Live Jazz (& Blues) Meetup Group

Drummer, composer, and bandleader Jacob Wendt's critically acclaimed new album, Silver Street, is a classic hard bop project in the spirit of Blue Note Records during the 1950’s & 60’s. Already dubbed "an instant jazz classic," the album features all original compositions by Wendt, influenced by jazz greats such as Horace Silver, Sonny Clark, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, and Hank Mobley. For this show, Wendt will be joined by a stellar assembly of Bay Area-based musicians well known to Meetup regulars. They are: Mike Olmos — trumpet; Patrick Wolff — tenor sax; Matt Clark — piano; and David Ewell — bass.

EVENT COST: About $34 (with Eventbrite service fee) for concert tickets when bought online. BUY YOUR OWN TICKETS. Note that this show is on a Thursday night.

SEATING: Most tables at the Sound Room are set up for a maximum of four people. This show is General Admission, so it will be up to us to snag our own seats (ideally together at various tables).

TICKET LINK and MORE SHOW INFO:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jacob-wendt-group-tickets-1653070521429?aff=oddtdtcreator

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: I recommend arriving at the Sound Room by 7:00 p.m. so you have more time to socialize with your fellow Meetup members and to order any food or drinks you want for yourself. (The show starts shortly after 7:30 p.m. and will go to at least 10:00 p.m. There are typically two sets with one intermission at this venue.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'll email my cellphone number and final details to RSVPers beforehand. Also, you can see my photo with my Meetup profile. (I'm WF, 5 feet tall, now with glasses and short, salt-&-pepper hair.)

LOCATION/TRANSIT: The Sound Room is at 3022 Broadway (directly across from Sprouts). At least one AC Transit bus line goes to the Sound Room from Oakland BART stations and possibly ones in El Cerrito and Richmond. (The closest Oakland BART stations are at 19th Street and in Rockridge.)

PARKING: Free parking is available on Broadway and on side streets. There are also supervised parking lots at Summit Medical Center and Kaiser Medical Center – both of which are 2 blocks away – that are available for a fee.

FOOD OPTION: The Sound Room has a limited but good menu of small plates (entrees, appetizers, and desserts) and drinks that you can enjoy before or during the show. The venue emails RSVPers the current menu on the day of the show. (There is no drink/food minimum requirement, but purchases help cover this nonprofit's operating costs.)

Lebanese-born violinist Georges Lammam, who has thrilled audiences at past Bay Area events, draws on a repertoire of Arabic music ranging from classical to contemporary. He is also known for his role in such bands as Ancient Future and Wobbly World. For this event, Georges will be joined by Loay Dahbour on Arab hand percussion, Khadr Keileh on keyboard, Jeanette Cool on piano, and Naser Musa on oud and vocals, peforming two sets of music totaling about 50 minutes. Also appearing for several songs: guest artist and longtime activist Holly Near. During the break in between the Georges Lammam Ensemble's sets, there will be a short recitation of poetry, and also a 20-minute slide show about the work the Middle East Children’s Alliance is doing in Gaza.

COST: $27.27 per person (for seniors, students, and low-income folks) when buying tickets online. (Other tickets cost $50.)

TICKET LINK and MORE INFO on the event:
https://events.humanitix.com/unitedforgaza

SEATING is General Admission. Buy your own ticket.

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: Unless joining me for dinner beforehand, let's meet inside La Pena by 6:30 p.m. to increase our odds of sitting together. (The doors open at 6:00 p.m.; the concert and related events go from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, 5 feet tall, with short, salt-and-pepper hair and glasses. I'm usually wearing black pants and a black v-necked top. I'll send my mobile number to RSVPers prior to the event. If you don't spot me, feel free to text me or post a Comment on the Meetup Event Page.

OPTIONAL PRE-SHOW DINNER at Los Cilantros, a good Mexican restaurant inside La Pena, probably at 5:30 p.m. Please indicate prior to the event date if you're interested in the dinner, so I can make reservations.

TRANSIT/PARKING: Located on at least one AC transit bus line, and two to three blocks from Ashby BART in South Berkeley. (I think parking is on the street.)

DEPECHE MODE: M is a cinematic journey into the heart of Mexican culture’s relationship with death, framed by the iconic performances of Depeche Mode during their 2023 Memento Mori tour. Conceived and directed by award-winning Mexican filmmaker Fernando Frías, the film captures the band’s three sold-out shows in Mexico City, attended by over 200,000 fans, blending concert footage with interpretive interstitials and archival material.

COST: About $13 to $17 online (for senior-priced or regular-priced tickets) ... I also welcome $1.00 donations to offset the hefty fees that Meetup charges me as lead organizer.

GENERAL ADMISSION seating. Buy your own tickets! ... This particular screening is at the Big Roxie.

TICKET LINK and TRAILER:
https://roxie.com/film/depeche-mode-m/

WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: By 6:30 p.m. outside the Roxie. (The film starts at 6:45 p.m.) NOTE that this event is on a Thursday night.

HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, 5 feet tall, with glasses and short, salt & pepper hair. I'll send my mobile number to RSVPers before the event, and will post a Meetup Event Page Comment regarding my seating location if I'm missing anyone when I get inside the theater.

OPTIONAL DINNER after the movie, at a casual, nearby restaurant still TBD. Bring cash if interested in a group dinner.

TRANSIT: Located on the 22 Fillmore bus line. Also, the theater is less than 2 blocks from the 16th Street BART station and Mission Street bus lines. If driving, allow extra time to find parking on side streets.