So if you’re wondering what’s keeping me so busy these days…

My most important project as of late is working as a project manager for Mark Growden‘s upcoming CD release show at the Cowell Theatre. I’ve put together a program that finds event contributors, then connects them to the SF arts community, using Mark’s show as a platform. It’s pretty neat. I’ve been working with one of the most noted producers in the Bay Area, Will Chase (of Burning Man fame, as well as countless additional huge SF events), as well as Porto Franco Records (Mark’s records label), for this event. Pretty incredible opportunity for my first contracted job since moving to SF.

Mark got home from his tour of the western half of the US on Saturday, and we’ve basically been working non-stop ever since, preparing, planning, researching, promoting, networking…

We can do this at parties too, of course.

Wednesday we headed over to the Tom Kennedy Art Auction. A bit more about the event:

Tom Kennedy passed away April 12, 2009 while body-surfing off Ocean Beach in San Francisco. He left behind a legacy as a pioneering sculptural artist, social agitator and builder of more than 20 art cars. As a founding member of the art car movement, his works of art work evolved into symbols of political protest and peace keeping. Tom envisioned his beloved and most recognized art car, Ripper the Friendly Shark, traveling around the world with a crew called the Friend Patrol. Together they would inspire and support friendship and peace in conflict zones where people perceived as enemies live and work together. The art auction will raise money to send Ripper the Friendly Shark on this mission at least once a year.

Mark was a guest performer for the event. View a video of his performance here.

Here are some of Scott Beale from Laughing Squid‘s photos from the night: http://laughingsquid.com/photos-tom-kennedy-art-auction/

Thursday was research night. We headed to Mezzanine for the CD release show of Rupa & The April Fishes. It was a fun time, and the bands were great.

I was particularly captivated by the opening band, the California Honeydrops. I found a song from Thursday night on youtube:

Thursday night research conclusion: We have two weeks to find a mime on stilts for the CD release.

Friday was blogger party night. We headed to Violet Blue + Ben‘s for a pre-Halloween shindig. I didn’t take any photos (the only ones were from Scott playing around with my camera), but Scott took plenty to make up for it. View them here.

Saturday was Halloween. I was the Spirit of the South. Gotta represent my homeland and all its beautiful people, y’all.

I spent the evening at Cellspace for the Ace Auto Junkyard Benefit. Ace Auto is a junkyard. It was the fostering grounds for the San Francisco arts scene. I don’t think I’ll ever quite be able to comprehend the level of influence the property has had on SF. Unfortunately, it is being forced to close down and move out after nearly 30 years. So a fundraiser involving ridiculous art and costume and debauchery is only appropriate.

Mark was a guest performer once again. I helped operate some gigantic robots in battle. That was fun. Scott, who was once again also in attendance, posted some additional photos on his blog. You can view them here.

And now it’s time to relax. And by relax I mean blog and plan for another week full of preparing for Mark’s CD Release. If you’re in San Fran, you should go. It’s November 13th at the Cowell Theatre in San Francisco. All of the producers are quite certain it will sell out soon (all 439 seats!), so I’d recommend snatching up some tickets while you can.

If you happen to live elsewhere, I suppose you can listen to him instead. He’ll come to your town eventually. Listen to a track from his newest album here.

That’s all for now. END!

It was a weekend of festing.

Tara and I decided that we would adventure to Pumpkin Fest on Saturday afternoon. I heard there would be a giant pumpkin, and I enjoy all food products involving pumpkin, so I figured it would be a good way to spend my time.

Backed up in a surprising large amount of traffic en route to the festival, we slowly creeped by independent farms, adorned with vast expanses of pumpkins and usually a central funhouse, equipped with whatever pumpkin-themed funhouses could possibly have. It was quite enticing. However, we continued on, assuming that this was simply a preview of the general awesomeness that was to be the actual Pumpkin Fest.

We finally arrive in downtown Half Moon Bay, and we follow the crowd toward the festival. I want to stop at a coffee shop on the way.

So we order two iced pumpkin lattes (it’s only logical). We are waiting patiently to receive them when we are approached by a stranger.

Enter Zephyr.

Zephyr was kind enough to, without hesitation, provide us with detailed descriptions of surrounding pumpkin farms that are far more interesting than the festival itself. It was quite enlightening.

I asked to take his photo, wrote my website on a napkin for him, and we prepared to head on our way.

Next thing we know, Zephyr is joining us for our entire festival experience.

The festival was certainly interesting (though not remotely as interesting as we had hoped), and we ended up cutting our walkabout short. We said our goodbyes to our new friend Zephyr and headed on our way.

We couldn’t help but stop at the strange pumpkin fields on the way home. We also happened to find ourselves in a giant dinosaur sculpture park as well. Just another Saturday road trip.

Sunday I found myself on Treasure Island (that is really the name of the island… it sits in the bay between SF and Oakland), thanks to fantastic lad/production superstar Will Chase. Performances of note: Grizzly Bear, Beirut, Decemberists, Walkmen, Flaming Lips. Environmental details of note: Incredible SF skyline view, fun colored lights illuminating everything, pirate ship wagon, and air that was really fucking cold. Great time nonetheless.

Lastly, mustaches. In Sonoma Valley. I really don’t have much to say about them, other than it felt right at the time.

Thanks to Tara, Elaine, and Greg for being my extremely reluctant models.

I was going to do these for a history homework assignment, so I tried to make them look a bit dated. I ended up scrapping them though.

And the extras:

END!