NEWS: OCT 23 MEET Kamala Harris -- The 'Female Barack Obama' | OCT 26 HEAR Kev Choice -- The Hip-Hop Pianist w/ The Kev Choice Ensemble | THRU NOV 8 SEE Groundswell -- Stories Of Post-Apartheid South Africa

We hope that you can join us over the next few days and show your support for two of the the San Francisco Bay Area's most Dynamic movers and shakers - Kamala D. Harris and the Kev Choice Ensemble. Please take a moment to read about what's in store below!

We've included a link to an archived special live performance - The 'Kev Choice Ensemble Unplugged.' The KCE appeared on KPFA'S Transitions on Traditions. Host Greg Bridges sat down with the KCE for an intimate conversation and live in-studio performance. The archive is available for a limited time.
LISTEN HERE to The Kev Choice Ensemble Unplugged and to get a taste of what KCE has in store for the band's upcoming show at Yoshi's Oakland on Monday, October 26th.

+++++++++++++++++++

MON OCT | 26 Kev Choice Ensemble Live at Yoshi's Oakland

Yoshi's Oakland Presents
The Kev Choice Ensemble
Pianist-emcee Kev Choice leads his 10-pc. outfit -- the Kev Choice Ensemble -- through the aural equivalent of a master class in African American music. This enormously talented unit lays down symphonic slap, furious funk, sweet soul, jumpin' jazz, and hype hip-hop (with a conscious lyrical twist). Covering a wide stylistic base with finesse, flair, and serious chops, the KCE gives you more music than you're used to getting, but not more than you deserve.

Sponsors

* Fusicology * Hard Knock Radio * Legend Mag * The Oakbook * True Skool * Yelp *

* James Bowyer Photography * Live Venue * Gershoni Sound *

Supporters
* Socially Flyy * Spicey Promotions * Tastemaker Live * JE Media Group * Oakland Events *

BUY TICKETS

FOLLOW @KCEnsemble on Twitter

JOIN THE KEV CHOICE ENSEMBLE FAN PAGE

Event Information:
Monday, October 26, 2009
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
All Ages
cover: $14.00
Doors 7:30 PM; Show 8:00 PM
music: Hip Hop, Funk, Jazz, Soul

Venue Information:
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero West
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-238-9200
http://yoshis.com/

+++++++++++++++++++

FRI OCT 23 | Kamala Harris for California Attorney General 2010
Meet Kamala D. Harris

About Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is currently the District Attorney of San Francisco and a celebrated rising star in the Democratic Party. She was the first female DA to be elected in San Francisco and is now running to become the first female, first African-American, and first Indian-American Attorney General in California history. She was also the first elected official in California to publicly endorse President Obama and was the co-chair of his California campaign. In fact, journalist Gwen Ifill recently compared Kamala to President Obama on The Late Show with David Letterman, saying: "She's brilliant, she's smart. They call her the 'female Barack Obama.'" She was also featured on Oprah as one of "America's Most Powerful Women" and The New York Times named her one of the 17 women most likely to become the first female president of the United States. Most recently, Kamala was recognized by Lifetime Television among other prominent and accomplished women such as First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for her commitment to justice. You can watch Lifetime's "Every Woman Counts" Salute to Kamala Harris here.
http://www.mylifetime.com/my-lifetime-commitment/ewc/every-women-counts-salutes/kamala-harris

Kamala has lived up to the hype. She was recently re-elected to her second term as District Attorney and ran un-opposed for that position. She raised the felony conviction rate in San Francisco to 67%, the highest in over a decade. But she's not just tough on crime, Kamala has completely revolutionized the District Attorney's office by implementing progressive, creative programs that also seek to be "smart on crime." In addition to increasing convictions for serious and violent crimes, she has also championed education by using truancy statutes to improve attendance at schools and has pioneered programs to protect and aid the families of victims. She hopes to bring this same progressive approach to the Attorney General's office on issues of prison reform, education, and the environment.

To RSVP, please CLICK HERE.
For more information, please CLICK HERE to CONTACT Lilya Mitelman or CALL 1-415-256-1727.

Kamala will be the progressive, new generation of leadership that California needs. To LEARN more, CLICK HERE or please visit www.kamalaharris.org.

+++++++++++++++++++

THRU NOV 8 | San Jose Rep Presents Groundswell

West Coast Premiere Of The hottest new play to come out of South Africa

BUY TICKETS

Groundswell
Through November 8, 2009
San Jose Repertory Theatre

The hottest new play to come out of South Africa!

LATEST GROUNDSWELL NEWS + VIDEOS

In a beachfront guest lodge on the jagged edge of the South African diamond coast, we find Thami, the black caretaker, and Johan, a white ex-cop who lives at the lodge, gunning for one last chance at a better life. When Smith, a wealthy businessman, arrives at the lodge on a foggy evening, the two desperate friends see Smith as the perfect investor for their "get-rich" scheme to buy a government-run diamond concession - tossing a glimmer of hope and promise into their difficult lives. But as the evening wears on, the darker side of their dreams and aspirations is fueled by greed, danger and entitlement from the uneasy history they share. This haunting psychological thriller hungers, hopes and promises for a just post-apartheid society, while asking: How do we live together after apartheid? Where did all the promise and hope go? Who bears responsibility for the sins of the past, and can we move beyond it?

Approx. Performance Run Time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.

Dreams of the Colony
Through November 8, 2009
San Jose Repertory Theatre
Second Floor Lobby Gallery

WATCH the 'Dreams of the Colony' Video Interview

South African photographer and writer James Bowyer's current exhibit entitled "Dreams of the Colony" opened on Friday October 16. This haunting psychological thriller hungers, hopes and promises for a just, post-apartheid society, while asking: How do we live together after apartheid? Where did all the promise and hope go? Who bears responsibility for the sins of the past, and can we move beyond it? The photographs have been carefully chosen to relate to the themes of the play. The exhibit will be on display at the San Jose Rep's Second Floor Lobby Gallery through November 8th.

Photo credit: 'Burning Boy' by James Bowyer

About James Bowyer
James Bowyer is a freelance photographer who currently divides his time between Cape Town, South Africa and Oakland, California. Born in South Africa under apartheid, James was inspired by the role that photography and journalism played in unmasking the horrors of apartheid and bringing around democratic change to the country. As an adult James has traveled around Sub-Saharan Africa on assignments for Men's Health, Outside Online and the Sunday Times. He is also the author of "This is Mexico," published by New Holland and was a contributor to "Karamoja: Uganda's Land of Nomadic Warriors" which narrates the stories of the nomadic pastoralists of northern Uganda.

Artist Statement
"My passion for photography stems from a desire to bear witness to Africa's beauty, vitality and complexity. My goal is to be a storyteller through images that capture simple everyday moments. The image remains frozen but the question of who is this person, where are they going and where have they been remains. Always in the background, is the story of colonialism and its legacy on the beautiful continent. The images in this collection are an attempt to understand that relationship."

Rhythm, Race and Reflection
October 27 at 6:30 p.m.
San Jose Repertory Theatre
Presented by San Jose Rep, American Leadership Forum and Oriki Theater

Join San Jose Rep, American Leadership Forum and Oriki Theater for an interactive evening filled with culture, discussion, and world-class theatre. The night kicks off with African drumming performed by members of the Oriki Theater, followed by the West Coast Premiere of Groundswell, a compelling new play by South African playwright Ian Bruce. After the performance, American Leadership Forum - Silicon Valley CEO Chris Block will facilitate an interactive dialogue with audience members designed to take your theatre experience to the next level - a discussion of the issues and themes explored in the play. You won't want to miss this opportunity to "join the community conversation!"

BUY TICKETS

Venue Information:
San Jose Repertory Theatre
101 Paseo de San Antonio
San Jose, CA 95113-2603
408-367-7255
http://www.sjrep.com/

+++++++++++++++++++