When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
Colin Tilley's video for Kendrick Lamar's "Alright"
Kendrick Lamar is from Compton, but Colin Tilley, the director of the music video for Lamar's song "Alright" — which was nominated for four MTV Video Music Awards and was performed by the artist at the 2016 Grammy Awards — is Berkeley-born and -raised.
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
Barcelona-based duo The Pinker Tones might be the only Latin band participating in this year's edition of the Warped Tour. But audiences wouldn't guess the band's Spanish origin by the music, which is a blend of psychedelic pop and '80s-inspired…
As an Arab immigrant in Europe, Algeria-born, France-based Rachid Taha has faced plenty of intolerance and xenophobia, experiences he channels into lyrics about racial prejudice and everyday hardships. His music mixes raw punk energy with the spontaneity of rai, the…
Forty years after his appearance on the collaborative album Tropicália, Gilberto Gil is still able to bring together traditions old and new in his music. Like the idea of blending psychedelic influences with the musical flavors of Brazil in the…
"Fuzz" is for Muppets — the abrasive garage-punk of Japan's King Brothers more closely resembles steel wool. While these self-proclaimed "blues aliens" occasionally use a light touch for a quick scrubbing, their true purpose is to scrape through greasy, feedback-crusted…
The six-piece Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot formed in 2006, but a lot has happened since then. The band released a self-titled EP and blew away festivalgoers at South by Southwest and CMJ last year. But it hasn't been all good…
With his colorful costumes, boogie-piano style, and distinctive growl, Dr. John embodies the spirit of his native New Orleans wherever he goes. The Louisiana Music Hall of Famer came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s after a…
When legendary U.K. space-rockers Spacemen 3 split circa 1991, member Jason Pierce channeled its lysergic drone into the eclectic, song-oriented Spiritualized while Pete Kember, aka Sonic Boom, continued his search for that lost chord with Spectrum. The latter's debut, Soul…
Fishbone is the quintessential hyphenated combo. From its inception in 1979, the spazztastic Los Angeles septet has been mashing genres, pioneering a ska-punk-thrash-funk sound that's as fresh, feral, and nutty as ever. Yet mainstream success has long been elusive for…
Just because it's a brand-new year doesn't mean you have to suddenly act all optimistic and shit — at least not with The Black Heart Procession coming to town. These sorrow-seeped San Diegans can make anyone weep like a coyote…
In Slavic folklore, rusalki are mythological female creatures of the sea who, after suffering untimely deaths as humans, become ghosts whose mesmerizing songs lead unsuspecting men to their demise. The San Francisco–based group Kitka traveled to Ukraine to learn about…
On first hearing Ledisi's major-label debut, Lost and Found, you might think that the New Orleans–born, Oakland-raised jazz and R&B singer is attempting to make more radio-friendly material. But a closer listen shows the vocals surrounded by complex arrangements, and…
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
