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!

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 ; )

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.

Last Wednesday, Rockit Room teamed up with Mr. Pizza Guy to bring live music and pizza to protesters participating in an occupy demonstration in the Justin Herman Plaza. Rockit Room donated a portable amp, allowing several local musicians to perform during the occupy event. Check out our photos below!

According to Russiandogs.net, “While the world is back at work since early January, Russian New Year holidays are still under way until the Russian Old New Year, celebrated in the night from January 13th to January 14^th. Though Soviet Russia has officially followed the Gregorian calendar as far back as 1918, the Russian Orthodox Church continues using the Julian calendar, which lags 13 days behind. Since Soviet Union times, when celebrating Christmas was discouraged, the New Year became a holiday most loved by the people and is always celebrated twice.

Unlike New Year and Orthodox Christmas, Old New Year is not an official holiday though it influences the whole schedule of Russian celebrations. For Russians, who do not usually celebrate western Christmas, the New Year (January 1st) is a festive day like Christmas in the western world. The president of Russia, widely broadcasted by national TV and radio, usually counts down the final seconds of the outgoing “Old Year”, and then a giant Kremlin tower clock chimes in the New Year. A New Year’s Tree (Christmas tree), called Novogodnaya Yolka, is present in each home, usually topped with a shining star and decorated with candies. Besides vodka and Russian salad, traditional foods include Champagne and Mandarin oranges.”

Come experience a piece of Russian at Rockit Room, 8 p.m. this Friday. Dance the night away with “Siberian Surf Rock” group, the Red Elvises. The Red Elvises (also known as “Igor and Red Elvises”, after founding member and bandleader Igor Yuzov) are a Russian-American band that performs rock & roll, surf, rockabilly, reggae, lounge and traditional Russian styles of music. They were founded inCalifornia in the mid-1990s and are based in Venice Beach.

Grab a drink, make new friends and take advantage of another opportunity to ring in the new year in this small, but beautiful city we call home.

Kymberlee Smith performing at the 2010 Toys for Tots benefit.

Have you ever wished to be Santa Claus? This holiday season, join in on the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tot’s foundation, by providing Christmas gifts to needy children.

Behind the scenes of the richest country in the world, poverty is a rapidly growing issue in the United States. With a 9.6% unemployment rate, and 43 million Americans living below the poverty line, many families struggle throughout the year to make ends meet. By the time the holiday season approaches, economically challenged families have very little money left over to celebrate. Imagine believing in the hope Santa Claus, and waking up Christmas morning to nothing under your tree, or no tree at all. Imagine being a parent and having to explain to your child that “Santa couldn’t make it this year.”

You may be asking yourself, how can one toy donation make a difference? Well this is the exactly what I was wondering two holiday seasons ago. Last year, Jess, along with help from the wonderful musicians that work with Loungefly Presents have came up with the idea to have a Benefit Cocktail party at The Rockit Room, where all proceeds were donated to the Toys for Tot’s foundation, whether it was a direct donation or toys themselves. It was a great success.

Whether you believe in Christmas or not, helping out the less fortunate is a great way to celebrate giving, and what could be better than a cocktail party? Nothing!

It’s that time of year again! THE 2ND ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS BENEFIT COCKTAIL PARTY at Rockit Room is here! Last year we raised over $500 worth of toys for the cause and this year our goal is to at least double that. For those of you who were there last year, you know the deal. For first timers, this is a benefit cocktail party where ALL PROCEEDS will go towards providing Christmas presents for underprivileged children. ENTRY IS AN UNWRAPPED TOY OR $10 DONATION. SPREAD THE WORD AND INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS (+21).

Pine tree lots, twinkling lights and the Jack Frost winds nipping at your toes mark the official yule tide season here in San Francisco. While Union Square is filled with the out of town shoppers looking for the mass produced gift, the locals will be taking to the towns most eclectic district. Clement is filled with off the grid shops unlike anywhere else in the city, and Microhood is a celebration of the small business.

“I read a study that explained for every dollar spent in a locally owned business, 60 cents is put back into the surrounding community” organizer Rodney Parker explains from his job at Seedstore. He and other coworkers not only work, but live in the area.

Seedstore and Park Life teamed up with other shops along the street to hand out freebies, coupons, and encourage the people in the neighborhood to shop locally. The Bold Italic heard of the plans to rep the neighborhood and helped to sponsor the event as part of their series of Microhood street parties.

The shops provide variety for all ages, from drink specials here at Rockit Room to free ice cream for the little ones. Many of the shops will offer discounts or specials to celebrate the gem that is Clement Street.

So step away from the online Amazon deals and support the artisans that make up the communities we love.

Rodney enthusiastically chimes, “Clement is on the grow and Microhood is a chance to get a sense of the district and what makes our community so special.”