Mission Mission

You’re doing just fine.

Circus Bella did a fundraiser performance at Amnesia last night. And, not to be deterred by the tight quarters, they managed to install a goddamned trapeze in the middle of the room:

That’s the artistic director Abigail Munn performing.

Circus Bella does it the old-school way and sets up free open air one-ring circus performances in parks. They feature a live band with original music written and performed by Rob Reich. You may remember last summer when they posted up in a beloved park in the ‘hood that starts with a “D” and translates to “pains”.

They are ramping up for the summer season and hopefully coming to a park near you. The next SF performance is at Yerba Buena  Gardens on July 3rd. They run on donations from supporters so find out how you can get involved here.

Judging from the number of emails we’ve received about this, you can tell that excitement is building for the Alite launch party this Friday from 6-11pm at 2505 Mariposa Street (at Hampshire).  Even Kelly from indie-mart is all about them (and she will be helping to host the party as well).  With an eye towards putting the fun back into camping, Alite founder Tae Kim has brought together local creatives and designers to create this rad new SF brand.  Besides, who can resist a party with:

Sex charades in the "Sleepy Hotness" double sleeping bag?

or

A doggy scavenger hunt? Crazy!

Plus there’s a photobooth too, but try not to go all Pop’s in there.  I’m most intrigued by the monarch chair, pictured at the top, which purportedly folds down to the size of “a San Francisco burrito” (shouldn’t it be Mission style?).  I will have to check it out myself since I’m not sure whether they mean a properly sized El Farolito super burrito or one of those miniature (and comparably expensive) Papalote twigs that all the skinny hipsters rave about.

If you’re like me, you didn’t know St. Patrick’s Day was this week until you heard folks bitching about the parade downtown this past Saturday.

Well, now that you’re all caught up, get into the spirit by checking out this cool show at Amnesia tonight. Live drankin’ songs and sea shanties by the Barbary Ghosts, a duo featuring Sean (the owner of Amnesia) and 2009 Accordion Babes Calendar pin-up Joan.

Starts at 10pm and costs 5 bucks. And as always from 8-10pm there’s Gaucho Gypsy Jazz doin’ what they do.

Kari alerted me to the fact that she’ll be telling a story at next Monday’s Porchlight SF storytelling series at the Verdi Club. I hadn’t heard of it, so I looked it up:

Porch light brings together an eclectic mix of storytellers for evenings of entertainment and inspiration. Each storyteller tells a 10-minute tale about a specific theme, without using notes or memorization.

It sounds almost exactly like the Moth, which I love because I’m a public radio podcast fanboy. That’s right, I’m staying perfectly goddamn true to Mission yuppie form. Seriously, if I was a chick I’d probably be crushing on Ira Glass, but I guess I’ll just have to settle for the less-dreamy Terry Gross.

The theme for Monday is “Beware: Stories Of Danger”.

Monday, March 15th, 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street, San Francisco

General admission tickets: $12.

Pics from last night’s fundraiser for Southern Exposure at Verdi Club. Local artists drawing in hour long shifts before their work is put up on the wall and sold for $60.

Paul Madonna

More pics below.
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MissionMission reader Anna spotted this promotional material above the 24th/Mission BART station, and since I’m probably not gonna make it over to Fruitvale this weekend to audition for Hoarders at the gargantuan White Elephant Sale, I might have to settle for this.

After all, where else can I find:

A Digdogger completely unadulterated by rogue magic whistle blowing?

That damn Evil Dead book? And a chair to sit on while I read and unleash an Army of Darkness?

A Phanto-landlord overzealously concerned with my key deposit?

Zen weed (traditional Japanese seaweed)?

A talking penis imploring me to "please cum"?

That’s right.  Only in the Mission.  And maybe the Tenderloin too.

Oh snap, it just started!  Better head over!

Jorge P. sent us a note about the inaugural event for a cool dance/BBQ party he’s throwing at El Rio:

The idea behind the event is that we want to modernize, takeover, revamp, trick out, revive, do up, the Outdoor Afternoon Dance Party Scene in the Mission… We want a party for everyone, a party, where drag queens mingle with lesbians, leather daddy’s soul dance with cholas, sharps share hot dogs with activists, jocks make out with twinks, brown meets white meets purple meets gay guy meets ladies meets q and everyone leaves with excited feelings for the next party.

The party is being Dj’d by Resident DJ newcomers and soul music wizards Dj Carnitas and DJ Brown Amy. They along with the rest of the Hard French crew are our music curators and throughout the summer, promise to bring it! with live bands, guest dj’s, performers and the like. All in the spirit of the maximum that is Mission SOUL Afternoon Dance and Food.

BBQ and Soul music! A bunch of subcultures which I’m not familiar with!! Sounds like a cool way to spend a Saturday. See the flyer for details.

Only thing is, I don’t know what the French have to do with it. Some say that the term “barbecue” comes from the French “barbe à queue, meaning “beard to tail” which sounds like how you would grill a hipster furry. That’s right, I made a crack about cannibalism, hipsters, and furries! If you were offended by all three simultaneously, we’d like to hear from you.

Yesterday’s special at Napper Tandy! Too bad you missed it, but if it’s any consolation, they always serve full English breakfast which will definitely make you well aware of your bowels within two hours.

(via reader Paul V.)

Your favorite dimly lit music venue Amnesia (Valencia b/t 19th and 20th)  is hosting a great Mardi Gras themed party tonight! They start at 9pm and the cover is $7-10 sliding scale.

Headlining are the California Honeydrops, a smokin’ rhythm and blues band out of Oakland and one of my favorites in the bay area. Opening is Damon and the Heathens, a kick-ass punky soul band. Go for the awesome party; stay for the cheap plastic jewelry.

Vids of these fine bands after the jump.

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