michaelD: the bay area buzz report

The KBLX Live Sunday Brunch at Hotel Nikko—with Ashford and Simpson!

Folks, look who dropped in on Nikki Thomas at Sunday's brunch! I bet now you'll drop by more often, eh?
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Yep! The fabulous Ashford and Simpson came thru the brunch today! We had such a wonderful time–packed house, great food, and a VIP surprise! Don’t miss out next week–415-394-1100 for reservations!

By Nikki Thomas, KBLX

Want more of Nikki? Check out her blog, The Nikki Thomas Network

MJ: This Is It (sneak peek!)

Here ya go...get out the tissue! We're just a few days away from when the Bay Area, along with the rest of the world gets a behind the scenes look at what some are calling Michale Jackson's finest performance. Chances are slim if you haven't already gotten your ticket, but check here for availability.

New York (CNN) -- For Kenny Ortega, Travis Payne and Michael Bearden, "It" is a bittersweet feeling.

The three men expected to be spending their time this summer and fall working on Michael Jackson's concert engagement at London's O2 Arena, which was scheduled to begin in July. Instead, they are talking about Jackson's last days and the new movie about that time, "This Is It."

In an interview, they described "This Is It," the movie that they've made from rehearsal and backstage footage of Jackson, shot just before he died June 25. The film, which has been dominating advance ticket sale outlets, opens wide on Wednesday. [CNN]

More...

NYT: 36 hours in Oakland

Did anyone else miss the New York Times slideshow and article on Oakland this past May? Or, was my head located somewhere other than on top of my shoulders at the time?

As always, thanks for reading - Michael D

Michael D is also editor of VIPLineup, a diverse and discerning online listing of selected top pick Bay Area lifestyle and entertainment activities in culture, food, fashion, music, dining & philanthropy.
Twitter: Michael D & VIPLineup | Facebook: Michael D & VIPLineup

[For top pick Bay Area events, visit The Buzz Report  |  Subscribe to the weekly Weekend Lineup]

The New Parish opens in Oakland...another new venue for the East Bay

Right about now I'm clicking my heels together because I know this must be a dream. I've lost track of the number of new bars, restaurants and entertainment venues that have opened in Oakland this year. San Francisco is used to the "every other day another venue opens" routine, but this is new to Oakland. I just hope all of these openings can survive the slow return of the economy. They can with your support! Go Oakland!

If Oakland was on its way to becoming both a home for culturally-vibrant, ethnically-and-socially diverse folks--some refugees from SF; some not--and a nightlife destination which can hold its own with its more famous and celebrated neighbor a few years ago, it's even closer to that now.

Layover Music Bar & Lounge set to open in Oakland

Opening in Downtown Oakland this Friday is ~THE LAYOVER MUSIC BAR & LOUNGE~. The team behind this project includes certified green builders Tim Martinez and Christi Vaughn, RaeAnne Turner, Prozac Turner (music producer), and Phillip Mauro from Foreign Cinema, Laszlo, and Rye. The bohemian chic bar is approximately 1,500 square feet and will feature specialty cocktails as well as live music nightly, including DJs, bands, and mixed media artists. The bar is slated to be a certified green business in the winter, and they will also be opening an art gallery next door in mid-November. Layover Music Bar & Lounge 1517 Franklin St. at 15th St., Oakland, 510-834-1517. (Tablehopper) (more at Thrilist)

As always, thanks for reading - Michael D

Michael D is also editor of VIPLineup, a diverse and discerning online listing of selected top pick Bay Area lifestyle and entertainment activities in culture, food, fashion, music, dining & philanthropy.
Twitter: Michael D & VIPLineup | Facebook: Michael D & VIPLineup

[For top pick Bay Area events, visit The Buzz Report  |  Subscribe to the weekly Weekend Lineup]

Chill at The Rrazz Room

The where? That's what I said. The Rrazz Room inside the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco (near Union Square) has an eclectic mix of entertainment this fall, and maybe it's been that way for awhile and I'm just now noticing. What caught my eye was Ashford and Simpson's "The Real Thing" from November 3 - 15. Talk about talent! Don't miss this one. The Rrazz bills itself as "A new sophisticated night club offering the finest in world class cabaret, jazz, comedy, and popular music entertainment." I haven't seen the space yet so I can't give you any tips on seating, but check out their website. It also says that if you join their "Club R" you'll be entitled to beverage discounts, free parking, and some free admissions...for $200/yr.  Your call on that one.

Stevie Wonder makes surprise visit in SF

San Francisco has its great moments. Where were you when Stevie Wonder made an impromptu appearance with Supertaster of the Jazz Mafia at Coda in San Francisco a few days ago?

As always, thanks for reading - Michael D.

Michael D is Editor of VIPLineup, a diverse and discerning online listing of selected top pick Bay Area lifestyle and entertainment activities in culture, food, fashion, music, dining & philanthropy.

[ For top pick Bay Area events, visit The Buzz Report | Subscribe to the Weekend Lineup ]

Revisited - Tues Nov 6 07

Anita Baker - Before I revisited 1300 on Fillmore last Friday, I revisited the 80s and went to the Anita Baker concert at the Golden Gate Theatre. I'm not a huge Anita fan, but what the heck. She's one of those artists that had a bunch of hits, and you forget what they were until she starts singing one, then another and another. Gotta admit, her voice was  pretty true blue, after the sound engineer got his act together. Announcing that she'll be 50 in January, Anita actually danced around on the stage quite a bit in her long cocktail dress. I can't remember  the last time I saw a performer use a "wired" mic. Perhaps it was part of her act?

1300 on Fillmore - If you don't know about it, you should. Read my first review. I revisited this restaurant/lounge newbie at about 10:20p Friday evening and it was still jumping with a full house. Somehow (only because we were slightly late for our reservation) we managed to resist the intense lure of the lounge. Good looking diverse crowd, ranging from early/mid 30s to mid 50s - perfect. Described as "refined interpretations of southern favorites," the appetizers were again great, although I still haven't tried the entrees. We had the sauteed assorted mushrooms (just right), barbeque shrimp n' creamy grits (can't get enough), and cornbread (like mama's). I'm not a dessert guy, but you gotta try the beignets, which are served with two dipping sauces, chocolate and coffee. The sorbet "platter" was interesting (interesting good, not interesting bad). It came with an assortment of goodies (fig, fruit, etc.).