Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

Author

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYRay Reck Brings the Bounce

A little over seven years ago, Ray Reck accepted an invitation on a whim to DJ a gig in San Francisco, and since then has been swinging beats and moving hips from Venice Beach, to San Jose, to Oakland and San Francisco. Representing the spirit of Oakland Bounce, a femme collective of bounce...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYArumi Dances on the Glass Ceiling

Straight outta Southern California, Arumi discovered her artistic expression in the Bay Area through a love of house and world music. As a recent graduate of San Francisco State University, she manifests her passion for music through DJing and producing. Alongside DJ Lil Waifu, Arumi cofounded...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYMahaWam is Taking Names and Snatching Wigs

MahaWam has become a staple among many establishments in San Francisco and Oakland, weaving house beats with his influence of tech metal and progressive rock to usher in a new era of queer freedom and expression. On any given night you can find MahaWam hosting and organizing club nights and events...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYDJ Lil Waifu the Lightworker

Armed with leather straps and anime references, Jasmine Justo (a.k.a DJ Lil' Waifu) creates mixtapes that heal souls and unequivocally embrace all the emotions. In this interview, catch Lil' Waifu’s realness in the way she talks about her sadness, sexuality, and sending soundwaves to outerspace, as...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYFrankie Decaiza Hutchinson on Discwoman's SF Takeover

Frankie Decaiza Hutchinson, left, with Discwoman co-founders Emma Burgess-Olson and Christine McCharen-Tran. Courtesy Tyler Jones Photography. One of San Francisco’s most popular and long running clubs, 1015 Folsom, surrendered to an East Coast takeover hosted by Discwoman in honor of Pride Month....

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYIvy Jeanne Is Not For Sale

Ivy Jeanne wears many hats. Political femme activist, lead singer of Black Rainbow, muralist, and longtime San Francisco resident, are just a few ways to describe her momentum and dedication to our local community. We chat on Clarion Alley, in front of her very own mural (influenced by the...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYMichelle Zhu Finds Peace of Mind

On a sun-kissed afternoon in San Francisco’s Mission district, we met up with Michelle Zhu at Clarion Alley. As we sat along the stretch of “socially engaged and aesthetically innovative public art” painted by local artists, we chatted about her current projects and plans for the future. Inspired...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang

PLAYING THE BAYJaji Preme, a Flower Who Raps

Jaji photo by @hunt_the_bay Late one cold Berkeley evening, troupes of East Bay's finest music enthusiasts waited outside performance event New Wave Collective on San Pablo Ave., which poured a soft pink light on to the sidewalk. Inside awaited a lineup of up-and-coming performers - singers,...

Kayla Fong and Zihao Huang