Open Mic Night

Been really busy with school lately that I haven't had time to really do anything fun.  So when there's a chance to take a break to listen to some great music from my friends, I jump on it. I wish I can describe what I heard but all I can simply say that my friends never disappoint.

Both of my friends, Tori and Jessica, are talented singers. I think the reason why I love their music so much is not simply because they have great voices but it's the subject of their music that are interesting.  They sing about things and people that are personal to them: their family, their love, and events in their lives.  I think it's because they are willing to share this level of intimacy in their music that is how they connect with their audience on a much deeper level.

Good music that is free is awesome.

Cypher at Johnny Vs

Last night I went to Johnny V's in downtown San Jose because I heard it was open mic night.  I really didn't know what exactly to expect seeing how San Jose doesn't have a really big music scene...at least to my knowledge.  But as soon as I got there and walked in, the music was blasting, thumping so hard I can feel every vibration from the bass in my muscles.

But once the MCs got on stage, and the artists started to perform my view of the music scene in San Jose changed.  All the artists were local kids who just love hip hop.  The Dj were mixing beats from old school rap, then switched it up to dubstep, back to bay area rap, back  to electronic.  All the while, the MCs were rapping their heart and lungs out, everything was on beat and precise.  The rhythm, the mood and atmosphere along with the crowd made the whole performance memorable.  This is definitely something worth going to again.

SF Graffiti

Walking around San Francisco, I noticed there are a lot of graffiti.  Even downtown and by the piers, graffiti are out in the open, shown with pride.  It is then that it occurs to me that the appreciation and the view of it as an art form is what separate city like San Francisco from other cities like San Jose.

There are graffiti in San Jose but it is always hidden away in parking lots and under bridges and overpass.  There is a lack of appreciation for graffiti art in San Jose; as if it was a sin.  Is it because San Jose is so oriented on being a business city? it can't be because there is a growing art scene developing in downtown and the people in San Jose are very creative people and are artistically conscious.  there are painting and artworks all over San Jose, but they are more like murals than real street graffiti piece.  So Why isn't graffiti accepted in San Jose?

The graffiti in San Francisco give the city so much more life and character.  I think if San Jose did the same, with its own style and influence, it has the potential to be a more charismatic city.

Hamlet on the Rocks

Hamlet on the rocks sounds like it would make for a good drink but it is actually a Hamlet play that takes place on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco.  I went recently and the only thing I have to say is that there is not a single word in the American dictionary that can describe how spectacular this play was.  It is one thing to watch Hamlet as a movie, it is another thing to watch it in the theater with live actors, But when the actors are five feet way from you acting their heart out with real settings, it is the best way and the only way to watch a Shakespeare play.

I was very unfamiliar with Hamlet going into the play so I did not know what to expect from it.  But as soon as the play started, I was immediately hooked.  The play begins on the Ferry and immediately continues as soon as the audience gets off of it and onto Alcatraz.  The play takes place all over the island; it starts on one side of the island, work its way into the inside of the jail cell and use-to-be sewing room, and ends on the other side of the island.  The audience practically run around with the actors and actresses all over the island.

Everything about this play is phenomenal.  the costumes my friend Julia designed was awesome, the night time and the San Francisco fog with the lighting that was set up created the perfect effects, the acting is top notched, and the fact that the audience was part of the play is just the sprinkles on top of it all.  

No matter how much I write about this show I can never do it enough justice.  I recommend anyone and everyone who loves Shakespeare or plays or good story to go to this. Go and watch it for yourself.  Support theater art and its artists.