This December 20th, I will be producing the second annual Concert Carnival. This is a multi-media, cabaret-style variety show with amazing artists from across the country. The program this year will be almost all new material and will feature a different cast of characters from many artistic disciplines. However, the values of the Concert Carnival remain the same: This is an opportunity for performers (myself included) to step outside of their normal performing context and try new stuff in new ways.
THE PERFORMERS:
Zach Gill (ALO/Jack Johnson), Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Patch (Heavyweight Dub Champion), Evie Ladin (Stairwell Sisters), Keith Terry (body percussionist from Crosspulse), Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra), the Sweet Snacks, and all the guys from Hot Buttered Rum.
THE VENUE & TICKETS:
The Independent
628 Divisadero St, SF, CA.
www.theindependentsf.com
General Admission: $17
Reserved Table seats: $35
I highly recommend the limited number of Reserved Table seats. It’s truly a cabaret show and it feels right to sit and have drinks served to you. There are four people to a table; Reserved Table seats are sold in pairs and fours. G.A. is also great (there will be some times when you’ll want to boogie) and there’s not a bad spot in the Independent.
PATRON SUPPORTING DINNER:
The Concert Carnival is a big production and, like a theatre company or opera, depends on patronage beyond ticket sales to support it. There are a handful of spots at the special Patron Dinner for folks who want to help. Ticket holders who want to donate a little more can come before doors to enjoy the culinary delights of Chef Angela, rub elbows with the performers and crew, receive a special Concert Enhancement Goodie Bag, check out the soundcheck, and get that warm fuzzy feeling of making a big thing happen. Email [email protected] for more info. Guess what kind of tequila you’ll be drinking....
THE SHOW:
The setlist is top secret of course, but I’ll mention a few things
I’m excited about this year:
1) Putting together a Palmwine Highlife band. This is a fun, breezy style of Ghanaian music. In 1999 and 2001 I learned something of the two-finger Palmwine style from a Ghanaian man named T.O. Jazz. He passed away and I am excited to play some of his music in the States.
2) Jason Hann rocks. I’m honored for him to be in the Carnival.
3) The body percussion and tap dancing of Keith Terry and Evie Ladin. Keith has studied body percussion around the world and has developed a style that can only be called spectacular. Evie is not only a great dancer; she’s also a first rate oldtime banjo player, singer, and songwriter.
4) Singing with Zach Gill. He’s one of the most soulful songwriters around today and plays with another one of the best... We've know Zach's band ALO since when High Sierra was still at Bear Valley.
5) My favorite dub/trip-hop group is Heavyweight Dub Champion. They made a career-defining performance in a headlining slot at Reggae on the River last year (check this out at www.myspace.com/heavyweightdubchampion). Patch is an amazing electro-acoustic musician and also happens to be my cousin. He’s working on some remixes of Hot Buttered Rum music; it will also be fun to cook some stuff up together.
6) I’m honored that my uncle and aunt Rodney and Helen are going to be there. They have been a huge influence on me. To learn more about their place in music history and the sexual revolution of the 70s, check out the short movie below.
We hope to see you there!
-Nat
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FILMS FROM NKCC 2006:
“The Music and Dances of the Awudome Villagesâ€
This project was commissioned by a group of elders in the Awudome villages in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. The traditional music and dances of this rural area are waning. During three weeks of filming, Nat documented hours of dance and interviews. The resulting 10-minute film is a visual feast of colorful social dance, and a snapshot of a community in transition. “Music and Dances of the Awudome Villages†was recently accepted to the Santa Cruz Film Festival (April 2007).
“Rodney & Helen: Fast Times in Las Vegasâ€
As a young boy, Nat learned the basics of song-craft from his uncle Rodney Bolloni. Though very different in style, Rodney’s music deeply affected the development of Hot Buttered Rum. In the late 1970s Rodney and wife Helen were at the forefront of the swinging Las Vegas lounge singing scene. This 5-minute film shows the rise and fall of these cultural icons, with footage from 30 years of amazing music. PG-13.
