The Red Poppy Art House is pleased to present Beyond the Blues: Ending the Prison Industrial Complex on March 12th, 19th, and 26th, 2015. A series of interactive discussions, Marcus Shelby will delve into our justice system, its flaws, and how music can be used as a tool for reform and change; both in front and behind bars. This lecture series will culminate with a performance on Friday, March 27th.These engaging discussions will explore the blues, the prison industrial complex, mass incarce...

Come be lifted to a place of timeless beauty and mystical union by sacred song preserver Peia and Iranian master tar player Ali Ghamsari. Travel the globe in song and deepen into a world of peace through the universal language of music. The Language of Birds is a collaboration rooted in the beauty of ancient tradition, while giving voice to the delicate times in which we live. Throughout the ages many mystic traditions have interpreted the language of birds as divine communication, the voice ...

Flamenco and jazz piano virtuoso Alex Conde from Spain, elegant mezzo-soprano Kindra Scharich, and Spanish classical and flamenco dancer extraordinaire Fanny Ara take you on a Gypsy-inspired musical journey that is beautiful, dramatic, and promises to astonish. The fresh new ensemble makes its debut performance, premiering Misa Gitana Andaluza, a never-before-heard hybrid of lavish classical Latin prayers set to exotic flamenco melodies, tones, and chords from Andalusia. These striking artists...

Originally from Rio de Janeiro and based in the Bay Area, guitarist/composer Ricardo Peixoto is among the top representatives of Brazilian guitar in the US today. His fluid melodic style and keen compositional sense explore his country’s rich and diverse traditions, both in original works as well as in arrangements of Brazilian classics. He has recorded, performed, and collaborated with, among others, Claudia Villela, Flora Purim and Airto, saxophonist Bud Shank, percussionist Dom Um Romão, Toot...

Irish-born violinist Colm Ó Riain and some stellar musical friends mix the music of Ireland with rhythms and melodies from all over the musical world – Jazz, Blues, Roma (Gipsy), India, Cuba, Brazil and many more. An accomplished and fiery improviser in many genres, Colm has performed in festivals and venues throughout the world—from Argentina and Brazil to Sweden and Vietnam — while also thrilling audiences at festivals and venues across the United States. His CD “Bridge Across the Blue”, pr...

The View From Bernal Hill brings forth a hearty amalgam of odd-meter rock, chamber jazz harmonies, and hip hop lyricism. With French-Vietnamese composer Camille Mai, Argentine guitarist Nahuel Bronzini and Seattleite bassist Schuyler Karr at its core, The View’s songwriting lies at the crossroads of dread and beauty, chasing psychological and spiritual extremes. The group has been performing in San Francisco since 2012 with a rotating cast of percussionists, string players, MCs, and other guest ...

The Supplicants believe wholeheartedly in the metaphysical spiritual qualities of music. Their music reflects the continuum of this music from a global orientation, embracing the tones and textures of Africa, India, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. It is a music that’s firmly rooted in the past while pointing to the future using the moments of now to express what is truly happening. This is where jazz and the people of earth are headed. The only question is are you ready to go? The Supplican...

After a decade performing all original material during the heyday of San Francisco’s live music scene, Boca do Rio has evolved into a multi-layered electro-funk party boat with a sound that is fluid and edgy, adaptable and free.  Born of the mixing of waters of Brazil and the San Francisco Bay, Boca do Rio has created musicá organicá – music that developed through the rhythm of living and working between the Americas. Boca do Rio was founded with deep respect for past traditions, steeped in the ...

Gautam Tejas Ganeshan writes and sings music that reflects a tradition of intricate song forms, elaborate vocal improvisations, and utmost sincerity of expression. Taking their inspiration primarily from Carnatic music, as well as traditions from around the world, Gautam's songs offer listeners a fresh experience of lyricism and immediacy. His performances give an intensely personal glimpse into the continued development of a valuable and highly cultured musical heritage. He has performed widely...

The YeYe Ensemble's Afro-Latin rhythms, heartfelt songwriting, and original musical compositions are deeply rooted and inspired by immigrant stories. Grounded in vibrant Latin American musical traditions, the ensemble seeks to promote healing and social justice through their art. Journey with the YeYe Ensemble as they share, through their music, the transformative power of spiritual connection.The YeYe Ensemble is: YeYe Suarez - lead vocalsYuriza Jared - guitar, charango, winds, voiceJeremy Alle...

Yumi Tomsha is a singer, voice teacher, and sound healer living in Brooklyn. She has sung as a soloist at Bargemusic and the New York Ethical Culture Society, and as an oratorio soloist in Vivaldi's Gloria, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, and Bach’s Mass in b minor. A dedicated recording artist, she is currently working on an album featuring Japanese songs. This special program at the Red Poppy Art House explores themes of love and resilience, and includes songs by Mozart, Dvořák, and Kosaku Yamada, a...

Black & Brown Lives Matter: From the Mission to Ayotzinapa, Ferguson to Gaza Co-curated by Melonie J. Green and the Red Poppy Resident Artist Cohort. Conversation hosted by Melonie J. Green and Melorra J. Green The Red Poppy Art House resident artist cohort collaborates with "Ubuntu: Can Art Save a Community?" documentary and book project featuring artivists, community organizers and residents of neighborhoods addressing engaged social change and gentrification. This amazing mash up of a...

Alejandro y María Laura is a Peruvian duo consisting of singer-songwriters Alejandro Rivas and María Laura Bustamanate. In 2011 they released heir first album "Paracaídas," produced by Matías Cella. Their second record, "Fiesta para los muertos," came out in late 2013.  Alejandro and María Laura started making music together in 2009 - collaborating on each other's original songs, and doing cover versions of songs from various genres. Back in Lima, at the end of 2010 the duo collaborated on the ...

More information about this performance will be added shortly. Please check back for more details! Boots and Dangles is a collaborative quartet comprised of 4 of the bay area’s most unique voices. They explore original music, bridging genres and creating a sonic adventure that is both genuine and whimsical. Collectively, the members of Boots and Dangles have performed with Joe Henderson, Les Paul, Aaron Parks, Ben Goldberg, Greg Osby, Joe Lovano, Fred Frith, Erik Jekabson, tUnE-yArDs and more...

The Musical Art Quintet was formed in 2008 in the Mission district of San Francisco during chamber music jam sessions every Sunday night at Cafe Revolution. Each week a new piece of music was written by MAQ band leader Sascha Jacobsen to be performed at Classical Revolution, and ink still wet, they would read through the piece in front of a live audience.  As their repertoire grew, a core group of players emerged and the quintet was founded. Although classically trained, the members of The Mu...

Taraf de Locos is a group of talented young musicians who grew up together in San Francisco's Mission District. They met as children at a magical music camp in the heart of California, where they were exposed to traditional music from all over the world for ten days every year. Before they formed Taraf de Locos, the young musicians played with their respective families, each naturally gravitating toward the different styles their families mastered. As they grew older and music became a passion r...

Lavay Smith celebrates the legacy of blues legend Etta James. With a staggering career that spanned six decades, James lived the blues both on and off the stage. From the mid-fifties until her death in 2012, she remained an icon of popular music, leaving a rich catalog of unforgettable songs including “Tell Mama,” “All I Could Do Was Cry,” “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and her signature song, “At Last.” Join us for a delightful romp through the history of song from the 1920s on.   Joining Lava...

“[Amy LaCour's] husky, soulful vocals, as full-bodied as a fine wine, ache with a heartbreak fusion of fortitude and vulnerability, bringing to mind other great singers to whose league she belongs, from Lady Day and Etta James through Fiona Apple and Norah Jones….  LaCour’s songs are mostly mid-tempo ballads of deep soul and jazzy melodic sweetness wed to poetic lyrics of sorrow and triumph.” -Paul Zollo, American Songwriter Described by Urban Network as “a thinking woman's cross between Bill W...

“In this Homage to Brazil, vocalist Sandy Cressman has followed her heart in selecting material from across the musical spectrum.  The result is an exhilarating overview of some of Brazil’s finest artists and composers. ” - Bud Spangler, Sunday Night Suites, KCSM-FM Sandy Cressman’s Homenagem Brasileira embraces the diversity of Brazil’s musical traditions. Cressman’s deep connection with Brazilian music began in college when she was first introduced to the music of Ivan Lins, Flora Purim, an...

Caminos Flamencos, founded by Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa, creates and presents contemporary, traditional and theatrical dance programs that reflect the changing face of flamenco in the 21st century. Their programs seek to preserve the legacy of Spain's rich artistic heritage and bring them to people of all backgrounds, enriching the lives of people with Spanish and Hispanic ancestry as well as the community at large. They were recently nominated for the Isadora Duncan Da...

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been cancelled. The Red Poppy Art House is throwing an End-of-the-Year Bash to celebrate its staff, volunteers, and all of you who represent our wonderful community. Come show your love on the Poppy dance floor! Our special guest DJs will get you movin' and groovin' as family and strangers mingle, connect, and cut a rug! Light refreshments will be served. Join the official Facebook event. Admission: $10-30. 6:00pm-10:00pm. All ages welcome. ...

For the Dec 6th MAPP, the Red Poppy Art House presents a moving international space of convergence, for a series of multidisciplinary performances featuring five artists from the Poppy’s new Resident Artist Cohort, along with special guests Alejandro y Maria Laura, on tour from Peru (and who recently headlined at the 33rd Encuentro del Canto Popular). We open the evening with AfroCuban Rumba with Sergio Duran y Los Patakines. On this evening, we convene and converge in a space of artistic enc...

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal 6 week course: Mondays, November 10th - December 15th A half-hour for first-timers... 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics - introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment) Regular class begins.... 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicali...

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal 6 week course: Mondays, November 10th - December 15th A half-hour for first-timers... 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics - introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment) Regular class begins.... 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicali...

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal 6 week course: Mondays, November 10th - December 15th A half-hour for first-timers... 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics - introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment) Regular class begins.... 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicali...

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal 6 week course: Mondays, November 10th - December 15th A half-hour for first-timers... 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics - introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment) Regular class begins.... 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicali...

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal 6 week course: Mondays, November 10th - December 15th A half-hour for first-timers... 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics - introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment) Regular class begins.... 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicali...