Current TV Kickoff Party
We're on the scene at the Current TV kickoff party being MC'ed by Mos Def -- Michael Franti is currently representing EssEff. This is the new project from INdTV, "Dedicated to short form TV." The logo features a cursor, to signify "awaiting input." We're not kidding. Still, they certainly have a crowd of "connectors" assembled. And kids are smoking pot with Al Gore in the house. Who does that guy think he is with his supporting of the arts and weed smoke at his parties? Matt Gonzalez? We kid because we love. Goapele and the Crown City Rockers will be appearing later -- proper respects to the Yay Area have been made.
We overheard an officer say that the SFFD was prepared for 3,000 folks but the event promised 5,000 spots. So if you have a ticket, get down here now if it's not too late alrighty. Otherwise just come hang out on King. There's an afterparty hosted by Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Goapele and ?uestlove hosting at Mighty starting at 9pm. Look for Don Hazen's coverage of the announcement on Alternet, photos from the Examiner and the Chronicle tomorrow, Tara Silva in next week's San Francisco Magazine and Ari Berman's exhaustively researched piece in The Nation next month.
Update: More pics and our notes after the jump.
We ran into Ben Jenkins, who moblogged a photo before we could upload our live report. Then he goes and writes a neat analysis. Nice work, Ben. Mos Def was busy, leading the crowd around from stage to stage. He was all smiles when the girls squealed "We love you, Mos!" He's definitely got an acting career ahead of him -- he's totally man-tiny. When talking up Google Current, what were sure will be the first (and hopefully only) show about Google's top search terms, Mos joked, "Raise your hand if you know Google. C'mon even people in jail know Google. I'm thinking about signing up with their Gmail, cause you know, Gmail sounds kinda gangsta!"
A local reverend noted that today was the 37th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assasination. The crowd paused, hands raised, in a moment of silence.
Michael Franti and Spearhead turned in a great, short set. God those guys are good. During a reggae break, the we smelled the first puffs of endo. Ah, San Francisco.
From left to right, Al Gore, Sean Penn, Gavin Newsom, and Leonardo DiCaprio share a laugh. "Did you hear the one about Dick Cheney's balls?" we're going to assume. They emerged from the indoor party (no media allowed, although Don Hazen had no problem getting in earlier, while we were turned away along with The Nation's Ari Berman). So we guess there are limits to exactly how indie you're allowed to be in order to gladhand the Hollywood stars and politcal figures behind the project.
Overheard while Mos Def was handing over the microphone -- Gavin Newsom joking "Can I start rappin' now?" That's right, prep-hop inna hizzouse! We told you he was secretly an MC.
Spicoli beams with pride. "Take that, Matt and Trey," we imagine he was thinking to himself. We would have gotten closer, but we hear that guy packs heat.
Al Gore graciously shaking hands with an adoring fan. After that, we were shut out of access again. Oh well. The Chronicle photographer tried to get a picture with all four of them, but they declined to indulge in a photo-op. It was back to the open bar and hors d'ouvres for them, and home to write this all up for us. Thanks to BWR for the press pass.