Rolando Morales at Barone’s, The Vine at Bridges, Seahorse, and C’era Una Volta,
October 10, 2017
¡Hola, Mi Gente!
Is everyone gagging on the thick, toxic fumes? Feeling a little sick? And the fires are bad, too, huh?
It’s been hard keeping up with the the daily barrage of events. The floods, the hurricanes, the earthquakes, the saber rattling, more sexual oppression, insults launched from the White House and Congress… And now the fires in our back yard. Everyone’s on overload.
My private gigs have slowed down a bit which affords a moment to breathe, even if it was smoky this morning…
If you need an escape from the madness this weekend, join me at Barone’s Restaurant in Pleasanton this Friday Oct 13 and leave your superstitions at the door. We don’t have time for that nonsense. DO bring your appetite, as the menu here is amazing. And I’ll be there in the intimate bar on solo guitar and voice. Details below.
Then on Saturday night October 14, I’ll host the long-awaited return of my dear, talented friend Janice Maxie-Reid to The Vine at Bridges in Danville. She is the superb keyboardist-vocalist with the 4-octave range who has performed with none other than Stevie Wonder. We always light it up when we play here together. The last time was about 3 or 4 months ago, so don’t miss it! Details below.
And remember that next week Saturday October 21st, my band returns to The Sausalito Seahorse. Not only will we have a stellar band including the great Carlos Reyes on violin and Paraguayan harp, Danilo Paíz on percussion and vocals, Dave Flores on drums, and Yours Truly on guitar and guitar synth and vocals; We’ll also feature a very, very special surprise guest on bass. We can’t really advertise him due to contractual restrictions. Let’s just say we’re all so excited to be able to play with him again and look forward to seeing him on stage again with Tower of Power. So his picture in the poster is a big Question Marc. I wonder if he’s arriving in a VW? Make your reservations at the Seahorse at (415) 331-2899.
Check out below what’s also happening with my return to Havana in Walnut Creek, Maria, Maria in Danville, and Alameda’s own C’era Una Volta. Details and dates are below.
Come out and say hi and let me know you’re okay.
Ciao,
Rolando
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES FOR OCTOBER 2017
Friday Oct 13, Barone’s Restaurant, 475 St. John St., Pleasanton CA, approx 7:30-10:30pm. After two months away, Rolando returns to one of Pleasanton’s premier dining establishments. Enjoy exquisite meals and service, libations and Rolando’s vast repertoire in the Cocktail Lounge for a great night out. See www.baronespleasanton.com, (925) 426-0987.
Saturday Oct 14, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, approx 8-11pm. The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot. Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and tapas while grooving to this powerful duet. Tonight Rolando welcomes the enchanting keyboardist-vocalist Janice Maxie-Reid. She has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and Sting, so you know she’s doing something right! And on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales. There’ll be lots of soul and classic R&B mixed into this Latin caldo, so don’t miss it! www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210.
Friday Oct 20, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 8:30-11pm. Rolando returns after his hit debut last month to this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue. Great Cuban cuisine, ceiling fans swirling lazily and Rolando’s vast Latin repertoire and beyond on solo guitar and voice. www.havanarestaurant.net, (925) 939-4555.
Saturday Oct 21, “An Evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes,” Sausalito Seahorse, 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, approx 8:30-11:30pm. After two months away, these two passionate musicians finally return to The Seahorse to put on their unique show at this fun waterfront restaurant and club. The great Paraguayanviolinist/harpist Carlos Reyes and passionate guitarist / vocalist Rolando Morales will play a short set in duet to close out the dinner hour, followed by a concert and dancing to the World Class Rolando Morales Group featuring a very special surprise guest bassist from Tower of Power to be announced at the show; from Lauryn Hill, the exciting drummer Dave Flores; from Dizzy Gillespie and Ruben Blades, the powerful Nicaraguan Latin percussionist/vocalist Danilo Paíz; from Paraguay, the thrilling violinist and harpist from Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and the powerful Rolando Morales leading the journey on guitar, guitar synthesizer and vocals. Don’t miss it! $15. Make your reservations at (415) 331-2899, www.sausalitoseahorse.com.
Friday Oct 27, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx 6-9pm. After a month away, Rolando returns for a Friday night show at Carlos Santana’s Danville restaurant. Enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his diverse repertoire performing out on the patio by the fire pits. See if he has any special guests sitting in… (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.
Saturday Oct 28, C’era Una Volta, 1332 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501, 7-9:30 pm. After a month away, Rolando returns to this fine Tuscan-style restaurant that welcomes you like family to embrace the spirit of Italy. Rolando will take you on a musical tour of the Americas and beyond on solo guitar and voice in this intimate room. This is a great match and a rare opportunity to catch Rolando in Alameda! www.ceraunavolta.us/ (510) 769-4828.
And don’t miss this exciting November 2017 Quintet performance:
Thursday Nov 2,2017: YOSHI’S PRESENTS “CARLOS REYES and the ELECTRICK SYMPHONY” at Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West in Oakland. Featuring an All-Star band including Santana’s lead vocalist Tony Lindsay, Rolando Morales, Janice Maxie-Reid and more. Reservations at (510) 238-9200, www.Yoshis.com.
Reggie Washington tribute CD to “Rainbow Shadow”
Bassist REGGIE WASHINGTON will release a NEW CD
“Rainbow Shadow – Volume 2 – A Tribute to JEF LEE JOHNSON”
Click here to listen to the 1st track of the album : SILENCE (NO SECRET)
Reggie Washington – bass
Marvin Sewell – guitar
DJ Grazzhoppa – turntables
Pat Dorcean – drums
Monique Harcum – vocals
CD Release on DECEMBER 1st, 2017
Denise Perrier stars with the Tammy Hall Trio in An Autumn Serenade
Denise Perrier
and The Tammy Hall Trio
An Autumn Serenade
At Piedmont Piano Company
October, 1st
Come celebrate the leaves turning to vibrant colors of red and gold and rejoice in the cool evenings ahead with songs of the season. The night will start with a solo piano set from pianist Tammy Hall, later joined by vocalist Denise Perrier, bassist Marcus Shelby, and drummer Jack Dorsey. They will serenade you with sultry ballads, Bossa Nova, the blues, and unlimited Swing!
Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 4pm
at Piedmont Piano Company
1728 San Pablo Ave. (at 18th), Oakland, CA
$20 – To reserve tickets with your credit card,
please call (510) 547-8188 tel:(510) 547-8188)
Learn more about Denise Perrier by visiting www.deniseperrier.com
Now Laura Ashley is brilliantly marketed…
Laura Ashley is brilliantly marketed. It reminds Baby Boomer ladies of the days, back when they were young, confident and beautiful, during the late 1980s. It meets their current wish to tend to their wonderful gardens with stylish garden clothing, hats, and garden tools. Lovely.
In 1925 baby Laura Ashley was born in Dowley, Wales. She was an enterprising woman and started designing home furnishings. Later on in life, in the 1960s she also expanded her business into clothing.
She was inspired by the Roman Holiday. Audrey Hepburn looked so pretty and her clothes were feminine and romantic, unlike the psychedelic fashion that took over the UK at that time. Think the Mike Myers movie “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.”
The fashion brand was a huge success and in the 1980s it expanded into the US. After Laura Ashley’s death in September 1985 the company had been taken public.
Today the company is owned by Malayan United Industries Berhad (MUI) which is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The corporate philosophy of the Group for over 50 years is guided by three key attributes – strength, efficiency and trustworthiness. In their advertisements here in the US, in which older ladies are sold gardening tools and chic outfits by one of the top retailers in the US, Orchard Hardware Supplies, this sentiment certainly comes across. But few people realize that the company merely sells to the US consumer, than transports the earnings to Malaysia, where undoubted lot of very young people are employed.
One of their important non-executive directors has been educated in the US. Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Dr. bin Ahmad attended Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School, Executive Development Program at Philippines Executive Academy and holds Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from University of Malaya, Master of Public Administration from University of Pittsburgh and PhD in Public Administration from University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
The trading company, one of the most successful company’s in Malaysia, is managed by Khoo Kay Peng. In his personal life Mr. Khoo Kay Peng does not espouse the values he sells to the women in the US. He is divorced from the former Ms. Malaysia Pauline Chai who now lives in the UK. Their daughter Angeline Francis Khoo revealed in 2014 that domestic violence was the cause of their parents divorce. Bravo to Ms. Pauline Chai for no longer putting up with maltreatment. The UK courts awarded her $112 Million in their divorce settlement, clearly a very tiny fraction of the overall personal value their 40 years marriage has produced. However, the price for freedom of maltreatment is worth it. It is always a very brave step to leave your abuser.
Khoo Kay Peng’s daughter, also a Ms. Malaysia, met a young Caribbean Scientist at Oxford and in order to be permitted to marry him, she chose to be disowned by her imperialistic father. She was slated to run the Laura Ashley empire and had spent every University Holiday learning about the business. After the split with her father, she decided that she could not be stopped by his controlling behavior and she started “Rosie on Fire.” Lovely fashion indeed.
Malaysia has joined the United Nations, which is disconcerting since their influence on the world seems to be quite horrible. Here are some details of recent human rights offenses within Malaysia.
Now back to Orchard Hardware Supplies. Orchard Hardware Supplies initially benefitted greatly from the real estate boom in Northern California. Despite the fact that their loyal customers left the individual retail outlets with solid sales, the debt piled on by Sears turned out to be unbearable. Sears spun out the company as an empty shell and unloaded it to Lowe’s after it had filed for Chapter 11 for $205 Million dollars. More
Now Laura Ashley is brilliantly marketed. It reminds Baby Boomer ladies of the days, back when they were young, confident and beautiful. It meets their current wish to tend to their wonderful gardens with stylish garden clothing, hats, and garden tools. Lovely.
It is marketed truly in line with the corporate manifesto of their Malaysian owners. It is undoubtedly very profitable, which will please the owners of Lowe’s primarily illustrious institutional investors. 76% of all shares are held by Vanguard Group, BlackRock, State Street, Wellington Management Group, and Price T. Rowe Associates, according to the Nasdaq.
Personally I genuinely believe that we influence the way the world works each and every day. You can spend your hard earned money on lovely phantasies created by brilliant marketers. Enjoyable and practical. Or, you can buy from small business owners, thereby actually changing and improving women’s lives. www.fikuros.com is now available on Etsy. Amazing Bespoke Accessories created one at a time by Niina Karlsson in Finland. Or the many fabulous designers well-known and brand new, available on www.dreslyn.com a company recently started by three millennials, a couple and the lady founder’s brother and her husband’s best friend. They are genuinely lovely and very smart. Or, you can check out up and coming designers on Nineteenth Amendment
Fortunately, since we live in a genuine democracy the choice is genuinely yours. We each get to choose everyday where and with whom we will spend our money.
PS: If you feel that you or someone you know may be abused, know that there are a lot of people who care. You can get legal assistance. You can get physical protection. There is a lot of help. Accepting help from good people is the first step out of domestic violence misery. Elderly who are abused by “care takers” also can get help through the same links.
Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes perform at The Vine at Bridges on Saturday, September 23, 2017
Rolando Morales performs at Havana in Walnut Creek this Friday.
A spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down. Thank you, Colbert.
Just in case …
On Oct. 24, 1945, the United Nations was ratified by five permanent members of the Security Council which consisted – right after WWII – of the United States, Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union and the Republic of China and was able to secure 46 other members. It was originally conceived in San Francisco and the charter was created in April and signed into being by the people who conceived it on June 26, 1945.
The United Nations charter back then was described as being created to maintain international peace and security and to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems that are derived from economic, social, cultural, issued or are the result of problems with humanitarian character – namely it’s lack. Hitler, and Mussolini to a lesser extent, had shown clearly how devastating the lack of humanity and a humanitarian culture that cared about social and economic issues of the mass population could be on the entire world.
The goals were noble and as always when dealing with large groups of people problems started immediately. For instance: May 14, 1948, the independent state of Israel was proclaimed as British rule in Palestine came to an end. The next day NYT reported: “The declaration of the new state by David Ben-Gurion, chairman of the National Council and the first Premier of reborn Israel, was delivered during a simple and solemn ceremony at 4 p.m., and new life was instilled into his people, but from without there was the rumbling of guns, a flashback to other declarations of independence that had not been easily achieved.” The goal was to give a sense of permanency to the many Jews who were transported to or had fled to Palestine, while it was under British rule. The United Nations partitioned Palestine into Arab and Jewish sections. in November 1947. Naturally we all know about the many humanitarian issues that evolved from this decision and especially how it was implemented. Arab Nations are still today upset about it and they often use it as an explanation for their own inhumane behavior. Naturally Israelis now live in a nation that legitimately needs defend itself. When they are ruled by someone who doesn’t really care about economic, social and humanitarian issues in the West Bank or Palestine ever more problems are created.
The original purpose of the United Nations was good. The way it has been run since Kofi Annan tried to get fairness and attention for African Nations has been pretty awful. He wanted justice for the African Nations since they often were used and abused by business interests who didn’t care about the population at large. Unfortunately, a lot of the African leaders are incredibly corrupt and self serving, often killing entire villages to allow international business to “license” the right to excavate property stolen from these villages. Are there problems? Yes.
Does the current US administration help solve any of the issues? According to the recent US speeches it seems they want to become one of the top problems in the world. Declaring Nuclear War as an option is hardly in line with the UN Charter. Perhaps it is a good thing. Maybe now leaders will finally realize they are equal. Now we live in an equal opportunity world. The world needs leaders who want to create peace and social and economic justice for all in a democratic and humanitarian way. Maybe now countries from all around the world will create their own versions of world peace. Clearly at this moment in history, the US has lost its way as a peace loving nation. Trump’s speech is undeniably and very clearly proof that there is no US commitment nor interest in world peace. The truth is out. It is time for new peace loving leaders. no matter where they come from.
It is most heartening that more and more Americans who are listening to the current chosen American leaders like Pence, Sessions, Cruz, McConnell, McConnell, who clearly want Americans to die in the street, and their chosen “education leader” DuBois – ever more people are wondering whether it is time to improve education in the US. It is finally becoming clear to more and more people , that after 40 years of hoping the various States will educate kids on their own volition has left a country where there is much room for improvement.
Are Facebook and Twitter becoming a bit more conscious and aware? Maybe!
Facebook in their media relations page claimed this:
“Over the past few months, we have taken action against fake accounts in France, Germany, and other countries, and we recently stated that we will no longer allow Pages that repeatedly share false news to advertise on Facebook.”
I rejoice since I think at last the manipulations of nefarious activities manipulating the public, whether it is Russians getting conservatives hyped up into a mob mentality against the LGBT community, or having an unqualified real estate maven, who seemed surprised that he was chosen to be president, or providing a platform for hate speech for German Nazi’s, which happened to be against the law.
I followed the development of the extreme right groups who are often sponsored and supported by Russia – take hold in Western Europe and I was surprised since it used to be against the law to even whisper the word “Nazi” in Germany. The punishment in the 1980s was severe – over $1000 in fines or 2 weeks in prison.
How the world has changed since the Reagan era when we become “one world.” Germans seem to have forgotten their history and now Neo Nazis are running around demonstrating and promoting their hate freely in public, protected by the free speech laws. Erdogan’s dictator supporting Turkish soldiers are running around Germany turning in ex-soldiers, if they practice German free speech, and Erdogan tried to shut up a, perhaps a bit tasteless, German comedian. He launched lawsuits in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerlands. Only in Germany he received an audience by politicians who pushed for silencing their own citizens in support of the dictator.
Facebook and Twitter helped these trends, there is no doubt about it. No matter how much they wanted to deny it or ignore it initially. They forbade pictures of classic Greek statues and paintings from the Renaissance if they offended some religious desire – but hate speech, even illegal hate speech was entirely ok to them. We now know that it was because they made good money with it. The bot factories paid precious advertising dollars. Art lovers who shared a beautiful Botticelli painting could not compete with the foreign dictators’ budgets. People who portrayed rape scenes were okay, women’s nipples were not. When questioned in Germany, they arrogantly proclaimed that the Facebook police were run out of India, thus not subject to German law. Only when Merkel got so frustrated by the public furor that she promised to shut the site down altogether, was she able to get Zuckerberg’s attention.
Now in Germany they are working on a “Facebook-Gesetz” – a law that is targeting social media companies. the law is meant to stop social media companies from spreading illegal hate speech. The German press is concerned that while there is an attempt to create such a law, it is far from certain that there will be such a law. Political infighting points that in Germany freedom of speech and the fight against hate speech vs. mob rule attitudes are literally at odds.
While politicians are discussing the pros and cons of the formulation it is up to Facebook to keep order “voluntarily.” In German fashion, they don’t seem to care if they tacitly allow hate speech free reign while they fight about the way the law is worded.
Thankfully, there definitely have been some improvements as the top management of Facebook finally is starting to become aware that they may be destroying Western Civilization by allowing “free speech” to extremists, while being responsive to complaints by extremists whose goal is quite literally to abolish the Freedoms of Western Culture as we know it.
Facebook informs us: “We are also experimenting with changes to help us more efficiently detect and stop inauthentic accounts at the time they are being created.”
Hopefully this is a priority and completed before the next elections. Trump fans are right that Western Civilization is under attack, mostly by ourselves. Business leaders will ultimately decide whether democracy will survive. Business leaders are pro democracy and those who are against democracy will decide our future as they deploy artificial intelligence who write programs which determine how we will be able perceive our world now and in the future.
Joyce Gordon Gallery presents Art by Chukes and music by Miguel Y Los Buenos Ensemble
Join art and music lovers on Friday, September 29th 6-9pm for the Closing Reception of “Identity Theft” featuring live music by Miguel Y Los Buenos Ensemble.
“IDENTITY THEFT”
featuring new works by Chukes
August 4 – September 30, 2017
Closing Reception: Friday, September 29th
6-9pm
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Joyce Gordon Gallery is a commercial fine art gallery located in the downtown district of Oakland, California. It exhibits art that reflects the social and cultural diversity of the Bay Area and international artists. The aim of the gallery is to respect the creative pursuits of the individual and seeks to make such work accessible to a broad audience.
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Gallery Hours:
Wed – Fri: 11-6pm | Sat: 1-5pm Sun: by appointment
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Artist Highlight – Uriel Dana
Oil on Canvas, 18? x 14?, 2015, by Uriél Dana. © 2015 Uriél Dana.
Featured painting at the Carousel de Louvre Exhibition, Paris, November 2015.
She is a member of the Portrait Painters of America and her current work is inspired by San Francisco’s nouveau cirque culture.
The Chinese have a saying that we are a house with four rooms (Mental, Spiritual, Physical and Creative) but most people spend their time in only one. I spend time every day in each of those rooms. I learn something new every day, I meditate every day, I paint or write every day, and I exercise every day.
——————————————————————– Uriel Dana
She was married to the world renowned painter Gage Taylor under whom she initially studied. They collaborated for 17 years until Mr. Taylor’s untimely passing. She is a painter, an art restorer, public speaker, and a USA Ambassador for the Arts.
Her oil paintings and drawings are part of dozens of private, corporate, and celebrity art collections. Her oils, gouache, and lost wax bronze work have been shown in 12 countries on 4 continents. On her journey she has visited 44 countries and even lived on 3 continents. She writes articles, edits books, and has been published as a poet. She also directed a film or two.
In October 2015, two of her paintings were selected for the Carousel de Louvre exhibition in Paris. Uriel Dana’s artist profile was presented in the catalogue Modern Art Masters in Complex Musée du Louvre.
She is an avid supporter of amazing artists from all around the world. Follow her on LinkedIn and Facebook. Your life will be enriched. For more about Uriel Dana and how to buy her paintings or prints, visit:
Rolando Morales Update for September 2017
¡Hola, Mi Gente!
I’ve been working day and night putting tech and everything else together for some big private and public shows throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Thursday we’re doing a big private show up in St. Helena. Then a couple days up near Lake Tahoe for more private shows. Then all the way down again to Woodside for yet another private event. It’s good to be in demand! I put on four new tires on my car to ensure a safer week.
I broke up the intense prep work with a couple short but majestic hikes through the Oakland Hills near my house. It’s nice to see Oakland continue to reveal her surprises. Redwoods, eucalyptus, lakes… Am I in the Sierras? Naw, it’s just Oakland.
The public shows won’t begin until next week when I do my first Friday night Danville show at Maria, Maria in almost half a year on September 8.
But the noteworthy show is a great little festival happening on September 9, 2-6pm. My friends at the Women Entrepreneurs of Los Altos invited my band to play for the WE Vibe Block Party on the 100 Block of First Street in Los Altos. I’ll be there with my All-Star Quintet putting on two shows. We’ll also have my favorite flamenco troop “Caminos Flamencos” putting on a passionate show. Details.
Other highlights this month include my duet on Mexican Independence Day, 16 de Septiembre with my Latin percussionist-vocalist and Sista-From-Anotha-Mista, Estaire Godinez at the Pairings Cellars in Pleasanton. This will be the first time I do a duet at this venue and you know we’ll light it up.
I’ll also be doing a special duet on Saturday September 23 at The Vine at Bridges with the great violinist Carlos Reyes. This will be the first time we’re able to do this together here in 2 years, so don’t miss it! Details below.
Last, be informed that I’m debuting on Fridays September 22 AND 29 at Havana in Walnut Creek, a fine Cuban restaurant, bar and now, Live Music venue. I’ve only done private off-site work for them in the past, and this will mark the first public in-house appearances in our history. Swing by! Details below.
And speaking of Walnut Creek, Maria, Maria has abruptly ended their Sunday afternoon shows about 5 weeks earlier than usual. This year’s strange weather, alternating between unusually cold and windy to intolerably hot has kept patrons off the patio, hurting their sales, so I’ll just do occasional weekends at both their restaurants depending on our schedules. No more Sundays this season. So now you know.
See you at the show!
Ciao,
Rolando
Mexican Independence Day, 16 de Septiembre, at Pairings Cellars in Pleasanton.
Rolando Morales duet will perform on Mexican Independence Day, 16 de Septiembre with his ‘fabulosa’ Latin percussionist-vocalist and Sista-From-Anotha-Mista, Estaire Godinez at the Pairings Cellars in Pleasanton. This will be the first time I do a duet at this venue and you know we’ll light it up. More about Rolando’s plans in September.
Mark your calendar! This Friday Rolando Morales will perform in Brentwood’s CoCo County Winebar
Friday Aug 11, CoCo County Wine Bar, 633 First Street, Brentwood CA, 7-10pm. Rolando makes his public debut at Brentwood’s Premier Wine Tasting Bar in the downtown retail district. Rolando never gets out in this area publicly, so you far-east Bay fans, don’t miss this rare opportunity! www.cocowineco.com, (925) 634-9463.
Rolando Morales performs at Maria Maria in Danville tomorrow Tuesday August 8, 2017
Tuesday Aug 8, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx. 6-9pm. After a month away, Rolando finally returns to Carlos Santana’s Danville restaurant for Taco Tuesday. $1 tacos, baby! And Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his diverse repertoire performing out on the patio by the fire pits. (925) 820-2366. See www.mariamariarestaurants.com (925) 820-2366.