Musicians for Parties
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March 2007
We're looking for a small (2-4 piece) band for a small (80
person) afternoon bar mitzvah party. Band needs to be able to
play some Jewish music (e.g., horas), but also contemporary and
oldies rock and ideally, some soft jazz or background music.
Party will be mostly extended family with some teen friends.
Any leads to good local groups (this event will be held in
North Berkeley over Memorial Day weekend) would be appreciated.
Nancy
Try Klezkidz--they're a talented group of high schoolers. They
just played for a group of elderly folks at Reutlinger in
Danville; in the past they've performed at numerous bar/bat
mitzvahs, in the Haight in S.F., etc. My daughter has been a
part of this band for over 5 years. Contact the musical
director: Carol Ginzberg at 524.3293 (gizmos@earthlink.net).
kg
Meshugga Beach Party
http://www.meshuggabeachparty.com/
They play Jewish Intrumental Surf Music!
anon
Jan 2007
We are looking for someone to provide music with a
casual/informal/fun feel for our outdoor wedding ceremony.
We're basically open to anything at this point (harp, cello,
violin, classical guitar, ukelele, or even bagpipes). We
appreciate any and all recommendations on the subject. Thanks
in advance.
fk
We used the Music to Go! services from the San Francisco
Conservatory of Music when we got married in 2001. They were
excellent and possibly less expensive as the students are the
ones providing the service. There are many musical instrument
options for you to choose from. Good luck.
http://www.sfcm.edu/musictogo/musictogo.aspx
Martha
Try Pauline Metzgar with Garden Strings (gardenstrings.com).
Her phone number is (925)642-6099. She's great!
dina
Jan 2006
It is the big 5-0 for my beloved husband. I'm planning a party
at the Ramp in SF, a great dive bar. Any ideas for a good party
band?
Cheryl
My husband (a Berkeley parent) plays in some bands that would be
good; of course, it depends on what kind of music and atmosphere
you are looking for. He has an awesome straight ahead jazz
combo. You can hear them at http://www.voodooaisle9.com. The
group can be tailored to fit your budget, i.e., more musicians,
more money. Excellent jazz for serious music lovers. He also
plays in a gritty blues band that might be perfect for the Ramp
venue. You can hear that band at http://www.rhythmdoctors.com. Then there is the jazz/punk/rock-y kind
of band that you can hear
at http://twofeettall.com. No vocals; edgy original music. And,
if you really want to be cool, you could check out the go-go
girls surf music group he plays in. They are called the
Go-Going-Gone Girls. Jazzy surfy party music with three scantily
clad (in a retro hip tasteful kind of way) women doing the
dancing and singing thing. Very hip. All excellent musicians,
including one former member of the DK's. Their website is under
construction right now, but should up in a week or so. If you
want to email me directly, I can forward some pics. Good luck. Kim Card
A friend of mine at work and his wife are in a couple of bands,
and they do blues, rock, vocals, etc. He says they are not
expensive, but they seem to be pretty busy. (They also teach
Scottish country dancing, and can probably pull together
scottish country dance music if you wanted). They also know of
a funk band (Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, etc) that lives
downstairs from them that he said would be really fun. His wife
also teaches rock bands for teenagers, and she has a couple of
teen bands for other occasions if you'd be looking for only a
few different songs. Bruce (my colleague) and Patti (his wife)
are very eclectic, know all sorts of music, but call them
directly for details. (They're also fun!)
Patti & Bruce 415-826-2287
janet
Harpist for wedding
October 2005
Re: Photographer, Videographer For Wedding
Diana Stork is a great harpist and a great person. She does
weddings, but she doesn't play traditional music. She is located
in Berkeley. If her music doesn't suit you, I am sure that she
can recommend someone local. Contact info at her website:
http://california.com/~mcmf/diana_stork.html
May 2005
We're throwing a shebang for our daughter's 4th birthday, and
want someone to play music and really engage the kids. Bonnie
Lockhart would be great, but she's got another gig that day
(May 16). Any suggestions would be welcome ....
may
I highly recommend Tamsen Fynn for an entertaining, fun and
musical party for your 4 year old (and for anyone else looking
for great b-day party ideas). Tamsen is excellent at engaging
children of all ages. She is a great musician who writes
original children's music as well as performs kids'
favorite ''standards.'' She is available for birthday parties
providing 45 minutes of Songs and Movement. She will work with
you to tailor it to your requests, themes and ages of kids. She
also has fun props, and instruments to share. I believe her
current rate is $150 and prefers a 15 child maximum.
Tamsen also performs family concerts throughout the Bay Area as
part of Orange Sherbet. We just saw them last week at La Pena
and loved every minute of it.
Contact Info:
Tamsen Fynn 415-302-6257
More about Orange Sherbet at www.elephantred.com
Feb 2004
My son's Bar Mitzvah is March 6th and I'm looking for someone
who can play piano or maybe guitar as background music during
the lunch. It would be from about 12:30 or 1 till maybe 2;30 or
3 at the latest.
The piano at the temple is old and funky but in tune.
Music? Any kind....jewish, popular, classical...
Thanks for any recs.
June
I heard a 4-person band in a SF restaurant. They played a good
variety of background music - jazz & klezmer. You can contact
Darren Johnston at 415-552-3243. Have fun.
M
Jan 2004
We are seeking a few klezmer musicians to play at my daughter's
bat mitzvah? We are working with a modest budget and require
only one hour of music...any ideas?
We hired California Klezmer for our wedding 3 years ago and they
were great. The price varies with the number of hours and
musicians, but I thought it was reasonable. They'll send you a
demo tape.
Contact Gerry Tenny, the ''band leader,'' at
http://www.californiaklezmer.com
David in Berkeley
Aug. 2003
Can onyone recommend a good entertainer for a 3 year old
birthday party in Berkeley? There will be only 8 children all
between the ages of 2.5 and 4.
We prefer not to have balloon makers and magicians. We were
hoping to find someone who plays the guitar and knows lots of
children songs. Any other suggestions?
Diana
My son's Music Together teacher Renee Benmeleh recently posted
about her availability for childrens birthday parties. My son (3
years old) absolutely loved her, and even though we no longer are
in classes, he still talks about her. I searched the messages
and found her contact info for you.
Our family has seen two performances by Gayle Schmitt and we love
her. I'm not sure if she does private home shows, but she
performs often in the SF schools. Gayle emphasizes dance and
movement over 'lap songs', so you'll need to have some space
where kids can jump, march, etc. Contact her or order her
wonderful children's cd at the following address:
http://www.gaylesongs.com/toodala.html
Deirdre
I can't recommend anyone in particular, but try contacting
Music Together (www.eastbaymusictogether.com). I went to a
birthday party with my daughter and a Music Together teacher
was there as the entertainment. It was really enjoyable. She
had instruments for the kids and was great at getting everyone
involved.
Liz O.
We have seen Gary Lapow perform at the Kensington library and at
the Buddy Club shows and I think he would be great for what
you're looking for. Guitar, fun and silly songs, spontaneous and
will include the birthday child in fun ways. I think he does
private birthday parties. I don't have a # but you could contact
the Buddy Club (thebuddyclub.com)and they would either give you
a contact phone # or they would be able to arrange for him or
another performer for you. Also fun who we've seen through the
buddy club is the Bubble Lady, great performer with lots and
lots of bubbles including the kids can be inside a giant bubble.
anon
January 2003
My daughter will turn 3 in February and we are planning to have
her first real birthday party on Saturday the 22nd of Feb. We
were going to hire a well-known east bay children's musician,
but he seems to be a flake. Therefore, at the last minute, I
am without entertainment. My daughter loves to dance and sing,
and we are planning to bring lots of fun percussion instuments
for the kids (about 8 - 10 of them) and adults (about 20 of
them) to use. We are also musical instrument goody bags for
the kids. We would love to hire someone for two 20-30 minute
sets who will play guitar, sing kids' favorite songs and get
the kids excited and dancing. HELP. I am running out of time!
Lisa
Unity Nguyen is a great children's musician. She is music
teacher for my both children and one of their friends in their
respective schools. She just did my youngest daughter's third BD
party (just as you've described the one you want), and kids
loved it. She works specifically with this age group and knows
how to make music and dance so exciting for them.
Unity plays about every European and Asian instrument you know,
professionally.
You can reach her at unity_n at yahoo.com or (510) 594-1608.
She is great, you won't regret it!
Maria
For our daughter's fifth birthday we had Christopher Smith, a
experienced local musician/kindergarten teacher at Neil Cummins
School in Corte Madera. He's knows children (and the grown ups
love him, too!) He used to play music/read stories for a local
independent bookstore on Sunday mornings. He'd be great!
Contact him through Neil Cummins School at 415-927-6965.
mcc
have you tried Asheba? we had him at my daughter's 2 year party
and everyone said it was the best party they had ever been to.
carribean folk versions of children's songs as well as some great
originals. he is a pleasure to have around and is wonderful with
kids. check him out/contact him at www.asheba.net
et
Several Music Together teachers are available for birthday
parties. We will bring percussion instruments for everyone
to use, a guitar and a big repertoire of really fun (for kids
and adults) music. We are always happy to include your
child's familiar favorites. Please call Music Together.
They can all provide
you with references from previous birthday party
appearances. Have fun!
Julie
Why don't you contact Music Together? They are terrific and have many wonderful teachers. We especially love Julie and Allegra. You can contact them at www.musictogether.com. Good luck. I'm sure you will be able to find someone.
Madeleine
It sounds like Bonnie Lockhart would fit the bill perfectly. She
sings weekly at my daughter's preschool and the kids just love
her. We've seen her perform at the library and at a party (my
daughter is a dedicated groupie!); she was great at inspiring the
kids to sing, clap and move. I don't have her number but you
might be able to get it through Bananas or La Pena.
Janet
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