RIFFAT SULTANA: Sufi, Folk And Love Songs From Pakistan & India

Riffat Sultana channels the musical wisdom of 500 years and eleven generations of master vocalists from India and Pakistan. Daughter of legendary classical singer, the late Maestro Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Riffat is the first woman from her family's musical lineage to publicly perform in the West. Her stunning vocals have been recorded for numerous record labels including Ark 21/Universal, Triloka/Mercury, Six Degrees, Hearts of Space, City of Tribes and XDot25. Her world beat dance band Shabaz c...

TheaterPop SF: SuperNatural

In preparation for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, TheaterPop SF presents an evening of the dark, the sacred, the ghastly, the mysterious and the macabre. Local playwrights, directors and performers present homegrown pieces dealing with themes of life, death and everything in between.TheaterPop is a collaborative of local performers, directors and playwrights uniting to foster and celebrate the creative capacity of San Francisco and the Bay Area. It's mission is to give voice to the Bay Ar...

GILLIAN GRASSIE: Jazz-Inflected Indie Folk/Pop Harpist/Singer-Songwriter

This award-winning indie harpist/singer-songwriter has sold out shows from Philadelphia's Tin Angel to The Matador in Siberia. More Regina Spektor than Joanna Newsom, Grassie has toured across Europe, South America, North America, and Asia, playing original Folk songs with pop structure and Jazz sensibilities that have earned her grants from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation and the U.S. State Department, a slew of awards, and the fervent support of her fans, one of whom described her as "an aweso...

CRADLE DUENDE FEATURING MCRAI: Rai Meets Klezmer/Flamenco

MCRAI is a native North African musician born in southern Tunisia, a place known for poetry, groovy African beats, and traditional Chaabi Folk music. Turning to neighboring Algerian Rai music marked the beginning of his genre-blending style that has become the signature of his career. MCRAI garnered a worldwide fan base and recognition from key players in the music industry and major Hollywood composers. National touring band Cradle Duende will combine with MCRAI to add their flare of Klezmer me...

GUITARIST TONY YBARRA & VOCALIST KEN RYALS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS: An Evening Of Spanish Guitar And Vocal Jazz

Guitarist Tony Ybarra returns to the Red Poppy Art House with vocalist Ken Ryals to present and evening of Spanish Guitar and Vocal Jazz. This fusion of Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Flamenco has impressed audiences across Southern California. Their first CD release "Elements of Sunday Jazz...Live" has received excellent reviews and features music from the American song book as well as Brazilian classics and Ybarra/Ryals original compositions.Tony and Ken began collaborating after meeting in 1999 on...

PREMASOUL: Ancient Rhythm, Modern Concept, Sensual Sound

Influenced by the mysticism of Indian music and the colorful soul of American music, PremaSoul (pronounced prae-ma, from the Sanskrit word for “universal love”), transcends boundaries with an intoxicating blend of rich, modern harmonies and old world rhythms, to create songs of rare beauty. Fronted by Indian-American vocalist/harpist Sheela Bringi and Black American songwriter/trumpeter Clinton Patterson, PremaSoul’s sound is a natural expression of artists who are coming authentically from many...

JANAM: Eclectic Balkan Groove

Janam (“My Soul”) creates a compelling, eclectic mix of Balkan, Romani, Sephardic and American Roots music plus inspired originals. Led by golden-throated Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble veteran Juliana Graffagna, Janam proves that the foothills of the Balkans and the Appalachians lie in Oakland. Janam’s funky meters, bittersweet modes, driving tunes, and sultry ballads invoke the nightingales and dark eyes, the hot love and cold hollows of Europe and America’s most musical mountains.The ensemb...

FORRÓ BRAZUCA: Brazilian Dance Party

Forró Brazuca plays traditional northeastern Brazilian forró music like no other group outside Brazil. Thanks to the leadership of accordionist Francelino Alves, this SF-based quartet of Brazilians packs dance floors with their forró, xote, and rastapé grooves. Bassist Carlos Oliveira from Pernambuco, drummer Chris Thomas from Rio de Janeiro, and percussionist/vocalist Paulo Presotto from São Paulo provide the modern and electric backup for Francelino’s traditional, salt-of-the-earth approach. T...