Vagabond Opera, Dan Cantrell Ensemble, Mira Betz & Rose Harden

Description

It's a night of 21st century Bohemian Cabaret as VAGABOND OPERA turns the Ashkenaz stage into a one-ring human circus on Friday, Feb. 26, joined by award-winning composer-accordionist DAN CANTRELL ENSEMBLE and two of the world's most unorthodox belly dancers, MIRA BETZ and ROSE HARDEN.

This is a full-immersion evening in Bohemian Cabaret. The Portland, Oregon sextet Vagabond Opera is described by the Washington Post as, "A band of ceaseless charisma, boundless energy, impeccable musicianship and more than a little touch of both the naughty and exotic." The group was created in 2002 by opera singer-composer Eric Stern. It delivers passionate offerings of Bohemian cabaret, Paris hot jazz, gutbucket swing, tangos, Ukrainian folk-punk ballads, klezmer and vigorous originals. Weaving elements of Kurt Weil, Duke Ellington and Edith Piaf with absurdist flair, theatrics and an old world mood, Vagabond Opera presents the new wave of opera-lusty voices singing in 13 languages and presenting a cabaret of rich musical phrasing, sparkling lyrics and indomitable stage presence, all played with exuberance, skill and a gritty Vagabond edge.

The band's lineup features trained operatic tenor and soprano vocals, accordion, tenor saxophone, two cellos, stand-up bass, and drums. Vagabond Opera has performed all over the USA and in Europe. Its music is available on three CDs (the latest is "The Zeitgeist Beckons"). For this special evening the band is joined by two eclectic belly dancers: Mira Betz (of Barbara Coast Shakedown and Oakland's Malonga Arts Collective) and Rose Harden (Ultra Gypsy, Fox Glove Sweethearts).
http://www.vagabondopera.com

Emmy Award-winning composer-accordionist Dan Cantrell brings his Ensemble in its Ashkenaz debut, playing a mix of original and Balkanized band tunes for listening as well as dancing. Cantrell has never been less than inventive, and his music digs into Eastern European roots but always comes out fresh and new. He was a founder of the Toids, and has been a member of People's Bizarre and other unique Bay Area bands. The Emmy came in 2002 for his score to the KQED-TV documentary "Home Front." In the same year his soundtrack music for "Divided Loyalties" won a Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival. His instrumental work has graced recordings by artists from Joanna Newsome to Tom Waits. He is also the composer of "Whisper Hungarian in My Ear." http://www.myspace.com/dancantrellmusic

Doors open at 8:30 and the show begins at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz, Berkeley's non-profit world music center, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Tickets are $12, available in advance through http://www.ticketweb.com, or at Ashkenaz during shows. All ages are welcome at all shows.