John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas.

Morris Bobrow's Shopping! The Musical is currently playing in the intimate Shelton Theatre near Union
Square, San Francisco. This clever and sparkling revue is an open end run and... show more 

Morris Bobrow's Shopping! The Musical is currently playing in the intimate Shelton Theatre near Union
Square, San Francisco. This clever and sparkling revue is an open end run and is attracting many tourists.

Shopping! The Musical reminds me of those wonderful little revues that used to occur down in the Village in
New York or the great Billy Barnes shows in Los Angeles. This fast paced one hour and twenty minute song
fest about shopping is performed by four very talented singers who know how to put a song over. Morris
Bobrow who has written and directed numerous musicals, including the recent travel revue Are We Almost
There?. He has devised 24 songs about shopping delivered at an amazing speed.

Bobrow knows how to present the lost art of a musical revue. His parodies are not political but more a social
commentary on the art of shopping. Everyone who sees the revue will identify with some aspect of shopping.
His songs remind me of musical satirist Tom Lehrer.

Shopping! The Musical has hilarious lampoons of shopping at wholesale houses like Costco under the title of
"Shopping with Style," in which a person buys a six year supply of toilet paper or carts his stuff home in a
Bekins truck. "Department Store Blues" is entertaining when the delightful Alison Peltz sings "Who do I have
to screw to get some help?" There is a great country western song sung by Kim Larsen about a macho man
shopping in a hardware store. Kim is also funny as a shy husband trying to buy a birthday gift for his wife at
Victoria Secret.

One of the great side-splitting moments is a non-musical number with Alison Peltz, Kim Larsen and Coley
Grundman in the checkout line at a supermarket. Alison is a customer who goes over the top, checking each
item to the frustration of Kim playing the clerk. It is a sketch that is worthy of Saturday Night Live.

Sara Hauter is first rate in a song about women who are obsessed with buying things from QVC or the Home
Shopping Network. She is also very funny on the song "A Fit Fit" when she sings about an outfit that is "all
about the butt and not looking like a slut." There is a great song about Internet shopping called "Click," sung
well by Alison Peltz. Coley Grundman has a cool natural voice in "Sounding Off," which is about a customer
who is very irritated about canned music in a supermarket. He also has great vocal chops in "May I Help
You?" about a servile salesman trying to sell a lamp to Alison Peltz. Anyone who has been to a street fair
where they sell things you really don't want will appreciate the group singing about the wonders of buying
these goods; even the props are uproarious.

Coley Grundman, Sara Hauter, Kim Larsen and Alison Peltz give polished performances and they know how
to handle this kind of fast paced revue. Musical accompaniment on the piano by Ben Keim is first rate.

Shopping! The Musical is playing in the intimate 55-seat theatre downstairs in the Shelton Theatre, 533
Sutter St. San Francisco on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM. Tickets are $29 general admission and $27 for
seniors and students. You can order tickets only at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006
or visit their website at www.shoppingthemusical.com.
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The New Mating Musical - funny and touching songs about independent types who meet, mate, move in and grapple with issues of Love and Proximity.
Nominated for 4 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards!... show more 

The New Mating Musical - funny and touching songs about independent types who meet, mate, move in and grapple with issues of Love and Proximity.
Nominated for 4 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Awards!
By award-winning composer Morris Bobrow (Shopping! The Musical and other hits)
The San Francisco Chronicle says, "Hilarious - a twist on the traditional notion of relationships."
San Francisco Bay Times says, "You do not want to miss this wonderful slice of modern reality. The observations in this fast-paced and captivating production are profound and all too true. The pace of this musical is perfect, the singing unforgettable and the script as authentic as it is funny. This reviewer cannot think of a better way to spend a Friday evening."
for all events writes, "'Party of 2 - The Mating Musical' is a barrel of fun. What makes this show a winner is Bobrow's extremely clever lyrics."
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Earl Thomas has tapped into the spirit that created the classic R&B/soul sound. Not only is the production free of almost all contemporary flourishes but the songwriting and playing -- especially the horn section -- is so authentic you'll be checking the credits for the recording date.... show more 

Earl Thomas has tapped into the spirit that created the classic R&B/soul sound. Not only is the production free of almost all contemporary flourishes but the songwriting and playing -- especially the horn section -- is so authentic you'll be checking the credits for the recording date. The singer's voice –emotive, smooth but gutsy -- nails these tracks, but he never hogs the show or the arrangements, which are crisp and tight.
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John Lee Hooker Jr. is an amazing blues singer and son of the legendary John Lee Hooker. From the gravely blues of the Detroit streets to a new era of sound; from the shadow of his father's accomplishments to standing apart from his namesake; from criminal to... show more 

John Lee Hooker Jr. is an amazing blues singer and son of the legendary John Lee Hooker. From the gravely blues of the Detroit streets to a new era of sound; from the shadow of his father's accomplishments to standing apart from his namesake; from criminal to crime-fighter; from San Quentin to the Red Carpet, its no wonder the album is called All Odds Against Me.
John Lee Hooker Jr. is an amazing blues singer and son of the legendary John Lee Hooker. From the gravely blues of the Detroit streets to a new era of sound; from the shadow of his father's accomplishments to standing apart from his namesake; from criminal to crime-fighter; from San Quentin to the Red Carpet, its no wonder the album is called All Odds Against Me. John Lee Hooker Jr. has built upon his colorful past as he continues to distinguish himself as a contemporary "Bluesman." John Lee Hooker Jr. has been nominated for a 2008 Grammy for best contemporary blues album.
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Come to unwind with us at Morocco's Restaurant for a night of quality cuisine, an exotic setting, arts and music for a night to remember. Reservations are always recommended at 408-998-1509.
Check out our website for Family style dining options and more! World Music Night... show more 

Come to unwind with us at Morocco's Restaurant for a night of quality cuisine, an exotic setting, arts and music for a night to remember. Reservations are always recommended at 408-998-1509.
Check out our website for Family style dining options and more! World Music Night brings lively beats to relax and soothe during dinner.
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Ghost Light
conceived and developed by jonathan moscone and tony taccone
written by tony taccone... show more 

Ghost Light
conceived and developed by jonathan moscone and tony taccone
written by tony taccone
directed by jonathan moscone
a co-production with oregon shakespeare festival
main season | thrust stage
january 6–february 19, 2012
world-premiere production
the play
When Jon was a boy, his father was shot—and suddenly their lives were part of history. Years later, when staging a production of Hamlet, the son must confront his buried feelings about a crime that shocked the nation. In this evocative new play, Artistic Director Tony Taccone imagines a fable for San Francisco based on the assassination of Mayor George Moscone. The ghost of the king stalks the battlements of a boy’s mind—and speaks to all of us about love and loss. A poetic collage of fiction and memory, this world-premiere production is staged by none other than Jonathan Moscone.
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15 of the best Bay Area comedians perform every Sunday!
See SF Comedy Showcase '10 on 03/07/10 at Punch Line Comedy Club - San Francisco in San Francisco, CA. Find SF Comedy Showcase '10 tickets on LiveNation.com.

The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them.... show more 

The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them.

In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored the conventional wisdom ("Don't quit your day job!"), and although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.

Since they began, the Capitol Steps have recorded over 30 albums, including their latest, Liberal Shop of Horrors and Barackin' Around the Christmas Tree . They've been featured on NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS, and can be heard 4 times a year on National Public Radio stations nationwide during their Politics Takes a Holiday radio specials.
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Soothe your senses with Moroccan tunes from all 4 corners of the country, from tribal to contemporary while revisiting the classics.Check in on Facebook for a complimentary wine tasting! Please RSVP online at www.MoroccosRestaurant.com.

If you want to be sent back to the 80?s, The Spazmatics are the ultimate experience. The band lends it?s geeky charm to performing 80?s hits complete with ?nerdography? and ?spaztic? movements. They add a unique dimension to their performance, demonstrating the common ties... show more 

If you want to be sent back to the 80?s, The Spazmatics are the ultimate experience. The band lends it?s geeky charm to performing 80?s hits complete with ?nerdography? and ?spaztic? movements. They add a unique dimension to their performance, demonstrating the common ties between 80?s new wave and today?s popular music.
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After celebrating the end of their first decade together with a massive fan release, Railroad Earth Retrospective: 2001-2009, the tightly-woven unit of Railroad Earth is embarking on a new chapter in their musical journey. The rootsy Americana ensemble will hit the stage again on their... show more 

After celebrating the end of their first decade together with a massive fan release, Railroad Earth Retrospective: 2001-2009, the tightly-woven unit of Railroad Earth is embarking on a new chapter in their musical journey. The rootsy Americana ensemble will hit the stage again on their first tour of 2010 with a new bass player, a new record deal (One Haven Music), and a new album in the can (to be released late Summer 2010) for what is expected to be a great year for the revitalized Railroad Earth. With Spring tour dates mostly focused on the Eastern Seaboard, fans can expect an newly energized live show with surprises around every bend.

After coming off a highly successful 2009, Railroad Earth is preparing for another year of sold-out theaters and large club performances. The band has built up some incredible steam over the past few years with highly notable performances on some of the most prestigious stages in the country, including; the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rothbury, 10,000 Lakes Festival and many more.

Collectively, Railroad Earth wields an impressive arsenal of sounds, with each player bringing a variety of instruments and tones to the collective. The unique howl of an edgy rock-inflected violin, a fat-toned acoustic guitar with sounds bordering on a classic Gibson motif, wild fanning mandolin chording that has an almost piano-like attack, rolling or clawing banjo and dobro, and a slamming rhythm section driven by precise, rock-hard drumming and an aggressively, pumping upright bass. All of this delivered with surprisingly unique vocals, powerful harmonies and world-class songwriting.

To be more precise, Railroad Earth features songwriter/singer, Todd Sheaffer (Lead vocals, acoustic guitars), Tim Carbone (Violin, electric guitar, vocals), John Skehan (Mandolin, vocals), Andy Goessling (Acoustic guitars, banjo, dobro, mandolin, flute, pennywhistle, saxophones and vocals), Carey Harmon (Drums, hand percussion, vocals) and newcomer Andrew Altman (Upright bass), formerly of the Southeast band, The Codetalkers.

Railroad Earth’s unique sound is one that may be hard to categorize, but is also damn hard to shake! Each live performance is like a journey into the beating heart of American life, its heartaches and its triumphs. A true musical celebration, this is one tour that is not to be missed.
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Sultry Spanish nights. The citrus groves of Andalucia. If the Iberian Peninsula gets your heart racing, then brace yourself and see Carolina's & Carole's show and indulge your inner Carmen.Their show combines the pulsating sounds of footwork,song, castanets, syncopated hand... show more 

Sultry Spanish nights. The citrus groves of Andalucia. If the Iberian Peninsula gets your heart racing, then brace yourself and see Carolina's & Carole's show and indulge your inner Carmen.Their show combines the pulsating sounds of footwork,song, castanets, syncopated hand clapping and guitar, paintinga visual canvas in movement through dance. The relationship between all of these rhythmic essentials is riveting!Hassle-free, ticketless travel, a dance & musical journey to California's alter-ego, España! Brisas sizzles with hot moves and music. Come and embrace the spirit, energy, fiery dance and music traditions of Spain and find out why Critical Dance exclaimed,"see this company...you will leave the theatre completely enchanted!" Carolina and her daughter, Carolé Acúña, have a rich history of performing Flamenco and Classical Spanish dance to sell out audiences in the Bay Area."It is when Lugo and her daughter Carolé dance together that the women unearth a new dimension in dance, prompting a dialogue with the audience about beauty, life cycles, love and death." -Ann Murphy, Oakland Tribune.Pena use organic produce whenever possible and serves Oregon Country grass-fed beef, free of hormones and antibiotics, and use extra virgin olive, canola and raw-coconut oils only. The bar features wine, Bolivian and Peruvian beer, specialty cocktails such as the Mojitito, Caipariñja, Té con Té, and Calimocho- as well as a deceivingly fruity Sangria.Food services acpects major credit cards and please don't forget to tip the wait staff. A Landmark LocationIn 1918 it housed one of San Francisco's most important speakeasies and became one of the most famous restaurants in the city. Peña Pachamama was formerly Amelio's, a famous fine dining establishment where Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe had their wedding dinner. The Kennedys were frequent guests. In the upstairs dining room Clark Gable and Carole Lombard rendezvousedFor information about Brisas de Españaa dance classes & workshops in San Francisco, Concord & San Jose, and event bookings visit:www. carolinalugo.com
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Sofia Gubaidulina, the SFS 2009 composer-in-residence, returns with a new work commissioned in honor of her 80th birthday. Her music has been described as “luminous and deeply expressive” and provides a moving experience for the listener. Brahms... show more 

Sofia Gubaidulina, the SFS 2009 composer-in-residence, returns with a new work commissioned in honor of her 80th birthday. Her music has been described as “luminous and deeply expressive” and provides a moving experience for the listener. Brahms made use of German translations of biblical texts as well as poetry to create his seven-movement Requiem that enjoys continued enormous popularity for its focus on providing comfort for the living. "If Verdi's "Requiem" is a chilling cry from the gut and Fauré's is a tender prayer of remembrance, Brahms's is an intimate expression of comfort."— THE NEW YORK TIMESSide and Center Terrace seats not available.
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"Vice Palace" previews on April 22 - 24 and Opening Night is Friday, April 29. Note: On-line ticket sales end two hours before curtain time. If you would like to check on ticket availability after that time please call 415-377-4202. Ticket refunds and exchanges are only available for... show more 

"Vice Palace" previews on April 22 - 24 and Opening Night is Friday, April 29. Note: On-line ticket sales end two hours before curtain time. If you would like to check on ticket availability after that time please call 415-377-4202. Ticket refunds and exchanges are only available for four hours after the original ticket purchase. About Seating Options at Thrillpeddlers' Hypnodrome: Our intimate venue seats only forty-five guests, so we do recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. "General Admission" seats are filled on a first-come basis and we A encourage patrons to arrive early (the doors open a 1/2 hour before show time). For couples seeking privacy and an extra jolt during the "Pearls Over Shanghai" blackout "OPIUM TRIP," the Hypnodrome's signature "Shock Box" seats are well worth the higher ticket price of $69 per couple. Winner of SF Weekly's "Best of San Francisco 2008" Award for "Best Bonus Theater Experience" Hypnodrome's "interactive audience-invading" Shock Boxes are themed loveseats (Heaven and Hell, The Pharaoh's Tomb, and The Asylum of Shock), that offer the same opportunity for illicit trysting that was once a feature of the Parisian Theatre du Grand Guignol - thanks to a sheer curtain that can be drawn to conceal the goings on inside each private booth. A "Shock Box" couple can see the show, but the show cant see them! In our "Turkish Lounge" for two, couples may bask in decadent languor and kick back among oriental carpets and silken pillows while enjoying the show. About "VICE Palace: The Last Cockettes Musical": Loosely based on Edgar Allan Poe's hallucinatory short story, "The Masque of the Red Death," and the even more hallucinatory 1964 Roger Corman film of that name starring Vincent Price. It also gives a stylistic nod to the early 1960s films of Frederico Fellini, specifically "La Dolce Vita" and "Juliet of the Spirits". Vice Palace was originally written as a vehicle for Divine and actress Mink Stole (best known as stars of cult-director John Waters' films), and The Cockettes. Originally produced as a "Nocturnal Dream Show" and performed at midnight at the old Palace Theatre in Chinatown on Halloween weekend of 1972, Vice Palace was the fabled and fabulous Cockettes' final stage presentation. The Thrillpeddlers revision will feature selections from other Cockettes shows including "Les Etoiles du Minuit," "Journey to the Center of Uranus," and "The Circus of Life." The Cockettes were a gender-bending theatrical troupe who not only originated these outrageous shows, but also exerted a profound influence on the culture of our times, from the phenomenon of midnight movies, to glitter rock stars and their outrageous fashions. Thrillpeddlers has won the Guardian's "Best of the Bay," back-to-back "Best of San Francisco" awards from SF Weekly, and was named "Best Underground Theatre Company" by 7x7 Magazine. The company also received a coveted 2009 Goldie Award from the SF Bay Guardian! (http://tiny.cc/Lafe5)
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Bring your children to hear the San Francisco Symphony play kid-sized classical concerts—shorter programs, great music, fascinating musical discoveries, and free materials for young concertgoers to promote music appreciation at home. Child-friendly... show more 

Bring your children to hear the San Francisco Symphony play kid-sized classical concerts—shorter programs, great music, fascinating musical discoveries, and free materials for young concertgoers to promote music appreciation at home. Child-friendly start and end times make it easy for children to experience and enjoy classical music.

Recommended for ages 7 and older. Half price for ages 17 and under. Group discount not available.
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The only place to dance to Hip Hop beats with an upscale vibe on Saturday's. Call or email us for birthday specials and packages on guestlist and VIP tables.

he Left Coast Chamber Ensemble is a versatile group of twelve musicians that performs in different combinations. In addition to its regular season, the ensemble performs special concerts for other presenters such as the Other Minds Festival, Berkeley Chamber... show more 

he Left Coast Chamber Ensemble is a versatile group of twelve musicians that performs in different combinations. In addition to its regular season, the ensemble performs special concerts for other presenters such as the Other Minds Festival, Berkeley Chamber Performances, and Stanford University.
Left Coast concerts feature new music by well-known composers such as Andrew Imbrie, Gyorgy Ligeti, Mario Davidovsky, Jennifer Higdon, and John Adams, plus works by emerging composers including Philippe Bodin, Harold Meltzer, Mei Fang Lin, and Laurie San Martin. Left Coast also presents compositions by ensemble members Kurt Rohde (Founding Artistic Director, violist) and Eric Zivian (pianist). To demonstrate the connection between newer music and music of past centuries, Left Coast programs include important chamber works from previous centuries by composers including John Dowland, Johannes Brahms, Ludwig van Beethoven, Aaron Copland, and Igor Stravinsky.
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a comedy about lies, vanity, and the good old days. Marga’s coming of age story begins in a dairy cow’s boudoir in the Bronx and hurtles towards a ‘Forever 21’ department store in downtown San Francisco. Lauded for her honesty as an out gay comedian... show more 

a comedy about lies, vanity, and the good old days. Marga’s coming of age story begins in a dairy cow’s boudoir in the Bronx and hurtles towards a ‘Forever 21’ department store in downtown San Francisco. Lauded for her honesty as an out gay comedian before it was safe to do so, she has actually been a master of deception in other ways. Now the cagey monologist unburdens herself and brings her riskiest revelation to the stage because Marga Gomez is Not Getting Any Younger.
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A thrilling belly dancer joins us every week to…moreWe will be sharing our musical selection from the 4 corners of Morocco, covering a range of styles from tribal to romantic while visiting the classics. A thrilling belly dancer joins us every week to... show more 

A thrilling belly dancer joins us every week to…moreWe will be sharing our musical selection from the 4 corners of Morocco, covering a range of styles from tribal to romantic while visiting the classics. A thrilling belly dancer joins us every week to share her talents. Reservations are highly recommended for this unique mystical experience!
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Enjoy an enriching story, animal presentation and exploration activity conducted by our Museum’s volunteers. A distinctive program for children 2-5 years old and their caregivers. A great addition to your Museum visit that is included in your admission that day.... show more 

Enjoy an enriching story, animal presentation and exploration activity conducted by our Museum’s volunteers. A distinctive program for children 2-5 years old and their caregivers. A great addition to your Museum visit that is included in your admission that day. Program lasts about 20-30 minutes.
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Sultry Spanish nights, the citrus groves of Andalucia. If the Iberian Peninsala gets your heart racing, then brace yourself for a night with Carolina Lugo's & Carolé Acuña's Ballet Flamenco and Academy . Indulge your inner Carmen, Pena Pachamama... show more 

Sultry Spanish nights, the citrus groves of Andalucia. If the Iberian Peninsala gets your heart racing, then brace yourself for a night with Carolina Lugo's & Carolé Acuña's Ballet Flamenco and Academy . Indulge your inner Carmen, Pena Pachamama well worn hardwood floors resonate with the pulsating sounds of footwork, song, castanets, syncopated hand clapping and guitar. Carolina Lugo and her daughter Carolé Acuña and their company of Flamenco musicians and dancers paint a visual canvas in movement through dance for a very special evening of entertainment. If you have not seen this group in one of it's many Concert Hall performances, this is an opportunity to experience their high energy and passion for their art that defines a new dimension in Flamenco and Spanish dance traditions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjgvhAQ-EK8&NR=1 Contact Carolina Lugo for additional information about classes, workshops, and bookings at 925-939-7850 /carolinalugo1@msn.com or visit her website at www.carolinalugo.com For additional information please contact Manager Richard Tonkin 510-504-4448
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Alley Cat Shuffle is a NEW monthly night bringing Partner Dancing to Modern Music to your doorstep. It's 18+, no partner required and beginners are encouraged to join us.... show more 

Alley Cat Shuffle is a NEW monthly night bringing Partner Dancing to Modern Music to your doorstep. It's 18+, no partner required and beginners are encouraged to join us.

Lessons begin at 8pm and will focus on basics, but will give participants the tools they need to have fun throughout night. No partner is required and absolute beginners are encouraged. Our simple approach focuses on FUN, and connection to a partner rather than footwork and allows you to develop your own personal style.
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G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative blues and hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1992, the trio are known for their unique “laid... show more 

G. Love & Special Sauce is an alternative blues and hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1992, the trio are known for their unique “laid back” blues sound.

The trio released their first album; self titled, in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single “Cold Beverage”, in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
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Brought to you by the Hotel Rex and the producers of San Francisco's long running (and always sold out) Absolute Magic, Magic at the Rex is an evening of mystery, wonderment and laughs. In the intimate cocktail lounge setting at the classic Hotel Rex, you will be up close and personal with... show more 

Brought to you by the Hotel Rex and the producers of San Francisco's long running (and always sold out) Absolute Magic, Magic at the Rex is an evening of mystery, wonderment and laughs. In the intimate cocktail lounge setting at the classic Hotel Rex, you will be up close and personal with every flick of the wrist and wave of a hand of Adam Sachs, Sebastian Boswell III and RJ Owens.
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House Sangria is only $4 a glass and $17 a pitcher on Tuesdays while we heat up the floor with feisty Flamenco sounds.
Come join us in the enchanting decor of Morocco's Restaurant for an entertaining... show more 

House Sangria is only $4 a glass and $17 a pitcher on Tuesdays while we heat up the floor with feisty Flamenco sounds.
Come join us in the enchanting decor of Morocco's Restaurant for an entertaining night with friends. Please make a reservation to secure your table.
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Bio
When we wake up to a beautiful day with the sun shining, it’s easier to focus on the positive things in our lives. “You have the option to look at your life and see the... show more 

Bio
When we wake up to a beautiful day with the sun shining, it’s easier to focus on the positive things in our lives. “You have the option to look at your life and see the good,” says Sara Haze, explaining the title to her new album My Personal Sky. The line comes from her song “Beautiful Day” in which she states she’s “already been through the rain” and now there’s “not a cloud” in her “personal sky.” While that’s where she may have ended up, this sun-bleached blonde Southern California girl explores the whole journey through her music.

Releasing her first major album at the age of 19 has been a long time coming for this songstress, writing fan favorites like “Lovely” and “My Own Hands To Hold” years earlier. Wise beyond her age, Sara writes about growing up in the modern teenage world in a way that connects. “When one of my songs touches someone it means the world to me,” exclaims Sara who’s had over 30 songs placed in films and television shows.

Wanting to be just like her vocalist mother, Sara was singing for crowds by age five. Her self-proclaimed big break came at the young age of 12 when she answered an ad to cut vocals for a song that needed “a girl with soul.” Expecting an adult to match the voice, industry veteran Dave Woeckener was shocked when the 12-year-old arrived at his beachfront studio proudly dressed to the nines with her parents in tow.

Nailing the vocals in only 30 minutes, Sara made an impression. “I was floored,” says Woeckener. The song was used in television placements 20 times in four years including The Young and the Restless. Woeckener hired Sara for more demos and, at the age of 15, signed her to a management contract. “Many of my colleagues looked at me strangely,” Woeckener says of signing the young talent. “We did a showcase and when Sara sang the whole room went silent. Nobody looked at me strangely anymore.”

Sara impressed industry executives everywhere she went including PEN Music Group President Michael Eames, APA Executive Vice President Troy Blakely and former ASCAP Senior Vice President of Creative John Alexander who invited her to perform at Canadian Music Week (CMW). “Sara came to my office and I asked her why she was there,” Alexander describes. “She closed the door and sang a couple of songs. Then I knew why she was there and that I wanted to be involved with this talented songwriter/artist.” At CMW, Sara was joined on-stage by GRAMMY® Award Winning Producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews, No Doubt) who performed one of her songs with her.

More invitations came taking Sara to South By Southwest (SXSW) as a headlining act and the international music festival Popkomm in Berlin. Quickly she caught the attention of Ted Cohen, considered one of the foremost authorities on entertainment and technology and a 30 year music industry veteran. In his early career, Cohen developed artists including Prince, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac and Al Jarreau. “Working with another artist is the last thing I thought I’d do until I saw Sara,” says Cohen. “She is not only really talented, she is dedicated.”

Although Sara is surrounded by industry giants with everyone from Randy Jackson to Gene Simmons consulting on her music, it’s Sara herself running the show. Most notably, Sara is writing the music. Collaborating with Nashville songwriter James T. Slater (“In My Daughter’s Eyes” for Martina McBride), Canadian writer/producer Justin Gray and writer/producer Eric Fraley, Sara’s album has a personal touch that makes the listener wonder if Sara hasn’t written the songs just for them.

In the rock anthem “Melt Into You” Sara describes an emotional reunion with her boyfriend after being apart for three weeks. “I ran outside and gave him the biggest hug. The best hug I’ve ever had,” says Sara. “I started crying and we just held each other. That moment only lasted for five minutes, but I will always remember it.”

Fans of MTV’s reality phenomenon The Hills responded en masse with over 300,000 hits on Sara’s MySpace page when her song “My Own Hands To Hold” was used to illustrate a scene depicting a rocky relationship. Sara sings “you’re bringing me down” in the chorus, describing a relationship gone bad. With piano-driven chords and a haunting melody line, this song speaks to anyone who didn’t get a storybook ending to a relationship.

Despite the mass response from the The Hills, Sara says her song getting the biggest reaction is “Lovely.” With a simple message of “I feel lovely just the way that I am,” “Lovely” has become the anthem for girls who at some point have felt inadequate. “People should always be appreciated for their unique qualities that make them exactly who they are,” says Sara who wrote the song after countless meetings with record executives that each had their opinion on who she should be.

Another song that speaks to every listener is the one Sara calls her baby. “Every Heart” describes all of the small moments from Sara’s life that make her who she is. “However, it’s those same experiences that make us able to relate to each other,” says Sara. The song begins with just Sara singing at the piano and moves into a full string orchestra as she sings lines like, “a summer sun burn,” “bit by a dog,” “mesmerized by Christmas lights,” “getting too old for the Batman cape,” “the times you laughed so hard you cried,” “your best friend and your first kiss.”

After living through all the trials of her teenage experience, it’s the positive memories Sara embraces today. But she certainly hasn’t forgotten the hardships we share like breaking up with a boyfriend or a loved one moving away, or what it takes to move forward like standing up for yourself and making hard choices. Sara hasn’t been afraid to sing about any of it and share her experiences with fans. In the end, it’s all about perspective for Sara. “This world can be full of hardship and pain,” she says knowingly, “but if you go through these things you’ll appreciate what you have and be able to see all the good in the world.” And that might just be the start of a beautiful day in your own personal sky.
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The San Francisco Comedy College (SFCC) is proud to present these weekly new talent shows at the legendary Purple Onion!... show more 

The San Francisco Comedy College (SFCC) is proud to present these weekly new talent shows at the legendary Purple Onion!

Come laugh your head off at the finest new stand-up comedians in town while you enjoy drinks from the bar.
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