We love Hemlock Tavern, we love Jam Hands, we love Vegansaurus, we love cupcakes and we love bad music. That last one is not exactly true, but you should still check out Dinosaur Bicycle’s concert concert tonight because it has all these ingredients and they have an awesome name. AND it’s to help a cute dog named Hazel get surgery. And if there’s something that we love even more than all those things above, it’s cute doggies. So we’re totally there tonight at 9. And so should you. What else are you going to do on a Sunday night?

In case we weren’t convincing enough, here’s Vegansaurus compelling promo for the concert:

My band (that’s right, I said BAND, I am in a BAND because I am VERY MUSICALLY TALENTED), Dino Bike, is playing at Hemlock Tavern on Sunday, Aug. 29. We do amazing shit like medleys from Top Gun and throw vegan cupcakes into the audience. Also, there might be some stripping involved and playing of cow bell by Leanne from Vaute Couture! OH and our opening band, Red Light Circuit. Oh, they’re just OPENING FOR HANSON NEXT MONTH. That’s all.

SERIOUSLY, it’s gonna be ridic. and IN ADDITION TO THE RIDICULOUSNESS:

Every penny raised will go to help pay for TPLO surgery for my dog, Hazel, who is the most beautiful, wonderful, perfect pit bull in all the land and also, ONE EXPENSIVE BITCH! This year on self-care, I’ve spent about $5 (showers are for fools! I will not conform to society’s arbitrary standards for hygiene!) and on Hazel-care, about $6,000. So anyway, the show is only five bucks and you’re gonna get some vegan treats out of it (uh… anyone want to bake??) and I’ll pass around donation jars and you might get to see some bazoongas. Not a bad deal, at all!

Also, Jonas from Vegansaurus is in the band, and Jordan is maybe in the band. So really, it’s a Vegansaurus spectacular! And I’m gonna write this all up in The Bold Italic so if you come and make a big enough scene, your name will be in print!

Now, please, RSVP, s’il vous plaît!

A Top Gun medley, seriously? How could we miss that!

One of the reasons we organized TenderNight last Wednesday was to get the chance to meet cool folks in the neighborhood. Such as the Chinese Ballroom improv team (or at least a few of its members), who broke the ice with one of their games. Now you can enjoy a whole show by them for only 3 bucks tonight in a theater near you–at 414 Mason Street (between Geary and Post), to be precise. They say “pull up your pants, get on the 38, walk a few shady blocks and you’re there!” But we know you’re just around the corner, so you won’t even need to take the most dangerous bus in San Francisco. You’ll probably still need pants, though.

In case that this amazing video wasn’t convincing enough, here are a few more powerful reasons to go see this fine group of exquisite performers:

- Parent’s Truth: Nico and my parents (that’s separate parents, despite the similarities we’re not related) are coming to the show. This will be interesting for many reasons.
- Reason 1: Free wine. (This could also be Problem 1 depending on how the night goes)
- Reason 2: Although Chinese Ballroom prides itself on staying away from raunchy material, if Reason 1 becomes Problem 1, my dad may be throwing out some questionable suggestions.
- Reason 3: Spotlight. Nico and I enjoy our time in the limelight, and I swear to God if our parents upstage us, say, during Dummies, I will smash a wine bottle!
- Phoenix Truth: With Ruby Sky next door and Comedy College upstairs, our show has the douche built in.
- Meghann’s Truth: I will miss improv so much in Spain, I may try to do some games there. Only problem is I don’t speak Spanish, so I’m gonna have to get realllly good at miming. Maybe I’ll attempt some at the show.
- Opener’s Truth: We have two amazing ladies opening for us. At least you’ll get your moneys worth. I’m referring to their comedic talents, jeez
- Ballas truth: Our trusty crew of fans have been with us for almost two years now, and there is always room for more!!

See ya’ll at Phoenix Theatre Annex (4th floor), 414 Mason St.

8:30pm – Doors open/Wine reception
9:00pm – Show
$3.00 at the door

A quick note to tell everyone to get off your lazy Thursday and get down to People, Places, & Spaces. While this new show is running at DWNTWN at 644 Hyde for the next month, tonight is the opening at 6:30PM.

It’s an exhibition of urban photography that’s 2/3 comprised of photographers from Caliber, Troy Holden and Travis Jensen, as well as Brad Evans whose work we didn’t know before. Looks to be solid work in our hood, and the opportunity to meet two of the best San Francisco photographers as well as online celebrities.

Have a gander along with your good time!

Update

Unfortunately we couldn’t go to the opening last night (which was quite a success, it seems), but Emb4ever took a few photos of it. Surprise, surprise, in spite of how small the DWNTWN store is, Frank Chu somehow managed to be there with one of his famous signs. Of course.

Thanks to all who made it out to Edinburgh Castle on a Wednesday (bleah, right?) to enjoy our intimate Tenderloin-themed soiree. Awesome to have a crowd around that are in to the event and down with the hood because good crowd = good times. Also, an especially big shout out to fellow bloggers/twitterers who made it, since we so totally love “rubbing elbows with some of our favorite internet quasi-celebrities”: Eugenia and Jeff of Muni Diaries, Rachel of Fog City Notes, Sally of Curbed SF, Beth of Eye on Blogs, SFMike of The Civic Center blog, Jonathan of the Tenderloin Reading Series, Lauren of the Offbeat Report, Grrl in the city, Anna Pulley (who blogs & tweets for Mother Jones), Ray of VidSF, Sweet Melissa, generic, ohdottie, litso, semantric, Sir_Alton_Chic, precipiceful, lizzaymillah, themayorpete, brbuchwal and District 6 candidate Debra Walker.

And, of course, a big applause and a bow for the awesome people who volunteered to go “on stage” (more like a mic on the side of the room) to perform or tell a story: the Chinese Ballroom Improv group (who, by the way, are performing this Saturday at the Phoenix Theater Annex on 414 Mason for only $3, don’t miss them!), Abby aka Jam Hands aka Ukulele Girl (who totally rocked the party with her vegan song), the lovely Julie Michelle of Caliber & I live here:SF (who was gracious enough to give away some of her Tenderloin prints to the audience), Mark of Up from the Deep (whom we featured recently in the blog and who won our little competition in a very near tie with Jam Hands) and last but not least, Mark of A beast in the jungle (who had a seemingly never-ending rant about what he called the LCM).

Also, a big thanks to our friends at “the loin” for accepting to print some Tenderblog t-shirts specially for the occasion and coming to sell some of their other Tenderloin designs which a lot of people had asked us about. Apologies as well to Jeff of the “the loin” who was actually supposed to tell a story, but humin flaked when lining everyone up for the night. Stupid humin…

Lastly, just wanted to add how cool it was to meet our downstairs neighbor who didn’t even know that it was us writing the blog. Small hood this Loin. Thanks for being a fan from the beginning, man!

Enjoy the photos, which are not of the greatest quality due to the light, cameraphone, alcohol, etc. And sorry if we forgot to mention somebody, since lots of cool people showed up and we didn’t even have time to talk to all of them. Maybe next time. Should we have a next time?

So, the day is here and our inaugural Tendernights event kicks off this evening at 8PM at Edinburgh Castle. We’ve got folks lined up to tell their Loin stories as well as give performances loosely related to the Tenderloin. If you’re thinking, “Dang, I guess I missed out on that call…” think not as you’re welcome to come up and join in the fun if you catch one of us Tenderbloggers to make it known you want in.

But now you’re thinking, “Beyond the fame, glory, and the incredibly powerful adoration of ‘Loiners with drinks, what’s in it for me?” Well, we’re glad you asked, because at the end of the night, the crowd favorite will walk home with this cuddly fellow:

He’s on a print happily-named, San Francisco is for Carnivores by the awesomely meat cut-obsessed Alyson Thomas who blogs here and sells her really super cool prints, here. And if she wasn’t awesome enough, she agreed to donate this print for the TenderNight party because she loves the Tenderloin.

We love meat (sorry, vegetarians!) and we love piggies, but maybe you’re wondering what in tar-nation does this have to do with TenderNights? Well, this piggy is a meat cut diagram of San Francisco and maps of San Francisco are always cool, but more importantly, this is the Tenderloin – a cut of meat (duh!). Lastly there is the fact that the Tenderloin is actually included as a meat cut/district on the map which [ahem] some publications all too often don’t like to do.

Don’t worry if you don’t win this particular prize though, as there will be other Loin-centric (and legal, although not these) goodies so that everyone can go home a winner. Or you can buy ‘San Francisco is for Carnivores’ online.

Really looking forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Our first TenderNight event at Edinburgh Castle is less than two days away and we’re full of excitement and anticipation. Not only because over 43 people have RSVP’d positively on Facebook (does that mean we have over 40 readers? yay!), but because the lineup for the open mic competition is shaping up to be truly awesome. We won’t reveal everything, since we’d like to keep some surprises up the sleeve, but we can already tell you that Mark Ellinger whom we featured today is going to be telling a tale of two about the central city. Also, the amazing photographer Julie Michelle whose I live here: SF series we all adore, has already announced publicly that she’ll be onstage. She’s also posted this gorgeous photo of the Alhambra building at Caliber today. She says it’s her favorite building in the Tenderloin, and it’s definitely one of ours too.

Photo by Julie Michelle

A little known fact about this 1913 striking building is that (according to local legend) once had Rudolph Valentino as a tenant. Apparently, he used the penthouse and dome as his San Francisco playhouse, where he could frolic with his paramours away from the bright lights and prying eyes of Hollywood.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to order the Tenderloin cocktail, of which we had a preview last week while chatting with Frank the bartender. It was delicious.

The Tenderblog cocktail at Edinburgh Castle

Our t-shirt/print shop of choice is, of course, the loin. And even if you don’t live in the Tenderloin, it should be yours too. They not only print t-shirts, but also skateboards and anything that has a flat surface (watch out top of Bill’s head). And basically, they’re all kinds of awesome. For example, on Thursday they gave a free paper printing workshop at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art. Apparently, this museum has a Craft Bar every first Thursday of the month.

You can buy the loin’s designs online or personally at these shops. Or you can make them print your own.

Photos courtesy of Megan Wolfe

For some reason, all the opening parties for new gallery exhibits seem to happen on Thursday. Um, there are some of us who don’t do much on Fridays and Saturdays… but, take tonight, for example. Just randomly, we came across three different events while going about our business. At Café Royale, every first Thursday of the month they have one. Tonight was Edward S. de Leon’s Departed Animal Spirits, partially pictured below.

Departed Animal Spirits exhibit at Café Royale

Almost next door to Café Royale, Time Zone Gallery was also having an opening for Andrew Romanoff’s new drawings and paintings. And just a couple of blocks away, Space Gallery on Polk was having a big party for the Grain over Noise group exhibit, “A collection and celebration of analog photography” (apparently they even had a walk in Camera Obscura!) which must have been mighty fun once hitting up the bar they have there.

I don’t know if art galleries are unaware of this (as some of their media outreach is lacking), or if they just think that having tons of parties happening on the same day attracts more people overall. But personally I find Thursdays overwhelming. So many appetizers… so little time…

U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker found that the ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Yay!

See you all tonight in front of City Hall at the Civic Center at around 6:45 to march and celebrate.

Photo by Steve Rhodes

Tons of interesting events this week in, around and on top of the Tenderloin/Tendernob. Take your pick:

Tonight

• If you missed the Peruvian Food Festival at the Civic Center a few days ago, today is your golden opportunity to go Peruvian (whatever that means) and try to earn an invitation to the Pisco secret society of San Francisco. It’s Peru’s Independence Day. You can start celebrating at Cantina, who will be offering an extensive and exclusively pisco cocktail menu all night, along with complimentary snacks during the early hours from Destino. There will be shots of the newly released Campo de Encanto for $4, and pisco punch for $1. Cuidado!
  -Cantina, 580 Sutter (at Mason). 5pm
• Last week we mentioned the opening of Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter’s, “Something Left, Something Taken” at Kokoro Studio. Tonight they want you to join them again “for a more intimate look into the creative process” (no hands gentlemen). They will screen the film, will show people some set pieces from the feature, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Doors will open at 6pm on Wednesday the 28th.
  -Kokoro Studio, 682 Geary (at Leavenworth). 7-10pm

Thursday

• The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts is hosting a benefit evening to support the work of Ocean Revolution in the Gulf of Mexico. Besides some drinks, there will be presentations by Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols of Ocean Revolution, who traveled to the Gulf of Mexico earlier this month to understand first-hand the impact of the oil catastrophe on sea turtles.
  -Gaffta, 55 Taylor (at Turk). 6:30pm

  If you can’t attend the benefit but still want to contribute to the cause, Ocean Revolution is accepting tax-deductible contributions are being accepted online.

• All you can taste sake. We learnt via Tablehopper that every last Thursday of the month, Hotel Nikon’s Anzu restaurant (who claims to be serving “EuroJapanese cuisine) hosts a sake happy hour with all-you-can-taste sake, and all-you-can-eat appetizers by chef Philippe Striffeler. Featured sakes include Mizbasho Ginjo, Yaegaki Nigori, Katana “Extra Dry” Junmai Ginjo, and Yaegaki Kuro-Bin “Black Bottle.” $25 in advance (simply call the restaurant to make a reservation and secure your spot), $30 at the door.
  -Anzu, 222 Mason (at O’Farrell).

Friday

• Are you in the mood for some goth? The Bay Area Booking Collective [page not updated] is having a party at The Luggage Store Gallery, with performances by Purple Rhinestone Eagle, Tesseract, Quiet Coyote, Livid and Fat Transfer. Have you heard of them? Me neither.
  -The Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market
• Motion Graphics Festival at GAFFTA. A creative conference for motion design, visual effects, sound design and interface technology – presenting a wide array of events including: art showcases, workshops, panel discussions, studio tours, theater screenings, industry mixers… and audio visual showcases.
  -Gaffta, 55 Taylor (at Turk). 6-12pm
• Streetwear boutique Infinite SF is having a Freeminds summer release party, with live music and free beer. And if you buy a Freeminds t-shirt, you’ll get a 25% off your whole purchase at the store.
  -Infinite SF, 646 Hyde (at Leavenworth). 7-11pm

Saturday

• The 4th Annual Polk Village Pub Crawl is on again! (and who uses the term Polk Village besides them?). It will start at 4pm at McTeagues Saloon on Polk (at Sutter) at 4pm, and it will then go down into the depths of the Tenderloin with Hemlock, Vertigo, SNOB, Blur, Route 101, R Bar and others, although maybe this isn’t that much of an event as it represents a pretty typical weekend night for the Bridge, Tunnel, & Peninsula set.

Do you know of other interesting events in the TL this week, or later? Send them our way.