Ethio-jazz and more -- a free outdoor show
Details
In the 1970s, when Ethiopia’s capital entered a musical "golden age" powered by musicians combining traditional song forms with American jazz, funk and soul music, keyboardist Hailu Mergia’s Wallis Band was at the center of the action. His return to the stage in recent years is one of world music’s great stories, and his band is a creative force, delivering ancient melodies set to state-of-the-art Ethio-jazz grooves. Moving from keyboard to organ to accordion to melodica, Mergia deftly switches instruments—often during the same song. [If this event description is giving you a sense of deja vue, it's because Hailu Mergia's band was originally scheduled to appear at the festival last year.]
Before the headliner's set, the excellent locally based saxophonist Howard Wiley will head up a band beginning at 2:00 p.m. (There will be a separate DJ set prior to that.)
COST: $1.00 donation to the Meetup organizer (that's me!) to offset the $180.00 per year in fees that Meetup charges me as head organizer. Other than that, the show itself is FREE to attend.
VENUE/SEATING: This show is held outdoors in the attractive Yerba Buena Gardens in downtown San Francisco. The festival volunteers put out some chairs before festival events' start time, but they have reduced the seating somewhat over the years - so I recommend either arriving early to snag a chair OR bringing your own low-backed chair or beach towel to sit or lie on.
This is a general-admission show, with no tickets or reservations needed.
EVENT LINK and VIDEO:
https://ybgfestival.org/event/hailu-mergia/
WHEN/WHERE TO MEET: To increase our chances of getting seats together and to have a chance to socialize beforehand, let's meet up by 1:30 p.m. in the seating area, aiming for front center or front side sections. (The performance starts at 2:00 p.m.)
HOW TO FIND ME: I'm WF, about 5 feet tall, with glasses and short, salt-&-pepper hair. I'll send my cellphone number to RSVPers before the event and will leave the phone on until the first band goes on. Please text me or leave a comment on the Meetup Event page if you don't spot me.
TRANSIT INFO: The performance location is on the route for several SF Muni Mission Street bus lines and is also located about 2 blocks from BART (Take your pick of the Powell or Montgomery stations) and from Market Street bus stops. If you're driving, expect to pay for parking at one of the nearby garages.
ADDITIONAL INFO: People are free to bring their own food or drink to enjoy at the show, or you can buy take-out food at some fast-casual places in the immediate area (in and near the Metreon). Indoor public restrooms are on site at the Yerba Buena Gardens complex.
MORE LOGISTICAL INFO on driving, parking, etc.
http://www.ybgfestival.org/visitor-info/
See the VISITOR MAP on this page:
https://ybgfestival.org/visitor-info/#seats
ADDITIONAL ARTIST INFO:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hailu_Mergia
MORE INFO:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethio-jazz