The Scene: Free Live Music in San Francisco

Hey, gang! So, Misisipi Mike — whom you, dear readers, will know as one of the members of the illustrious Mission Three band, reviewed here by The Scene — gave us a heads-up on a cool show that’s happening today! If you like roots and/or country music, check it out:

Who: Gayle Lynn and the Hired Hands

Where: Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery Street

What: Country, Roots, Bluegrass

When: Sunday, January 17th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Anything Else?: Misisipi Mike of The Mission Three will also be performing! Also, this venue streams their live events via an in-window media player you can find on their Web site’s home page (although the player appears to be down at the moment). This venue happens to be one of those quintessential city neighborhood stores, chock full o’ great books and music, and hosts an average of 20 live music and literary events every month! And, finally, you should know that, while this event is free, there is a suggested donation of $10, although the venue operators are adamant that a lack of money should not keep you away from joining in on the fun! (Oh, and this is a family friendly venue; kids are not only welcome, but encouraged!)

So, as well all know already, Annie’s Social Club has officially closed — that’s it! Gone kaput! No longer with us! So long, suckas!

Erm, except for…

This Thursday, Annie’s Social Club is putting on the Sneakeasy Speakeasy, an underground event that (if any officials ask) is not happening…except that it is. Here’s the requisite info:

Who: Sneakeasy Speakeasy

Where: Annie’s Social Club, 917 Folsom Street (between 5th and Falmouth Streets)

When: Thursday, January 14th, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

What: Burlesque, Gypsy, Bellydancing, Striptease

Anything Else?: This is a “Not Quite Free” event, so there is a $4 cover at the door. There will be drink specials, including $3 beers and $5 cocktails. The festivities will be hosted by Dottie Lux, and performers include Sister Kate, Bunny Pistol, Honey Lawless, and many, many more!

Well, gang, as previously promised, T-Licious Thursday is back, which means that The Scene gets another opportunity to review the incomparable Theresa Perez! Here are the details:

Who: Theresa Perez (T-Licious Thursday)

What: Latin Fusion, Funk, Soul, Jam Session

Where: Duboce Park Cafe, 2 Sanchez Street (at Duboce Avenue)

When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Anything Else?: For more information about Theresa Perez, the host of T-Licious Thursdays, check out this interview The Scene did with her last November. Also, if you are a musician at pretty much any level and love to jam, come along for the ride! This group of musicians and performers are hugely welcoming; there’s no better place to play!

Once again, we have managed to travel past the middle of the week, and it is now time to dust off our toe-tappers and make plans to go see some of the glorious free live music that this variegated city has to offer! Here are some of The Scene’s picks for this weekend (and pay special attention to Saturday’s killer line-up at Pissed Off Pete’s, and then Sunday’s one-of-a-kind pedal steel extravaganza at The Riptide): 

Friday, January 8th

Who: Kally Price
What: Vintage Blues, Vintage Jazz
Where: Revolution Cafe, 3248 22nd Street (between Bartlett & Mission Streets)
When: 8:45 p.m. — ?
Anything Else?: Kally Price hails from Oakland, and is known for her vintage blues and jazz vocal stylings.

Who: Jimmy Ryan Quintet
What: Jazz
Where: Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery Street (between Carrie & Diamond Streets)
When: 5:30 p.m. — 8 p.m.
Anything Else?: This is part of Bird & Beckett’s “Jazz in the Bookshop” series.

Saturday, January 9th

Who: Lighter Thieves / Rottencore / Of The Other
What: Rock, Punk, Alternative
Where: Thee Parkside, 1600 17th Street (between Carolina & Wisconsin Streets)
When: 3 p.m. — ?
Anything Else?: This is Thee Parkside’s regular Saturday Happy Hour show, which is all ages, and features drink specials; later that night (at 9 p.m., to be exact) will be their “Dinner and a Movie” event, where they’ll be screening The Hangover, and will have $5 burgers and $2 PBRs!

Who: Lucabrazzi / The Jibbers / Capp Street Girls / Bite
What: Industrial, Punk, Rock, Blues, Garage, Southern Rock, Glam
Where: Pissed Off Pete’s Bar and Grill, 4528 Mission Street (between Harrington Street & Santa Rosa Avenue)
When: 9 p.m. — ?
Anything Else?: This is part of “Danny Dee’s Birthday Bash,” and I, unfortunately, have no idea who that is. Maybe he’s one of the owners or a manager?

Sunday, January 10th

Who: Instrumental Dynamic Duo Crack Spackle
What: Rock, Experimental
Where: El Rio, 3158 Mission Street (between Powers & Precita Avenues)
When: 5 p.m. — 7 p.m.
Anything Else?: El Rio is a gay-friendly bar; the band will be playing in the front room; band members are Dawn Richardson (who is also a member of local band Dolorata, and who recently toured as a member of Tracy Chapman‘s band in Europe) and Joe Gore (who is a local composer/musician/producer that has worked with an impressive array of musicians, including Tom Waits, Aimee Mann, the Eels, and PJ Harvey).

Who: Joe Goldmark and the Seducers
What: Pedal Steel Guitar, Americana, Country, Rock, Roots
Where: The Riptide, 3639 Taraval Street (between 46th & 47th Avenues)
When: 7 p.m. — 10 p.m.
Anything Else?: You should know that Joe Goldmark is considered to be an expert at the pedal steel guitar; this is by far a golden opportunity to hear a master at his best!

Updated 1/11/10:

Well, tonight I learned a new lesson: always call a venue to get verbal confirmation that a particular show is actually happening! Turns out, the band is “still on vacation,” and so The Scene will have to review this show another time. I’ll let all y’all know. And I apologize for any confusion — it’s a process, people!

On Monday, January 11, 2010, The Scene will be reviewing Glenn Farr & Friends at The Chieftain Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant in San Francisco’s SOMA District. The details are as follows:

What: Glenn Farr & Friends (Celtic Music)

Where: The Chieftain, 198 5th Street (between Natoma & Howard)

When: 9 p.m. to ? (waiting for a call back to confirm how late the music goes)

Anything Else?: The Chieftain has live celtic music every Monday night beginning at 9 p.m.; please note that this is the start time for the Winter months; normally, the live music begins at 7 p.m.