Red Poppy Art House

An Intergenerational Celebration for Día de los Muertos
2014-11-02 13:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
This Sunday’s celebration will open at 1pm with a rumba by well-renowned Bay Area rumberos, hosted by Afro-Cuban percussionist Miguelito Leon. This rumba serves as both a celebration of life and to express resistance to oppression and cultural violence. An open jam continues from thereafter, featuring local members of Taraf de Locos and La Familia Peña-Govea as they share the music of Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Turkey, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Spain, and downhome United States – as a reflection of the different ways we honor and remember the lives of our antepasados. We close the day’s event with two short performances by Moving Beyond Productions youth dance group and dance/theater by Dance Generators from San Francisco’s Department of Performing Arts and Social Justice.
“Dia de los Muertos. . . means remembering and expressing gratitude for those that came before us and who made it possible for us to lead the lives we do, but it is also about acknowledging and showing appreciation for the collective cultural practices that connect us to our roots and communities.” ~ Cecilia Peña-Govea
1:00pm: Rumba
2:00pm to 5:00pm: Taraf de Locos and La Familia Peña-Govea
6:00pm: Moving Beyond Production (youth dance group)
6:20pm: Dance Generators (intergenerational dance/theater)
This is an important day in our community and we hope to see many family and friends. Please bring yourself, your instruments! In addition to being a free and public event, we invite you bring food and drink to share, so as to better enjoy this expression of exuberance for life!
Taraf de Locos features Aya Safiya on violin and vocals, Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea on trumpet, guirra and vocals, Miguelito León on percussion and vocals, and Tano Brock on guitar, saxophone and vocals.
http://locotesmusic.com/
The joyful music making of La Familia Pena-Govea began over 30 years ago as a simple family pastime. Mother and father and two daughters have since brought their gift to venues as varied as Davies Symphony Hall and San Quentin Prison, from the streets of Bakersfield to the pubs of Donegal, and to countless festivals, weddings, baptisms, funerals, libraries, classrooms, hospital wards, and backyard barbecues. Their infectious music raises the spirits, and creates an irresistable urge to dance and sing and join in the fun.
http://miguelgovea.com/
Moving Beyond Productions is a dance-based arts organization dedicated to providing high quality arts education to underserved and economically disadvantaged kids throughout San Francisco. Their Día de Los Muertos theme this year is “Matters of LIFE & DEATH” where they will honor the connections shared with loved ones who have passed away. Their memories are carried in our hearts, minds and bodies and they will be celebrated through the performance of favorite stories and dances.
http://www.movingbeyondproductions.org/
Dance Generators is a part of the University of San Francisco’s Department of Performing Arts and Social Justice, and is directed by Natalie Greene and Kristen Greco. Through performance, the company shatters commonly held stereotypes about ageing, and creates bridges between people of all ages. Company members range in age from their teens through their eighties, and come together through a shared interest in creating innovative works of dance/theater.
http://dancegenerators.org/
Susana Aragon is a Peruvian visual artist whose has been internationally exhibited, will offer an alter inspired by personal luggage, something that we all carry throughout life: the memory of those we will always love. People are encouraged to write about their personal luggage and bring small pictures or photocopies of their loved ones to add to this altar.
Admission is Free! All ages welcome!

Double Bill: Sang Matiz and Gringa Present New Bossa Nova, Funk, R&B, and Afro-Brazilian/Peruvian Rhythms
2014-11-07 19:30 - 22:00
The Red Poppy Art House is pleased to present a double bill featuring Sang Matiz and Gringa for a night of Latin and Afro-inspired Brazilian music that will transport you to the shores of Rio.
“Afro-Rumba Funk and Brazilian-Flavored Pop”
Sang Matiz has developed a mix of Afro-Brazilian/Peruvian rhythms fused with funk and R&B. Comprised of a talented collective of Bay Area musicians, Sang Matiz have found their own zone of high-energy vibrant sounds and contagious beats from South America and the US presented on their first album released last year.
Yuri – vocals, guitar, charango, quena
Eddie – lead guitar
Jesus – drums, vocals
Clark – congas, timbal
Alberto – surdos, percussion
David – snare, percussion
Nemo – bass, vocals
“Cultural Collisions in the Mission”
Gringa is a collective of culturally-confused women finding solidarity through music. Gringa plays unique originals that blend Brazilian rhythms with elements of pop, reggae, and hip-hop. Their clever lyrics in English and Portuguese, polyrhythmic grooves, and rich harmonies will make your body smile from head to toe.
Zori Marinova – percussion
Caroline Chung – bass
Kate Pittard – sax, percussion, vocals
Maya Finlay – guitars, cavaco, vocals
Listen to Sang Matiz and Gringa to get in the mood!
Attend the FB Event too!
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.

Endangered Species Trio: Three Animals, Endless Music: Acoustic Whimsical Chamber Pop
2014-11-08 19:00 - 22:00
Endangered Species is an exciting new collaboration of friends, featuring Oakland-based accordionist, pianist and composer Rob Reich, New York-based reedman Tom Abbott and trombonist, vocalist and composer Emily Asher. This ensemble brings together an unusual alliance of accordion, bass saxophone and trombone to explore, compose and improvise. At the intersection of American popular song, early New Orleans jazz, multi-cultural folk music and European classical music, these three friends meet somewhere in between musical styles; creating a new genre they like to call: “Traditional-Contemporary-Acoustic-Whimsical-Chamber-Pop.”
Emily Asher – trombone and voice
Rob Reich -accordion and piano
Tom Abbott – bass saxophone
Listen to the Whimsical tunes here.
Check the trio out on Facebook.
Join the official Facebook event here.
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.

CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT
2014-11-09 13:00 - 17:00
The Red Poppy Art House will be closed this afternoon for a private event.Please check our events calendar for other scheduled performances.

Argentine Tango: The Fundamentals
2014-11-10 18:30 - 21:00, 2014-11-17 18:30 - 21:00, 2014-11-24 18:30 - 21:00, 2014-12-01 18:30 - 21:00, 2014-12-08 18:30 - 21:00, 2014-12-15 18:30 - 21:00
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), musicality and improvisation
8:30-9:00: Additional practice time

While this series is progressive, with each class bulding on the next, we have structured it with an initial half-hour of the super-basics to accomodate drop-in students that are attempting tango for the very first time. Beginner Level l focuses on the sublimely simple aspect of walking within the embrace, techniques equally suitable for both beginners and more advanced students. The second half focuses on the development of combination of steps with special attention paid to the spirit of improvisation and musicality. Emphasis is on connection with one’s partner, always simplifying until the connection is felt – or how else could it be called a “dance”?
Cost: $15 drop-in, or $75 for the 6-week series No partner necessary, queer friendly, female leads welcome. Tango how you like, just come dance!ARTIST BIOTodd began his study of Argentine tango in 1997 in Montréal, Canada, with dancer Mylène Pelletier. Thereafter, his primary influence was acclaimed Buenos Aires-based tanguero, and dear friend, Pedro “el Indio” Benavente, the two of whom later formed the project Tango Protesta, utilizing tango as a vehicle of social-political engagement. While Pedro began organizing actions in Buenos Aires, Todd was training dancers to join in anti-war rallies in the Bay Area. Tango Protesta (SF) later evolved into the Milonga Masala Tango Project, through which Todd began to convene friends and artists of different disciplines and cultural stripes for a monthly gathering at his then home in Cole Valley. Unknown to him at the time, these gatherings were sowing seeds for what would come to be the Red Poppy Art House in San Francisco’s Mission District, where he and co-founder Alex Allende taught classes throughout it’s first year. After a long hiatus from teaching, and at the request of many friends and communtiy members, Todd is bringing tango back to the Poppy with this 6-week series of dance classes.For more info on Todd, visit: http://www.toddthomasbrown.com/Photo credits: Marc Hors (left), Nico Vera (right)

Gabriel Kahane Celebrates His Major Label Debut: "The Ambassador:" Los Angeles, Then and Now
2014-11-14 07:00 - 22:00
Hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the year’s very best albums,” Gabriel Kahane’s major label debut, The Ambassador, is a meditation on the underbelly of Los Angeles seen through the lens of ten street addresses: one song per address. Named for the demolished hotel that housed early Academy Awards ceremonies and where Bobby Kennedy was assassinated, The Ambassador is a song cycle based on life in Los Angeles from the 1920′s to the dystopian future. Using the street addresses as launching points, Kahane explores everything from Blade Runner and Die Hard to the fiction of Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain; and from the architecture of R.M. Schindler and Richard Neutra to the tragic death of Latasha Harlins at the hands of a Korean grocer. Kahane’s musical performance at the Poppy will be a sonic taste of the upcoming staged version of The Ambassador, directed by Tony-winner John Tiffany, to be showcased at The Harvey Theater as part of the 2014 BAM New Wave Festival.
Visit Gabriel Kahane’s website here.
Get a preview of The Ambassador here.
Join the official Facebook event here.
Admission: $17 advanced. $20 at the door.
Purchase advance tickets here
Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.

CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT
2014-11-15 17:00 - 22:00
The Red Poppy Art House will be closed this evening for a private event.
Please check our events calendar for other scheduled performances.

CANCELLED Beaucoup Chapeaux: Music of Old World Europe
2014-11-21 19:00 - 22:00
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this performance has been cancelled. Please check back for an update!

Ganesh Vasudeva and Srinivas Pisharath: Classical South Indian Dance and Music
2014-11-22 19:30 - 22:00
Ganesh Vasudeva and Srinivas Pisharath join to present an evening of captivating Bharatnatyam dance and Carnatic singing. Along with violin and percussion, they will be performing these classical forms of Indian dance and music through lyrically enchanting romantic ballads called Padams and Javalis. The theme of these compositions is always Shringara, or Love, in its myriad ways. Join us as Vasudeva and Pisharath unite their exquisite talents in an inspiring evening of “romancing the gods,” depicting stories of a heroine in love with the divine.
Ganesh Vasudeva is a Bharatnatyam dancer who has trained in this classical Indian dance form for over 25 years. Performing throughout India and the United States, Vasudeva presents traditional compositions along with his own critically-acclaimed choreography. Much of his work is dedicated to researching and presenting male-oriented compositions for the stage. He was awarded the Alliance for California Traditional Arts apprenticeship scholarship in 2011 to continue his research and present rare dance compositions of the early 19th century Tanjore Quartet.
Srinivas Pisharath is a vocalist trained in Carnatic South Indian classical music. Pisharath has studied Carnatic music since his late teens from Kalyani Ramani, a well known Carnatic music teacher in the New Jersey/New York area. He performed throughout New Jersey before moving to San Francisco in 2010 where he continues to share his Carnatic vocal talents.
Ajay Narasimha was introduced to Carnatic music from a young age by his parents Smt. Rama and Sri. M.J.Narasimha. He is a student of Hemmige Sri. V. Srivatsan, the prime male disciple of Sangitha Kalanidhi Palghat Sri. K.V. Narayanasawamy. Ajay has had the fortune of accompanying reknowned musicians around the US and India.

Ajay Narasimha – violin
Srivatsan Tennathur – percussion
Check out our Facebook event
Get a glimpse of Ganesh’s dancing here
Admission: $15-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Bernal Hill Players: Chamber Music of North and South America
2014-11-23 15:30 - 18:30
The Bernal Hill Players is an adventurous chamber music ensemble from San Francisco whose diverse repertoire includes European classics, Latin American discoveries, and newly-commissioned pieces from both North and South America. Their program includes North American works by Katrina Wreede, Libby Larsen, and Beth Custer, and Latin American works by Silvestre Revueltas, Carlos Guastavino, Eduardo Gamboa, and Astor Piazzolla. Steeped in the dynamic folk rhythms and the classical and contemporary traditions from both above and below the border, The Bernal Hill Players’ sound ranges from the contemplative to the celebratory.
The Bernal Hill Players are:
Martha Rodríguez-Salazar: flute and voice
Sarah Bonomo: clarinet
Jennifer Peringer: piano
Find out more about The Bernal Hill Players and check them out on Facebook.
Join our Facebook event here.
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 3:30pm. Show at 4:00pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

A Bella Benefit for the Red Poppy!
2014-11-28 07:00 - 22:00
Featuring the Americano Social Club, accordionist Rob Reich, and chanteuse Anna Laura Quinn.
We invite you to join us for a night of fun and laughter, friends new and old, drinks and of course some beautiful music! The Americano Social Club, led by Michael Zisman, will present “music for la dolce vita:” romantic and eclectic songs influenced by melodies from all over the world. With styles ranging from pop, jazz and folk to classical, rock or opera, tunes from the cafes of Brazil and Europe, as well as their own original works, this event has something for all music lovers. For this “bella” benefit for the Red Poppy Art House, the Americanos will be joined by virtuoso accordionist Rob Reich and chanteuse and former Poppy Intern Anna Laura Quinn. All proceeds from this performance will go to support the Poppy!
Michael Zisman – mandolin
Scott Foster – guitar
Joe Kyle, Jr. – bass
Rob Reich – accordion
Anna Laura Quinn – vocals
Check out Americano Social Club’s website here.
Get a taste of their music here.
Join the official Facebook event here.
Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm.
Admission: $15-30. Purchase your advanced tickets here. All seating is general admission and all ticket sales support the Poppy. Please give at the level you’re most comfortable with. All ages welcome.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

La Mixta Criolla: Latin Caribbean Soul Music
2014-11-29 19:00 - 22:00
The Red Poppy Art House is excited to warm you up with two hot dance sets of original tunes and unique arrangements of Latin Caribbean classics by La Mixta Criolla .
“La Mixta Criolla is a home grown stew flavored with Puerto Rican melaza and Bay Area salsa picante. This magical Music will heal your Soul and take you places you’ve only dreamed about. ” -Avotcja Jiltonilro, poet, musician, DJ at KPOO (89.5, San Francisco CA) and KPFA
La Mixta Criolla will enchant and move you with an intimate evening of Latin Caribbean soul music. From plena, bomba, seis and guaracha to aguinaldo, merengue and cumbia, La Mixta Criolla serves up a musical stew seasoned with authentic sabor criollo, or Creole flavor. We invite you to dance, sing and swing to La Mixta Criolla’s reimagined traditions!
La Mixta Criolla features:
Héctor Lugo – bongó, pandero, barril and vocals
Sandra García Rivera – güícharo and vocals
Ayla Dávila – bass and vocals
Camilo Landau – cuatro and vocals
Javier Navarrette – congas, cajón and vocals
Listen to La Mixta Criolla’s AfroTaíno, music that will “bring home to you (Avotcja)”
Join the Facebook event!
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

CANCELLED: The Beth Custer Ensemble: Bass Clarinet & Guitar Driven Funky Songs & Instrumentals
2014-12-05 19:00 - 22:00
Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s performance with The Beth Custer Ensemble is cancelled.
The Beth Custer Ensemble is a veritable crème de la crème of Bay Area musicians and has been delighting audiences for fifteen years from across the US to abroad. On this night the ensemble will perform music from their vast repertoire and new tunes from their upcoming release ‘Aguaplano.’ Their unique blend of styles underscores the Beth Custer Ensemble’s lyrical depth and showcases recent projects including a commission by SF Cinematheque to compose and perform live scores from Alexandre Hammid’s films at SF MOMA as well as performing live for The Joe Goode Performance Group’s dance/theatre productions at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
A set might include a funky political song followed by a lilting country waltz, then an Afro-fusion odd-metered driving instrumental, followed by a rock cover tune.
Featuring…
Beth Custer – voice, clarinets, piano
David James – voice, guitar
Jan Jackson– drums
Diana Mangano– voice
Chris Grady – trumpet, percussion
Vicky Grossi – bass
Get acquainted with the band here.
Admission: $15-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

MAPP: Mission Art Performance Project
2014-12-06 18:00 - 22:00
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 encounters at a time when our city and neighborhood is getting diverged and divided among real estate interests. Here the MAPP becomes a forum for the embodiment of new possibilities, social relations, and self-discovery.
1PM-4PM: Free family art activities
Exhibiting Artists:
Susana Aragon, Indira Urrutia, Todd Thomas Brown, and Victor Navarrete
Performances:
6:00PM: Opening the space: Afro-Cuban Rumba, Batá, Guiro with Sergio Duran y Los Patakines
6:50PM: Taraf de Locos, international quintet
7:40PM: Alejandro y Maria Laura, contemporary song-writing from Peru
8:20PM: Zena, Acoustic Africa: Ukelele songs and stories from the Diaspora
8:55PM: Byb Bibene, contemporary dance
9:20PM: Iu-Hui Chua, experimental movement and physical theater.
9:35PM: Camille Mai & special guests
Links to performing artists:
Taraf de Locos
Tarafdelocos.com
Alejandro y Maria Laura
www.alejandroymarialaura.com
Zena Konja
www.zenaallen.com
Iu-Hui Chua
www.iuhuichua.com
Byb Bibene
www.kiandanda-dance.com
Camille Mai
www.theviewfrombernalhill.com
Admission: FREE. 6pm-10pm. All ages welcome.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Cascada de Flores Quintet: Timeless Music from the Radio Days of Latin America
2014-12-12 19:00 - 22:00
“A dream from which you have no desire to return. You learn the roots while listening to experts play music they clearly love. ” – Sing Out! Magazine
The sound of Cascada de Flores echoes the golden age of Latin American radio, where exquisite bolero and earthy country traditions were juxtaposed. Their new album, Radio Flor, features Arwen Lawrence and Jorge Liceaga’s duet of song, guitar and dance, supported by pillars of the San Francisco traditional music and Latin jazz scenes: Saúl Sierra-Alonso (bass), Marco Díaz (piano, trumpet) and Brian Rice (percussion). Radio Flor is both a love letter to the early radio days, and the fruit of musical communication between five musicians who, absorbed in their various musical cultures, manifest heartfelt aural creations.
Arwen Lawrence – lead vocalist, dance, rhythm guitars
Jorge Liceaga – voice, lead guitar, tres, requinto jarocho
Marco Díaz – piano, trumpet, chorus
Saúl Sierra – Alonso: bass, leoncita, chorus
Brian Rice – percussion, chorus
“Featuring Arwen’s ravishing voice and guitarist Jorge Liceaga’s supple accompaniment, Cascada de Flores brings intoxicating energy to the Latin American songbook. The music is breathtaking.”- Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle
Listen to Cascada de Flores’ interview on NPR‘s Weekend All Things Considered!
Watch their video playlist and visit Cascada de Flores’ website and Facebook page
Admission: $20-25. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

The Patrick Wolff Quartet featuring Grant Stewart: Classic Jazz from Bicoastal Bebop Saxophonists
2014-12-13 19:00 - 22:00
Two of jazz’s finest saxophone virtuosos, Grant Stewart and Patrick Wolff, join forces in an evening of classic bebop. Patrick Wolff is a mainstay of the San Francisco jazz scene, known for his work with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra and Diana Gameros, and praised for his original music and explorations of overlooked jazz repertoire. Grant Stewart, hailing from New York City, is an international favorite of critics and musicians, admired for his powerful tone and deep swing, and respected for his dedication to the art and language of jazz. In a rare series of Bay Area shows, Stewart and Wolff, along with a masterfully vibrant trio of musicians, light up the night with dexterous and exhilarating renderings of the classic two-tenor groups. Join us to experience the time-honored compositions of the great Charles Mingus, Al Cohn, Freddie Redd, and Duke Ellington brought to life in a magnetic convergence of East and West Coast virtuosity.
Grant Stewart – tenor saxophone
Patrick Wolff – tenor and alto saxophone
Adam Shulman – piano
Eric Markowitz – bass
Hamir Atwal – drums
Take a moment to find out more about Grant Stewart on his website
Explore Patrick Wolff’s work further on his website
Join our Facebook event
Admission: $20 advanced. $15-20 at the door.
Purchase advance tickets here.
Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

CANCELLED: Red Poppy End-of-the-Year Bash: Join our Dance Party Celebration!
2014-12-14 18:00 - 22:00
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.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Erik Jekabson Quartet: Straight Ahead Jazz
2014-12-18 19:30 - 22:00
“… cutting edge Jazz player and writer.” – Jazztimes
Trumpeter/composer Erik Jekabson brings his quartet to the Red Poppy to play his originals and arrangements of standards. Jekabson’s music has been described as a “…thoughtful, cerebral post-bop affair that is a perfect balance between melodic artistry and probing, knotty jazz improvisation (Allmusic Guide).” He’s played with Illinois Jacquet, Galactic and John Mayer and is currently leading bands around the Bay Area. “He’s straight-ahead without a real wandering palette. As a bandleader, he’s judicious, knowing when to lean and when to shine (East Bay Express).” This quartet features his fellow Oberlin graduate Matt Clark on piano, John Wiitala, one of the most in-demand bassists around, and the incredibly swinging and tasteful Hamir Atwal on drums.
Erik Jekabson – trumpet and flugelhorn
Matt Clark – piano
Jeff Denson – bass
Hamir Atwal – drums
Indulge in a recording of a previous Jekabson performance at the Poppy!
Visit Jekabson online
Check out the Facebook event
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Makrú: A Full Bodied Performance
2014-12-19 19:00 - 22:00
Landing in San Francisco from different parts of the world, Makrú fuses Rumba Flamenca, Reggae, Cumbia, Ska, and other global beats to create a unifying vibe in the Bay Area through its music. Originally from Madrid and trained in Spanish art forms, lead vocalist and composer, Raúl Vargas, first created a musical/circus/theater group called “La Malamaña” in 2006 – the first of its kind in San Francisco. The musical component of “La Malamaña” would eventually become “Makrú.” Since then, their music is continually shaped by the other members diverse musical backgrounds: Uruguayan vocalist, Martina Castro, Cuban percussionist, Anthony Jesus Sierra, El Salvadorian bass player, Vinicia Peñate, flamenco guitarist, Bob Sanders, and French saxophonist, Paul Bertin. Their lyrics, sung in both Spanish and English, bring reality, fiction, hope and joy together, in hopes of spreading a sincere message of respect and love. Together with an infectious beat, these sincere words will have your body and soul dancing to express their true inner joy!
Raúl Vargas – Vocals and Cajón
Bob Sanders – Electric and flamenco Guitar
Vinicio Peñate – Bass
Anthony Sierra – Percussion
Paul Bertin – Saxophone
Hear their music and find out more about Makrú on their website and Facebook page. Join the official Facebook event.
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Quijeremá: Latin American, Jazz, and Classical Travels
2014-12-20 19:30 - 22:00
Quijeremá infuses their original contemporary Latin American compositions with a deep sense of ancient musical traditions. Primal, real, and ethereal environments permeate their music, creating an amalgam of masterfully fused traditional and contemporary styles. They blend rhythm, texture, and color seamlessly and transparently to arrive at a rich sound that integrates traditional Latin American instruments and vocals with jazz, classical, and world idioms. The diversely expert musicians of Quijeremá create tableaus through which the audience is transported and transformed. Travel with us asQuijeremá presents selected works from their new album El Viaje (The Journey).
This fine-tuned San Francisco Bay Area quintet has been captivating audiences over the course of an eight-year, five-album career. Quijeremá is a 2012-2013 California Arts Council grantee and performs nationally and internationally. They have played concerts for the President of Chile and the Cultural Diversity Festival in Venezuela. When not performing, Quijeremá composes, records, and produces music for documentary films. In 2009 they were nominated by the International Documentary Association for best musical soundtrack for their PBS documentary, “Archaeology of Memory.” In addition to performing and recording, Quijeremá engages in educational outreach for youth and adults throughout the Bay Area in workshops, master classes, and multimedia museum installations.
Quique Cruz (Chile) – strings, Andean wind instruments, percussion
Jeremy Allen (USA) – bass, percussion
Maria Fernanda Acuña (Venezuela) – percussion, Venezuelan cuatro
Zack Pitt-Smith (USA) – woodwinds, percussion
John Calloway (USA) – piano, flute, percussion
“A potent mix of Latin American folk music and jazz” – Jesse Hamlin, SF Chronicle
“Using various methods of artistic expression, Quijeremá is more than just a band. They are poets and multi-media designers. Combining sounds from almost all over Latin America, their music contains a multi-cultural vibe that is guaranteed to impress anyone.” – SF ReMezcla
Hear their music and find out more about Quijeremá on their website and Facebook page
Check out our Facebook event
Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Caminos Flamencos: An Evening of Flamenco Exploration and Performance
2014-12-27 19:30 - 22:00
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 Dance Award for their newest show, Nuevas Tendencias, where audiences are invited to both interact, engage and enjoy a lively sampling of flamenco intertwined with pertinent Q&A throughout the night. For this special evening, Yaelisa will joined by music director and virtuoso guitarist/composer Jason McGuire “El Rubio,” along with Spanish singer Jose Blanco in an intimate evening where each artist will represent flamenco art in both discussion and performance. They will present select pieces from their repertoire in both traditional and contemporary flamenco.
Yaelisa: Dancer/Choreographer
Jason McGuire: Guitarist
Jose Blanco: Singer
“Yaelisa…..something Bach would have admired.” – LA TIMES
Watch a preview of Caminos Flamencos here
Visit Caminos Flamencos website
and their Facebook Page here
Admission: $15-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event.
Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
We are pleased to announce that we have begun some minor construction at the Poppy to make our space fully wheelchair accessible. Due to this work, we will be having audiences enter through the main front doors rather than the side door entrance that we normally use. We will have a slightly lesser seating capacity, so keep that in mind to make sure you arrive in time.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here

Lavay Smith Sings The Etta James Song Book: Double Show!
2015-01-10 19:00 - 22:00
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 Lavay are…
Jules Broussard – Alto. Jules has played with many of Etta’s musical peers, such as Esther Phillips, Cleanhead Vinson, Big Mama Thorton and Ray Charles

Danny Armstrong – Trombone, Everyone’s favorite musician, has played with Archie Bell and The Drells, Johnny Otis and Jackie Wilson
Ron Belcher – Bass

Learn more about Lavay here.

Admission: $15-20
First show: 7:00pm – 8:15pm (doors at 6:30pm)
Second Show: 8:30pm – 9:45pm.
All ages welcome. Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.

Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Taraf de Locos: Local Band Brings Mission Flavors to Life
2015-01-16 07:30 - 22:00
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 rather than a family obligation, the group rediscovered each other as musicians, and drew on the variety of influences they grew up with. Since coming together as an ensemble, Taraf de Locos has been playing everywhere together: on the streets, beaches, hiking trails, around fire circles, and inside restaurants. With each member bringing a “unique flavor to the burrito,” their rhythms and layers of vocal harmonies keep audiences dancing and enchanted. Come join these best friends for an evening of fun-loving energy!
Aya Safiya – violin, vocals
Miguelito Leon – percussion, vocals
Tano Brock – alto sax, guitar, vocals
Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea – trumpet, vocals
Follow Taraf de Locos on Facebook, and check out their website!
Admission: $10-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Homenagem Brasileira: Tribute to Brazilian Composers
2015-01-17 19:30 - 22:00
“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, and Djavan. Her intrigue eventually led her to study Portuguese and build a diverse Brazilian repertoire. In 1999 she collaborated with Brazilian master keyboardist Marcos Silva on the critically acclaimed CD Homenagem Brasileira, a tribute to the great composers and perfoemrs of Brazilian Jazz ,and released her second album on Brazilian music in 2005, entitled Brasil-Sempre no Coração. Since then, Cressman has brought her talent and Brazilian music across the U.S., and in Europe and Japan. For this special evening, the quintet, joined by trombonist Jeff Cressman (Carlos Santana band) will be presenting material from her upcoming collaboration CD Entre Amigos.
Sandy Cressman – voice/percussionJeff Cressman – tromboneAnne Sajdera – pianoPhil Thompson – drumsFred Randolph – acoustic bass
Watch a preview of Homenagem Brasileira, and visit their website!

Admission: $15-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.

Alejandro y María Laura: Peruvian Duo of Contemporary Songwriters
2015-01-18 19:30 - 22:00
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 exhibition “En Pausa,” the final thesis project for María Laura’s Performing Arts degree, where they experimented with composing songs in reaction to various stimuli. This process yielded such original songs as “Abre los ojos,” “Quiero estar sola,” and “Estos días.” At the beginning of 2011, Mabela Martinez (the host of local TV and radio program “Sonidos del Mundo”) put the duo in touch with Matías Cella, producer of notable South American artists such as Jorge Drexler and Kevin Johansen. Matías produced the duo’s first record, “Paracaídas”, which was released in October 2011.

In 2013, they released the music video for “Puedo estar sin ti”, a song which later received regular radio airplay in Peru. They also started work on their second album, “Fiesta para los muertos,” featuring collaborations with Susana Baca, Kevin Johansen and Javier Barría. The duo celebrated the release of the record with a concert at the Mario Vargas Llosa theater (in Peru’s National Library).In 2014, they were invited to Brazil by Paulinho Moska (a well-known Brazilian singer, songwriter and actor) and wrote a song for the HBO Latino program “Encuentros en Brasil”. Later that year, they were invited to perform at a number of festivals including “Indies del Sur” (Argentina), Festival Yavería (Colombia), FICIB (Colombia), and the 33rd Encuentro del Canto Popular (San Francisco, CA).

Check out Alejandro y Maria on the web here.Listen to them on Soundcoud here.

Admission: $10-15. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.

Join the conversation at the Poppy – volunteer with us! Click here.
