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.
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.'"
Punk Politesse With any luck, old punks will never end up like the rather depressing ex-hippies -- San Francisco can't afford the detritus of two dead subcultures reminiscing about bygone eras. Stop me if you've heard this one before: A…
Selvin Watch: By the Numbers In newspaper writing, the saddest mistakes are the ones that are hard to make. That's why watching Joel Selvin's journalism career chokes us up so much. The Chronicle chief pop music critic, who wrote a…
Phil Ochs Farewells & Fantasies (Elektra Traditions/Rhino) Despite himself, Phil Ochs just didn't like the cut of his gold lame suit. The liner notes to the excellent new Ochs retrospective, Farewells & Fantasies, tell us that the folk musician --…
Various Artists Beg Scream & Shout! The Big Ol' Box of '60s Soul (Rhino) If popular culture is to be believed -- and, granted, as cultures go, it's a pathological liar -- the most important thing about soul music appears…
As Phony as a $3 Bill Like folks at Dead shows of the past, where cries of "I need a miracle" wove between drum rumbles and bong gurgles, many of today's aspiring concert attendees can find themselves hoping for tickets,…
Chapter 37 in an Ongoing Saga After the San Francisco Chronicle's two-year search -- two years! -- to add a second pop music critic to the masthead, we're suddenly looking at a horse race between two journalistic stallions. In case…
Omar Sosa Free Roots Release Party Saturday, Aug. 23 Great American Music Hall Some danced during Omar Sosa's show two weeks ago Saturday. Grouped in packs of twos, threes, and fours, women and men hovering close to the walls and…
Take a Really Deep Breath Just as housewives of yore used to "extend" their supply of meat by adding increasing quantities of bread, grain, or sawdust to the ground chuck, it seems that your average daily paper can maintain the…
Before that pasty altrock stew bubbled over into their arena, it seemed the Melvins could do no wrong. Not because their odd, abbreviated albums were ever perfect, but because they showed perfection (of a style, or at least a shtick)…
The Drummer Vanishes In a moot juxtaposition of publicity spin and state propaganda, Riff Raff offers the two pictures seen here. One we received in the mail, in announcement of an impending Kinetics show. The other we retrieved from our…
The Specials, Undercover S.K.A. Fillmore Thursday, July 31 Have you ever dreamed about going back in time to one of the creatively crucial moments in modern music history? Maybe to the groundbreaking recording session that produced Miles Davis' Kind of…
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.'"
