People who rock, bikes that roll and musicians who do both

By Kris Parfitt
- The Capitol Hill Times - 

M-Bibe co-founder Darren Guyaz on guitar and cellist Esme serenade the M-Bibe concert audience on the roof of The Heights on Capitol Hill apartments with Queen Anne in the background. Kris Parfitt / The Capitol Hill Times

What’s the result of combining people committed to making a difference in the world, music and a rooftop?

You get a concert with a panoramic view of the Puget Sound, produced by M-Bibe, sponsored by Hub and Bespoke that benefits Bike Works.

Two northwest musicians, Darren Guyaz and John Weis, met in Turkey two years ago and discovered they held similar interests and pursuits – one of those being the higher purpose of their musical talents. M-Bibe was born to meet a philosophy that helping communities connect is best done through music. By building symbiotic partnerships with non-profits, local businesses, non-traditional venues and musicians, M-Bibe has created a network of local organizations from all three categories.

Guyaz summarizes it well on his Facebook page, “We bring folks together to raise money for a good cause while supporting talented, local musicians playing original music.”

Guyaz introduced Friday evening’s lineup along with Colina Barlow the community outreach manager of Bike Works. “Ultimately, our goal was to not only raise funds for our organization, but also to raise awareness about the work that we do,” Barlow said in an email Monday. The event, which brought about 100 people was considered a big success.

“We raised more than expected for Bike Works,” Guyaz said. “That is what this is all about – bringing together people together though music and sharing really awesome organizations and businesses that are making a difference with the community. It’s a win-win all around for everyone involved.”

Bike Works is a Southeast Seattle nonprofit that builds sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling. It depends on donations of bicycles to fuel their bike shop and programming that engages youth and people of all ages in bicycle repair and riding opportunities, empowering individuals and transforming lives.

A sharply dressed Aldan Shank, co-founder of Hub and Bespoke LLC and MBA graduate of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, sponsored the concert.  A self-described people person, Shank addressed the audience in a genuine way and sharing the mission of his organization.

“Hub and Bespoke is happy to sponsor this event. We are big fans of Bike Works and want to find ways to support them whenever we can,” Shank said during the event introduction. Hub and Bespoke is a retail shop that focuses on helping people overcome barriers to using bikes as transportation. It offer bags, helmets, clothing and accessories that make bike transportation easy and hip. “I’m wearing an outfit now suitable for work, after work socializing and biking. I biked here from Greenwood tonight,” Shank said.

Mara Hahn, a spunky singer songwriter, started off the evening with funny, provocative and spirited lyrics, setting the tone for an evening of fun and mischief.

A cellist, who goes by the name Esme, accompanied Guyaz who played guitar and sang stories of romance and heartbreak. The view was fitting for his ballads while the sun dramatically left the sky through the red haze of the state’s many forest fires and slipped behind the Olympics.

John Weis, the other M-Bibe cofounder, paired his guitar with drummer Larry Mahlis as dusk set a gorgeous backdrop. He rocked the venue with his gravelly, Tom Waits-style voice while Mahlis’ global influences lead the beats.

Though a private venue, the Heights of Capitol Hill apartments offer one of the best views in the city. More M-Bibe rooftop concerts will take place here in the summer of 2013 and the Capitol Hill Times will let you know when and invite you to join us for another unique experience on the Hill.

With the Space Needle and downtown Seattle as their backdrop, M-Bibe co-founder John Weis on guitar and Larry Mahlis on drums rock the M-Bibe rooftop concert after sunset, Friday 9/14/12. Kris Parfitt / The Capitol Hill Times