Comment Archives: Locations: Arts & Entertainment: 5 Stars
Re: “The Hive Gallery”
Check my Swag - Studio A
Re: “Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse”
Great Venue! I saw the Old time Music Convention there
Re: “Disco Volante”
Best late night food in Downtown Oakland. And they don't gouge you for it either.
Also, there are only two bars in Downtown that are open on Sunday nights and that are worth a damn, and Disco Volante is one of them.
And beyond that, the staff is excellent, and so is the atmosphere.
Re: “Disco Volante”
the food at disco is out of sight! hot smoked pork belly? yes please! the wait staff is always very friendly and accommodating. the cocktails are nicely made. plus the bartenders are very knowledgeable about the beer and wine they serve.
i've played here a number of times, so i'm really not sure what the extremely negative review is about here. i've never been hassled in any way by the owner. he's a great guy, and a straight shooter.
come down to disco volante for some great food and drink. support local musicians!
Re: “Thousand Oaks Art Gallery”
This is a beautiful gallery with all sorts of wonderful surprises. All of the work is done by local artists. Only three store fronts down from Solano Avenue it is worth veering off the main street.
Re: “The Regency Ballroom”
Seun Kuti New Album and Concert Review
Regency Ballroom, San Francsico 7/16/11
First things first, a Seun Kuti show will wear you out. At the end of his concert, before the encore, if you haven’t sweated out your cool, then you must not truly be alive and able to sense pure, original, African energy in, and coming out the music. The band, comprised of some serious sax and trumpet players, hypnotic dancers with memorable voices, and surrounded by elders- members of the Egypt 80 who played with Seun’s father Fela on percussions and guitars, is simply a body rocking and mind opening experience, not just a concert.
I first saw Seun live at Stern Grove in San Francisco, where he not only came out of his shirt and embodied a reincarnation of his dad in dance and in fiery lyrics, really blew the San Francisco crowd away with songs from his first critically acclaimed album, “Many Things.” The sound, the charisma, the rebel in your face stance, the tight pocket that is undeniable Afro-Beat (which I am more convinced is a blend of everything that is African and James Brown), hit me in a unique place because I knew at that moment I was hearing the closest to Fela I was every going to hear live. For the record, I’ve been listening to Fela since 1991. I first heard him through my mentor at the time Mwatabu Okantah, on his radio show Windwords which came on Sundays on Cleveland State’s Radio WCSB 89.3fm. Upside Down, Center of The World, and Mr Grammart (Calogylisationalism Is The Boss) are songs I was playing next to X Clan and Poor Righteous teachers in the early 90’s.
After Stern Grove, I immediately went out and purchased “Many Things” and been watching the moves being made, including the new deal with Knitting Factory Records, “From Africa with Fury: Rise” the new video, and the various interviews online, one which includes Seun saying his music is for “African people to wake up and solve their own problems.” His latest album and live set at The Regency Ballroom on a cool Saturday night in San Francisco is a clear indicator that Seun is just getting warmed up, he’s concerned about the same issues his ancestors were with, he’s as cold on the sax as he is in orchestrating his band and vocals, and truly, along with artists like Nneka and Blitz The Ambassador, is setting a new tone for music and politics from an African point of view.
Seun started his set, as always, by opening with a song by his dad Fela. For this occasion, Seun and The Egypt 80 chose Zombie to come out to. Incredibly hot from the onset, Seun spoke first with his horn, then with his voice, which is raspy, strong, and rich. The band is so solid that it seems almost effortless to the players, especially the two “timekeepers,” one controlling the claves and the other a shaker with serious dance moves all night which didn’t mess up his crisp white shirt. Seun came out in a fresh grey shirt and pants to match, but I knew it, and the shirt knew it too, that it was about to get sweated out because Seun moves about the whole stage with the same fervor as his dad in dance and expression. Also, I’m convinced that there is more than a performance going on because Fela’s presence was felt in the atmosphere.
Seun wasted no time and really gave a strong showcase of the music on “From Africa with Fury: Rise,” produced by Brian Eno, John Reynolds, and Seun Kuti, with additional production by Godwin Logie, and mixed by b and Tim Oliver. “Slavemasters” with lines like “Till them tire for the cheating for many many years,” shows that Seun has been in tune to global politics today and his ancestral past, with a rhythm that doesn’t just makes you dance but feel the sentiment, and the title song “Rise” should be the anthem for new Africa and freedom and not just used for soccer stadiums and sporting events. My favorite line of “Rise” have to be when he admonishes petroleum and diamond companies “wey dey use our brothers as slaves for the stones.” Other strong songs of the night were “Mr. Big Thief” and “The Good Leaf.” Seun must’ve known he was in Northern California, (maybe not after telling the crowd he was tired from the jetlag from Europe), but by the colorful smell of cannabis that hovered over the ceiling of the Regency Ballroom, the good leaf was definitely in the house. The crowd, blended with San Fran hipsters who many have just jumped on the Fela bandwagon, Africans in button ups, and everyday people who clearly knew of Fela and Seun’s musical and historical background all had the place mostly packed. (the back towards the bar was light and there was room to dance). I can’t understand for the life of me how a few people were sitting in the balcony during this electric performance, but they even looked worn out at the end of the night because of the constant original, African music.
Do yourself a favor and pick up Seun’s latest album, “From Africa with Fury: Rise,” and when you see Seun listed as coming to your city to perform, wear your dancing shoes, open your ears and be inspired, and open your eyes and witness the continuing of a family legacy of strength, power, and politics and music. His album is out on Knitting Factory Records.
Re: “1:AM Gallery”
5 Stars because it is great for the street art aficionado and the street artists! Not only does the gallery display and sell some of the works of the up and coming street artists, they also sell materials for your bombing pleasure, from fat caps to your fave krink colors, they have the works. As if that isn't enough, if you are a graff buff but not so hot at hittin the streets, they supply the knowledge for a small price. And by they, I mean Nate1 and Novy. On top of alllll that, you can even get the crew at 1AM to hit up your not so cultured walls! So much more than just a gallery.........
Re: “Zughaus Gallery”
Free monthly music and art events in an intimate setting. What more can you ask for?
Re: “The Bistro”
the best pub for micro brews and IPA'S add the fact they have live music every night with no cover charge and you have a great place for nights out or just to drop by for a beer
Re: “Grand Lake Theater”
The Grand Lake Theater is a gem, a historical beauty with comfortable seats, a large lobby, an amazingly generous owner with a social conscience who donates the theater for important benefits, events, to save the country, the world.
Re: “Mezzanine”
Absolutely <3 Mezzanine!
Seen the best shows there. Perfect size, you can get close to the stage if you want or just chill in the VIP.
Great staff and always a blast.
One of, if not THE, best mid sized concert venue in SF.
Re: “Mercury 20 Gallery”
Such a great space! Big improvement over their Grand St. space, and the work continues to be some of the most interesting art at the Murmur. A must see venue.
Re: “Ashkenaz”
Ashkenaz rocks. Reviews about one band, that reflect on the whole club, are problematic. And just to remind- Ashkenaz rocks.
Re: “I Am We House”
I Am We is a very inspiring and inclusive creative space for musicians and visual artists. Maere, All My Pretty Ones, Spirits of the Red City, Dum Spiro Spero, Chingadero, the Moonlight Orchestra, Boomrock Saints, the Buckwalds, Tartuffi... the list goes on and on. These guys often have a presence First Fridays in Oakland and frequently at the Stork Club as well. If you get a chance to check it out, don't pass it up!
Re: “Chabot Space & Science Center”
Chabot is clean, modern and well run with pleasant and efficient staff. Their theater is a 360 degree overhead projection, the only one I know of.
They have a variety of events, ranging from parties for adults, with DJs, drinks, and stargazing, to regular showings of their movie selections. Not to mention the exhibits are hands on, and compare with the exploratorium. It is truly a treasure of the East Bay and people should know about it.
Re: “Actual Cafe”
Friendly staff and any amazing house-made bread pudding.
Re: “Hotel Utah”
Jeremy Goodfeather is the real deal...sweet and talented man with a lot to offer the world of music!!! Jeremy,,,come to SXSW in Austin next year!!! you'll be greatly loved! Enjoy
Re: “Yoshi's Oakland”
They made me the best grilled goat cheese sandwich ever! And a Redbull vodka to go with it.