“Richmond Buzz” is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Richmond. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com.
We got some reprieve from the rain Wednesday, and the weekend’s looking alright, if gray. But there’s likely more rain ahead; here are some places in the Richmond District to visit and stay dry.
As Black History Month comes to a close, consider supporting Black-owned businesses across town, including Bella Trattoria restaurant at 3848 Geary Blvd. and Public Land curio shop at 201 Clement St. And, find your nearest purveyor of Rize Up sourdough bread, which founder Azikiwee Anderson started as a home-baking operation in the Inner Richmond in 2020.
Be sure also to check out the Balboa Theater’s programming this weekend at 3630 Balboa St. They’ll be screening pre-recorded live sets by Jimi Hendrix and Richard Pryor, as well as other great Black American films like “Sinners” and “The Wiz”.
The 4 Star Theater at 2200 Clement St. is increasingly becoming known for its excellent local music programming, in addition to movie screenings. Catch a bit of both this weekend at “Not Fade Away: A Tribute To Bob Weir,” featuring a tribute set by Outer Richmond indie-deadhead band Double Helix Peace Treaty (the best band west of Park Presidio, for my money), and a documentary screening of “Fillmore: The Last Days.”
On March 8, both theaters are joining forces in throwing a (free!) offsite musical event with a similar deadhead slant: “Hard to Handle” will take place in the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, featuring live sets by Grahame Lesh and a handful of Dead tribute acts.
This Friday Feb. 20 marks the start of SF Beer Week, and Richmond Republic Draught House at 642 Clement St. has an itinerary for all ten days of the affair. Head in for “Tap Takeover” nights by different local breweries, or blind voting competitions next weekend. Foghorn Taproom at 450 Balboa St. is also on the Beer Week “Tap Takeover” train.
The Richmond is also home to SF Beer Week’s “longest standing and most beloved event,” according to the organization’s website: Dim Sum Beer Brunch at Hong Kong Lounge. Tickets for the event run $95, and include heavy portions of beer and classic Chinese fare.
Last Friday Feb. 13 saw a couple of teeming gallery receptions around Inner Clement Street.
At the gallery within Park Life at 220 Clement St., about a dozen paintings by local artist Peter Gray Hurley were installed for the show “Avenue Bells.”
Hurley’s abstract landscape paintings call to mind Abstract Expressionist painters like Rothko and clearly refer to Bay Area Figurative School painters like Richard Diebenkorn, but have a dry, textural quality all to their own. See the show in person, up now until March 13.
A few blocks away at CAHA Design studio at 391 Arguello Blvd, “extreme alternative cycling magazine” Calling In Sick threw a “Popup Party,” using the architectural office as a temporary brick-and-mortar and gallery for the magazine’s 16th issue. Within the magazine, find essays, interviews, and photography on biking in the Bay Area, ranging from the lighthearted to the sentimental.
“It’s more about just, like, getting out there and having fun, taking cool photos, and shooting the shit with your friends, and just being funny,” said Adam Leibow, the publisher and editor behind Calling In Sick. He’ll be selling magazines alongside bike accessories and merch (“calling in sick is not a crime,” stickers read) at CAHA until March 8.
Those hanging around Arguello and Clement with a penchant for cycling might also be interested to know that ORNOT at 59 Clement St. hosts weekly Tuesday morning rides. More information can be found on Strava.
Some activity could be seen inside the vacant storefront at 32 Clement St. this week — filings with the city suggest that it’s slated to be another location of Therapy Stores, a Mission-born gift store with ten locations across the Bay Area. A timeline for this apparent eleventh location is not yet known, but we will update this once we hear.
There’s the buzz. Stay Dry!