Yesterday we did our part to get local bikers hopped up on the good stuff, cupcakes and energy drinks that is. We risked life and limb (and heat exhaustion) to hang out at the corner of Fell and Masonic, but we were clever enough to choose a nice shady tree to prop ourselves under.
While accosting riders with said sugary treats and Bike to Work bags (courtesy of the Bicycle Coalition) we actually got some of them to stop. Hopefully their signatures will lead to much needed bike lanes on Masonic, where there's apparently no singal to prevent cars from turning off Fell right into the crosswalk full of bikes, peds, dogs, joggers and the like. It's treacherous, man.
It was a great deed we did, if you ask me - stopping sweaty half clad cyclists and offering them a moment of bliss. Yea, it was good for us too!

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Posted by JBro at 12:20 PM • Comments (0)

We're all shaped by the interesting and/or strange places that we come from. But there's something off about the Canadians, especially those from Winnipeg. Maybe it's because of the bitter cold, the fact it means "Muddy Waters", maybe because half the city seceded in 1993.

In Guy Maddin's recent docu-fantasy, My Winnipeg, the viewer is treated to sundry details on the Winnipeg of the past. Part mystical rumination, part childhood history, this is perhaps the best farewell kiss turned film ever made. It's easy to share in the tribulations of the loss of the hockey rink and the missteps of the local government and business community. While fascinating, you have to wonder how much of the film is wild exaggeration and what might be oddly true. This is one of those hypnotic movies you get caught up in, then it's over and you leave the theater like a sleepwalker, pondering your own ghosts.

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Posted by JBro at 03:03 PM • Comments (0)

Tuesday night we celebrated 7 of the best local independently run businesses with a little soiree at Anchor Brewery. It was the 4th Annual Small Business Awards and in the house were El Rio, Cole Hardware, WAGES, Hazel's Kitchen, Books and Bookshelves, the Luscious Garage crew and the amazing Scott Hauge. A few past winners came along to party with us for another year of inductees. Andrew and Tom over at Anchor are pretty rad dudes, they even take (and tell) jokes well. Schedule yourself a tour so you can get down and dirty with them. On tap was a sweet variety of brew, but the most popular seemed to be the Summer Ale, the ever so refreshing wheat. This particular brew was the perfect compliment to the cheesy quesadillas, chix nuggets and chocolate cake brought in from Ananda Fuara. I think the traditional accompaniment to vegetarian food is some sort of Lhassi, but everything in balance, right?
This was one of my favorite events because you get to chill and kick back with a cold one and chat with some spectacular folks. Sure, you can chat with Caroline, Richard, Dawn, David and all because they are the face of the businesses awarded. They're the ones with the useful advice - be it car maintenance, reading material, how tos for around the house and in some instances how tos in the dating department. If you're single head to Hazel's for a sandwich and a chat with Leslie, I hear she can score you a sailor. El Rio is always a place to get lucky at scoring, after all they have great bands, shuffleboard and tons of fund raisers, need to score a pet, watch for Rocket Dog benefits!
Being one of those so called localvores, I've always preferred to support my neighborhood businesses. It's easy in most areas of SF to get your food, books, CDs, clothes, hardware supplies, housewares and nightly entertainment from these sorts of businesses. Sometimes it takes a few more trips than going to a mass store, but it's always worth walking into a place where they know your name, half the time they know what you're looking for and they actually take time to give a shit. With the increasing lack of interpersonal interaction I relish these tete a tetes more and more.
So when you step away from this here computer, go forth and patronize that little mom and pop on the corner, trust me it will make your day...and their's.

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Posted by JBro at 01:34 PM • Comments (0)

The Hellraisers hit up Sebastopol on Saturday to partake of the traditional Romani/Gypsy neighborhood celebration announcing the end of the cold indoor season and the beginning of the warmer season of movement and outdoor life. Survival from the winter and the seasonal renewal of life is celebrated at Herdeljezi through the sharing of music, dance, food and community. And there was plenty of dance, music, food...and drink thanks to host Śani Rifati and his crew.
Top Romani musicians packed the stages, including Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hutz, Yuri Lemeshev and Sergey Ryabtsev. Yuri Yunakov & Sali Shopov's Romani Wedding Band with Sal Mamodoski & Erhan “Rambo” Umher, Petra Gelbartt, Vadim Kolpakov & Oleg Timofeyev; the Bay Area's own Brass Menazeri, and more. There were the best musicians entertaining from all over the world for 2 solid days. Even Les Claypool showed up to lend some musical talents. 12 years strong, the Voice of Roma are raising awareness and funding for gypsies in Kosovo and across the globe.

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Posted by JBro at 12:21 PM • Comments (0)

Here's a peek at the wild adventures of the Hellraisers at Ace's bar for the April Hellraiser Happy Hour.
Funds were raised from our competitive poker tournament for Tenderloin Health while party goers enjoyed discounted Bud tallboys and pizza. There was also a lot of impromptu singing, which wasn't even instigated by the plethora of drunken Scotsman!

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Posted by JBro at 10:32 AM • Comments (0)

Last night the lovely Clare set up a benefit for everyone's favorite Zeitgeist bartender Steve, and boy did people step up to the plate! The simple, yet poignant flyers read "Drink for Steve!" and all monies taken in by the 500 Club from 6pm-9pm went to help him pay some hefty medical bills.
People were spilling out of taxis continuously. It was a perfect example of true alcoholic solidarity, I mean I actually saw people who don't drink on Sundays going for it with gusto. Throwing back pint after pint, shot after shot and ya know, the really cool kids were drinking the PBR.
In true Mission community style, it was jovial, plenty of dogs bounding around, low key and with just a few groups of overly happy folks leaving the bathroom in pairs and heading to the photo booth. Thankfully, even though the 500 has rid themselves of the pool table and video games, they know the booth is an essential playground for the establishment.
If you aren't familiar with Steve, he's a real hoot, a one of a kind genuine soul. He's also a highly talented karaoke singer, as evidenced here:

You can give to Steve's cause at Bender's on May 16 or at Annie's on May 17th, there will be more rock in those two days than you can handle!

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Posted by JBro at 04:29 PM • Comments (0)

Last night was Lowcard rag's 5th anniversary. It was a party full of skaters drinking shitty beer and ogling photos of wallies, fakies and nollie heels from the past 1825 days. This is more than a lame, local skate zine, recently they covered the beloved Skatopia and are out to take over the international skate world. Filling a void left by Big Brother and a bit more .. let's call it 'user friendly' than Thrasher or Slap. Hell, you can enjoy Lowcard as a non industry creature too!
If you haven't heard of this magazine, don't feel bad, it started out printed on bar napkins (no back issues left!) and just went glossy last year. You can pick it up around town in cool spots like Cruz Skate Shop and Needles and Pens or you can just get yourself one of those subscriptions, that way you get a ton of stickers. Glossy costs money yo, but at 3 solid dollas a pop it's a steal! After the poorly hung photo viewing at Hamburger Eyes the masses ended the celebration at that uber hipster bar on 24th, because what's an anniversary party without betties, bunnies, Pabst and tall boys?

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Posted by JBro at 11:13 AM • Comments (0)

Were you in a bar last night? Did you notice piles of dirty glasses and cocktails with no ice? Was your bartender unusually cranky? Well, you can blame 111 Minna and Fernet! Last night they coaxed the brightest, best, sexiest and swiftest of barbacks out for the 1st Annual Barback Olympics.
We cheered on the barbacks from such illustrious watering holes as Benders, The Homestead, Annie's Social Club, John Colins and that place with the outdoor patio. They performed magnificent and rigorous feats of wonder such as
Fruit cutting
An ice bucket race which incorporated tire maneuvering skills
Beer stocking race
Keg changing
There was plenty of flesh on display and the open bar kept the good times rolling!

I heard there was some food and Blasthaus DJ action but all I saw was the bottom of a Fernet glass.
Who won, who knows? They all did a stellar job, my money was really riding on the gal from Homestead though!
View image">These guys know who won, I wonder if they recall because I saw them downing bottle after bottle of amaro.

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Posted by JBro at 01:07 PM • Comments (0)

The Hellraisers took it all off (mostly) Wednesday night at the Lookout. I had no idea male burlesque could be so hot! The Boylesque boys are really entertaining...and talented on the pole. The floor aerials were spectacular, half naked hard bodies flipping around all over!
Good Sexy Cupcake Times were had by all!
The event was also one of the Guardian's many forays into philantropy, as we helped the boys raise money to take it off in Vegas. Feels good to give, doesn't it?

What? You missed it? That's ok April will deal you another booze induced Hellraiser!

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Posted by JBro at 02:32 PM • Comments (0)

The Hellraisers descended upon ODC at the YBC on Friday night. While the dancing and the music were a new sensory experience for many of us, I challenge anyone to explain what was going on. There was some Hunting and Gathering, some Twilight Zone-esque airplane action and a lot of tossing around of bodies. I'm going to create a pop up video dance show, where in the background you get some description rather than ethereal 'art'.
Seated beside me was a 'young and avid dance fan' who was nodding and sobbing along with Lang/Sawa portion, I was going to invite her for a soothing cup of chamomile after the show so she could explain to me what was going on, but I lost her in the after show free wine fete on the mezzanine.

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Posted by JBro at 10:52 AM • Comments (0)