Saturday, April 22 is Record Store Day.

“This is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day. Festivities include performances, cook-outs, body painting, meet & greets with artists, parades, DJs spinning records.”

The artists releasing special vinyls include Madonna, John Coltrane, Bob Dylan, The Kinks, Willie Nelson, David Bowie, and others.

Participating Stores (Not all of the stores will choose to participate in all promotions, or carry all releases. Call store!):

1-2-3-4 Go! Records
1034 Valencia Street
San Francisco, 94110
415-550-7865

Amoeba Music
1855 Haight St.
San Francisco, 94117
415-831-1200

Groove Merchant Records
687 Haight St.
San Francisco, 94117
415-252-5766

Grooves
1797 Market St.
San Francisco, 94117
415- 436 9933

Noise Records
3427 Balboa Street
San Francisco, 94121
415-702-6006

Rasputin Music and DVDs
1672 Haight St.
San Francisco, 94117
415-863-2448

Rasputin Music and DVDs
2401 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94720
510-704-1146

Recycled Records
1377 Haight St.
San Francisco, 94117
415-626-4075

Stranded
1055 Valencia Street
San Francisco, 94110
415-647-2272

The Explorist International
3174 24th Street
San Francisco, 94110
415-678-5691

The Music Store
66 West Portal Ave
San Francisco, 94127
415-664-0408

Thrillhouse Records
3422 Mission Street
San Francisco, 94110
415-308-1353

Vinyl Dreams
593 Haight St.
San Francisco, 94117
415-379-0974

Western Relics
1400 Irving St.
San Francisco, 94122
415-759-5567

1-2-3-4 Go! Records
420 40th Street #5
Oakland, 94609
510 985-0325

Econo Jam Records
2519 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, 94612
510-465-2559

Groove Yard
5555 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, 94618
510-655-8400

Park Blvd Records
2014 Park Blvd
Oakland, 94606
510-879-7952

Amoeba Music
2455 Telegraph Ave.
Berkeley, 94704
510-549-1125

Hercules Records
1734 Alcatraz Ave
Berkeley, 94703
415-999-1139

Bedrock Music & Video
2226 4th Street
San Rafael, 94901
415-258-9745

Red Devil Records
894 Fourth Street
San Rafael, 94915
415-457-8999

Fox Elipsus wanders this country by car so that we can hear his message. He can be found at the cafe, coffee shop, bookstore, and even the laundromat.

Yes, Elipsus will sing his song at BrainWash in San Francisco.

BrainWash
1122 Folsom Street, San Francisco
Saturday, August 14, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Free

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Soon after Dave Rada and I became friends on facebook I learned that he had a passion for film and I asked him to tell me about his latest project:

Horror of Our Love: A Short Film
I (Dave) produced/directed/wrote and was the monster in the short film. The short film is inspired by the song Horror of Our Love by the band LUDO, they are a great bunch of guys and it’s such an amazing song. Filled with romance, horror, and comedy. I think the song goes hand in hand with the film. It’s also cool to help such a great band reach their audience in a really fun way, and we also really appreciate all their support for the film as well…

We filmed it in January, in San Jose using an all San Jose Crew…Loved filming there because the S.J. locales fit the romantic feeling of the song so well, rather than gritty L.A.!! We got to shoot at John D. Morgan Park at night, something I have always wanted to do, and we only freaked out a few of the neighbors, ha! It’s a good thing we let San Jose PD and Campbell PD know we were filming and had friend and local Detective Todd Trayer on set!! He said there were a few nervous phone calls, but nothing too bad..Whew! .

Phil Grasso was my excellent Director of Photography, Kate Melia played “Girl” and I have known her since high school. She was phenomenal to truly understand the film’s balance of romance, horror, and comedy. It was great to work with my crew, they seemed a bit hungrier and fought along side me hard, NOT against me to make the best film we could.

Since completing the short we have been accepted to film festivals all over the country.
Most Recently the Dances With Films Festival going on in L.A, in June. This is a really great film festival and we are honored to attend….

Dave Rada - Audience Choice Award

Note: ‘Horror of Our Love’ – Won the Dances With Films Audience Choice Award in L.A. !!!

If you would like to see this award wining film it is part of:

A Nightmare To Remember International Horror Film Festival
June 26th
$10
7 – 10 PM
Opera Plaza Cinema Theater
601 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 267-4893

LUDO:  the Horror of Our Love song on YouTube

LUDO: the site

Elftwin Films

The AMC Loews Metreon 16 was selected to run Grease (the) Sing-A-Long on Thursday, July 8th.

Tickets available on Fandango.

Grease Sing-A-Long on facebook
Grease Sing-A-Long on twitter

Danny (John Travolta) [singing] I got chills / They’re multiplyin’ / And I’m losing control / Cause the power you’re supplying / It’s electrifyin’.

Nice to see John so young and electrifyin’!

Escape your troubles next Sunday while taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes at the 11th annual “How Weird Street Faire”.

It starts at Noon on the 9th of May; which just happens to be Mother’s Day. Leave your donation* of $10, or $5 if in costume, at the main entrance ~ Howard and New Montgomery Streets. The main entrance is near MUNI lines, and only 2 blocks from the Montgomery BART station. Thanks to the SF Bicycle Coalition for providing bike parking.

The How Weird Street Faire takes place on Howard Street between 1st Street and New Montgomery, 2nd Street between Mission and Howard, and all partial blocks of Minna St. and Natoma St. off of 2nd Street. This is Ten blocks of vendors – wares, food & drink, and non-profit organizations will be there to educate.

The Ten music stages: Symbiosis, Muti Music, Rebel Bass Collective, Tantra, Groove Garden, Non Stop Bhangra, Temple Nightclub, Opel, Opulent Temple, Strategik, Space Cowboys, Brass Tax, Le Harem, Ultraviolet Carnival, Team Infinity, Red Marines Festival, Aum Festival, Style/Clash…

How Weird Street Faire ~ Bollyweird the cosmic dance
Howard and New Montgomery Streets
San Francisco, Earth
Sunday May 9th
Noon to 8 PM
All Ages Welcome
Costumes Encouraged

*Donation of $10 or $5 if in costume ~ gets a Magic Sticker
Sticker Benefits Include:
$1 off each drink at the faire bars
$2 off How Weird @ Night
Discounts and special offers from many faire vendors…

At 7:40 PM Set a World Record for the Largest Synchronized Bollywood Dance.

Peter Friess (The Tech Museum) and Daniel N. Fenton (Team San Jose) announced that “Genghis Khan” will be the next blockbuster exhibition coming to San Jose.

“Genghis Khan’s brutality is well known, but less visible is the man whose natural leadership formed the first united Mongol nation – no small feat,” said Peter Friess, president of The Tech Museum. “Inasmuch as we carry the dark images of Genghis Khan the warlord, there is also the man who brought us passports, the pony express, printed money, hamburgers* and even pants.”

Much can be discovered about Genghis Khan (1167-1227) the ’emperor of all emperors’ who united nomadic tribes of northeast Asia and founded the Mongol Empire and Mongolia with a visit to The Tech Museum.

More than 200 13th century artifacts from Genghis’ reign will be on display including:

Live Cultural Performers: Mongolian singers, contortionists and musicians.

Live weaponry demonstrations are featured in the exhibition.

Paiza – passports.
Large Siege Weaponry – Large crossbow and tools to conquer walled cities and castles.
Ancient Mongolian Artifacts.
Ger – A traditional nomadic dwelling – Note: One-third of the people in modern Mongolia live in a Ger.
Shaman’s Robe – Ritual dress used to channel spirits. Genghis Khan practiced shamanism and believed in supernatural powers.
Jewelry – Treasures from the ancient Mongolian capital of Karakorum.
Mongolian Noble Woman Mummy – Mummy and coffin treasures including silk and leather robes, jewelry, comb and bowl.
Mongol Weapons – Swords, leather and metal armor, mace-heads, bows and arrows, and an early firearm.
Buddhist Relics – books, statue, and artwork. Note: The Mongolian capital of Karakorum was religiously diverse.
Clothing and Adornments – Silk garments and jewelry from Karakorum and Kublai Khan’s palace.
Musical Instruments – Strings made of horse hair.

Team San Jose extends an invitation. When speaking with Dan Fenton he expressed hope that the people of San Francisco would visit The Tech and enjoy Genghis Khan.

“Genghis Khan The Exhibition” – Opens May 22 (Limited Engagement)

The Tech Museum – 201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113-2008
(408) 294-8324

Special Exhibit Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tickets:
Children 3 -17 ~ $15
Adults ~ $25
Special prices for seniors and college students.
Admission includes access to all the regular museum galleries.

*It is amusing that hamburgers, the name coming from the German port of Hamburg, originated in the time of Khan. The fierce Mongol horsemen (the Golden Horde) were so busy conquering the world that having to stop to light fires and eat got in their way. Raw lamb or mutton was formed into flat patties and then placed under their saddles. The horsemen could easily grab some ‘hamburger’ at any time.

Modern day Mongolia (see U.S. Department of State) lies in central Asia between Siberia on the north and China on the south and is slightly larger than Alaska.

Ger/Yurt The burning of soft coal by individual homes or “Ger” (yurt in Russian) adds to the polluted air.

Micky Rourke will star in a film about the Mongol ruler. He says: Genghis Khan Biopic ‘Not Your Stereotypical Blood and Swords‘

Genghis Khan: flickr set.

TeamSanJose on twitter

DSO

Dark Star Orchestra will recreate the sounds of the Grateful Dead (one of the most idolized bands of San Francisco music history) live on stage this Friday and Saturday in San Francisco. And if you miss them or need more they will be in Modesto on Sunday.

Rolling Stone called Dark Star Orchestra“…the most talented and accomplished tribute band out there…they’ve definitely mastered their inspiration’s vagabond nature.”

The Regency Ballroom
Fri Apr. 23 & Sat. Apr. 24
1290 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Doors at 7 Pm Concert at 8 PM – all ages
Buy Tickets

The State Theatre
307 J Street, Modesto on April 25
Doors at 6 Pm Concert at 7 PM
Buy Tickets

Record Store Day celebrates the over 700 independently owned record stores in the USA and then some.

Check the stores for contests, giveaways, and appearances!

Participating Stores in San Francisco Include:

Amoeba ~ 1855 Haight St. (415) 831-1200 ~ see website for contest & twitter

aQuarius recOrds ~ 1055 Valencia St. (415) 647-2272 ~website

Creative Music ~ 26 Ocean Ave. (415) 334-1011 ~ website & Contest

Force of Habit Records ~ 3565 20th St. (415) 255 PUNK (7865) ~ website

Groove Merchant Records ~687 Haight St. (415) 252-5766 ~ website

Medium Rare Music ~ 2310 Market Street (415) 255-7273 ~ website

Streetlight Records ~2350 Market Street (415) 282-8000 ~ website

What Is It ?

Keep your eye out for Yeasayer in the Haight.

twitter ~ recordstoreday

After Yoshi’s celebrates St. Paddy’s Day with the unlikely Gil-Scott Heron on Mar 16th & 17th, another unique event comes to town the next night. Master Percussionist Babatunde Lea brings an all-star jazz virtuoso quintet feat. vocalist Dwight Trible, saxophonist Ernie Watts, pianist/vocalist Patrice Rushen & bassist Gary Brown to town.

The night of March 18th promises to be a musical meeting of the minds @ SF’s Yoshi’s when these 5 veterans hit the stage to celebrate their new CD release ‘Umbo Weti: A Tribute to Leon Thomas’. The album was recorded right here in the Bay Area live at Yoshi’s in 2008 and is a 2 disc tribute to the late ‘spiritual bop’ vocalist Leon Thomas who passed in 1999.

To read more about the lineup, download a sample mp3, see a video etc, and show times & details read more here @ the complete entry
read more below the fold

A master balladeer is in town Tues Feb 23rd & Weds Feb 24th, and although he is well past his prime at age 85, and only 4 ft 11” tall, he’s a true giant, and just being in the room with him is well worth the pittance Yoshi’s is charging this week at the door. He is known for infusing songs with so much pathos, pain and beautiful angst it’s hard to take it all in… and if you’ve never heard of him…sadly, you are not alone.

Fortunately, you still have time familiarize yerselves with his saga, and a musical legacy that was obscured by bad business breaks, pride, and deep prejudice, the kind that was not only racial, but sexual & medical …

Almost strangled to death by the umbilical cord at birth in 1925, Jimmy Scott was soon orphaned by a car crash, along with his 9 other siblings in depression era Cleveland. If the odds against him were not bad enough, they were further stacked by a strange genetic pituitary hormonal defect known as “Kallman’s Syndrome”. This medical disorder accounts for his somewhat effeminate looks & unnaturally high singing voice. Basically Scott’s pubescent development was stunted, causing his arms to appear longer than the rest of his torso while the diminutive singer never developed facial hair.

Finding solace away from the bleak foster homes on stages, he sang in combos of the post war R&B era, notably as a featured singer with band leader Lionel Hampton, with whom he made his recorded debut in 1950 (although his name did not appear on the label). After the chart making & touring stint with Hampton ended, Scott began dividing his time between night spots in Cleveland, New York and Newark, New Jersey.

Unable to secure proper record deals, or even respect on the road from fellow musicians due to his androgynous appearance, Jimmy Scott’s show biz career was a hard road. That road hit a brick wall by the late 1960’s when tight fisted Herman Lubinsky of the Savoy label refused to release Scott from a long dormant contract, and legally prevented comeback albums for Atlantic & Ray Charles’ Tangerine label from being released purely out of spite.

Jimmy’s numerous shots at stardom had been so hampered by fiscal mismanagement & bad business dealings, it lead to failed relationships, drinking and drugging, and a career ending downward spiral that took him away from the limelight for decades, until a break finally occurred when he was well into his 60’s.

Strangely enough, it appears death is something he won’t take sitting still, and is actually the catalyst that has brought Jimmy Scott’s career back to life…

read more about the show, plus detailed info on his life & career accomplishments below the fold
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