Music under an Eichler Roof

Renee and Dennis Hermosa, who turn their Castro Valley Eichler into a concert hall every few months, are doing something a bit different this May—bringing in an eclectic group that blends classical and psychedelia into the folkie mix.

Dirty Cello, a project led by classical cellist Rebecca Roudman, will perform at the house concert Sunday May 17. Refreshments start at 2pm, the music at 3pm, and reservations are required and should be made soon. Participants are encouraged to bring something to drink and/or finger food. The entry of $20 goes entirely to the musicians.

The Greenridge House Concert Series, named after the Eichler subdivision, doesn't have a website. To make reservations, get information, or add your name to the mailing list, email [email protected].

The Hermosa's home is a lovely one, architecturally intact and filled with light. They have been surprised at recent concerts that relatively few Eichler owners show up—so don't disappoint them this time.

They are longtime folk music fans and know many of the best musicians in the business. Their last house concert, with string player Tony Furtado, was terrific.

"We will play most anywhere," Roudman of Dirty Cello bragged to Oakland magazine recently, naming the San Francisco Marathon—where they played in a tunnel—Jack London State Park, and the Cadillac Hotel in San Francisco's Tenderloin.

The group, together since 2010, did more than 50 shows last summer alone. Roudman, who plays cello for the Santa Rosa and Oakland East Bay symphonies, does a handy job on Jimi Hendrix's  ‘Purple Haze' as well as bluegrass, Gypsy jazz, and more.

The group varies in size and includes Jason Eckl on guitar, Paul Smith-Stewart on bass, Anthony Petrocchi on drums, Jaylene Chung on violin and vocals, and Sterling Spence on mandolin.

"The Dirty Cello band is an opportunity for us to explore an eclectic mix of all the different types of music we love, from blues to rock, to gypsy jazz and everything in between," Roudman says.

"In the four years since the formation of the band, we've performed around 100 shows a year, toured internationally to China twice, the UK, Hawaii, and all over the United States," she says. "We've also produced three full-length albums. One of our most exciting projects has been an ongoing collaboration we call the Dirty Symphony, where we perform backed up by a symphony orchestra."

Their latest album will be out soon, a live gig recorded at Armando's in Martinez.

"We're looking forward to performing at Dennis and Renee's home," Roudman says.

For more on this concert and the Eichler House Concert Series, e-mail the Hermosas at: [email protected]. For more on Dirty Cello, click here.