Nihonmachi Street Fair’s Pop Up Event: Kokoro Soul - Saturday, August 19th
Each year the Nihonmachi Street Fair brings together so many talented and diverse performers to our stages. The music and performances that you hear and see helps us feel connected. It creates a bond that transforms to appreciating one another and helps us come together as a community.
The hope for the Nihonmachi Street Fair’s newest pop up, “Kokoro-Soul” is to fill our heart & soul with awareness and understanding for our brothers and sisters of all communities. At the Saturday, August 19th Pop Up we’ll bring together performers from Japantown as well as the Western Addition/Fillmore and Latino communities.
During the performances you’ll have a chance to hear about the long ties between Japantown and the Western Addition/Fillmore and our musical ties with the Latino community. Experience how communities can come together, Embrace the love that generates through music and performances, Enjoy the voices and sound of our communities.
Check back on August 1st for a full line-up!
Performers from last year’s Kokoro - Soul
Kalimba: the Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire
The internationally touring show Kalimba, The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire provides an Earth Wind & Fire experience so satisfying it transports audiences back to the excitement of the first time they heard these unforgettable songs. Reproducing the infectious grooves created by EWF’s late founder Maurice White, Kalimba pays homage to Maurice with its exciting stage and lighting production. The show authentically replicates the signature high notes of Philip Bailey, the thick vocals harmonies of Maurice and Ralph Johnson, along with the grooving bass lines of Verdine White.
Playing at some of the most prestigious and historic theaters, music festivals, state fairs, corporate events and functions, casino’s, along for opening for such artists as the ‘Village People’ at the 2020 Dubai Expo.
In 2015, Kalimba partnered with former EWF Guitarist and lead vocalist Sheldon Reynolds, and has take this show overseas multiple times from Russia to the Middle East. Along with Sheldon, Kalimba has performed with other former members of EWF such as Gorden Campbell (drummer who took over after Sonny Emory), David Romero (Percussionist, 7 years) and John Johnson (Guitarist, 4 years). Be ready to hear all of your favorites, including September, Shining Star, Boogie Wonderland, After the Love Has Gone, Let's Groove, That's the Way of the World, Devotion, Reasons, Sing a Song, Can't Hide Love, Getaway, Fantasy, and Love's Holiday just to name a few.
kalimbaband.com
The Curtis Family C-notes Band
The Curtis Family C-notes Band is the first family band with the mother, father, and their five children. The Curtis family is an astonishingly multi-talented and gifted family of seven. The family consists of multi-instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, composers, and producers. They are also community champions who focus on helping seniors, the youth, and the homeless.
Maestro Curtis (Papa C) was a child prodigy, mentored by Maurice White, lead vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire. As an adult Maestro became a world-renown musician, producer, teacher, and author. Maestro signed to Maurice White's label (Kalimba Record) as a member of the group Xpression where he wrote and produced the album entitled "Power" in which Maurice White was the executive producer. Nola (Mama C), a very gifted vocalist, musician, teacher, and performer in her own right, has enjoyed both local success and national success and performed for dignitaries from all over the world. The Curtis Family Children were influenced by their parents along with the music from the '60s and '70s. Phoenix, age 11, is skilled at piano, violin, guitar, bass guitar, and vocals; Xahir aka “Kiki,” age 13, is left-handed and skilled on the electric guitar, vocals, and plays a right-handed guitar upside down:Isis, age 14, is skilled on the drums, keyboard, and vocals; Nile, age 16, is skilled on the bass guitar and vocals; Zahara, age 17, is skilled on the guitar, violin, drums, and vocals.
thecurtisfamilycnotes.com
David Hardiman’s San Francisco All Star Band
David Hardiman’s San Francisco All Star Band performs in the styles of Swing, Be-Bop, Cool, Contemporary, and Top 40 Styles. They have performed, recorded, traveled, and associated with such notables as Tony Bennett, “Dizzy” Gillespie, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, “Sun-Ra”, etc. They have performed all over the world.
Personally David Hardiman has performed in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Mazatlan Mexico. Played with “St. Gabriels Celestial Brass Band in Finland, Vitoria, Bilbao & Getxo Spain, “North Sea Jazz Festival” in den Hague, Netherlands, and “Indy Jazz Fest.” and “Indiana State Fair”. Played with Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s at the "Umbria Jazz Festival” in Italy and the San Francisco Jazz Festival, and just about every major city in the U.S. He has directed the African American Jazz Caucus Dance Band, and affiliate of the Inter. Association for Jazz Education, annually since 2003 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, New York City and Long Beach, CA.
The Sound Project
Formed in 2019, The Sound Project is made up of seasoned musicians, all originally from Japan. Featuring cover music ranging in styles from jazz to rock, the band's mission is to deliver soulful music to people. They’ve appeared at many festivals throughout the Bay Area and was part of the 47th Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair’s Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic line-up.
thesoundproject
Chinoe
Direct native of San Francisco, Chinoe is an upcoming and talented Asian American rapper/songwriter. He brings with him a powerful yet vulnerable energy that touches many in a personal way. Drawing inspiration from multiple genres like hip-hop, rock, and alternative music, Chinoe tastefully blends them together in his discography. With the goal of being uniquely himself, Chinoe is definitely a stand-out artist you'll wanna stay in tune with.