New Sensations in the East Bay: Gravys Drop (band), Vitus (venue) & The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal (series)
There is something happening in the East Bay (but we don't know what it is). There are new venues, new bands and a new music series! Here's a small taste. Effective immediately every 3rd Thursday, Bezerkeley's Starry Plough will host The Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal, bringing local bands that focus on music from Greece, Turkey, Armenia and beyond. Last Thursday's kick-off bash brought Disciples of Markos, Zoyres, and Janam. February 16th will feature Balkan brass band Inspector Gadje plus Radio Istanbul and Gramophone & Dynamo. BBB organizer Dave Murray with Disciples of Markos playing 1930s Greek hash den ditties Zoyres playing [...]
Balkan Bacchanal at the Starry Plough with Agapi Mou, Disciples of Markos and Inspector Gadje 10/15/11
Disciples of Markos Opa! The music of the Balkans is alive and well in the Bay Area. All 3 of these bands are local and kind-hearted, the show was a fundraiser for Sweet Relief, an organization providing aid for musicians in need. A funtastic night of Greek music. Turns out Guinness substitutes nicely for Ouzo. Bouzouki and drum Disciples of Markos are a very special treat. They play the music of Markos Vamvakaris known as the patriarch of Rebetiko, a wild folk music that Markos helped create in the 1930s hash dens of Greece. Markos was a master of the [...]