It’s in Fremont! It’s music! It’s live!
Welcome to the new weekly music round up on Fremont Universe focusing on your favorite Fremont venues. Check back on the site each Monday for a preview of upcoming events. Every other week we’ll be kicking off the round up with a brief profile of a band that recently performed.
Know about a performance we haven’t included? Shoot us an email at tips@fremontuniverse.com with “Live Music” in the subject. Saw a band you think we should mention? Shoot us an email about that too!
Alright Fremont, here we go!
A Big Ol’ Band Takes the Stage at Nectar
Photo credit: Jenny Jimenez / photojj.com from the Orkestar Zirkonium website“There were only 15 people there? That’s a bummer”
“No! there were 15 people on stage!!”
I could hardly believe my eyes during the set change. The instruments and the musicians just kept coming, filing on to the modest stage at Nectar. Despite quite the crowd, the group onstage looked quite at home and jovial. We stood near a clump of percussionists that wonderfully overwhelmed our eardrums. Their wide array of instruments included a davul, a doumbek, and what I dubbed a “baby cymbal” (I have since learned they are typically called “splash cymbals”) to name a few. The brass section glowed as they raised their instruments high, the sounds swelling into a festive, parade-worthy sound.
Orkestar Zirkonium describes themselves as an “American brass-and-drum ensemble” that has been performing for just over a decade. Their sound and compositions are inspired by “Eastern European Romani diaspora” as well as traditional music from several other regions including Macedonia and India. The group also performs original dance tunes to keep your toes tapping.
For the record, “diaspora” is a scattered population that shares its origins in a smaller geographic area (source: Merriam-Webster). Romani culture can be found from Turkey all the way into Spain and beyond, the largest concentration of Romani culture is in Central and Eastern Europe. Fun fact of the day!
Orkestar Zirkonium performed at Nectar on Saturday February 1st for The Cumbieros CD Release. They will next be performing on March 1st at Balkan Night Northwest. Keep an eye on their website for more news and information.
Upcoming Live Music:
LIVE JAZZ at The Augustus every Thursday from 8:30-11:3pm
The Fremont Abbey Arts Center
Tuesday 2/11 THE ROUND– Multi-arts show featuring Mikey & Matty, Jake Hemming (Big Sur), Planes on Paper, slam poet Shelby Handler, and live painter Fritha Strand from All Ages :: $7-10 adv
Friday 2/14 SWEETHEARTS OF SONG: Joseph (formerly Dearborn) with The Local Strangers in duo form, and Benjamin Doerr of the band St Paul de Vence. All Ages :: $8 adv/ $10 dos
Saturday 2/15 MARISSA NADLER with Shana Cleveland of La Luz All Ages :: $9-16 adv
For Fremont Abbey’s complete calendar and additional details please visit their website.
Nectar Lounge
Tuesdays are Karaokegrass (Karaoke with a live blue grass band backing you up) No Cover
Wednesday 2/12 BLACK UHURU with Indubious and Gigantor (Reggae) :: $20 adv / $25 dos
Thursday 2/13 THE DIP with the Fabulous Party Boys and Jelly Bread (Soul/Funk) :: $7 adv / $10 dos
Friday 2/14 ELDRIDGE GRAVY AND THE COURT SUPREME with Aaron Daniel’s One Man Banned and Special Valentine’s Day Surprise Performance! (Funk) :: $12 adv / $15 dos
Saturday 2/15 CLINTON FEARON & THE BOOGIE BROWN BAND with Selecta Raiford (Reggae) :: $12 adv/ $15 dos
Sunday 2/16 BLUETECH with Pressha, Nordic Soul, and Young Benoit (Electronic / Dance) :: $10 adv/ $12 dos
For Nectar’s complete calendar and more details visit Nectar’s website. All shows listed are 21 plus
High Dive
Tuesday 2/11 Brother Inferior, Carrie Henschell & Sue Ray, and Jacob Cummings (Americana/Rock) :: $6
Wednesday 2/12 The Dark Blue, Goose Vargis, and Sit Ubu Sit (Rock/Alternative) :: $6
Thursday 2/13 Marmalade (Funk/Soul/Groove) :: $6
Friday 2/14 Valentine’s Day with 80’s Invasion :: $8
Saturday 2/15 Dandilyon Soup (Reunion Show), Awfully Sudden, and The Rainiers (Rock) :: $8 adv/ $10 dos
Sunday 2/16 Pyramid Lake, Sundog, and Poon (Rock) :: $6
For High Dive’s complete calendar and additional details please visit their website. All shows listed are 21 plus. Also, check out the High Dive’s unique punch card program, 10 shows for $20!
Know about a performance we haven’t included? Shoot us an email at tips@fremontuniverse.com with “Live Music” in the subject. Saw a band you think we should mention? Shoot us an email about that too!