Posted on: September 21st, 2009 24 Sep 2009 09:30 : Thank God it’s Thursday! (TGIT) @ Kala, Berkeley
SEPTEMBER 24, THURSDAY, 2009 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Thank God it’s Thursday! (TGIT) – Art, Wine & Music at Kala
Admission: $5.00 donation payable at the door.
at Kala San Pablo: 2990 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702
Mark your calendar for the return of Kala’s monthly “fun-raiser” event called Thank God it’s Thursday! (TGIT): Art Wine and Music at Kala. A free wine tasting with our local winery & music by pJay/SMIK SMAK and the Cliffnottes.
Please join us for the fall season’s kick-off on Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 – 7:30pm in the Kala Gallery. This month’s event will once again feature affordably priced works from members of Kala’s community of artists paired with an enticing wine tasting. One of our local East Bay vinters will be pouring a selection of high quality varietals while visitors have the opportunity to enjoy contemporary music by pJay/SMIK SMAK and the Cliffnottes in the gallery.
If you haven’t seen the gallery’s current show, Residency Projects II, this will be a great opportunity to check out some remarkable new work by Fellowship artists Nichole Maury, Yasu Onishi and Ali Richards. A $5.00 donation is requested and payable at the door. Donations benefit Kala Art Institute, a non-profit arts organization that provides classes to the public, Artist-in-Residence studio programs, gallery exhibitions, lectures and visual and performing arts classes for public school children. We hope to see you there!
.. more about musicians …
pJay Smik Smak and the Cliffnottes
"Smik Smak" is taken from the Smik SMak Czech Theatre, a small Theatrical troop who pJay collaborated with in the Twin Cities doing Poetry and Jazz performances. Smik Smak represents the sound of military boots walking through puddles in Czechoslovakia, during a bad time for those who sought Free Artistic Expressionism. The Czech company moved to the Twin Cities as a safe haven in order to sustain themselves as Artists.
Joe McKinley is a solid and soulful Jazz bassist very well known to the Jazz world. He has performed, toured, and recorded with many notable contributors to the life and excitement of Jazz performance including: Sun Ra, Earl "Fatha" Hines, the Joe Henderson big Band, and backed legendary Jazz vocalists such as Ernestine Anderson, Marlena Shaw, Jimmy Witherspoon, and Oscar Brown Jr. to note a few.
Alan Hightman has been playing guitar since 1965. In 1968 he played Blues music with many Chicago blues legends such as Sam Lay, Otis Spann one of the legends of Blues piano, and Sunnyland Slim. He joined many other famous groups in Chicago such as Chicago Blues legends Sammy Lay Southside Blues Band, Johnny Young, Jerry Portnoy, Eddie Taylor, and so on. He moved to Florida and Gulf coast to further study the roots of Blues music and played many venues in the Gulf Coast area until moving to San Francisco in 1999 where he currently lives.
Pam Johnson (AKA pJay) is a group leader, vocalist and percussionist. Her singing career began with Gregorian Chants in the church. pJay is not from a typical musical family upbringing, since American Sign Language was the native language spoken at her home. At age 15, pJay was guided by many mentors and musicians into the world of clubs, bands, jazz and improvisation. Loving artist collaborations, one project led to another including American Sign Language performances in a group she initiated and directed called "Half n Half". Performances took place nationwide including La Pena here in Berkeley. From church songs to gospel ensembles and blues groups, fiddle duos to soul and rock bands, jazz has remained with her and matured in a format that resonates truly.
Don’t miss their creative talents and beautiful tunes at Kala TGIT on Thursday, September 24! Check them out online at myspace: pam johnson@jazz!
Business Sponsor: Minuteman Press
Kala is a proud member of Berkeley Chamber of Commerce and Emeryville Chamber of Commerce.