A-Team Hit Squad Van: Assault On Islais Creek

Friday, July 30, 2010

Understand one thing: The A-Team doesn't F*ck around. The Bayview community found this out the hard Friday last night when the hit squad van rolled up in a secret location, behind the Muni boneyard and Islais Creek. The mastermind, Glenny Kravitz Karaoke Shark, led the Karaoke Mafia on an all out assault on the Bayview.

The A-Team hit squad operated so discreetly invaded the community that its adversaries didn't know what was happening until it was too late. It was at Islais Creek where when the ultimatum was delivered, sending shock waves through the community: "Either you sing with us, or you sing against us." Several rivals gangs showed up for a fight and were quickly dispatched by the Mafia, while many lesser rivals had chosen to stay at home, succumbing to the A-Team's devastatingly effective shock and awe campaign.

When the smoke cleared, only the A-Team was left standing. The carnage from the battle was removed and stored it in the proper recycling containers. For the first time in decades, order had been restored to the fine residents of the Bayview community.

Additional photos are available for viewing by joining Ash Wednesday Karaoke Insider's Group on Facebook.


Related Articles: Rickshaw Pulled Over by CHiPpies; I'm On A Boat M*th*F*cka! 2010 SFKM Karaoke Prom

My First Karaoke Gig

Thursday, July 1, 2010

The first time doing something new is usually a nerve-wracking experience. Such was my first night working hosting Karaoke. It was nerve-wracking, scary, exciting, and also, way fun!

My debut happened last night at Celestine's Fine Dining, in Oakland. My mentor, Glenny Kravitz, would guide me through the intricacies of running a karaoke show from start to finish. Since this was only the second Thursday night of the Kravitz era at Celestine's, we thought it would be a slow night and I would have plenty of time to learn how to set-up our gear, engineer the sound system, and manage the song queue with the karaoke software. It would be a smooth evening, right? Fail! Not two minutes into our show did a group of 15 people walk through the door ready to sing. So much for the easy night Ash Wednesday, now it is a trial by fire! Ten more people arrived five minutes later and away we went with a full list of singers. Add to that it was the owner's birthday! Add ten more people and soon it was a big party.

Mostly I handled the queue while Glenny showed me how to adjust the sound for each song. By now, my brain was on overdrive trying to absorb all the information funneling into my brain all at once. I made a few mistakes during the course of the evening, and Glenny let me make them, yet most of the time I was able to handle the pressure and keep everyone singing, and happy. San Francisco Karaoke Mafia member John Baker showed up with his crooning talent and worked the crowd into a dancing frenzy. All in all, it was a great evening hosting songs to a vibrant and fun crowd of people who love to have a good time. Thanks Glenny for all your help, and thanks to Celestine, for ushering in the newest karaoke club to Oakland.

So, if you live in the East Bay and are looking for a good place to sing karaoke on a Thursday evening, look no further than Celestine's Fine Dining. Cheers!

Man Walks In To Stray Bar, Gets Amnesia

Amnesia, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 and Stray Bar, Friday, June 25, 2010

Okay, I know it is unusual for me to write about two different venues in the same post. The reason I am condensing these nights is a demanding daytime schedule that has left me with precious little time for writing. Let me just say, however, that I had a great time at each bar.

Starting Amnesia last Tuesday night, a few guys got together to host live band karaoke followed by Glenny Kravitz with his Amnesia karaoke night, now in it's 10th year. The band were slow to get things started, but soon they had the crowd on their feet dancing and singing along to their own sometimes out of time and improvised renditions of popular songs. It was fun to watch. Next time, I'll make sure to go to their website to sign up for a song, in advance. Next, it was the Glenny Kravitz's turn to make even the worst Amnesiac remember Tuesday night karaoke. A fun time is guaranteed when the Karaoke Shark is in the house!

Next, and again starring the crazy, irreverent Glenny Kravitz is Stray Bar's Friday night karaoke on Pride Weekend. What could be more fun? I'll tell you, it is amazing feeling for a singer when a bar is packed yet only a few people are singing. All night long the rotation ranged from 4 to 7 people. And we singers were collectively happy as F*ck about it! Glenny kept things grooving along, doling out some serious karaoke roulette for those who dared. The crowd, even though most of them came just to socialize and drink, made the night by being so freakin' nice! They are some of the most cordial and well-mannered bar peeps I have met in a long time. I would like to thank everyone at Stray Bar that night, for such a memorable evening!

Now, for some interesting photos from both nights. Additional photos will be available for viewing at Ash Wednesday Karaoke Insider's Group, on Facebook. Enjoy!

Rickshaw Pulled Over by "CHiPpies"

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Rickshaw Stop

On every second Tuesday of the month you will find Mr. Glenny Kravitz Karaoke Shark entertaining the crowd with his themed Karaoke at the Rickshaw Stop. This Tuesday it was 1970's rock blocks set to Jon and Ponch, otherwise known as the "CHiPs." 

Those of you old enough to remember the campy TV show can imagine how fun it was to sing with Ponch behind you, hitting on some hottie who made an emergency landing on the freeway with her airplane, while Jon- who is always totally by the book- totally cock-blocked Ponch. You could feel the animosity radiating from the screen as the two cops bickered over job and chicks. Ponch was so pissed that he forced Jon to give mouth to mouth to some ugly old dude who had passed out on a lawn. In your face, Dudley Do-Right!

Now, I showed up very late but was able to score some photos shown both here and at Ash Wednesday Karaoke Insider's Group on Facebook. Enjoy the photos!

Update: Some photos have been omitted to protect the anonymity of a certain person. You know who you are, Certain Person! ;-)

Due to my current location, I am unable to upload the remaining photos to Ash Wednesday Karaoke Insider's Group on Facebook. However, the photos will be uploaded within the next 24 hours. Cheers.

Related post:

Kung Fu Fighting at The Rickshaw Stop