Live music in South San Francisco, CA

Silicon Stompers Jazz Band presents a Vintage Vocal Hour highlighting Bay Area singers, featuring songs that span early jazz through beloved standards of the Great American Songbook. The showcase takes place in the middle of the program, with full band sets before and after to round out an evening of swing and classic melodies.

Lydia Pense & Cold Blood bring the storied East Bay Grease sound to Yoshi’s Oakland, led by vocalist Lydia Pense, whose range spans fiery soul shouts and quietly intense blues. The group first broke through during the Fillmore’s prime, drawing the attention of Bill Graham, who signed them to his label. Their late-sixties and early-seventies run helped shape a funky blend of soul and R&B that still resonates today. Early releases such as Cold Blood, Sisyphus, First Taste of Sin, and Thriller remain among their best-known work, and the band continues to record and perform with a veteran Bay Area lineup featuring a gritty horn punch and a deep-groove rhythm section, with credits alongside Elvin Bishop, Jefferson Starship, Boz Skaggs, and Albert Collins. Performances often include essentials like You Got Me Hummin’, I Just Want To Make Love To You, I’m A Good Woman, and Down to the Bone, alongside songs from Soul Of The Gypsy, a collection that shows how the group pushes ahead while honoring its roots. Admirers over the years have included Bonnie Raitt, Michelle Shocked, David Lee Roth, and, in earlier days, Janis Joplin.

Enjoy a social dance party at Just Dance Ballroom that welcomes both experienced dancers and curious beginners. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, making it easy to try something new, practice your steps, and spend quality time on the dance floor.

A tribute to the music of Van Morrison fills the stage at Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square, brought to life by an ensemble launched in 2019 by the late Gary Coppola. Lead vocalist Jason Feddy, a UK born singer and songwriter, has shared bills with Neil Young, Tears for Fears, The Cranberries, Joe Cocker, and Christie Moore at venues such as The London Palladium and Albert Hall. Guitarist and harmony singer Magic Kramer brings experience from collaborations with Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, The Knack, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Diana Krall, Michael MacDonald, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Bramlett, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, and Phillip Bailly of Earth Wind and Fire. Bassist and vocalist Bobby Pickett has performed and recorded with Sugarloaf, Etta James, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Big Joe Turner, The Drifters, The Coasters, Martha Reeves, Bobby Freeman, and Greg Allman, and was a longtime member of Detective. Drummer Chris Ross has toured and recorded with Maria Muldaur, Coco Montoya, Lyle Lovett, Mark Chestnutt, Kenny Loggins, John Waite, Three Dog Night, Grammy Award winner Pete Anderson, and Hall of Fame singer Sam Moore. Keyboardist Chris Rhyne has appeared on stage and in the studio with Santana, Whitney Houston, Jean Luc Ponty, Gino Vannelli, Dianne Reeves, Dave Koz, BB King, Buddy Rich, Burt Bacharach, and George Benson. Mel Steinberg on saxophone and flute has worked with Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, The Beach Boys, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Lesley Gore, Sam the Sham, Joe Williams, Emmanuel, Lupita d'Alessio, Little Joe y La Familia, Yoram Gaon, Dudu Fisher, and Alexander Bisenz. Baritone saxophonist Chris Jennings brings credits with Martha Reeves, Freddy Cannon, Brian Wilson, José Feliciano, John Entwistle, Carla Olson, Doug Fieger, and Bob Hope. Trumpeter Gary Bivona has collaborated with Tom Jones, The Four Tops, Mel Torme, and Phil Hartman, and has also played on and produced tracks tied to Survivor, Seinfeld, 21/2 Men, Hill St Blues, Frazier, Murphy Brown, Everybody Loves Raymond, and The Tonight Show. Promotional videos for the project were filmed by Nathaniel Beaver with support from Steve Vlasak, and edited by Beaver with assistance from Magic Kramer.

Grammy-nominated R&B and soul artist Syleena Johnson brings her rich, soulful vocals to Yoshi's Oakland in Jack London Square, sharing the artistry that has connected with audiences for nearly two decades. A multifaceted performer, she is a singer and songwriter as well as an author and daytime talk show host, delivering songs with a polished style and a commanding presence.

A tango weekend in Oakland explores the genre’s breadth, from Golden Age favorites to contemporary and alternative sounds. The schedule features workshops with Nick Jones and Diana Cruz, live music by Trio Tangazo, and five milongas. Each evening includes two curated dance rooms, with the Golden Room presenting selections from the Golden Age through contemporary tango, and the Spectrum Room highlighting contemporary through alternative music. Designed for dancers who value musicality, creativity, and connection, it offers opportunities to learn in depth, dance with joy, and discover the wide range of tango.

Just Dance Dance & Event Center hosts an evening of West Coast Swing led by instructors Stephanie Krul and Jason Wayne. The night starts with a class for beginner and pre-intermediate dancers, continues with an intermediate lesson, and wraps up with a social West Coast Swing party on the dance floor.

Grammy-nominated R&B and soul vocalist Syleena Johnson performs at Yoshi's Oakland -Jack London square, highlighting the powerful, heartfelt delivery that has defined her nearly twenty-year career. A singer, songwriter, author, and television host, she pairs classic style and a rich, sultry tone with themes of resilience and empowerment, reflected in her single WOMAN and her 11th studio album, Woman, created with a Grammy-winning production team. Her catalog includes early standouts such as I Am Your Woman and Guess What, notable features like Kanye West's All Falls Down, and the tribute album Rebirth of Soul, recorded with live musicians and produced with her father, Syl Johnson. Her Chicago roots, collaborations with artists including Common and Anthony Hamilton, and appearances on R&B Divas: Atlanta, Marriage Boot Camp, and Sister Circle trace a career grounded in soul tradition and forward momentum. Johnson is also the author of The Weight Is Over and the founder of SheLean Health & Fitness, underscoring a commitment to wellness that parallels the honesty in her music.

Kruder & Dorfmeister bring their K&D Kicks 30th anniversary tour to Oakland’s historic Fox Theater. An online presale presented by Another Planet Entertainment is available with the password ace, and there is also a general on sale. Presale tickets are available online only.

Karaoke Night at The New Parkway offers an easygoing evening of music and community. Step up to the mic or sing along from your seat, since all comfort levels are welcome. Pick a song when you arrive using YouTube’s wide selection, or simply relax and enjoy the show. Every kind of performance is appreciated, whether heartfelt, playful, bold, or quiet, and first-timers are encouraged. Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the night, including beer, wine, and nonalcoholic choices. Arriving a little early makes it easier to find a seat and add your selection before the list fills. Come as you are, choose a favorite tune, and enjoy a friendly night out.

Yoshi’s Oakland hosts a showcase built on the legacy of Detroit-born talent linked to Rick James’s punk funk era and Motown history. At the center is vocalist Val Young, who started out singing behind acts like The Gap Band, George Clinton and P-Funk, and Roy Ayers before Rick James elevated her at Motown with a glamorous "Black Marilyn Monroe" image. Her debut album Seduction became a gold seller with songs such as "Mind Games," "Piece Of My Heart," and "If You Should Ever Be Lonely," followed by Private Conversations on Amherst Records. Her credits span collaborations with artists including Mariah Carey and Tupac Shakur, notably the track "To Live & Die In L.A.," and sessions with members of Rufus. Sharing that lineage is Candice "Candi" Ghant, another Detroit native who signed to Motown at 19, moved to Hollywood, and was selected by Rick James as one of the Mary Jane Girls. Her studio and stage work ranges from background vocals for Ice Cube and other hip hop and R&B figures to soundtrack contributions and production projects that highlight her range behind the scenes. The story also connects to Farah Saraya Melanson, an L.A. artist who has performed with The Mary Jane Girls featuring Val Young, New Birth, and Jon B, and has recorded with Barry White. A multi-instrumentalist with formal music studies, she has collaborated with Val Young and Candi Ghant for several years. Together, these histories trace a path from Motor City roots to Hollywood studios, reflecting the voices and collaborators that shaped a distinctive chapter of funk, soul, and R&B.

This once-a-year flamenco night returns to The Dome for its fourth edition, showcasing Melissa Cruz in live performance with an ensemble of dancers and musicians. The program highlights Roberto Zamora on flamenco vocals, Brenna McDonald on flamenco guitar, Yeshe Wingerd on flamenco guitar and vocals, Jesse Torre on flamenco guitar, and Bob Sanders on electric bass, with Melissa Cruz leading in flamenco dance. Additional artists will be announced. Guests can settle in to enjoy the distinctive setting along with drinks and light snacks. A suggested donation of $25 per person is requested, and a separate reservation should be made for each attendee. Thanks to The Dome, performers receive 100 percent of donations.

At Spire the Church, a yoga session unfolds to the pulse of goth music, weaving atmospheric tracks into an all-levels practice. Participants can expect stretching and strength work guided by a carefully curated, moody playlist, with space to connect with others who share an interest in both yoga and goth culture. The experience also invites personal reflection and inner exploration. Participation is offered on a sliding scale of $10 to $20, with a suggested donation of $15, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Donations are accepted at the door via Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle, and presales are available. The venue is in a residential neighborhood, so consideration for nearby residents is essential. Parking in the immediate area is limited, so plan ahead by biking, carpooling, walking, using public transit, or taking a rideshare. If you drive, avoid crowding the closest block. Please bring a yoga mat, or borrow one on site, and wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement.

Isaiah Collier, born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, is a composer, arranger, educator, and a self-described “Sonic Scientist” whose vibrant voice in contemporary jazz has earned global attention. His achievements include a Steve Jobs Archive Fellowship and recognition as Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz in 2024. He has appeared on the cover of DownBeat Magazine, his recordings have been cited by The New York Times among the best jazz albums of the year, and his suite The Story of 400 Years was featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America. Honors also include a DownBeat Critics Poll award and the Jazz Journalists Association’s Up and Coming Artist of the Year. Collier is devoted to weaving the depth of jazz tradition with the urgency of the present to shape the sound of tomorrow. Known for fearless creativity and improvisational command, he has collaborated with Kahil El’Zabar, Ambrose Akinmusire, Craig Taborn, Joe Dyson, Azar Lawrence, NEA Jazz Masters Billy Hart and Marshall Allen, Denardo Coleman, Nicole Mitchell, Randy Brecker, Billy Harper, Marquis Hill, and Makaya McCraven. He also leads the formidable ensemble The Chosen Few. A proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, he stands in the lineage of Chicago’s storied tenor saxophone heritage, channeling respect for the past alongside forward-looking innovation. DownBeat has hailed him as “The Next Sax Giant.”