Limor, 24th Street and Castro

Guardian photog Ariel Soto continues her quest for San Francisco's best street togs -- this time with an spotlit eye on eveningwear

Kate, 24th Street and Vicksburg

Keesa, 22nd Street and Valencia

Continue reading "Street Threads by night: What are you wearing?" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Marke B. at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

The Guardian staff's weekly list of recent raves:

(1) Ice skating at Justin Herman Plaza

(2) Live classical music, Revolution Cafe

(3) Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog — even better the second time!

(4) Midnight mass, Christmas Eve, Mission Dolores

(5) Braving the crowds for insane deals at Macy's

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Marke B. at 11:39 PM | Comments (0)

The Guardian staff was fork-deep in comforting goodies this week:

(1) Wild grouper with mashed sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts, Derek's, Pasadena

(2) Potato latkes with applesauce, cornbread fig and prosciutto stuffing muffins, and mushroom turnovers

(3) Red Breast 12-year-old Irish whiskey and Woodford Reserve bourbon

(4) New Hampshire rolls (bacon, bacon, bacon), Wasabi, Oakland

(5) Empanadas on the street in Chile

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Marke B. at 05:54 PM | Comments (0)

By Justin Juul

Oh yes, it's all real

Can we all just take a minute and stop pretending that the holidays are fun? I mean sure, there are more opportunities to drink before nightfall, and sure, we’ll probably all get new iPhones. But come on! Christmas is like the most annoying time of the year. Not only do we have to spend cash on other people, but we also have to donate an incalculable amount of our free time to activities we’d normally avoid. Forget about going to the gym or watching a movie; the next two weeks are gonna be nothing but awkward work parties, shopping, cooking, and listening to music that makes you remember your childhood. Not fun.

It’s easy to get depressed over the holidays for these reasons, but it’s always better to just bear through the ordeal with a smile. After all, there are millions of people with problems far worse than our own. Starving children, homeless people, and the housebound elderly come to mind, but that’s not who I’m talking about. I’m talking about the one group of people to whom the holidays are a true burden: obsessive decorators.

Think about it. The holidays may mean that you and I will have to throw some sparkly shit on a dead tree or light some candles, but that’s nothing compared to what folks like Tom Lawson and Jerry Goldstein (AKA the cutest couple in the world), have to deal with. These guys spend weeks preparing their holiday display and the cost is through the roof. I mean, dude, look at that tree! The lights alone must cost thousands of dollars to operate. And just imagine how much effort it takes to get all that stuff up there? It’s a wonder that Tom and Jerry even bother with the holidays, but they always have and they always will.

Why? Well, that’s a good question. The Guardian stopped by the Goldstein/Lawson residence (3650 21st ST) a few times this week to get the scoop.

Tom and Jerry, in the spirit

SFBG: That’s a helluva set up you got there. How long have you been doing this?

Tom Lawson: Oh, I guess it’s been almost 20 years now.

SFBG: Jesus, man. That’s a long time. Has it always been this big?
Lawson: Oh, it’s always been on the bigger side of things, but it’s definitely grown over the years. It’s gotten pretty out of hand, actually.

SFBG: How much does something like this cost?
Lawson: Well, we don’t discuss things like that, but I will say it’s not cheap. I mean look, that crane alone costs $3,000. And then I gotta hire a Santa Clause and everything. And then of course, there’s my crew. They’ve been with me forever.

SFBG: Are they like your personal elves or something?
Lawson: Ha! Don’t let them hear you say that. No, I’m a property manager and this is my work crew. When Christmas rolls around we stop working regular jobs and we put all of our energy into this.

SFBG: Why?

Continue reading "A Tom and Jerry Christmas: It's hard out there for a Grinch" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Marke B. at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

Guardian photog Ariel Soto continues her quest for San Francisco's best street togs -- this time with an spotlit eye on eveningwear.

Hanna and Alison, Dolores Park

Josh, Noe and Elizabeth

Say Ariel: "It was time to venture into the dark and see what stylish San Franciscans wear when they go out on the town. I was quite impressed, especially with some of the long coats and the assortment of unique boots. Even though it is winter, I was able to find great looks, despite the need for a few extra warm layers."

Fancy Lady, 23rd St. and San Jose

Continue reading "Street Threads by night: What are you wearing?" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 02:35 PM | Comments (0)

By Ariel Soto

Tis the season to be jolly and this past weekend Santa popped up all over San Francisco to celebrate all that is red, white and green. There were three groups of Santas who gathered in different spots throughout the City. I met up with the group coined Mastrobation in the Mission, where everyone seemed happy to drink beer at 11am and celebrate in their matching velvet outfits. It's like Bay to Breakers in December. Happy holidays San Francisco!

Continue reading "Pics: SantaCon ho-ho-hos through the city" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 02:18 PM | Comments (1)

By Brandon Bussolini

Kevin Killian is an inveterate and unapologetic collaborator: even when writing solo, there's always another presence. Whether he ventriloquizes through this other, or assimilates or deconstructs it is the reader's call, and it's a difficult one to make. The poems in Killian's most recent book of poetry, Action Kylie (In Girum Imus Nocte et Consumimur Igni, 128 pages, $15) are places where T.S. Eliot's cats LOL, Antonio Banderas anagrams to "no brains on a date," and Kylie Minogue's derivativeness is more compelling than genius. In the process, Killian sinks probes into public-celebrity exchanges that increasingly substitute for news. On the eve of the book's upcoming release party, I spoke with him about Kylie, Amazon reviews, and Ted Berrigan's Pepsi addiction, as well as the subjects listed in this post’s title.

Kevin Killian, wearing a Kylie Minogue-designed towel from H&M. Photo by Job Piston.

SFBG When I first saw you in person, I noticed that you were drinking Diet Pepsi. Pepsi is also mentioned in the book, Kylie having been a Pepsi spokesperson. And there's a video from a band called Ssion, a cover of the Young Marble Giants song "Credit in the Straight World," that starts with the singer drinking from a Pepsi can. So I've kind of had Pepsi on the brain. Didn't Kylie do a Pepsi ad and get shit for it?
Kevin Killian: Yeah, at a low point in her career she did a terrifying ad for Pepsi in Australia. In it, she's on TV in a sexy video and a young boy, like 11 or 12, is watching. He opens a Pepsi, and she's there in his bedroom, sitting on his lap, and is really tastelessly grinding into him. That video was too raw to be shown very widely. It wasn't classy — what can I say?

Australian Pepsi boy, shortly before Kylie molestation

SFBG: And then there’s the lingerie commercial with her riding the mechanical bull. Was that at a different point in her career?
KK: The Agent Provocateur ad -- I think she probably didn’t even have a record label at that point. It might have been around the same time, but it didn’t have children in it.

Continue reading "Wow: Kevin Killian on Tab, Arthur Russell, and Deaf Women of Canada" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Johnny Ray Huston at 06:15 PM | Comments (6)

By Steven T. Jones

Does it seem there are more mustaches than usual in San Francisco? There are. It's partly a fashion trend among the hipster set, but my 'stache and many others are actually being grown for the Mustaches For Kids program that culminates this Wednesday in the Stache Bash at the Rickshaw Stop. This slightly strange benefit with the pervy name has raised more than $40,000 over the last month, all going to small-bore educational programs through the Donors Choose network.
There's also a bit of civic pride involved: Mustaches For Kids is a nationwide program that pits city against city, and San Francisco now trails New York City and Charlotte, NC (and we're just ahead of Chicago, Baltimore and Los Angeles). So step up, SF, and donate if you can. In addition, last month was deemed Movember by another mustache drive benefits prostate cancer. So now you know why the streets suddenly seem to be filled with so many off-duty cops and '70s porn stars.

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Steven T. Jones at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)

By Louis Peitzman

There's a good chance you own a piece of Chip Kidd's artwork, whether or not you're aware of it. The New York-based graphic designer is a prolific producer of book cover art, drafting an average of 75 jacket designs a year. He's also a huge comic book fan, and has written and edited works including 2004's The Golden Age of DC Comics and this year's Watching the Watchmen. His latest book is Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan (Pantheon, 384 pages, $29.95 paperback and $60 hardcover), which collects a series of previously unseen manga starring the caped crusader. In a phone interview, I spoke to Kidd about Batman's culture shock, the bitchin’ Batmobile, and how to pronounce "manga" without sounding ignorant.

SFBG: The first question should be an easy one. Is it "mayn-gah" or "mahn-ga"?
Chip Kidd: [laughs] It's "mahn-ga." That's the Japanese pronunciation.

SFBG: All right, I'll do my best to say it that way from now on. So rather than being just Batman or just manga, how does Bat-Manga! represent a fusion of styles?
CK: The artist Jiro Kuwata was very much drawing on what was going on in the American comics, but taking that as a visual cue, and then doing his own riff on it.

SFBG: In the interview with Kuwata included in the book, he talks about trying to make Batman more mature for Japanese audiences. Do you think he succeeded in doing that?
CK: That interview was translated. I don't know if I'd call it "maturity." It's just a different kind of sensibility. I think maybe what he means [is] these stories have a sort of whimsical tone, but then when you look at what's really going on, the villains are really trying to kill Batman and Robin. It's not like a game. It’s fun, but there's this actual sense of menace that the Batman comics at the time, in the U.S., did not have.

Continue reading "Mwa ha ha!: Chip Kidd on Batman’s adventures in Japan" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Johnny Ray Huston at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

By Chloe Schildhause

Bubble baubles from CC Rider

Everyone should be extremely stressed at the moment. You only have 14 more shopping days until Christmas, a mere 10 until Chanukah, and 20 more until my birthday. You’re running out of time! San Francisco merchants and local designers understand this and are here to help you.

TONIGHT: The Divisadero Art Walk starts at 6:00 and technically goes until 9:00, with select businesses open a bit on the later side. Walk between Geary and Haight and check out stores for the thrift lover in your life. CC Rider features vintage goods as well as local designers. I went there the other day and picked up some used books- Stardust: The David Bowie Story as a gift to myself, and The Lani People's The Daring Science-Fiction Novel of a Race of Beautiful Females That Were Called Non-Human for my science fiction-loving sister (good thing she doesn’t read my blogs.)

Then there’s Still Life, a fabulous treasure chest of a store. The Divisadero boutique, which opened within the year, is a place where one can ogle over the vintage threads and hand made jewelry made from various local designers. I ended up buying a high-waisted brown leather skirt on my last visit, and a gorgeous rose ring for my friend Rosie, but it’s the badass switchblade gun necklace that’s on my wish list.

Continue reading "Shopping: Where to get the goods tonight" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 08:56 AM | Comments (0)

Temp space, the final frontier: Storeroom.

A brainwave from Shopping Spy, who is still kicking herself for neglecting that Comme des Garcons Guerilla Store in Reykjavik a few years back: temporary storefronts are just the ticket for the new bad economy. A low commitment way to instill a sense of urgency in shoppers. I stumbled across two fly-by-night goodies recently: Storeroom, a "pop-up department store for the holidays" at 2226 Bush, and the Gimme Shoes/AB Fits close-out store in the onetime Stitch Lounge space at 182 Gough.

The latter - a union of the the separately owned, once-neighboring AB Fits and Gimme Shoes - boasts a sign reading "80-90% off." Deals can definitely be had: last week one could score $10 Edun T's, lots of men's jeans and kicks (a pal got two for $30-something), and some adorable women's shoes by makers like Dries Van Noten, Repetto, and Belle by Sigerson Morrison. But move fast - the shop is only there through Dec. 14.

Continue reading "Pop-up stores: Storeroom and Gimme Shoes/AB Fits" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Kimberly Chun at 11:41 PM | Comments (0)

To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. In this installment: Culture Editor Molly Freedenberg’s gift-giving delights. Previously, Amanda Witherell, Kimberly Chun, Dulcinea Gonzalez and Marke B. shared their faves.

Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.

RAG: Curator Blakely Bass outside the Hayes Valley store

Residents Apparel Gallery (RAG)
When I was a kid, my uncle lived in Eugene, Oregon, a place known to be significantly more artsy, creative, and hip than my suburban hometown. Therefore we always got – and expected – appropriately cool, unique, can’t-get-‘em-at-the-mall gifts from him. Now that I live in SF, I feel it’s my duty to represent what my city has to offer the same way my uncle used to do for Eugene. RAG is one of my favorite places for this kind of shopping. The showcases unique and imaginative clothing and accessories made only by local designers. So from screen-printed T-shirts (for men and women) to whimsical caps, and from hand-crocheted gloves to hand-stitched skirts, I can always find something delightful, one-of-a-kind, and sooo San Francisco.
541 Octavia. (415) 621-7718, www.ragsf.com

Continue reading "Gift List #5: Where to shop for the holidays" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 03:06 PM | Comments (0)

To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. In this installment: Staff Writer Amanda Witherell's little giving pleasures. Previously, Kimberly Chun, Dulcinea Gonzalez and Marke B. shared their faves.

Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.

Treats from Little Otsu

Little Otsu
It’s a new year. Everyone needs a new calendar. Little Otsu carries original calendars, datebooks, and cards designed by artists who deserve your money more than Hallmark. Blessedly free of puppies, kittens, and pastoral scenes.
849 Valencia, SF. (415) 255-7900, www.littleotsu.com

Arch
My little art nerd sister always needs something for her endless art school career. Arch, which services the nearby California College of Art, has the typical pen and paper supplies, notebooks and art books, and lots of other trinkets like bags, jewelry -- plus toyish things that can lessen the blow of giving the kid something she needs for school.
99 Missouri, (415) 433-2724, www.archsupplies.com

Stumasa
For people who are geeking out on domesticity and having babies and all that, Stumasa mostly carries a lot of unfinished furniture and cool paints, but also some random home accessories that seem to suggest of the owners’ tastes: we saw this, we liked it, we’re gonna sell it in our store. Pinhole camera kits, old-school children’s toys, and cool natural fiber rugs, baskets, and linens.
515 Frederick, SF. (415) 759-1234, www.stumasa.com

Continue reading "Gift List #4: Where to shop for the holidays" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)

To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. In this installment: Senior Arts and Entertainment Editor Kimberly Chun's adorable-minded giving pleasures. Previously, Dulcinea Gonzalez and Marke B. shared their faves.

Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.

Too-cute Mummy Boy figurine from Super7

Rare Device
Wow: adorable, beautifully designed gifties for your design-junkie chums -- books, tchotchkes, jewelry, stationary -- and is there a nicer, quirkier selection of covetable handbags around? I also dig the precious metal objets a la the human tooth.
1845 Market, SF. (415) 863-3969, www.raredevice.net

Park Life
Can't resist the inhouse T-shirt designs, awesome '80s-old-school watches, art and design tomes, and of course the always-intriguing art shows in back.
220 Clement, SF. (415) 386-7275, www.parklifestore.com

Curiosity Shoppe
Adore the faux moustachio - and the cute necklaces and DIY kits - all so winsomely displayed.
855 Valencia, SF. (415) 671-6384, www.curiosityshoppeonline.com

Continue reading "Gift List #3: Where to shop for the holidays" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

Guardian photographer Ariel Soto continues her quest to capture the chilly San Francisco streetwear moment.

Kat, Dolores Park

Najine and Sori, 24th St. and Noe

Lucifer, Castro and Market

Continue reading "Street Threads: What the heck are you wearing?" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)

Nicole Gluckstern reports from her recent trip to the New Belgium Brewery in Colorado

It’s standing room only in the tasting room of the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the post-Turkey Day hordes are sampling schooners of brews not yet readily available in California: a kicky espresso ale called Giddy Up, a small-batch cranberry brew, and Mighty Arrow pale ale. There are two tours available -- a self-guided walk down NBB memory lane (from hobbyists’ basement to craft-brewing behemoth, the eighth largest brewery in the US), and a tour of the brewery itself. Recently named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the top fifteen small companies to work for in the United States, the front-of-house vibe at NBB is palpably cheery—from the receptionists to the bussers -- and our tour guide, Miller is extravagantly even more so.

“I photograph best from the right,” Miller informs the camera-toters, and ushers us into the brewhouse, also known as “The Mothership.”

The New Belgium crew

Starting off in the smallest section of the brewhouse, we are introduced to the mechanics of a 100-barrel brew system from Germany, a section, Miller admits, that doesn’t get used very often. A dizzying array of Brazil-style “ducts” and pipes criss-crosses the ceiling, and strategically-placed fat-tire cruisers lean rakishly against the walls, with a full array of same parked outside in the employee bike racks. The brewing equipment might be German in origin, but the beers are decidedly not. The Reinheotsgebot or German beer purity law allow for only three ingredients to be used: water, hops, and barley, while the Belgians, as well as the New Belgians “throw in everything including the kitchen sink.” Coriander, Montmorency cherries, wormwood—it’s all fair game.

It’s not touched upon in the tour, but something I notice immediately is how clean the joint is, almost freakishly so. You could lap beer up off the floor in case of an accidental flood, though as we pass by the hulking, in-use 200-barrel system, I sincerely hope it won’t ever come to that. Away from the hustle and bustle of the public tasting room we sample some not-for-sale special brews: a 9% variation of Abbey and a limited-edition sour peach ale. My underage “totally awesome sister” (she made me write that) sniffs my glass and pronounces the fruity/spicy aroma “interesting”. I inform her it is sublime as we head to the bottling plant: The Thunderdome.

Continue reading "A new kind of Belgium: Hipster beer, bikes, and bookstores" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)

By Chloe Schildhause

Feeling cold this winter? I am, but it’s not all due to the weather. It’s that gospel sending chills down my spine! That’s right – there are plenty of places to hear live gospel music in the city, whether you’re religious (or Christian) or not.

Gospel is something that can be enjoyed by everyone, despite race, religion, gender or species. In fact, I’d venture to say that everyone should have the experience of being enveloped by the powerful vocals of a gospel choir at least once in their lives. Why not start this winter?

Black Nativity: A Gospel Celebration of Christmas

The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre is continuing a seasonal tradition this December with their 10th annual “Black Nativity: A Gospel Celebration of Christmas.” After a five-year absence, original show creator Miss Arvis Stickling-Jones returns as musical director and lead actor. (The original script of Black Nativity came with no music; Strickling-Jones who composed it all and made the production what it is today.)

This year’s version will see some new elements, including a tribute to Bernie Mac and music influenced by Isaac Hayes and rapper T.I. “We keep it fresh,” Strickling-Jones said of the annual favorite. “You don’t know what to expect.”

Continue reading "Singing gospel's praises" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 06:40 PM | Comments (0)

To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. In this installment: Entertainment and Sponsorship Manager Dulcinea Gonzalez's retro-flavored giving pleasures. Previously, Marke B. shared his faves.

Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.

Suds for Santa: City Beer Store

The Other Shop
This is a great go-to store for quirky, vintage, fun stuff whether you are looking for a kitschy painting, funky '60s vase, mid-century lamp or used vinyl.
327 Divisadero, SF. (415) 621-5424

Mickey's Monkey
Here's a the perfect place to hunt down '60s and '70s style dressers, tables, and chairs for non-collector prices. Plus, they have fun little gifty odds and ends like deer antlers, owl art, and more all sure to impress your friends.
218 Pierce, SF. (415) 864-0693

Rooky's Records
If your guy or gal is into old 45's this place is the vinyl holy land! Tell the owner Dick what you're into .... the Madison, the Monkey, the Twist -- it's all there. Ask Dick about his own CD compilations of the oldies too -- they're packaged super cute and make for great parent gifts.
448 Haight, SF. (415) 864-7526, www.rookyricardosrecords.com

Continue reading "Gift List #2: Where to shop for the holidays" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

By Molly Freedenberg

Oh, it sure is party season. How do I know? The costumes and formalwear strewn across my floor, the open bottle of hangover-fighting Vitamin B on my nightstand, and the sense of anticipation I get just looking at the calendar. Now, I know San Francisco is a party town, and there's really no season that isn't chock full of events worth attending. So what makes this one special? Its my favorite party season. I love the rain and the cold. I love Christmas in all of the ways it's taken seriously (Dickens Fair) and not so seriously (Santacon).

All Santa wants for Christmas is a mashup party! Bootie SF on Dec. 13 is the official post-Santacon event again this year.

Now, I have friends who would argue that party season officially started with Burning Man. But as far as I'm concerned, it started last Friday night with a fete at the Ambassador hosted by Hendrick's gin (open bar! ouch.) and Nerve.com. Not only was this schizophrenically-themed 20s/30s/Edwardian/Victorian party was hosted in the perfect venue, and not only did almost every guest actually dress up (bonus points for the fact that I knew only a handful of the fedora-ed attendees), and not only were the cocktails so tasty that they pleased even this gin-skeptic, but the performances were fantastic.

Miss Kitten on the Keys, a regular at Hubba Hubba Revue, was the right combination of bubbly and bawdy. Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey took Acrobalancing and burlesque to a place that was both funny and sexy. The two stripping chanteuses dazzled with voices, costumes, and choreography. And I'm not sure what to say about the blonde bombshell who lost her clothes and gained a giant martini glass chair except that I've never seen such a professional burlesque dancer up close.

The lovely Trixxie Carr, pretty in purple (with some guy) at Bootie SF on Nov. 22, will make an apperance at the Lusty Lady Holidy Party on Dec.9. Photo by Tim Farris.

I barely sobered up in time to stop by the next night's Bootie SF, an always fabulous party (which my dance troupe, the Cheese Puffs, happened to perform at) that featured an all-request set by live mashup band Smashup Derby. I'd be hard pressed to find a more generous, fun-loving crowd than Bootie, or more impressive and lovable hosts than Adrian, Mysterious D, and Trixxie Carr. Next up was the Black Rock Arts Foundation fundraiser at the Bentley Reserve, where we managed to miss all the entertainment but not the gorgeous setting and even more gorgeous crowd (plus, beds? how can you go wrong?). And Sunday saw the burner beourgeoisie headed to Supperclub (beds again! The weekend’s theme?) for the Five & Diamond anniversary party, a beautiful and celebratory affair featuring pretty clothes and even prettier people.

It took nearly 'til Thanksgiving to recover from all that beauty (OK, and booze), but I think I'm ready for what's coming up in the next few weeks. If my health and hangover remedies cooperate, I'll be attending a good portion of the following:

THURSDAY, DEC. 4

Visual Vaudeville & Built Burlesque
6pm, free
Brava Theater
2789 24th St., SF
pandorastrunk.com

Brava Theater and Pandora’s Trunk (the art/fashion collective on Lower Haight co-founded by designer Miranda Caroligne) take over the enormous and gorgeous vaudeville theater to fill it with music, burlesque, a narrative fashion presentation, and an indie craft and design show. Featured designers include Bad Unkl Sista, Miss Velvet Cream, Medium Reality, and Ghetto Goldilocks. Sure to be a good time, helped along by Patz & Hall wine and Lagunitas beer.

Pirate Cat Radio Benefit Debacle!
9pm, $7 donation to Pirate Cat Radio
Fat City
314 11th St., SF

I don’t know much about Pirate Cat Radio, but I do know about Hubba Hubba Revue – and if those crazy burlesqueteers are involved (which they are!), you know you’re in for a good time. The evening features live burlesque and performances by The Yes Go’s, Stigma 13, and October Allied.

Continue reading "Sleigh bells ring, are you drinking?" »

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by Molly Freedenberg at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)

To help with the holiday hullaballoo, the SFBG staff is revealing -- at last! -- its secret shopping secrets, to perhaps give you some gift inspiration. Our first installment: Senior Culture and Web Editor Marke B.'s giving pleasures. Check out more suggestions in our ginormous 2008 Holiday Guide -- and enter our contest to win $500 in gift certificates if you spend $100 locally. Wowza.

The fabulous Fiona's Sweet Shoppe

Green Apple Books & Music
The absolute, ultimate one-stop for everyone on my list. I snag some snazzy calendars for the in-laws I know so little about, and some books and CDs (and occasionally vinyl) for the immediate fam. Plus, it's a great excuse to lose myself for a day among cozy dead-tree media. Could it get any better? Only if they served hot chocolate.
506 Clement, SF. (415) 387-2272, www.greenapplebooks.com

Kayo Books
Yep, another bookstore, but one that simply screams "creative stocking stuffers!" Kayo specializes in rare and vintage pulp paperbacks from sometime last century. (The last window display, focusing on "Naughty Nurse" novelettes, had me transfixed for hours.) If you want to watch a beloved hipster's eyes light up in lurid, bemused wonderment, Kayo 'em.
814 Post, SF. (415) 749-0554, www.kayobooks.com

Nancy Boy
"Strong enough for a woman, but made for a man" could be the motto of this cute little Hayes Valley store and local manufacturer of all-natural beauty products. Check off all the males on your list (and some females as well) with impeccably packaged skin lotions, shaving accoutrements, hair products, and more. And don't forget a little something for yourself.
347 Hayes, SF. (415) 552-3636, www.nancyboy.com

Fiona's Sweet Shoppe
More delectable stocking stuffers and treats for those you're not on intimate terms with (or those you are -- hello, Scotch Whiskey Fudge). Fiona's, just off Union Square, proffers lovely little old-fashioned candies selectively imported from Britain and Europe, with totally adorable packaging to boot.
214 Sutter. (415) 399-9992, www.fionassweetshoppe.com

Upper Playground
Forget those San Francisco tourist traps when shopping for unique mementos of the City for those back home (or here, for that matter). This cooler-than-thou boutique features men's and women's apparel and accessories designed by the creme de la creme of local grafitti artists. Make the unbuyable-for teen in your life very happy with one of UP's indelible designs.
220 Fillmore. (415) 861-1960, www.upperplayground.com

digg • del.icio.us • sphere • google •

Posted by SFBG at 07:11 PM | Comments (0)