SAN FRANCISCO — The first Tofu Palooza, a benefit for the fifth annual Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival, will be held on Wednesday, May 27, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Pa’ina Lounge, 1865 Post St. in San Francisco Japantown (next to Sundance Kabuki Cinemas).
The event will feature entertainment by three Asian American acts.
San Francisco-based singer songwriter Curt Yagi was named the 2008 Best of the Bay Singer Songwriter (San Francisco Bay Guardian), and RAW San Francisco Musician of the Year included his song “Sweep Me” on the popular KFOG Local Scene 8 CD in the Bay Area. The Bay Guardian described Yagi as having “the swagger of Lenny Kravitz and the lyrical prowess of Jack Johnson.” The San Francisco Chronicle called Yagi “a talented songwriter who sings — like Kenny Loggins.”
Yagi, an acoustic guitarist and vocalist, will be joined by Kitt Thompson on bass and Adam Grant on cajon. His band, Curt Yagi and the People Standing Behind Me, will make their fourth annual appearance at the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival.
Cynthia Lin and the Blue Moon All Stars are a nine-piece Bay Area band featuring a menagerie of acoustic instruments, including ukulele, cajon, banjo, horns, and the occasional glockenspiel and kazoo. From indie folk to bossa nova to Bruno Mars, they bring sass, class, and a high-energy retro vibe to the stage. Check out their video for “Zombie Heart” at http://youtube.com/cynthialinmusic.
Kristee Ono loves burritos and is dying to tell you about it. A little dark, a little weird, relatively entertaining, she has been in the San Francisco comedy scene for seven years. She has performed at the Punchline and Cobbs with Dat Phan.
“We’re happy to partner with the new owner at Pa’ina in helping to raise much-needed funds to cover festival expenses,” said Festival Co-Chair Kiyomi Tanaka.
“We are proud to present this showcase of young Asian American talent to the community,” added Festival Co-Chair Kenji G. Taguma.
The Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Nichi Bei Foundation, which supports the publication of The Nichi Bei Weekly, and will be held Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in San Francisco Japantown’s Peace Plaza, Post and Buchanan streets.
Cover charge: $10 at the door. The cover charge and a percentage of food and drink sales will help to cover expenses for the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival (www.soyandtofufest.org). For more information, email info@soyandtofufest.org.