Posted on

Steel and String: dynamic duo at the market

steel and string
MJ Lee and Kevin Kihara take a break after a morning of performing at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market.

Typically customers at a farmers’ market are grasping for their favorite organic produce. The fruits and vegetables excite the sense of smell and sight, but rarely does anything at the market capture the sense of sound like the musical duo of Steel and String. The unique, shield-like instrument and melodic violin create a harmonious blend of sound.

The combination of the rare Hang instrument and classical violin contribute to the couple’s distinct musical style. Comprised of Kevin Kihara and MJ Lee, Steel and String has been together since Spring 2014 and have been performing as street entertainers at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market for three weeks.

Hang instrumentalist and vocalist Kihara has been playing the unusual instrument for one and a half years. He describes the instrument as the “evolution of the steel drum.” It was invented by Swiss company PanArt in 2001 and 100 to 200 were produced annually. Today, however, production has ceased, which contributes to the Hang’s rarity.

Singer-songwriter and violinist Lee has been playing been playing violin since she was 4 years old. She plays both independently and collaboratively with other artists in the San Francisco area, according to her website,

Referring to the creation of Steel and String, Lee said, “I saw him playing and was impressed with his skills an musicality, so I asked him whether he might be open to playing with a violinist. The rest is history!”

Lee describes the duo’s style as a type of “free-flowing improvisation.” This makes every performance special to those who view their performances. She emphasizes that it is “quality over quantity in terms of audience.” Although massive crowds may not form, to hear feedback from those who do view the duo’s performances makes performing so rewarding for the pair. They are looking to expand their venues where they can play to include schools, restaurants, outdoor festivals and others.

Lee said, “This is a new and exciting venture for us both, and we’re excited to see where it goes!”

 

Posted on

Tiffany Kang: tackling nutrition, one story at a time

Tiffany Kang talks to a group of volunteers on a recent weekday. More than 13,000 people volunteer annually. Photo by Cassidy Hopkins
Tiffany Kang talks to a group of volunteers on a recent weekday. More than 13,000 people volunteer annually. Photo by Cassidy Hopkins

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Alameda County Community Food Bank provides many hungry people in the county with wholesome food through the work of staff members such as Communications Coordinator Tiffany Kang. She and the rest of the 80-member staff, and thousands of volunteers, provide for those who may not otherwise be able to put food on the table.

Kang’s duties at the food bank revolve around journalism, social media and press correspondence. She manages the food bank website, writing articles on a multitude of topics and upcoming events, and handles the organization’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Other tasks include “pitching to journalists so that they will cover our events, writing and sending media alerts and press releases to make broadcast TV and radio stations aware of our happenings and cause, … [and] helping our partners,” referring to local businesses trying to increase their exposure by partnering with the food bank.

But for Kang, “The most fun part of my job is going out and reporting with a camera … meeting with clients, … [and] talking with people.”

When Kang meets with people and hears their stories, she places particular importance on “preserving the integrity of their voices.” She emphasizes the ramifications of poverty and obesity on the health of people, particularly children, who comprise 50 percent of their clients.

Kang said that those in poverty are more inclined to consume cheaper, though unhealthy, foods to make ends meet. She said the consumption of unhealthy foods is prevalent in elementary school-age kids. So the food bank does provides groceries and meals to students during the summer as well as the school year through some of the 240 agencies they work with, including churches, soup kitchens and the Salvation Army. Kang acknowledges that during summer, “There is almost no guarantee they will get the nutrition they would during the school year.” That is why programs such as the food bank’s new Mobile Pantry and its children’s backpacking program, which allows children easier access to food throughout the year, are important to Kang.

Her desire to help others also feeds her love of storytelling. She aspires to tell her story and that of other people because she is “convicting with, convicted by words.” And part of that involves “preserving the integrity of their voices.” But for her, it is more than just that. “I’ve always been a writer… and I wanted to use my words meaningfully. I wanted to tell true stories,” she said.