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.
The most clichéd things you can possibly associate with San Francisco are the Golden Gate Bridge and fog over the bay, but looking out at the bridge in a thick fog from Kirby Cove, with the skyline of the city peeking through, is just as magical as it is stupidly clichéd. Although you have to make your way to the Marin Headlands to experience this view, the Kirby Cove campgrounds are well worth the adventure into that home base of the anti-vaccination movement, just for their gorgeous view of the city.
No passwords or prowess will gain you entry to the Gotham Club, the San Francisco Giants' answer to the city's fascination with speakeasies and secret locales.
British composer John Barry has died at age 77 of a heart attack, leaving behind three ex-wives and a widow, four Grammys, a few Oscars, an Order of the British Empire, and -- most importantly -- a wealth of lush, evocative film scores. You'd surely recognize his work from the Bond theme, but perhaps you have also seen Out of Africa? Or Body Heat? Or Peggy Sue Got Married? (Or the end of the Simpsons "Whacking Day" episode, where the theme from Born Free plays as the snakes slither into the sunset?) Or, perhaps more likely, you have listened to a pop song that samples some of Barry's work?
To begin with the obvious, his theme to the Bond flick Diamonds Are Forever, sung by Shirley Bassey, is the basis for the Kanye West/Jay-Z joint "Diamonds From Sierra Leone":
Another memorable poaching: Mono's "Life In Mono," the modishly moody single from the Great Expectations soundtrack, wraps itself around the title theme from the Michael Caine thriller The IPCRESS File.
You get the idea. And if you think about it, this is a pretty neat kind of success for a composer: to be outlived by your sounds, embedded so deep in all kinds of places that even if your name is eventually forgotten your fingerprints will never be completely erased from the culture.
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.'"
