Mission Mission

Steve and Andy send us word of their upcoming internet series Frown Town:

For over a year now we’ve been hard at work on a intricately crafted magical internet puppet show about wayward kids kicking it in a vacant lot.  It’s got spiteful stillborns, pyromaniacal gingers, spastic sugar addicts and we made it right here in the Mission.  In our garage, as a mater of fact.  After a year of work the scripts are writ, the puppets are stitched, and the sets are coming up, but we’re a high def video camera away from being able to set the show in motion.

Their last blog post details how all the materials and inspirations for their puppets come from the Mission, from scrounging foam from the discarded furniture lining our streets, accessorizing at One $ Store, and swiping the latest fashions from folks in Dolores Park. The puppets look great so far!

They are still getting off the ground, so if you want to help out in a way other than leaving your scabies-infested couch on the street, you can donate at their kickstarter page.

There will be a Grease Sing-a-Long this Saturday at Dolores Park.

You might want to just check out some garage sales that day.

[via SFist, SFGate]

If you were the type of kid that had a White Out checkerboard pattern on your Jansport backpack in the 90s (guilty, here) you’ll probably recognize Karina Denike from her early gig as a lead singer for the Dance Hall Crashers.

Since then, she has been hanging out in San Francisco playing less-skankable tunes with groups like Mr. Lonesome and the Bluebelles, the Cottontails, and Eight Legged Monster. In my humble opinion, she’s probably got one of the most powerful, virtuosic voices around and a vocal delivery that’s JUST SEXY. You really have to see her live to know what I mean.

Ms. Denike also writes her own pop-y, quirky, singer-songwritery stuff, which is what she’ll be performing on Sunday at the Rite Spot Cafe on 17th and Folsom. She will be joined by her band, her harmonium, and the also insanely talented Lily Taylor. Show starts at 8pm.

If you can’t make that, Karina will also be singing with the Cottontails at Revolution Cafe Saturday night from 9-12ish.

(By the way, she loooves talking about the Dance Hall Crashers and is not embarrassed by it in the slightest.)

Critical Mass riders demonstrate that, yes, their bicycles can come to a complete stop at an intersection… if they want them to.

Apparently, this was part of the 15-year anniversary event. Consider yourselves more aware of cyclists now!

[photo by |\\ |) |=]

Spots Unknown has the scoop. (Embedded video below if you’re not using Google reader)

Chasing the Moon continues doing their wonderful work with their latest podcast featuring Ramon & Jessica, a lovely duo featuring members whose names are neither Ramon nor Jessica.

I think the interview at the end sums it up really well: they write really unusual music that is musically complex but manages to have an undeniable pop familiarity. I really love the A Capella + beatbox tune they do as the second track. Accordion babe Marie Abe joins them on the 3rd song.

Also, check out their video shot in the Mission last year:

You know that asshole who tried to kill four cyclists last week? Well they nabbed him after he tried to file a false police report that his vehicle had been stolen. So what’s the profile for a murderous bicycle hater?

In addition to being a tennis pro, Clark boasted on a Web site that he was a crystal therapist, a “Reiki master,” referring to a natural healing technique, and a “priest in the Order of Melchizedek.” The order is described on one Web site of believers as “composed of evolved beings who have dedicated themselves to the work of promoting spiritual growth.”

Get the full scoop at SFGate.

[Thanks for the tip, Void. Photo by Troy Holden]

Previously:

Creep In An SUV Targeted 4 Cyclists Last Night

Celebrate the birthday of your favorite eccentric, Jehova’s witnessing, conspiracy theorizing, pop musical genius with the Jazz Mafia. Tonight will be their 4th annual Prince birthday tribute at Coda Lounge, featuring the 20-piece hip hop jazz orchestra Realistic Orchestra.

It’s definitely going to be crowded so I highly recommend you get there early (and stay away from those chemtrails).

[photo by thebaytaper]

Just spotted ‘em. This city acts fast!

Previously:

“There Are No Savesies”

Hey, sooner or later your neighbor with the unsecured Netgear is going to wise up and throw a password on that sucker. What will you do once that happens?

I was browsing SF ISPs since Comcast is getting hella expensive and stumbled across MonkeyBrains, based right in the Mission. They seem like a laid back bunch. One interesting thing on their site is their FREE wireless offer:

RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS in the Mission: We are starting a pilot program in the Mission District of San Francisco where wireless is FREE through the end of 2010 — all you pay for is the setup of an antenna on your rooftop. Speeds are 10Mbps to 20Mbps up and down. Fill out the Sign Up form and we’ll contact you to see if your house is eligible for this pilot program (it requires line of site to our antenna).

Sounds like an awesome idea, but you might not have a lot of luck convincing your landlord to install an antenna on the roof. Has anyone with a qualifying location taken these guys up on this offer?