The Voice of East Bay Living

Fabulous jazz concert at The Sound Room with vocalist Jackie Ryan, featuring the music of the French composer Michel LeGrand. For more information about uptown Oakland and it's many amenities contact Sheila at ssabine@grubbco.com

Did you know that  more than 4600 school children benefit each year from Berkeley symphony's music in the schools program? over 150 ensemble coaching sessions and master classes in the area middle schools 11 visits from the symphony concerts at elementary schools each fall 6 concerts each spring  providing young musicians an opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Berkeley symphony This year at the annual Music in the Schools Luncheon ,  Carolyn Doelling , my friend and client, was honored for her unwavering and dedicated service to help raise donations  to bring music to the schools. During her speech, Carolyn read the following quote: "Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the holes and feel beauty." -Maya Angelau? It is so important for all of our children to have a touch of beauty in their lives.  Learn more about  Music in the Schools . 

Lobby performance by Dougherty Valley High School Chamber Orchestra. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2015 @ 8:00 PM Oakland Symphony @ The Paramount Theatre LOST ROMANTICS Michael Morgan, Conductor Sponsored by The Grubb Company www.grubbco.com

The Children's Creativity Museum is a hands-on multimedia arts and technology museum for kids of all ages, located at the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. It aims to foster Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication. The museum is well known for its technology-based exhibits which allow youth to produce their own media through various creative processes, digital arts, live performance and music production.  ^I took my granddaughter there last week and I had as much fun as she did! Museum Hours: Tuesday- Sunday 10am-4pm Location: 221 Fourth St.  San Francisco CA 94103

Every Friday night from 5pm to 9pm, the  Oakland Museum  is the place to be.  Off the Grid  offers a wonderful display of activities for the entire family. There are gourmet food trucks, a live band, dancing and half-price admission to the museum for adults (18 and under get in for free!). ^Above:   Dukes of Manouche  and Streatery food truck menu from April 17th Off the Grid event at Oakland Museum ^Above: The main entrance to OMCA

Earlier this month, The Grubb Company sponsored a night at the Oakland Symphony . Notes from Mexico featuring renowned pianist LLewellyn Sanchez-Werner and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno. 

I attended a luncheon this week in Berkeley to help support Music in the Schools .  Since 1992 Berkeley Symphony in partnership with the Berkeley Unified School District has provided music to over 4,200 elementary students in all the Berkeley public schools. The classes are free of charge for all children and classes include hands on music instruction and performance training.

Piedmont Piano Company located in Uptown Oakland at 1728 San Pablo is an incredible retail piano store by  day and on weekends it offers amazing concerts with many famous musicians from all over the country. It has been a family run store for over 30 years and is yet another one of the many jewels you will find in uptown Oakland. Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine @grubbco.com 

Art Murmur Oakland ,the first Friday of every month in uptown Oakland. This is such a fun event with many spontaneous artists and musicians at every corner. Visit GlassSabine.com Contact Team Glass Sabine at ssabine @grubbco.com 

  Montclair Easter Egg Hunt, 2014.   Beauty at Lake Temescal, Oakland CA.   Music at the Montclair Farmers Market. Visit GlassSabine.com

Lunar New Year - Year of the wooden horse - a time of renewal and hope.  Referred to as the Lunar New year, it begins on January 31st and ends on  February 14th, Valentine's Day. During the year of the horse, one is expected to have fast victories, unexpected travels, and surprising romance. Check out the main celebrations going on in the Bay Area during this festive time:  13th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration and Other Asian Traditions Oakland Museum Sunday, February 9 (12-4:30pm) OACC Lunar New Year Celebration Oakland Asian Cultural Center Saturday, February 8  Public Program (11am-4pm), Benefit Concert (7pm)

Check out the Sound Room located in Uptown Oakland at 2147 Broadway,  This club is run by a non-profit group dedicated to presenting jazz in the Bay Area.  It is a small and intimiate setting, attracting some fantastic musicians.  Their website is  www.soundroom.org .

Check out the new  San Francisco Jazz Center- a fabulous new hot spot located in the the cultural neighborhood of the city behind Davies Hall.   This amazing place was a 10 year project where jazz lovers raised over 90 million dollars in donations to make this happen.  It is easily accessible  from  the East Bay- a 20 minute BART ride-exit Civic Center -walk one block and voila .. you have arrived in music heaven. They have an abundant list of  renowned performing artists and enjoy delicious cuisine at South, the upsclae restaurant located in the center - established  by the owner of the highly popular- Slanted Door,Charles Phan.  For sure a thumbs  up evening. 

I recently attended an exciting event at the Oakland Cathedral . This wonderful building was completed in 2008 - a marvelous structure across from  Lake  Merritt , costing  over $175 million dollars to construct and is famous for its unique architecture. The Oakland Cathedral hosts a monthly event, Twilight by the Lake, offering free mixers, complimentary appetizers and live music on its spacious deck overlooking the Lake. This month's feautured musicians are the Mik Nawooj Ensemble with an eight  piece chamber orchestra-flute, cello, clarinet, violin, deep funk drums, an opera singer and three rap artists. Twilight by the Lake is every 3rd Thursday of the month  from 5-7:30  - a triple thumbs up event for the entire family.

Enjoy the music at our chic new Berkeley listing at 1335 Allston Way.  Our wonderful guest artist, Chris Houston, entertained over 300 people who attended the Sunday open house.  We love to have extra perks for our valued clients-it makes Sunday open houses fun for everyone.

One of the many jewels of the East Bay is the Berkeley Symphony , which was founded in 1969.  Originally the performances took place at unusual locations such as the University Art Museum.  In 1978  Kent Nagano become the new music director, uplifting the image and gradually moving the orchestra to performances at Zellerbach Hall.  I attended one of these great performances last nite.  The presentation was called The Rebels, a wonderful blend of past inspiration and fresh talent. One of the most exciting members of the orchestra is the conductor, Joan Carneiro of Portugal.  She has been the Music Director since 2009 and has been acknowledged for her talent and introducing many innovative  new works.