A full 50 years have passed since Motown’s heyday, yet the “Sound of Young America” still excites and thrills listeners of all ages. Baby Boomers who grew up with the music of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many others, continue to put those songs at the top of their playlist. 

Rhythmix Cultural Works continues its mission of bringing fascinating elements of music and culture to the Island City when it hosts three of the world’s top accordion acts this Saturday, Dec. 9: Those Darn Accordions, Jet Black Pearl and Big Lou the Accordion Princess. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. 

No less than Teller of the famed duo Penn & Teller described the performance as, “Sexy, raw and diabolically funny.” (And he’s the quiet one.) ‘Tis the season, after all, for polka! Get into the swingin’ spirit of the holidays with accordion music that offers a modern twist. 

In what some described as a wonderful escape from current events last Saturday, people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicites joined together to celebrate the arts phenomenon that is Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW). The cultural arts center just celebrated 10 years of bringing the world’s most talent musicians, dancers and visual artists to Alameda. 

The event included live perfomances; wine, beer and spirits tastings; a panel of women wine, beer and booze makers as well as giant spreads of food from many of the Island’s favorite restaurants. 

Seven-time Grammy-nominated percussionist John Santos and his namesake sextet return to Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW) for an enchanting summer evening of Afro-Latin-inspired music, song and culture.

As one of the premier Afro-Latin jazz groups in the country, the John Santos Sextet’s repertoire consists of original compositions and exciting original arrangements of classic rhythms, styles and songs from Cuba, Puerto Rico and the United States.

Rhythmix Cultural Works celebrated a decade of music, art and dance on June 11 with a free open house featuring Puerto Rican Bomba, Buti Yoga, Brazilian Capoeira (above), Cuban Salsa, Zumba Fitness and the unveiling of a new donor wall. Ten new major donors were honored and Mayor Trish Spencer read a proclamation announcing June 11 (the arts facility’s anniversary) as Rhythmix Cultural Works Day. The cultural center will host an additional celebration on Aug. 19. 

On the night of May 20 the air hung with quiet expectation at the Rhythmix Cultural Works K Gallery. The space was adorned with the vivid artwork of the Alameda Women Artists (AWA).

A special performance by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir has been set for this Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW) will host. Under the direction of Emmy winner Terrance Kelly, the choir will express joy and unity through black gospel and spiritual music.

Interested in learning more about the essential music of The Beatles? Rhythmix Cultural Works has just the class to satisfy that need. Over four evenings in May and June, celebrated Carnegie Mellon music professor Stephen Schultz will share the secrets of hit songs from the “Fab Four,” arguably one of the most influential bands in rock-and-roll history.

Two events coming up here in the Island City are focused on learning to appreciate the artform of opera. Today, at 1:30 p.m., catch “The Exceptional Giuseppe Verdi,” a new performance by Mastick Senior Center music director John Kendall Bailey at the center.

Then next week, it’s “A Night at the Opera” at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at Rhythmix Cultural Works. The evening will include the powerful, uplifting voices of Eileen Meredith.