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The Miss National Asia Pageant is an national Asian pageant that is held locally in San Francisco. The pageant is in it’s fifth year and was held at the San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. The show consisted of four segments: Ethnic Costume, Swimsuit, Evening Gown (Question and Answer portion + Platform Speech); there was also an optional talent segment with four contestants competing for the title of Miss Talent.

The pageant results are as listed below:

Miss National Asia: Michelle Nguyen

First Princess: Mari Saleh

Second Princess: Phan Nguyen

Third Princess: Ashley Yu

Miss California Asia: Mari Saleh

Miss Talent: Phan Nguyen

Miss Charity: Michelle Nguyen

Miss People’s Choice: Michelle Nguyen

Other Contestants: Bianca Doria, Selena Du, Jana Hsu, Leena Nguyen, Grace Shao

Pictures of the Miss National Asia Pageant can be seen by clicking on the picture link above. If this post was informative and helpful, please feel free to leave me a comment or donation below. Thank you.

The Fillmore Jazz Festival took to the streets once again in an awesome display of color, sound, and flavor. This year the festival brought in record numbers of people to the streets to take part in some of San Francisco’s best entertainment festivals of all time. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is something that always strikes it rich for me because my love of music is great. To be able to come and listen to live music and all different types of Jazz makes one feel like they are a kid in a candy store.

This year there were 3 large stages for performers as well as a smaller stage at Fillmore and Jackson St. In total there were 4. Throughout the festival there were scattered freelance musicians that played everywhere and anywhere. Some played on the sidewalks, some on the street, and some in restaurants and others indoor venues.

Having the festival on the July 4th weekend seemed to be a nightmare because everyone and their families and friends came out in full force to take part in free music and the opportunity to buy some great food and beverage, as well as, arts and crafts and other gadgets and gizmos. Being able to navigate Fillmore Street seemed to be a nightmare; just imagine how hard it would be to find local parking around the area. It is virtually impossible to find something close to the festival, let alone something within half a mile away. Public Transit or Taxis are highly suggested.

The festival ran from 10am - 6pm. The festival kept a good attendance throughout the whole weekend. The festival also scheduled some awesome bands that played anything from Classical Jazz to Swing Jazz. The variety was remarkable and not to mention the bands that played on their own will off stage. My favorite band to see every year has to be Groove8. They are a funk band from North Carolina. It’s rare these days to hear a band that still plays funk music and with a brass section. To hear them for the first time will surely blow one away.

The weekend worked well with the event as it received great sunny weather. It was a perfect time to spend with family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. The ambiance was great with just a great homey feel and people watching a World Cup Playoffs game added more excitement to the festival.

All in all, the Fillmore Jazz Festival has to be one of my favorite festivals to attend. In fact, the festival is my favorite festival to attend and I cannot wait till it rolls around next summer. Please take my word and check out this festival because you won’t be disappointed.

Pictures of the Fillmore Jazz Festival can be seen by clicking on the picture link above. If this post was informative and helpful, please feel free to leave me a comment or donation below. Thank you.

One of the hottest funk bands to ever perform at the Fillmore Jazz Festival has taken the stage at the legendary Boom Boom Room located on Geary Blvd. and Fillmore St. This awesome funk band originates from North Carolina and brings to California some of the most upbeat music of our days. The band first started out from a group of friends and originally named the group Audioform, however, due to the growth of the band by adding additional members the group comprised of 8 members and thus the band known as Groove8 was born.

Although the group is still in its infancy, the group has a lot of promise and the turn out to hear them play is always amazing to see. This year they street performed in front of Marcus Books (one of America’s oldest all Black bookstore) and will later play on July 4th at the Jazz Heritage Center located at Eddy and Fillmore Streets.

The band perform locally on the East Coast, but when the Fillmore Jazz Festival rolls around all 8 members get together and take a short tour out here on the West Coast. If you haven’t heard of them please check them out. They are a funk groove band waiting to be discovered and signed by a major record label. There website can be found at www.groove8.com

Pictures of their performance can be seen by clicking on the picture link above. If this post was informative and helpful, please feel free to leave me a comment or donation below. Thank you.