Born again: Iconic Starlite shimmers anew on top of the Beacon Grand
The revamped Starlite is dramatic, but elegant. San Francisco bars are having a blessed resurgence, exuding personality, class, and great cocktails.
Since 1928, San Francisco sparkled and shimmered from the 21st floor of the Beacon Grand, where the iconic Starlite bar was recently reborn this winter. Formerly the historic Sir Francis Drake, the hotel underwent a massive remodel not long ago, then everyone got invited to a big reveal of the new Starlite in late January.
The newest overhaul is more gorgeous than any remodel prior, thanks to local Alice Crumeyrolle, previously a senior designer at none other than Ken Fulk Inc. I felt a classier vibe walking into the preview, with the redone digs markedly less gaudy than the old days in red and black, and more soothing than the clubbier Lizzie’s Starlite of recent years.
Read the latest by Virginia Miller
Colleen Jones: Gliding through life with grace, grit, and amazing hair
Glide past Golden Gate Park and you’ll likely spot Colleen Jones soaring through the air on one foot, showcasing her latest skating trick while her long white locks fly behind her. With a collection of roller skates that could rival a local boutique, Jones is a force to be reckoned with in San Francisco’s roller skating scene.
Read the latest by Cayenn Landau
Start spring like a boss in San Francisco
Spring has sprung, finally. We’ve recently experienced some bright spots in our city that’s otherwise been very wet and dreary in 2024. From blooming flowers in Golden Gate Park to lively events like the Cherry Blossom Festival, San Francisco offers a great range springtime adventures. Here are a bunch of suggestions.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
SF I love you. Unrequitedly.
“SF I love you. Unrequitedly. As soon as I leave, all I can do is think about you fondly, and plot a return.
Your beauty, perhaps, is paralleled by Mendocino and Santa Barbara, eclipsed by most European cities. Your gingerbread Victorians are lovely, but also proto-tract-homes, and you haven’t had an architectural gem unveiled in decades. You would be equally sprawling if you had the land mass, and you’re blessed with windswept coast on three sides that make you appear more clean than you are.”
We revived this archival post from 2000s Craigslist
What we’re doing this week
Hunky Jesus 2024
Hunky Jesus is a spectacle that blends satire, artistry, and a dash of the outrageous. Elaborate costumes exude charm, humor, and creativity, all to compete for the coveted title of the city’s sexiest savior. The Hunky Jesus contest is rooted in the spirit of inclusivity and community that defines San Francisco. It’s a celebration that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or beliefs, to come together and embrace diversity in all its forms.
WHEN: March 31, Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Dolores Park at 20th and Church streets, San Francisco
Bring Your Own Big Wheel
It’s that time again. Here’s a very San Francisco race where participants ride down on oversized plastic tricycles and big wheels. The event attracts people of all ages who come together for a day of fun and nostalgia.
WHEN: March 31, Easter Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Starting line at 800 Vermont St., San Francisco
Indie film time: Carol Doda Topless at the Condor
The story of the fresh-faced girl next door who defied convention and the law by gyrating atop a white baby grand piano and turning a North Beach nightclub into the city’s second-most-popular tourist attraction after the Golden Gate Bridge.
WHEN: March 24 to April 3, 2024 - various showtimes
WHERE: The Roxie, 3117 16th St., San Francisco
Also coming up: “Show of Hope” gala with Community Health Center
This event honors the Community Health Center’s commitment to providing essential healthcare services to underserved communities. Their annual gala features inspiring speakers, good dinner and dancing. ABC7 sponsors the event, so the morning crew that attends is always a hoot. We spent some time with Nancy Pelosi at this one last year, and London Breed also spoke.
WHEN: April 19, 2024 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Ctr.
What’s on our mind
We keep content mostly fun and light at The Bold Italic, but the future of the Bay Area interests us, too. Here’s what we are thinking about in local news. Brought to you by GrowSF.
Entire family of four killed by speeding driver at West Portal
Tragedy struck West Portal over the weekend. A 78-year-old woman slammed her speeding SUV into a bus stop killing a husband, wife and their two children, including a three-month-old. The family had been waiting to take the bus to the zoo to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Witnesses report the driver was speeding in the wrong lane and didn’t even hit her brakes before smashing into the family.
This tragedy joins 7 other fatal crashes this year, putting San Francisco on track to exceed last year’s body count. Vision Zero continues to be an abject failure.
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The Bold Italic publishes first-person stories on topics that are on the brains and lips of San Franciscans. We’re a hub for conversations to be heard and discussed, and we celebrate all that’s great about living in San Francisco and the Bay Area. We hope our continuing conversation will get you thinking, talking, and inspiring you to share your opinions with us on living in San Francisco.
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The Bold Italic is brought to you by GrowSF and edited by Saul Sugarman. Send us a pitch, a question, comment, or advertise with us: info@thebolditalic.com