Mission Mission

The final countdown to Christmas has begun! If you’re all done with your shopping, and have already seen Star Wars, you’re probably looking for something festive to do this holiday season while you’re off work and half the Bay is away visiting family. We did the leg work for you and went to Eureka Theater to check-out their holiday show of the season, SantaLand Diaries, by David Sedaris.

Brittany: That was cute. I really enjoyed it.

Katie: Really adorable.

B: I’m always impressed by people who do one person shows and can keep the energy up the whole time. He did great voices too. He was sweating like crazy, but he was on it.

K: I definitely agree, but keeping the energy that high bordered on corny for me; and I don’t usually respond well to corny. Most of the time I laughed, but there were other times when I felt “simmer down actor”. I really liked the writing though. I’ve never read anything by David Sedaris, but it was a really dry, raw humor.  The script was great and he was good enough to make it a really entertaining show.

B: I didn’t mind that it was corny, it’s a Christmas show after-all.  I was pleasantly surprised it was a little less cheesy then I expected. I also liked that it was not that long- like an hour.

K: True, I could have happily sat through more.

B: The stories are funny and some of them are sweet. You can tell it’s written a while ago though – a lot of the references are dated and I’m sure there are jokes I didn’t get because of that. There were also some things in it that were super not PC, that you would never hear now – making fun of people with learning disabilities, differently able-bodied people, etc.- so that was interesting… but as long as you can take a joke, I think this is a great time.

The Verdict: If you’re looking for laughs, or to appear “cultural” to visiting family, SantaLand is the way to go. It’s quick (runs for about 60 mins), entertaining, holiday fun.

The Drama Talk: Sedaris is a hilarious writer. His sardonic dry wit helps us laugh at ourselves, while bringing out moments of heart and humanity to soften the sarcasm. This production at Eureka theater has been running for fifteen years, and you can tell why it’s a holiday staple. The Crumpet we saw was full of energy, and kept the show moving. We left wanting more, which is always a good sign. If you’ve seen the nutcracker, and are looking for something with a bit more of an edge, this show’s for you. 

The Drinks: At one point in the show it’s pointed out that Santa is an anagram for Satan, so we decided to head over to The Remedie Room at The Devil’s Acre for post-show cocktails. Brittany got the Bourbon Crusta and Katie got a Sherry Cobbler and we toasted to making merry this holiday season.

Santaland runs through December 26th at The Eureka Theatre. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets for $25-35.

Formerly local comedian Chris Garcia just made a very important sociological breakthrough:

Thanks, Chris!

Now please enjoy some other great Chris Garcia stuff…

Our pal Ben commented these on one of our Facebook posts about this guy. Thanks, Ben!

Now please enjoy the originals…

Wes spilled the beans (lol there’s no beans) to Omar at 7×7, checkitout:

You already know Wes Rowe of Wesburger makes one of the best burgers in San Francisco. Rowe, who hails from Austin, has been doing a weekly pop-up at Mojo for the last two years, and is known for topping his burgers and tots with signature Tex-Mex queso dip. Now you can make your own dip at home (just add chips!)

Wes’s Tex-Mex Queso Dip

Ingredients: 

1lb white American cheese (You must source this from the deli counter, not the cheese aisle! Have them cut you a 1lb block and shred it at home.)

4 oz. asadero cheese shredded

1 jalapeno chopped

1 large ripe tomato

1/4 white onion chopped

1 small bunch cilantro roughly chopped

1 tsp cumin (toast cumin seeds and blend in a spice grinder for a fresher taste)

1/4 cup whole milk

Mmmmm! Read on for the rest of the recipe!

It’s a crisper pic this time than last time. Either way, love this guy.

[via Dawson]

No matter how bad your year was, the RPS New Year’s Day brunch will make you feel like the new one is gonna be the best ever. Ooh and they’ve got a new venue this year:

One of our favorite traditions is serving brunch on New Year’s Day – something we’ve done ever since we started!

This year we’re doing it at The PizzaHacker, our homie Jeff’s pizza shop in Bernal/Outer Mission. He’ll be slinging mimosas and beer, we got you on the food and Vietnamese coffee front.

See you there!

New Year’s Day Brunch @ The PizzaHacker
January 1, 2016
3299 Mission Street at 29th
11am-3pm

Alriiiight. RSVP and invite your homies!

Full menu after the jump:

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[via The Fog Bender]

Me and my pals at Jameson Irish Whiskey threw DJ Purple a 50th birthday bash-slash-holiday party (at J. Rusten Furniture Studios, which, incidentally, may not be located in the Mission for very much longer; throw yourself a party there asap while you still can) on Saturday night, and it was epic.

As a special treat for himself (and everyone in attendance) DJ Purple got KJ Paul to come in and assist on karaoke duties so that the birthday boy could step out and sing some stuff for once! It was historic.

Here’s some video:

DJ Purple does his patented “Dance Karaoke” party every Thursday in the Mission, at Slate Bar on 16th Street, don’t forget.

Here’s one more pic of the party:

[Photos and videos by Luke Spray]

[Editor's note: Pay attention! Here's a great opportunity to spend Christmas Eve with Melly from te Aprecio and Prima Bike Maintenance!]

This Christmas Eve, our friends at BFF.fm radio will be holding down the holidays at Pops Bar for a LOCALS’ XMAS EVE with DJ MELLY G. With hella R&B, Hip-Hop, oldies and classic jams, even Santa may pop in for a spin on the dance floor! Come get weird with us under the mistletoe, we’ll keep the bar warm and toasty for you.

Check out this week’s full entertainment line up at Pops Bar:

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Mission Local reports:

San Francisco police released a statement today seeking the public’s help in finding 32-year-old Matthew Wastrodowski, who was often seen in the Mission.

Wastrodowski was last seen, according to police, at 1 p.m. on December 7 at Clay and Walnut streets, and has not been seen since. He was a frequent visitor to Dolores Park and would go to the Phone Booth bar at 25th Street and South Van Ness Avenue.

He was described as approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing around 140 pounds, with blue eyes, blond hair, and a beard. Wastrodowski was last seen wearing black framed glasses, a red and black plaid shirt, a blue jacket, blue pants and blue shoes.

SFGate adds:

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing black glasses, blue pants, blue shoes, a plaid shirt and blue jacket — but his jacket, shirt, wallet and keys were found later in the Presidio.

About a year ago, Wastrodowski was treated for depression-related illness and put on medication, according to his mother, Patricia Wastrodowski.

“In July, he got it into his head that he was feeling better and wasn’t going to take it anymore,” Patricia Wastrodowski said Wednesday. “The last two or three weeks, apparently he had become delusional.”

Call SFPD if you can help.