Submitted by the Event Organizer

Art by Nigel Sussman

Join The Freight’s Education team for a full day of FREE festivities on July 11th from 12-4:30pm. Celebrate our diverse array of programs with multiple workshops, a jam, presentations of our flagship Golden State of Song WWII Japanese Incarceration and Sonic Tapestry: Indian Music in California modules, and a Freight Singers mini concert. Festivities are open to the whole family and doors open at 11:00 AM.

Schedule of Events

All Day: Concessions Open, Instrument Petting Zoo in Donor Lounge

12:00 – 1:00 PM, Lobby: Golden State of Song Sonic Tapestry: Indian Music in California presentation

12:00 – 1:00 PM, Room 208: Singing for Fun! with Zoe Ellis

12:00 – 1:30 PM, Room 210: Country/Bluegrass Jam with Richard Brandenburg

1:30 – 2:30 PM, Showroom: Golden State of Song WWII Japanese Incarceration presentation

2:45 – 3:45 PM, Lobby: Roots Zydeco Family Friendly Workshop with Dave Eagle and Craig Berletti

2:45 – 3:45 PM, Room 210: Hip-Hop is Folk Music with Najee Amaranth and Amani Jade

4:00 – 4:30 PM, Showroom: Freight Singers Mini-Concert

Instrument Petting Zoo

For the musically curious of all ages, an Instrument Petting Zoo will be open all day in our Donor Lounge. Instrument Petting Zoo guests are welcome to pick up, play with, and explore instruments in a stress-free environment. Available instruments include banjos, mandolins, percussion of all shapes and sizes, and more to come.

Workshops and Jams

12:00 – 1:00 PM, Room 208: Singing for Fun! with Zoe Ellis

Berkeley native Zoe Ellis has built her small singing classes based entirely in fun and harmony. Take a chance on yourself and your voice. Let’s laugh, let’s sing songs we love, let’s learn new music, let’s learn to blend and to project! This is a simple workshop for any level singer. You do not need to be able to read music. We will learn some vocal exercises and learn a song that brings a smile to our faces.

12:00 – 1:30 PM, Room 210: Country/Bluegrass Jam with Richard Brandenburg

The Bluegrass/Country Jam is one of the longest-running jam sessions in the Bay Area, and this popular monthly drop-in jam is a great way to begin playing and singing traditional bluegrass and country songs at comfortable tempos in a supportive, fun, and relaxed setting. The beautiful melodies, harmonies and simple chord patterns are easy to play and learn by ear, and with the support of a friendly circle of jammers, you’ll become part of the now-vast community of folks who have made the wonderful tradition of jamming a part of their musical life! Please bring your own instrument.

2:45 – 3:45 PM, Lobby: Roots Zydeco Family Friendly Workshop with Dave Eagle and Craig Berletti

The whole family is welcome to join in on this inclusive Roots Zydeco Workshop with Dave Eagle and Craig Berletti with space for movement, dance, and joining in on percussion. Dave and Craig will lead simple 2step and waltz songs using accordion and frottoir (rub board). Participants are encouraged to join in with body percussion or bring their own washboards, triangles, and small percussion instruments.

2:45 – 3:45 PM, Room 210: Hip-Hop is Folk Music with Najee Amaranth and Amani Jade

Hip-Hop is Folk Music is an initiative of The Freight Education Department designed to illuminate connections between hip-hop and related folk music forms, uncover lost or hidden narratives, expand the ears of young musicians, and inspire exploration of the music traditions from earlier times and various cultures.

Freight Singers Mini-Concert

Returning to the stage is the blockbuster Freight Singers community chorus. Founded by Zoe Ellis and Bryan Dyer, the chorus introduces singers and audiences to a variety of cultures inside the US and around the world with an emphasis on traditional/roots music.

Golden State of Song

Golden State of Song is The Freight’s 4th grade arts immersion program that enhances and enriches the study of California history via live performances of the state’s robust musical traditions. Through this program, we present four individual modules to meet each school’s individual needs and interests: WWII Japanese Incarceration, Ohlone Song, Great Migration, and our newest module, Sonic Tapestry. On the Golden State of Song website home page, you can find two 6-7 minute documentaries on our WWII Japanese Incarceration and Ohlone Song modules to help gain an understanding on what students take away from our presentations.

WWII Japanese Incarceration

Anchored by teaching artist Shirley Muramoto, this module takes a deep dive into the experience of the tens of thousands of Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated under Executive Order 9066.

Sonic Tapestry: Indian Music in California

This module explores the powerful impact and influence of Indian music on California musicians and cultural practitioners. It is led by Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy and Jim Santi Owen, two musicians/teaching artists who have devoted their lives to this music, as well as several special guest artists.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.