HappyFt Travels

Go here for more info on International Roma Day in SF.

I will be dusting off the DJ skillz and dropping hella fun Romani beatz (along with other tasty Intl. sounds)

Tags: DJ HappyFt, Sound
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Andy Blue from the League of Pissed Off Voters called me up yesterday to see if I had any plans last night. None, really. So he told me to stop by Pirate Cat Radio/Cafe before 7pm to sit on a panel and discuss graffiti on the League’s weekly show. All worked out nicely, so I met up with Reyes, Cuba, Chris (who co-created the new local books with Steve Rotman), Eddie, and Eclairacuda to have a one-hour talk about what’s going on in SF with graffiti and street art. The talk mostly discussed spray graffiti, so it was great to hear Chris, Cuba, and Reyes talk about what’s going on in their world. Chris has great thoughts and concepts about what’s happening. Eddie and I got to throw in some angles too. And the writers, including the always entertaining Eclair, kept things real throughout.

You can hear the discussion here. Make sure you scroll half way through the two-hour show to get to the graffiti talk.

Thanks to Andy Blue, a fan and grey-area participant of the scene, for pulling us together in what may become an ongoing dialog about the City’s Zero Graffiti stance, and how absurd that goal truly is.

Tags: cuba, interview, politics, Sound, stencil
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Had a great bike ride over to the KALW studio near McClearen Park this morning and interviewed with Penny Nelson for Cross Currents. The engineer, a bike commuter, told me another route that sent me through the park and then down Mission St. in the Excelsior District. Found some stencils along that ride home! They posted the show early so here’s the goods. Fast forward in about 3 and a half minutes to hear my segment. About 10 minutes long total.

Tags: geek, interview, Sound, Stencil Nation
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A month ago, I read a great essay over at Just Seeds on the appropriation of art. The text tells a story of a group of activists who took photos out of a magazine, changed the context of the images (and the people in the photos), and then watched as their art was appropriated for book covers, art exhibits, etc. Essayist Dara Greenwald finally states that “appropriation is both an important and inevitable part of a vibrant and living culture.” Since I read this article, I have come across some other amazing examples of appropriation in surprising places. And my experiences with a few live concerts yesterday compelled me to write about my discoveries.
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Man, $5 for three bands, two DJs, a VJ, random bike videos and images…

…AND free punk buttons for the first 100 folks who walk in the door?

I’m making the buttons myself, thanks to Janet “Bike Girl” Attard, Flickr, and Raven’s button-making machine. Hope to have some excellent bike buttons for all the kiddies who hit up CELLspace this Friday and hand ‘em out at the door. I know a free button isn’t much, but sharin’ the bike love is what it’ll be about at good ole’ CELL.

Oh, and helping to ease the rent pain for that org as well!

Gift up the 2-wheeled revolution…. See you there!

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When the band Blackfire comes through the area, they bring an eclectic blend of power trio rock/punk, activism, and their Native American/Diné cultural influences. I caught them live two years ago at the Women’s Building on 18th Street and was impressed at their dedication to preserving their traditional ways, fighting for their rights, and by their powerful stage presence when they spoke between songs. Their music is good too, with powerful lyrics, which never hurts.

If you don’t know what’s going on with the San Francisco Peaks or with the Diné struggle against Big Coal, this is a great place to find out and get inspired by a group of musicians who lead the way in educating us all about the good deeds that they and others are doing in Arizona. Blackfire will also be supporting other great local causes while in the area.

Wed. Nov. 14th at 2:30PM
In Celebration of Native American Heritage Month
At City College
San Francisco, CA
Free show!
Presented by NASO/SKIP-IT

Wed. Nov. 14th at 8:00PM
At La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave
With Bug
Berkley, CA
$5-7

More info: After this show (At about 10:00PM) join a march to the UC Berkley Tree-sit to support the efforts to protect the Memorial Oak Grove!

Thurs. Nov. 15th at 5:00PM
5th Annual Richard Oaks Celebration!
w/ One Struggle & FUGA!
Jack Adams Hall - SFSU
San Francisco, CA
$5-7

More info: You are invited to a Sacred Sites/NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) coalition fundraising event and concert at SFSU. This is a 2-day event November 14-15th. The concert fundraiser will be on November 15th with three (3) bands performing (One Struggle/Blackfire/FUGA). The concert will begin at 5pm. There will also a be a raffle. All proceeds will go to the Sacred Sites and NAGPRA coalition who are fighting to protect sacred sites and for the repatriation of ancestors to tribes.

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