This week in San Francisco: Whether this is your adopted home or you’ve lived here all your life, re-discover the city as you begin another year of living here. Let’s face it, you’re still tired from the holidays and you’re probably saving up your energy for New Year’s Eve, so why waste your time at New Year’s resolution themed singles mixers and monthly dance parties when you could be discovering the concrete slides on Steward Street or the fascinatingly creepy arcade games at Musée Mécanique? If you’re jonesing for some nightlife, check out The Yellow Dress at Bottom of the hill, and Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve at the Herbst Theater.
Monday 12/27: Sometimes there just isn’t a lot going on event-wise. And then I realize that in the half-decade I’ve lived here, there’s always something new to do in San Francisco. There are plenty of things to explore, but today, I suggest concrete slides. It’s about to rain on and off for the next week, so grab a cardboard box and take advantage of the dry weather. I can’t say I’ve tried them all, but my personal recommendations would be the Steward Street and Lake Park slides.
Tuesday 12/28: Head to slims for Xmas with X. Born out of the late 70’s California punk movement, where tight pants and awesome stage names reigned supreme, X has outlasted fellow punk bands like The Cramps and The Sex Pistols (mainly by not having any founding members die), and still tour regularly. See Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom, and DJ Bonebreaker share the stage with The Doors’ Ray Mankarek. Tickets $31, ages 6+ (seriously, that’s what it says on the website), doors 7pm/show 8pm @ 333 11th Street.
Wednesday 12/29: See Rumpus Morning Coffee editor, Dan Weiss, jam out with his band, The Yellow Dress at Bottom of the Hill. While you’re there, catch performances by Alright Class and Wolf Larsen as well, and all for just eight bucks. 18+, tickets $8, 9pm @ 1233 17th Street.
Thursday 12/30: See the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra for free at the first of their Rush Hour Concert series. Music. Free. ‘Nuff said. (But don’t forget to get a ticket online!) 5:30pm @ the InterContinental Hotel, 888 Howard Street.
Friday 12/31: Before you get loaded on champagne and start kissin’ strangers, head over to the Herbst Theater for Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve, and celebrate the new year in Central Standard Time (the time zone of Normal, Illinois) with a comedy and variety show. See performances by Brent Weinbach, Moshe Kasher, Drennon Davis, and Lynn Ruth Miller. Tickets $25+, 8-10pm @ 401 Van Ness Avenue.
Saturday 1/1: Start the new year with something old. Spend a rainy Saturday at the Musée Mécanique. See the impressive private collection of Edward Galland Zelinsky that now takes up an entire warehouse at the Pier 45, including a steam powered motorcycle and relics from Sutro Baths and Playland at the Beach. Free, all ages, 10am-8pm @ Pier 45, Shed A.
Sunday 1/2: Grab a raincoat and some wellies, head out to North Beach, and see how many NIKKOs you can spot. I had a blast doing this myself after reading the Rumpus published story of Delfin Vigil, NIKKO: Concrete Commando. Free, any time you feel like it, although daylight is preferable…
