on your feet with its heartwarming celebration of a fighting spirit, family honor and ancient Chinese culture.  It is also a story with a very strong female character-always a good thing for our girls.

It will be presented at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue Berkeley CA 94704

Friday, Jan. 15 7:30, Saturday Jan. 16 2pm and 7pm, Sunday Jan 17 2pm

Berkeley Playhouse Youth Company Junior ensemble.

Monday, December 21st the California Revels Company will be in Muir Woods to celebrate the longest night of the year.  The celebration is from 3 to 8pm, but come early.  Carpool if possible as parking is limited and this is very well attended.  Park and go through the main entrance.  There will be luminaria along the main path.  The Revels will be performing Abbott’s Bromley, an ancient dance from England done with 6 men with reindeer antlers on their heads and 4 dancers dressed as a man/woman, a boy archer, a hobby horse and a fool with a triangle which he strikes during the dance.  The music is mystical:  One recorder player playing this ancient melody without amplification.  Also, the Revels singers will be sequestered in the groves and you will hear them without necessarily seeing them.  Dress warmly and be aware that this event is free and open to the public.  Bring a flashlight.    Check Winter Solstice in Muir Woods for more information.  You might even see salmon spawning if you come before nightfall.  There will be warming goodies.  Probably a charge for these, but no info on that.

“Let Us Break Bread Together” takes place Sunday, December 13th under the auspices of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Michael Morgan, conductor at 4pm.  $15 for adults, $10 for kids.  Paramount theatre 21st at Broadway, Oakland.

Featuring:  Oakland Symphony Chorus, Terrance Kelly & Oakland Interfaith Choir, Mt. Eden High School Choir, Klezmer band Kugelplex, and women’s vocal ensemble Kitka.  This is suitable for children 4 and over.

Buy tickets at any Ticketmaster outlet or call 800-745-3000.  You can also visit the Paramount Box Office, 21st at Broadway, Oakland (no serv chg at window).  Box office hours are Tues-Fri 11am-3pm, Saturday 11am-3pm.  Box office closed Sun and Mon.  Groups of 10 or more get 20% off.  Call 836-1981 or email grouptix@oebs.org for details.  Visit www.oebs.org for more information.

Sing Out! is appealing for contributions to help with it’s operating debt.  As you might imagine, it is very difficult in this day and age to continue a resource that is built on preserving and promoting traditional folk music.  It has branched out and changed and has grown to include songwriters and more contemporary forms of music as well as music coming from all over the world, both traditional and contemporary.  Anyone who has used “Rise Up Singing” knows the value of that book around campfires and in living rooms everywhere.  I would invite you to go to the Sing Out! website www.singout.org  There is a video from Pete Seeger on the site.

It is a great time to order books and materials from them for yourselves and/or gifts for friends and family.

Every year the Cohen Bray house hosts a Holiday High Tea in this 125 year old Italian Stick Victorian home which has been continually lived in by family members since it was built.  This is a wonderful chance to see the treasures and meet the family and hear about the history of the house.  If you have not been to the Cohen-Bray house you will be amazed to see what it has to offer.  It is located in Oakland.

*Since it is a family home with family traditions that date back 125 years, it is not decorated until Christmas Eve and then it is used by the family for their events.  The Tea, therefore, happens yearly after New Years while the house is still decorated and before 12th Night, which traditionally signals the end of the holiday season.  The formal dining room is used for the Tea and family members host and serve.

I usually sing for this event if I am in town, which I will be this year.  I sing traditional folksongs, carols and songs from Camp Timbertall as background.

January 3rd, 2010   1 to 3pm.  Call 510 536-1703 or email cohenbrayhouse@gmail.com for reservations or more information

The Cohen Bray House is located at 1440 29th Avenue in Oakland.