Here’s a little story – a friend of mine had lived in SF for about 9 months when her parents came to visit. Driving back from SFO to SOMA, they glided towards Folsom Street and lo & behold, my pals dad was subject to his first visual of a guy in a gimp mask, leather chaps and a pair of Dr Martens. He was naturally quite horrified until his daughter explained that it’s an annual street fair and people actually don’t dress like this usually in the city. Then again, she forgot to tell him that one Friday a month, the naked cyclers take over the city, blowing the breeze between their boobs and if you ever sit on the corner of Castro & Market St, there are always a few stark naked locals. And talking about naked locals some more, that brings us right back to Bay 2 Breakers. Which actually, thinking about it, the Folsom Street Fair at least includes clothes so yes, I give them a thumbs up for effort - even though 99% of outfits include pleather and black. September 23rd, it’s just around the corner so if you’re in the mood to see YMCA in action and in the mood to wear a dog collar, go for it.
Switching completely over to Treasure Island for their annual music festival October 13 & 14, I cannot believe that, after living in this city 7 years, I’ve never been to Treasure Island. I have no idea why not since the name of the island is absolutely the kind of place I’d be first in line to visit. Any location with a name that sounds pirate’like is top of my list. So for the first time ever, I’ll be heading to the festival and waving like a lunatic to everyone at Embarcadero.
I have this vision of Treasure Island being mystical, magical and magnetic. Yep, the 3 m’s. I also think the Island fits well with Twin Peak towers which, to me, has always looked like the spire of a pirate ship, sailing in the fog. Most people disagree with me but since when have I ever cared what people thought?
Right, going back to the Music Festival I cannot wait to see Public Enemy, Girl Talk and Gossip. Tickets are $150 - $225 which isn’t really daylight robbery but it’s heading that way. On the bonus side, there’s no toll to get to the Island from the city so you just saved yourself cash towards a double decaf, non fat, hold the coffee because I’m really paying for the brand image and expensive paper cup…Latte!
Finally on the same barking mad theme as Treasure Island and Folsom Street Fair having zero in common, if you want to create your own festival party, just spin over to GG Park Bike & Skate 7th and Fulton, grab a $5 (per hour) pair of rollerblades and head straight to 6th Avenue Skate Area in Golden Gate Park. Saturdays & Sundays between 4-7pm are the best. The place is a rocking with disco divas a bopping and I adore sitting here watching them go all Studio 54 on the tourists.
So there you have it! There’s nothing more extreme than choosing between hard core Public Enemy hip hop, fetish whips and roller disco glitter. Or you can do it all because you know that if you can survive all three, you’re more than a mover & shaker. You’re a serious SF local that knows her way around the block. Now that’s the type of stuff you should add to your LinkedIn. It shows flexibility and fearless of bondage.
