Doors at 7:00pm ~ Dance Lesson at 7:30pm ~ Open Dancing at 8:00pm

The Mangroves represent a new generation of musicians in the lineage of Creole, Zydeco and Cajun musicians hailing from the Bay Area. The band features an eclectic mix of electrified traditional Creole and Cajun standards, soul infused Zydeco classics, and golden era R&B and Blues. Each member has a long relationship and love for Ashkenaz and brings the influence of world and folk genres into the genre as well as their individual tastes and playing. It is appropriate they make their debut at Ashkenaz, as they are distinctly a product of the historic venue.

The band's leader (and one of Ashkenaz's own) Singer and Accordionist Max Lopez, has been steeped in the Bay Area Zydeco scene for more than a decade. As weekly Sound Engineer for the Tuesday night dance, he is deeply embedded and immersed in the local scene and has learned from all of its torch bearers.

The Mangroves also feature a cast of musicians active in the local Zydeco, and American roots scene. Aaron Hammerman (guitar/piano) and Dave Eagle(washboard/percussion) bring the Boogie Woogie flavors of their duo the Deep Basement Shakers to the band. Collaborators in local Swamp favorites Iko Ya Ya, Andre Nigoghossian (Fiddle) and Lance Houck (Bass) join the mix as well . Rounding out the lineup Cairo Mccockran (Drums) brings his distinctive R&B groove.

As a band the Mangroves explore the roots of Zydeco in all of its forms and integrate other influences to blaze forward. However, they always stay true to the rhythms that delight dancers. Combining French Music of rural Louisiana, New Orleans based R&B, Delta and Chicago Blues.