Yesterday evening (Friday August 3rd) I attended both the Amoeba Music, San Francisco instore with super skilled turntablists DJs Platurn and Golden Chyld (pictured left) and also the San Francisco Bay Guardian's 'Best of the Bay" soiree at the de Young Museum, in nearby Golden Gate Park.

I hadn't been at the de Young Museum since it moved locations to its impressive new state-of-the-art facility in October 2005.  Come think of it, I hadn't been in Golden Gate Park, for about as long. And after seeing on local TV news and reading all the recent newspaper reports  about the "homeless problem" in the park, which made it sound like there were homeless people camped out under every bush in the park's confines with dirty syringes poking out of everywhere,  I was anticipating stumbling upon a sort of New Jack  (tent) City  which I didn't.  Instead I only witnessed a small gathering of poor unfortunate homeless down by the Stanyan end of the park (not far from Amoeba).   


But anyway, regarding the homeless situation in SF - I really see both sides.  I feel bad for residents (especially  those with little kids) who have to endure such things as street people pissing in their doorsteps or leaving dirty needles in their front yards or near playgrounds in the park.  But I also feel bad for individuals who have substance abuse problems or who are mentally ill and who have no option but living on the streets (dating back to Reagan as Governor of Cali).  And never do I forget the fact that most of us are just one paycheck away from joining them.

This weekend, on Saturday (July 28th),  from 10AM til 1PM, is your chance to be a star when the world-famous Apollo Theater of Harlem, NY will make its once a year visit to California in search of "amateur" talent for upcoming Showtime At The Apollo shows back in New York City at the historic 125th Street venue.  This year the producers of the show will only visit five American cities outside of New York in search of talent so this is a great opportunity to try out if you are an aspiring entertainer: be it singer, rapper, spoken-word artist, comedian, dancer, musician (any instrument), etc.  And on Saturday their only West Coast tryouts will be held at the Oakland Convention Center located 1001 Broadway in downtown Oakland.  

Note if you plan on attending the tryouts (for which there is no charge and is based on a first come, first served basis) I suggest you get in line earlier than the scheduled 10AM door opening time. The first 300 in line will be admitted to audition. But even though the cut off time is 1PM the actual tryouts inside the auditorium will last long past that - until 6PM or possibly even later - so pack a sandwich and bring lots of water, and sunscreen (you might be in line outside for hours). And another tip is to get lots of rest the night before so you are at your best.

 A couple of months ago I attended one of the two-a-year tryout sessions held in New York and wrote about it for the New York Press and what amazed me most was the level of quality talent who showed up to audition.  I enjoyed the tryouts even more than the actual Amateur Night at the Apollo (held every Wednesday for the past 73 years) and am looking forward to attending the Oakland session for which I am scheduled to write a report for the San Francisco Bay Guardian.