Mission Mission

Boxwars is coming! I stumbled upon this battle one sunny day in Dolores Park a couple of years ago and didn’t know WTF was going on. All I knew was that the sound of 50 cardboard tubes making that “bonk” noise when colliding with heads was absolutely delightful.

Boxwars SF – Fight or Be Recycled!

After a 2 year hiatus, the corrugated chaos featured in Scotland, Australia, Canada and Estonia returns to the streets of San Francisco. The cardboard phenom has been sorely missed and will be returning in form on the 7th of August at 3:30pm.

Don’t know what Boxwars is?

1. Build a set of armor out of cardboard and tape (bonus points for creativity).
2. Build a weapon out of cardboard and tape.
3. Beat the snot out of your new cardboard clad adversaries!

Not the violent type? That’s okay! Boxwars needs spectators too, come out for a fun afternoon reliving the glory days of gladiators and cheer on the warriors!

The location isn’t 100% certain, but it will probably be in Dolores Park like the last time. You have about a week and a half to collect cardboard and construct your armor. More info on their facebook page.

Please don’t confuse this with the Cardboard Tube Fighting League which, according to participants of Boxwars, sucks.

Previously:

Boxwars 08!!

An ANONYMOUS READER writes:

I’m wondering if you know of any bars showing the Mad Men season premiere.  If not, could you put a call out to see if anyone is??   I need to find a place to watch!  Thanks!  (plz don’t include my name or contact info on yr blog)

I am also guilty curious about this. Sure I could steal cable, but last time I tried to mess with my building’s cable box I think I broke cable for everyone for a couple of hours. Oh shit, forget I said that. I think my building manager reads this blog.

[photo by ytfelmi]

It’s always a fun time when a new gallery opens in the neighborhood, and tonight promises to be no exception as Gallery Hijinks makes its debut on the Mission art scene.  The fun starts at 7pm tonight and features two different yet enticing exhibitions. 

Pictured above is the offering from the Free Life Center, a large scale freestanding installation crafted from salvaged building materials that can be modularly configured for a variety of purposes, kind of like that parklet on 22nd Street, but will probably just end up getting hotboxed.  Looks like it was pretty fun to put together, though!

For a more visceral experience, check out Jerking Off In Bunkbeds for a collection of photos that will leave you feeling dried up, empty and ready to molest life!  Anytime you get the chance to come away with a new book called Fingerbanging Amelia Earheart, you really just have to do it.

The gallery opening is from 7-10pm tonight, and musical performances will be happening on Saturday from 6-9pm at this exciting new space on 2309 Bryant at 21st Street.  Did I mention that the TCB Courier dudes are also involved in this project?  Seriously, bike messengers and art together at last, and unbeatable combination.  Check it out tonight!

Fellas, you really shouldn’t miss Indie Mart. I am in full support of any event where you can get a kick-ass bloody mary (from thee Parkside) and walk around while beautiful, fashionable ladies are obliged to introduce themselves to you and excitedly hand you their contact information on creative stationary. Plus, for the gals: Broke Ass Stuart will hook you up with as many stickers as you can stuff in your organic tote bag. Flickr’r joda36 has a great photo set of the festivities.

Looks like the next one is going to be in Alamo Square on August 21st. Table fees start at the low, low $30, so sign up early. Details here.

More photos of hott crafts after the jump.

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With a forecast calling for mostly pleasant weather, there is no shortage of fun things to do outside in the sun this weekend.  First up on Saturday, the Mission Creek Festival reconvenes for a free outdoor concert at McLaren Park from noon to 6pm.  Local products The Fresh & Onlys and Grass Widow headline a melodious offering that also features Brian Glaze & the Night Shift and Ganglians.  Remember to bring a sweater just in case because we live in San Francisco.

Sunday marks the 2nd summer session of the indie mart at thee Parkside.  As I’ve said before, it’s tough to beat a Sunday spent leisurely strolling along a closed-off city block while sipping a Zeitgest-tier bloody mary and scoping the latest offerings from local fashion designers, such as the custom sized 1960s bikinis from newcomer Lacombe Lingerie.  The design-your-own-terrariums will also be returning this time around, joined this time by a life-size terrarium where you can hang out and drink some beers while you kick it with Pauly Shore.  PBR giveaways, dog and cat adoption, Heavy Metal Aerobics, and a slew of musical acts round out the action, which also happens to run from noon to 6pm.  Don’t forget the sunscreen!

[Photo by hummingbirdheart]

You all love the French, right? After all, this is San Francisco and I’d like to think we are Paris’ equally smug North American sister city. The best way for you to celebrate Bastille Day is to head over to Amnesia to see the always swingin’ gypsy jazz band Gaucho from 8-10pm.

There will be drinks, Charleston dancing, an accordion, authentic 30′s French jazz, and a REAL beheading. I’m not even joking. I was put in charge of constructing the guillotine.

Update:

Shameless tells us of more Bastille Day awesomeness:

There is also a Mods v Rockers Bastille day celebration at the Make Out Room. Supposed to be French guest DJ’s and dancing. It starts around 10 so fun neighborhood times to be had.

And Heather says this is going on at the Rickshaw Stop:

Don’t forget Bardot A Go Go! http://www.myspace.com/bardotagogo

Woah, didn’t this just happen less than a month ago? Well it looks like Sunday Streets in the Mission back for a second round this weekend. Not that anyone’s complaining.

Lots of cool free events will be scattered along the route including:

Circus Performance: Harrison Street at 20th (O’Connell H.S. lot)
Presented by Circus Bella
• 11:30-12:00 Parade down Harrison
• 12:00-1:00 Live circus performance

I caught Circus Bella last weekend at Yerba Buena and it was awesome. They set up their own circus ring and are accompanied with live music composed by local accordion hero Rob Reich. It’s going to be outdoors so you can bet that the trapeze will be hanging much higher than it was at their last performance at Amnesia.

Other than that, you can probably expect the usuals: purple robed guy on the tricycle with ginormo speakers, meligrosa snapping photos of her shoes, and a bunch of folks saying, “they should do this every week”.

More at Sunday Streets SF.

Saturday is going to be such an awesome day. It’s too bad I’ll be out of town in that other liberal coastal city that is often compared favorably to San Francisco.

In addition to the Mission Community Block Party at 22nd and Bartlett, be sure to check out these things around the corner:

Market SF Inaugural Event

This is going to be a new weekly market featuring local designers and artists. Food and drink specials. This takes place noon to 6pm at The Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission Street, San Francisco. Check out their site for more info.

Big-Ass Church Rummage Sale. You Know, For Jesus

On SATURDAY JUNE 19, come visit to one of San Francisco’s largest annual pre-owned jewelry sales. Hundreds of families have contributed to this annual One Day Sale in the heart of the Mission District. There will be thousands of good items from furniture to clothes, toys, electronics, books, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and MUCH more. Come early for great deals – the best items go fast! Sale is from 8:00am to 5:00pm at 1325 Valencia St (Bethel Christian Church).

[photo by yvan h]

I was wondering what came of Science For Juggalos and was surprised to find out it was broken up by Insane Clown Posse themselves! I can’t decide whether or not this means it was a complete failure or resounding success.

Big Violent J himself fills us in:

In case you haven’t been up on your memes, ICP put out a video recently about all the magic up in this bitch. You know, like fuckin’ butterflies, lava, giraffes, and UFOs:

In response, the Mission’s own Noisebridge decided to host a science fair for the Juggalos to help explain how fuckin’ magnets work among other things. It took place in front of the Warfield on June 5th where the band was scheduled to play.

There are more details of what went down from Aaron Muszalski on his twitter.

[photo by y3dua]

Mission Community Block Party takes place this Saturday, June 19th 11am-3pm in front of Revolution Cafe on 22nd and Bartlett. There should be lots of food, live music, and dance performances. Full details here.

Also, after Sirron Norris and CUBA made nice last week regarding the mural on that corner, it looks like they will be inviting YOU to take part of their new mural collaboration! Please try to resist the urge to hide a bunch of dongs in there.

Come paint a piece of our new community mural! Anyone and everyone can come paint their part of a mural! A blank canvas for you to paint your piece of the Mission! Artists Sirron Norris and CUBA will return afterward to tie it together into a unified mural. All are welcome to contribute their part of a mission mural! On the side of Revolution Cafe.

[Thanks for the heads up, J-Lub]