Beijing Rocks S.F. at Sing for China fundraiser

Last night was the Sing for China charity event, benefitting the China AIDS Orphan Fund. The event itself turned out to be super awesome, with great rock music exceeding my expectations!

Beijing's famous band, Queen Sea Big Shark, is opening for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonight in Oakland.

All the bands are huge in China, so it was quite a special show, with great music and performances. Opening was Drunken Hu from San Francisco, followed by Hedgehog, Casino Demon, and ending with Queen Sea Big Shark, who is opening for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonight in Oakland. Our favorite band was Hedgehog... the drummer chick, Atom, was about 4 feet tall, and just destroyed on the drums. Hedgehog had great stage presence, and riveting sounds.

I baked 200 cupcakes (minis and standard sizes) with all proceeds going to the organization. There were a range of flavors, including my new favorite, Peanut Butternana, as well as a new creation, Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice!

Click below for more photos!.

In addition to Cupcakes for Charity, there was a raffle for a bunch of video games donated by SEGA and Koei. Games included Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires, Ironman, Bleach: Dark Souls, Sonic the Hedgehog (how appropriate!), Sonic Chronicles, Daisy Fuentes Pilates, Let's Tap and Stormrise. Thank you SEGA and Koei!

My new cupcake sign :) ...made from scratch with love

Local San Francisco band, Drunken Hu opened the event with hard-hitting metal sounds. Sing for China event organizer, Melvin Wong was the lead singer.

Hedgehog was hot, and definitely one of the night's favorites.

Atom breakin' it down on the drums... look how tiny she is, you can barely see her over the drum kit.

Hedgehog's bassist, Bassist Box.

Look how cute Atom is (center), and what an amazing drummer. I'm 5 feet tall so she must be about 4 feet 6 inches...we're all standing up in this photo!

Curtis Chin helped organize and promote the Sing for China event.

Check out what Atom is holding in her other hand...

My cupcake is famous!

Mmm...cupcakes!

Tin Fan leading an encore rally... Queen Sea! Big Shark!

Queen Sea Big Shark with surf pop sounds.

Me, chillin' at the cupcake and raffle ticket table.

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Come for Cupcakes, and contribute to the China AIDS Orphan Fund at Sing for China

No, it's not karaoke, but it IS a charity concert with three of China's biggest Indie Rock bands touring the U.S. Tonight will be my first Cupcakes for Charity event, and all proceeds will go towards the benefit.

I have been a very fortunate person all my life, surrounded by people who love me and whom I love. I've also had my share of experiences both good and bad, and these experiences have taught me to always be grateful for what I have, to appreciate the people and things around me, and above all, be generous in giving back. And generosity can come in the form of money or in the form of service, and that is something I want to do more of. So I'm hoping to align with some non-profits to do some cupcake drives. Hopefully, it can help bring out a few smiles for the many smiles I've received.

Sing for China - Fight AIDS with Art

The Sing For China Tour will bring three of China’s biggest and best indie-rock bands to the U.S. for 28 days in August/September as part of an unprecedented effort by the Chinese music community to raise funds for the China AIDS Orphan Fund charity.

More information is available at http://modernskyent.com/singforchina/index.html

Continue reading for more information on the Sing for China tour and when it will be in your area!

All proceeds from artist share of performance ticket sales/fees will go to China AIDS Orphan Fund.

Since its inception in 2003, the China AIDS Orphan Fund (CAOF) has followed its mission to improve the lives of children orphaned by HIV/ AIDS in central China, especially Henan Province. The organization's activities include education, advocacy, funding research and support for organizations serving the affected population in China. Funding priorities include (1) Education for AIDS orphans, (2) humanitarian services to families affected by HIV/AIDS, (3) Medical care and training, and (4) foster care and orphanage programs. CAOF is a registered, non-profit, U.S.-based organization.

The tour features three of China's biggest/best indie-rock bands:

* Hedgehog
* Queen Sea Big Shark
* Casino Demon

* Drunken Hu? (San Francisco Opening Act)

We would like to thank SEGA and Koei for donating video games for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii, to be given away at the San Francisco event.

Koei has generously donated the following games:

- 2 copies of Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires (for Sony PS3)

- 2 copies of Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires (for Xbox 360)

SEGA has generously donated the following games:

- 2 copies of Iron Man (for the Sony PSP)

- 2 copies of Stormrise (for Sony PS3)

- 2 copies of Virtua Tennis 2009 (for Sony PS3)

- 2 copies of Sonic Chornicles (for Nintendo DS)

- 2 copies of Bleach: Dark Souls (for Nintendo DS)

- 2 copies of Sonic the Hedgehog (for Sony PS3)

- 2 copies of Let's Tap (for Nintendo Wii)

- 2 copies of Daisy Fuentes Pilates (for Nintendo Wii) Read more...

Iron Cupcake: San Francisco - Ingredient: Pepper!

I participated in my first Iron Cupcake challenge on Monday night, and the special ingredient this month was PEPPER! Black or red, it didn't matter. There were over 100 people who came out to taste, not all were cupcake engineers, but they were all definitely fans of the baby cakes. The monthly Iron Cupcake: San Francisco Challenge, is held at the Leland Tea Co., and is open to the public for free (although beginning next month, there will be a $5 door charge, but totally worth it).

Seriously, pepper. Who puts pepper in their cupcakes? Now that was a challenge. Was I stressed? ...I mean, um, a little bit...posting on Twitter and Facebook, asking people for pepper cupcake advice and suggestions the weeks before. I finally took a little from each person, and created the following:

Cayenne Chocolate Zinger Cake: Chocolate, cayenne pepper, serrano pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg. Frosting:Cayenne pepper and pumpkin spice buttercream with a sprinkle of paprika.

Description: A taste of the seasons changing from Summer to Autumn. The cayenne pepper gives a sharp kick when you first bite in, while the scent of pumpkin spice buttercream frosting sweetens the aroma. Then the sharp cayenne bite is cut by dark chocolate and fragrant cinnamon. Once the cake is gone, the serrano pepper brightens up, then lingers slightly to close out the cake.

No discrimination here... Black pepper, red pepper, chile pepper, and even the Doctor...

I almost felt sorry for those who walked in randomly, without knowing the theme. But only a little bit, because once the tastings started, it was obvious how much thought and planning went into engineering each of these baby cakes.

With 30 cupcake entries and varieties, it was quite the colorful feast of miniature indulgences blanketing every inch of the cafe's counter and back tables. Chelsea, founder of Kingdom Cakes and Iron Cupcake progenitor said there were "over 30 entries cramming as much pepper possible into a cupcake." And that was unmistakably the theme for the evening.

Can you imagine eating every single one of these? I didn't think so. This was one of each of every cupcake baked. Yes, best to bring a partner, or maybe two or three.

If you're a foodie, if you love cupcakes, or have a massive sweet tooth, this is the event for you. I mean, who can resist a ton of free cupcakes?! There were so many mini cupcakes to taste, it was nearly impossible to finish them all.

More photos below for your enjoyment, and please come out to support next month's Iron Cupcake challenge... SQUASH!

Cupcakes were tasted by everyone attending (even the non-bakers), and judged on Taste and Presentation.

Cupcake engineers came early to set up their creations. Beautiful cupcake tiers and displays covered the counter at Leland Tea Co.

Ginger, mango, peppermint... all flavors lending support to the beloved pepper.

It's so tempting to watch the bakers display their wares. How can you not reach out and grab one?

Presentation was key. Glorious baby cakes stacked gently next to each other.

Kingdom Cake (by Chelsea) had sparkly, glittery spicy chocolate cupcakes, and set the bar for presentation.

A dragon cake was spitting red cupcake fire, placed right next to the refreshing Pepper Peach Pandemonium.

The Iron Cupcake Grand Prize winner: Pepper Peach Pandemonium!

Oooh... Pepper Bacon Maple Cupcake with Pepper Maple frosting!

The little tea cafe was packed with cupcake connoisseurs, reaching temperatures around 80 degrees, melting not only some of the cupcakes, but the participants as well.

Oh baby! Mid-action shot... guess where his hand landed right after this?

Chelsea begins the competition and announces rules and procedures.

Cupcake tasters cast their votes, placing ballots in each cup.

Chelsea and friend counting and tallying every single vote... all 1,200+ of them!

(30 cupcakes, at least 40 votes each)

The aftermath.

Waiting for the tallying and cupcake winner to be announced.

Chelsea finalizes the counts, presents the prizes, including some wonderful Wilton baking products, Leland Tea's Iron Cupcake Blend Tea, and a variety of other cupcake-related delights.

Winners of the Iron Cupcake: Pepper challenge -- Pepper Peach Pandemonium

Chelsea and me!

Cayenne Chocolate Zingers!

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Cupcakes for Kaiser

Happy Birthday Kaiser and Jen! The talented photographer and journalist, turned 30 last week, and his lovely fiancee, Jen, celebrated hers as well (2 days and 4 years apart).

Of course we had to celebrate his birthday with some cupcakes :) ! Maybe I can convince him to take over my food photography...Choco choco buttercream, Devil's Mint Chip with choco buttercream, and Orange Choco Zing!

Turns out he loves peanut butter, so next time... for sure. How can you refuse someone who single-handedly does this... to your cupcakes...?

Great job handling bizness!

Playground S.F.

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