Weekend To-Do List

Earlier this week we told you about Regional Bias, the great fundraiser being held tonight. For other entertaining options, check out the latest installment of SF Weekly's 10 Things to do for 10 Dollars: featuring a no-brainer film at Dolores Park, burlesque for him, and a gnarly '90s dance party! Still not satisfied? Here's some more to add to the pile:

Tonight & Tomorrow:

Brainwash Movie Festival
Oakland

Tomorrow & Sunday:
Lakefest 09
Lake Merritt, Oakland

Sunday:
Amoebapalooza!
@ Mezzanine, SF

Happy Catchy Friday Music: Deerhoof

If you're not seeing the iconic Sonic Youth at the Fox Theater on Sunday, I highly suggest seeing local icons Deerhoof at the Great American Music Hall as a pretty damn decent alternative. Compared to Sonic Youth, who've been around since before I was born, Deerhoof is the new kid on the block- yet I feel they're just two amazingly talented sides of the same experimental coin.
Deerhoof plays GAMH this coming Sunday, for a mere $16.00

"Buck & Judy" from Deerhoof's newest album, 2008's Offend Maggie:

"Sacred Trickster" from Sonic Youth's newest album (their 16th!), this year's The Eternal:

(On the youtube page, there's a comment that says "secret hipster?" - loves it.)

Wantingness

"To end desire, is to end suffering."

Well, I want I want I want....

top to bottom: awesome jewelry from mctega, inspiring fall looks from Steven Alan, and hot boy with cool shit from this NY Times article (btw, to find similar objets de mort, if you will, check out SF's Paxton Gate)

Laugh It Out: 8 Bit Opera at the Dark Room Tonight

diggin' this flyer, btw. robots will always be cool.

How to start the weekend off right (as in, early!):

Come to the Dark Room tonight.
Bring some booze, cuz you can do that.
Kick it with the funny ass kids of Things We Made.
Join Goldstar for half price ($5) tickets, and check out deals for other awesome local events while you're there....

Miles K of Things We Made presents
'8 Bit Opera'
Thursday, July 30th @ 8pm
The Dark Room
2263 Mission St, SF

featuring: Bryce Jones, Rachel McDowell, Joey Devine, Sean Murphy, Kellen Erskine, Edwin Li
(click here for event info on facebook)

Hump Day Inspiration: take Five

Check out the interiors of Five, the swankiest new place in downtown Berkeley:

photos via bittermelon

As part of the newness of the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, Five looks to be making the mostly student-trafficked area around the Downtown Berkeley BART an actual destination spot. I'm digging the stark black/white/red color palette of this 'modern American bistro' and appreciate how the integrity of the structure is maintained and pretty much prioritized. This is definitely going on my list of local spots to check out!

show your Regional Bias this Friday

As you may already know, when Megs isn't doing bad-ass stuff for SomaFM or *ahem* the great Bourge, she's doing even more bad-ass stuff for The Bay Bridged, a great local resource for cultivating our local independent music scene.

This coming Friday, come out and say hello to her while showing your support for the creative fruits of our region at this sure-to-be-a-hit TBB fundraiser. Awesome food, awesome art, and awesome music all at your fingertips... what else were you planning on doing?!

If you're not yet familiar with these talented musical acts (all of whom are quite the local staples) then click here to find out more and purchase tickets (the sooner the better, just FYI). Advance tickets go from $15 up, on a sliding scale.

Also, if the music isn't enough to sell you, check out all the great stuff said tickets will get you: like "a free Happy Hour local art show co-curated by CityArt Gallery and a sampling of great Bay Area foods available for small donations, courtesy of Slow Club/Serpentine, Sneaky’s BBQ and Bi-Rite Market." OMG. I think that alone is enough to get me sold.

The show begins at 7:30pm at the funky ol' Verdi Club, hope to see you all there...

Monday, Meh...

... and I've been remembering lately how much I love this video for 'Jumpers' by Sleater Kinney:



My desk job isn't all that bad, thank goodness, but still... I'm sure lots of people can relate on some level. And I love the way those envelope windows look when put all together, it's actually pretty inspiring.

Weekend Leftovers

This weekend I got crafty, saw the great art show that our friend Meredith is in, and ate some of the most delicious food ever at EB Barbeque...

more at flickr.com/marispacifica

Berkeley Kite Festival & Other Weekend Shenanigans

photo via w. killinger

The Berkeley Kite Festival
This weekend! July 25th & 26th
11:00-5:00 pm
Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina


FREE for all, with an Octopile, giant Japanese fighting kites, and of course space to get sky-high all on your own... looks super fun, just hope the weather perks up a bit!


ALSO THIS WEEKEND:

If you mix a dark, sexy cabaret with a healthy spoonful of folk and have it sung by a beautiful real life Raggedy Anne doll, you get Agent Ribbons. TONIGHT at the Knockout in SF, as part of the Mission Creek Music Festival.

Lebowski Fest ... bowling Saturday, film showing Sunday. For serious fans only, dude.

the first of the Last Sundays Fest on Telegraph Ave featuring special deals from merchants and restaurants, interactive presentations, and two stages of live local musical acts (go to the site to see a decently impressive line-up).

Happy Catchy Friday Music: Rainbow Arabia

Rainbow Arabia's off-kilter brand of electro-rock could give even M.I.A. a run for her bringing-experimental-to-the-mainstream money. Tracks making the rounds have vocals that are sometimes sunny and sometimes primal. A Middle-Eastern influence is felt throughout.

The dream (nightmare?) like feeling of the video is very fitting. Tribal drums layered under dance-party synth and a steel drum appeal to your subconscious. Thats right, Rainbow Arabia haunts your dreams.

See Rainbow Arabia, Maus Haus, Pierre le Robot and DJ Gatsby at Bottom of the Hill on Saturday.

$10. Show at 9. Doors at 8:30. All ages.

BAB Note: Maus Haus will be returning from a months-long hiatus at this show. They are strongly recommended by yours truly and this will be a great venue in which to view them! That means go!

A Bridal Shower

Finally put up some pictures from the bridal shower of my brother's fiancee, Jen. Having never been to a bridal shower before, I had no idea what to expect. The hot summer day was filled with shades of pinks and reds, delicious finger foods, and bubbly spritzers. There was a game where no one could say the words 'bride' or 'groom' or either of said parties' names, and throughout the day party goers took turns writing advice and well wishes in a pretty little journal. Midway through the party we watched Jen participate in an impressive round of Bridal Jeopardy, featuring a video with my brother giving answers to some pretty funny questions. The real showstopper though, were the deliciously beautiful desserts- the last picture of all those prim ladies going gaga for them totally makes me laugh... lots more available right here.

This Looks Fun...

Stay Golden

photos via marispacifica

I've been getting to see a lot of our golden state this month, so I hope you're not sick of seeing more pictures of hills covered in dead grass! Last weekend my mom and I drove down to Simi Valley for my future sister-in-law's bridal shower. I had forgotten how surreal driving on the I-5 can be. We listened to David Sedaris Live at Carnegie Hall, talked about death, and stopped for the famous split pea soup at the awesomely kitschy Andersen's...

Tonight: David Papas Photo Exhibition

David Papas, who taught the photo class I recently took, is having a show reception tonight which looks to be pretty neat. "Come by and have a glass of wine on the way to Bart," -David works out of a sweet studio in the Dogpatch, and is a really chill dude... everyone should check it out and say hi!

Dance Photography in Black and White
reception: Tuesday night, July 21st
UC Extention, SOMA Center, 95 3rd St. (at Mission)
5:00 - 8pm

New Photography of Modern Dance
by David Papas
Show runs from July 14th- July 30th

Gettin' the Wheels Turning

I got back into town somewhat late yesterday, and for whatever reason had the impulsive, unwavering desire to rearrange my furniture again in the never ending quest for the ideal workspace. 6 hour drives, hangovers, and chipped teeth be damned- I had a second wind!

The main reason for the late-night moving and shaking was because I recently acquired a cable to connect my laptop to my big HD TV monitor and I've been impatiently waiting to edit photos without squinting, and thus the need for combining computer and TV spaces.

But perhaps what really served as the catalyst for change though, oddly enough, was the interior of Pegasus Bicycles in Danville. Look at that workspace! I was definitely inspired to give my own desk and tools better care as well as prime real estate in the limited space of my studio. And my inner organizing freak has absolutely fallen in love with that pegboard, by the way....

Laugh It Out: Ladies Room at Deluxe

After several poorly timed attempts to bring you the scoop on this night, here it be.  Local funny-lady - and former boss of mine - Caitlin Gill will be hosting the premier selection of female stand-up comedians this evening at Club Deluxe. 

If you're lucky, the hilarious Janine Brito and Marcella Arguello will be in attendance.  Get ready to guffaw, chuckle and chortle with some of San Francisco's finest and funniest!

Happy Catchy Friday Music: Rubies

Rubies' new album, Explode from the Center, is a catchy and danceworthy blend of folk-pop and synth.   Clearly influenced by Feist, tracks like I Feel Electric and Room Without a Key belong on your summer-is-awesome playlist. 

And assuming you, like us, are enamored of all things free, tomorrow is your lucky day!  Rubies will be playing a free show at McLaren Park for Mission Creek Music Festival.  They'll be performing with SF indie music heavyweights Kelley Stoltz and Bart Davenport.  The event will also feature lots of local vendors and food.  What more could you ask for? 

My Tuesday

My friends, I am about to go out of town for a bridal shower, but first wanted to share some photos from birthday shenanigans.... which are not all from Tuesday, but whatever. Celebrations have been going all week! The photos above are from 'Rock City' near the top of Mount Diablo (out in the Danville/Walnut Creek area) and the photos below are from the di Rosa Preserve up in Napa. More pics up on my flickr.

Now go have a great weekend!

Currently Obsessed With: Art in a Box

Pretty sure I just found an awesome birthday gift to give to myself:

The Compound Gallery, located in Oakland, offers a subscription service featuring the works of local Bay Area artists. You can choose either a standard $30 'Supporter' package or $50 'Collector' package, both with a 3 month minimum. The Collector Package includes bonus pieces and shipping, as well!

Each piece you get is a surprise, but you can email your preferred mediums: choose from painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, watercolor, drawing, collage, ceramic, and sculpture. And if you don't like what you get, the gallery will be having exclusive subscriber events that include the chance to trade pieces with other subscribers.

What an absolutely amazing idea is this? I've entertained the thought of 'investing' in artwork many a time, but this way I don't have to feel pressured to have good taste! From what I can tell though, it's a pretty safe bet that subscribers shouldn't be disappointed.

Festivus Everywheres

Because Treasure Island, Mission Creek and Outside Lands aren't overwhelmingly awesome enough, our buddies at the Bay Bridged just released the line-up for their all-things-local festival: Rock Make.

The exclusively local line-up features BAB favorites Geographer and is co-hosted by Tartufi, experimental group slash SF music powerhouse. Rock Make will also feature locally grown food and local vendors. Be sure to check it out!

Bands:

Tartufi

Odawas

Magic Bullets

Geographer

Low Red Land

Two Sheds

The Ferocious Few

The Don'ts

Photons

Agent Ribbons

Sunday August 23. Co-presented by Noise Pop.

Another Reason the East Bay Rocks: Flashback Thursdays @ the Berkeley 7

artistry & unity. via JakeEssl

Speaking of film, my friend Justin works for the Berkeley 7 Theater on Shattuck and gave me a flyer for their weekly Flashback Features- the next installment of which is TONIGHT. I hope to finally go in September, after my Thursday night class finishes.... Here's the upcoming schedule through mid October- looks like there's something for everyone:

Flashback Features
Every Thursday at 8pm
all seats- $5.00

Gattaca ................................................................... July 16

12 Monkeys ............................................................ July 23

Moulin Rouge .......................................................... July 30

The Birds ................................................................ August 6

High Fidelity .......................................................... August 13

Breakfast at Tiffany's ........................................... August 20

The Godfather II .................................................. August 27

Starship Troopers ............................................. September 3

Pretty in Pink .................................................. September 10

Carrie ................................................................ September 17

Dr. Strangelove ............................................... September 24

Wayne's World ......................................................... October 1

Snatch ....................................................................... October 8

Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade ........................... October 15

Wes Anderson Joins the Mix-Off

fierce

How awesome are the colors in this picture of film director Wes Anderson? It's from a great piece over at This Recording, which Meghan recently turned me on to, about Anderson's perfect mix tape. And you know how we feel about those.

So yeah, check it out. The man has excellent taste- Bowie, Pulp, New Order, and the Pixies are joined by the Arcade Fire, Yo La Tengo, Phoenix, and Seu Jorge!

PS- have you heard about Anderson's upcoming film, the Fantastic Mr. Fox? Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, with contributions from one Fantastic Mr. Jarvis Cocker...

Hump Day Inspiration: Emeryville

took the day off yesterday for birthday shenanigans, but did manage to finally upload some recent shots from the street our office is on. Emeryville is kind of a surreal place, but it's nice to know inspiration can be found if you try looking a little harder.

Check out more- including a fun 'horror movie' shot from my apartment building- at flickr.com/marispacifica