From CCRMA, Stanford:
Thursday, February 9, 12pm (noon)
The Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics presents Mugam: A Real-Time Exploration of Azeri Musical Improvisation and Modes. This is a unique musical tour exploring connections across microtonal systems of the Middle East, featuring live improvisations by visiting artists Alim and Fargana Qasimov and joined by Phaedon Sinis, a Stanford-based scholar and performer of Ottoman music. Stanford University, CCRMA, CCRMA Stage, Stanford | Free
From Bay Improviser:
Thursday, February 9, 8pm
OutSound presents the Luggage Store New Music Series, this week featuring Zachary Watkins (solo electronics) at 8pm, and at 9pm Ernesto Diaz-Infante (bajo sexto) will celebrate the CD Release performance for “Emilio”, a series of 32 unaccompanied experimental solo performances on the Bajo Sexto. Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market St. (@ 6th St.), San Francisco | $6-10 slidingThursday, February 9, 8pm
The third edition of the NEXT NOW SHOW – An evening of eclectic improvised musics featuring three ensembles: VERB – Jayn Pettingill (alto sax), Lisa Mezzacappa (bass), Vijay Anderson (drums), and Matt Plummer (trombone); CARTOON JUSTICE – Mika Pontecorvo (guitar, flute), Mariko Miyakawa (cello, voice), Kersti Abrams- (alto sax, flute), Greg Baker (clarinet, laptop), Aaron Levin (drums), and Eli Pontecorvo (bass); PLUMMER/ZIMMERMAN/SWANAGON – Jameson Swanagon (guitar, autoharp), Jacob Zimmerman (alto sax), and Matt Plummer (trombone). El Valenciano Restaurant & Bar, 1153 Valencia St., San Francisco | $5
From Red Poppy Art House
Friday, February 10, 7:30pm
The Red Poppy Arthouse presents AMENDOLA VS. BLADES: Drums Vs. Hammond B3, with Wil Blades and Scott Amendola conjuring various sonic deities though only a duo. Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom St., San Francisco | $12-20
From Bay Improviser:
Friday, February 10, 8pm
To mark the centennial of Vaslav Nijinsky’s Afternoon of a Faun, the Oakland-based dance theater group ‘this sweet nothing’ will present an evening-length performance inspired by the seminal ballet. Since its controversial premiere by Les Ballets Russes in Paris in 1912—during which outraged patrons caused a near riot—artists ranging from Jerome Robbins and Mikhail Baryshnikov to Freddie Mercury and Queen have revisited the work because of its inherent pull and mystery. For this re-imagined fantasy, choreographer Sonsherée Giles, composer Caroline Penwarden, and visual artist Heike Liss will create an erotic and teasing dreamscape, charged with sexual ambiguity all in order to undermine our collective sense of what is “real”. The three protagonists will be joined by dancers from AXIS Dance Company, as well as guest artists Lisa Bufano, Amy Lewis, Rebecca Gilbert, Janet Das, John Carnahan, Kevin Atkinson, Alicia Ruth, Damon Waitkus, Aram Shelton, Noah Phillips, Jim Kassis, and Jason Hoopes. The Marion Green Black Box Theater at the Fox Theater, 530 19th St., Oakland | $15-30, advance tickets recommendedSaturday, February 11, 8pm
The Mills College Music Department and the Center for Contemporary Music present Mills Music Now 2010-2011: Guest composer Larry Polansky and composers from the Mills College Center for Contemporary Music present a program of recent works for a variety of technologies featuring works by John Bischoff, Chris Brown, James Fei, Maggi Payne, Les Stuck, and Larry Polansky. Mills College, Littlefield Concert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland | $15 general / $10 seniors and non-Mills students / Free to Mills students, faculty, staff, and alumnae/alumni
From CNMAT, Berkeley:
Saturday, February 12, 8pm
Cal Performances, CNMAT and the Department of Music present the Eco Ensemble, UC Berkeley’s professional performance group dedicated to new music by established and emerging composers, featuring new works by Kaija Saariaho, Franck Bedrossian, and Magnus Lindberg, and will also feature guest soloist, Gloria Cheng (piano). UC Berkeley, CNMAT, Hertz Hall, 1750 Arch St., Berkeley | $30+, tickets available here
From Bay Improviser:
Sunday, February 12, 12:01am
The Day of Noise is a 24-hour marathon of live music from experimental, noise, and all things interesting/beautiful/unique artists, including Brian B James, Kurt James Werner, The Voice of Doom, Feast and Friends, Bad News, Peter Nyboer, David Leikam and Joe Straub,
David Slusser, Bill Orcutt, Jessica Rylan, zBug, Frank Rothkamm, Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Negativwobblyland (Jon Leidecker & Peter Conheim), Danny Paul Grody, En, Matt Davignon, Aloonaluna, Matt Ingalls and John Ingle, Matt Ingalls, John Ingle, Matt Davignon, and Abode, Thomas Dimuzio, Megabats, Abode, Thea Farhadian, White Pee, The Lickets, Vulcanus 68, and more. (Sunday; 12:01AM-11:59PM, Pacific Time) KZSU 90.1FM, Stanford University, Stanford | [Live Worldwide Broadcast!] | Free, encouraged donationsSunday, February 12, 7:30pm
OutSound presents the SIMM Series, featuring Jack Wright (solo saxophone) at 7:30, and at 8:30, the Emergency String (X)tet – Bob Marsh and Doug Carroll (celli), Angela Hsu, Adria Otte, and Jonathan Segel (violins), and Tony Dryer (double bass). Musicians Union Hall, 116 9th St. (@ Mission), San Francisco | $10/$8
From Nebraska Mondays:
Monday, February 13, 7pm
Nebraska Mondays, the weekly creative and improvised music series hosted by Ross Hammond, presents the Jack Wright Trio. Luna’s Cafe, 1414 16th St., Sacramento | donations appreciated
From Bay Improviser:
Monday, February 13, 7:30pm
The Mills College Music Department and the Center for Contemporary Music present: A TALK BY ALVIN LUCIER (Jean Macduff Vaux Composer-in-Residence). Trailblazing explorer of acoustics and psychoacoustics, visiting composer Alvin Lucier begins his residency at Mills with a public talk about his work. Mills College, Littlefield Concert Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland | FreeWednesday, February 15, 7:30pm
A Grand Spectacular at Turquoise Yantra Grotto: Enter the MSP Fire-Dragon — Marsh, Wright, Lasqo & Samas. Start things out with a *bang* and join us to open the Dragon Year with special guests: extraordinary East Coast saxophonist Jack Wright, and Bob Marsh, performance artist, musical agent provacateur/éclatiste, mad cellist/bassist/pianist/guitarist/found-instrumentist/vocalist/+++ (& tap-dancer!). Highlights will include MSP processing of the Hong Kong (Tai Hang Dancing Fire Dragon), to accompany Bob Marsh in Sonic Suit. We’re also privileged to present Bob Marsh’s unique invented instrument, the Silver Park, as played by its invented musician, Mr. Mercury. German publication, Bad Alchemy, on Jack Wright: “Wright does not make music, he embodies it, he transforms it with a naiveté of another order. It grows into a sound river, he is part of the diaphragm through which the heterogeneous whispers.” Joe Lasqo will join guests throughout on the Gamelan Piano & the Steinway and also play some meta-rāgas and material from his album Turquoise Sessions during the between-set candlelight tea. David Samas will join guests in both sets with extended vocal techniques of Tuvan throat/overtone singing, Inuit vocal competitions, bird & whale song, as well as give a virtuoso performance on his Zen Industrial Carillon. Turquoise Yantra Grotto,to reserve contact Joe Lasqo: (415) 286-0482 or joe (at) joelasqo.com | $12-15 (advance reservation required)
Avant Music News 