JANICE GARRETT & DANCERS was formed in 2002 by artistic director Janice Garrett, who, after more than twenty years as a dance artist and independent choreographer throughout the US and Europe, decided to put down creative roots in San Francisco. One the area's newest and most lively dance companies, they have received five nominations for Isadora Duncan Dance Awards as well as being recognized as one of Dance Magazine's "Twenty Five to Watch" in 2004.

_______________________________

New York accordionist GUY KLUCEVSEK is known as the "rebel with an accordion" throughout the jazz and avant-garde world from his work with Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Anthony Braxton, Laurie Anderson, Kronos Quartet, Bobby Previte, Aaron Jay Kernis, Lois V Vierk, Fred Frith, Alvin Lucier, Mary Ellen Childs, William Duckworth, Jerome Kitzke, Stephen Montague and Somei Satoh and others, plus the numerous albums he's released on his own. Guy, of Slovenian descent, was raised on polkas, then quickly expanded his interest into classical music studies for accordion. His influences are vast, including composers Penderecki, Xenakis and Ligeti, folk melodies of Eastern European and traditional music from around the world. Guy is a master of the free-bass accordion and, as with the other players in this project, his music goes beyond style and categorization. His recordings and performances are bizarre collections of inexplicable sounds and segues, melodies and improvisations. From a solo accordion piece that sounds like a cartoon train wreck to a delicate chamber piece with piano, violin, viola, cello and bass, his range, sophistication and power are unequalled. Guy has toured and performed in Europe, USA and Canada.

Klucevsek has released 16 wonderful recordings as soloist/leader (we highly recommend you go to Guy's website and buy all of them). He is featured on countless other albums as accompanist/collaborator (you can check out an extensive discography here). He is currently a member of one of our favorite bands in the whole world, Dave Douglas’s Charms of the Night Sky.

Adding to the accordion maddness, we've organized an all-star accordion quintet lead by Henri Ducharme to play some of Guy's compositions.

SANDY SILVA has been performing her unique style of body percussion for over 18 years, touring throughout the world and appearing with the great folk musicians of our time. Combining elements of American Tap and Appalachian Buckdance, Hambone, Hungarian Legenyes, Spanish Flamenco and Modern Dance, Sandy's performances create a riveting mix of rhythmic and visual invention. Her insistence on performing with live musicians on stage allows for an immediate musical conversation between her dance and the players, with her own body percussion - footwork and body slapping -'sitting in' as another instrument.

Sandy recorded and toured with Irish fiddler Kevin Burke's Open House as well as with Quebec mega-stars La Bottine Souriante. She has appeared on festival stages with a wide variety of acclaimed musicians including Altan, Martin Hayes, Kepa Junkera, Bruce Molsky, Alisdair Fraser, Matt Glaser, Laurie Lewis, Ale Moller and Quartango, among others.

Klucevsek and Silva will be developing their collaboration during a month long residency at the Montalvo Center, in Saratoga, CA. 3 Drops of Blood IV will mark their first performance of their work outside of the Montalvo Center.

_______________________________

ACCORDION WORKS is an all-accordion ensemble led by music director Henri Ducharme. Featuring an all-star line up of Bay Area accordionists, the ensemble represents the new generation of musicians exploring the instrument’s possibilities in modern and classical music. Ducharme has worked with Mr. Bungle, SF Symphony, Mark Morris Dance Company, and the Stephen Pelton Dance Company. Accordion Works will be performing the works of Guy Klucevsek.

_______________________________

THE TOIDS are a new music/Balkan/jazz ensemble infused with a diverse modern aesthetic ranging from Bulgarian to Bluegrass to Electronics. Dazzling virtuosity and deep emotion mark their intricately crafted compositions. They have shared the stage with, amongst others, Bulgarian gadulka master Georgi Petrov and mandolinist Mike Marshall. For 3 Drops of Blood, The Toids will perform a rare set of Rembetika, the traditional music of the Greek underworld.

_______________________________