San Francisco...rainy day tips! Subterranean forays a delight!

 



If you're like moi, and hate the prospect of hauling around an umbrella all day under the unpredictable skies of picturesque San Francisco, there is another novel option.

For example, along Market Street - in the subterranean tunnels that house BART - savvy world-class travellers are not only discovering the delights of an intriguing underworld that are blocks long beneath the bustling city streets above - but remaining drip-dry in the process!

The emboldened few have been caught up in the "other-worldly" nature of the phenomenon, in recent days (myself included).

Entertaining street musicians strum here for their dinner, after all, as stylish cosmopolitan commuters pass through exacting revolving turn-styles - to exciting destinations beyond with a sense of adventure in their every step.

Gosh, I think I may plunk myself down one day soon, and offer up a handful of my sketches to tourists for a song.

Ah, back to my bohemian artistic roots, at long last!

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Night Skyline in San Francisco!

Las Vegas...Neon Reverb Music Festival! Hot bands @ local venues March 11th-14th...

 

 

This weekend - March 11 through March 14th - Las Vegas CITYLIFE is hosting the Neon Reverb Music Festival!

"All of Neon Reverb's band gigs  are held in local venues and bars to give the music-lover a great festival experience without the hassle of standing outside for days on end and spending hundreds of dollars," according to the festival organizers at press time.

Groovy Venues include the Bunk House, the Beauty Bar, Boomers Bar, The Aruba and Thunderbird Bar, and the Gypsy Den.

Festival passes may be purchased by the day or weekend.

Basic day pass is $15.00
(Pre-purchase or pay up-front at Venue entrance)

Neon Reverb promises to be 4 nights of great music with scintillating hard-driving bands which includes the following roster of talent:

*The Ruby Suns
*Javelin
*LaCo$te
*Twin Tigers
*The So So Glows
*Leopold & His Fiction
*Black Camaro
*Kid Meets Cougar
*Midnite Theory
*The Boom Bang
*Black Cherry Blues
*The Chevelles
*Shoguns and Gasoline


Info: http://www.neonreverb.com/

http://www.thetattler.biz

Haight Ashbury...trippy walking tour in San Francisco! "Summer of Love" memories...

The past glory (and legend of) the Haight Ashbury lives on in the hearts and (psychadelic) minds of many!

The upper Haight district is infamous for its role in the 1960's hippie movement.

Home to legendary musicians of the era (Janis Joplin & Jim Morrison) - "heads" (who also drifted in from around the country to experience the "Summer  of Love" first hand) found the quaint neighborhood a relatively inexpensive place to flop down, light up a joint, and tune out!

Before the completion of the Cable Railroad in 1883  the Haight-Ashbury was a humble collection of isolated farms and acres of sand dunes.

With the advent of the cable car, land grading and building techniques by the turn-of-the-century - the Haight was eventually transformed  into a residentail upper middle-class homeowner's district - which resulted in the construction of novel character-driven dwellings boasting fanciful design flourishes such as gingerbread trim.

Now, tourists and locals alike, can step into the nostalgic past (with a keen eye towards redisovering a romantic page out of San Francisco's illustrious past) by virtue of a walking tour.

The delicate Victorian houses - with their elaborate monochromatic eye-catching hues - are a definite highlight you won't want to miss!

There are also a handful of lush little gardens and vistas overlooking the city to soak up - too - on a stroll  that may require a little pick-me-up to make it to the finish line.

Brunch at any one of the trendy watering holes, perhaps?

Tour Hours
11 am

Location
Park Branch Library
1833 Page Steet
San Francisco

Phone
415.557.4266

Info: htt://www.sfcityguides.org

http://www.julianayrs.com

My first fan...five-year-old tot!

After years of procrastinating, I finally got off my butt, and purchased a keyboard.

Although I come from a family of musicians - until now - I've neglected to pick up an instrument and follow the family tradition.

My father taught violin during the day - and at night - got down in legendary "Hogs Hollow" in Toronto with a popular band known as the "Jolly Millers". I understand that "Victor" also played on stage with Don Messer (one of Canada's most famous fiddlers) who had a highly-rated TV show on CBC back in the fifties.

My Aunt - Evelyn Holyoak Braithwaite - was a little more high brow. She performed "Rob Roy" at the Royal Alexandria Theatre in Toronto and was well-received across Canada when she appeared in concert through the auspices of Ward Buchner Tours.

While I do sing, I never plucked up an instrument previously (except for a few weeks last year when I dedicated myself to a round of strenuous piano lessons).

After I made my auspicious purchase yesterday, I plunked down on a park bench, and began to toy with "ODE TO JOY" and an inspirational Hymn, "AMAZING GRACE".

To limber up, I ran a few scales, too.

A young father happened along with a young tot about four or five years old.

As soon as the notes hit the air, her eyes went wide and she ventured forth, amazed by the sounds that were tripping trillingly off the keyboard like magic.

Fancy that, my first fan!

An elderly woman (about eighty or so) stopped for a moment to listen thoughtfully, too.

Meanwhile, bright and early this morning - at a fountain in the park - joggers and strollers alike gave me the nod as I worked on a rendition of "LEAN ON ME".

Maybe I have a career in music, after all. In spite of the fact I am a little long in the - um - tooth!

Now, if I could get a handle on "Les Barricades Mystérieuses".

Well, if you're ever out for a stroll one starry night, and 'ya hear some haunting music emanating from beneath a bridge, well - that's undoubtedly me - playing my little heart out!

If I ever make it to the Hollywood Bowl - you're all invited - 'fer sure!