NIGHTLIFE NOTES
for February 2002
by Jonathan King

Big Sister
February 2 — Celebrating their 10th year of recording Big Sister will be rocking out at the recently reopened Joyous Lake. This female blues-rock act will be test flying some new material for their hometown of Woodstock as they gear up to go back to the studio and record their 6th CD. 10 pm. $10. 679-1107.

Zoe B. Zak Trio
February 7 — Zak’s music, sung in Hebrew, English and Aramaic combines ancient texts with elements of jazz, blues, Latin rhythms, and Balkan harmonies in a unique package. The trio features vocalist, accordionist, and pianist Zak, flutist Paul Marienthal, and wash tub bassist, Studio Stu performing a free concert sponsored by the Hebrew and Jewish Studies Programs at Bard College. Bard Hall. 7 pm. 758-7090.

Sacred Fire Trio
February 7, 14, 21 — Lorah Yaccarino, composer and guitarist continues her ongoing series of evenings entitled Musical Meditations and Conversations at The Gallery at Deep Listening Space in Kingston. Three hours of ambient free improvisation with John Carnes on bass, Samantha Clayton on vocals and special guests. 7 pm. 339-6858.

Jesse “The Hoodoo Man” Moore
February 9 — Let’s get ready for gumbo! In his own words, he’s the only musician who’s lived in a hut in Malaysia, fronts his own New Orleans style rhythm-and-blues band and has a real mojo, baby. A taste of Mardi Gras at New World Home Cooking. 246-0900.

An Evening with Joan Baez
February 15 — America’s most celebrated folk singer is joined by the duo of Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer for an evening of traditional and contemporary folk music. Singer/songwriter Richard Shindell opens the show at the Egg in Albany. 8 pm. $28. (518) 473-1845.

Al Foster
February 15 — “He keeps the groove going forever ... for what I wanted in a drummer, Al Foster had all of it.” When Miles Davis says this about you, you know you got it going on. Al Foster was drummer for Miles for 13 years and has played with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Sonny Rollins to Chick Corea. He will be performing with his Quartet at 8 pm at The Colony Cafe in Woodstock. An opportunity to see a jazz legend in an intimate setting. 331-9835.

Jefferson Starship
February 16 — Martin Balin and Paul Kantner pilot the latest manifestation of their classic Starship through our universe on a 35th Anniversary Tour. At the Paramount Theater in Middletown with local pop act The Brats opening. 7:30 pm. $42/$37.50/$35.50. 647-3821.

Swank
February 16 — You can file this under shameless self-promotion as I host and DJ at this event. The only alocal NYC-style club night rolls into its sixth swankalicious installment celebrating Cupid at the Rive Gauche in Kingston. The Swank posse of DJs drops the latest house, techno and 2-step, bringing the freshest sounds of the underground to this posh setting. Dress to impress. 10 pm. $5. 21+. 339-2003.

Iabas
February 16 — Celebrate Carnival in Rosendale and dance away your frigid February blues with Iabas (pronounced ya-bas), the vibrant female Brazilian band. Push the tables aside, kick up your heels, and help steam up the windows of the Rosendale Cafe to the beats of this traditional dance and drum troupe. 9 pm. $10. 658-9048.

Epiphany Project
February 23 — Bet Williams, an emotive vocalist with a full range, and pianist John Hodian create dramatic soundscapes performing as Epiphany Project. The duo will be joined by musicians on upright bass and hand percussion for a performance that has been categorized as avant-garde folk, world beat, pop-art music. At the Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck. 8 pm. 876-3080.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
March 1 — What do you get when you mix a banjo with a jazz, funk, and classically influenced jam band? Blubopical jam, of course. And these are the only guys playing it. The master of banjo improvisation and exploration returns to the Palace Theater in Albany after time in the studio preparing an album due this summer. Be the first one
on your block to hear Bela’s new licks and the Flecktones fresh grooves. 8 pm. $26. (518) 473-1845.