Ever since 2002 when Adam Stephens (guitar/vocals/harmonica) and Tyson Vogel (drums/vocals) began making noise at house parties and on street corners, they’ve slowly been carving out their own creative space. In a world where bigger is often considered better and quality is sacrificed with ease, Two Gallants have risen against the tide with their cathartic, stripped-down sound and depth of material to forge an intimate bond with a wide array of fans. (more…)

New York’s intrepid Wordless Music Series concludes its 07-08 season with a surprise San Francisco debut, reprising the centerpiece of the inaugural Wordless Music Orchestra concerts from last January by presenting the West Coast premiere of Popcorn Superhet Receiver. The night before Radiohead takes the stage at the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, Wordless Music will feature composer and multi-instrumentalist Jonny Greenwood’s Popcorn Superhet Receiver for string orchestra. Maestro Benjamin Shwartz, resident conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, will lead the Magik*Magik Orchestra in a program of music by Arvo Pärt, a major influence on the music of Greenwood and Radiohead, along with Bay Area composers Fred Frith, Mason Bates and John Adams.

Local skateboarding legends Toad and Salmon host their 4th annual Chili Bowl Cook Off and Skateboard Contest at the newly opened La Raza Skatepark in Potrero Del Sol Park in San Francisco this Saturday, August 23, 2008. This event will showcase over 20 local skateboarders in a freestyle contest in the custom-made concrete bowl, and also a chili cook off contest with about a dozen contestants. Preliminary round of the skateboard contest begins at 9am, followed by the chili cook off (in past years, leftovers after the judges has their taste were free). Skateboard finals are in the afternoon. Free and open to the public. [video of 2005’s Toad & Salmon Chili Bowl & Skateboard contest]. (more…)

Announcing the Rock Make Street Festival, a free all day local music and crafts street fair in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. The free six-hour party will feature an expected fifty local independent arts and crafts vendors selling their wares alongside two stages of great indie music from a dozen of the best Bay Area independent rock bands. Starting at noon, twelve of the Bay Area’s best indie bands will grace Rock Make’s two stages, showcasing a great mix of indie rock, folk, and experimental pop music.  The full list of bands and set times is: Dame Satan (12:00pm), Settler (12:30), French Miami (1:00), Rademacher (1:30), Man/Miracle (2:00), Emily Jane White (2:30), Harbours (3:00), Silian Rail (3:30), Maus Haus (4:00), Tartufi (4:30), Low Red Land (5:00), and Trainwreck Riders (5:30). Dozens of vendors including clothing designer Amanda Archer, accessories designers Beyond Wonderland, Nous Savon, Pollyanna Cowgirl and jewlers Colleen Mauer and Squishy Sushi are confirmed. (more…)

Enjoy Downtown Redwood City’s Courthouse Square by bringing the family out to a free movie. The Summer in the City experience continues with a showing of 13 movies on Thursday evenings starting at sundown (approximately 8:45pm). Bring your blankets, pick up take-out food from the nearby wonderful restaurants and experience the outdoor “theater” with our 25 foot inflatable screen. August 28th film, street gangs have never been soooo adorable as in 1964’s “modern” adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story