BandWorks Newsletter
Dear BandWorks Community,
Happy Holidays! While things generally slow down for us a little bit during December, we know that the holidays can be a hectic and stressful time for many. It's all too easy to get caught up in the consumer aspects of the holidays, as well as the stress that so often comes along with family events, parties, and end-of-the-year school and work commitments. We have some advice for you: play music. Take time out to play, for yourself or with friends and family. It's fun, relieves stress, and there's a good chance it's something you'll remember (unlike what your aunt bought you for Xmas or Hannukah last year). Playing music slows you down. It gives you a chance to live in the present moment and enjoy the work that goes into practicing, or the fun that comes from singing and playing with friends. I know that every single time I pick up my drum sticks, I feel like it's time well spent. Same with Steve and his guitar (or his mandolin, trombone, violin, banjo, etc).
We hope you have a great holiday season and look forward to a great new year at BandWorks. Thanks to all of our teachers and to Julie and Ariel for sustaining the BandWorks program. And thanks to you for your s
upport and participation in our community. Happy Holidays.
Rock on!
Jeremy, Steve & Alan
BandWorks Co-Directors
BANDWORKS NEWS
WHAT’S A LISTENING PARTY?
Now that all our favorite music is digitally available, it’s hard to remember that some of the best times music lovers can have is sitting around listening to great tunes together…in the same room. Email is great for a lot of things, but when it’s time for pulling tunes together for your next performance, listening parties are definitely the way to go.
In fact, this is one of the best ways for bands to decide which tunes they may want to perform. Listening together is fun and you end up hearing all kinds of new music and musical elements that you might not have before. For instance, while you may be a guitarist listening for that next great riff, suddenly, because you’re listening with your bassist and drummer, you may discover that they too have great parts to play. Or, that it’s not that exciting for them and that the band would be better served by working on a different tune. Eventually, band members may even get to the point of bringing in tunes for other members, because they learn to hear what’s going to be a lot of fun for their bandmates, too. So, listening parties are a fun way for everybody to further develop that feeling of “bandness.” But they’re also a great way to just get to know your bandmates as people…just hanging out, having fun, eating pizza, and listening to great tunes. What could be better!?
KENSINGTON CLASS GEARING UP AND READY
BandWorks began its first after-school class at Kensington Community Center in September, and the class of nine has been rockin and rehearsing like pros for their big debut show on December 14th. The students learned the ins and outs of drums, guitar, keyboard, getting their strut on, and more as they cover tunes by rock classics such as Green Day. Students will be performing at 3:45pm on December 14th at the Kensington Community Center.
We're taking sign-ups now for our next session which runs on Fridays 2:45pm-4pm from January 4 — March 22 (No classes on Friday, February 22). Class information is available on our website at BandWorks Kensington Class. For registration and questions, get in touch with us at 510. 843. 2263 or info@bandworks.com
THINKING ABOUT SUMMER?
We sure are. Because we know how crazy summer schedules can get, BandWorks staff is putting together our summer class schedule and online registration to be ready by the beginning of winter break, December 21st. That way, you have plenty of time to start planning your child's rockin' summer. If you are on our email list, be sure to look out for an e-announcement from us! If you'd like to join our e-list, just give us a shout at info@bandworks.com.
"IS LOVE A FAIRY TALE" BY AOEDE WINS CHILDREN'S ALBUM OF THE YEAR BY LA MUSIC AWARDS
Lisa Sniderman began playing music with BandWorks about a decade ago, and is a star who won't stop rising. When she first chose the name Aoede in 2005, she wanted an "affiliation with the muse to remember to be inspired and to continually inspire." Almost a decade later, Aoede has become the muse, "offering support, compassion, empathy, inspiration, connection, and encouragement to those who most need it," and it's really no wonder. Lisa has written and recorded albums which have won multiple awards and critical acclaim. Her newest album "Is Love a Fairy Tale" is a musical story about Aoede the Muse who searches for Love in the magical kingdom of Wonderhaven and meets colorful characters along the way. It has already received 3 Children's Awards as well as just received LA Music Award for Children's Album of Year. It will also be considered for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.
To find out more about "Is Love a Fairy Tale", visit the album website at http://www.isloveafairytale.com. You can find out more about Lisa's music at http://www.aoedemuse.com.
BANDWORKS STUDIOS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME
BandWorks is looking for a new home! Ideally we'd like to find something +/- 3,000-4,000 sq. ft, with room for several rehearsal studios, teaching rooms, office, and performance space. If you know of any potential spaces, or have any connections who could help, please drop us a line at info@bandworks.com or 510-THE-BAND.
SARCHASM'S BIGGEST SHOW YET AT LA PENA
This month BandWorks Alums, Sarchasm, will have their biggest show yet, at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA. Mari & Sofia Campos and Alex Botkin began the band in 2010, and have since added another BandWorks Alum, Isabel Capili, originally from BandWorks Pro Band The Vat. The band "boasts of pop roots and punk ideals, with a little bit of ska sprinkled in for a good measure" (Sarchasm). After recording three albums and playing shows all over the Bay, Sarchasm has established themselves as a fixture to the local Bay Area music scene. Come out and support them Friday, December 14th at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley!
REHEARSAL SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SUBLETTING - SAN JOSE AND OAKLAND
Need space to practice? Need to have everything there and ready to rock on? We can help! When you book in BandWorks' fully equipped studios you don't have to worry about lugging drums, keyboards, speakers and whatever else you wish you had a roadie for! To book your rehearsals, contact us at 510. 843. 2263 or info@bandworks.com
USED DRUM KIT FOR SALE
One of our BandWorks students has a used Mapex basic drum kit for sale, perfect for the beginning drummer! The kit includes a bass drum, snare, 2 toms, floor tom, hihats, and ride cymbals, and costs $200.00. For more information and purchase inquiry, please contact Deborah at 925. 295. 6146.
Important Dates
- BandWorks Kensington Class
- Begins January 4th, running Fridays 2:45pm-4pm
- No Class: Friday, February 22
Register: Kensington Program, 510. 843. 2263 or info@bandworks.com
- BandWorks Student Concerts
- San Jose - Saturday, Nov. 3
Click here for full band schedule
Musik Ink, 1177 W. San Carlos St. - Berkeley - Sunday, Nov. 4, 1:30pm - 9pm
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7:30pm - 9pm
-
Click here for full band schedule
Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave.
- Summer Camp Schedule
- Online December 21st
- BandWorks Holiday Schedule
- Winter Holiday: Office Closed and No Classes Dec. 24-Jan 5
Community Spotlight
Jeremy & Steve, BandWorks Directors
When I, Ariel Wang, first contacted BandWorks in 2008 to register for a class, BandWorks was already running regular Workshop sessions, school programs, and summer camps. Since then, the summer camp options have diversified, BandWorks Pro was launched, registration has moved online, and BandWorks expanded into San Jose with a brand new venue and rehearsal studio. After joining the office staff in 2009 and learning the ins and outs of running such a complex program, it's hard to imagine BandWorks classes in a women's shelter where they were first run decades ago, or the office in Program Supervisor Julie Chervin's living room in 2004. Where did such a brilliant and cool idea come from?
In a rare interview, BandWorks Co-Founders/Co-Directors Steve Gibson and Jeremy Steinkoler sit down together with BandWorks alum Mark Altenberg and answer questions about BandWorks's conception, how the program has developed over the years, the Directors' early memories playing music, and more. The video offers an in-depth look into the BandWorks experience, with footage from past concerts and classes for both children and adults. BandWorks students have gone on to win critical acclaim and awards for their music, write and star in a movie, as well as study at prestigious music universities such as Berklee College of Music and Manhattan School of Music. With this deeper insight into the goals and values which shaped BandWorks, it's easy to understand where such excellence sprang from. Great job Steve & Jer, thank you for all you have done to enrich our community.
THE BANDWORKS GUYS
by Mark Altenberg
UPCOMING GIGS - STUDENTS, ALUMS & TEACHERS
Jeremy Steinkoler (BW co-Founder/Director)
Mo'Fone (w/ Mental 99)
Wed, 12/5, 9pm - Madrone Art Bar, 500 Divisadero St., SF - 21+
Mo'Fone
Sat, 12/8, 8-11pm - Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley - All ages - Free!
Kayman Jeffley (BW Student)
Pacific Boychoir
Sat, 12/8, 7pm - Harmonies of the Season at Montclair Presbyterian Church
5701 Thornhill Dr, Oakland - $17-30
Jon Preuss (BW Teacher)
John Ettinger Quintet
Sat, 12/8, 8pm - Awaken Cafe, 1429 Broadway, Oakland - Free!
Natasha Miller
Thur, 12/13, 8pm - Yoshi's, 1330 Fillmore St, SF - $15 Adv, $20 Door
Mari Campos (BW Alumni)
Sarchasm
Fri, 12/14, 8pm - La Peña Cultural Center, 1305 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley - All Ages - $12
Andrew Harris (BW Alumni)
Dad's LPs
Fri, 12/14, 10:30pm - The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley - 21+, $7-12
Matt Heulitt (BW Teacher)
Moetar
Sat, 12/15, 9pm - The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave, Oakland - $5
Narada Michael Walden
Fri, 12/21, 8pm - Narada Michael Walden annual Christmas Party with Sammy Hagar
Throckmorton Theater, 142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley - $75
Jeremy Greene (BW Teacher)
Cash Pony
Sat, 12/15, 9pm - The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave, Oakland - $5
Youth Open Mic
Sun, 12/16, 4pm - The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley - All Ages, Free!
Sign-ups at 4pm or contact youthopenmic@me.com
Ari Chersky (BW Teacher)
Ben Flocks Band
Thur, 12/27, 9pm - The Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz - $8
Friday, 12/28, 7pm - San Pedro Market Square, 87 North San Pedro St, San Jose - Free
Ari Chersky Trio
Sun, 1/6, 8pm - House Concert (arichersky@gmail.com for details), Oakland - Free
Sat, 1/12, 8pm - Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley - All ages - Free
GOT GIGS?
Share your musical milestones! Now that we're sending a monthly newsletter, we want to post your gigs. Send us a note by the last Wednesday of each month, and we'll announce your gigs in the newsletter. Send your gig info to gigs@bandworks.com. Please use the format below:
Your Name
Name of Your Band – (band website, too)
Day, Date @ Time - Venue, Address (website, too, if available)
Admission policy, if applicable
We can't wait to hear what you're up to!
BandWorks Workshop Schedule
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