August 17th – 5pm to 9pm — “The Commons on 3rd Thursdays”:
media contact: David Perry / (415) 767-1067 / news@davidperry.com
August 17th – 5pm to 9pm — “The Commons on 3rd Thursdays”:
Second in a Series of FREE Family-Friendly Events in
San Francisco’s Central Public Plazas between City Hall and Market Street
www.civiccentercommons.org / #commonsthursdays
Live Music on Three Stages, Food Trucks, Beer Gardens, and Activities for All Ages
10 August 2017 – San Francisco, CA: The second in a series of four planned evening events will happen Thursday, August 17 from 5pm – 9pm, featuring live music, food trucks, over-21 beverages, field games such as bocce ball, and other activities for all ages in Civic Center Plaza, UN Plaza, and Fulton Street between the Asian Art Museum and the San Francisco Main Public Library.
Headlining the August 17 event will be Hot Flash Heat Wave on Fulton Street and Caribbean All Stars in Civic Center Plaza. UN Plaza will feature a variety of performances and activities celebrating San Francisco’s dynamic literary scene – including a spatial audio listening space, Music to Read By by Christopher Willits, who will be performing selections of his own catalog of ambient music and other beautiful classics. Other activities include Giant Scrabble hosted by 826 Valencia, a pop-up book store by Adobe Books and much more.
The Commons on 3rd Thursdays is a public-private partnership between the City of San Francisco, Another Planet Entertainment, Off the Grid, Noise Pop, and the Civic Center Community Benefit District. The event series grew out of the Civic Center Commons initiative, a strategic effort led by the City of San Francisco and community partners to transform daily experiences in these public spaces and create a unified, inclusive civic “commons”. As part of the overall effort, visitors to the area will also see an Exploratorium sound installation in UN Plaza, an outdoor art gallery next to the Asian Art Museum, a pop-up playground in Civic Center Plaza, and a new yarn wrapping installation on trees throughout the area.
“When our residents can share some great food with a friend or dance along with a neighbor, they are coming together to create a stronger, closer community,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “These vibrant events reflect our commitment to make the Civic Center Commons safe, welcoming places for our families, visitors and workers.”
The first 3rd Thursdays event on July 20 featured musically diverse performances by Sal’s Greenhouse, Xiomara and Sandor y su Mecanica Salsa Band and activities including bocce ball and music themed crafts by WorkshopSF. Additional events are scheduled for September 21 and October 19, with oMega Love and Stompy Jones already scheduled to headline performances these nights.
AUGUST 17 FULL LINEUP
|
Location |
Live Music / Exhibitions / Activities |
|
Civic Center Plaza Curated by People in Plazas |
Caribbean All Stars: 6:30 – 7:20pm, 7:40-8:30pm DJ Funklor: 5-6:30pm, 7:20-7:40pm, 8:30-9:00pm Bocce Ball, Giant Jenga and other games: 5:00-9:00pm |
|
Fulton Street Curated by Another Planet Entertainment |
DJ Ry Pieri: 5:00– 6:15pm Hot Flash Heat Wave: 6:15-7:30pm Field Medic: 7:30-9:00pm |
|
United Nations Plaza Curated by Noise Pop |
Music to Read By – Sound Installation by Christopher Willits WorkshopSF – Free DIY letter stamps buttons, macrame plant hangers, and other arts and crafts San Francisco Public Library – Book cart, Spoke-n-Word book bike/trailer Friends of the Public Library – Book sale and free button making Adobe Books – Pop-up bookstore 826 Valencia / Tenderloin – Giant Scrabble America Scores – Poetry wheel / Make your own poem San Francisco Art Commission – Unique Artisan Vendors |
|
Nearby Attractions |
Asian Art Museum’s special exhibition Flower Power: Open til 9pm City Hall photo exhibit on the Ground Floor and North Light Court by artist Tabitha Soren (formerly MTV) called Fantasy Life: Open til 8pm |
HEADLINE PERFORMANCE/EXHIBITION DETAILS
Civic Center Plaza August 17 Headline Act: The Caribbean Allstars
The Caribbean Allstars are pioneers in the Bay Area reggae scene and longtime regulars at Ashkenaz. The ensemble’s geographical roots range from Jamaica and South America to West Africa and the U.S.,They began joining together their musical forces and international backgrounds during the early 1970s. Out of such predecessors as Obeah and the Sons of Creation, the Caribbean Allstars were formed and became the founding fathers of Bay Area roots reggae. Although many musicians have come through the band since its founding, it has long been guided by its director, Trinidad born drummer Hugh “Sweetfoot” Maynard.
The Caribbean Allstars not only play Jamaican reggae with a traditional electric bass-drumsguitars-keyboards lineup, but also add steel drums to bring in South Caribbean calypso and soca styles of Trinidad and Tobago, producing rhythms that drive listeners to the dance floor. Over the years the band has performed with an array of talent, including Taj Mahal, Narada Michael Walden, and Carlos Santana. Santana played on their second album and introduced them as “My favorite band” at the 1987 Bay Area Music Awards (Bammies). The Allstars were featured on Ashkenaz’s 30th anniversary cd and have for many years been one of the core bands of the Ashkenaz world music and dance community
Fulton Street Plaza August 17 Headline Act: Hot Flash Heat Wave
Hot Flash Heat Wave is the brainchild of four best friends from Davis, California. During their high school years, they met and bonded through participation in a small, tight-knit community of musicians that put on a slew of DIY shows in parents’ garages and local venues, at the time each playing in a variety of different projects. After leaving Davis for various cities in California, the four eventually reunited in San Francisco to write and record under the same roof. Their debut LP Neapolitan, released in 2015, quickly launched them to the forefront of the Bay Area music scene with its candied hooks, fuzzy guitars and tunes reminiscent of The Smiths gone new wave.
The boys have wasted no time following up with their sophomore release Soaked (LP and cassette out June 2nd on OIM Records), introducing a more diverse and groovy approach to their shimmering dream-pop sound. The album was recorded at Skyline Studios in Oakland with producer Jeff Saltzman (Hot Fuss, Green Day) and mixed by Eric Broucek (The Drums, Cut Copy, DFA Records). Where dirty guitars and speedy garage rock anthems once held the reigns, Soaked brings forth a colorful array of tones and instrumentation over compositions filled with sweeping emotion, achieving a higher level of production value and pop sensibility. It is apparent how the band’s sound has grown while still retaining loyalty to their classic, melody-centric songwriting.
United Nations Plaza August 17 Feature Exhibition: Music to Read By by Christopher Willits
Christopher Willits is a musician, artist and teacher based in San Francisco who believes that music and art can catalyze inner change. Willits creates meditative ambient electronic music created with guitar and voice, that is designed to overlap with his own cinematic film and video work. These immersive audiovisual experiences speak to a global audience on a universal level. His music on labels such as Ghostly International has garnered critical acclaim, sending him on continuous tours around the world. Multiple solo albums and collaborations with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tycho, and Taylor Deupree have accounted for a diverse catalog with over 27 releases over the last 15 years. Christopher is the founder of the creative collective Overlap, and also Envelop, a spatial audio organization that creates listening spaces and open-source software tools. As an experienced teacher, Christopher strives to illuminate people’s vision and creativity in music and art and life, and has lectured at many leading institutions in the world.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
About Another Planet Entertainment
Another Planet Entertainment, LLC (Another Planet) was created on July 18, 2003 when Gregg W. Perloff, President/CEO of Bill Graham Presents, left to build his own company. Since its inception in 2003, Another Planet Entertainment has been honored by a vote of its concert industry peers for a total of 14 nominations and 4 wins by Pollstar Magazine. In 2016, Gregg Perloff received the “Promoter of the Year Award” from Pollstar Magazine.
Another Planet is the exclusive promoter for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, the Fox Theater in Oakland, The Independent, a 500-capacity nightclub in San Francisco, and Harvey’s Outdoor Amphitheatre in Lake Tahoe. In 2010, APE was honored to be awarded the exclusive contract to operate the historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, a flexible capacity multi-use event and concert space that holds up to 8,500. Another Planet also successfully produces three major festivals – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival (beginning in 2008), Treasure Island Music Festival (beginning in 2007) and Life is Beautiful (beginning in 2013).
Another Planet Entertainment has produced well over 5,000 events with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Neil Young, Daft Punk, Arcade Fire, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Muse, Robert Plant, Phish, Elton John, Pearl Jam, Kenny Chesney, Adele, Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Simon & Garfunkel.
About the Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum is one of San Francisco’s premier arts institutions and home to a world-renowned collection of more than 18,000 Asian art treasures from throughout Asia spanning 6,000 years of history. Through rich art experiences, centered on historic and contemporary artworks, the museum unlocks the past for visitors, bringing it to life while serving as a catalyst for new art, new creativity and new thinking. Open until 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays through Sept 29. www.asianart.org.
Swing by the Asian Art Museum to view Flower Power, a special exhibition exploring the hidden meanings of flowers in Asian art through gloriously gilded screens; sleek lacquers; rare porcelains; and participatory contemporary installations that speak to issues today, from climate change to social activism. And then stay for Tasting Menu: Filipino Flavors of the Bay Area. This latest installment of the museum’s popular Tasting Menu series invites four chefs to trace Philippine culinary heritage in the Bay Area. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste each chef’s take on contemporary Philippine food.
About The Civic Center Commons Initiative
The Civic Center Commons initiative is a strategic effort led by the City of San Francisco and community partners to transform daily experiences in the City’s central public spaces between Market Street and City Hall and create a unified, inclusive civic “commons”. Neighbors, community organizations and cultural institutions are working with City agencies and people who frequent these spaces to bring interactive art installations and play structures; more frequent activities and events; additional food and drink options; new stewardship approaches; and innovative workforce development partnerships. The goal of the initiative is to create a strong foundation for future capital improvements, including the Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds, set to open in Spring 2018, and the Civic Center Public Realm Plan, which is redesigning the area’s open space. For more information; visit: www.civiccentercommons.org
About Civic Center Community Benefit District
Civic Center Community Benefit District (CCCBD) is a privately-funded, not-for-profit organization that works in tandem with City agencies to provide public safety, maintenance, marketing and special events that benefit Civic Center.
About Noise Pop
Established in San Francisco in 1993, Noise Pop is one of the nation’s leading independent music promoters. Over the last 25 years Noise Pop’s namesake festival has provided exposure to some of the top emerging artists, many of which have gone on to widespread acclaim. Noise Pop is also the year-round talent buyer for the venerable San Francisco venue the Swedish American Hall, which includes Cafe du Nord, as well as producer of the free celebration of musical and culinary delights, the 20th Street Block Party. Additionally, Noise Pop partners with various organizations, venues and institutions to produce events throughout the year including the SFMOMA, California Sunday Magazine and Academy of Sciences. Noise Pop is honored to activate these San Francisco spaces and deliver an experience that celebrates the community and history of this City.
About Off the Grid
Off the Grid Markets are founded on the idea of bringing communities together through amazing shared food experiences. Started in 2010, Off the Grid currently operates over 50 weekly public markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. Off the Grid seeks to maintain a shared sense of space by collaborating with local businesses and communities to activate novel public spaces with truly unique experiences.
About People in Plazas
What began as a forum for street performers who were paid by passing the hat has become a program that provides wide exposure and more than 500 paid “gigs” annually for local musicians The series has grown to producing 120 + free performances at lunchtime in public plazas Monday through Friday in July, August and September. The program reaches an audience of more than 30,000 annually. In addition, we have produced community gatherings including movie nights, poetry readings, artisan fairs and other events that encourage community use of public spaces. Its mission is to encourage visitors, residents and workers to use our outdoor public spaces. We strive to make these spaces “everyone’s neighborhood”. We do this by producing free events in public spaces that are often underused. The “People in Plazas” series is supported by the Mayor’s Office, Art Commission, SFPD the SF Entertainment Commission and a grant from the Hotel Tax Fund /Grants for the Arts.
About San Francisco Public Library
The Main Library is the resource center for the entire San Francisco Public Library system and the libraries of Northern California. Its large collection and extensive programs and exhibits support the Library’s mission of “access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joy of reading.”