Be merry this holiday season and join SJ FAM and Satori Tea Company for a delightful afternoon filled with fashion, art, music, charity and culture. Relax over a cup of tea and live music or peruse through a mini Moroccan bazaar where guests may participate in henna tattoo art, A Beauty Bar and some shopping!

This event will benefit CAREER CLOSET, an organization dedicated to empowering women to re-enter the… workplace equipped with everything they need to make a great first impression, land the job they want, and improve their lives. We encourage guests to dig into their closets and donate any unused work clothing, which can be used for another woman’s brighter future. Women’s professional clothing that is new or nearly new, clean, and on hangers, gently worn shoes and handbags are acceptable. Receive an additional raffle ticket for every garment you bring in!

So put on your Sunday’s best ensemble and join us for a lovely afternoon of good friends, good tea and a good cause!

$20 admission includes tea tasting, tea bites, henna art, beauty bar and live music by DJ Cutso.

Satori Tea Company
37 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110
*Complimentary parking available in San Pedro garage until 6pm.*

Reservations required. Please call (408) 493-0554 or email rsvp@sjfam.com

Visit our Merry Moroccan Holiday Facebook event page here
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Vendors:
A Beauty Bar
Ayoma LifeSpa
Henna World
Ruthie Gems

Syncopated beats, samples and sounds from outer space—the Bangerz produce music that resonate with every ear they infiltrate.

These six guys from East Side San Jose were just a crew that started DJing during lunch at Silver Creek High School. They began playing the club scene, winning battles and major turntable competitions, and released their debut album in 2003. That album, a collection of experimental electronic music made its way into the hands of the Jabbawockeez, a dance crew that has their own show in Vegas—MUS.I.C. [muse-eye-see]—now in its third run.

And now, these six East Side boys are back, this time dropping their first single off the Jabbawockeez album—“The Robot Remains”—on iTunes today.

“The single is the flag over the new movement with the Jabbawockeez,” says DJ Cutso. “It’s the Jabbawockeez produced by the Bangerz. It sounds like death.”

The new song to the much anticipated follow-up to the 2003 VI.R.US album is described by Cutso as a strong song—heavy but not without pop sensibility. It’s catchy and unconventional, with minimal vocals.

“We all do our side projects and as a crew; we were silent for some time,” says DJ G-Wrex. “This is us saying to our fans out there, ‘We’re still here.’ Hopefully, people will feel that shit.”

It’s been a long, colorful road for the Bangerz. For those that have been following them since their beginnings 12 years ago, the group will always be the Fingerbangerz Crew, but regardless of name changes, things are just getting better.

“Hopefully, this will be a seed planter,” says DJ Squareweezy. “This is what Voltron can do.”

The group considers itself lucky to have met the guys from the Jabbawockeez when they did. Both groups were starting out and when the Jabbawockeez dance crew heard a few choice tracks off of VI.R.US, the future was laid out.

“It was a shot in the dark,” Cutso says of the debut album. “It was a complete turn-tablist album. No one was on that at the time. We really weren’t sure if people would get it but the Jabbawockeez got it and provided a visual.”

The dance sensation on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” kept audience glued to the screen and the Bangerz provided the soundtrack.

“They were huge,” Cutso says of the Jabbawockeez. “It’s been a fun experience and we had no idea where this alliance would take us.”

The Bangerz provided exclusive beats for the dance crew, and the two became one.

“The Jabbawockeez gave us a mainstream audience,” Custo says.

Not that the Bangerz didn’t already have a cult following. Each of the six members has put out solo albums, remixes and have toured all around the country—some around the globe.

But the moment when the guys realized people were paying attention was at a gig in Fremont.

“Hundreds of people were there,” Cutso says. “It was a showcase for church talent. Some of us used to be part of youth groups. There were six turntables and the screams from the crowd were deafening. It was definitely a landmark gig.”

The idea of six talented turn-tablists working together may be hard to understand—with side projects and adequate space always being an issue—but the guys are down to earth, most still living in San Jose and working in the Bay Area.

“Before being a DJ production crew, we are a family,” says DJ Nick Ngo. “We’ve been with each other for 12 years. We might like different things but it’s six of us coming up with a style. All of us know what good music sounds like. This album is made up of just that—various sounds.”

The process goes something like this—someone starts with a beat. This sets the tone for the finished product. It gets mixed up, put on a disc and then sent along to the next guy and so on.

“At the end of the day, this is our passion,” says DJ Replay. “It’s what means the most to us.”

And the guys want to be very clear about one thing.

“Our sound is a product of our environment,” Custo says.

“We were never held back because of our location,” Squareweezy says. “You make a lot of noise, it doesn’t matter where you’re at. People will pay attention.”

San Jose doesn’t always come up at the top of the conversation when it comes to hotbeds for music and art and culture, but the guys assure us that it’s here. It always has been.

“A lot of outsiders don’t think of San Jose as a music center, but the Bay Area is the epicenter,” says DJ Goldenchyld. “And if anyone wants to battle, step up.”

For more information, visit www.thebangerz.com or look them up on Facebook under the Fingerbangerz Crew.

Story by m. flores

Take their debut album, Thickets and Stitches, and you can go from funk to lazy folk all within a couple of tracks. Singer and guitarist Will Sprott’s voice floats above the music, his drawl hanging from word to word. If you haven’t already heard their music, it’s a must. The group’s second album, Don’t Throw Me Away offers even more variety with horns and harmonicas echoing through tracks, equal parts blues, folk and 1950s pop sounds. The group plays tonight, its first show at San Francisco’s Fillmore, opening up for Morcheeba.

You cannot talk with artists or musicians alike in San Jose and not mention the Mumlers. In fact, they usually make the mention first and share stories about high school, or parties or strange encounters. The Mumlers grew up in San Jose and chose to stay in their hometown, even after being signed to Galaxia Records. Fresh off a six-week tour and a collaboration effort with San Jose’s Left Coast Live, Will Sprott shares some interesting happenings (and people) from their journey to date.

SJ FAM: Of all the locations you were able to play at, what stands out most?

Will: My favorite venue was in Birmingham, Alabama—the Bottle Tree. When you’re on tour, you’re hungry and don’t get to take showers as often as you want to. Here, they had a huge box of socks waiting for us. You don’t understand, socks are like gold. It was the greatest thing, free socks, a great meal and silver airstreams out back so that you don’t have to stay in a hotel.

SJFAM: What has been your strangest show?

Will: One time, we got asked to play a boat festival in San Francisco. It was yacht day or something. Anyway, they offered us a lot of money and it was only four days in advanced and they needed a musical act. We’re not sure how they found us but we said sure. They told us they were expecting half a million people at the festival and we get there and it’s set up for a huge crowd, huge metal barriers to create a buffer 15 feet between the stage and it’s on the pier. There’s a really elaborate sound system and it was just a monster stage. We’re used to playing stages that are cramped but here we were all spread out. We played for two hours for a crowd of about three people. We had a lot of fun playing for nobody. It was really bizarre.

SJ FAM: Your artwork, both on fliers and on your album covers are distinct. Who does the work?

Will: The majority of show fliers I do myself but we do have a few people that send us artwork. If anyone asked me, I say sure. I love to draw. That was my sort of passion growing up. I don’t mind drawing flyers but I don’t have much time to do it. There’s a girl, Maxine from San Jose, that has done a few. That’s been really neat. The cover for our last album was done by Mitsy Avila Ovalles. She’s from San Jose and is friends with a couple of our band members. I’m a big admirer of her artwork. She’s my favorite artist from San Jose. The first album cover was done by Lori Damiano. I really liked her drawing. She’s an animator, not out of San Jose.

SJFAM: Who would be your “dream” show with?

Will: If we could play with someone like Otis Redding, the best performer of all time. It would have been really amazing to share a stage with him. At Left Coast Live last year, we got to play with Booker T and that was amazing too. Definitely Buddy Holly, Cam Calloway, Howlin’ Wolf, and Beatles.

SJFAM: What’s the one thing you always make sure to pack?

Will: My guitar.

The Mumlers open for Morcheeba at the Fillmore tonight, 8 p.m.

Story By m. flores, Photos courtesy Josh Marcotte of Lost San Jose

San Jose Fashion, Art, and Music (SJ FAM) will be hosting the second annual Art & Sole, a charity shoe auction and concert. Art & Sole will take place at the Courtyard, located at the beautiful Hotel Valencia on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 6-8pm.

The premise is to showcase the talent and creativity of local artists using shoes as their canvas. SJ FAM inspires to create two visions from Art & Sole; to establish a network of fundraising events for charities, and to bring awareness to local artists. The affluent young and hip audience SJ FAM hopes to attract will also realize, through Art & Sole, that the city renowned for being the capital of Silicon Valley is also a growing haven for art and culture.

Art & Sole has selected San Jose Downtown Association’s (SJDA) Downtown Doors as this year’s beneficiary. Downtown Doors is a youth art competition and exhibit that brings together talented high school artists and property owners, resulting in public art displays that enhance downtown San Jose’s urban landscape. Art & Sole will also broker direct donations to SJDA’s Downtown Doors for those individuals that cannot make the event. Admission to Art & Sole grants access to an array of entertainment, including a silent shoe auction, live art by featured local artists, live performance by local singer Amy Serrata, music by DJ Sig-O, and give a-ways. In addition, raffle tickets will be given to each person that makes a donation. Proceeds for charity will come from the silent auction, donations, and the $10 admission charge.

Featured artists for this year’s Art & Sole are:

Orly Locquiao

Colin Baker

Erikka Hugger

Mike Aveno

Jorynn Villar

We invite all to join us on this special night of art and music. This is a great way to support your local artists and enjoy a beautiful evening, while giving back to a worthwhile cause. To learn more about Art & Sole or for media and sponsorship opportunities contact SJ FAM at (408) 493-0554 or info@sjfam.com.

RSVP here on Art & Sole’s Facebook Event Page.

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About San Jose Downtown Association’s Downtown Doors

Downtown Doors is a youth art competition and exhibit that brings together talented high school artists and property owners, resulting in public art displays that enhance downtown San Jose’s urban landscape. There are 37 doors that display students’ artwork. Each year funding for more and more high school art programs diminish leaving a crucial gap in student education. Supplemental programs, such as Downtown Doors, assist art teachers in narrowing this gap and help encourage youth to get involved in art programs, which in turn provides youth with a constructive, positive outlet and improves self-esteem. Downtown Doors, helps students improve their budding artistic skills while positively impacting and enhancing the aesthetics of downtown San Jose.

About San Jose Fashion, Art, and Music

San Jose Fashion, Art, and Music (SJ FAM) is an upcoming organization embracing the growing fashion, music, and art community in the city renowned for being the capital of Silicon Valley.

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Thank you to all our amazing sponsors!

Calling all Fashion Designers, Artists, and Musicians…Are you interested in being a part of this year’s SubZERO Festival?

Kick off summer with SubZERO, a diy, artistically bent, hi/lo-techno mashup where street meets geek.

SJ FAM is doing a vendor recruit for San Jose’s SubZERO Festival that will take place on June 4th. The recruitment starts NOW!

In order to be considered one of SJ FAM’s referred vendors for the SubZERO Festival, please email the following items to events@sjfam.com:
Letter of intent (Why do you want to be a part of SubZERO?)
Electronic portfolio
Submission deadline is Saturday, May 1st.

So let’s kick off the summer right and get our local San Jose Fashion, Art, and Music community recognized!

To learn more about the SubZERO festival, please visit: www.subzerofestival.com

]]> http://www.sjfam.com/2010/04/19/subzero-festival-returns-june-4-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.sjfam.com/2010/01/20/fame-fashion-art-music-exhibition/ http://www.sjfam.com/2010/01/20/fame-fashion-art-music-exhibition/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:14:21 +0000 Ria http://www.sjfam.com/?p=511 ADMISSION
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Lupus Foundation of Northern California

ARTISTS
AG Originals
ARMOgedon 2057
Carly Ivan Garcia
Nick Giannini
Same10
WaDl

STORES
Azuki Boutique
Medium Rare/Oh Dang! Magazine

EXHIBITORS
Adapt
Buddha Apparel
Casanova Fresh
Clout
Cukui
Drastik Tactiks
Fully Laced
Goodjoe
Halloway
IMPRM
Jordan Louie
RADisRAD
Shalom CPP
Shorty Fatz
Sick Star Clothing
Suhreal
The Imaginary Zebra
Unbound Vision

ENTERTAINMENT
DJ Quantum
DJ Traps

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
The Bangerz

RUNWAY
presented by John Agcaoili {DSOTM}

HAIR
Umbrella Salon

PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jordan Louie

FOOD & BEVERAGES
Hannah {Mini red velvet cupcakes}
Treatbot {Premium ice cream truck}

GIVEAWAYS
Ironlak

For more information, please visit www.bobbivie.com

The destruction has not ceased, and the people of Southeast Asia & the Pacific are STILL in dire need of aid.

Typhoon Ondoy has flooded various locations within the islands, and has caused great tragedy to the lives of the people, their homes, and their family.

Join us for an evening of entertainment…
SONG : MUSIC : DANCE

Featuring:
Amy Serrata
April Chase
Don P
Tracy Cruz
VIP San Jose
DJ Sigo
DJ Dose

ADMISSION COST: $10
Door Sales Only

This is a family event…all ages are welcome.

SEE YOU THERE!

Proceeds from The Typhoon Ondoy Benefit event will go towards the American Red Cross international response funds and will be designated for the typhoons and floods in the Southeast Asia & the Pacific.

Singer + Songwriter, Amy Serrata creates music intended to heal and bring people together. Amy’s interest in singing arose at an early age listening to the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong to name a few. She sung in choir and started singing  lessons at the age of 10 years old when she attended Nido De Aguilas, an international school in Santiago, Chile. As she got older she sung in several gospel choirs and through that experience continued to develop her vocal improvisational skills.

Through college she studied Illustration with an emphasis in Fine Arts. During this time she took a break from singing, little did she know how much she would come to miss it. In 2006, Amy started singing with the Stanford University Gospel Choir. A couple years later a friend of hers encouraged her to create her own music. She let that thought simmer and shortly after began to improvise using poetry that she had previously written. The melodies started to naturally form and she then worked with producers: Hyp, HMD & Nyambezi collaborate with for her first self-titled album, ‘Amy Serrata’.

Amy is currently focused on putting together a band to perform at various venues as well as collaborate with other artists and musicians.

Listen to more of her music at www.myspace.com/amyserrata or visit her site at amyserrata.com

www.southfirstfridays.com

The premise is to showcase the talent and creativity of local artists using shoes as their canvas. We hope to accomplish two visions from Art & Sole; to establish a network of fundraising events for charities, and to bring awareness to local artists. The affluent young and hip audience we hope to attract will also realize, through Art & Sole, that the city renowned for being the capital of Silicon Valley is also a growing haven for art and culture.

Art & Sole has selected Soles4Souls as this year’s beneficiary. Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has a simple mission: To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Art & Sole will also broker direct donation to Soles4Souls for those individuals that cannot make the event. Admission to Art & Sole grants access to an array of entertainment, including a silent shoe auction, live performance by local R&B singer Tracy Cruz, music by DJ Bside, and give a-ways. In addition, raffle tickets will be given to individuals that donate a pair of shoes. Proceeds for charity will come from the silent auction, donations, and the $10 admission charge.

We invite all to join us on this special night of art and music. This is a great way to support your local artists and enjoy a beautiful evening, while giving back to a worthwhile cause. To learn more about Art & Sole or for media and sponsorship opportunities contact us at info@sjfam.com.

Click here to RSVP.

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Featured Artists:

Abraham Menor (www.brainsoiled.com/)

Christine Benjamin (www.cbillustration.squarespace.com)

DeeJae Paeste (www.deejaepaeste.com/)

Fernando Amaro Jr. (http://force129.blogspot.com/)

Orly Locquiao (www.hbtat2.com)

Sandy Munio (www.munio-ink.com)

Sean Boyles (www.seanboyles.com)

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Official Shoe Sponsors:

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Event Sponsors:

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Shoe Drive:

We will be hosting a Soles4Souls shoe drive the day of the event. We need the ‘gently worn’ shoes taking up space in your closet. For each pair of shoes donated, you will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of our fabulous prizes donated by our sponsors. “It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unworn shoes lying in their closets. We can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone’s life.”