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In case you have been sleeping under a rock, Rockit Room has transformed into Neck of the Woods! This epic transformation kick-started with an all-star event featuring six DJs and a great line up of bands including: New Diplomat, Mister Loveless, The Hundred Days, Doe Eye, Seeking Empire, and more.
Both floors were packed full of locals who came to support one of the Richmond district’s most popular venues. Stop and check out Neck of the Woods!
By Jessica Graham
Photo credits: Bryan Glosemeyer/BSG Photo, Ian C Heslop; Deirdre Powell; Sandra Cuddihy; James Patrick Dawson
Imagine yourself in a room where belly dancers are moving slowly to the music; your eyes follow the movement of their hips like you’re in a trance. Painters are splashing their canvases with every color of the sunset, while music blares in the background. In the midst of all the chaos, comedians, martial and circus artists perform their hearts out for an audience decked in a multitude of costumes. It’s like you are in a dream.
Wake up, because it’s real. Tomorrow night in San Francisco’s Richmond district, Halloween Cabaret will be taking over the stages at Rockit Room from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Gathering together in costumes to see visually stunning acts maybe be reason enough for you to come out. If it isn’t, know that this event is supporting a very special organization called VAGABOOM!
There is an incredible raffle drawing taking place too. The main prize is a trip for two, worth $2,000, to Mexico. The profits are used to help run after school children’s programs all over the Bay Area.
“We work in areas that are really in need of arts programs like battered women’s shelters and community centers down on Sixth Street. The kids have nowhere to go,” said Dee Kennedy, who founded VAGABOOM! in 2007. “They have a lot of fun. There are lots of smiles at the classes.”
Boys and Girl's Club Treasure Island 2008 (http://vagaboom.jalbum.net/Boys%20and%20Girl%27s%20Club%20Treasure%20Island%202008/slides/DSC_5579.html)
The organization started with Kennedy who ran a theatre troupe, and 2 circus teachers, Marina Kardjieva and Martina Oscarsson. The festivals were fun, but the two wanted to do even more for the community. They decided to start after school programs that are free to the public and help enrich the community. The programs teach children circus arts, ceramics, Capoeira, Filipino martial arts, miming theater and dancing. The programs are run on grants and grass roots donations.
Kennedy, who has dedicated most of her life to the arts, will debut her new music video at the event. Her musical group is called Deeva. She describes the style as “pop rock with an electronica feel” and her website, heavily decorated with the flower of life, hosts several ethereal-feeling music videos. She has been signing for over 10 years professionally, and three with Deeva. Saturday, Kennedy will combine her love for the arts with her desire to enrich the lives of Bay Area children.
“I have always been involved in music and theater. I kind of have to do it,” said Kennedy. “It’s a self-expression for me. I get so much enjoyment out of sharing my art with other people. I love the community of it, meeting new artists. It is a way for me to keep social activism and my artist taste-buds excited and integrated all at once. It is a spiritual experience for me.”
The event will take place at the Rockit Room, between Fifth and Sixth streets on Clement Street, October 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. There are more prizes than just the free tickets to Mexico. A full list of prizes can be found at www.rock-it-room.com.
One person can only take so many pictures. That’s why this month we’ve decided to showcase some of our favorite Instagram photos taken by Rockit Room patrons! Want to be included? Tag your photos with #rockitroom and we will post the best of the best every month!
Did you miss Outsidelands this year? No worries, we captured some of our favorite moments for you.
By Natalia Vasquez
If you’re feeling a bit rusty on your Hawaiian language, hana hou means one more time or encore. Thats exactly what the crowd shouted Saturday night after Island Sol electrified the top floor here at Rockit Room. Island Sol brought out Nesian 9, So Timeless, and Zhen with special guest DJ Eni uniting the Pacific Islanders proud of their Bay Area home.
The crowd swayed to honey sweet voices from muscular men singing sentiments of love and positivity. Island Sol promises to bring much more than music, a lifestyle. The lifestyle of the islands infused with the Bay Area swag. Drinks flowed and smiles lit up the stage as each band brought forth a new take on the undefinable music genre.
Artists are known for not only making luscious ladies’ hearts melt, but making a difference in their community. So Timeless boasts performing at events geared toward youth. They aim to provide positive environments where children wont turn to drugs or alcohol and instead turn to the music. They have also done work with St. Jude’s Hospital and Healing Circle to raise funds for causes like breast cancer research and battered women’s counseling. Check out their single!
Their lyrical stylings speak for themselves as the crew covered tracks from reggae to soul to R&B. Each track further showcased their perspective on uniting under the Island Sol production.
Sporting the local love, Island Sol brought out voices and also Defend Da Bay style in SF Giants typical black and orange. The brand sponsored the event as crew members were identifies by their Defend Da Bay shirts in hoodies in every color way.
Island Sol will be throwing more events in San Francisco, look out for the mass following or simply be lured in by the siren-like voices of the men who performed here at Rockit Room.
Pepper (left) and Si (right) getting a bit of fresh air after their performance.
Produced by Jessica Graham
After playing an music for only two days, Pepper (Bay Beta) took the mic at Rockit Room and left the room in awe. First she wowed the crowed with her bass ukulele that she purchased that day while shopping on Haight Street. Her sultry, unique sound left a thickness in the air you could cut with a knife. These girls rock!
Hello rockers and rollers.
Every month, the Rockit Room bloggers will try to feature one open mic performer on the site. If you are interested, email us at: rockitopenmic@gmail.com.
This week, we are featuring Vivek and Adam–two San Francisco State students who were performing their own music for this first time. Check it out ; )
By Gil Riego Jr. 
Leap year comes only once in every four years, but every semester, the Xpress magazine staff likes to have an event of some sort to fundraise for the publications that they put out through the semester.
The fundraiser this semester occupied the Rockit Room in the Richmond District of San Francisco.
The San Francisco State University publication provided food, music and other entertainment, such as bubbles (which one of the most awesome things to play with after a few drinks) throughout the night.
While the crowd was not as large to fill up the entire upper floor of the venue, the quality of people really knew how to enjoy the moments, from having fun with old friends, sharing drinks and even busting a few moves on the dance floor, the environment was had a magic in the air that entertained everyone there.
The following photos are just a sample of what I captured while playing around.
To see more of Gil’s photos of Xpress Magazine, visit his blog: something.like.a.photographer
Public Works, located in the heart of the Mission District, was packed with attendees.
A few weeks ago, the Rockit Room crew invaded the fifth annual Artopia Masterminds art gallery display at Public Works. The event was orchestrated by SF Weekly, a San Francisco-based arts and entertainment magazine. The night started out slow, but as the masses made their way in, the slightly empty room started to feel more energetic.
One model gets painted near the entrance of Public Works.
Beautiful, minimally clothed women stood patiently near the entrance as artists painted their bodies. One model, who stared into the distance in extreme focus, was painted with the Blue Moon logo, while others sported body art for different sponsors.
Our first stop was the tequila bar. A wonderfully cheery man offered us a taste of several tequilas he was promoting. A bourbon station could be found directly to the right. After a few tastes, we decided to make our way upstairs and check out the art.
The art was amazing. Several different artists were featured and guests holding their cocktails crowded around to catch a glimpse. One of the most interesting collections used matted flowers as the negative space.
After a final glass of wine, we made our way past the DJ and dove back in the chilly San Francisco night.
