In 2008, while living in my San Diego county (super conservative) hometown, I watched the Oscar-winning biopic Milk. The instant the ending credits began to roll was the very moment I decided to move to San Francisco. Harvey
Milk’s inspiring story made me want to get in on the action here in SF – and
yeah, I realize his campaign for the SF Board of Supervisors, camera shop gatherings, and
impassioned guerrilla protests are of a bygone era. But a girl can dream,
right?
So you can imagine how excited I was to join the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy’s fundraiser on Tuesday, where we lucky guests would be treated to a special Harvey Milk
Day screening of the film and VIP Reception at the Castro Theatre.
The festivities began in the Castro's upstairs VIP lounge,
which was crammed with people noshing on food and wine donated for the cause (Kasa,
Humphry Slocombe, Hey! Cookie, Shoe Shine Wine, and La Mediterranee were a few
favorites) and mingling with the evening’s much-anticipated guests – LGBTIQ activist and Harvey’s second-in-command, Cleve Jones, and Milk screenwriter
Dustin Lance Black. Being in the presence of such renowned and talented figures
(Cleve is a living legend! And Dustin won an Academy Award for the film!) – not to
mention a few personal idols of mine – was totally surreal and awesome.
I'm not going to lie, I was definitely nerding out.
When the champagne supply started to dwindle and the room got way too packed to schmooze any longer, we descended into the theatre for a few powerful and eloquent words from Cleve and Dustin, as well as Harvey’s speech writer and confidante Frank Robinson and Supervisor Scott Wiener. Inspired manifestos of unity and action were never better spoken – especially in Dustin’s monologue, which was akin to his profoundly passionate 2009 Oscar acceptance speech and appeal for marriage equality.
And then there was the movie. There was probably not a dry eye in the Castro during the scene in which Milk gives his insightful 'hope speech' (see it in the video below). Now that's some powerful stuff. Made me proud to be a San Franciscan, and proud to be fighting the good fight. 'Cause you've got to give them hope!
If you haven't seen Milk yet, what are you doing with your life? Just kidding, but really – it's now a SF classic and one of the most important and moving pieces to come out of our fair city.
Categories:
Celebrity, Film, LGBT, Only In SF, Holidays, The Castro
This video by Ryan Jay and Alexander Shahmiri looks at the Financial District moving backwards. I've never been a fan of the FiDi; it always feels like crowds of people are rushing about, stressed out from work, moving and from some place else. It's just not a relaxing part of SF. But watching this video of cars, buses, people, and even steam in reverse motion is strangely meditative.
Categories:
Civic Life, Downtown
You've gotta love a summer calendar that unofficially begins and ends by kicking a free Monday your way. With those extra 24 hours to cram in your pocket, why not take on a couple Rutbusting options if you're staycationing the long weekend in San Francisco.
Trees Falling (Thurs.) With all the enjoyment we get hightailing it out into the trees in Northern California, it's amazing that California is chopping the budget of so many state parks. The First 70 is a locally-made documentary spotlighting some of the gorgeous landmarks we're slated to possibly lose. It screens on Thursday at IDEO's stunning waterfront HQ.
Sticks and Stones (Fri.) I'm a sucker for vintage Rolling Stones - and so, it seems, are the folks behind Teenage Dance Craze, the Knockout's awesome oldies party. This round is all about Mick 'n' Keef, which gives me great satisfaction, heh.
Do the Data (Fri.) ATA is a strong supporter of all things experimental in film and music, and their dance parties are no exception. Friday's Dada-nce Party aims to dazzle your eye and earballs with a collection of mind-tweaking players, including the very talented local producer Dominique Leon.
Oh Kay (Sat.) Carletta Sue Kay is one of my favorite anomalies. She's a big sweetheart of a man who sings like a delicate sweetheart of a girl. Her dusky croon will send shivers down your spine, especially when she performs (to celebrate her debut CD) at one of my favorite intimate venues, the Lost Church.
Funk That (Sun.) No work Monday? No reason to stay home wishing you were gettin' your skin all drippy dancing to classic boogie with the Sweater Funk crew when they take over the Knockout Sunday night.
The Line for the DMV (Mon.) We didn't name the Panhandle-area microhood DMV Heights, but we heartily applaud the cheeky tag just the same. The friendly Page St. neighbors between Baker and Lyon host their annual DMV Heights Block Party on Memorial Day.
Kick Shit (Mon.) Or you can hit El Rio's"jillionth" Shit-Kickin' Memorial Day twang fest featuring local greats like Red Meat. Roll in any time after 3 p.m.
Categories:
Film, Music, Neighborhoods, Outdoor, Embarcadero, The Mission, NOPA
Photo by Erin Browner
Even big characters feel small in a city of 800,000. Case in point, when I asked Jeff Mason of Pal’s Takeaway – the sandwich counter inside Tony's Market on 24th Street – if he would be the spotlight of my student video project, he got bashful. I understand – it’s not easy being on camera, and the modest guy he is, Jeff doesn’t see himself as a local celebrity, but I beg to differ.
What’s not to love about this guy? When you walk inside Tony's, Jeff greets you at his sandwich counter – even when he’s grumpy – and he’ll leave out the soy-yuzu mayo if you ask him to (although sometimes grudgingly). And, if you've found your choice sandwich is sold out by noon, he’ll scramble up some ingredients and make you something special.
Not only is Jeff devoted to his loyal and loving customers – he is a sandwich god. He provides home-cooked, locally-grown, fresh ingredients with a perfect ratio of fixin's to bread. Jeff is most definitely a character that helps make this city great, and we hope my video will convince you to introduce yourself to him next time you stop at Pal’s Takeaway on 24th Street.
Find out more about Pal's Takeaway in Home Slice, The Bold Italic's story featuring Pal's and other SF corner store sandwich shops.
Categories:
Food, The Mission, Potrero Hill
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