When was the last time you saw a good Gypsy jazz band? Ukiah’s annual free Sundays in the Park Series presents Fishtank Ensemble at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Todd Grove Park, 600 Live Oak . The group features a French violinist, a Serbian bass player, a flamenco guitar player who learned his craft in Spain and a lead vocalist who sang opera in the town squares of Italy. The series continues through Aug. 19. Information: cityofukiah.com.
Living in this region, we get used to hearing about Native American basket weaving. It literally comes with the territory. But how often do we really take a look at this intricate and remarkable art form? You have a good chance to do just that right now. “American Masterpieces: The Artistic Legacy of California Indian Basketry,” opened in November at Ukiah’s Grace Hudson Museum and will remain on display through Feb. 27. The exhibition, which originated in Sacramento, includes more… Read More »
In our ongoing quest to collect the cleverest band names we can find, here are two gems: The Real Nasty, a country rock power trio from Oakland, and Diego’s Umbrella, a gypsy rock band from San Francisco. Both groups play Thursday, Feb. 3, at The Ukiah Brew Company,102 S. State St., Ukiah. The music starts at 9 p.m. Admsision: $5. Information: (707) 468-5898, www.ukiahbrewingco.com. For more on the bands: www.therealnasty.com, www.diegosumbrella.com.
Slide guitarist Roy Rogers, 59, best-known for his collaborations with blues legend John Lee Hooker, moved from Marin County up to Nevada City three years ago. But he’s still around. He and his band, the Delta Rhythm Kings, will perform at 6 p.m. June 20 as part of Ukiah’s ‘Sundays in the Park’ series in Todd Grove Park, 600 Live Oak Ave. Admission is free. Information: (707) 463-6231, www.cityofukiah.com For 20 years, Rogers teamed up with harmonica virtuoso Norton Buffalo,… Read More »
Painter Maynard Dixon, famed for his evocative scenes from the American Southwest, died in 1946, but his reputation and influence have grown significantly since then. In recent years, interest in Dixon’s art has risen to new heights, prompted by four books about the painter, three major exhibitions and an award-winning, feature-length documentary film. His work features the landscapes of Arizona, Utah and Nevada, with images of deserts, cliffs, mountains, clouds, cowboys and native Americans. Local art lovers can take a close look… Read More »
Master guitarist Alex de Grassi grew up in San Francisco, but he was born in Japan. That bit of trivia seems relevant this week, because he has composed original music to accompany Yasusjiro Ozu’s 1934 silent film, ‘A Story of Floating Weeds,’ which he’ll perform at a screening of the film at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in Ukiah. Doors open at Art Center Ukiah 203 S. State St. , at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are available at Dig! Music and… Read More »
Look for some stunning visual effects when Mendocino College presents “Silk,” a live dance performance, several times later this month. The production will feature circus-style acts by Pendulum Dance Theatre of Portland, Oregon and contemporary dances by the Mendocino College Repertory Dance Company. The show will open with “Shadows of the Silk Road,” a medley showcasing four contemporary dances choreographed by Mendocino College dance professor Leslie Saxon West and her students. The pieces were inspired by West’s three-week trip to… Read More »
