Yes, once again I volunteered to do something that I definitely did not have time to do. I…read morevolunteered to work for a few hours at the 25th Annual Tiburon Penisula Wine Festival. Once again it was a Sold Out Event. I spent two hours sticking tooth picks in very large, very good cheese cubes. Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar & Pepper Jack. All organic cheeses. All from Clover Organic Farms in Petaluma. All three were smooth and good. The Pepper Jack had a good bite to it. Can't wait to put it in an omelette. Two of the nicest guys from Clover were there. Then I spent two hours dipping chocolate & vanilla sweet cream ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery in San Rafael. 4th Street. Dipped so much ice cream I got a blister. But the payoff was great. I got the last dish of chocolate & vanilla mixed. Will definitely stop in their store the next time I'm in San Rafael and looking for a snack or dessert. And wine, you ask? Yes I drank wine. Lots of very good wineries were represented. After all, it was a Wine Festival. There were plenty of folks drinking my share. I have never understood what makes folks willing to do things when they have had too much to drink that they would never do if they were cold sober. These were people who had paid $55 for a 4-hour wine festival and now they were willing to steal or grab wine from cases that were packed up. I suggested they just go to Sam's or Guaymas or Servino's and sit out on the deck, if they needed more. They just looked at me with that blank, drunk stare. But even with that minor incident, it was an interesting afternoon. I've had my share of dairy products for awhile and a little too much wine. I saw lots of friends from around town and met a few new interesting folks. And I got a parking ticket. All in all it was a well rounded afternoon. Food , wine, friends . . . .

I have just returned from an exhilerating afternoon in scenic Tiburon,Ca…read more The annual Tiburon Winefest outdid itself. The festival was very crowded, but folks were cordial. The food was delicious, especially Servino's offerings of bruschetta and pasta. Sam's was dishing out fresh oysters, and there were also generous samples from a delicious local chili maker. The wines were plentiful, as always. Two aspects of this year's festival were outstanding: The silent auction items, and the Music. Internationally known percussionist James Henry and his Hands on Fire band really created a fun party atmosphere. Their music took the event to another level. Great band! Thanks, Tiburon, for a thoroughly enjoyable day.

I found out about Litquake in 2016...first time I visited the Opening Party at the Green Room and…read morewent to more than one event..Michelle Tea and Daniel Handler..it was a fun time..almost 10 years ago..this year is 25 years of Litquake..a non-profit run by 4 people...25 years is a high school reunion 1999! hahahah San Francisco is a literary place and the weather is good..and it's not New York..but it's New York and I didn't see Patti Smith...so many topics and so much time..it runs for 2 weeks..free events and paid..opening party and Jenny Slate this year...I didn't know about it before then..I was 32 and it's 25 years now..haha...retrospective...runs pretty smoothly and so much to explore and stimulate... SF post #2001

I love Litquake especially the Lit Crawl events as I have attended the last 5 years and recommend…read moreto all who want to get the flavor of San Francisco. This year I attended an event and was completely mystified. Featured as an event focusing on Southeast Asia with readings and poetry on a country under siege, the activities dismissed the fact the country is currently in a state of civil war and suffering a humanitarian crisis. Vague references to immigration issues and culture shock when coming to America, ignored and downplayed the situation of people who are currently struggling for their lives in the country. I left the venue disturbed.

Oddly Eclectic & Eccentrically Exciting FUN!…read more SITREP I enjoyed the Bohemian Carnivals for several years. They would be around for awhile on Fridays - then disappear for months - and then come back for a resurgent tour de' force. The last one I went to was before Thanksgiving 2010. So I hope they will bring them back again in the future. SETUP This last chapter was extremely enjoyable as I remember it being hosted by the The Vau de Vire Society with special guests the Bambi Killers! (hiLARious!) and the Flynn Creek Circus High-Flying Daredevils! (OUTSTANDING!) THE KINGFISH! On this occasion, my friend MC Kingfish was also present for comedic hijinks that kept the audience roaring and highly entertained. All in all, an exceptionally fantastic night! THE LOWDOWN Catch them when they are featured, because it isn't that often these days. But the BOHEMIAN CARNIVAL is a fantastic bevy of screwed-up fun!

Bohemian Carnival is HOT, though, being a girl, I wish more girls would wear clothes and the boys…read morewould take more off. But the trapeze work is astounding. I saw a guy do a routine while standing on his hands for over 15 minutes while removing and stacking the bricks he was standing on. Some of the creepy old men from B.A.G.G. have started to hang out at Bohemian Carnival because of all the hot, mostly naked, circus girls, but I ignore them. I love Bohemian Carnival. Not all acts are top notch, but there is more than enough supreme acts to make it more than worth it. The Vau De Vire Society is the hottest act I have seen in all of SF. And all this at a 10th of the price of Teatro Zinzani. Come early if you want close street parking. You can go here for pics - http://www.dnalounge.com/gallery/2007/01-20/ http://www.dnalounge.com/gallery/2007/02-17/ http://www.dnalounge.com/gallery/2007/03-17/

Earth Day rocks! A musical celebration of Earth Day rocks even harder! Speedway Meadows is one of…read moremy favorite places to go for music festivals...plenty of space, plenty of grass, surrounded by trees, yet plenty of unobstructed land for stages. The second year of celebration (2009) here was noticeably larger than the first year (2008). For some reason, they didn't have an event for 2010. Here's a free music festival with large stars, all for a good cause...to raise awareness on how to better care for our planet. What a day to celebrate! Fingers-crossed this festival returns for 2011 and beyond... Date of Event: Weekend of Earth Day (April 22nd)

Having been to Amsterdam and sampled early and often from its street-corner herring stands the mere…read morethought of a NorCal herring festival had appeal. After all, herring's Bay Area history is not dissimilar from that of the red-headed stepchild. It's rarely found on restaurant menus and the schools of herring, which appear here annually, seem to be enjoyed mostly by pelicans, seagulls, and seals. The Sausalito Herring Festival recently celebrated its 3rd year though year #2 was canceled due to poor weather conditions. Not so for year #3: the day was stellar, of the sort that visitors might return home, pack their belongings, and book their one-way ticket back. The Gabrielson Park location, right in downtown Sausalito, provided a sparkling view of the shoreline and Angel Island. If you came here just for that, 5 stars all the way. Unfortunately, most people came to eat herring and therein lay the problem. The 1-day festival began at 11 a.m. and ran until 3 p.m. but by 12:30 p.m. there was no more herring. Or no more plates. Or something like that. Two guys in line behind me had taken the ferry over from the City specifically to enjoy herring. They were left, instead, to contemplate where to go for brunch. Here's what one does at this Herring Festival: 1. Wait in line to buy food tickets ($20 per plate) and drink tickets (beer available). 2. Watch sea shanties being performed on stage while waiting in line. 3. Take tickets and walk through a line for your plate + one-third of the food you have purchased. 4. Wait in another line for herring paella. 5. Eat both while waiting in yet another line for a single grilled herring served with stone ground mustard. 6. Sit while eating that fish, and drink in the lovely bay view. 7. Walk through the handful of booths promoting sustainable seafood. That's it. That's all there is to do. Take away the food and well, hey, let's hoist a glass to that beautiful view. The Herring Festival needs to get their act together for year #4 and by "act" I mean get more herring and provide a simpler way for people to get their plates filled. If herring is really your thing, I'd recommend you arrive at 11 a.m. on the appointed date in 2016. They have all year to prepare but nowhere to practice. As a result, plan to get there early lest you too be spending your Herring Festival time figuring out a good place for brunch.

This is a festival that everyone in the bay should make time to check out. It's not huge nor small…read more It's perfect and has lots of unique vendors.

It was our first time doing Portola Festival this year. Our friends had awesome things to say about…read moreprevious years so we were easy to convince to come along this time around. We're so glad we did! Portola is a 21+ festival and that instantly feels different. You still see the evidence of folks who can't handle their drinks of course, but it becomes much less a lot that. People are actually there to...wait for it...enjoy the music. What a wild concept, am I right? The venue was easy to navigate as the different stages weren't miles from each other. They had a great variety of artists and we were able to sneak in many. The warehouse was a blast and something to be experienced for sure. Decent food selection even for a vegetarian, just wish they would have more places to sit down instead of directly on the asphalt. If you're on the fence about going, I'd say is well worth it. Transportation in and out wasn't a big mess as you see with other festivals, but we did leave earlier to avoid the big crowds. The have a free shuttle that'll take you to the nearest Bart station. We Ubered from there which went smoothly.

Portola is the best thing to happen to the City since...I dunno *shrug* sliced bread?…read more But truly, this is something I will now look forward to as an annual pilgrimage, if you will, with the convenience of sleeping in my own bed each night. If only it could go later *sob emoji* (Yelp, plz make it possible to use emojis in reviews) Back in a past life, I looked forward to Coachella. Did ten rounds total, but around 2016 I noticed stark differences in the vibe/experience of fest vs. when I first fell in love over half a decade earlier. Portola is about the music. Full stop. If you're coming for fluffy art pieces to pose in front of for your Instagram, this is NOT the place. (Seriously, please don't come.) If you're interested in hearing some of the latest top & up&coming artists in the dance/electronic/house/funk/hodgepodge scene, this is for you!!! Last year I had the privilege of a gifted VIP ticket. I did day 1 solo -- had a great time & convenience being in VIP areas at the Main Stage and Warehouse. The second day I found my friends (who had GA tickets) and was amazed at how equally, if not better, my experience was in GA. Come 2023 ticket sales, the shininess of a VIP ticket tickled my brain, but my pocketbook said LOLLLLLLLLOLOLOLL! As one diva reviewer (who appears to write mostly 1 star reviews (& only 11 reviews at that, ha) mentions: VIP isn't anything to write home about. More trailer toilets with running water, maybe more room to dance closer to some of the stages but otherwise... no value. But if you did a lil research, you'd see that's what you'll be getting *shrug*. Very very poor planning for entrances in general ie no VIP only entrance & no ADA entrance -- very odd if you ask me (have been to MANY fests besides Coachella & OSL, this is standard). Only reason this might not be the case for Portola is because of the grounds. It was hilarious being in a GA entry line going way faster than VIP+those who paid more to "skip" the line. Y'all got got. I really really really appreciate the changes to the Warehouse! Though it was comical security was trying to make people line up to get in at the start of Caturday; v glad they realized what a terrible idea that was. Can we all agree a line into the Warehouse is entirely unnecessary? Never again? K, excellent! For next year: Please do not put VIP back at the front of the Warehouse! The rail is so small, it's just not right to give such 50% of prime real estate to that small contingent of people. Your team must figure out a better way for entry next year. More gates. More security. Tracking entry flow from this year & seeing what approximate peak times were to ensure no one is on break next year at those times. Gotta figure out a better configuration for the Crane Stage / Ship Tent, plus more portolapotties near Warehouse -- maybe outside & at the back of the stage, sorta across from the lockers, ADA booth, end overdose booth (so glad they were there!!), etc? *shrug* Finally, i was severely disappointed in the signage entering/exiting, as well as for ADA seating slash really didn't see much ADA compliance. It's not surprising because most people are naturally ableist and never question their view of the world, but I need y'all to do better. Think "if I'm sitting in a wheelchair or visually impaired, will this be easy to navigate? The answer this year was a resounding no. However, I believe in y'all! Happy to be your consultant in these improvements ;) / provide other feedback to make 2024 better than ever for ALL attendees! *heart hands emoji* PLUR

This is my first visit to any comic con - and I was impressed by the level of creativity and…read moredevotion of the attendees in their costumes! It was a LOT of fun! Also got to see Peter Capaldi who has more grace and patience than the best kindergarten teacher - he answered the SAME question about 40 times - I would have just lost it after the third time, "AREN'T YOU PEOPLE LISTENING? I'M DONE BEING DOCTOR WHO, I'M NOT RETURNING - EVER!" But he's not nearly as crotchety in person as he is on screen as the Doctor, so he just was really nice about it. Plus - air conditioned on a day when it was 111F in SF. Best $100 ever for me and my friend to go hang out indoors all days and talk to people about their awesome costumes.

This review is for the first SFCC back in 2016…read more The main celeb shows up on the website as cancelled the day before the convention. No admission refunds were given. I bought expensive non refundable props and posters to be signed and they all went to waste. No way Jessica Jones cancelled the day before and probably gave a bigger heads up. The convention most likely kept quiet to sell more non refundable tickets. For $50 admission they offered very little. Celebrity row only had 4 "celebrities". Side characters such as Manu Bennett replaced Aquaman, Jessica Jones was replaced with Ian McDermid and other no names/has beens. Some art crap for sale from no name arstist, few pop venders, and made in china garbage. Go on Facebook and see all the reviews there. You will see shills praising this crapfest, tons of bad reviews being buried under fakes, and one a hole making excuses, "oh San Francisco is expensive blame sf." "Jessica cancelled because she had surgery". I call BS. Save your money and don't patron this event or you'll be sorry. $50 gets you San Diego Comic Con admission for comparison reasons. This event is a scam.

What a fun way to spend a couple of hours! Although 2010 marked its 8th annual event I had not…read moreknown about the Union Square Celebrity Crab Festival until I received a recent email from my San Francisco 49ers season ticket account representative. Thanks Heather! Since it's free admission I was expecting a packed crowd inside, but that didn't materialize. While the event was well attended and many vendors ran out of food early the space within Union Square was easy to navigate. The annual event is a fundraiser for the 49ers Foundation. Proceeds are collected through the sale of food and drink tickets as well as 49ers player autograph tickets. San Francisco 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=yg2ZZNI5hisODgB0F7Ru-A) was there. Members of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=6aJbaclHgxVIUZQtBBrAzg) were there as well. Among the 49ers players representing were wide receivers Josh Morgan (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=hVT0P_ZopBd0PZSDpZ1Uug) and Jason Hill (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=dztDh7rVGHCoUlrTdt3jTQ). 49ers player alumni Eric Davis emceed the event and Keena Turner sold tickets at the ticket booth. The Celebrity Crab Cracking Contest (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=UAfuh4SwSlOmS068rL44Ng) paired up local celebrities with local chefs and it seemed to be one of the main draws of the event with tons of media coverage. Each team had three minutes to pound out as much crab meat from cooked crabs to determine the winner. The two teams without a local chef, KPIX 5 sports anchors Dennis O'Donnell and Kim Coyle & two Gold Rush cheerleaders plus Sourdough Sam, fared the poorest. Check out who won the contest (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=k9x1uJwtrrAHx5n4ZP0oxA). After the contest 49ers fans were able to get autographs from the two 49ers players and Gold Rush cheerleaders for a measly $10 donation. The price included a 49ers t-shirt and cap. I was more excited about the food however. Tasting tickets were $5 each or 6 for $25 with each ticket good for one item of food, one beer or one wine. As expected the wine and beer garden was packed solid. Ice cold Guiness always seems to attract a crowd. I never made my way in there. The Dungeness Crab Sliders with Coleslaw & Green Curry Aioli (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=DyMnaDVsGEi5XzNagzsLXQ) from E & O Trading Co. were a great way to start the tastings segment. The crab cakes had a bit of filler but were quite moist and very well seasoned. The slaw was fresh and crunchy. Bruschetta with Citrus, Fennel & Crab Salad (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=dvUd50pUNb99oiuz4Ww9vg) from Kuleto's was my event favorite. The salad had tons of fresh crab meat mixed with crunchy fennel and sweet cara cara oranges. The bruschetta was buttery and crispy. Salade de Taboule aux Crabe (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=dCMYFTYZzEuiRmObdQvxnQ) from Grand Café was unique and delicious. Fresh crab meat was mixed with couscous and fresh minced parsley, finely chopped zucchini, tomato and cantaloupe & drizzled in olive oil. To me the sweet cantaloupe made this dish a success. The Signature Crab Cakes (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=qkpMrbc-LUUp3CmEuPuYeQ) from Grandviews at the Grand Hyatt were excellent with very little filler. The seasoning was a bit peppery for my taste but I enjoyed it. Dungeness Crab Chowder (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=MM6koQtllho4sh_8mJ7urQ) from The Oak Room could have been a lot thicker, and I would have loved a lot more crab meat as there was very little. Sourdough Bread Pudding (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=chdfJvBXjrj0ZM5y_8O8ww) from Bistro Boudin was a delicious dessert to end my tastings. Served over a caramel glaze the dense sourdough bread had caramelized apples cooked onto it and was topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream, fresh strawberries, blueberries and mint. As attendees slowly filed out event sponsor Macy's handed out free gifts (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/YDU1Xbkdn5XSILXhvM2oog?select=L0UoOoR8R_GqkKRyNpHV6A) and BOGO coupons for Macys Union Square eateries including Ben & Jerry's, the Burger Bar, Boudin Bakery and DeLessio! Not bad for a free event!!

I have been to this Union Square Crab festival twice the last time... I went when the SF 49ers…read morePlayers Alex Smith, Joe Nedley and Manny Lawson and Tiffany Tam the former Miss Chamber Of Commerce 2008 were among the participents and now a year later... I saw Josh Morgan , Jason Hill and Amy Chu The Miss Chinatown Of San Francisco 2009 Both times, I went the weather worked out really good both times on the days I went were really really sunny... The one thing that, I liked most about the Union Square Crab Festival is the freebies that they give out and of course why do people come here for like every other people would do go and check out the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader Girls of course!!!