Another weekend is just about here. But before we dive in, here are the neighborhood news highlights from this past week.
The folks behind the popular Thai restaurant Lers Ros look to be opening their fourth outpost, this time under the name The Esan Classic.
We checked in with Cutting Ball Theater this week to learn more about their history here in the Tenderloin, and the series of dreamy experimental plays in store for their 17th season.
Speaking of entertainment, it's official: Market Street Cinema will be demolished in favor of an 8-story residential complex. Here's a quick look at the cinema's past and near future.
On the crime and safety front, a number of Tenderloin residents urged the SFPD to step up enforcement in and around Civic Center during a town hall meeting regarding the fatal police shooting of 26-year-old Herbert Benitez.
The Tenderloin police captain vowed on Twitter to investigate reports that police officers are parking in the Market Street bike lane between Eighth and Ninth streets to grab coffee and cash from the nearby ATM, forcing cyclists to merge into traffic.
The Chronicle reports that while some say they're seeing fewer cars driving on Market after right turns onto the thoroughfare were banned from Third through Eighth Streets, many cyclists say more needs to be done to enforce the legislation.
And a trial is now underway for a murder that took place at the Monarch Hotel last July. According to the Examiner, the jury will be deciding whether a 30-year-old woman stabbed her lover in the heart in a fit of jealous rage or in fear for her own safety.
Finally, looking forward to the weekend, animal lovers will be thrilled to hear that tonight's Friday Night Market will feature a goat petting zoo. After that, anyone looking for a scare should check out the City Hall Ghost Tour — which SF City Guides hosts just once a year.
Friday, Oct. 23rd
Friday Night Market
UN Plaza
5-9pm
Host Description: "The Night Market at UN Plaza has become the place to spend Friday nights in the center of the City - neighborhood folks, local workers, visitors and those looking for fun, free evening entertainment gather together in the historic plaza... Come and play a game of giant Jenga, while sipping craft cocktails. Bring the whole family – kids can play Nerf dart tag, bubble ball games, and frolic in the jump house."
City Hall Ghost Tour
City Hall, Polk St. Entrance
6:30pm
Host Description: "Disinterred remains, assassinations and other ghostly lore form the focus of this tour, plus little-known facts such as the cemetery that once covered Civic Center. Instead of history and architecture, hear snippets from interviews with city employees that detail chilling paranormal activity. You will be amazed—and thrilled. Who—or what—might be walking behind you?"
Comme Des Ha-Ha comedy show
The Basement, 222 Hyde St.
8pm
Host Description: "Watch the best up-and-coming and young comedians the San Francisco has to offer free of charge and without any download ads live at The Basement (222 Hyde St.) in the Tenderloin at 8p.m. For every tech company to crash and burn, the best and brightest future comedy stars have tales of Twitter love, Uber nightmares and fernet branca hangovers. It’s a modernist jokefest where the streets are as real as those magic swipes right. Don’t miss a night of original laughs away from your smart phones when this special stand-up comedy showcase by memorable characters delivers an intimate good time with a difficult name to pronounce just like your favorite brunch spot."
Ghost Quartet
Curran Theater, 445 Geary St.
8pm
Host Description: "GHOST QUARTET is a haunted song cycle about love, death, and whiskey, written and composed by Bay Area favorite Dave Malloy (Beowulf, Beardo, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). Blurring the line between theater and contemporary music performance, GHOST QUARTET is performed in the round, with the musicians seated amongst the audience, as they weave together four narratives spanning seven centuries, featuring a murderous sister, a treehouse astronomer, a bear, a subway, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk."
No, You're Drunk: The Drinking Game Comedy Show
PianoFight, 144 Taylor St.
10:30pm
Host Description: "No, You're Drunk! is the newest comedy show from notorious local comedy group/international jewel thieves Sylvan Productions. It's a show that's also a drinking game, mostly a drinking game. Essentially, they get their hilarious and super well known comedian friends hammered and we all get to party with them. It happens every 4th Friday (the coolest Friday) at Pianofight. Hosted by accredited party doctors Justin Gomes and Andrew Moore."
Saturday, Oct. 24th
Savory Brunch Affair at Locavorian Favorite
Huxley, 846 Geary St.
11am
Host Description: "Enjoy the type of extended brunch that only weekends allow. Expect classic brunch fare with a savory twist, like french toast with blueberries and rosemary cream or a salmon and egg scramble."
Murals of the Tenderloin
Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy St.
3pm
Host Description: "While the Mission District has gained notoriety for public works of art, the Tenderloin is rich with public murals and considered by many to be a hidden artistic gem in the heart of San Francisco. The grand-scale works are colorful, site specific, and characteristic of the artists who chose to leave their mark on the neighborhood."
Ghost Quartet
Curran Theater, 445 Geary St.
8pm
Host Description: "GHOST QUARTET is a haunted song cycle about love, death, and whiskey, written and composed by Bay Area favorite Dave Malloy (Beowulf, Beardo, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). Blurring the line between theater and contemporary music performance, GHOST QUARTET is performed in the round, with the musicians seated amongst the audience, as they weave together four narratives spanning seven centuries, featuring a murderous sister, a treehouse astronomer, a bear, a subway, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk."
Sunday, Oct. 25th
Astronomo: Speculative Fiction on Film + Black Women
Koret Auditorium, Main Public Library, 100 Larkin St.
12:30pm
Host Description: "Series of films featuring Black women filmmakers and actors in speculative fiction." Hosted by the International Black Women’s Film Festival.
Shane Dwight Band
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7 & 9pm
Host Description: "Native Californian Shane Dwight relocated to Nashville in 2009 to further his musical career. Within six months of arriving on the scene he swiftly attained a solid reputation as a “guitar slinger” in his newly adopted hometown. Not one to completely abandon his roots, Dwight still chooses to divide his time between Nashville and his childhood ranch in Morgan Hill, California. Performing over 200 shows per year worldwide, Dwight has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, including B.B. King, Etta James, Jimmie Vaughan, Taj Mahal, the Doobie Brothers, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys and Johnny Winter."
Ghost Quartet
Curran Theater, 445 Geary St.
8pm
Host Description: "GHOST QUARTET is a haunted song cycle about love, death, and whiskey, written and composed by Bay Area favorite Dave Malloy (Beowulf, Beardo, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). Blurring the line between theater and contemporary music performance, GHOST QUARTET is performed in the round, with the musicians seated amongst the audience, as they weave together four narratives spanning seven centuries, featuring a murderous sister, a treehouse astronomer, a bear, a subway, and the ghost of Thelonious Monk."
