Benicia Voice

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt chats with the legendary Bay Area musicians Greg Rahn and Carlos Reyes about their upcoming Mardi Gras Party on Friday February 17th at The Empress Theatre, Vallejo, California. Doors at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. This episode was recorded at The Workshop in Benicia, serving wonderful authentic and delicious Louisiana Cajun/Creole, Southern food.  

Tickets for Friday's concert are available in advance: https://empresstheatre.org/event/greg-rahn-and-the-fat-tuesday-horns/

Or tickets on the door!  

In this episode of The Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt and Executive Producer Bart Sullivan talk to the extremely talented piano and keyboardist Greg Rahn about his upcoming Mardi Gras concert at The Empress Theatre on February 17th 2023. The concert will feature his band for this special event, including Carlos Reyes (Violin), Jeff Campitelli (Drums), Fat Tuesday Horns Erik Jekabson (Trumpet), Mike Rinta (Trombone), Tim Eschliman (Bass) and Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt (Percussion).  

Originally from Connecticut, Greg now resides in American Canyon CA, north east of San Francisco. After hearing Dr. John play piano, Greg developed a passion for two fisted piano styles like boogie woogie and New Orleans jazz. His most recent project Rent Party Piano is inspired by the rent parties that were common in urban American cities in the 1920's and 30s, where renters would invite guests to parties a few days before rent was due, charging 25¢ for admission and have live musicians perform, serve food and drink, and celebrate.  These compositions are dripping with honky-tonk, jazz, blues and blazing boogie-woogie influences from pianists like Fats Waller, Professor Longhair, Pete Johnson and Dr John. 

“Greg is one of the most versatile keyboard players in the Bay Area. He can play jazz, classical, contemporary, and has a flair for upbeat honky-tonk and ragtime compositions.”

In this episode of The Benicia Voice host Ruben Brunt discusses the currently available public transportation options leaving to and from from Benicia. Also featuring an interview with Neema Hekmat, the organizer of the 2023 The Benicia Diversity Festival, which will take place in Benicia on Saturday April 22nd 2023. Useful links:

https://www.facebook.com/beniciadiversityfestival/ 

https://transitapp.com/

https://moovitapp.com/sf_bay_area_ca-22/poi/en-gb

https://soltrans.org/

In this podcast we discuss the recent city council meeting. Mayor Steve Young explained in the meeting why it is necessary for the city council to explore potential housing developments within the city limits, and we include an audio clip of Steve discussing that.   

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt continues to discuss ideas for the development of the East E Street lot in Benicia. Executive Producer Bart Sullivan presents some ideas for the lot which are based on a development in Hawaii, and to see that follow the links below:

https://nokafairkauai.com 

https://www.facebook.com/nokafair/videos/145295806149797/

In this first podcast of this new year, The Benicia Voice podcast host Ruben Brunt discusses the East E Street parking lot, and some ideas for development of this lot to provide accessible housing, more retail units and parking. This week's guests are long term Benicia resident with real estate experience Mark McDonald, Executive Producer Bart Sullivan and Producer Andy Brunt.

The Benicia City Council is considering long-term use of the City-owned parking lot on East E Street bordered by East Second Street and Kuhland Alley in the downtown area. The site is zoned Town Core (TC), allowing for a range of commercial, service, and residential uses. 

Representation. Any views or opinions represented on the podcast are personal and belong solely to the Creator and do not represent those people, institutions, or organizations that the Creator may or may not be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. 

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, Ruben and his guest Rick Watson talk about Benicia, what Benicia was like to grow up in back in the 1960's and 1970's, The North Study Area and the city infrastructure. 

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, the host Ruben listens in to the public Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting held at the Valero Oil Refinery. The meeting was held to update residents on Valero's air monitoring equipment and their response to incidents.    

In this episode of the Benicia Voice, the host Ruben Brunt continues to discuss housing with Benicia council member Trevor Macenski, Executive Producer Bart Sullivan and Producer Andy Brunt.   

In this episode of The Benicia Voice, host Ruben Brunt continues to discuss with his producer Andy and executive producer Bart the current situation regarding housing in the city,  the accessibility to housing for current residents and people wanting to move into the city, and the North Study Area. In this episode we also introduce the 'Broom Handle' and some familiar guest voices!