Venues

Concerto, Aria, Recital & Cabaret Competition

These attractive venues each have their own styles of promotion and avenues of built-in publicity, press connections, and devoted publics.  Performing in many multi-performer galas in varied communities of distinct tastes can do a lot to build contestants name recognition and followings.  Your family and friends will love to come out and visit all of these inspired settings to hear you perform!

The Little Red Schoolhouse is located at 5249 Nicasio Valley Road in Nicasio, Calfornia.  It was originally a schoolhouse, built in 1871, and has become a regular venue for The San Francisco Concerto Orchestra.  The Schoolhouse houses a good Kawaii grand piano that is easy to play and easier to get tonal variety from, tuned in Paul Bailey's modified mean tone.  Many musicians have commented on the Schoolhouse's remarkable acoustics!     map Behind the Schoolhouse there is a converted barn with two Dachshunds, PeeWee and LuLu, and a warm-up room with a fine small off-white 1930's Chickering grand piano with gold trim also tuned in Paul Bailey's modified mean tone.  There are also deer, possums, wild turkeys, fox and more but it is not a good idea to wander into the brush without watching for Poison Oak!  For a brief history of Nicasio go to www.ranchonicasio.com.

Rancho Nicasio is nestled among the rolling hills On the Town Square of Nicasio, about one-half mile from the Little Red Schoolhouse.  It offers "the finest in dining and entertainment.  From Huey Lewis to The Kronos Quartet, an eclectic variety of performers are featured at this exceedingly popular live music venue open 7 days a week with live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays."  The San Francisco Concerto Orchestra has  participated in the entertainment, and several of the competition performances will be held at Rancho Nicasio.   More information can be found at www.ranchonicasio.com.     map

		Pacifica Performances produces many fine concerts each year at the Sanchez Concert Hall, and a number of the competition events will be hosted in this hall which features an outstanding 9' Baldwin piano.  Almost all of their concerts are both publicized and reviewed in The Pacifica Tribune.  The Hall is located at 1220A Linda Mar Boulevard in Pacifica, California.  Shown is detail from the award-winning mural on the building.   Pacifica Performances can be found at www.pacificaperformances.org.     map

Giorgi gallery at 2911 Claremont Avenue, Berkeley, California provides an intimate space for competition events in a neighborhood that cares about music.  A converted firehouse built in the 20's, it is now a very attractive art gallery with a fine small Steinway piano.  Visit the Gallery at www.giorgigallery.com.

The Berkeley Art Center at 1275 Walnut Street in Live Oak Park, Berkeley, California was established in 1967.  It represents and supports the diversity of the Bay Area region with exhibitions and other cultural events in a broad range of disciplines in a community that appreciates the arts.  It has an upright Kawaii for use by the competition.  The Art Center can be visited at www.berkeleyartcenter.org.

Metropolitan Community Church is located at 150 Eureka Street in the Castro area of San Francisco, California, and provides a recently acquired, newly renovated, and fabulous piano.

The Interfaith Chapel at the Presidio has a nice Kawaii grand piano that is dependable and easy to play.  The chapel is located at the Main Post of the Presidio (130 Fisher Loop) in San Francisco, California.  See www.interfaith-presidio.org (which includes a map).

J-B Piano Company is located at 540 Irwin Street in the San Rafael, California, and specializes in piano restoration.  They sell new and used pianos, and have a very interesting Grotrian Duo Grand Piano with two keyboards.  The stage is appealing, and the pianos are great!  This is the venue to choose if you are a duo piano team.   The website is www.jbpiano.com.