The showcases started in Houston, Tx in 1994 as an outlet for students to get real-life performing experience in real-life clubs. It continued every year (except 2009) and evolved into a highly respected forum for up and coming performers – thousands of players, future-signed bands, and world-famous guest musicians.
Many of the over 100 showcases (1994-2019) were tightly scripted 8-hr multi-art/multi-discipline productions. Non-stop stage & floor acts w/up to seventy five (75+) musicians; including fire & modern dance, magic, butoh, robotics, tech, sketch arts, on & on. From 1999 thru 2008, these marathon events were held quarterly. 30+ showcases alone held at the Red Devil/Polk St/SF during Dotcom era 2001-2002.
Everyone came, famous & not.
San Francisco venues that hosted Musicians’ Showcase include Slim’s, Bottom of the Hill, Thee Parkside, Red Devil Lounge, Tupelo, Grant&Green, OmniCircus, Pyramid, Storyville, Conn. Yankee, El Rio, The 23 Club, Hotel Utah…