We, my friends, are in the midst of Bay Area National Dance Week, your chance to experience some of the amazing dance on offer 'round these here parts for free free free. I was there in Union Square at noon on Friday when the whole thing got kicked off with a conga demonstration and then the formation of what was perhaps the world's largest conga line. At the same time all over the Bay Area individuals were encouraged to "dance anywhere", a directive I was far too shy to follow myself, mostly for fear of looking like an extra in a Paul Thomas Anderson movie and not in a good way. Check out the schedule for free performances by local luminaries ODC, Lines Ballet, and the SF Ballet, or join a contra dance party or HoopGirl.com's hula hoop class. Literally something for everyone.
After work that evening I headed on over to the Rickshaw Stop for Afternoon Delight, the first in what promises to be a monthly series of awesome happy hour shows. Events like this make me feel like summer is right around the corner, and it sounds like Carrie's Friday night at the de Young was big fun too. At the Rickshaw the excellent pop rock was supplied by the Mantles and the Lovely Public, both of whom put on a great show even at so early an hour. I'll be back next month for the free cupcakes and Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs of the Finches.
From the Rickshaw Stop I made my way to Anu, where I settled in at the bar with a pint of Stella just in time for Grime City's 2Step to Dubstep: The History of Sublow. And oh boy DJs Mikebee and Collage were ripping it up, records and lyrics coming hard and fast. I was like an ant drawn to the sweet deep bass.
Tomorrow night: Howlin Rain and Citay at 12 Galaxies! If I'm going out on a school night, you know it's going to be good.
Real-er coaster: Who said economics can't be thrilling? Yale economist Robert Shiller has indexed U.S. housing prices from 1890 through today for inflation, and instead of looking at the graph, you can ride the roller coaster!
