The cast of performers at the ASP of the SF/Bay Area Talent Show on Saturday, April 4.

The All Stars Project of the San Francisco Bay Area spent January and February conducting outreach in the Bayview/Hunters Point and Mission neighborhoods of San Francisco, some of the city’s poorest communities.  Dr. Elouise Joseph, youth programs manager, led her talented team of volunteers to recruit young people at busy street corners, festivals, and fairs.  Four auditions were held in local recreation centers from late February through the end of March.  A fifth audition, in San Jose, was organized by Phillip Walker, artistic director of the African-American Drama Company. 

On April 4th, the series of auditions culminated in an All Stars Talent Show held at ZEUM in downtown San Francisco.  The show included a wide array of ages and talents, from an Appalachian-style clogger to a 14-member hip-hop group to a praise dance duo, with singers, poets, and rappers added into the mix.  A diverse audience of parents, grandparents, All Stars donors, and friends cheered the young people on. 

In addition, student recruitment for the inaugural class of the ASP of the SF/Bay Area, Development School for Youth (DSY) begins this month with Dr. Joseph set to speak to high school juniors and seniors at Mission High School, Raoul Wallenberg High School and Lincoln High School.  A friend-raiser reception to kick off DSY is being hosted by Latham & Watkins on May 7th.  The DSY inaugural class begins September 29th.

Finally, the Phat Friends Youth Selection Committee has been soliciting nominations and conducting interviews with Bay Area adults who are being recognized for their extraordinary support for youth development.  The Phat Friends Awards Ceremony will be held at the California Historical Society in downtown San Francisco on June 3rd.  For more information about the Phat Friends Awards or to purchase tickets, contact Caroline Donnola, volunteer and operations manager, at 415-986-2565 or cdonnola@allstars.org.