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Barefoot presents A Marais-a-thon.

Barefoot Chamber Concerts, your local East bay attitude-free concert series continues its mission to throw the fun back in classical chamber music. As part of the 2010 Berkeley Festival and Exposition (BFX 10), Barefoot presents a one of a kind event, a Marais-a-thon.

From 11.30 am to 7 pm (or until the cake runs out) local and visiting violists (and the occasional harpsichordist or lutenist, and even violinist) will play the music of Marin Marais. This is a fund raiser for the American Viola da Gamba Society's grants-in-aid program to help young viol players in need of financial assistance, and all musicians will be donating their time. Participants so far include Rebekah Ahrendt, Marie Dalby, Peter Hallifax, Shirley Hunt, Julie Jeffrey, David Morris, Farley Pearce, Elizabeth Reed, Colin Shipman, Bill Skeen, Yuko Tanaka, Lynn Tetenbaum, Margriet Tindemans, and many more are expected.

Marais wrote over 500 pieces for viol and continuo alone, and many other pieces for small chamber groups. This music is a touchstone of French high baroque chamber music. An all-day pass means you can drop in and out anytime you want during the day, catch the pieces or players you want to hear, and of course, there will be refreshments of many kinds.

The fabulous wooden acoustic of St. Mark's Episcopal Church Parish Hall provides the ideal setting for this occasion, more of a party than a concert, but the music will be, as always, the main event. You are encouraged to bring your lunch, as long as it is quiet and well behaved.

For more details go to www.barefootchamberconcerts.com.