As we reported last month, Sunday, September 7th marks the date of the first annual Haight Street Music & Merchants Street Festival. We checked in with Alex Aquino, of Black Scale, for an update on what's to be expected now that showtime is a scant one month away.
The festival, for the uninitiated, is sketched out with the intent of being more for locals than its most obvious alternative, the Haight Ashbury Street Fair. The latter fest, as you well know, attracts visitors from across the city and beyond and which often features a wide array of vendors not specific to the neighborhood.
From noon to 6 pm on the big day, Haight Street will be closed from Masonic to Stanyan, with side street closures from Waller to Page on Ashbury, Clayton, Cole, and Shrader. There will be three music stages set up—one at Masonic and Haight, one at Stanyan and Haight, and one at Clayton—with music acts currently being booked but not quite ready for disclosure. (Think DJs.)
The festival, and the music, are being sponsored by an ever-growing list of local merchants, Aquino said, including Black Scale, Diamond Supply Co., Pink + Dolphin, FTC, True, The Booksmith, Loved To Death, Milk Bar, Jammin On Haight and Shoebiz.
There's also slated to be a kids' stage, with programming to be determined.
Outside vendor booths are not part of the game plan, Aquino said, which means people will have full liberty to roam the street at will. Bars are being encouraged to kindly participate in drinks specials, and most seem to be participating. We'll give you the rundown on where to get your cheap drinks as we hear more.
The festival is still looking for art and kids' volunteers (there will be an art display area, as well as a pro skate ramp with demos). If you're interested in going behind the scenes, contact volunteer coordinators at HSMMSF [at] gmail {dot} com.
