Kollaboration Acoustic 3
The 3rd Annual Kollaboration Acoustic
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Location: Ford Amphitheatre
Capacity: 1,200
Competitors:
AJ Rafael Band
Mike Isberto *GRAND PRIZE WINNER (TIE!)*
Jinah Kim
Yoori
Susanna Yoon
Gabe Bondoc *AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER*
Afraid of Everest
Alfa *GRAND PRIZE WINNER (TIE!)*
Megan Lee
Guest Comedians:
Jimmy Brogan
Monrok
Guest Performer:
Jane Lui
Guest Judges:
Lee Ann Kim
Hannah Song
Jane Lui
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Kollaboration Acoustic 3
Written by Daisy Kim
HOLLYWOOD, CA— One summer night with the moon shining bright, Kollaboration dropped the curtains at the Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood to wrap up another musical fete. Kollaboration Acoustic 3 was the third annual acoustic based talent show which boasted a successful night of audiences that filled up the outdoor theater for 1,200 music enthusiasts. Show attendees enjoyed open air picnics throughout the evening as the night drifted away with unforgettable and hearty harmonies of the competing artists.
The show’s line-up included artists Gerald Ko (Afraid of Everst), Megan Lee, Yoori Park, Mike Isberto, AJ Rafael Band, Susanna Yoon, Jinah Kim, Alfa, , and Gabe Bondoc. While crooners such as Gerald Ko, Mike Isberto and Gabe Bondoc strummed their guitars, songstress Alfa Garcia sung her songs seated, playing the piano. One of Kollaboration’s youngest competitors, Megan Lee was accompanied by her pianist Will Volume, who was also the event’s Freestyle Guitar Competition winner. The Freestyle Guitar Competition was made possible by ZZYZX Snap Jack‘s generous sponsorship, and the Freestyle Vocal Competition was made possible by My Ninja‘s generosity. Each Freestyle Competition winner was awarded a cash prize.
While comedienne Monrok roared the audience with outrageous lines witfully reflecting on her Indian-American family, she was followed by comedic legend Jimmy Brogan who was last seen on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson with his usual sarcasm and flair. The evening was made complete with last year’s Kollaboration Acoustic 2 winner, Jane Lui as the guest performer. Her easing and soulfully poetic voice captivated all ears with her original, “Long Ago.”
As the show came to a close, all competing artists were joined on stage by Kollaboration’s Executive Director, Paul “PK” Kim, Executive Producer Roy Choi, Associate Producer Christine Kim and the entire organization’s staff members for a grand finale singing Michael Jackson’s beloved “Heal the World.” The event’s big winners were Alfa Garcia and Mike Isberto, as they shared the grand-prize title from the judges, Jane Lui, Hannah Song, and Lee Ann Kim, winning $1,000 award. Gabe Bondoc won the live Verizon Wireless Audience Choice Award with the most number of text votes and took home another $1,000 award, thanks to Verizon Wireless.
In partnership with the Ford Amphiteater, Kollaboration Acoustic 3 was a part of the 2009 Summer Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations.
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Meet our Kollaboration Acoustic 3 Competitors!
| AFRAID OF EVEREST | |
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Gerald Ko is in fact a pharmacist who a little over a year ago decided to share his love for music with the world by uploading performances on Youtube. With a screenname of "Singindork888", he never imagined his videos would attract a following of internet viewers. Although he'll be keeping his day job for a long time to come, he remains inspired to continue sharing his music online and developing as a singer songwriter. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7vzyfwH01o Website: http://www.youtube.com/singindork888 |
| AJ RAFAEL BAND | |
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AJ Rafael was born on March 12, 1989 in Los Angeles to Filipino parents. He's from Moreno Valley, CA but has lived in Boston for the past year and put a band together there. He said, "Ever since my father, a great musician and composer, died in 1999, I knew my life was going to be about music from then on." He plays piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, and drums. He has more than 70,000 subscribers on YouTube and 8 million plays on MySpace. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBScVuuhR8 Website: http://myspace.com/ajrafael |
| ALFA GARCIA | |
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Alfa got her start playing downtown New York City while studying at NYU. A classically trained pianist and violinist, Alfa taught herself guitar 10 years ago and began writing songs not long after. She has performed in many US cities, as well as in her native Philippines and in Switzerland. Her music has been described as “hydraulics for the heart” and her first full-length record, “Second Skin”, has been received positively in the NY-area Asian American community. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFE6huBKipk Website: http://www.alfa-music.com |
| GABE BONDOC | |
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Singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer. Only a few words are needed to describe this performer. He’s been performing since 2003 at various events, high schools, colleges and festivals. And when he first picked up the guitar, little did he know how quickly he would start writing original songs and be able to hear fans singing along to them. With the power of Gabe’s live show, MySpace, YouTube, BlogTV and the word of mouth, his fans are growing in numbers. And with Gabe’s latest EP release titled “Gentlemen”, this California artist is set to go national. Website: http://himynameisgabe.com |
| JINAH KIM | |
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Jinah Kim resides in Los Angeles with her semi-retired parents and no boyfriend. With a B.A. in English and no job, she writes songs to pass the time between meals and trips to the Kogi truck (tweet her! /jinahmusic). She has been known to eat her feelings. She also eats up music by her heroes Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple, and Rachael Yamagata. What is left of the feast is what you hear on her myspace, recordings, and at live shows--like KOLLAB ACOUSTIC! Website: http://www.myspace.com/jinahmusic |
| MEGAN LEE | |
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Born and raised in Southern California, Megan has been entertaining since she was 2 yrs old. Her greatest passion to be a performer drove her to be a successful professional actor/dancer/singer since the age of 10. She has been on numerous national commercials, including many Disney/ Nickelodeon programs & short/ independent/tv films like Crash. She is very excited and proud to be part of this wonderful Acoustic 3. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hedThAesBkg Website: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3032782 |
| MIKE ISBERTO | |
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Mike is a fresh new talent that has broken into the singer/songwriter scene. He has played many venues including the House of Blues and the Roxy Theater. With influences ranging from Boyz II Men, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Hendrix, and Marley, to soul legends Otis Redding and Al Greene, to rap icons Tribe Called Quest. His eclectic love for music has shaped his style, and brings a whole new sound to folk music. He has also recently come out with his debut EP "Love Is All.” Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WIW9Y01KBY Website: http://www.youtube.com/mikeisbertomusic |
| SUSANNA YOON | |
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Susanna Yoon is an acoustic folk artist, singer and songwriter who was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She currently resides in Beijing, China. Susanna began playing the piano when she was only five. After living in Beijing, she decided to pick up the guitar and began to sing independently. Susanna has recently been signed to LEEWAY Networks, and is due to release her debut EP near the end of 2009, under the record label. Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDaRuiY0Ug0 Website: http://www.youtube.com/user/suehee83 |
| YOORI PARK | |
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Yoori is a singer/songwriter. She has been a classically trained pianist for about 10 years and has been playing for more than 16 years. Yoori also enjoys doing worship and believes that what keeps her going in life is constantly trusting in the Lord. Website: http://myspace.com/thisisyoori Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yoori/119391359662 |
