San Francisco Bay Guardian

Keith Boadwee is a fascinating artist. Known for his outrageous self-portraits -- which combine media that include but are not limited to photography, performance art, painting, self-administered enemas, and pornography -- his work is unorthodox to say the least. Boadwee has photographed himself in situations that 99.999% of the world would probably rather die (like for real die) than experience for themselves, and he kills himself fearlessly (see NSFW -- I repeat NSFW -- images on his Web site). Viewing Boadwee's work in a gallery setting, such as that of Steven Wolf Fine Arts, is like experiencing the collision of someone's private world with your own public forehead.

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St. Patty's Day draws near -- for more wild Irish events, check out our rundown in the current Guardian.

The Liberties Bar & Restaurant has always been a welcome respite from some Irish bars: a place where you can kick it up with friends but not so rowdy that you can't have conversation or a reflective pint. (I particularly like the room tucked to the side with quotes painted on the walls.) It celebrates St. Patty's all week long with a special Irish menu and long pours of Guinness, Kilkenny, Smithwick's and Harp. Oh, there's also plenty of Irish whiskey, like Midleton Rare 21 year, Red Breast 12 year and Black Bush. Irish brunch, beer and whiskey flights round out the week, along with live music on St. Patrick's Day.

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