Anthology Hosts Woodstock Opener and Other Soulful Acts
Sunday, February 8, 2009 13:51A Toast to Family Winemakers’ First Del Mar Fairgrounds Tasting
By CONNIE LEWIS
San Diego Business Journal Staff
For those who weren’t old enough or couldn’t afford the fare and didn’t want to hitchhike, the Woodstock Festival — the opening act, anyway — came to San Diego recently.
Forty years after Richie Havens opened the landmark concert billed as the Aquarian Exposition at a dairy farm near the village of Woodstock, N.Y., the soulful folk rocker sports a white-tipped beard and is slightly hunched over.
But his distinctive voice is still rich. His guitar strumming is still faster than a speeding bullet and he can still pack a house.
Both his early and late performances on Jan. 23 at Anthology, a concert hall and supper club on India Street, were sold out.
Also impressive is that Anthology, which offers an eclectic array of music, including top-name jazz artists and fine dining, is beating its pro forma, said co-owner Marsha Berkson.
She declined to cite financials, but it’s obvious from the sold out performances that she and her husband, developer Howard Berkson, have a hit on their hands.
The club opened in June 2007 and many in the entertainment business expressed doubt that local audiences were sophisticated enough for “high-brow” jazz. Berkson admits that Anthology has stepped up its effort to inform them on the topic.
Its Web site offers information on various musicians’ credentials, and the wait staff is also prepped to answer customers’ questions on who’s who.
“We send e-blasts to highlight artists and upcoming shows, and they have brief intros on who’s coming, what their albums are and the artists they’ve played with,” she said.
Musicians listen to each other about the best places to play, and Anthology’s ability to draw top-notch acts has benefited by good word-of-mouth publicity among the ranks.
“The buzz is that Anthology is not only still here, but we’re packing them in,” Berkson said. “We’re recognized in the industry as doing great business. The fourth quarter was our most successful ever.”
Judy Collins is scheduled in late February and Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis’ brother, appears on March 31 and April 1, followed by Leon Redbone on April 10-11.
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