As Panacea, four of the Bay Area's finest--and most eclectic--female musicians present an enchanting take on what they call "world gypsy music." The group includes Bon Brown Singer, well known from her work with Kitka women's chorus, medieval violinist Shira Kammen, accordionist Nada Lewis, former member of Klezmorim and the Silver String Macedonian Band, and hammered dulcimer player Robin Petrie (they all sing, too). Their collective repertoire is impressive in its range, journeying from Scandinavia to Israel, with lovely stopovers in Ireland, Greece, and the Balkans along the way. Panacea unifies this eclectic mix of traditional songs and dance tunes with a playful approach replete with improvisation and laughter.
Celtic and early music quartet Broceliande celebrates the Autumnal Equinox, performing traditional music evocative of the harvest season. Bay Area musicians Margaret Davis, Karl Franzen, Kristoph Klover, and Kris Yenney present a musical blend ranging from lilting jigs to haunting ballads to four-part a capella madrigals, bringing with them a particular joy for the music that is reflected in their masterful interpretations. Their entrancing sound is built on the interweaving of exquisite vocal harmonies with the lyrical music of the Celtic harp, octave mandolin, cello, guitar, flute, whistle, melodeon, oboe, and percussion. Broceliande recently released their third CD, a collection of winter songs titled Sir Christemas.