About San Francisco's Tenderloin

Thanks to Peggy Hughes, I had a blast this past Friday night.

If you don't already know, Peggy has been involved in supporting the Arts for some time now, and after I read one of her blog posts regarding an upcoming show at The Phoenix Hotel in San Francisco, I knew I had to go. (Thanks again for letting me tag along Peggy). 

First of All...just having the show at The Phoenix was amazing in itself.  It's a 'mid-century' lover's dream (architecturally speaking) and a rare gem located on the edge of the Civic Center/Tenderloin corridor near Dowtown.  And, as the Hotel unabashedly claims, "How many San Francisco hotels are the crash pad and launching pad for world-renowned bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Psychedelic Furs and Pearl Jam; and up-and-comers like The Killers, Bloc Party and The Shins?" 

Well...this weekend, the Black Rock Arts Foundation along with local galleries and Artists (local and international) transformed the Hotel into an alternative venue for art.  Each room overlooking the Hotel pool was turned into a viewing gallery.   "ArtPadSF is a provocative new 21st century boutique art fair that focuses on emerging and contemporary art from the Bay Area and beyond. San Francisco’s world-renowned museums, galleries, arts institutions, and artists create a vibrant and visionary community of increasing international art prominence, and an ideal locale for the debut of ArtPadSF."

After a good couple of hours meeting some of the artists and taking in all the wonderful displays, it was time to grab a bite to eat, and what better place than the new restaurant right there at the hotel!  When The Phoenix originally opened several years back, the hip lounge/bar/restaurant that occupied the space was called The Bambudha Lounge.  That has since closed, and the new Restaurant is called Chambers, and the service was amazing.  We had a couple more rounds of drinks, some great food...all while enjoying the effortless flow of conversation we've come to share.  I'd call that a perfect end to a great week.

A couple of the Artists I found very interesting and inspiring were:

1) Christine Comyn, from Belgium

2) John Waguespack, currently living in San Francisco

Check out their websites sometime and enjoy the video links below...I may have to try and get over to Fort Mason to catch another Fine Arts show that ends TODAY!

Buried By Change from John Waguespack on Vimeo.

The Tenderloin, San Francisco, CA.

Since this is Thanksgiving week...a time for sharing and being thankful, I thought it best to highlight an area of San Francisco that is "less glamorous" and perhaps one of the least "traveled" by those coming into the City for the cheerful festivities during the holiday season. If you've ever spent time driving, walking or just visiting the Tenderloin, (whether on purpose or by accident), it's definitely an eye opener in more ways than one. Wikipedia comments: "The extension of the Tenderloin south of Market Street in the vicinity of Sixth, Seventh, and Mission Streets is known locally as Mid-Market and is "Skid Row," or sarcastically as "the Wine Country," an allusion to "winos" (street-dwelling alcoholics)." You get the picture. About the closest most people come to spending any time there is when they've got tickets to latest show in the nearby Theater District, or if they accidentally stumble a couple of blocks westward from Union Square in a moment of disorientation. That being said, the Tenderloin is also home to many artists and writers as well as a largely working class population and is thriving as an exciting and diverse slice of San Francisco life.

One of the best gifts within the neighborhood is the famous (or perhaps "infamous") Glide Memorial Church

Every year, Glide serves approximately 5000 meals during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. While there are many organizations in San Francisco that turn on the true Holiday spirit this time of year...this is truly one of the most prolific of them all, and one of the great reminders regarding just how compassionate San Franciscans can be...even when it seems like we're all being "tested" some days with rampant homelessness and relentless panhandling. If you've never volunteered at your local shelter or charitable group during the Holidays, you're really missing out. Take the opportunity when you can...you'll be amazed at how much you come away with on so many levels.