Another stellar performance from OJO at The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). This was #2 of 3 of the engagement party summer series. The first show was a killer dance fest, the show last night was a dance between cars and eventually climaxed into a bang! I told you the first time around, didn’t I? There is one more performance on August 6th titled “Interactive Lecture”, don’t be fooled by the name… from what I hear, the audience will have a big role.

Watch the grand finale!! Listen to the sound of crash loop over and over…. they had contact mics under the hood of the cars.

And the winner, for her karaoke enthused response is … Kelly!! You’ll get an “Ultimate Poketo Karaoke Dance Party” tee-shirt and a drink on us at our Poketo Karaoke Dance Party, July 10th. We’ll be expecting you there in all your gold pant and glitter glory!

But thanks to everyone else who responded. There were lots of good ones in the mix. Alphaville, Ace of Base, Bonnie Raitt, Inner Circle, Seal, Journey… the list goes on. You guys rock! Spread the word and make it down to the party. Poketo understands your love for karaoke like no other.

See you there!

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Poketo Karaoke Dance Party
Friday July 10, 2009 8 PM - 1 AM
At Royal/T: 8910 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Free, RSVP at rsvp@poketo.com

What are YOUR ultimate karaoke jams? Ours are “Careless Whisper” by Wham! and “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas. Did we mention that our karaoke system is going to have 24,000 songs?! You better get ready to rock the mic.

Now your turn! Tell us your songs and why, by tomorrow. We’ll choose the winner to receive our new “Ultimate Poketo Karaoke Dance Party” shirt and a free drink on us at the Poketo Karaoke Dance Party on July 10th!

Comment here on the blog to enter. Make sure to include your email so we could contact you if you win!

Poketo Karaoke Dance Party at Royal/T
Friday, July 10th, 2009
8 PM - 1 AM
Royal/T: 8910 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Free, RSVP at rsvp@poketo.com

Poketo Karaoke Dance Party at Royal/T
Friday, July 10th, 2009
8 PM - 1 AM
Royal/T: 8910 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Free, RSVP at rsvp@poketo.com

The summer party will continue on Friday, July 10th as Poketo throws a Karaoke Dance Party at Royal/T. Bring your best moves to the dance floor. Or test your pipes by singing your favorite tunes and become the very first Poketo Karaoke Idol! Riches and fame, not guaranteed. But prizes will be plentiful for participants. Poketo pop-up Shop open all night. The Royal/T cafe and bar serving beer, wine, and Poketo’s Japanese street food inspired menu will be open throughout the evening. Come early for Happy Hour drinks from 8 - 10 PM.

Raina Lee, karaoke aficionado and author of Hit Me With Your Best Shot: The Ultimate Guide to Karaoke Domination will be making this party legit with book signings and a new Poketo tee shirt. Poketo will also release a new collection of wallets by top Japanese designers, Devil Robots, The Wonderful! Design Works, and Motomaho.

Event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at rsvp@poketo.com

Thanks to everyone that made it out on Saturday for the grand opening of our Poketo Pop Up Shop at Royal/T. Early birds got their heavy gift bags, the cafe was packed, and the artmaking workshop couldn’t have been better. All of the new mushrooms made at the workshop are now part of the shop display!

If you couldn’t make it, no worries, the shop and cafe menu will be available for 3 weeks, ending on July 18th. We are also having a big party on July 10th… a Karaoke Dance Party!! More on that soon.

I only put one table out initially, but, the tables quickly multiplied as more and more participants joined in on the artmaking action. It’s rare that you’ll have a chance to make crazy mushrooms with artists like James Gulliver Hancock and APAK.

And if you didn’t know already, the mushrooms were inspired by and part of the latest tour from singer, Lenka! James does all of the art direction for Lenka and they just returned from a European tour… some of those magic mushrooms have actually traveled the world before ending up in our shop. You can see more pics here.

Artists and music producers, Hearios came by with some nice custom mixes cds… thanks!

James Gulliver Hancock and Lenka!

Aaron and Ayumi of APAK!

Don’t forget to try our prix fixe menu we created. The shop and the menu will be up until July 18th.

As you know, James Gulliver Hancock is a long time Poketo Collaborator. As much as I can, I always get him involved in all of our projects…. just take a peek at the pop up shop visuals and you understand why. As we were driving down to install the pop up shop this week, he had a bright green utility knife in his hand and I was worried that it was the only tool he brought. He assured me, “that’s all we need”.

We’ve done two interviews with James over the past year from the Poketo Australia series we launched in 2008 and the Islands in LA show we had in February of 2009. Please check them out (interview Nov. 2008 and interview Feb. 2009) and get some insight into James and his art. Come down today, June 27th and meet him and make stuff together during the art workshop starting at noon.

Saturday, June 27 11-4p
Poketo Pop Up Shop at Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA

Get ready for the Poketo Pop Up Shop opening tomorrow!! Remember, opening day sale with nice discounts and product launches tomorrow only. Free gift bags for the first 50 guests.

Poketo Pop Up Shop at Royal/T
June 27th, 11am to 4pm
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA
90232
(Free parking in lot)

There will be capsule machine action.

Gift bags will have assorted goodies… look for tees, plate, wallets, books, and much more!!

Meet artists James Gulliver Hancock and APAK. Art workshop action with them starting at noon!

Still can’t get my mind over the fact that the king of pop is dead. Instead of mourning the tragic death of MJ, let’s celebrate his achievements and inspirations that he passed on to so many people. I picked out 3 of my favorite MJ inspired tracks from my itunes directly for anyone reading this blog to download. First track is an upbeat remix of “Rock With You” by Daft Punk.  Second track is an amazing acapella version of “Thriller” by the incredibly talented Petra Haden. The final track, “It’s Great To Be Here” remixed by Kenny Dope, is an old school Jackson 5 favorite of mine.

These tracks will only be up for a few days so get them while they last.

do download, listen, and enjoy it.

Daft Punk / Michael Jackson - “Rock With You” (White Label Mix) Mp3

Petra Haden - “Thriller” Mp3

The Jackson 5 - “Its Great To Be Here” (Kenny Dope Remix) Mp3