Music

LOS ANGELES — Katee Taira Shean is among the top 20 finalists on the Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance,” which will have a two-hour episode on Wednesday, June 11, at 8 p.m.

Hosted by Cat Deeley, the show features dancers skilled in everything from the street styles of hip-hop, krumping and popping to ballroom styles like salsa, quickstep and jive.

Last season, after Sabra Johnson was named America’s favorite dancer, the top 10 dancers embarked on a cross-country, 50-city performance tour.

by LEFTERIS KAFATOS
Hokubei Mainichi

Japanese music sensation Hiromi is known for her dynamic jazz performances, as seen at the concert she gave here in San Francisco last April at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. Now the artist has released a new album called “Beyond Standard” by Hiromi and Hiromi’s Sonicbloom.

The album features nine tracks played by Hiromi on piano and keyboards, with David Fiuczynski on guitar, Tony Grey on bass, and Martin Valihora on drums.

The popular Japanese rock band Love Psychedelico visited San Francisco’s Japantown on May 17 for a CD signing in front of Kinokuniya Bookstore. Dozens of fans lined up to meet Naoki (guitars, bass guitars, keyboards) and Kumi (vocals, guitars), who are promoting their seventh album and their first to be released in the U.S., “This Is Love Psychedelico — U.S. Best,” as well as a new DVD, “Golden Grapefruit Box.”

The two have toured Asia and are now setting their sights on the U.S. and Europe. For more information, visit www.lovepsychedelico.net/english/pro/index.html.

by JAMES WOODARD
Hokubei Mainichi

The Bay Area has always been a vortex for talented musicians, producers and entrepreneurs. Those savvy enough might be able to land a hit on the local charts. If you play your cards right, maybe more.

But local rapper/producer/musician Lyrics Born has had numerous hits, not only on Bay Area hip-hop stations, but on Live 105 as well. Heﾕs had his likeness included in video games, and has produced and performed with numerous Bay Area musicians.

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco Japantown, will offer a koto workshop for kids 6 to 12 years of age on Sunday, May 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The workshop will cover the general History of the koto; reigi (manners); proper set-up and cleaning of the koto; how to read notes; and how to play the koto.

ALAMEDA — Buena Vista United Methodist Church is “Raisin’ the Roof!” on Saturday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m.

This dance will feature the sounds of the Wesley Jazz Ensemble from Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose Japantown, a jazz/swing/big band featuring music from the ’40s to the present. There will also be dance lessons.

Minimum donation for the dance is $10, with funds to be used to pay for repairs to the church’s roof, which was damaged by the recent winter storms.

The church is located at 2311 Buena Vista Avenue near Park Street in Alameda, off of Highway 880.