Tenderloin Week: New Murals, Aerial Dance Performances, Free Shakespeare & More

Tenderloin Week: New Murals, Aerial Dance Performances, Free Shakespeare & MorePhoto: Brittany Hopkins/Hoodline
Brittany Hopkins
Published on October 02, 2015

While a mysterious shooting may have dominated the headlines, the neighborhood's vibrant art scene shined this week and will continue to do so through the weekend.

First, we introduced you to Zamiro Bennem, aka Urban Picasso. You've likely seen him and and his paintings displayed on abandoned storefronts around the Tenderloin and Central Market for years. Despite widespread fears of the rapid displacement of local artists, Bennem says he and his Free Art Shows aren't going anywhere.

Speaking of art and boarded-up storefronts, San Francisco artist Jenny Sharaf —the mind behind the city's new UN Plaza art fair —completed a new mural (pictured above) between Fifth and Sixth streets on Market this week. Sharaf tells us that Group I (which plans to turn that stretch of Market Street into an expansive residential and hotel development) and The Luggage Store commissioned her to lighten up the block with public art. The mural is an extension of her studio practice, and its vibrant red hue was inspired by the street and bus stops in the area.

Continuing the week's focus on public art, Vets Alley artists and supporters are gathering at 1:30pm Saturday in the alley (555 O'Farrell St.) to dedicate a new mural honoring one of America’s first African-American Green Berets, Bruce Blackman. After the Vietnam War, Blackman raised a family in Oakland and became a professional jazz musician before dying of complications caused by AIDS. The mural honoring his legacy depicts the sheet music of his favorite song, “Naima” by John Coltrane, a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Continuum Alley is also taking center stage this weekend, and next, thanks to the aerial performance Needles to Thread, which aims to raise awareness of the area's history fighting for women's labor rights — especially in garment factories.

Needles to Thread. (Photo: Nuala Sawyer/Hoodline)

And in other news: Don't miss our conversation with bar owner Johnny Davis—who allows nothing but "hanging out and having a good time" at Emperor Norton's Boozeland on Larkin—and an update on three pedestrian street lighting projects in the works.

Now, go enjoy the many of public art displays, performances and festivals happening all weekend long:

Friday

Filipino Book Festival
Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St.
2-4pm
Host Description: "Screening of the film Women of Malolos (2014) written and produced by Nicanor G.Tiongson based on his book The Women of Malolos (Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2005) and ultimately, the letter that José Rizal wrote to the women of Malolos on February 17, 1889, among other things, praising them for their spirit and perseverance. This musical film was directed by Sari Dalena and Kiri Dalena. In Tagalog with English subtitles. Q&A to follow with Dr. Nicanor Tiongson."

Dexter Allen
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7pm
Host Description: "Electrifying, guitarist / vocalist Dexter Allen  is a Mississippi born and raised entertainer from the heart.  Being part of the Bobby Rush band for several years, helped him create a blistering, soulful and entertaining show. Dexter wows crowds all over the USA, Canada and Europe with his ability to connect and touch crowds of all ages with a High Energy sincere swagger of Blues, Soul and Funk that will keep you indulged from start to finish."

Needles to Thread: Dancing Along These Lines in Continuum Alley
Continuum Alley & Golden Gate Ave.
8 & 9pm
Host Description: "Choreographer and aerial site­-artist Jo Kreiter presents an off-the-ground dance production suspended between buildings in a Tenderloin alley. Needles to Thread: Dancing Along These Lines in Continuum Alley is the third in a trilogy of site­-specific aerial dances about urban poverty, Needles to Thread takes on the issue of wage security for women through the story of San Francisco’s garment workers past and present."

Music for People and Thingamajigs Festival
Center for New Music, 55 Taylor St.
8pm
Host Description: "Thingamajigs presents another year of exciting new musical works for homemade instruments, found objects, DIY inventions, and alternate tunings by some of the Bay Area’s most innovative artists. Instrument inventors are a rare breed, but at this year’s 18th annual Music for People and Thingamajigs Festival, a dozen of the finest experimental instrument builders will be entertaining all ages crowds at the Center for New Music. Artists include Cheryl Leonard, Bart Hopkin and Tom Nunn."

Photo: Thingamagigs/Facebook

Walter Trout
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
9:30pm
Host Description: "Walter Trout’s backstory is a page-turner you won’t want to put down. Five decades in the making, it is equal parts thriller, romance, suspense and horror. There are musical fireworks, critical acclaim and fists-aloft triumph, offset by wilderness years and brushes with the jaws of narcotic oblivion. There are feted early stints as gunslinger in bands from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers to Canned Heat, and the solo career that’s still blazing a quarter-century later."

The Theater of Others: Macbeth
Kelly Cullen Auditorium, 220 Golden Gate Ave.
8pm
Host Description: "Macbeth, a duke of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself. The personal consequences of his actions are profound, affecting the mind and spirit of both himself and his wife."

Happy Thanksgiving
PianoFight, 144 Taylor St.
9pm
Host Description: "Happy Thanksgiving is a new hybrid sketch comedy show that integrates the best stand-up comedy that the Bay Area has to offer, accompanied by comedy sketches that will test the bearing on your sanity. This new show, hosted by comedians John Gallagher, Zach Wiseman, and Greg Gettle, will leave you wondering why every day can't be Thanksgiving."

Saturday

Filipino Book Festival
Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St.
9-6pm
Host Description: "Philippine American Writers and Artists (PAWA) and the San Francisco Public Library, along with the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco and other community partners, will celebrate the Third Filipino American International Book Festival (FilBookFest) on October 2-4, 2015 at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library. This year’s festival theme, "Bukás na Bukas: An Open Tomorrow, Pin@y Literature in the 21 Century," focuses on where we are as a community of writers and artists and our direction for the future."

Tenderloin Walking Tours
Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy St.
11am & 2pm
Host Description: "Real life. Real streets. Our resident historians give you an insider’s view of the Tenderloin past and present. Our guided Walking Tours offer the best way to get to know the Tenderloin. As longtime tour guide Del Seymour says, 'You’ll enjoy a Fisherman’s Wharf tour, but you’ll most remember a Tenderloin tour.'"

Veterans Alley Mural Dedication
Veterans Alley, 555 Geary St.
1:30pm
Host Description: "
Join Veterans, community members and the family members as we dedicate the unveiling of a mural honoring one of America’s first African American Green Berets, Mr. Bruce Blackman. Bruce Black was a decorated combat Vietnam veteran who became one of the first African-American Green Berets. Mr. Blackman would serve with honor and distinction during his enlistment in the U.S. Army, and tours in Vietnam. The mural being dedicated is the sheet music to Mr. Blackman’s favorite song, “Naima," by Mr. John Coltrane (Veteran United States Navy)."

Aaron Nigel Smith's Reggae Block Party / Tricycle Music Fest
Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St.
4-5pm
Host Description: "Aaron Nigel Smith is kicking off Tricycle Music Fest, featuring songs from his album 1 World Chorus: Celebrating Bob Marley—a celebration of Bob Marley’s 70th birthday. This album is full of funky reggae beats reimagined for the child in you and the child with you. Get ready to shake and groove to your favorite Bob Marley songs. Rock, play, learn at the library! The seventh annual Tricycle Music Fest brings free family concerts on weekends this fall."

Dexter Allen
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7pm
Host Description: "Electrifying guitarist/vocalist Dexter Allen  is a Mississippi born and raised entertainer from the heart.  Being part of the Bobby Rush band for several years helped him create a blistering, soulful and entertaining show. Dexter wows crowds all over the USA, Canada and Europe with his ability to connect and touch crowds of all ages with a High Energy sincere swagger of Blues, Soul and Funk that will keep you indulged from start to finish."

The Theater of Others: Macbeth
Kelly Cullen Auditorium, 220 Golden Gate Ave.
8pm
Host Description: "Macbeth, a duke of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself. The personal consequences of his actions are profound, affecting the mind and spirit of both himself and his wife."

Photo: Theater of Others

The Setup: Standup Comedy
The Basement, 222 Hyde St.
8pm
Host Description: "We feature established comedians from around the country as well as local up-and-coming stars. San Francisco is known for indulging and incubating the absurd whims, oddities, and genius of the freaks who call it home. Think Lenny Bruce, Robin Williams, and Margaret Cho. In this crazy spirit, The Setup provides a truly unique and memorable San Francisco comedy experience."

Needles to Thread: Dancing Along These Lines in Continuum Alley
Continuum Alley & Golden Gate Ave.
8 & 9pm
Host Description: "Choreographer and aerial site­-artist Jo Kreiter presents an off the ground dance production suspended between buildings in a Tenderloin alley. Needles to Thread: Dancing Along These Lines in Continuum Alley is the third in a trilogy of site­-specific aerial dances about urban poverty, Needles to Thread takes on the issue of wage security for women through the story of San Francisco’s garment workers past and present. Join us at 7 PM before the Saturday performances for pre-show walking tours of local labor landmarks."

FaultLine presents Momedy
PianoFight, 144 Taylor St.
9pm
Host Description: "
A young woman and her mother invite you over for an evening of stand up, cabaret, and discussions of appropriate methods of parenting. Mom has never been on stage before, but we firmly believe that all mothers are funny without trying. Watch as this duo deals with issues of codependency and over-identification with Gilmore Girls. There will be songs, there will be jokes, and there will be large glasses of wine. Think Late Night with Seth Meyers meets The Judy Garland Show meets drunk. Oh and bring your mom, we'd love to meet her."

Sunday

Ugnayan Lahi: Filipino American History Month Celebration
Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St.
10:30am-4pm
Host Description: "Our annual celebration of Filipino American heritage explores the past, present and future of Filipino art and culture in the Bay Area. This year’s theme is 'Ugnayan Lahi,' the weaving of a cultural tapestry between generations. Longtime leaders and rising artists will share philosophies of community, art and language, reflecting on 400 years of Filipino American history. We’ll also commemorate a significant milestone: 50 years ago, the 1965 Immigration Act ended a restrictive quota system, sparking a surge of immigration that resulted in a vibrant Bay Area Filipino community. Leaders Mel Orpilla and Kae Hope Echiverri Ranoa (aka 'Hopie') will emcee."

The Theater of Others: Macbeth 
Kelly Cullen Auditorium, 220 Golden Gate Ave.
2pm
Host Description: "Macbeth, a duke of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself. The personal consequences of his actions are profound, affecting the mind and spirit of both himself and his wife."

Dexter Allen
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7 & 9pm
Host Description: "Electrifying guitarist/vocalist Dexter Allen  is a Mississippi born and raised entertainer from the heart.  Being part of the Bobby Rush band for several years helped him create a blistering, soulful and entertaining show. Dexter wows crowds all over the USA, Canada and Europe with his ability to connect and touch crowds of all ages with a high-energy sincere swagger of blues, soul, and funk that will keep you indulged from start to finish."