Connoisseurs’ Marketplace
Offers Delicious Musical Menu
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Livewire
The Cool Jerks
D Fuze
Blue House
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The streets of downtown Menlo Park will morph into the Bay Area’s hottest music venue as nine dynamite bands take center stage at Connoisseurs’ Marketplace, July 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Santa Cruz Avenue. These top-notch bands will deliver all your favorite sounds all weekend long. The delicious musical menu includes Latin rock, soulful Motown classics, indie folk, sultry blues, Celtic harp, classic rock ‘n roll, R&B groove, swing, even romantic Italian mandolin ballads — something for all musical tastes.
This year Livewire takes over the stage at the free Saturday Evening Headliner Concert, July 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Fremont Park. This high-energy, six-piece dance cover band brings a tight set, excellent music selection and showmanship that will get everyone out of their seat and onto the dance floor. Livewire’s outstanding vocalists, two male and two female, allow for lush harmonies and a wide music selection. Showcasing an eclectic mix of the best songs from the 70's and 80's through current rock and dance hits, the band covers a wide range of music, from Journey and The Jackson 5 to Rihanna and The Black Eyed Peas.
The Cool Jerks deliver top-shelf motown, r&b, soul, and swing from every era. Known for energetic vocals, funky dance moves, the coolest rhythm around and a sizzling horn section, this dynamic, nine-member band plays a wide range of songs and styles ranging from the the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, The Pointer Sisters, Kool and the Gang, Donna Summer, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power, Brian Adams, Rick James and Elton John. Dubbed the “best soul band this side of Detroit”, The Cool Jerks bring it home as the foot stompin’, bootie shakin’, Motown lovin’ finale on Sunday.
D Fuze brings a funky, Latin flavor to its variety of R&B, hip hop, classic rock, reggae and Latin tunes. Drummer/vocalist Joey Jam lays down the beat, accompanied by Scott Clay on bass and Ken Harril on guitar. The lovely and talented “Francisca Bravo” fronts the band, bringing her fresh vocals, rap and unquestionable style to the table. Folk rock duo Marlies de Veer and Amy Beasley of Blue House showcase their original tunes as well as favorites from artists like Patsy Cline and No Doubt. The two musician/songwriters have been playing together since high school and have gathered a devoted following in the Bay Area.
Alien Cowboys
Chubby's All-Stars
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Influenced by all shades of instrumental rock, from ‘50s rocker Duane Eddy to the modern hard rock of Joe Satriani, Alien Cowboys really rock the house. The band’s rhythm guitar ace Bruce Stevenson describes their music as “Jeff Beck does The Beatles,” with a wailing electric guitar taking on the role as lead vocalist.
If you love classic rock, you’ll love Chubby’s All-Stars. Comprised of “a bunch of old hippies,” according to band founder Roger “Chubby” Henson, the band plays original tunes as well as covers of some of the greatest musicians of the 1960’s music scene, including Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Traffic, The Grateful Dead, and many more.
Talented street musicians will also be enchanting the crowds at this year’s festival. Experience renown harpist Aryeh Frankfurter’s arrangements of classic Celtic folk songs, deeply emotive and masterfully played. Listen to the unique “jazzical” style sound of Dreamroad, a lyrical combination of soft jazz and classical music played on flute, keyboard and hammered dulcimer. Or take a musical journey to old Italy with Heartstrings Music, featuring romantic, easy listening, Italian melodies with Al Fabrizio on mandolin and Hugo Wainzinger on guitar.
Aryeh Frankfurter |
Dreamroad |
Heartstrings Music
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ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
FREMONT PARK STAGE
Saturday, July 18
11:30 AM to 2:00 PM — Blue House
2:30 PM to 4:30 PM — D Fuze
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM — Livewire
Sunday, July 19
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM — Alien Cowboys
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM — Chubby’s All-Stars
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM — The Cool Jerks
STREET LOCATIONS
(All Day/Both Days)
Heartstrings Music (Maloney Lane)
Aryeh Frankfurter (Crane St.)
Dreamroad (Evelyn St.) |
