The Scene: Free Live Music in San Francisco

Hey, gang! This Sunday is Radio Alice’s Summerthing! For those of you who either are not from or are new to the Bay Area, Radio Alice is a local radio station that plays largely Top 40 pop-style music, and every year, they take over Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park and put on a free concert for anyone who wants to come listen. And the awesome thing about this concert is that (a) the weather’s almost always amazing and fabulous, and (b) they get some surprisingly big-name artists to participate! This year’s line-up  includes Lifehouse, Kris Allen, One eskimO, and Thriving Ivory.

Seriously.

No…seeeerrriousssly!

Plus, there’s always a ton of vendors with grubbin’ food (garlic fries, anyone?) and fun activities to be had. This year includes an art station where you can get your Creative on, and photo booth station where you can get a free picture to commemorate the day.

A couple of things to know: dogs and kids are welcome! Yippee! That being said, please pick up after your pet(s) and youthful dependent(s) — for everyone’s sake! Plus, for those of you who are concerned that the welcoming of canines and children will lead to lame-o family fare, know that there generally are SEVERAL beer and wine and margarita stations, so adults get to play, too! Just make sure you add some water to the mix — trust me, even if it’s a little overcast, that sun will dry you out much faster than the local Irish pub. Which brings me to this: for God’s sake, wear some high SPF sunscreen, people! Trust me on this one! (I nag ’cause I love.)

And, finally, even though this concert is free — and I mean, it’s truly free; no passing the hat or not-so-subtle suggestions from your emcee to help out these poor, not-so-starving musician/artist types — Radio Alice will have a booth where you can find out more information about the San Francisco Parks Trust, the featured non-profit organization for this year’s concert. Not to get all politico on y’all, but seriously! Can we please all agree that having parks that are free and well-maintained and have not just a dedicated and much-appreciated volunteer staff but also a highly skilled and reasonably paid professional staff is a good thing?

*sigh*

O.K., that’s enough outta me. So, please, take advantage of this free concert! It’s a great time had by all in one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor areas with a surprisingly kickin’ sound system. I truly cannot recommend this enough (unless, y’know, you really hate these artists; then stay home — haters!). Peace, babies!

A quick heads-up:

In case you just can’t get enough free live music, this Sunday is West Fest 2009 in Golden Gate Park. The festivities are being held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and there will be hundreds of bands, as well as beat poets and various other “progressive” speakers. Here’s an excerpt from the festival’s Web site:

West Fest, set to be held in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, and also the events that led to the manifestation of Woodstock. Those who see West Fest as a West coast version of what was primarily an East coast even that changed the world should reevaluate. Woodstock 1969 was indeed one of the counterculture events that helped change American culture and define an entire generation, but the Free Speech Movement, Free Love Movement, Farm Workers Movement, Women’s Movement, Gay Rights Movement, Sexual Revolution, and many other anti-establishment rallies had their roots in the San Francisco area.

The free West Fest concert celebrates the achievements of the counterculture movement in the San Francisco area as well as the East coast efforts of flower children. What is now known as the Woodstock Nation has its roots buried all over the country. A generation that pushed the boundaries of authority and showed the world that they could live a peaceful existence with their fellow man is reuniting to send the same message this October.

This October will be more than a celebration of the most historic event in the history of music, but an entire generation who had the courage to change the world. So much more than just a concert, Woodstock 1969 was an embodiment of half a million individuals united in one set of ideals gathering to share peace, love, and music. Join the Woodstock Nation in Golden Gate Par [sic] on October 25, 2009 for West Fest. Events will include Beat Generation poets, hundreds of San Francisco musicians, anti-war speakers, members of the Free Speech Movement, members of the Green Movement, and many other guests that capture the spirit of the Woodstock Nation.

Some of the bands that’ll be playing include the Lost Creek Gang, Alameda All Stars, El Chicano, John York, The Mutaytor, Ray Manzarek, Barry “The Fish” Melton, and the infamous Country Joe.

Peace, babies!