But now thanks to the efforts of such folks as Charles Angeles (aka Inbituin  of Spintronix & Thud Rumble) along with the support of the DMC USA's tireless CEO, DJ battle coordinator, and all round hip-hop culture ambassador Christie Z-Pabon tomorrow, Saturday April 7th at 4pm at 330 Ritch in San Francisco, the 2012 Bay Area DMC regional battle will be going down!

And it should be a good one since there are twenty DJ contestants ready to battle it out on the turntables. The event will be hosted by Fran Boogie and the judges will include DJ Quest, DJ Apollo, DJ Cue, Jazzy Jim, DJ Shortkut, and myself. There will also be some excellent DJ showcases, following the DJ battle portion of this all-ages event that ends at 10pm sharp, from 4oneFunk's Mista B (2008 DMC West Coast Champ and regular DMC showcase artist), Snayk Eyez (2000/2001 DMC US Supremacy Champ), La Femme Deadly Venoms (Deeandroid & Cellskiii, plus Lady Fingaz), and the aforementioned hard-working iNBiTuiN (Spintronix / Thud Rumble).  Later on there will be after party DJ sets from Goldenchyld of The Bangerz (2011 SF Red Bull Thre3style Champ), Cutso (The Bangerz - formerly Finger Bangerz), and The C.M.E. (Good Musik))

Head down to San Francisco's The Cafe this Friday, March 30th at 9pm for a Madonna party to remember! It's the official MDNA release party and Amoeba Music will be there with plenty of copies for sale!

The festivities include:
- Madonna concert ticket giveaways!
- MDNA Photobooths!
- Limited edition mylar posers!
(with purchase of the MDNA CD onsite)
*limited space and quantities available*

Plus, resident DJ MATT will be spinning many unreleased remixes from current and upcoming singles, including remixes from Tracy Young and Offer Nissim!

This is part three in the ongoing guest Amoeblog series with Dave Paul called How I Got Here that has already featured an interview with Robbie Kowal of SunsetSF promotions company and Dave Paul himself. The series profiles various folks in the entertainment industry from doormen, DJ’s and promoters to venue owners etc. This third interview is with Michael Krouse who runs the Madrone Art Bar on Divisidaro Ave in San Francisco - a place described by the SF Chronicle as looking like "it were interior-decorated by Jeff Koons and Banksy."  Paul knows him because he's been throwing his successful dance parties at Madrone for years and hence knew all the right questions to ask his subject. Additionally Krouse, who is a really interesting guy with a great history from growing up in Sin City in the 70's and 80's to becoming an artist to someone who totally emerged himself in SF night culture to get a feel for what makes the city by the Bay so unique, offers up some great insights into his life's journey thus far. A really good read!

What a perfect love connection! The Creators Project comes to San Francisco—the world’s epicenter of technology and innovation— for a colossal two-day art and technology festival featuring towering multimedia art installations, live music performances, film screenings, and panel discussions. They will be kicking off the 2012 event series with a heck of a weekend celebration on Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th at the historic Fort Mason. And it's FREE with RSVP!!

Now get a load of the line-up for this weekend of fun:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs bring the post-punk rock from beloved creators Nick Zinner and Karen O, fresh off their recent psycho-opera collaboration, Stop the Virgens. 

Squarepusher debuts his new live show, marking one of his first US performances in more than seven years.

HEALTH, The Antlers, Zola Jesus, Shabazz Palaces, The Hundred in the Hands, and Teen Daze will also perform, plus an audiovisual spectacle from Chinese punk rock band New Pants alongside visuals from Feng Mengbo’s Bruce Lee VJ Project.