There's hardly any need for me to tell you about the upcoming hootenanny on September 26th. I know you're all such cool people that you knew about it weeks ago. Shucks, you practically invented the word.
But just in case someone stumbles across this blog who isn't as cool as you, here are the vitals:
KWMR, the best (only?) West Marin radio station is throwing its semi-annual Hootenanny on 9/26/09 from 12pm to 4pm. That means if you miss it, you'll have to wait another 6 months to find out what you actually missed.
Those of you in attendance can expect to find live music, a BBQ, and an open house. So you can listen to tunes while walking through the station and getting your grub on. Not too shabby.
The foundation of any good time is the knowledge that you're experiencing something unique. Chance and circumstance have conspired to give you a moment that you're lucky to catch and will never come again.
It's with an eye to the unique that I'm letting you know about an opportunity to culture yourselves at the upcoming West Marin Review release party, August 16th, Sunday, 4pm.
Since the last Harry Potter book was released two years ago, the literary world has been yearning for the next big event that would whip readers everywhere into a frenzy and trigger a mass of literate-hysteria. I'm letting you know right now: the West Marin Review, Volume 2 release party is that event that we've been waiting for.
The West Marin Review is a literary and art journal that features some of the best talent in the area such as Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Hass, California Award winner Philip Fradkin, and influencial poet Joanne Kyger.
If they were selling tickets to this thing, the tickets would be sold out. People would be camped out for weeks around the venue, Toby's Feed Barn Gallery in Point Reyes, just to get a glimpse of all the talent that will read there. Inexplicably, but lucky for you, the event is free and you won't even have to set up a tent outside of Toby's to be assured a seat.
All you have to do is show up on August 16th ready to be blown away by the blinding convergence of literary and artistic talent that happens only once in a generation.
There's so much good stuff here, only an FAQ will be able to handle it all.
Q.What is it?
A. A massive music festival.
Q. Why?
A. Because music festivals are awesome. Also to raise money for KWMR and Love Field. Unless you hate love, fields, and local radio stations you have no business avoiding this festival.
A. Yes. This is a very cool and very eclectic line-up. It has hip-hop, indie, afrobeat, country and more. If you have ears, you'll find something you like. Even if you don't have ears, there'll be food. If you have no mouth, I really don't know what to tell you.
Q. I now understand life will be pointless if I don't go to this concert. When is it?
A. Saturday, July 25th, 2009. It starts at 11am and goes until it's over. Tickets for adults are $25 in advance, and $30 at the door. It's only $10 if you're 21 or under. Buy 'em here and start counting down the days until awesomeness.
Q. I refuse to go to concerts unless there are oysters. Will there be oysters?
Q. I hate oysters but enjoy eating local food. Will there be local food?
A. Also yes. And to preempt any other questions, there'll also be craft vendors, a pickin' porch (whatever that is), and "circus acts"... although I don't know which ones. Maybe an elephant on a tightrope, maybe just a flaming hoop. Maybe both. Come see for yourself.
In the main gallery, there's an exhibit on West Africa, as well as a free concert in the museum's courtyard featuring West African music. The concert is June 28th at 2pm, and the exhibit will run until August 2nd. If you've never had any experience with West African music, here's a small taste of it from Senegalese artists King Ibu and Lucky Diop:
So, if your interest is piqued, go to the concert and take a look at museum's upcoming exhibits and other special events. And if your interest isn't piqued, well, then don't. But you'll be missing out.
Also worth your time is Claudia Chapline's Gallery in Stinson. Through the end of June the gallery will be showing some of Jon Francis's recent oil paintings. Watch the video for some impressive examples of his work. The gallery's address can be found here and it's open from 12-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment if you simply can't wait. Enjoy!
With the NBA finals now over, another event must step up and fill the need for exciting competition.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the paddle race!
For the second year in a row, there will be the Shore-to-Shore Paddle Board race from Bolinas to Stinson and it promises gripping drama, intense athleticism, and moving across several miles of ocean in floating watercrafts.
Come to the finish line at Stinson Beach Federal Park to watch the exciting conclusion! The race will start at 9:00 AM on June 20th and proceeds will go to the venerable Stinson Beach Junior Lifeguard program and the Surfrider Foundation.
If that wasn't incentive enough, there will also be a beach clean up and picnic following the race, all as part of the International Surfing Day.
And if you haven't gotten enough surf culture, there's one more thing worth checking out. From 3-5 PM, there will be an art opening and reception at the Bolinas Museum. Internationally-known photographer Brown Cannon
III will be attending to show off his exhibit Surface, which features "dramatic images of the oceans mounted on surfboards."
You might fall in love with one and want to buy it, which raises the question, can you put a price on art?
The answer is yes. $6,500. Fall in love carefully.
There are harder races, longer races, and bigger races in the world, but the Dipsea has a certain magnetic appeal that's hard to beat. Because the race gives head-starts depending on age, there have been winners from the ages of 9 to 70.
It features 675 stairs in the first mile, and an altitude gain of 2200 feet over the 7-mile course.
Even more interesting, shortcuts are allowed, and at several points in the race, runners must decide between forking paths, weighing the pros and cons of both. The race has an intoxicating mix of strategy, luck, and tradition, all while experiencing the most painful exhaustion and enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.
If you're free on the morning of 14th, stop by the finish line at the Stinson Beach parking lot. The race starts at 8:30 AM, so within an hour you'll get to see some of the happiest people on the verge of collapse ever. By the smiles on their weary faces you'll know that they'll be back next year. You should be too.
If it's May in Stinson, it must be time for Cuisine on the Green!
It's happening this Saturday, May 9th, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Village Green and it's not to be missed.
This annual party features some great food, great music, and best of all it's a fundraiser for the Stinson Health Center. This clinic offers vital community health services and is reliant, in part, on donations in order to continue its good work.
At the event will be:
A "world famous dog show"... possibly like this one
A free KWMR silk screen booth (bring a blank t-shirt and make a free souvenir!)
A whole bunch of crafts booths
Games and activities for kids
A whole bunch of eclectic musical acts, such as:
Ariana Agnew
Matt Lax and Friends
And back from their 90 country world tour, selling out stadiums in Paris, London, Tokyo, and Rome, The Montessori School Singers!*
*Note: I might be confusing The Montessori School Singers with The Rolling Stones. Or I might not be. Come to the the Cuisine on the Green and find out!
If for whatever reason you can't come to this great event, you can still be a part of the magic by donating to the Stinson Health Center right here. True, you won't get to hear The Montessori School Singers perform "Satisfaction," but donating to a good cause is the next best thing.
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