Mission Mission

In Land of a Million Cereals, currently on view at Mission17, artist Ryan Alexiev takes breakfast cereal out of the box and puts it on the canvas. ArtLicker‘s got the scoop:

Alexiev creates exaggerated and at times gawdy representations of consumer culture as seen through the eyes of a F.O.B. Bulgarian peasant. The result is a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on what we consume and why we do it.

No doubt — Larry King looks pretty appropriate rendered in high-fructose corn syrup and artificial coloring. Show closes August 2. Link.

Photo courtesy of ArtLicker.

Special report by Malcolm McMillan:

Thousands of Dolores Park denizens threw down blankets, taped their buns together, and broke out the bubbly (tallboys) for the first Saturday edition of Film Night in the Park – a free screening of John Hughes’ clique-busting, run-punching 1985 gesamptkunstwerk, The Breakfast Club.

The fun-jump screen handily conveyed Judd Nelson’s glorious rhinostrils to the tippy top of the hill before a back drop of falling stars, distant fireworks, and mobile “I lost me to meth” billboards driving up and down Dolores. [Can we not enjoy our picnic baskets full of project propellant in peace, for Pete's sake?] A cumulus of ganj billowed up right on cue with the onscreen sesh, and the echoing bowl lent a propaganda rally flare to the movie’s spazz prancing subversiveness.

Film Night in the Park: What was that?
Me: Eat. My. Shorts.
Film Night in the Park: You just bought yourself another Saturday.
Me: What can I say? I’m THRILLED!!

Stay tuned for O Brother, Where Art Thou @ Dolores Park, 9/20/08 (dusk)

Thanks, Malcolm!

[Photo by Malcolm too. Click to enlarge.]

If you’ve not yet seen Toshio Hirano perform, you’ve not yet lived. He plays cowboy songs by the likes of Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams with a gusto like none other — yodels and all. And his stage manner is maybe the most charming thing ever.

Seeing him at the Rite-Spot Cafe is extra special because you can eat spaghetti and meatballs and puzzle over that weird painting above the bar between sets. Show starts tonight at 9pm. My Beemish Boy are also on the bill.

Photo of Toshio and Mayumi doing the Texas Two Step at Amnesia’s Bluegrass Monday by prawnpie.

On Thursdays, Karen at off the (meat)hook publishes haiku-style restaurant reviews. This week’s edition features reviews of a dozen San Francisco taquerias, most of which are in the Mission. Usually she’s right on the money:

EL FAROLITO
2779 Mission St. (@ 24th St.)
4817 Mission St. (btw. Onondaga & Russia)

good, cheap, open late!
an old standby loved by most.
on the dirty side.

All true.

LA CUMBRE TAQUERÍA
515 Valencia (@16th St.)

I’d say good, not great.
a standard taquería.
used to be better.

Yeah, that’s what I hear.

PAPALOTE MEXICAN GRILL
3409 24th St. (@ Valencia)

clean, well-lit, quite fine.
burritos yes, tacos no.
sometimes a bit bland.

Yep, Papalote in a nutshell.

TAQUERÍA CANCUN
2288 Mission St. (btw 18th & 19th Sts.)
3211 Mission St. (@29th St.)
1003 Market St. (@ 6th St.)

ugh. why? well, it’s bad,
it’s dirty, and it’s not nice.
I don’t get it. blech.

Wait, what!? Actually, it’s good, it’s no dirtier than Farolito, and it’s nice. I totally get it. Yum!

Previously on Mission Mission:

How to Eat a Mission-Style Burrito

La Cumbre Taqueria: Awful Carne Asada, Great Visuals

Carnitas at Taqueria Can-Cun! Finally!

Mission Mission reader tack responded to the release of Google Maps Walking Directions with the following observation:

You can walk from Dolores Park to Williamsburg, Brooklyn:

[link to walking directions]

But to stay awake for 43 days of non-stop walking you’ll probably lose yourself to meth before you get there. And your low-rise girl jeans won’t fit no more.

Zing! Thanks, tack.

[BTW, we know this was in our comments section, but we didn't realize how good an item it was until we saw it reposted on The Point Is The General Point.]

Previously on Mission Mission:

Google Maps Walking Directions Lets You Plan Route Through Dolores Park

Behold the Prize-Winning (I Lost Me to) Meth Story

Look what I ran into during my lunch break in downtown San Jose.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Affordable Engagement Rings For Sale in La Taqueria Gumball Machines

Muni Overhead Wire Technicians Allowed To Double Park Outside La Taqueria

This is an ad for the San Francisco Parks Trust.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Ad Watch: Meth, Zionism, Oil Addiction and Kitty Cats

Yesterday, in my summer intensive, I met Erin, the Special Event Director for the 48 Hour Film Project. We bonded over living/working in the Mission.

The 48 Hour Film Project is where a team of people are required to make a movie in 48 hours based on a given line, prop, and character. The films that are being shown this week were made locally and submitted on Sunday night. Here was the info given to the various teams:

Character: Gus or Gloria Lorenz, Trade Expert

Prop: A ticket for a bus, plane, or train

Line of Dialogue: ” Forget it, I already have.”

The remaining films are being shown at the Roxie tonight and Monday with showtimes at 7:00 and 9:30pm.

We’re going to the 9:30 show tonight, and I heard that if you present your ticket at Dalva, you get $1 off drinks before and after the event. The whole thing sounds fun!

Has anybody seen it in a different mood? Anybody know its name? Seen at 26th and Mission.

If you see a homeless person passed out on the street, call the Mobile Access Assistant Patrol Service (MAPS MAP) at (415) 431-7400. Okay, checks out. But like what if the person is passed out because they’re diabetic or epileptic or got bludgeoned? Homeless people can need medical attention too.

Photo by seanbonner. [via Metblogs]