| Midnite
"Straight Outta Hunters Point"
Photography and Story by Diane
"Livonn" Adam © 2003
| While Kevin Epps' award winning documentary Straight
Outta Hunters Point is receiving well deserved accolades for shedding light on the
long and difficult history of the predominately African-American community Hunters
Point in San Francisco. An incredible star shined brightly over this war torn
community when St. Croix's Midnite brought their visionary lyrics and powerful
reggae music to the Bayview Opera House on June 24, 2003. |
Kevin Epps
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Midnite's tight rhythms
and intellectual lyrics continue to dominate their music and it seemed particularly
important that these lyrical Rastas brought their message to a neighborhood that rarely
sees peace, unity and clarity within its midst. |
Weaving their Midnite magic are members Ron Benjamin
(keyboards), Vaughn Benjamin (Lead Vocals), Abijah Hicks (lead rhythm
guitar), Phillip Merchant (bass) and Dion "Bosie" Hopkins on
drums. The band performed songs from the ground breaking CD releases Seek Knowledge
Before Vengeance and Unpolished along with introducing fans to the brand new Midnite
Branch I CD releases The Cipheraw and He Is Jah on the Rastafaria
label.
It's interesting to recall that the Bayview Opera House located on the
corner of Third and Newcomb Streets in San Francisco began it's history with the Masonic
Lodge in 1870 which was located five blocks north of its current location. It was part of
the South San Francisco Opera House, later to become the Bayview Opera House, which stood
next to the Masonic Temple. The Bayview Opera House is San Francisco's first and oldest
opera house and although there were never any actual operas held there it was known for
hosting many dramas and vaudeville acts. Today, the Bayview Opera House accommodates
special events in Hunters Point and is a community center that displays beautiful
afro-centric artwork by local talent. Though Midnite's show was not sold out, it was still
a very nice crowd and the Midnite fans in attendance had no qualms about stepping out to
'the hood' for a night of righteous reggae vibes.
Midnite: Phillip Merchant, Abijah Hicks, Dion
Hopkins;
Vaughn Benjamin; Ron Benjamin
It was a night to remember but I can't help but wonder. Why don't more
promoters take a calculated risk to help elevate and promote positivity in the
hood? San Francisco's Philip Elleston of Elleston's Intriguing World of Reggae is definitely a
brother who knows what's important and deserves a big up and thanks for arranging and
promoting the Midnite show in San Francisco's Hunters Point. Like me, many fans attending
the show in Hunters Point were still riding a high from Midnite's splendid performance at
the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival on June 22, 2003, so it was an extra special
treat to have the opportunity to see them once again.
Fans that still have not had enough Midnite should head to the 2nd
Annual Virgin Islands Reggae Festival in St. Thomas & St. Croix on August 30th
and 31st featuring Midnite, Dezarie, Glen Washington and over 15
regional and local reggae artists. For more information go to http://www.virginislandssummerreggaefest.com
or http://www.midniteband.com/
You can also catch Straight Outta Hunters Point July
14-17, 2003 at the Black Box Theatre, 1928 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, California.
For more information go to http://www.blackboxoakland.com/
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