09 August 2023

BISS List 8.9.23: Spotlight on Mare Island Dock of the Bay Fest (9.9 & 9.10) + Best of BISS this Week

What’s Kicking BISS Listers?

This past weekend was a busy one friends and there are no signs to show we are going to slow down anytime soon!

#LastWeek, on Friday, Sgt. Splendor featuring Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden played two sets at the Golden Gate Bandshell. After the show, we walked over to The Little Shamrock for a drink. Next thing you know, a group of us were making plans to go see the Barbie Movie. What? Anyway, here is a little sample from the Sgt Splendor show.

#LastSaturday, we went to see Tom Constanten & Friends featuring Mark Karan, Wally Ingram, Scott Guberman & Burt Lewis at Savoy Tivoli. Thank you to Greg, Tony and Go Big For Hunger! It was like old home week for the old school Bo Blues Traveler Family with the likes of Rich Vink, Greg Martens, & Wally Ingram in the room! Out of the blue, our friend Pie, who used to sit-in to play electric violin with BT, happened by. It was like a 20+ year reunion for all these people to be in the same room. Not to mention being in the room with a Grateful Dead Legend like Tom Constanten! Wanna see some clips from the show? There are two more public shows that you can catch with TC & Friends here in the Bay Area: 1) Tonight – for Days Between Dead Night – Scott Guberman & Tom Constanten @ Ashkenaz; and 2) Tomorrow – for Tom Constanten + Hot Mountain Dips @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall.

#LastSunday, we had planned to be super early to enjoy the Bruns Amphitheater for ALO but there was an accident on the Bay Bridge that delayed us by an hour. Thankfully, we still made it in time to catch Jay Lane & The Mayhem. Here’s a little taste for you. Then, ALO played two fabulous sets. I only captured a little of the first set of ALO because I had to get some dancing time just in case we got the call for one more show on Sunday night. Then we raced back to the city just in time to make it to our seats at SF Jazz for the last night of Taj Mahal’s Tribute to the Savoy Ballroom! I told you a bit about this one last week but #ICYMI, this series was featuring his singular interpretations of Great American Songbook classics. The project has special meaning for Taj, his parents met at the Savoy during an Ella Fitzgerald concert and the music of that era was the soundtrack of his early life. The show was complete with an orchestra and he was accompanied by the vocal stylings of Maria Muldar. I did my best to capture a bit for you.

#ThisThursday, Afrolicious at Rickshaw Stop is the only place you should be. We have all danced our butts off to Afrolicious for years upon years. And almost always with Mr. Diamond Vibes on the mic. Our dear friend Diamond Vibes is in need of our support! He has been on dialysis and recently suffered a stroke, which has left him with a mountain of medical bills at a time when he is unable to work. This Thursday, August 10th, the extended Afrolicious Family is gathering to raise money for him. The man himself will be in attendance, and I know he would love to see your face and feel your love in person. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly to him and his medical bills. There will also be ways to donate on-site if you feel inspired. It’s going to be a family affair featuring so much of the extended Afrolicious Family! (*WIN*)

#ThisFriday, Outside Lands kicks off in Golden Gate Park for the weekend. Anyone else thinking about dropping in over there for a set or two over the weekend?

#ThisSaturday, Happy Birthday Sean S! You better have a HUGE safety pin on you when we see you! 😉⚜️ And #SaturdayNight, I could not be more excited to see Eddie Robert’s new band, The Lucky Strokes. Especially after hearing the latest single from Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes! I asked Eddie how he feels about returning to the Bay Area with this new band and he told me, “This is somewhat of a musical departure for me, even though it still has plenty of groove, it’s definitely the most rock n roll I’ve ever performed! The players are phenomenal, young and hungry and their first time in CA. I’m excited to share my love for the Bay Area with them, and I’m expecting you all to show them a big welcome!” I hope you will all join me this Saturday to do just that! I mean, I am even crossing the bridge for this one! Be sure to check out this week’s #ListenToThis with “Sweet Dreams” from Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes.

#NextWeek, I will kick off my birthday week on Friday the 18th with a fun Blue Bear Community Event. They are taking over the top floor of the Salesforce Tower. The night will feature delicious food and drinks, live music, killer views, special guests and a lot of fun surprises. **Ticket sales for this BB event will end on 8.14 – so get them in advance! On Saturday 8.19, I am thinking about seeing My Morning Jacket at The Greek. Then on Sunday 8.20, we head to Stern Grove early to secure a large spot for a big group to celebrate my birthday with me for The Flaming Lips! #savespaceforme. Then since my birthday falls on a Wednesday, I get to claim the weekend after as my birthday with Widespread Panic in Napa.

But wait, there’s more! As always, check out the Best of BISS section and Win Tickets page. And don’t forget there is always more on the Full Calendar.

#seeyouattheshows,
~ Pamela aka Miss BISS

SPOTLIGHT ON FUNK & SOUL ON THE BAY

Mare Island Dock of Bay Music Festival

September 9th & 10th @ Mare Island

Mare Island Dock of the Bay Fest is back with Old School Funk and Spectacular Soul. Explore the waterfront, promenade, and historic coal sheds. Amazing views of the Vallejo Marina and the Napa River provide a spectacular backdrop while listening to headline bands on the main stage and acoustic music in the Chef de Cuisine Food Court, where you can enjoy chef inspired food, specialty cocktails, micro brews, domestic beer, and premium wine choices. And it couldn’t be easier to get there with high-speed ferry service from SF Bay Ferry, or take advantage of free parking included with ticket purchase.

Lineup for Old School Funk Fest (9.9) includes Morris Day and the Time, Con Funk Shun, Average White Band, Cold Blood, Jaz Synergy, LJ Bryant, and Seastrunk Brothers, Jinx Jones. And lineup for Spectacular Soul (9.10) includes The California Honeydrops, Fantastic Negrito, Monophonics, The Altons, Destani, Bustamante & Santos, MeloDious, and Andy Santana.

***Check out all of our Featured Shows.

LISTEN TO THIS

Listen to “Sweet Dreams”, the second single from New Mastersounds, frontman Eddie Roberts with his band The Lucky Strokes. This newly formed band features Mississippi-based vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Shelby Kemp, and Florida-based sisters Ashely Galbraith on bass and Taylor Galbraith on drums.

“Sweet Dreams” started out as a funky blues guitar riff Eddie sent Shelby, who penned lyrics over his morning coffee experimenting with various melodies for the hook. He eventually landed on a soaring three-part harmony part after recalling learning how to sing those kinds of harmonies with his mother while sitting in the car with her as a kid. Shelby explains, “The song is transparently about someone who is preying upon your mind for a while and the need to lay eyes or hands on them to ease your mind, but the character in the song seems to be a bit difficult to nail down. Maybe they are a traveler of sorts or just unreliable, or maybe the protagonist is in denial about the reality of the relationship.”

You can catch The Lucky Strokes this Saturday (8.12) at Sweetwater Music Hall. See you there!