Mission Mission

So far everyone’s been loudly enthusiastic but very well behaved. A commendable bit of acting like you’ve been there before. Of course, the heavy police presence also helps.

It’s starting to feel just like October!

[file photo by Ariel]

As a passionate theater and event-goer, Brittany went to a forum on the future of SF’s nightlife amid recent closings due to economic and cultural shifts in the city, as well as neighbor complaints. Here’s her report:

[file photo by Ariel]

People are moving into cities for a reason. We endure small apartments, high prices and the discomfort of living on top of each other to gain access to the inspiration and entertainment that comes with being surrounded by crazy creative people. Arts and culture are the lifeblood of what makes any city unique, particularly San Francisco.

I review theater here because I want to shine a light on one element of what makes our city so great (even if I don’t always love what I see). So when I heard CMAC (California Music and Culture Association) was hosting a “Supervisor Nightlife and Entertainment Forum” allowing Supervisor candidates to “discuss their visions for the future of nightlife and culture in San Francisco.” I wanted to hear what they had to say.

[file photo by Ariel]

With the SF Bay Guardian closing announcement happening earlier in the day, the conversation about what will happen to SF if our arts and culture can’t make the rent seemed more urgent than ever. Which is why it was disconcerting that only three candidates — Supervisor Scott Weiner, Supervisor Jane Kim, and Juan-Antonio Carballo — out of six who were invited to participate even made it to the event.

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On yesterday’s episode of Burrito Justice Radio, we were talking about burritos and burrito history and blogging and stuff, and I brought up how one of my first blog posts ever (back in 2007) was about how Taqueria Cancun had just gotten carnitas — finally!

I mean, can you imagine a world in which carnitas was not a meat option at Taqueria Cancun??? IT HAPPENED.

Here’s the photo I posted:

And here’s the copy I wrote:

Note the sheet of hot-pink printer paper in the upper-left corner of Can-Cún’s menu. It announces excitedly that carnitas is now available. We can’t even begin to recall how many times we’ve heard some first timer bemoaning the lack of carnitas here: “They’re voted Best Burrito and they don’t even have carnitas?! Wha!?”

Apparently they were tired of hearing same, so they rectified the situation (at both Mission locations). What gives anyway? Why did Can-Cún eschew carnitas for long? And why did they finally give in?

I don’t know who I thought was going to answer my questions, seeing as how this blog had zero readers back then. Maybe now I can finally get some closure? Anyone?

The event benefits APA Family Support Services, and here’s what to expect:

• The Giants game
• Beer pong
• Raffle (includes gift certificates to Mikkeller, Dr. Teeth, Maven, and a boat ride)
• Miss Asian America Pageant Queens hanging out (hopefully)
• Free food when you buy raffle tickets

RSVP and invite your friends!

[via Paul Suway]

I haven’t woken up before 10am in like probably 15 years, so this is pretty cool.

[via Emma]

Go Giants!

[via Ginny]

Last night, the first night of Culture Collide, was TONS of fun. I saw Dune Rats (from Australia), Takeoffs & Landings (from Peru), Kamp! (from Poland), Alphabetics (from Costa Rica), Dorine Levy (from Israel), Cloud Nothings (from USA) and Sampology (from Australia).

I’d never heard of most of them, and they were all TONS of fun. And it’s soooo great being able to just bop from club to club up and down Valencia and happen upon killer bands from all over the world.

Check out this jam by Alphabetics:

Check out tonight’s lineup and get tickets here.

[via Stokemonster]

Katie was busy, so Brittany brought a friend from the theatre world to a crazy, bloody, sexy, puppety show that sounds like a lot of fun. Here’s their report:

Katie is a bit of a buzz-kill when it comes to Halloween (sorry Katie). She hates dressing up, doesn’t like scary movies and gore makes her queasy. Brittany, on the other hand, has her requisite costume box in the closet and grew up on Tales From The Crypt. So when we got the press release about Thrillpeddlers Shocktoberfest 15: The Bloody Debutant and Katie was busy, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to call in our friend Michael St. Clair, a lecturer in the Theater and Performance Studies department at Stanford who’s been known to wear a costume even outside of Halloween reverie, to come along and review the show.

Brittany: So Michael, for your introductory Drama Talk & Drinks review, what did you think about the show?

Michael: It was brilliant. It was at least 50% more fun than I expected it to be.

B: That was, in my opinion, absolutely delightful.

M: If you don’t like comedy/sex/violence, or lots of gore, of fake blood, or demon summoning, or things flying in your face, it’s not the show for you. But if you like those things . . .

B: And like kinky fetish stuff . . .

M: Spiced up with a bucket of blood and terrible things . . .

B: SO MUCH BLOOD!

M: . . . Then you’ll love it.

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