When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
There are a number of reasons why you should see a show at The Regency Ballroom — its ornate, turn-of-the-century architecture and eclectic lineup of performers, to name a few — but no reason is more compelling than the venue's ample seating.
For more than a decade, The Mekanix, consisting of producers Kenny Tweed "Tha Great" and 4 rAx, have been making iconic tracks that have redefined the Bay Area's sound. In their latest album, Under The Hood, the Oakland-based duo crafted new-age hyphy beats, replete with thumping bass lines and quacky 808's, and gathered a collection of the Bay Area's finest emcees to rap over them (including E-40, Too $hort, J Stalin, Iamsu!, Mozzy, and Philthy Rich, to name a few).
Today, the duo are premiering the music video for their Hussalah, Keak Da Sneak, and Turf Talk featured single, "Crusin' and Mobbin,'" a dark, snap- and clap-heavy banger that you can't help but bob your head to. The Mekanix say the song came about when Husallah of the Mob Figgaz came by the studio and laid down a verse and the hook for the song. "Based on the hook, we knew we had to put some high-speed specialist on the song with him," they say, "and nobody talks that talk better than Keak Da Sneak and Turf Talk."
In the grayscale video, viewers follow the delivery of a package across The Town (a.k.a. Oakland), which The Mekanix say they tried to film differently than "the cliche hand-to-hand drug transaction." If you live in East Oakland, you'll recognize a lot of the sites — International Boulevard, the Laurel district, San Leandro Avenue — and it's clear that the artists in the video had a fun time shooting it.
But perhaps the best part of it is the end when Hussalah, J. Stalin, and a random, very enthusiastic fan start dancing on a freeway overpass. Their moves, especially the random fan's, are hilarious and proof that you can't help but dance when you hear a Mekanix-produced slap.
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
