San Francisco is My Home

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.

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.

12
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.

29
Jan

Noise Pop 2008

Author: kris, Category: Events, Music, News

Set your watches for the countdown…Noise Pop approaches again.

Noise Pop, as if you didn’t know, is an annual festival of music, but not the kind with folk songs from around the world and hot dogs on a stick. No, this music is cool. It happens in the best local venues, and collects the most exciting indie artists around. Previous years’ performers have included harp-playing songstress Joanna Newsom, local favored Jeff Buckley sound-alike Devendra Banhart and throaty sister act Cocorosie. (They get other, bigger acts — Modest Mouse, The White Stripes — but these are the ones I liked, and who’s writing this post, anyway?)

A few of this year’s big names include The Magnetic Fields and Quasi. You can also catch The Mayfire, whom I got to review in my alternate life as a music critic. For the complete list of bands, click here.

Perhaps most interesting to me is the show of photographs of Elliott Smith, my most favorite of musicians, now tragically deceased. If this is your thing as well, click here for more info.

Noise Pop will occur in your eardrums from February 26 through March 2. Check the website for details on venues, times and tickets.

28
Jan

Benefit for Rocket Dog Rescue

Author: kris, Category: Bars and Clubs, Charity, Events, Groups, Music

Those of you who were struck by the sad destruction of Rocket Dog Rescue’s headquarters but didn’t know what to do about it are in luck. On Friday, February 1, you can attend a benefit for the non-profit dog rescue group at Slim’s, featuring a dazzling lineup of performers, plus some disco funtimes. Show starts at 8:30, and you can buy tickets here.

Flyer from Rocket Dog website.

23
Jan

Antiquarian Book Fair

Author: kris, Category: Events, Literature, Shopping

The Antiquarian Book, Print and Paper Fair is fast approaching. I know, I know: it seems like only yesterday that you attended last year’s Antiquarian Book, Print and Paper Fair. The older you get, the quicker the years seem to pass. Soon you will be attending an Antiquarian Book, Print and Paper Fair practically every darn day.

But seriously, folks. This Fair is not as nerdy as it sounds; or rather, it is exactly as nerdy as it sounds, and possibly more so, but it’s the fascinating kind of nerdy that makes even non-nerds sit up and pay attention.

Fans of first editions, ancient maps, rare old photographs, and anything else old and printed that you can think of will of course love this fair. But the truth is, even if you’re not keen on old stuff, anyone with an eye for aesthetic appeal will enjoy this. The fair is a testament to the craft of all things paper, a bonanza of book-related beauty.

Lacking thousands of spare dollars, I myself will attend to look rather than buy, but collectors and hapless rich folk should come with pocketbooks prepared.

The Fair will take place on February 9th from 10 am to 7 pm and on February 10th from 10 am to 5 pm. It’s located at 7th Street & Brannan.

16
Jan

BRAINS! BRAINS!

Author: kris, Category: Events, Groups

Living in San Francisco isn’t all soothing bird walks and train accidents. Sometimes things get downright grim. Sometimes, there are zombie attacks.

Happily, the San Francisco Zombie Mob helps concerned citizens keep abreast of all this distressing undead activity. Check the website to find out when and where the next zombie attack is expected to occur.

Of course, zombies can also check the website, so they know when to meet up with their brain-seeking pals. Dress like a zombie or an ordinary joe to take part in these highly enjoyable little meet-ups.

Photo is courtesy of the Zombie Mob website. 

15
Jan

Bird Walks

Author: kris, Category: Events, Kids, Nature, Outdoors

I’ve been slacking on my promise to include some kid-friendly activities, but here’s a good one for older kids: birding walks in the SF Botanical Gardens.

This sounds like the kind of thing I might have dragged my feet through as a kid, whining and wishing to be back with my Nintendo, but the guide is an old hand at peaking kids’ interest and the gardens are actually filled with some pretty exciting things: ospreys carrying fish in their talons through the air, and all that “red in tooth and claw” stuff.

The walks are held on the first Saturday of each month. Meet in Strybing Auditorium at 10:00 am. Walks last a couple of hours and are free, but will be canceled if it rains. As an added bonus, you can hang around for a picnic lunch in the gardens afterwards, since this is one of the most beautiful and visually interesting spots in Golden Gate Park.

This photo was taken by Mike Baird and obtained from Wikipedia. 

11
Jan

Blah Blah Blah

Author: kris, Category: Comedy

Mark your calendars, comedy fans, for Kevin O’Shea is soon to host another episode of Blah Blah Blah.

This is a live comedy talk show. What IS a live comedy talk show, you ask? Aaaand…that is when I admit I haven’t been to one. Yet. My vision is of four comics, including the unsurpassable Sean Keane, sitting at a table on stage and being improvisationally funny at each other. For the record, that is Sean’s specialty. I have never known anyone so quick on his feet as Sean is.

The show takes place February 2 at 10:00 pm in the Dark Room Theater.  Tickets are $7, rating is three thumbs up, Groundhog Day is an underrated gem of a film. And that’s my story.

20
Dec

Wizard of Oz night at the Symphony

Author: kris, Category: Holiday, Music

This is the first post in a planned series. The working title of this series is “Stuff I would do if I didn’t already have plans to do other stuff.” Suggestions for a better series title are welcomed.

First up in the series is the San Francisco Symphony’s unique take on The Wizard of Oz. This is a weekend-long celebration starting tonight at the Wizard of Oz Party. Dress as your favorite character, join in the sing-along and drink drink drink. Plus, surprises!

Even if you can’t attend the party, there are two other performances to check out. The performance, by the way, is a showing of the film on a screen while the Symphony performs the music for you live. If you don’t think that sounds awesome then maybe you need awesome lessons. Our symphony rocks, and if you attend this event perhaps you, too, will become known as one who rocks.