(SAN FRANCISCO) The Museum of Performance & Design’s (MPD) critically acclaimed exhibition Somethin’s Happening Here: Bay Area Rock ‘n’ Roll 1963-73 marks the end of its run with a very special program that focuses on the sounds of the era it celebrates. In a treat for casual fans and aficionados alike, the Museum hosts an evening of rare audio and video recorded during the 1960s in San Francisco. Big Brother & The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Sly & The Family Stone, the Sons Of Champlin and the Beau Brummels are among the many local acts to be featured in an unprecedented evening of sound and vision.

In his capacity as a GRAMMY-nominated reissue producer, Somethin’s Happening Here co-curator Alec Palao has spent the best part of the last two decades combing tape vaults in the Bay Area and beyond, in search of audio gems from San Francisco’s rock’n’roll heyday. On this evening he shares some of his finds, with the rare opportunity to hear excerpts from his own and various other private collections, including some from the KSAN archive which now resides in MPD’s permanent collection. Also to be shown is some of the rare footage that Palao and co-curator Melissa Leventon gathered during their research for Somethin’s Happening Here. Each example is commercially unavailable, and many will be unknown even to the most hardcore collectors of San Francisco rock arcana.

The second half of the presentation will be devoted to a legendary San Francisco venue, the Avalon Ballroom, and will consist of previously unheard vintage recordings made by Bob Cohen. Cohen ran the Avalon and its legendary production company The Family Dog in partnership with Chet Helms, and among many other duties was responsible for the sound system at the venue, the quality of which made him a pioneer in the field of in-concert sound presentation. These dynamic and illuminating clips were all taped at the Avalon’s original location at Sutter and Van Ness during the mid to late 1960s, and together make up a priceless audio-verite document, showcasing many of the leading lights of the era.

Bob Cohen will be on hand to discuss his recordings, as will several of the musicians heard and seen in the presentation. Guest speakers include David Laflamme from It's A Beautiful Day, Gary Yoder from the Oxford Circle/Kak, and Rich Martin from Ray Columbus & The Art Collection.

Please note that audio or video recording devices are strictly prohibited.

CALENDAR LISTING

A Night at the Family Dog
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 7:00 pm
Museum of Performance & Design, 401 Van Ness Avenue, Veterans Building, 4th floor
San Francisco

The exhibition Somethin’s Happening Here: Bay Area Rock ‘n’ Roll 1963-73 marks the end of its run with a very special event that focuses on the sounds of the glorious era it celebrates. In a treat for both casual fans and aficionados of the era, MPD hosts an evening of rare audio and video recorded during the 1960s in San Francisco. Big Brother & The Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Sly & The Family Stone, the Sons Of Champlin and the Beau Brummels are among the many local acts to be featured in an unprecedented evening of sound and vision. Avalon Ballroom engineer Bob Cohen will be on hand to discuss his previously unheard recordings, Along with Bob Cohen, guest speakers will include David Laflamme fromIt's A Beautiful Day, Gary Yoder from the Oxford Circle/Kak, and RichMartin from Ray Columbus & The Art Collection.

Please note that audio or video recording devices are strictly prohibited Admission is $20.00 general / $15.00 for MPD members and students.

SOLD OUT