What are you doing this weekend?
I had the pleasure of hearing drummer Issa Mwongozi (above) for my first time in 2006 with the Young Musicians Program when they performed at the Fillmore Jazz Festival. This young man, who sat not much taller than his drum set, played drums like a jazz legend. I was so inspired by the Young Musicians Program students that I attended their benefit concert at Yoshi’s in July 2006 where I took this photo of Issa. Tonight, I will have the pleasure of hearing the Issa Mwongozi Trio – Swang to the Future at The Jazzschool in Berkeley at 8pm. Tickets are $10. This concert is part of the Jazzschool Institute Rising Stars Summer Series.
This afternoon, the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC) will hold their 4th Annual Something for Everyone Fundraiser Event in Lafayette. In 2008, EOYDC celebrates its 30th year of providing educational and recreational programs for youth in East Oakland.
The 14th Annual North Beach Jazz Festival, which has been in full swing since last Sunday, will close on Sunday. There is still time to hear some great live music. This is the first year the festival has been a week long event. Kudos to Sunset Promotions!
On Sunday, the San Francisco Theater Festival will be held at the beautiful urban park setting of Yerba Buena Gardens as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival from 11am – 5pm. Festival performances range from 15-30 minutes and include all kinds of theater: Shakespeare, comedy, drama, musical theater, children’s shows, solo performances, improv, one acts, excerpts, classics, new works…
Featured at the 2008 festival:
- AfroSolo presents Angela Dean-Baham as Black Patti
- Amiri Baraka’s provocative plays of black experience, including his new play, “Sisyphus Syndromeâ€
- Lamplighters Music Theatre’s “The Mikadoâ€
- Best of Playground’s one act plays
- Aleshia Brevard & Gina Grahame’s transsexual production of “One Damn Man!”
- Oh My Godmother, gay Cinderella
- Best of the Buddy Club, 16 great children’s shows
- Improv Groups: Blue Blanket, BATS, SPF, Big City & Stagebridge’s Over-50 Improv
- The Exit Theatre
- The Marsh
- Tell it on Tuesday
This is what Im talkin about J… the future of jazz. If what youre sayin is true (as it always is) then it looks like the future is in good hands.
Manny, it was a spectacular evening. My biggest surprise of the evening was learning that Issa Mwongozi is only 14 years old and he was only 12 when I took this photo of him. He and his band swang hard all evening breathing new life into classic and newer jazz tunes. At the end of the evening, the band received a standing ovation. I will post a full review and photos soon.