All around the world large, multicultural cities often contain recognized, small, distinct ethnic enclaves. Los Angeles, by some measures the most diverse city in the universe, is no exception. These neighborhoods are often more ephemeral than others -- coming and going in a reflection of changing patterns of immigration, marginalization, assimilation and development. In the past, for example, Los Angeles had areas widely known as Greek Town, Little Italy, Little Mexico, Old Chinatown, Furasato, and Sonoratown -- to name a few. All are now gone with few physical reminders of their ever having existed.
In the Southland, where Asian-Americans are currently both the largest and fastest growing racial minority, most of the existing enclaves are predictably Asian. There’s Cambodia Town, Chinatown, Koreatown, Historic Filipinotown, Little Bangladesh, Little India, Little Osaka, Little Saigon, Little Seoul, Little Tokyo, and Thai Town. Officially-recognized non-Asian enclaves include only Little Armenia and Little Ethiopia. Unofficial but widely-recognized non-Asian enclaves include Little Central America and Tehrangeles. Are there others?
Wonderful things are happening at Amoeba San Francisco, especially if you love books, collectables, 
soundtracks, vinyl, bargains of all kinds, or just like to chill out in a groovy environment. You must fall into one of those categories, right? I thought so! Then come on down and experience our newly doubled Books & Magazines section. We have more than doubled the space dedicated for music, film, and pop culture publications and are filling it with new stock daily! We now feature back issues of your favorite music and film zines, and are breaking out our backlog of used books.
You’ll also enjoy our new reading lounge, made possible by Amoeba SF’s heritage as a bowling alley! Yes, we have repurposed a few of the benches from back in the day when this building housed a bowling alley. Sit, relax, and flip through some of our fascinating used books in style.
Additionally, we’ve added a collectables case for rare and out-of-print books, toys, and other memorabilia such as lunch boxes, cookie jars, and other surprises.
In other news, all Music DVDs (except classical) have been moved from the Main Floor to the DVD Room for easy browsing. You’ll also find a greatly expanded Bargain DVD section full of amazingly priced finds. By popular demand, the Soundtrack section has been moved to the Main Floor by Spoken Word and features an expanded Soundtrack Vinyl selection. Additionally, a brand new Audiophile CD section has been added to the main floor too!
To read more Behind The Grooves, go to http://behindthegrooves.tumblr.com.
Born on this day: May 13, 1950 - Singer,songwriter, producer, and musician Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, MI). Happy 63rd Birthday, Stevie! We love you!
On this day in music history: May 13, 1977 - “I Remember Yesterday,” the fifth studio album by Donna Summer is released. Produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Belotte, it is recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany in early 1977. It is a concept album comprised of popular music throughout the decades (from the 1940s to the 1970s) with Moroder and Belotte’s electronic dance rhythms intermingling with music from the past, present, and future. The initial single from the album is the ballad “Can’t We Just Sit Down (And Talk It Over?),” but club DJ’s will discover the track “I Feel Love” on the B-side. The last track on the LP, “I Feel Love” conceptually represents the “future” of music. The groundbreaking song will quickly become a smash in discos around the world, crossing over to radio and hitting #1 in the UK, #6 on the Hot 100 and spend three weeks at #1 the Billboard Club Play chart. “I Remember Yesterday” will peak at #18 on the Billboard Top 200, #11 on the R&B album chart, #3 on the UK album chart, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
