Mara Kaye is that rare cross-species phenomenon, a Blues Amphibian.  When others "sing the blues" as if offering an unusual small plate at the tapas bar, Mara has so immersed herself in the idiom that she goes down to the bottom and doesn't need air until the show is over.  She's a modernist rather than a museum piece: her creations can be darkly mournful, savagely vengeful, or gleefully erotic, but they are always leavened with Brooklyn spice.  Think 1928 Bessie Smith or 1937 Billie Holiday leavened with street smarts. Her heart is in her music, and there is no pretense, no distance, as audiences from here to Russia, at Joe's Pub and Brooklyn dives have found out.

A mini fete celebrating the music and art of Yoko Ono! There will be Art Snacks at 5pm and a concert of music and instructions performed by our students and teachers at 6pm. Come join us and imagine peace!

The Horsenecks play hard-hitting and heartfelt Old Time and classic Bluegrass music. Their sound is centered around the pairing of the signature rhythmic Appalachian fiddle style of Oregonian Gabrielle Macrae, (the Macrae Sisters, Hook & Anchor) and the driving yet subtle three-finger banjo playing of Liverpudlian Barry Southern (Tramp Attack, The Loose Moose Stringband.) 

Lone Piñon is an acoustic conjunto from Northern New Mexico whose music celebrates the integrity of their region's cultural roots.  Multi-instrumentalists Noah Martinez and Jordan Wax use the fiddle, bajo quinto, accordions, quinta huapanguera, and bilingual vocals to play a wide spectrum of the traditional music that is at home in New Mexico.  Their performances are a celebration of the vibrant landscape of their home, a complex tapestry of styles that reflect the intercultural history of New Mexico and the musical legacy it has produced. Martinez and Wax formed Lone Piñon in 2014 as a way to explore and strengthen the oldest sounds of traditional Northern New Mexico string music, sounds that had all but disappeared from daily life. Far from the image of quaint, isolated village traditions that is often painted of Northern New Mexico, they discovered a network of related styles that cross state, national, and generational borders.  The duo’s active repertoire reflects this complexity and includes early conjunto duets, Hispanic Texan fiddle styles, New Mexican swing, contemporary New Mexican rancheras, Tohono O'odham fiddling from Arizona, huapangos from the Huasteca, and several regional styles from Michoacán.

Skillet Licorice is the latest project from San Francisco Bay Area roots-music luminaries Elise Engelberg and Matt Knoth. Whether they’re playing hot fiddle breakdowns, slinky blues, sparkling banjo breaks, ragtime or dreamy waltzes, the band displays an impressive command of styles and techniques that comes from deep study and loving dedication to America’s folk traditions. Skillet Licorice is hot, sweet, and just a bit greasy!

A mini fete celebrating the music of David Byrne. A multi-generational gathering. Come early, stay late.

Join us for an evening of traditional and modern Chinese pipa (plucked lute) music, played by internationally acclaimed musician and educator, Jie Ma.

Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton return for their second Southern Pacific Session! If you saw them last year, you know just how special their unique styling of banjo and fiddle is. Bring a friend who missed them last time and spread the love!

Back by popular demand, this is the second concert highlighting Bulgarian folk music! Join us and the Center for World Music for a night not to be soon forgotten! A sedyanka is an evening in a Bulgarian home full of traditional singing and music (and maybe even a bit of dancing and some snacks). Join us for an imaginary sedyanka with Tzvetanka Varimezova, a wonderful singer and tambura (lute) player, and her husband, Ivan Varimezov, Bulgaria’s best bagpiper.

Kaivalya is an enchanting indie folk group from San Diego formed in late 2018. Taylor, Lexi, and Sarah have created original music blending 3-part vocal harmonies, bossa nova-inspired synth guitar, and a heartfelt, mantra-like depth. The poetry in their music invites listeners to explore subjects of beauty and conflict through lyrical imagery and gives a voice to the spectral feminine experience. Through soothing and meditative soundscapes, Kaivalya invokes the mystic, shaping a sonic world for listeners to connect, relax, and receive.

We are excited to announce our Spring Open Mic on March 8th from 6:30-8pm. We’re trying something a little different this year and adding a theme to our Open Mic. Inspired by our handmade production of Yellow Submarine, our Open Mic theme will be THE SIXTIES!

Join the Center for World Music for a delightful evening of Middle Eastern classical music with violinist and singer Luay Yousif, drummer Omar Alchi, and guitarist Jack Tamas. Luay will present traditional songs and instrumentals of the Middle East as well as his own original compositions. A sought-after singer throughout North America, he sings in Aramaic (the language of Jesus) in the Chaldean (Christian) tradition of Iraq.

A club for teenagers who like to write songs and eat pizza.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Natasha Kozaily of NATULA every first Friday of the month at Kalabash!

Blake Miller & the Old Fashioned Aces are breathing new life into an old sound. It’s traditional Cajun music in a traditional setting, but more than that, it’s a powerhouse trio having fun.  Whether they appear as an acoustic trio or a full electric band, finer musicians playing Cajun music cannot be found. In a world where it seems everyone is continually stretching the boundaries of Louisiana French music, the Aces nest comfortably inside the well worn tracks of Cajun Music. From old fiddle tunes, to classic dance floor packers, to bilingual country classics, their music is comfort food for the Cajun music fan. 

Join the Center for World Music for an evening of koto (Japanese zither) music with Kozue Matsumoto. After opening with an introduction to the instrument, its culture, and history, the artist will guide the audience through a performance of traditional and contemporary koto music.

Steam Machine is a Minneapolis-based stringband that plays tunes and songs from the transitional era between old-time and bluegrass. Their repertoire ranges from fiddle tunes collected in the Midwest plains to Appalachian songs/tunes recorded in the 78 era.  They combine clean, powerful fiddling with driving three finger banjo, a lively, solid rhythm section, and raw, unprocessed vocals. 

Prize-winning fiddler from Tennessee shares his deep knowledge of fiddle music learned directly from the old masters.

Nomsa Burkhardt and her fellow musicians perform traditional Zulu drumming, songs, and dance, intertwined with stories of the rich Zulu heritage and culture.

Barn-burning clawhammer banjo and fiddle duo. Banjo legend Tony Trishka calls them “a transcendentally clawhammering force of nature.”

Kalabash Records is thrilled to celebrate the release of Jessamine Barham's debut EP Out of the Shadows. Come celebrate and listen with us Friday April 20th at 7pm!

Join us for a special intimate living room concert with KERA + Y LA BAMBA! 

Finnish folk poetry tells a story of the first time the kantele zither was played. The sound was so beautiful that everybody started to cry. When their tears touched the water of the ocean, they turned into pearls.A native of Finland, Merja Soria performs the traditional music of her Finnish heritage. She combines the ancient kantele with the poignant sound of her voice to sing the haunting songs of Suomi (Finland).

Innovative musicians/dancers with a quirky neo-trad soul, Oakland, California-based Evie Ladin & Keith Terry throw down original folk songs and deep interpretations of old songs, with the kinetic thrill of percussive dance.

The Máirtín de Cógáin Project is led by its eponym, Máirtín de Cógáin, a performer of extraordinary talent. Crowned All-Ireland Storytelling Champion twice over, Máirtín says that telling stories is his highest joy in life. A superb singer, dancer, and bodhrán (Irish drum) player, he has gathered a group of the finest Irish-American musicians around him. Together, this group brings the story of de Cógáin’s native Cork to an appreciative international following.

A club for teenagers who like to write songs and eat pizza.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Natasha Kozaily of NATULA every 2nd Friday of the month at Kalabash!

A club for teenagers who like to write songs and eat pizza.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Natasha Kozaily of NATULA every 2nd Friday of the month at Kalabash!

Join Kalabash instructor Clinton Davis and friends for our bi-monthly concert series of American Folk Music. 

Guest Artists: Clarke Buehling + Tom Marion!!!!

A club for teenagers who like to write songs and eat pizza.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Natasha Kozaily of NATULA every 2nd Friday of the month at Kalabash!

A club for teenagers who like to write songs and eat pizza.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Natasha Kozaily of NATULA every 2nd Friday of the month at Kalabash!

Join Kalabash instructor Clinton Davis and friends for our bi-monthly concert series of American Folk Music. 

This month we are thrilled to welcome The High Life Cajun Band!