Day 10: Saturday - October 16th
Today was chock full of goodness, although it didn't start out that way.
I awoke around 5:00, maybe earlier. There was some kind of ruckus going on but I could not tell what was going on, or why. Finally, at 6:00 I got up since any more sleep was out of the question.
Instead of my usual wake up snack of coffee and whole wheat fig bars I decided to treat my self. So, I got dressed and as soon as I was out the front door I saw what all the ruckus was about.
There was a steaming, smashed up car jammed sideways between the train platform and the curb. Next to the mess stood two police officers and a 20 something male. One officer took notes while the other spoke to the 20 something. I was tempted to try to get a picture but then I remembered some municipalities had ordinances against taking photos of cops on the job. So, I decided against it. I took one last look and then walked the two blocks up to the 24/7 donut shop.
Click on the photos below for a larger image.
I placed my order and then took a seat at the window counter. This in/out view looked to me like some sort of weird photo montage.
As I sat there drinking my coffee and enjoying my cake donut with crumbles I took a look around to see who I was keeping company with.
Customer # 1 was also sitting at the window counter. He was deeply involved in using some small hand tools and was manipulating something inside of a shallow box.
Customer # 2 sat at the back and was slumped forward in his seat, sound asleep.
Customer # 3 was dressed in a heavy winter coat and wore a heavy wool aviator's cap trimmed with fur. His blond hair spilled out from under his hat and hung in curly strings down to his waist. He sat there quietly and nearly motionless with a hardcover book open in front of him.
When I looked outside and saw the tricycle with it's attached trailer and plastic covered load bulging out on all sides, I wondered who the rig might belong to: Customer # 1, 2 or 3?
I finished my goodies and walked back to Ed's to get ready for a busy day.
It was now about 9:30 or so and I was ready to catch the N down to Duboce Park for the first event of the day.
When I emerged once again to catch the N this is all that was left of the mess I had seen previously. The section of platform railing which had been laying in the street was now gone. The only evidence of the car having been there was a pile of absorbant granules where his oil pan had disgorged its contents.
This is a scan of the card I had picked up at a now unremembered location. Glad I did or I might not have known about the event. I loved this shot and when I saw it I knew I had to go. So it was off to the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts at Duboce park to register for the 7th Annual SF Trolley Dances Tour. The first tour started at 11:00 and I was hoping to be one of the 60 folks who got there in time to get a tour bracelet.
A beloved San Francisco event since 2004, San Francisco Trolley Dances takes audiences out of the theater and into the streets to see the Bay Area's finest dance in San Francisco's finest venue - the city itself. Families, dance-lovers, visitors and residents alike are invited to discover and celebrate the city's colorful neighborhood life, the rich beauty of our urban landscapes and our diverse dance community.
SF Trolley Dances was recently awarded Best Public-Transit Ballet by SF Weekly's 2010 Best of Awards. This year's performers include the internationally renowned Joe Goode Performance Group; award-winning choreographer and director Sara Shelton Mann; Kim Epifano's Epiphany Productions Sonic Dance Theater, curating the festival and presenting a new site-specific work; Japanese folk dance and music ensemble Ensohza Minyoshu; Christine Bonansea 2x3 Project; Sunset Chinese Folk Dance Group, with other participants to be announced.
This sign is at the entrance to the Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts. It talks about the mural which once adorned the side of the building. It was the victim of a major remodeling of the building.
The Milk Center offers various community workshops. Here is the flyer for one of them.
Remember when using the term " queer" was derogatory? It still is, unless you are.
Like " redneck", " nigger" and " dyke", these terms are now embraced by those who have reclaimed them.
I was plenty early for the 11:00 Trolley Dance Tour and after getting one of only 3 of the tour spots left, I wandered around and took some snaps. Here we see the registration tent. By this time, the 11:00 tour was full up.
These two lovely ladies were getting ready for their performance.
First up was the Sunset Chinese Folk Dance Group
The San Francisco Sunset Recreation Center Chinese Folk Dance Group is a volunteer, community dance group, comprised of those who are interested in dancing and staying healthy, with an emphasis on involving seniors. Every year the group participates in more than 30 performances, encouraging audiences to enjoy and understand the rich and diverse Chinese culture and colorful ethnic and folk dances through dance forms, music and unique costumes.
They often entertain seniors and the disabled, and they are also seen at community events and theaters. They are involved in various fund-raising activities through their performances and donation of funds.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
The costumes really made a splash of color on this rather dreary day.
Thank you, ladies!!
After the Chinese Folk Dance Group finished up, our tour guide led us to the front of the Harvey Milk Center for the next routine.
The Joe Goode Performance Group, formed in 1986, performs regularly in San Francisco and on tour, most recently at the San Francisco Old Mint for the renowned remount of Traveling Light.
Joe Goode is an award-winning choreographer, writer, and director known as an innovator in the field of dance for his willingness to collide movement with spoken word, song, and visual imagery to promote understanding, compassion, and tolerance among people.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
Joe Goode Performance Group had chosen "Too Bad You're Not Invited" for today's Trolley Dances.
Goode’s satirical musical theater take on anti-gay propaganda was a hoot to watch and had great dialog to match.
Hear we see a " Jerry Falwell" telling the performers and the audience what he thinks about these "brute beasts".
Here, "Jerry" gets an eyefull for his comments.
Two can play this game.
I wish I could play back the song they were singing. It was basically saying "We are having so much fun, it is such a great party, but you can't come - you are not invited".
Looking for Martyr Harvey - hope springs eternal.
Next we were guided over to the N Judah platform to wait for the trolley.
This fellow was set up with a stool and a tip cup near the trolley platform. He was singing mainly Pete Seeger songs.
Introducing the Christine Bonansea 2x3 project.
Christine Bonansea is a French dancer, choreographer and visual artist based in San Francisco. Her works cover a broad artistic field, featured an integrated and participatory process carried out in collaboration with artists; that includes a combination of research, idea, experimentation, and improvisations. She's interested in creating new material, concept and structure as vectors to communicate the ambivalences of the body in movement in real-life relationships. She's been developing a video project for 2 years named 3x3 project.
This is a minimalist visual series of three videos that articulates colors, numbers, space/context, time and bodies to question the relationships between the human behavior and objects. The SF Trolley Dances 2010 performance presents a live version of one of the video studies: 2x3.
Four dancer/improvisers play with the video score and the context of the real life environment of the Duboce train stop.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
It took us a while to figure out the guy in the brown jacket was part of the performance.
But, this guy was not!
It is safe to say I had not a clue as to what these folks were trying to convey - even though it was explained above. "This is a minimalist visual series of three videos that articulates colors, numbers, space/context, time and bodies to question the relationships between the human behavior and objects."
When the trolley arrived we all piled onto the already crowded bus.
And the performance continued!
For whatever reason, Christine was making her way car-to-car using the overhead grab bar and one of her dance partners.
One last peek as we roll down towards Golden Gate Park and the manipulative Phaedra Jones.
Tour guide Reggie gives us a little history of the Sunset District and introduces our next interesting and fun experience.
The crowd waits expectantly in front of Osso & Company's display window.
And then Phaedra appears!
Moving through a multitude of cultures and fields of creativity from an early age, Phaedra A Jones lived, studied and worked in the UK, India, the United States, Hungary and Australia in the contemporary circus arts, dance, theatre, and film.
Ever on the threshold of discipline/freedom, tradition/improvisation, her work consists of witnessing the body organically fuse elements of Bharata Natyam (an ancient temple tradition from South-India), contemporary dance, and object manipulation. In Trolley dances', she dances with an acrylic (almost crystal) ball.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
It is hard to convey the interesting, and yes, mysterious movement of Phaedra and her transparent and shining orb.
What a lovely smile.
Mmmmm... very sensuous!
Next we carefully made our way down 9th Avenue and across Lincoln Way.
Here, at the entrance to the Botanical Garden we saw all manner of strange creatures.
We saw this floral curiosity on the way to see "Fred".
This pose was the beginning for "Fred" with Sara Shelton Mann.
From 1979-1996 in Canada and the U.S. Sara directed Contraband, which appeared on stages, in warehouses, abandoned buildings and outdoors. She collaborated and toured internationally with Guillermo Gomez-Pena from 1996-1999. Sara has received 4 Isadora Duncan Awards, and was a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow in Choreography in 2000.
Her ODC Theater 2006 presentation of Te'lios/Teli'os was awarded 1 of the top 10 dance performances in San Francisco. Sara created Inspirare in 2007 and was commissioned to direct Alarma, a performance project by Galeria de la Raza inspired by the immigration marches. The Inspirare Trilogy was presented by ODC Theater in spring 2008. Sara has taught intensives in Berlin, Budapest, Stolzenhagen, and Freiburg, including the Freiburg Contact Festival in summer 2007.
Her work has been supported by artistic fellowships at Djerassi Artist-in-Residence Programs, ODC sponserships, and funding through the NEA, SF Arts Commission, SF Foundation, Zeilerbach Family Foundation, and a Gerbode Choreography in Collaboration Award in 2010.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
I watched carefully as each dancer moved in and out of each other's arms.
The performers circled each other, fled from each other, flew into each other's arms and then were cast aside. Their movements were strong, fierce and often frantic.
Occasionally one of the women would shout, whisper or moan - "We love you Fred".
Now, I am not much for interpreting any kind of art. but this seemed to me to represent the trials and tribulations of a bisexual love triangle.
Very interesting and quite compelling.
Next we wandered through part of the Garden and saw more strange creatures.
Here, in a small gazebo, we watched as Ensohza Minyoshu performed.
Ensohza Minyoshu is a Japanese folk performing arts ensemble based in the San Francisco Bay Area. We perform songs and dances that evoke the festival spirit of Japan and the character of its diverse rural communities.
In addition to regular performances at community events and festival throughout the Bay Area, Ensohza Minyoshu promotes opportunities for community building through ongoing training in folk dance and the traditional festival arts of Japan.
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
Performed were a combination of two traditional dances associated with Obon, a summer festival celebrated throughout Japan to welcome the ancestors back to the earthly realm for a brief time. Nishimonai Bon Odori is said to be a dance between the living and the dead, which is reflected in the unusual costumes.
On our way to the Big Meadow for the final performance we passed this couple relaxing on a bench.
Next was the grand finale. "The Big Meadow Ball - Come one, come all" by Epiphany Productions Sonic Dance Theatre
Artistic Director Kirn Epifano founded EPSDT in 1997 to aid her work in "sonic dance theater," a genre-bending blend of dance, theater, and vocalization in which dancers, musicians, aerialists, and actors work together to weave a story on stage. Our mission is to develop dynamic, cutting-edge work that is accessible, relevant, and engaging, and that communicates through dance, theater, music, emotion, and intellect.
Since its inception, EPSDT has produced 20 major works, been recognized by several Isadora Duncan Dance Awards (IZZIES) and nominations, received the SF Weekly's Black Box Award for Best Dance Ensemble, and placed first in Mexico's Bi-National Competition. EPSDT's annual SF Trolley Dances was given a SF Weekly Best of award for Best Public Transit Ballet in 2010. EPSDT is distinguished by the artistic director's distinctive vision for fusing together different forms of expression, the excellent quality of the company's performances, and the organization's commitment to building community through the arts.
This past March Epifano and EPSDT were commissioned by the U.S. State Department and Mad'Art Carthage in Tunisia, North Africa to create and perform Alonesome & Twosome, a new work in development that is based on an interpretation of an Air Mail drawing sent to Epifano by acclaimed-artist Remy Charlip. In April 2010, Epifano traveled to Vietnam with Mudd Butt International to forge artistic alliances and create a piece with young adults from Hue, Vietnam and the U.S. Don't miss EPSDT at ODC Theater in June 2011!
Source: Trolley Dances Flyer
The music which accompanied this spectacle was fabulous as well. There was a didgeridoo, flute, violin, drums. It was amazing to hear and see.
The exuberance and energy were something to see. And those costumes!
The cast assembles and is thanked with much applause.
What a treat this had been and the day was just getting started.
On the way out of the Garden I stopped to take a snap of this happy couple.
Now - to lunch!!
Near 9th Avenue & Irving I stopped for a grilled chicken burrito to go.
Gordo may not have the biggest burritos in town but they sure beat the Amazingly Average offerings at Cancun Taqueria.
I arrived back at Ed's around 12:30, enjoyed my lunch and then piddled away a few hours with email, napping and shooting the breeze with Ed. Then it was back out the door again at 4:30 to meet The Reverend Mr. Black.
I caught the N down to Church and then caught the J and got off at 20th and Delores Park.
My stomping grounds for the evening.
The view of downtown San Francisco from Delores Park. There were a few people out picnicking and groups of young people laughing and drinking.
I was a bit early so I wandered around and took a few snaps. This is my nomination for the worst Victorian house make-over.
Butt ugly!!!
Can't take a stroll in the Mission without seeing some interesting murals.
Time to eat again. Yippee!!
The Reverend and I stopped at Escape from New York Pizza last year and I found the pizza mighty tasty.
Escape is a local chain and they do a great job of serving up tasty pizza quick and hot.
Here we see the potato and garlic. Heavenly...
Now fortified I wandered back out to take some more snaps.
This mural was badly tagged but still had a few clean spots.
Another beautiful, but badly tagged mural.
It was now around 6:30 so I made my way over to Mission Comics & Art at 3520 20th St. where I was to meet the Rev for "Spider: An art show. A music video. A combination art show and music video!" by Doctor Popular.
The commemorative card which was being handed out at the event.
Regretfully, I took no photos of the event. The Rev and I looked around at the artwork in the small gallery and then complied with Doc Pop's request to be part of his video. So, we may show up somewhere at some point.
According to DocPop's web site (which I suggest you check out) he is a "game designer, illustrator, tailor, rapper and super nerd who lives in San Francisco's Mission District".
After the art view we headed back over to Escape...Pizza. Although I had eaten, The Rev had not. And since Escape...Pizza was right across from our next destination - The Makeout Room, we headed back there to sate his appetite.
Some sidewalk messages we saw on our way over to Escape from New York Pizza.
Here is the stage at the Makeout Room where hostess Charlie Anders and the selected writers do their thing.
Writers With Drinks is an award-winning literary event that has run monthly since 2001 in San Francisco, California. It is a spoken word variety show hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, who MCs and introduces the six readers from six different genres including literary fiction, poetry, stand-up comedy, erotica or porn, science fiction and fantasy, blogging, reporting, memoir, and non-fiction.
Proceeds from the event went to benefit other magazines until 2008, when they were donated to the Center for Sex and Culture. The long-lasting, eclectic and popular series has contributed to defining a generation of San Francisco Bay Area writers and spoken word performers.
Source: WikiPedia
San Francisco Bay Guardian, Best of the Bay, Readers Poll 2005: BEST LITERARY NIGHT.
Writers with drinks are writers ready to meet the world, and when our readers have a hankering to see these often spectacular mismatches, they turn (yes!) to Writers With Drinks -- a kind of roving public salon and reading series -- to put drinks in writers' hands and thrust them on stage to bring their works to life. For those who equate literary with stuffy, WWD will come as a pleasantly relaxed surprise.
The Reverend Mr. Black took me to my first WWD on October 10, 2009 and I had a blast. It was the first time I have ever been to any such thing. Obviously, I need to get out more.
Tonight's line-up:
Marcia Clark (Guilt By Association, Without A Doubt)
Jamie Freveletti (Running From The Devil, Running In The Dark)
Ken Scholes (Antiphon, Canticle, Lamentation)
Stephen O'Connor (Here Comes Another Lesson)
Kirya Traber (Black Chick)
Daniel Allan Cox (Krakow Melt, Shuck)
Of the six, I enjoyed the readings by Jamie Freveletti and Daniel Allan Cox the most.
A closer look a the inimitable Charlie Jane Anders. Her outrageous and often hilarious introductions alone are worth the price of admission.
It musta been 9:30 or so when The Rev and I left the Makeout Room. The evening had gotten off to a good start and the night was still young. So down the street we went, The Rev taking the lead and soon we were in front of a small shop at 993 Valencia Street called " Viracocha". Estevan told me Joe Donohoe (of Specious Species fame) had told him about the place.
We walked in and poked around a bit. The place had an odd assortment of items, old typewriters, newspapers, clothes and furniture. Certainly there was nothing there which interested me - at least not at street level.
To the back of the store off to one side there was a nearly hidden doorway which led to a narrow flight of steps down to the basement. We could hear music and voices from below.
We went down the steps and into another world - we were now in the realm of a Performance Art free-for-all
One would not think finger painting would be a real attention grabber. What made this young lady's work different was the use of her own blood for paint. As I stepped in for a closer look I could see both her arms were cut in several places. Occasionally she would cover her fingers with the paint from her fleshy pallet and continue her continental coloring.
Here was someone being dragged and carried around for no apparent reason.
Meet DeCoy Gallerina and The Reverend Mr. Black. I could not figure out what DeCoy's trip was, but it is safe to say I had never seen anything quite like it before.
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If you are a Facebook user check out DeCoy Gallerina's wall.
Just shock value? Or is it art?
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Let the party begin!!!
At this point the Rev and I put our clothes back on and headed out the door. By now, we had worked up quite an appetite!
So, out into the cool night air we went, finally ending up at a roach cart which was stationed at the 24th Street BART Station. This was one of many carts which served up a local delicacy - bacon wrapped jumbo hot dogs smothered in grilled onions.
I ordered two and the Rev and I sat in blissful silence on a nearby bench and made short work of our tasty treats.
Thus fortified, we said our good-byes. Estevan hopped the BART and I walked up to Church to spend a 35 minute wait for the J trolley. Then it was back on the N outbound to Ed's. When I got there it was nearly midnight.
Bug night for this country bumpkin...