Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a Ball
It’s not easy for teenagers who love music to find a safe, affordable venue to enjoy some tunes without their parents. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park is just that opportunity — with some 90 bands on 4-6 stages over three days, it’s a veritable musical playground for independent young people, with or without their families along. This year’s lineup features outstanding artists in bluegrass, folk and rock, with headliners Robert Plant, Chris Thile, Emmy Lou Harris, Broken Social Scene, and many more.
The Festival’s financier Warren Hellman is also a strong supporter of education in the Bay Area, so it’s natural that HSBG has a component for younger kids. In a special Thursday preview, 6,000 middle school children from the SFUSD and several private schools plus kids from Marin County and Daly City will be bussed in to see legendary father of rap, M.C. Hammer, and P.M.W. (Poor Man’s Whiskey), a bluegrass group presenting a “High-Octane Hootenanny.” This is Hammer’s fourth annual performance for School Day, and certainly a favorite field trip of the year for the kids.
The rest of the fun runs Friday through Sunday, so check out the lineup on the Web site and bring the whole family. Organizers advise you to use public transportation, and be prepared for crowds — last year 750,000 attended.
Hall of Fame for One, Latin American Music For All
The La Peña children’s music series "Amiguitos" gets underway on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m., with a special performance by nationally recognized performer, Jose-Luis Orozco, who will also be inducted into the La Peña Cultural Center’s Hall of Fame. His program is an enthralling, colorful mix of storytelling and singing. Orozco is a successful author of children’s books, songwriter, performer, and recording artist. He has recorded 13 volumes of Lírica Infantil (Latin American children's music), and written three award-winning books published by Dutton; De Colores, Diez Deditos — Ten Little Fingers, and Fiestas. Orozco has been honored by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in Washington, D.C. and the Association of Bilingual Directors with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, among others.
Orozco was born in Mexico City to a musical family. He first saw the world on a tour of 32 countries, as a member of Mexico City Boys Choir at the age of 8. Later, he immigrated to the U.S., earning degrees from U.C. Berkeley and the University of San Francisco. His engaging lyrics and lively rhythms teach children not only the rich tradition of Latin American children's music, but also the Spanish language. Kids of all cultures will enjoy this multilingual performer, so if you have yet to visit La Peña Cultural Center, this event is a must-hear.
See the event info here
Friendly at the Freight: Young Artists Showcase
Alina Kobialka, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Op. 14, 1st mvt. by Samuel BarberThe friendliest chamber music series around continues at Berkeley's Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, hosted by San Francisco Chamber Orchestra Director Ben Simon. The goal of presenting in such a cool, casual venue is to un-stuffify and de-mystify classical music for the general music lover. One Monday night each month, amazing SFCO players perform for an hour, guests sip a cool beverage or munch on snacks and desserts, and people of all ages are welcome.
For some truly mind-blowing talent, come on Monday night, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. for the Young Artist Showcase, featuring teenagers, pianist Hilda Huang and violinist Alina Kobialka. Huang played on the radio show From the Top at Carnegie Hall at age 11, and won the International Bach Competition in March of 2010, becoming the youngest person and the first American to win. Kobialka is associate concertmaster of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra. She won the 2010 CMTANC Youth Music Competition. Watch her video here. And read more about the event.