Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Reopening of The Uptown in Oakland a good sign for local bands
by Contessa Abono, [X]press Online
Downtown Oakland is undergoing some exciting revitalization projects these days. One that caught the eyes and ears of the local music community was the reopening of The Uptown Nightclub on Friday, November 2.
Around the corner from The Paramount Theater and near the Tribune Building, the location is ideal for many East Bay residents who don’t want to make the trip all the way into the city of no parking zones -- also know as San Francisco. The Uptown will feature entertainment ranging from live burlesque shows to skating video premiers -- something different from the crackers-and-cheese, live-band standards of other venues.
Larry Trujillo, Zero Magazine’s publisher and editor-in-chief, took on the club after its recent owners let it go. He sees a niche in the area that The Uptown could fill. After waiting for the club to go through escrow, he and his team worked to get the nightclub remodeled and ready to rock.
“Tonight is literally the first time I have seen it all put together. We have been working night and day, up until the last second,” said Trujillo of the reopening show, which featured Bay Area indie rock locals Birdmonster, The Morning Benders, The Mumlers, and Poor Bailey.
Two newly-remodeled rooms upstairs in the club are now open to the public and feature black leather couches, balcony views and semi-private seating nooks, full of plush pillows perfect for sneaking a make-out session. As far as the ambiance, Trujillo likens The Uptown to its sister club, The Blank Club in San Jose, which Trujillo also owns and operates.
The Uptown was like a well-divided household with a bar on one side; an adjacent room; “the family room,” which has a decent-sized stage; the surprisingly large “backyard,” which serves as the smoking area; and an upstairs “master bedroom,” a lounge with a smaller bar area.
San Francisco alternative radio station Live 105 (KITS 105.3FM) also presented at the reopening. Music director Aaron Axelsen, creator of the radio show Soundcheck, was at the event. Intent on discovering up-and-coming musicians, Soundcheck has a distinctive focus on SF Bay Area bands, and Axelsen came to the East Bay venue to support the nights undertaking.
“I grew up in the East Bay going to places like Gilman,” said Axelsen.
Axelsen feels it’s important to support local venues especially in the East Bay where there isn’t a plethora of activities for kids to choose from. Axelsen has his finger on the pulse of virtually dozens of local bands including Minipop who played a studio session recently on Soundcheck.
Axelsen feels clubs like The Uptown are vital for new music and hopes to see more clubs popping up all over the East Bay.
“The East Bay club scene has been stagnant lately,” said Axelsen. “Hopefully, The Uptown can rekindle the flourishing underground warehouse venues that were happening before. I feel this venue harnesses that sprit. The Uptown has that serendipitous nature.”
The demand for music venues outside of San Francisco seems to outweigh the number of hot spots that do exist -- making the reopening of The Uptown even more intriguing to local residents.
Vincenzo P. Mantooth, from San Leandro, had been to The Uptown before the reopening and was pleased with the changes.
“They are much friendlier now. As far as customer service goes they seem more attentive,” said Mantooth.
Many of the opening nights attendees had not been to a show at The Uptown so for them this was a night of excitement and possibly new beginnings.
You might find yourself winding up at The Uptown in the near future, catching an indie band and finding out that a local music scene does exists beyond the Bay Bridge.
The Uptown Nightclub is located at 1928 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. For more information on upcoming shows visit www.uptownnightclub.com.
Downtown Oakland is undergoing some exciting revitalization projects these days. One that caught the eyes and ears of the local music community was the reopening of The Uptown Nightclub on Friday, November 2.
Around the corner from The Paramount Theater and near the Tribune Building, the location is ideal for many East Bay residents who don’t want to make the trip all the way into the city of no parking zones -- also know as San Francisco. The Uptown will feature entertainment ranging from live burlesque shows to skating video premiers -- something different from the crackers-and-cheese, live-band standards of other venues.
Larry Trujillo, Zero Magazine’s publisher and editor-in-chief, took on the club after its recent owners let it go. He sees a niche in the area that The Uptown could fill. After waiting for the club to go through escrow, he and his team worked to get the nightclub remodeled and ready to rock.
“Tonight is literally the first time I have seen it all put together. We have been working night and day, up until the last second,” said Trujillo of the reopening show, which featured Bay Area indie rock locals Birdmonster, The Morning Benders, The Mumlers, and Poor Bailey.
Two newly-remodeled rooms upstairs in the club are now open to the public and feature black leather couches, balcony views and semi-private seating nooks, full of plush pillows perfect for sneaking a make-out session. As far as the ambiance, Trujillo likens The Uptown to its sister club, The Blank Club in San Jose, which Trujillo also owns and operates.
The Uptown was like a well-divided household with a bar on one side; an adjacent room; “the family room,” which has a decent-sized stage; the surprisingly large “backyard,” which serves as the smoking area; and an upstairs “master bedroom,” a lounge with a smaller bar area.
San Francisco alternative radio station Live 105 (KITS 105.3FM) also presented at the reopening. Music director Aaron Axelsen, creator of the radio show Soundcheck, was at the event. Intent on discovering up-and-coming musicians, Soundcheck has a distinctive focus on SF Bay Area bands, and Axelsen came to the East Bay venue to support the nights undertaking.
“I grew up in the East Bay going to places like Gilman,” said Axelsen.
Axelsen feels it’s important to support local venues especially in the East Bay where there isn’t a plethora of activities for kids to choose from. Axelsen has his finger on the pulse of virtually dozens of local bands including Minipop who played a studio session recently on Soundcheck.
Axelsen feels clubs like The Uptown are vital for new music and hopes to see more clubs popping up all over the East Bay.
“The East Bay club scene has been stagnant lately,” said Axelsen. “Hopefully, The Uptown can rekindle the flourishing underground warehouse venues that were happening before. I feel this venue harnesses that sprit. The Uptown has that serendipitous nature.”
The demand for music venues outside of San Francisco seems to outweigh the number of hot spots that do exist -- making the reopening of The Uptown even more intriguing to local residents.
Vincenzo P. Mantooth, from San Leandro, had been to The Uptown before the reopening and was pleased with the changes.
“They are much friendlier now. As far as customer service goes they seem more attentive,” said Mantooth.
Many of the opening nights attendees had not been to a show at The Uptown so for them this was a night of excitement and possibly new beginnings.
You might find yourself winding up at The Uptown in the near future, catching an indie band and finding out that a local music scene does exists beyond the Bay Bridge.
The Uptown Nightclub is located at 1928 Telegraph Ave, Oakland. For more information on upcoming shows visit www.uptownnightclub.com.
# posted by [X]press Staff @ 2:33 PM 