Bay Area Music Help?

[Festvet]

I will be in the bay area over the weekend of 11/10-12. I don't see much of anything listed on Pollstar or Jambase. Can anyone provide suggestions? It will be my first time in the area. I am staying in Sacramento area for 2 weeks but will have work M-F. I figure to either spend the weekend in SF/Oak or maybe Tahoe? Whaddya all think?

[Amy Winette]

Hmm, if you like skiing, a weekend in Tahoe is hard to pass up when you're that close. Otherwise come to SF. Surprisingly I don't think I've got anything on my calendar yet that weekend either, but I'm sure it will fill up and there will be something worth seeing at the Independent, GAMH, Slim's, Boom Boom Room, Warfiled or Filmore . . .

[jhjpotter]

Doesn't look like a whole lot on the docket music wise, but there are always shows at the independent and boom boom room. there are also a number of jazz clubs in the area (Jazz at Pearls in SF, Yoshi's in Oakland).

[jhjpotter]

Hmm, if you like skiing, a weekend in Tahoe is hard to pass up when you're that close. Otherwise come to SF. Surprisingly I don't think I've got anything on my calendar yet that weekend either, but I'm sure it will fill up and there will be something worth seeing at the Independent, GAMH, Slim's, Boom Boom Room, Warfiled or Filmore . . .


Don't think anything will be open at tahoe yet, but it's still a fun place to go for a weekend to hit the casinos and hang out.

[Amy Winette]

Hmm, you don't think the ski hills will be open in mid-November? Sometimes the snow before Christmas is sparse I guess. If there's no skiing I wouldn't spend your one west coast weekend in Tahoe!

[RitaZero]

I see three in San Francisco that I'd pay money for: California Guitar Trio, Dan Bern and The Slip. If I had to pick only one it would be The Slip. If you're into comedy George Lopez is at the Warfield - a really lovely old venue. Have fun whatever you do!

[Festvet]

Thanks all for the tips. There won't be any good skiing yet around Tahoe and I really don't like casinos at all. I have Yoshi's and Boom Boom Room on my radar but there is nothing listed that weekend. I've heard mixed reviews on SF so not sure if I want to spend the weekend doing tourist type stuff? Maybe a hike in the foothills? Golf? A trip up the coast hwy? Sonoma? I've been to the Sacramento area before but never for more than a week so Auburn State Rec. area is about all I've seen so far.

[jhjpotter]

I would bet yoshis and boom boom room will announce acts in the next couple weeks. Boom Boom Room always seems to fill their weekends. The other option that you're actually closer to being in Sac is the Napa Valley and other wine country. It's only an hour or so from Sac, so if you're a wine drinker, that might be an option for you too.

[Amy Winette]

Mixed reviews on SF??? What?? Heh heh, didja see our t-heads in Napa/SF pix? C'mon, it doesn't get better than that! Can't recommend a wine tasting day enough, stay at Kenwood Inn & Spa in Sonoma. Now it REALLY doesn't get better than that! Jeff missed the golf part, he's a golfer too, he says if you really want to go golfing, go down to Pebble (Carmel/Monterey). There are tons of very nice courses in the area too. Drive down the coast can't be beat either, gorgeous all the way down to Big Sur. In our neck of the woods, we recommend the Half Moon Bay Brewery for seafood and music, we'll show you a good time if you come on down (we're less than a half hour south of the city on the coast).

Oh wait, last night we met a wine maker at the HMB Brewery who is doing a tasting with HIPTastes in SF on that Friday, pretty sure we're going to go to that, interested? Patrying in the city afterwards . . .

[Festvet]

Sorry, Amy. Meant mixed reviews cuz of all the tourists. I know I could do the Haight (very touristy) or the Tenderloin but still no shows in the area I'm interested in. I just realized that Sacramento is closer to L.A. than Houston is to NOLA and I always drive to NOLA whej in Houston over a weekend. I think I may try that. If I head down the coast Friday after work I shouldn't hit much traffic pulling through the Bay Area. I'm sure there are plenty of dive motels en route on I-5. Any idea how long it would take to return via US-1?

[jhjpotter]

US 1 is a very twisty turny road along the coast. It would probably take a full day (7-8 hours of driving). There is a decent amount of traffic and it's all 2 lane highway, so no where to pass or anything. It is a gorgeous drive up through big sur, monterey, santa cruz, and half moon bay.

Counting on not hitting that much traffic getting into LA on a Friday night is like putting 5 bullets in a six shooter and playing russian roulette and expecting to get the empty chamber. I thought I was doing great on time from SF to LA one friday night a while back and when I was about "30 min" from my final destination, it was another 2-3 hours. Getting into LA is much much much different than getting into NOLA. There is a reason it has the worst traffic in the US by leaps and bounds.

[RitaZero]

By the way, the Green Festival is in San Francisco that weekend. A very cool event for ecoligically minded people.

http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/blogcategory/44/107/

Tons and tons of great speakers, workshops, shopping green until you drop, a great organic food and beer court.

I will be at this event. Let me know if you're in town and perhaps we can meet up!

[RitaZero]

If I head down the coast Friday after work I shouldn't hit much traffic pulling through the Bay Area. I'm sure there are plenty of dive motels en route on I-5. Any idea how long it would take to return via US-1?

You have to figure in getting TO the coast from Sacto as well, which on a Friday can be brutal - a couple of hours minimum. The traffic in the bay area is horrendous, particulary on a Friday after work.....If you must head south you are waaaay better off taking I-5, but that way you miss all the beautiful scenery of our California coast. I-5 is boring, no scenery, but speed limit is 75 mph on a lot of it.

[jhjpotter]

One other thing, the SF Jazz Festival will be finishing up that weekend, so there should be plenty of music all over the city, even though you may or may not recognize the name of many of the artists. A good weekend to see shows in small intimate venues.

http://www.sfjazz.org/index.asp

[Amy Winette]

That green festival is very cool.

Festvet, did you really say you would consider LA over SF? I can't even imagine why!!

[Festvet]

Actually, I was planning on I-5 but stopping maybe halfway between SF & LA Friday night then up early and into L.A. for late breakfast then immediately turn north on US-1 and head back to SF for dinner on Sunday. So I would likely spend Sat night somewhere around Santa Barbara ro Santa Cruz??? I'm not really choosing L.A over SF, just trying to maximize my short time there. I know work will bring me back to the Bay Area again so I'm not too worried. I figure this is a nice time of year in CA so I can enjoy with the windows down. Was also thinking about Yosemite but don't want to chance road closures.

[FurryLilFellah]

That would be a nice drive but if all you are going to do is go south and immediately head back north I would not do it. I-5 down through the San Joaquin Valley is nothing to rave about. Fresno and on South and over the Grapevine is not terribly scenic. Might I suggest I-5 south to the 41, which takes you across into Paso Robles and then south to anywhere from there to Santa Barbara, though I would say spend the night in San Luis Obispo on Friday. Saturday go from San Luis Obispo and take Highway 1 north. Stop for a nice lunch and a great view at Nepenthe. Spend Saturday night anywhere from Big Sur north to Carmel/Monterey, or as you suggest Santa Cruz, and Sunday head north and spend a little time sightseeing in the Bay area and have dinner Sunday then back to Sacramento. Less driving and less of a headache. The flow of traffic north out of LA every weekend is not pleasant driving in.

[Festvet]

thanks furry little fella. sounds like a plan.

[Festvet]

i wish i was going to be there for week 3 (this weekend) for SF JazzFest. Next weekend I'm familair with about half of the artists but not really interested. I probably will take the furry lil fella's advice and maybe only go as far south as san luis obispo (ehich was my original intent) and spend most of sunday in SF area

[jhjpotter]

on your way north on highway 1 (north of santa cruz), definitely stop off in Pescadero and visit the little main street there. Then be sure to check out main street in Half Moon Bay, and then as you head north out of Half Moon Bay, check out the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (in El Granada about 4 miles north of highway 92) for a beer and some live music after 4 on Sunday. This is also just a couple miles from where the Mavericks surfing spot is out by Pillar Point where the big satellite dishes are. If we weren't going to be on our way back from festgiving, we'd meet you there as it's just a few miles south of our place in Montara. If you're going to stop off at any beaches for a sunset on your way up, the Moss Beach Distillery (moss beach is just north of el granada on hwy 1) has a great patio with blankets an chair to watch sunsets from, and the place is haunted (as seen on Unsolved Mysteries), or Montara State Beach is the prettiest beach on the coast IMHO. Enjoy your drive!! It is a beautiful part of the country.

[MzJoey]

Just curious, what is there to do in the Tenderloin? Dive bars is all i can think of?

[FurryLilFellah]

Foot Worship:

Size 14 stilettos? Vinyl zebra-striped thigh-highs? Lucite mules? This is one-stop shopping for all campy-shoe freaks, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or taste. The staff is almost too pleased to help your feet slip in and out of shoes, if you know what I mean, but the prices and selection simply can't be beat. 1214 Sutter St., (415) 921-3668.

[Festvet]

Mz Joey, the following description has me intrigued. I love dive bars and eclectic neighborhoods. Maybe it's the reason I love NOLA so much. I tend to avoid most tourist areas there as well.

"For a tourist, the Tenderloin provides some of the most active streets in the city, stores stocking products from Asia, Latin America and India, and some of the best food and best prices of any city district, anywhere."

"The Tenderloin may be the neighborhood that's most often ignored by San Franciscans, avoided by tourist buses and overlooked in brochures. But the Tenderloin is undoubtedly the neighborhood that builds San Francisco, not one girder at a time, but one life at a time. It is where many cities of people come together, and where the foundations of a new San Francisco can be seen."

[Festvet]

Thanks for the tip, Jeff. Just the type of info. I was searching for. I'll plan on starting out north from San Luis Obispo. My interest was never L.A., just thought I'd get more of US-1 that way. If I-5 is anywhere near as boring a strech of pavement as it is up in Sac then I guess it's not worth the drive all the way into L.A.

[Amy Winette]

Actually, I was planning on I-5 but stopping maybe halfway between SF & LA Friday night then up early and into L.A. for late breakfast then immediately turn north on US-1 and head back to SF for dinner on Sunday. So I would likely spend Sat night somewhere around Santa Barbara ro Santa Cruz??? I'm not really choosing L.A over SF, just trying to maximize my short time there. I know work will bring me back to the Bay Area again so I'm not too worried. I figure this is a nice time of year in CA so I can enjoy with the windows down. Was also thinking about Yosemite but don't want to chance road closures.

Okay, I understand :) Mid-way between I would also stay in Big Sur, as the furry guy recommended. Can be hard to get a room there though. Hmm, windows down, don't count on it -- it's been rainy and 50s/60s here lately! Yosemite is really nice too, I don't think (?) roads will be closed yet, and you can easily spend the weekend there . . .

[Amy Winette]

Just curious, what is there to do in the Tenderloin? Dive bars is all i can think of?

There used to be a Polly Esther's there! (Yeah baby!!) :) Eclectic neighborhoods with Dive Bars, I'd go to the Mission and/or the Haight instead . . . I sure would not park a car in the tenderloin!

[Festvet]

I don't plan on parkin anything anywhere in SF ;^)

50's/60's is window down weather to me. i'm sure we'll get snow while i'm away. it's already in the 20's/30's here in the evenings.

almost jacket weather as we say in N.E.

Go Pats!

[jhjpotter]

Foot Worship:

Size 14 stilettos? Vinyl zebra-striped thigh-highs? Lucite mules? This is one-stop shopping for all campy-shoe freaks, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or taste. The staff is almost too pleased to help your feet slip in and out of shoes, if you know what I mean, but the prices and selection simply can't be beat. 1214 Sutter St., (415) 921-3668.

I've definitely driven by that. Gotta love the Red Devil Lounge down there, seen the mouth and Leo N. there in the last 6 months, and there is a place near there called Vertigo that serves a drink for 4 called the Volcano. We went as 3 to take our shot at the volcano, and we ended up having to recruit a fourth at the bar. 3-4 hours later we were home and I knew I had to have another one of those, so we went on Amy's 30th!!

1160 Polk St (Cross Street: Sutter Street)
San Francisco, CA 94109View Map (http://maps.citysearch.com/location/39696825)
(415) 674-1278

Happy Hour till 9pm everyday, Dancing, Drinks, Debauchery
Dancing & Kicking Back
Happy Hour
Smokinghttp://images.citysearch.net/profile/46/1b/39696825p1.jpg



Located in the Tender-Nob (Tenderloin/Nob Hill), surrounded by local watering holes and resturaunts. Vertigo has a comfortable nieghborhood setting with exotic and fun decor, an unique, century old service bar and an outdoor smoking patio. Featuring a daily happy hour until 9pm with $2 Miller High Life draft beer, $3 Smirnoff mixed drinks and an all day $5 exotic cocktail.

It's really packed on the weekends, so better to go early in the evening.

[MzJoey]

[quote=Festvet;2461]Mz Joey, the following description has me intrigued. I love dive bars and eclectic neighborhoods. Maybe it's the reason I love NOLA so much. I tend to avoid most tourist areas there as well.

FestVet, I spent a summer in college at UCBerkeley, everyweekend I'd Bart to the City and walk my legs into stumps. Don't consider myself a trendy type either. But a lady who travels alone, should know when to cross the street or walk IN the street. I love neighborhood bars, dive bars, and roadhouses. I stayed in Lafitte, LA 'bout an hour south of NOLA one year....when we walked into a local cajun bar...let's just say it was very quiet. haha but we had a great time, and learned a WHOLE lot about the locals and their concerns.
I'm not puttin' down the Tenderloin, it was an honest question, in fact, Gris Gris and i got quite a tour of the Tenderloin on our way down to the Embarcadero for our Bay cruise.
I'm sure there's lots of good mom and pop type eats, and yes diversity is at it's greatest in the down n out parts of town. Lucky for me i live where i have access to all the ethnic types of foodstuffs and restaurants (except..southern barbeque....rats).
If you are a fan of small local spots, you should be able to catch some local music...cross over to Berkeley or Oakland, there's quite a nightlife and plenty of people watching over there too.

[Amy Winette]

I've definitely driven by that. Gotta love the Red Devil Lounge down there, seen the mouth and Leo N. there in the last 6 months, and there is a place near there called Vertigo that serves a drink for 4 called the Volcano. We went as 3 to take our shot at the volcano, and we ended up having to recruit a fourth at the bar. 3-4 hours later we were home and I knew I had to have another one of those, so we went on Amy's 30th!!

1160 Polk St (Cross Street: Sutter Street)
San Francisco, CA 94109View Map (http://maps.citysearch.com/location/39696825)
(415) 674-1278

Happy Hour till 9pm everyday, Dancing, Drinks, Debauchery

Dancing & Kicking Back
Happy Hour
Smokinghttp://images.citysearch.net/profile/46/1b/39696825p1.jpg



Located in the Tender-Nob (Tenderloin/Nob Hill), surrounded by local watering holes and resturaunts. Vertigo has a comfortable nieghborhood setting with exotic and fun decor, an unique, century old service bar and an outdoor smoking patio. Featuring a daily happy hour until 9pm with $2 Miller High Life draft beer, $3 Smirnoff mixed drinks and an all day $5 exotic cocktail.

It's really packed on the weekends, so better to go early in the evening.

Ohhhh, now I [don't really] remember being there on my 30th! I rememver scoping it out before hand but don't recall at all being there THAT night. That was in the Loin? And Red Devil too? Okay, there are some good things in the neighborhood then.

[Festvet]

Anyone have info. on the Big Organ Trio at Boom Boom Room tomorrow night (11/10)? Sounds like it might be definitely worth seeing.

[jhjpotter]

Beyond fusing different genres, B.O.T. has the unique ability to exude a startling energy uncharacteristic of organ trios. McConnell blasts out highly creative and energy packed grooves in various styles. Bauer emits an undeniable pocket and tone, while often taking over lead melodies and solos on the bass. Together they comprise a driving, yet refined, rhythm section that delivers an amazing live punch. Add to the mix Mangan, an extremely unconventional organist with fiery solo chops who, through a truly unique approach, conjures new and unprecedented tones out of the legendary Hammond B3 organ, and we have a band that has achieved a very difficult task: finding its own voice.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10th:: Rockin' FunkA Smokin' Hammond B-3 Organ Based Super Funk Show!
*BIG ORGAN TRIO (http://www.bigorgantrio.com/)*
plus: Special Guests FRIDAY: Doors: 8:00 PM :: Show: 9:20 PM :: Tix: $8 (adv)
http://boomboomblues.com/email_photosngraphics/tickets.gif (http://www.boomboomtickets.com/evinfo.php?eventid=13661&sid=)
* * A STELLAR NIGHT OF MUSIC * *
A Massively Funky Band at the BBR on Friday Night!
http://boomboomblues.com/email_photosngraphics/big-organ-trio.gif (http://www.boomboomtickets.com/evinfo.php?eventid=13661&sid=)
BIG ORGAN TRIO
A Freakin' Energized Hi-Fidelity Shake-Rockin' Show!

“I always considered my organ solos as guitar or maybe horn sections with some organ thrown in...I think Mike Mangan and BIG ORGAN TRIO may have taken that same idea a step further.”
- Gregg Rolie Santana B3 organist / lead vocalist
A Funky SoulJazzEnergized Band throwin' it down for a house rockin' dance frenzied show at the BBR.
*BIG ORGAN TRIO* from Los Angeles area for a guaranteed night of unforgettable music at the Boom Boom Room!

MORE About *BIG ORGAN TRIO*
Stylistically, the instrumental Hammond B3 organ trio (organ, bass, drums) is a potent mixture of its three member’s influences. Mangan, McConnell, and Bauer all share a great love and respect for the old school spirit of blues, jazz, and rock improvisation.
Fusing with fresh musical ideas that borrow from funk, hip-hop, Latin, electronica, and beyond, has helped Big Organ Trio produce an innovative, modern, and totally original soundscape.

[FurryLilFellah]

Thanks Jeff. I was afraid Festvet might have gotten a show at the Boom Boom Room confused with one at the O'Farrell Theatre for a second.

[Amy Winette]

Thanks Jeff. I was afraid Festvet might have gotten a show at the Boom Boom Room confused with one at the O'Farrell Theatre for a second.

Hahahaha! That's good furry one!

Hey Jeff, didn't we see these guys open for Leo Nocentelli at Red Devil Lounge? Or am I thinking of something else? They were good. What're we up to Friday night BTW? No bites on karaoke after that wine tasting, might be needing to find a show to go to . . .

[jhjpotter]

i think you may be right on that one. may need to check it out.

[RitaZero]

Hey FestVet, I don't know what your final plans are but we will be at the Boom Boom Room on Sat. (tomorrow) night. Looks like a couple of good funk bands there, although I haven't heard of them. Give a shout if you want to meet up.

[Festvet]

Sorry I missed your reply, Rita. Made it into SF on Friday afternoon and hung out at the BBR for a bit til about midnight. Got my fill of Pac. Heights on Friday night and Union Sq. (where I stayed), Nob Hill and Haight on Sat. Tommy's Joint, David's Deli, and some Thai noodle house in the Haight. Headed out around 3pm and caught sunset at Point Reyes. Very nice indeed. Can't wait for my next visit. Maybe this Fri night for the Meters? Won't know until later this week. Can't get over how cheap (in comparison) condos are in Pac Height/Nob Hill area compared to downtown Boston (or new hampshire for that matter!)

[RitaZero]

Can't get over how cheap (in comparison) condos are in Pac Height/Nob Hill area compared to downtown Boston (or new hampshire for that matter!)

LOL! And I thought living in a California coastal town is the most expensive place to live in the US! I just looked at a house near the beach in Santa Cruz for $799,000! - too expensive for how much work it would take to fix it up. My friend is house shopping in Maine and will spend under $100 grand for a big house with a few acres.....

Glad you got to take in a lot for your short time here. I have been to Tommy's for many a pre-show gathering for the Great American Music Hall. The Boom Boom Room was fun on Saturday night, but we had to leave around midnight cuz I was so tired from a late Friday night.

[Festvet]

No idea where in Maine real estate goes for under 100k but it must be at least 6 hours from Boston near the Canada border. 300k in Pac. Heights for 800-1000 sf seems pretty reasonable to me. In my (NH) town that would go for a 25-30% less but then again it ain't SF either.

[ibjamn]

WoW! Things must have exploded up there, huh? Hebjamn & I bought a 2400 sq. ft. house in Dracut for $200K 4 years ago. We worked in Natick & hated the hour drive each way. We moved to Dracut from a 2-bedroom condo in Grafton that hebjamn bought for $63,000 in 1998 & we sold in 2002 for $125,000, again, hated the 35 minute commute to Natick.

Happy happy in our 3000 sq ft house in Gentilly that we bought 3 years ago. Hebjamn is 10minutes from work. Life is good. :)

[Festvet]

Jenn, condos in Lowell are going for upper 300k and higher. You can still get 2000sf in smaller towns (like Dracut) for under 300k but it most likely will be a fixer. It's funny since I have family in Dracut and I almost bought your old house on Spain st NOLA. Small world.

[Amy Winette]

No idea where in Maine real estate goes for under 100k but it must be at least 6 hours from Boston near the Canada border. 300k in Pac. Heights for 800-1000 sf seems pretty reasonable to me. In my (NH) town that would go for a 25-30% less but then again it ain't SF either.

Darlin, I don't know where you found a condo in SF for $300K. We were shopping just 2 years ago and there's nothing under $600K. The median price out here is now $750K.

Hope you made it to the Meters!

[Amy Winette]

Hey, so should be recovered by this weekend, what's on tap for music? Spearhead isn't doing the usual Thanksgiving shows at the Fillmore I guess?