San Francisco is My Home
San Francisco is My Home
21
Feb
Circus People
Author: kris, Category: Events
If you like circuses, but in your heart you wish they were a little cooler — and you can’t afford tickets to Cirque du Soleil — you might check out the Bohemian Carnival. This used to be a monthly event at the DNA Lounge. Though it no longer seems to be housed there, it looks like it’s still running, complete with its cadre of bound-to-astound-you contortionists, fire breathers and so on and so on. I suggest you sign up with the mailing list to keep abreast of upcoming shows.
This lovely image comes from here.
Leave a Comment20
Feb
Swear not by the moon
Author: kris, Category: Nature, News
Keep your eyes peeled for a lunar eclipse tonight. Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, pah, a total lunar eclipse, big deal. I can see those anytime. Not so, dear friend. This will be the last total lunar eclipse available to us until 2010.
Also, who are you to be so cavalier about the movements of the cosmos? Shape up, kid.
It is, of course, possible that the weather, currently semi-crap, will be total crap by tonight, ruining the view of the big event. Still, it’s worth ducking your head outside to take a gander if you happen to think of it around 7 pm.
The next solar eclipse, if you are wondering, will take place in August.
19
Feb
Monday roundup, still on Tuesday
Author: kris, Category: Celebrities, Events, Movies, Music
Once again, I find myself red-faced on a Tuesday, writing the Monday Weekend Roundup. Can I help it if Monday was a holiday? Ah, well. At any rate, here are some weekend plans you might make:
Friday, February 22
You know how art is great, but really slow? Warhol famously had a problem with that, telling an interviewer that he wished he could make art on an assembly line basis, churning it out double-time. Warhol would have loved the Monster Drawing Rally, a five hour free-for-all where more than 130 artists pack into one room and create art as fast as they can. The art is immediately put up for auction. This only happens once a year, so don’t miss it. I myself would be there except I am planning to be sitting around with friends, watching a movie about Jane Austen. What a gripping life I do lead, eh?
Saturday, February 23
Speaking of staying in, local rockstars The John Francis Imposters will be performing on the radio on KALX Live at 9 pm. The show will be hosted by everybody’s (by which I mean my) favorite KALX Live DJ, Concrete Skyline and will be followed by an interview with the band. Grab some takeout food and curl up with your radio to enjoy the show. (Also note: you can listen online, if you don’t happen to live within signal range of the station. Just click “Listen now” at the top of the page.) Staying in on Saturday night: it’s not just for big nerds anymore.
Here, The John Francis proves he can grow a mountain man beard nearly as well as he can sing.
Sunday, February 24
The Castro Theatre is showing Brokeback Mountain as a memorial tribute to Heath Ledger. If you read the headlines and have half a brain, you’ll probably be feeling horrified by anything Ledger-related at this point, and thinking to yourself, come on, guys, give the kid a break already. However, the Castro tribute promises to be sincere and non-ghoulish, paying respects to an actor whose sensitive portrayal of a gay man helped bring gay issues into the mainstream. If you attend only one memorial tribute to Heath Ledger this year, let this be the memorial tribute to Heath Ledger that you attend.
And another thing…
As you have no doubt noticed, I’m listing just one event for each day. Obviously, there’s a lot more going on in this city. If know of an event, a performance, or just something fun to do, please feel free to share with the class in the comments.
Leave a Comment15
Feb
Post-Valentine’s Day — because you actually forgot
Author: kris, Category: Holiday, Landmarks, Shopping
You got home from work yesterday to a grimacing, pissed off significant other. He/she got you something for Valentine’s Day and you, by forgetting, basically spat in his/her face. This will teach you not to check San Francisco Is My Home several times a day. However, I will take pity on you. When you find yourself in the post-Valentine’s Day doghouse, try one of these tricks and treats (oops, wrong holiday) to be allowed back in the human house where you belong:
An expensive present
Readers voted Idle Hand the best tattoo shop in SF Weekly’s 2007 “best of” issue. A gift certificate or an exploratory trip to the store with your sig. other might be just what the doctor ordered to get you back in good graces.
A silly present
Tutti Frutti carries an extensive range of greeting cards and a bunch of silly toys and small gifts. You might find that the only thing keeping you from a romantic reconciliation is that male nurse action figure your lover didn’t even know he or she wanted.
A non-material present
Take your s.o. on a surprise outing to the Albany Bulb. This garbage-dump-turned-art-gallery is filled with enormous, strange, funny and beautiful artworks, perfect for distracting your person until he/she forgets exactly why he/she is mad at you. For extra points, create an art piece yourself before arriving and dedicate it to your one true love, or whoever you happen to be dating.
Leave a Comment14
Feb
Valentine’s Day — because you almost forgot
Author: kris, Category: Holiday, Shopping
The work day is almost over and a coworker has just tipped you off that it’s Valentine’s Day. Oops. Whoever you’ve got waiting at home is going to be pissed…unless you take a quick side trip to any of these handy retailers:
Don’t get sucked into one of the newly-boring all-cotton all-the-time Victoria’s Secret underwear emporiums. Instead, drop into this Post Street shop to find truly sexy, high-quality lingerie for actual women, not twelve year old girls. (Looks like someone has an axe to grind here, right? Sorry about that.) Remember: bringing home a sexy nurse costume is tacky (unless previously discussed). Bringing home a gorgeous satin nightie, on the other hand, is thoughtful. It’s a fine line, but it’s easy to see when you know it’s there.
Follow up your thoughtful sexy gift with the only thing more welcome: a tub of Mitchell’s ice cream. The ice cream that says, Baby, I don’t care what size you are, as long as you let me have another bite of that halo halo flavor. Mitchell’s is famous for their exotic, almost unbearably good ice creams. This gift will be perfect for a man, woman or child, or for keeping all to yourself.
If you are simply too tired to stop off after work, you can complete your Valentine requirements online as well. Order your sig. other one of these gift certificates for a luxurious spa treatment at the Claremont Spa, or make it a couples massage if you are really into getting naked with your beloved and then letting complete strangers touch you for an hour. And who isn’t?
13
Feb
The Bark & Whine Ball
Author: kris, Category: Charity, Events
The very first news story I was ever assigned was about the San Francisco SPCA’s Bark and Whine Ball, but I think I’d have a soft spot for the event even if that weren’t the case. The B&W is the SF/SPCA’s annual fundraiser, a glam formal-wear event for people and their dogs. And if you think dogs can’t wear black tie, think again. I’ve seen dogs in tuxedos, ball gowns, rhinestones and diamonds. I’ve seen doggie couture.
The event is way more fun than these fundraisers usually are, simply because everyone has their dogs with them. The dogs are astonishingly well-behaved, too — you almost never hear anyone barking, or see them trying to roughhouse. What you do see is a ton of food and drink, a high-class silent auction, and a jazzy little orchestra.
On top of the fun to be had, the Bark & Whine is raising money for a worthy cause. All money raised goes to the SPCA’s Cinderella Fund, which provides the additional medical care that some animals need before they can be adopted. In some cases this means things like treating ear infections or performing minor surgery; in other cases it can be a simple as cosmetic dental work that will make the difference between a family taking home that adorable puppy, or leaving the poor snaggle-toothed guy in the shelter.
Lest you are unmoved, consider your own pet, or a pet you’ve loved in the past. What if that pet had arrived at a shelter with a bad ear infection, or cosmetic problems? What if the shelter didn’t have a no-kill policy, and euthanized your dog or cat to make room for a more “adoptable” animal?
But enough preaching. If you’re interested, the Ball is happening on March 6 at the SF Gift Center. Check out the website for tickets.
This image is from the Bark & Whine website.
Leave a Comment12
Feb
Monday roundup (on a Tuesday)
Author: kris, Category: Events, Movies, Weekend preview
I’d like to start writing a weekend roundup every Monday, which will let you know about stuff you can do for the upcoming weekend. Not all the stuff, just some of the stuff. Monday might seem a little early to begin thinking about your weekend, but my weekends seem to fill up fast so it’s nice to know in advance what my options are.
I present, therefore, the first Monday roundup, which unfortunately is happening on a Tuesday because I forgot to do it yesterday.
Friday, February 15
Attend a showing of the Oscar-nominated live-action and animated shorts for 2007. Visit the Embarcadero Center Cinema website for details.
Saturday, February 16
SF Indie Fest Big Lebowski Bowling Party. 9pm at Space Gallery, and features bowling, white Russians, Lebowski costumes and Nihilism.
Sunday, February 17
SF Indie Fest wrap party. Starts at 9pm at 12 Galaxies and features live music, food, drinks and sexy movie snobs.
11
Feb
For romantic times, make it mini golf times
Author: kris, Category: Kids, Out of town, Outdoors, Sports
I don’t know what your plans are for Valentine’s Day, but you might consider mini golf. I just played at Golden Tee Golfland and was reminded why this is the best of sports: bright colors, sunshine, no skill required and a limitless potential for fun picture taking.
The romance of mini golf is not immediately apparent, but that is of course what makes it so romantic. By taking your significant person to a mini golf course, you’re saying “Baby, we don’t need $60 entrees and fancy chocolates (half of which are the gross, jam-filled kind) to get our seduction on.” You’re also saying “Baby, I can’t afford to buy us a weekend stay at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara,” but he/she probably already knew that.
Golden Tee Golfland has a reasonably well-maintained course, and the obligatory arcade. Also, it’s in Castro Valley, which almost guarantees you’ll have a sunny day, even in February. If you want something a little more impressive, you should check out Scandia in Sacramento, which has much fancier obstacles spread over two courses, and also bumper boats, batting cages and more.
