Wearable art Foxy, tattooed patrons and cheap hooch figured prominently at a launch party earlier this month for Hold Fast (487 14th St., S.F. 415-252-7479), a new gallery space wedged between zine and clothing shop Needles and Pens and an oddly Death Star-like loft in progress. While diminutive art spaces dot the Mission District landscape, Hold Fast may be the only gallery in San Francisco to deal exclusively in tattoo-related art. Owner Cliff Carter (an artist at Tattoo City in North Beach) and curator Mary Scott organized the first exhibit around the evolution of the American tattoo. "The Beginning of the End," opening in mid May, features contemporary paintings by Bay Area tattoo artists.

Workers of the world, unite ... And give props to Rainbow Grocery for staying closed May 1 in solidarity with working people everywhere.

Contributor: Heather Smith.