Event at 5:30 pm in the Back Studio

Ticket are $20 - LIMIT of 12 People
Buy Tickets Here

RHYTHMS AND MELODIES OF ZIMBABWE Come learn the exhilarating rhythms and melodies of the marimba. These danceable and infectious sounds are from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The ensemble of marimbas provides an orchestral experience like no other. The deep gut felt sounds of the bass will provide the backbone of the ensemble, the sopranos drives the melodies and tenors and baritones will provide delicious compliment. If you can move your wrists and have ears you can learn how to play. Classes will be geared to experience level. Come join the fun. ALL LEVELS WELCOME

Sheree Seretse, Director of the Anzanga, Shumba Youth and Zambuko Marimba Ensembles has been teaching, studying and performing for over 40 years. Affectionately known as “mama marimba”, Sheree’s passion and drive for Zimbabwean Marimba music shines through the five recordings she has produced and numerous other recordings on which she made appearances. 

Sheree received her initial training through renowned musician and composer Dumisani “Dumi” Maraire. She has facilitated many workshops around the country and has toured extensively around the globe. 

Sheree believes that marimba music is accessible to everyone.

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $20 Advance / $25 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

Sheree Seretse, Director of the Anzanga, Shumba Youth and Zambuko Marimba Ensembles has been teaching, studying and performing for over 40 years. Affectionately known as “mama marimba”, Sheree’s passion and drive for Zimbabwean Marimba music shines through the five recordings she has produced and numerous other recordings on which she made appearances. 

Sheree received her initial training through renowned musician and composer Dumisani “Dumi” Maraire. She has facilitated many workshops around the country and has toured extensively around the globe. 

Sheree believes that marimba music is accessible to everyone.

For over 20 years Anzanga has brought the electrifying energizing music of African marimba to weddings, schools, festivals, culture events and more. We draw our repertoire primarily from Zimbabwe influences from Mozambique, South Africa and Gambia, in addition to playing compositions of our own. We are based in Seattle, Washington, and have toured nationally and internationally. 
  
Our ensemble plays using eight marimbas – three Sopranos, three tenors, a baritone, and a base – and hoshos, or gourd shakers. The marimbas are handcrafted xylophones made from various hardwoods. The keys are fine-tuned to reflect tones playing African societies. Each key sits above a resonator with a vibrating membrane to amplify the sound and add a unique “buzz” to the music. 
Anzanga, which means “to our friends” draws its name and music<br>from the rich cultural heritage of Africa. We’re honored to share this joyful and vibrant music, and our goal is to entertain, enlighten and inspire all who hear us! 
  
“Anzanga always gets people up out of their seats. The kids love them, and they’re great at attracting people to the event.” 
— Rainier Chamber of Commerce

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $20 advance / $25 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

This is also a fundraiser for Women Drummers International

Mabiba is an internationally acclaimed teacher, drummer, and choreographer of traditional and contemporary African dance. Mabiba was born in Brazzaville, Congo, and initiated into dancing by her grandparents at the age of eight. 

Mabiba is also an inspiring drummer. In addition to her Congolese dancing, for many years she studied West African Dunun drumming with master drummer Famoudou Konate in Guinea, and she was the first woman to teach this form in the U.S. Mabiba is also an acclaimed singer and has toured and recorded with Salif Keita, master drummer Mamady Keita, and Samba Ngo.

Sistahs of the Drum are students and teachers, listeners and communicators, consumers and creators, protectors and nurturers, friends and lovers. We drum from the heart, for the heart, to the heart, and with our heart. Absorbing the teachings of West African rhythms, songs, and dances, Sistahs of the Drum respectfully represent the essence of our traditional African roots in harmony with our African-American cultural rearing. The resulting sound is from somewhere deep within; playing through us and resonating with you. Current members are Mar Stevens, Sandy Mills, Charlene Gumbs, Shawn Nealy-Oparah, La Tanya Carmical, Mya Cross, Nina Roberts and Jillian Lyles.

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm, Film at 8:45 pm
Cascada de Flores will be performing as a duo tonight

Tickets are $12 / $15 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

Ashkenaz is celebrating Women’s History Month with a presentation of
Chavela, a thought-provoking journey through the iconoclastic life of game-changing artist Chavela
Vargas. (2017, 93 min.) After the film, we are presenting a live performance by retro-acoustic Mexican/Caribbean musical ensemble Cascada de Flores. 

“Chavela” is produced and directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi. Centered around never before-seen interview footage of Chavela shot 20 years before her death in 2012, and guided by the stories in Chavela’s songs, and the myths and tales others have told about her – as well as those she spread about herself – the film weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being.

Winner of the Golden Athens Award for Best Documentary at Athens Internation Film Festival (2017), Audience Award & Grand Jury Prize at both OutFest L.A. and OUTshine Fort Lauderdale (2017), Audience Award & Honorable Mention Jury Award at Frameline (2017), Second Place Audience Award at Berlinale Film Festival (2017), Audience Award & Best Documentary Feature at Reeling35 (2017), Official Selection of AFI Docs, Hot Docs, Austin Gay &
Lesbian Festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest and many more.

Cascada de Flores presents concerts as a duet to a sextet, bringing the nostalgic song and traditions of Mexico and its neighbors into simple and beautiful arrangements that allow space for both improvisation and pure expression.

The ensemble also offers special programs such as Radio Flor, a creative concert set in an old-time radio format as well as storytelling with song and dance for children of all ages.

"Honoring and advancing tradition, building multicultural bridges, and celebrating life, the performance was a demonstration of the best of what can be done with music."
No Depression, 2016

"Featuring Arwen's ravishing voice and guitarist Jorge Liceaga's supple accompaniment, Cascada de Flores brings intoxicating energy to the Latin American songbook. Playful, witty and artfully staged, the show is as charming as the music is breathtaking."
Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News

"Cascada de Flores is a delicious discovery of retro acoustic music with Mexican and Caribbean roots. Radio Flor is a trip into nostalgia, into our musical past and heritage, with the respect and elegance that it deserves."
Hector Aviles, Latino Music Cafe
 

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $20 Advance / $25 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

This is also a fundraiser for Women Drummers International

Proclaimed as one of the “purest contemporary voices” by NPR, powerhouse Amikaeyla embraces the best of many types of music. Her sultry sound is “like listening to velvet waterfalls” (MTV) and her soulful flavor captures the listener with dynamic passion and sincerity. Winner of Eight Washington Area Music Association Awards for Best Jazz, World and Urban Contemporary Vocalist, Amikaeyla was named DC’s best female composer; won the DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts, and was recently honored with first prize for Best World Music Composition from the Maryland State Arts Council. She has studied, recorded with, and shared the stage with many award winning artists, including Take 6, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Baba Olatunji, Mickey Hart, Gil Scott Heron, Wyclef, Pete Seeger, Shiela E and Esperanza Spalding to name a few. Her strong academic interest in Sacred Ethnomusicology led her to study with many spiritual and musical masters from many different cultures, and she was invited to perform in India at the Inaugural Festival of Sacred Chanting and Singing for the commemoration of the Golden Buddha at the request and invitation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 

Currently, Amikaeyla serves as a Cultural Arts Ambassador for the US State Department and for over the past 15 years she has travelled the world extensively as a liaison between communities and fostering relationships amidst artists, healers and the general populace by designing strategy platforms which allow different cultures and nationalities to gather together and address issues concerning our communities at large. As the Founder and Executive Director of the International Cultural Arts & Healing Sciences Institute (ICAHSI), she has appeared internationally on numerous radio and television programs performing and speaking about her “Music As Medicine - Healing with an Artful Purpose” programming - a multi-faceted therapeutic approach through music, movement, & theater modalities.  This program has been implemented around the world to at-risk women and children hoping to aid in alleviating pain and trauma caused by war. She is the proud recipient of the Voss Foundation Emerging Leaders Women Helping Women Award, Global Woman Award, the Pioneer Award for Exemplary Leadership and Outstanding Service in Social Justice and Advocacy Award, and the Hero for Peace and Forgiveness award.

Susu Pampanin: Spirit of Sultana is a women’s percussion ensemble focused on drums, songs and dance from Egypt, Morocco and beyond. Pampanin’s heartbeat is her drum; her life stories are her songs; her dreams are her dances. Working most recently with singer Holly Near, she has been heard in numerous world music groups including Keith Terry’s Crosspulse, Wild Mango and Stellamara. Respected world-wide as a master of Arabic drumming, she leads Spirit of Sultana in songs, timeless melodies, intricate improvisations both melodic (taqasim), and vocal (mawwal, reminiscent of the ancient call to prayer) while highlighting the percussive sounds of its Middle Eastern rhythm section. The music draws inspiration from Andalusian, Tarab (Classic), Sufi, popular and folkloric genres. Pampanin says, “Spirit of Sultana aspires to take you to a faraway place, where the spirit of the queen lives.” In addition to Pampanin the group features percussionist-dancers TerriAnne Gutierrez and Amina Goodyear; oud player, singer and percussionist Fatima Zohra Lahlou and percussionist Mohini Rustagi.

PRESALE TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE SOLD OUT!

DOORS OPEN AT 7:30PM FOR TICKET HOLDERS,

WALK-UP SALES FOR STANDING ROOM ONLY BEGIN AT 7:45PM

$20 at the Door

Vocalist Kyra Gordon with Pianist and arranger Larry Steelman bring us their hypnotic and far-out arrangements of two iconic singers: Janis Ian and Janis Joplin. In “Loving Janis” the stylistic interpretations of both Janis Joplin and Janis Ian will encompass jazz, rock and folk arrangements of the iconic performers. Epic song classics including “At Seventeen”; “Jesse”; “Piece of My Heart”; “Bobby McGee” and others will be joyfully sung in a heartfelt tribute by singer-songwriter Kyra Gordon.

The idea of creating the "Loving Janis”  tribute show evolved from an inspirational event Kyra experienced at age 17. While living in Los Angeles she was asked to audition for the role of Janis Joplin in a film project titled “Piece of My Heart” for Paramount Pictures. The project was scrapped and Kyra did not get the part, but carried the script around wondering “what if I were to do something based on Janis?”Kyra did indeed do a more “jazz tinged” tribute to Janis Joplin titled “Turtle Blues” in April 2017. Later in the year Kyra wanted to create the Janis tribute with a more “yin and yang” approach and contrast the work of Joplin with that of folk singer-songwriter Janis Ian.

When asked what she admired and found important about each Janis, Kyra replied; “For me, Janis Joplin was all about her charisma as a performer and the trance [of the performance]. Janis Ian tells stories about life and the human experience.”

Kyra elaborated on the connection she felt to both Janis’. “I felt a real connection and kinship to Janis Joplin as a young woman. She wasn’t the norm but Joplin’s attitude became ‘I don’t fit and I’m going all the way with it.’ Kyra expressed similar feelings, having lived on her own at a young age, and feeling like she “never fit anyone’s vision of what was beautiful or appropriate”. 

Kyra reflected that she felt drawn to Janis Ian because she “chose to dedicate her life to being a songwriter and a master of her craft.” “Her lyrics are poetry. They conjure such vivid imagery.” Kyra observed that although many of Ian’s better known songs were crafted in the 1960s and 1970s, “Her songs are definitely of their time, but are timeless and feel as relevant today as ever.” A few years ago Kyra sent a video clip of her performance of Ian’s song “Ruby” to Janis Ian through her website, who responded back with a note of encouragement commenting, “That is a hard song to sing and you sang it bravely.”

A large Mandala tapestry on the back wall, a shrine to Joplin, and an authentic liquid-projection light-show by the pioneering Kitty Crowe of “Fantasy World Lights” will help to set the ambiance of the “Loving Janis” stage.

Audience members from the “Boomers” to the “Millennial” generations alike will relate to “Loving Janis”. Songs from a time before that are just as relevant today celebrating two strong, quintessential female musicians!

 https://www.lovingjanis.com
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGdLjwavJy8&feature=youtu.be

Fantasy World Lights:

Kitty Crowe created her first liquid-projection light-show out of the contents of her kitchen in January of 1966 for the "Trips Festival” at Longshoremen’s Hall in SF, where the band known as the “Warlocks” first appeared as “The Grateful Dead.”

Loving Janis Ensemble:

Larry Steelman is a composer and musician who has worked with such artists as Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Mick Jagger, Willie Bobo, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Paul Eastburn is a bassist and multi-instrumentalist freelance musician from the SF Bay Area.

Alan Hall taught drum set and ensembles at Berklee College of Music for seven years and he currently teaches drum set and ensembles at California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley and Cal State University East Bay in Hayward. He has performed and/or recorded with many jazz greats including: Paul McCandless, Russell Ferrante, Taylor Eigsti, Art Lande, Geoff Keezer, Jimmy Haslip, Kai Eckhardt, and vocalists Kenny Washington and Rebecca Parris.

Matthew Charles Heulitt has been a guitarist on the bay area scene for 20 years doing session work, touring internationally, working for a multitude of artists as a side-man, as well as leading his own groups. He spent 15 years with legendary funk drummer Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters), and the last 10 touring and recording with Grammy award winning producer/drummer Narada Michael Walden (Jeff Beck, The Mahavishnu Orchestra).

Doors at 3:30 pm; Show at 4:00 pm

Tickets are $20 at the Door

Blues master Faye Carol has shared the stage with Albert King, Lowell Fulson, Charles Brown, & many more. Learn about the many grooves and regional sounds of the blues and explore how you can Get Down on the blues too. Open to all!

Doors at 7:00 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $30 Advance / $35 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol is one of the premier vocalists of her time. Her unique style and gift of connecting with her audience is astonishing. This Bay Area living legend is a recipient of countless awards and honors inducing 2014 Bay Area Jazz Hero Award, 2016 City of Berkeley Lifetime Achievement Award, and four Cabaret Gold Awards, in addition to her 2015 induction into the Oakland Blues Walk of Fame. 

After beginning her career with gospel music, Ms. Carol was an integral part of Oakland's innovative funk scene in the 1960s and later went on to form her own trio. She soon built a reputation as a daringly versatile and consistently creative vocal stylist arranging standards and popular songs in her own unique way. 

She has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Albert King, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Billy Higgins, Charles Brown, Bobby Hutchinson and Pharaoh Sanders. Now established as a world-class artist at the top of her craft, today Ms. Carol performs as The Dynamic Duo with talented young pianist Joe Warner and continues to dazzle and delight audiences at home and beyond. 

"Faye Carol is one of the greatest singers on the planet...There is nobody singing the blues and jazz like she is." - Charles Brown

Before becoming a prominent figure in women's music in the 1990s, San Francisco native Linda Tillery began her singing career in the 1960s with the gender-integrated psychedelic/soul band the Loading Zone, which was modeled somewhat after Sly and the Family Stone. After two albums with that band, Tillery released her solo debut, Sweet Linda Divine, on CBS in 1970 to enthusiastic reviews and high praise. She spent most of the '70s singing and playing drums on over 40 albums, including efforts by Mary Watkins and Teresa Trull. Having become a staff musician and producer at Olivia Records, Tillery released her second solo album, a self-titled effort, on the label in 1978, garnering a Bay Area Music Award for Best Independently Produced Album; Tillery has twice gone on to win Bay Area Jazz Awards for Outstanding Female Vocalist. 

In subsequent years, Tillery collaborated with such female musical powerhouses as June Millington, Deidre McCalla, Barbara Higbie, and Margie Adam, as well as on the Olivia Tenth Anniversary Album, Meg/Cris Live at Carnegie (1983). 

In 1985, Tillery released Secrets on her own 411 label; distributed by Redwood Records, it returned her to center stage. In recent years, she has assembled a large band, Skin Tight, which plays jazzy, funky blues, as well as briefly joining the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra. She has also branched out into areas like radio, film, theater, and television commercials, worked for the National Endowment for the Arts, and appeared with artists ranging from Santana to Kenny Loggins and Huey Lewis to the Turtle Island String Quartet, Bobby McFerrin, and Holly Near. 

In 1992, Tillery decided to form an outlet for her desire to perform the traditional spiritual music of African-American slaves and their descendants. The Cultural Heritage Choir today includes Tillery and fellow Bay Area vocalists Rhonda Benin, Elouise Burrell, sometime solo artist Melanie DeMore, and Emma Jean Foster-Fiege. The group has released the albums Good Time a Good Time (1995) and Front Porch Music (1997).

Tammy Lynne Hall began playing the piano at age four, in Dallas, Texas, where she was raised by two grandmothers, a grandfather and numerous aunts and uncles. Her earliest memories of the piano were of climbing onto the piano bench and pick out the notes to tunes she heard either on the radio, record player or something the choir sang at church. Later, Tammy became the pianist not just for the Junior Choir at her home church but also the pianist and organist for her godfather’s church in Terrell, TX, some 40 miles away and she was sometimes the rehearsal accompanist for her school choir from sixth grade at Pearl C. Anderson Junior High to her senior year at the Hockaday School. It became evident that Music had chosen Tammy to walk it’s path. Giving full support for this journey were Tammy’s two grandmothers, who pooled their resources to make sure she had access to private lessons from age 8 to 18. Tammy participated in juried recitals, resulting in her winning several awards and honorable recognition in regional and national recitals and competitions. Because of her talent and impeccable academic record, Tammy was encouraged to apply and was accepted to the Hockaday School, where she attended on an academic and musical scholarship, which also led to her attending the prestigious and progressive Mills College in Oakland, CA from 1979 to 1981. Tammy’s grandfather also contributed to her musical journey by showing films of the greats Fats Waller, Dorothy Donegan, Hazel Scott, Duke Ellington and Count Basie; he was one of the first Black projectionists in the country and regularly showed films in his home and at public school auditoriums and churches for the community. These films along with the music she heard on the radio, at church, and the r&b, soul and pop records of the time, even the incidental and theme music she heard on television, all influenced Tammy’s playing. These early experiences would form the triad of Tammy’s core sound: a fusion of Jazz, Gospel and Classical. In pursuit of developing her own voice and the experiences of a ‘Jazz’ life, Tammy left Mills College and gained more improvisational and accompanying experience sitting in with local bands in the Bay Area when visit to Brussels turned into a 2 year stay. During this time Tammy along with saxophonist Dr. Josylyn Segal, formed the quintet Touche Differente (Different Touch), playing in venues and festivals including the Brussels Jazz Club and the North Sea Jazz Festival, Antwerp, France, Holland and Ibiza, as well as performing and recording with the late saxophonist Noah Howard. <br><br>Since returning to the Bay Area in 1989, Tammy has with worked award-winning cabaret singer and actress, Connie Champagne, the Supreme Mary Wilson, chanteuse and actress Debbie De Coudreaux, The Montclair Women’s Big Band, Houston Person, the late David ‘Fathead Newman’, jazz violinists Regina Carter, Jeremy Cohen, Mads Tolling,  orchestra leader and bassist Marcus Shelby, guitarist Terrence Brewer, vocalists Kim Nalley, Denise Perrier, Pamela Rose, Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, Holly Near, Lynne Asher, Melba Moore, Miki Howard, Rhonda Benin, Darlene Love, Lady Mem’fis, Veronica Klaus, Diane Witherspoon, Queen Esther Marrow, Ernestine Anderson, Derek Lassiter, Frankye Kelley, Nicolas Bearde, Kenny Washington, Lisa Ferraro  Erika Luckett, Karen Drucker and the late Etta Jones. Tammy’s continued involvement with her musical and cultural community include working as an instructor (faculty)/mentor, with a number of non-profit arts organizations making music and theatre accessible to under-funded inner city children and well known and funded organizations such as: Adventures In Music (AIM), under the auspices of the San Francisco Symphony in collaboration with the San Francisco Unified School District, The Handful Players Children’s Theatre (San Francisco public schools/Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco), the Drew School (San Francisco), Jazz Camp for Girls at the Jazz School (Berkeley), The Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, Alameda Unified School District, Stanford Jazz Workshop, Zellerbach Foundation, Yoshi’s and the Jazz & Heritage Center of San Francisco and most recently, Musically Minded Academy in Oakland and the Narada Michael Walden Foundation. Tammy has also accompanied the Porter College Gospel Choir at University of California, Santa Cruz as well as the Inner Light Ministries Choir in Soquel,California, both under the direction of Valerie Joi Fiddmont and shares a Music Ministry with the Centers for Spiritual throughout the Bay Area and California. She has traveled and performed extensively in Japan, Europe and Mexico, including a 30-city tour with Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem Gospel Singers throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria.  Other venues and festivals of note include Kennedy Center (Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival), Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Sala Filharmonica (Trento, ITALY), Herbst Theatre, Monterey Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, SFJazz Center, Yoshi's Oakland and San Francisco and Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz, CA.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

As part of the Maestra Series, renowned singer and folklorist Bobi Céspedes returns to Ashkenaz to lead another workshop on the chants to the female deities found in the Yoruba spiritual tradition known as Lucumí in Cuba. The Orisha represent divine forces manifested through nature and are summoned through music, song and dance. Bobi is one of the very few female akpwóns (lead singer of the Lucumí ceremonial music), providing a remarkable opportunity to learn from a distinguished priestess and elder in the tradition. Bobi will supplement what she covered in last year’s popular class by including different chants and Orishas, such as Oyá, a female warrior representing the wind. This workshop is suited for both practitioners and those interested in Cuban music since the influence of Orisha music permeates Cuban popular music and dance. No previous experience necessary. The chants are sung in a call and response pattern, giving everyone the opportunity to join in praise of the feminine goddesses of nature.

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $20 Advance / $25 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

Gladys “Bobi” Céspedes has been at the forefront of representing and promoting Cuban music in the Bay Area and the United States for over 40 years. A vocalist, composer, band leader and educator, Bobi first won international recognition as director and lead singer for Conjunto Céspedes. The band recorded 4 albums, including Una Sola Casa and Vivito Y Coleando which won awards for Latin Album of the Year in 1993 and 1995 from the National Association of Independent Records Distribution (NAIRD). With the Conjunto, Bobi toured the United States and internationally, winning raving reviews in every major city where they performed, and opening for such stars as Los Van Van, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, and Brian Ferry.  Bobi also toured and recorded with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum project, appearing on his Supralingua and Spirit into Sound releases.  

Since 2003, working in a septet format with a band under her own name, Bobi has continued to perform and tour, and recorded two albums: Rezos and Patakin. She was invited to perform at the Grand Opening Weekend for the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in September 2016, as part of a lineup that included such divas as Angélique Kidjo and Meshell Ndegeocello. 

By integrating folkloric and modern elements in an authentic and distinctive sound, Bobi gives a modern voice to traditional Cuban music, providing fresh ways for contemporary audiences to be touched by her rich musical heritage.   Her dynamic performances lead you on a journey from Afro Cuban chants to Cuban són, rumba, cha cha chás and boleros. In the rich field of Cuban music, Bobi Céspedes stands out as a gem and can rightfully be considered one of our national cultural treasures.

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $15-$20 Sliding Scale

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

Berkeley, CA… Bay Area comedian/comedy producer, Lisa Geduldig (of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy), and Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center joined forces last Fall to bring the East Bay a new monthly (the second Thursday of the month) comedy series Comedy at Ashkenaz! featuring a different line-up each month.

The next show in the series, Women’s History Month Comedy will take place on Thursday, March 8, International Women’s Day, and will feature a multicultural line up of comedians: 

Eloisa Bravo, Priyanka Wali, Mary Carouba, and Lisa Geduldig

Priyanka Wali, named by Refinery29 as "50 Female Stand-Up Comedians You Need To Know,” is a stand up comic who performs routinely all throughout the United States and abroad, including corporate gigs, casinos and comedy clubs.  She has been featured on KFOG Radio, Women's Health Magazine, The Today Show, Business Insider, Uproxx, Cosmopolitan, India Currents Magazine, and Healthline. Priyanka truly believes laughter is the best medicine but likes to cover her bases as a board-certified practicing physician in Internal Medicine too.  www.priyankawali.com

Mary Carouba is a comedian, performance artist, and professional speaker. She is also the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, “Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion.” Drawing on her Arab-Irish roots, her turbulent yet strangely funny childhood (her Irish-Catholic mother describes Mary's childhood as a "test of my faith"), the drama of 9/11, followed by a near-death experience and subsequent liver transplant, Mary likes to ride the razor's edge of tragedy and comedy and take audiences to places they've never been. Mary’s house recently burned down in the Sonoma fires, and she takes it as a sign that something is truly, deeply wrong with her that it’s put her in the mood for comedy.

Lisa Geduldig is a Bay Area-based comedian and comedy producer who is the creator, producer, and MC of a variety of comedy shows including Kung Pao Kosher Comedy™ - Jewish comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant (which celebrated its 25th Anniversary last year) and Comedy Returns to El Rio! (now in it 10th year). Lisa moonlights as a bilingual (Spanish-English) freelance publicist. www.KosherComedy.com • www.SFPublicist.com

Doors at 7:30 pm; Show at 8:00 pm

Tickets are $20 Advance / $25 at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

This group of superstar Maestras (and one spectacular Maestro de Bajo), led by the great Jackeline Rago on Venezuelan Cuatro and Bandola, features Donna Viscuso on Flute, Dan Feiszli on Bass and the one and only Michaelle Goerlitz on Percussion. 

Hailed for its spirited performances and fascinating fusion of Venezuelan folk music with adventurous jazz explorations,The VNote Ensemble gives voice to the hidden treasure of Venezuelan music. Original compositions, keen arrangements and great musicianship blend together to deliver a unique musical sound.

Special Guests for tonight's performance include Anna Marai Violich on vocals, and Mara Fox on Trombone.

Bring your dancing shoes!!

Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:00 pm

Tickets are $5 Advance  
$10 - $50 Sliding Scale at the Door

Maestra Series Packages $48 - $150

Women's Jam & Fundraiser for the Maestra Series!
Hosted by Shelley Doty (guitar and vocals), Angeline Saris (bass) and Denise Martin.

Open jam sign up, all genders welcome.

Other upcoming Maestra Series events:
April 1 - Mabiba's Drum Sunday wk shop
April 7th - the Anzanga Marimba Ensemble

Shelley Doty is known for her masterful guitar licks, soulful voice and charismatic stage presence. Her original tunes are sprinkled with respect for the music of her youth (rock, R&B, jazz, funk), and are sung and played with an authentic raw energy that cuts through the air with jubilant imagination and freshness. In addition to performing and recording her own material, Shelley is a versatile lead guitarist . As well as fronting her own band the Shelley Doty X-tet, she currently spends much of her time playing with Skip The Needle (featuring Vicki Randle, Kofy Brown and Katie Colpitts). Shelley was one of the founders of jamband legends Jambay, and has played with and recorded CDs withl Bonfire Madigan, Pyeng Threadgill, Gina Breedlove, Dawn Richardson (of 4NonBlondes) and Cris Williamson among many others. Her musical range runs the gamut from tender acoustic music, to raucous kinetic electric Funk Rock, and as a musician, Shelley Doty is well respected as one of the preeminent guitarists in the Bay Area and beyond.

Denise Martin began playing drums at age 16 and was touring the US, Asia and Europe before her 20th birthday with legendary artist, Merl Saunders. She went on to tour with several artists including Sony recording artist, Eric Martin. She inked endorsement deals with Paiste cymbals, Regal Tip sticks and Evans heads early on in her career and was welcomed at NAMM show with a life-sized display of her promo photo for the “Women of Paiste” booth. Denise has recorded major label albums and several indie releases as well as sessions for commercials, soundtracks and various online projects.

One minute of Angeline Saris' low-end thumping coming at you and you’ll know she is just as much beast as beauty. She is a monstrous talent and has the schedule to prove it. In the last year alone, Angeline recorded 2 albums and toured with the Narada Michael Walden Band, rocked the stage with Santana when he joined Narada’s band at their most recent show, joined forces with reggae and ska legend Ernest Ranglin, laid down some serious shredding bass on Gretchen Menn’s album Hale Souls (and works regularly as her touring bassist), recorded 4 instructional DVD’s for Hal Leonard as well as a demo video for GHS strings, joined the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Zepparella and continues to moonlight as a hired gun in the studio and for local shows. 
Angeline has worked as an instructor at the National Guitar Workshop and continues to teach private lessons in Northern California to a small group of students, covering a wide curriculum of techniques tailored for each student. “I love watching my students learn. There is nothing quite like seeing their faces light up when they nail a new bass part. Plus, I feel teaching is an important part of my own growth as a musician.”