Mission Mission

We asked Rhiannon to fill us in on what went down at 12 Galaxies’ swan-song show:

All space metaphors aside, 12 Galaxies went out with a big bang last night. StitchCraft opened the show up, all beautiful harmonies and hot chick with a fiddle, and there went beer one. After that it just got louder and sillier and more fun. During Big Light’s first set, the place got really packed, and really really hot, but no one cared. The Mikes and Willy at the door were having a great time, while Robert was shmoozing and dancing and answering the same questions a million times over. Someone whose face was a blur got up and played an acoustic set. (Their face probably wasn’t a blur in reality, but I was three beers in, not to mention the three margaritas at Velvet Cantina during dinner beforehand.) Then Big Light was on again, and someone had turned the amps up to 11. After that, it just became a jam fest. I got some video of some 10 people on stage, tearing the guitars apart, shouting “12 GALAXIES!” in some kind of rhythm, Robert got up and sang, first the 12 Galaxies song they were all making up, then some Grateful Dead-type stuff…

It was awesome, I left around 3, after KrOB put his famous neon sign in a cab and headed on home.

Thanks, Rhiannon! Can’t wait to see the video…

Photo of Frank Chu’s last appearance on the 12 Galaxies stage by Amor de Cosmos.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Save 12 Galaxies!

So I started following it too. We’ll see what happens. Link.

Amber Bouman has just informed us that the 16th & Mission Open Mic posse is throwing itself into some new endeavors. Firstly there’s The 16th & Mission Review, a monthly lit mag available at the open mic (and hopefully soon in area stores). Nextly there’s the official 16th & Mission website, where you’ll find news items, event listings, photos and other lovely oddities (We’re assured they’re working on getting an RSS feed up and running). And, to review, in case you didn’t know:

[E]very Thursday at 16th & Mission there is a free, and totally democratic, open mic (minus the mic, the sign-up sheet, and the time limit). It’s been happening for over five years, starting at about 9pm (depending on who shows when, some nights it’s definitely closer to 10pm), and features poets, MCs, musicians, comedians, dancers, etc. The kids who perform here have heart, and the event itself is something special that only the Mission has…

Anybody have any stories illustrating exactly how special and unique to the Mission this thing really is?

Photos by wordartsalon (click to enlarge).

The Chronicle says there’s a dilemma about what to do about Dolores Park. I didn’t realize there was a problem, but one dude explains:

“A few weeks ago, for example, somebody invited 100 people to party, and 300 to 400 showed up,” said Gideon Kramer, who has lived near the park for 30 years. “The problem is there are too many permitted events already, and basically an atmosphere of lax enforcement by the Recreation and Park Department lets people make the assumption that they can go over there and do whatever they want.”

Well yeah, don’t we all go to Dolores Park because we can do whatever we want? (And man, I wish I could throw a party for 100 and have 400 show up.) Anyway, the lax enforcement also extends — allegedly — to rules about nudity and excessive drinking, and the story says this makes some residents sad because it is “preventing them from bringing their children to the park.” Yeah right! I see hundreds of kids having grand old times in Dolores Park like every day.

Bevan Dufty is gonna see about sending more police patrols into the park, so I’m gonna run down there right now and get naked and drunk before they start ruining all the fun.

Link to story.

“The criminalization of nudity” photo by SanFranAnnie

Previously on Mission Mission:

Full Bowl of Humans for ‘Breakfast’

Bus Shelter Ad Features Constipated Asian Woman Hovering Over Dolores Park

Google Maps Walking Directions Lets You Plan Route Through Dolores Park

Dolores Park Playground Renovation Promises Fences, Safety

This is an ad for the San Francisco Parks Trust.

Previously on Mission Mission:

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

Due to poor drainage, leaded paint, and other public safety issues raised by concerned parents, the Dolores Park Playground is set to be renovated. Meetings have been held and there are more to come. They’re talking about fences and barriers and all kinds of safe stuff. Reports The Snitch:

It’s up to the community to decide how harmonious or isolating the new monkey bars will shape up to be. The third and final meeting is set for the end of August, with construction slated for spring 2009.

Link. So take pictures of the crusty old relic while you still can, and maybe try to get War Mongers Diner to work up a version of Don’t Fence Me In for the end of August.

Photo of Dolores Park Pool by Amy Hammond.

Yesterday, Petals in the Gazebo published a pleasant feature on the murals of Balmy Alley. It explains that the diversity of the murals is indicative of the diversity of the neighborhood as a whole, and concludes with the following:

[T]ake a peak through the knot-hole of a mural-painted fence and you’ll see and old car supported on blocks or a latino washing his truck or a patio table and chairs.

So how ’bout it? What other things of note have you seen whilst spying on your neighbors through a knothole? Link.

Photo by Zurdo Go.

Over at WHAT IM SEEING dot com, Plug1′s put up a nice little essay about Mitchell’s Ice Cream. Tip: 11:30am is a great time to go. The neighborhood’s just getting to hot as blazes, and there’s no line! Link.

Elizabeth S. at The Ladder Herald alerts us to the sad news of Osento impending closure:

I am bereft and heartbroken. Osento is, to me, the essence of the Mission. Original, funky, secret, brilliant, humanitarian, spiritual…they let any woman over 70 years old in free.

Where else is bounce house with slide there truly women-only space?

Where else can we get soak for $12? Not some fancy, intimidating spa, but an everyday place, like the bathhouses of old. Public, friendly, non-judgmental.

Where else can women go to transcend (and don’t say the Lex, which is great, but merely fun).

Grab a soak while you still can. Link.

Link to the Lex.

Photo of Osento’s front door by lorelei.

Walked past the Mission Playground and Pool today, and heard ping pong coming from inside the pool building. Was in a hurry, couldn’t investigate. Can anybody go in there and play, or was it some kind of exclusive after-school program?