LARS AND IN CHARGE (10-11:30 pm) plays high-energy original and traditional music of Turkey, Greece and beyond. Lars Tergis leads the charge on violin with driving, gritty interpretations of Romani party tunes as well as original compositions based in regional scales and rhythms. Chris Reid adds a touch of ‘West’ with percussive chordal accompaniment on steel-string guitar. Joe Rosato Jr. works the low-end on upright bass while Faisal Zedan keeps the beat popping on derbekki, riqq and davul. Joined on stage by some of the Bay Area’s top dancers and guest musicians, Lars and In Charge brings a big sound and an even bigger party
True Life Trio (8-9:30 pm) is all about harmony. True Life Trio’s music is all about harmony. The fiery voices of these three women spin and interweave, traveling from Ukrainian village tunes, to Greek polyphony to Louisiana two-steps. Bulgaria to the Bayou. On paper, it’s an unlikely combination but in person, it feels just right. Like the rugged mountains, tangled love and legends about which they sing, TLT shows are full of stories and passion. Interspersed with gorgeous vocal performances are tales of their travels and song collecting that bring immediacy to each tune and envelop their audiences in a knowing, warm embrace. You don’t have to speak all of the myriad languages in which TLT sings to be transported to other worlds with them–they bring you right along. True Life Trio’s singing exudes untamed joy. They met in Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble and soon found their affinity extended beyond Balkan music to the far reaches of Europe and America. Their music is an elixir of ancient traditional songs made new, tasty choral arrangements and inspired original compositions. They have been enchanting audiences in their San Francisco Bay Area home and all across the West for more than a decade with their finely-honed, heart-centered, “concert hall meets front porch” performances.
