So here's a quick view of shows that will be gracing the bay area soon.
4/1 Thee Parkside - TERROR, IGNITE, HOUR OF THE WOLF, CRUCIFIED, BOUNDARIES, a smattering of hardcore bands that almost want to be metal. Should be good music to drink and get rowdy to.
4/2 Slim's - Scraping for Change, so these guy kinda want to be AFI it seems, different enough to be their own band but have that kind punky boyband thing going for them.
4/2 Thee Parkside - TEXAS THIEVES, SHARP OBJECTS, RULETA RUSA, BAD TICKERS, straight up good fucking Punk Rock.
4/3 Thee Parkside - The Wooly Bandits, The Minks, Hot chicks and punk rock, what more can you ask for in life? A beer you say, well you're in luck Thee Parkside has a full bar.
4/9 The Regency Ballroom - Fear Factory, Amon Amarth, some good brutal metal music shall take place this night.
4/16 The Regency Ballroom - Bad Lieutenant, members of New Order have put together a new band. They sound a lot like New Order to me, but frankly I never really listened to anything these guys did after Ian Curtis passed on. But that's just me.
for more shows check out the Gaurdian or SF Weekly near the front desk. Or stay tuned for more fun filled updates.
Spring is approaching us here at the tortoise and with it brings thoughts of sun shining, rain falling, and flowers blooming. For some it is a time to think about bunnies and chocolate eggs, and for some it is a time to reflect in s spiritual sense. As someone raised as an ECO Catholic (Easter and Christmas Only) I know the panic of trying to find a church to go to last minute, you don’t want to go to a small congregation which will make you feel like the odd man out so here are some giant welcoming churches where, not only will you get you biannual church visit out of the way, but you will have a ton of fun as well.
The most San Franciscan church is Glide Memorial United Methodist, they state that their mission is: “to create a radically inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization.” Not really for your more devout Christians and Catholics the mass is far from traditional but if you are just looking for a fun time while feeling connected to people glide is the place to go. The gospel choir is AMAZING and if you want to give a little back you can sign up to volunteer to help serve a hot meal after the service.
If you’re looking for “smells and bells” as a good friend of mine says you can check out Grace Cathedral, which is an Episcopal Church. You will find a much more traditional service here, it also has a reputation for being a very open and inviting parish to all walks of life.
For another true San Francisco experience Seventh Avenue Presbyterian hosts Dignity USA (the LGBTQ Catholic organization). They meet Sundays at 5:00 pm at in the Inner Sunset at 1329 Seventh Avenue, San Francisco CA 94122
These are just a few of the lovely establishments that you can get your fix of church-y goodness, however there a ton more in San Francisco. Just try yealping them, that’s right you can find churches on yelp.
Everyone get ready for the 32rd ANNUAL ST. STUPID'S DAY PARADE this April 1st. Being a man born on April 2nd and therefore proclaiming to friends, loved ones, and strangers alike that I was a day away from being a fool, I was immediately amused and cajoled by this little find. It is called a parade but it seems more like a chaotic look into mass hysteria revolving around certain points in San Francisco. For more disinformation on this very unbirthday partyesque event go to Crazy People Are Us. So feel free to get out and have a great April Fools day with a bunch of nutters.
Join the
Sisters as we celebrate our 31st Anniversary with perennial favorites
like the Hunky Jesus Contest and the Easter Bonnet Contest - this year
with an Alice in Wonderland twist!
Featuring Live Entertainment: Jeb Havens, Ejector, Adonisaurus, Silver
Swans, Cockatelia, The Cast of Some THING, Nellie Bear, Special Guest
MC Trauma Flintstone, and MORE!
• An Official Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Production •
You’ve made it- you’re in warm, sunny California! As you
dream of beautiful beaches, sexy tans and all of the cute outfits you have
planned out, your plane lands… in San Francisco. Whoops. While it may be a part
of the Golden State, during the winter months (and the summer months, as a
matter of fact) it does a less than stellar job of living up to California’s
reputation. To make things short, it rains here a lot. Like, a lot. While the
East Coast gets a physical representation of the miserable weather (snow), we
just get ruined hairdos and broken umbrellas. But you’re a traveler- you’ve
been around the world; a little rain won’t stop you from having the time of
your life right? I’ve compiled a list of things to do when the rest of the city
is cowering indoors:
Looks like someone read my blog!
Go see a movie!
Worry not, you will not be forced to go see the latest
Cameron Diaz movie (unless you want to). We here in SF love a good film, and we
have enough movie theaters to prove it.
The Metreon-
Blockbuster-type movie theater, and also the site of an indoor farmer’s market
EVERYDAY! Broke? Walk around and ask questions- they love giving out free
samples.
The Red Vic- Indie
movies galore! Located on Haight Street, this movie theater shows an awesome
mix of modern and older favorites. And of course, they sell organic treats (no
Junior Mints for you!).
Kabuki Theater- A
nice mix of both old and new movies- this theater also has IMAX movies (if
watching it on a normal screen isn’t exciting enough for you). And kiss your
liquor-sneaking days away: Kabuki has a bar inside.
Hang out in a bookstore!
We San Franciscans love bookstores. Now, you don’t have to
buy any books- you can just hang out there and read, maybe meet some brainy
studs (or ladies) to enjoy your stay in SF with (wink wink). There’s a ton in
the city, these are just a few of the coolest in my humble opinion.
City Lights- Located
on Broadway and Columbus, this place is perfect for browsing… actually, it’s
kind of difficult to find a specific book here, so don’t go here if you crave
order. Really knowledgeable staff, awesome atmosphere, and less than 5 mins
from the GT= win!
261 Columbus Ave
Bound Together Anarchist Collective Bookstore- Whether you love the government or pray for
revolution every night, this bookstore is an interesting experience for anyone.
Run by volunteers, they’ll help you find the latest zines and other literature
that you’ll never find at Barnes and Nobles.
Go on one of the GT’s Adventure Travel NEW Mini Adventure
tours!
Here’s the thing about SF: If it’s raining here, that does
not necessarily mean it’s raining anywhere else in the Bay area. So what’s the
best way to deal with a rainy day? Leave! The new Mini Adventures are day trips
to areas outside of San Francisco, such as Santa Cruz, Muir Woods, wine country,
etc… At only $25, you get a ride and a tour around some truly beautiful places
in the San Francisco area. Our first one heads to Santa Cruz on March 13th,
and it sounds like the perfect way to escape a rainy San Francisco day:
Cruise to
our neighborhood coastal farming community of Half Moon Bay for coffee and then
head for a splash in local tidepools or a stroll on the beach. Be on the
lookout for whales, elephant seals and the occasional surfer on the way to Big
Basin! Hike creek-side to the lesser known redwood grove or just chill-out and
watch the waves. We will swing through Santa Cruz before we wrap up the days
adventure with multiple Bay Area public transportation drop offs.
Or, you can do my personal favorite thing to do on rainy
days:
SLEEP AND EAT ALL DAY LONG! Or cook delicious food for
the front desk staff to eat. We hate bad weather too!
St. Patricks day is on March 17th. It makes sense that if you are
celebrating the greenest holiday we have it should be the Green
Tortoise telling you how to do it in style.
1st
rule of St Patricks Day. Don't talk about St Pa... wait, no. The 1st
rule is you must wear green. I don't care if your Irish and "you have
green blood running through your veins" people who barely know you will
feel like they have the right to pinch you, so please, protect yourself
and just wear an item or two of green.
2nd rule
of St. Patricks day is if you drink booze you must drink Irish booze,
pick up a Guinness or a bottle of Jameson and rock it out. On
Australia you drink Fosters, its just the way it is.
3rd rule of
St. Patricks Day: It's good luck to kiss the Irish. Not without their
consent of course but if you find a willing Irish person and the mood
is right, why not ensure your luck for just a little longer.
Now
that we have discussed the rules for the day itself on to the actual
festivities. They are talking place the weekend before the 17th.
March 13th and 14th to be exact. Why? Because the 17th is on a
Wednesday and universal festival law says that they have to be on a
weekend, so there. What does this do to the rules of St Patricks Day
you ask? I believe Universal Festival Law states that the rules hold
for any St Patricks Day related event so be wary.
And the details are thus:
San Francisco’s 159th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival Saturday & Sunday, March 13th & 14th, 2010 Civic Center Plaza ~ San Francisco 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Parade Saturday, March 13th at 11:30 AM
The
two-day festival after the 159th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade
provides a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Irish
history and culture while having fun. A full two days of activities are
planned for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Civic Center Plaza and on
Grove Street, Polk to Larkin Street. The colorful festivities
surrounding the parade will showcase Irish Culture through live
performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, and food and
beverage concessions, children’s rides and inflatables, cultural
displays, a petting zoo and pony ride and a number of non-profits
booths representing the Irish community. The Festival will take place,
before, during and after the Parade. The Parade begins at 11:30 AM at
the corner of Second and Market, where more than 5,000 participants
from all over the state, will reel about with laughter and revelry all
the way to City Hall.
I was fortunate enough around November last year to have gone on a Green Tortoise bus trip. I have worked here for close to 2 years and from the first day I was skeptical of these trips we offered. Sure I love nature, and I liked the idea, but could it really be as awesome as all my co-workers were saying? Then I started to believe it, guest after guest was telling me about how much fun they had, what a life changing experience it was. So I started to believe, but I spent some time near Missouri when I was growing up so I started feeling like I needed to be shown what it was all about. I went on the Death valley loop, and I had the best 4 day vacation I could have asked for. The food was awesome, I have never eaten so well in a camping scenario let alone being an omnivore I wasn’t put out that it was vegetarian fair at all, in fact it seemed almost more delicious. The scenery was just breathtaking and the pace of our travels never seemed rushed, nor did I feel that we lingered too long. The night sky and the campfire brought out the bonding with all the people on the bus, I read some stories around the fire, and we all talked and got to know each other. Quite frankly I had been shown and then some, I got addicted so that now all I can think about is when can I go on my next trip? How will I be able to afford the time off to squeeze as many in as I can? So I thought I would highlight some of my favorite trips here that don’t get as much love as they should, these are trips I am trying to go on because they are places less traveled and more beautiful in my opinion. First we have the Pacific Trek, http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures/pacific.trek.redwoods.coast.html , a nice little jaunt up to Oregon, including Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic park among other sites. A great trip to go on and a bunch of views that will not only impress you but make you see the true beauty available on nature. Next I wanted to plug my home, Alaska, we have two awesome trips that can show you a great time in the great white north. The Alaska loop, http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures/alaska.loop.denali.glacier.html , and the Alaska Expedition, http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures/alaskan.expedition.denali.glacier.html , the loop is more southern coast of Alaska going by Homer (one of the most fun places in Alaska that I know of) and a good stint at Denali park which is absolutely gorgeous. And the Alaska expedition goes All the way from San Francisco to Alaska through the Canadian coast, a trip I would love to take but a commitment that is intense, 27 days traveling through some of the most gorgeous places in the world. So if these interest you then come by our travel office or give them a call. And for a comprehensive list of the other great trips we offer just go by here, http://www.greentortoise.com/adventures/adventures.departure.name.html .
