People of all ages sing their hearts out as a disco ball reflects the fluorescent lights from the karaoke stage, where a neon sign says “Mama Kin.”
Mama Kin is a restaurant, bar and venue that allows people of all ages to perform their art during open-mic and
karaoke nights.
Andrew Saman, who is the co-founder of Mama Kin, was the general manager of Cafe Stritch and lost his job when the club
was closed.
Mama Kin is the successor of Cafe Stritch, a jazz club that shut down because of the
coronavirus pandemic.
He said he was approached by previous customers of
Cafe Stritch who suggested he open a club.
Saman said he did not take their input seriously until months into the pandemic, which led him to purchase a space in June 2022.
“I’ve had a lot of success opening places with other people, so it’s my first time I’m getting my own shot at it and I’m hoping it sticks,” Saman said. “I’m trying to do this the right way.”
He said the perspective of music changes when it’s the act of seeing people on stage
with lights performing.
“It’s stuck with me ever since,” Saman said. “We really try to cater to a lot of the locals and give them a chance to get on stage.”
Karaoke is the “act of singing along to a music video, especially one from which the original vocals have been electronically eliminated,” according to Dictionary.com.
“I started karaoking and participating in early January,” said justice studies senior Ángel Guzman. “I’ve always liked singing because it’s
very healing.”
She said before and during the pandemic, she struggled with social anxiety, but has been performing poetry and singing on stage more.
“I feel like this space is very safe and the workers interact with the guests a lot,” Guzman said. “It shows their character and how aware they are of
their customers.”
She said the same staff workers who cook and serve food also participate performing on stage.
“There’s a lot of people of color here and I think that is very important,” Guzman said. “It feels really good because being in white-dominated spaces . . . it feels harder to take up space.”
Saman said he was inspired to make the venue available for all ages because of his son.
“I love it when people ask, ‘Can I bring my kids?’ ” Saman said. “I love to say, ‘Yes!’ ”
He said his stepfather would take him to concerts at a young age – an experience he wants to carry on with his family
moving forward.
“There’s no limit on who can come, have fun,” said
Anais Salazar, a floor and karaoke host at Mama Kin. “It’s a safe place for people of all ages to meet people in a safe environment.”
Salazar said their security guard is always on duty and, combined with trained staff, help keep a look-out for
the community.
Saman said he reached out to his chefs about a student-discounted meal mid-week.
“Wednesday we could do something where students could come in that don’t have a lot of money and participate and have good food,”
Saman said.
Humanities senior Justise Wattree said he enjoys his Wednesday nights karaoking at Mama Kin and participates at open mic nights on Tuesdays.
Wattree said his visits to Mama Kin helped him recharge his passion for singing.
“I used to do poetry at Nirvana Soul,” Wattree said. “I’ve always been meshed in the karaoke-open mic night culture in San Jose.”
He said it’s nice to have an area to share and express
himself without feeling any judgment or pressure
to perform.
“When you’re at school, you have to do your best and perform – here, you do what you want to do,” Wattree said.
Saman said he sees people as people and how the place is open to all genders
and ethnicities.
He said he makes it his mission to uphold community and respect to all guests at Mama Kin no matter their background
or beliefs.
“It’s the end of the day and people want to be themselves,” Wattree said. “Everybody has different talents, voices – students should come to showcase who they are.”
