Singing in the Dark at Dalva

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Some bars turn their lights way down low, and then there is Dalva. And somewhere way in the back lurking in the shadows you'll find a unusual group of nocturnals singing, sometimes screaming, while playing faux guitars. Yes, this is Dalva's Sunday Karaoke, hosted by the man who invented the combination song request slip and business card, KJ Paul.

Reviewers on Yelp gave Dalva four stars, impressive for any bar in The Mission. It also seems to be one of the cleanest neighborhood bars in The City. Well, at least it smells that way, which goes a long way in my book. KJ Paul is a pretty clean smelling guy and has integrated himself well there. ;-)

If you love singing Rock, then you're in good hands. Paul has an great collection of Rock in his songbook. From Alice in Chains to Temple of the Dog, Paul's got it. And if you can't find a song in the songbook, just ask Paul to find it for you for the next time.

Get yourself a drink and settle in. Before you know it, your eyes will adjust to the cavern like darkness which, by the way, lends itself well to karaoke. It seems to lower people's inhibitions, allowing them to sing with more emotion and power. Some people will testify to this phenomenon.

Or perhaps Lyndsey was swooning to Scott's rendition of "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes? :-) Have you ever of dreamed of being in a Rock band, but don't play an instrument? Well, you can start a faux rock band here, complete with a real audience to back you up.

With that in mind, are you ready to sing your ass off at Dalva?

500 at 5:00

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sundays from 5pm to 9pm is when Karaoke and the 500 Club in San Francisco merge to become the spot for some late afternoon crooning. Hosted by the truly funny and talented Glenny Kravitz Karaokeshark, it is a great place to either or ramp up or wind down one's Sunday evening.

Certainly the 500 staff--Clare, Emily, and Olaf (forgive me if I've misspelled your name, dude)--are the prototype bar peeps any bar owner would be proud to employ. I mean, these guys are really freakin' cool! The crowds in that little bar sometimes make it an SRO affair, but all is handled in stride, by them truly. Cheap, yet strong drinks are par for the course there, so you'll get your money's worth. Plus, you'll have enough money left over to shower KJ Glenny with tips, leaving him sparkling clean and smelling fresh.

How it works

Find a song from the songbook, then write down the song and your name on the sign-up sheet on the table next to the Karaokeshark, then wait for your name to be called. It gets pretty loud in the bar at times so really listen for you name in between songs.

There were many good singers tonight, from Claudia to Clare, Scott to Spalding, Nancy to Ash Wednesday.

The funniest performance of the night was Glenn singing Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." Unfortunately, the camera I used could not recharge the flash fast enough to catch all the funny moments of Glenn's MJ rendition, but if you want a good laugh, ask him to sing it for you sometime. Glenn, you're one funny M#th@f*ck#a!

Karaoke Rebels Revolt at the Napper Tandy

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Karaoke at the Napper Tandy is one of the most fun times you can have on a Saturday night. Irish owned in the heart of the Mission, the welcoming staff makes you feel right at home. Good reviews abound on Yelp about this place and not just for Saturday night. Cheap drinks and Irish and American pub grub make this place a favorite spot for neighborhood locals.

The host is Ken Fate, a.k.a. Kendoke, a man on a mission. He wants to provide you with a memorable singing experience, and will go out of his way to get you there. If you can't find what you're looking for in his songbook, Ken can download the song directly from a music site over the Internet. In a matter of seconds you're ready to sing! Please keep in mind that Ken works hard for his money, so please tip him well!

Making for a Karaoke venue takes many things: location and drink prices are two such variables. KJ's have their considerations like the accurateness and variety of his song list. Another important factor, in my humble opinion, is interactivity with the crowd. Take some old wood, foam rubber, and duct tape, and BAM! A Faux Guitar is born! It's amazing how quickly this will turn a less than interested crowd into a screaming audience. The corner at which singer and KJ exist in relation to the bar is the perfect storm for inciting an instant Karaoke rock show!

Some of the evening's participants were Spalding, who sang AC/DC's "TNT" with Moe grinding the axe, Claudia and Carlos in a Metallica duet, and Carol and Shannon blasting a song I've never heard before. All very good singers and axe players! Do not be discouraged, Karaoke is for fun, and good singer and not so good singers alike are always encouraged to sing your heart out. Find the courage to sing aloud and the crowd will applaud you for it!