Mission Mission

Not in the Mission, but you’ll probably recognize Stanley Donwood’s artwork from the covers of Radiohead albums (which I’m sure you’ve got taking up bytes there on your Zune or Creative Labs Zen).

When thinking of iconic imagery in music from the last 20 years, Stanley Donwood’s work with Radiohead invariably comes to mind – and for good reason.  Where Radiohead’s music stretched the auditory horizons and painted musical sceneries of mans place in the modern world, Donwood’s imagery and packaging forced us to face the gravity of the music from the minute the album hit our hands; and by creating cryptic, academic and (at times) dystopian layouts, the albums themselves became as striking and relevant as the music they contained.

His show, entitled  ”Over Normal”, opens tonight, Thursday September 2nd, from 7:30-10pm at Fifty24SF gallery on 218 Fillmore St. I’m sure he wants to tell you all about what Thom Yorke is like and would gladly deliver your demo tape.

Flyer here. More info over at fify24sf.

Seeing as how our analytics are telling me that people who are searching for “18th Street Block Party” are constantly being referred to this post about the same block party from two years ago, we felt it would be prudent to provide a little bit of an update.

If you’re not busy from 12-5pm this Saturday, August 28th, 2010, stop by 18th Street between Guerrero and Dolores for the 2nd Bi-Annual Party on Block 18.  There’ll be tasty bites from all sorts of local vendors and restaurants (like Delfina Pizzeria, Out the Door, and Kasa, the Indian place up the street), a pie-baking contest (categories are fruit and other–who knows what savory concoctions will be revealed?), and beer from the SF Brewers Guild (no need to rely on Cold Beer, Cold Water, as Andrew Dalton points out).  All the proceeds go to benefit the Women’s Building (and their daring rooftop dancers), BuenDia Family School, 826 Valencia, Next Course, and Pie Ranch.

Also, I don’t think they will be roasting a whole pig this time around (that photo was from the festivities two years ago), so the actual party should be safe for vegans–unlike this post!

[Photo by Denise]

In case you haven’t heard, the Rock Make Street Fest is tomorrow. Featuring crafts, food, beer and bands,  including MM favorites Social Studies, Still Flyin’, and the California Honeydrops. See you there!

The Rock Make Street Festival is this Sunday, August 22nd, 2010, on Treat Avenue and 18th Street from 11am-6pm. Presented by The Bay Bridged, Tartufi, and Cookie and the Dude, the free, all ages fest will feature three stages of local music and entertainment, 100 local arts and crafts vendors, beer gardens, a children’s activity area, and a guaranteed good time.

Noisebridge is hosting a series of 5-minute talks tonight:

We are pleased to announce the monthly “Five Minutes of Fame”, scheduled for this Thursday, August 19th, at 8pm at Noisebridge. Bring yourself, your friends, your pet alien, and ping pong balls to throw at the speakers.

In addition to the talks, this month we’ll be hosting a tasting snack for everyone, courtesy of Frantisek Apfelbeck. Please reach out to him if you would like to help prepare the dish or otherwise support his cooking project.

All speakers have been notified, and the current schedule is as follows*:

King Henry VIII:
“Summa Theologica” (Richard Dawkins)
“Dumb is Good: Thoughts on Anti-Intellectualism” (Al Sweigart)
“How to Run a Barcamp” (Carl Sue)
“Android University” (Ozzy Satori)
“Experiments in Energy Harvesting” (Amber Lee)
“Legalization Now: Using Business to Empower Consumers” (Jehan Tremback)

Sir Thomas More:
“Life saving Food Cultures” (Frantisek Apfelbeck)
“Kombucha, My Lord, Kombucha” (Naomi Most)
“The Gaiety Project” (Cameron Eng)
“Making Music With a Phone” (Doctor Popular)
“The Open Primer Project” (Alex Peake)
“Manufacturing Dissent” (Quinn Norton)

I want to extend thanks to all the speakers, but especially all the people who have been showing up and make this event a success. Without all of you, it would not be able to happen.

aestetix

Did I really just read that my favorite evolutionary biologist/total religion troll Richard Dawkins will be there? That guy RULES! Although I have a hard time believing he’ll be able to rant for less than 5 minutes. For a swell time, check out his Enemies of Reason BBC series:

Also presenting will be the Mission’s own Dr. Popular, showing you how to make hits on an iPad. It’s the future of music, folks.

More at 5moF

Bryan Whalen sends us this beautiful flyer and says:

Many will attempt to enter the arena of battle, but just one team will climb atop a mountain of destroyed egos, mangled wrists and crushed PBR’s to hold the trophy high above they’re head and claim the throne to all of the Pinball Land.

All Conan-isms asides, the time has finally come for teams to prepare for the 1^st Annual Ball Busters Pinball Tournament. I’ve been plotting this tourney for a number of years, and finally , with the help of Rebel8 and our non-profit partner, Keep A Breast, it’s all come to fruition. The tournament is an invitational, and I’ve hand-selected teams that I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with over my time with Pabst Blue Ribbon. I greatly appreciate everyone who has supported myself and the brand, and now I’m hoping to give you all a kick ass time in return. The event is open to the public, so I highly encourage inviting as many friends as possible, particularly for the purpose of cheerleading. We will also have 200 limited edition tees and posters by Mike Giant (who will also be doing a live piece), all for the ridiculously low price of $20, as well as the El Tonayense Taco Truck (I will provide some freebie tacos) and “refreshments”, so bring cash! I am not charging for the tournament, but would love if each team made a small donation to Keep A Breast.

All the info you will need for the event is below:

1^st Annual Ball Busters Pinball Tournament

• Saturday, Aug 21^st 6 – 12am
• Guerrero Gallery, 2700 19^th @ Bryant
• Team Check-in:  5 pm (or earlier)
• Team Warm Up: 5-6
• Tournament: 6pm on

Rules:

• Single Elimination tournament. Sixteen 2 Person Teams.
• Teams will draw cards at random to determine machine and competitor. Teams flip for either 1/2 player or 3/4 player position.
• Scoring : 1^st round teams play two games. Team’s drop high and low scores, remaining scores averaged. High score in match advances. 2^nd round/semis/ finals/ championship play one game. Team’s score to be averaged, high score in match advances.
• While I am all for pinball finesse (nudging, bumping, bang backs), slamming, lifting, kicking, or slapping on machines is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Players displaying poor pinball etiquette will be swiftly ejected from the tournament. See next item…
• TILT RULE: 1^st tilt player will be issued warning, 2^nd tilt player will set out rest of game.
• No food or drink on or near machines during gameplay.
• Awards: 1^st , 2^nd Place and “Ball Busters Spirit Award”. Spirit. Award to be determined by PBR staff and will be based on, but not limited to: cheerleaders, costumes, heart and good sportsmanship
• Side bets and good natured trash talking are encouraged, but not required.

TEAMS CONFIRMED: HUF, Benny Gold, FTC, Medicine Agency, Workshop, Bender’s, Fecal Face, Rebel8, 330 Ritch, Evergold/SFAQ, Self Edge, Bro Palace, 111 Minna, Indie Mart

So there you have it. NOW GET OUT THERE AND PRACTICE! I won’t reveal what particular machines will be featured, but they’re quite common (if you’re good, you should be able to play on any machine!).  If you need hints on spots to practice, here’s a few: Lucky13, Elbo Room, The Uptown, Route 101, Malotovs, The Cinch, Doc’s Clock, Ace’s, Bender’s, Musee de Mecanique, Lucky Juju (east bay). Maybe I’ll see you out there and join in for a game.

Will there be a team Mission Mission? Outlook not good. I know there are a few pinball wizards here, but I think Tetris and Ping Pong are more our sports. We’ll just be there for the beer and yelling.

This just in from Andrew W.:

Hey San Francisco! We’re in town still and want to keep giving you ice cream, so we got together with our friends in Still Flyin’ and are doing just that.

Tonight at 6:30 in Dolores Park we are having a free ice cream social as well as a mini show from Still Flyin’ that we’ll be recording for Road Trippin’ with Ice Cream Man.

So get over those mid-week blues with some upbeat music and delicious Ben & Jerry’s treats!

If the music video for the Smashing Pumpkins’ “Today” is any indication, ice cream and rock music is an awesome combination.

If you like art or music or food or short films or rad people or just kickin’ it on Capp Street you should head to these fine institutions this Saturday. Three art spaces mere steps away from one another are joining forces to simultaneously rock your world.

The Sub will have art and photography on display for your viewing delight as well as live music and DJ skills. 199 Capp Street.

Kitsch Gallery will host a silent auction to benefit Homeless Children’s Network and have some pleasing music to lull you into giving. 3265 17th Street.

The Secret Alley (of which I am a member) will take you through paintings and installations downstairs, then upstairs to show you super sweet short films presented by Wholphin in the afternoon and then rock your body with live jammy jams in the evening. 180 Capp Street.

An epicly more epic video of Boxwars 2010 comes to us courtesy of Nilanjan Nag. It’s overdubbed with that menacing sounding operatic piece by Carl Orff and it has Latin phrases in it, so you know it’s epic.

This is yet another example of a glorious HD video shot on a Canon 7D, which the impulse buyer in me wants to purchase, but the compulsive dropper of things in me wants to avoid.

Previously:

Boxwars 2010 Video Shot By a Couple of Chuckling Dudes

Boxwars 2010 Announcement

Boxwars 2008 (Don’t Call it Cardboard Tube Fighting League, Bitch)

Let’s face it, you haven’t touched that Casiotone in years. It’s time to let go. Why don’t you head down to Zambaleta’s second Music Flea Market tomorrow and hand it off at to the next bright-eyed young musician? While you’re there, maybe you’ll find your true calling: the didgeridoo.

Saturday, August 7th
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Esperanza Garden
19th & Florida, San Francisco, CA 94110
Buy, sell, exchange, trade, teach, learn, play, dance, musical instruments, records, audio equipment, dance costumes.

Live performances and pizza all day.

[photo by prawnpie]

Here’s a clip of Judgement Day destroying the Bicycle Music Festival today in Golden Gate Park. I’ve never had my face melted by a violin and cello before!

The cyclists in front are powering all of the equipment. You’ve just got to check out the rig. The wheels spin the rotor of a generator that feeds into a small battery with just enough juice to keep things going for a few seconds. A meter shows the power level. If it drops below green, lights out. This actually happened shortly after I stopped filming and everyone was treated to an unexpected drum solo. While I was pedaling, I found a direct correlation with the power level and the bass instruments. Kick drums and bass lines really draw a lot of power!

You can still catch the rest of the fest when it rides down to Potrero Hill (16th and Irwin) around 6pm.