Performers at the All Stars Talent Show Network launch in San Francisco

The All Stars Project of the San Francisco Bay Area (ASP of the SF Bay Area) launched the Talent Show Network in San Francisco.  Our mission was to reach and bring together young people living in San Francisco’s toughest and poorest communities — young people who usually stay apart.  After hosting a series of auditions in diverse neighborhoods throughout the city, we held our first San Francisco All Stars Talent Show on September 27th.  At ZEUM in downtown San Francisco, 250 audience members — parents, siblings, friends from school, community leaders, and All Stars donors and supporters – packed the auditorium.  Twenty-five acts and 43 performers rocked the house. 

On October 27th, 175 SF Bay Area business professionals and leaders attended the All Stars’ annual benefit dinner at the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel. All Stars youth shined brightly, serving as hosts, giving testimonials, and performing on stage as part of the night’s entertainment. The program was hosted by CBS TV 5’s recently retired co-anchor, Barbara Rodgers, and SF Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaimed October 27th “All Stars Project Day in SF.”  ASP’s president and CEO Gabrielle L. Kurlander flew into town for the benefit and gave a keynote.

Fresh from the successful launch in San Francisco, youth programs manager Dr. Elouise Joseph and her volunteer outreach team went back to the streets of Oakland to continue to reach Oakland youth from poor communities and get them involved with the All Stars.  In October and November auditions were held at neighborhood centers and schools in East and West Oakland, bringing out alumni acts as well as new performers of all ages.  A final audition and talent show was held on December 6th at Oakland Tech High School. 

For more information about the ASP of the SF Bay Area, contact Caroline Donnola at 415-986-2565 or cdonnola@allstars.org.