From Berlin to San Francisco: How Folsom Street Fair stacks up globally
San Francisco streets drew hundreds of thousands of kinksters on Sunday. But some craved more action akin to Berlin’s wild scene.
As San Franciscans, we are justifiably proud of the Folsom Street Fair — our annual homegrown kink and fetish street fair that just celebrated its 41st year this past Sunday. With anywhere from 250,000 to 400,000 attendees, it is by far the largest leather event in the world. The fair transforms SoMa into a vibrant playground for leather-clad revelers, puppy-play enthusiasts, and BDSM aficionados.
But not everyone thought it was as wild as it could be; This year we saw international visitors from Berlin and Vancouver, some who praised Folsom’s diversity and open spirit but others who wanted us to push our boundaries further.
Here is Folsom in photos and reactions by Adriana Roberts
Portola Music Festival 2024 was all chaos, bass, and tequila
Portola Music Festival 2024 was like navigating a labyrinth of sound, where you could lose your friends, find yourself in a warehouse rave, and spend $28 on a margarita strong enough to knock you sideways. Pier 80 became a pulsating playground with its massive cranes and industrial vibes, serving up two days of relentless beats and unpredictable weather.
Read about our first experience at Portola Music Festival
Fabric Outlet is closing — and it’s a knife to my heart
Fabric Outlet announced this weekend it would close its doors after nearly 30 years in business, with its last day on November 23rd. I went today in the early hours of opening, and it felt like a massive funeral procession, with customers snaked in line around the store, hugging their favorite bolts all marked at 40 percent off. The line took two hours to stand in, and by the end I had spent just about a crapload of money.
Read the latest by Saul Sugarman
The Great Highway came alive with Taraval Night Market
Whenever I invite friends to the Outer Sunset, I often hear the same complaints: It’s too far, there’s nothing to do out there, and the beach is too cold. But I believe Ocean Beach residents know how to throw a good party. While the Irving and Chinatown night markets attract large crowds from across the city, including out-of-town tourists, the Great Highway felt like a gathering of neighbors.
Read the latest by T. Von D.
My night at Juanita More’s first public naked dinner
No pants, no problem: A mix of high fashion meets zero clothes for the San Francisco drag queen’s “33rd birthday.” Though I read a bunch of articles about this event, I didn’t really know what to expect. The dinners are usually invite-only in her apartment. I barely ate all day in prep for this feast I’m about to partake in and I had sex a few hours before, in part to take the edge off.
Read the latest by Diego Gómez
What we’re doing this week
Beats for Boobs Fashion Show + Fundraiser
Join the Beats for Boobs community for an electrifying night of art, fashion, music, and philanthropy at The Great Northern on October 5, 2024. This year’s theme, "Reflections of Love :: Magic of the Disco," will blend creative culture with breast health education, while raising funds for local breast cancer organizations like Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Bay Area Young Survivors. They’ll have a lineup of talented DJs, a fashion show in tribute to designer Silver Lucy, and an array of local bites.
Honestly in the many event pitches we get lately, this one just looked fun — but it’s a little $$ at $60.
WHEN: Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7pm-2am
WHERE: The Great Northern, 119 Utah St, San Francisco, CA
Castro Street Fair
The Castro Street Fair is an annual festival held in San Francisco's Castro District, typically on the first Sunday of October. And we love it, and we’ll see you there — this was our experience last year.
It was founded in 1974 by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in California, to celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in the area. The fair features live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, and community outreach booths.
WHEN: Sunday, October 6, from 11 AM to 6 PM
WHERE: Castro District, San Francisco (centered around Castro and Market Streets)
“Closer Than Yesterday” premiere
Closer Than Yesterday” follows two young San Francisco Ballet dancers behind the scenes as they compete on the world stage at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. As they navigate setbacks and comebacks, they’re coached by former San Francisco Ballet Principal Dancer Tiit Helimets.
This screening is followed by a Q&A with director Lisa Le Lievre, dancer Carmela Mayo, and producer/coach Tiit Helimets moderated by Katja Björner.
WHEN: Friday, October 4 @ 8:00PM
WHERE: LucasFilm Premier Theater
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.
Valencia’s center bike lane is getting replaced
Big changes are finally on their way to Valencia Street, where a much-talked-about center bike lane is getting a redesign — and relocation out of the middle of the road. After months of debate, the bike lane will move back to the curbside, featuring a new “parking-protected” design between 15th and 23rd streets, meaning cyclists won’t be directly next to moving cars.
SFMTA received a mixed reaction when they presented their plan at a community meeting on Monday. Some felt that the new curbside lane could introduce new conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians, especially near “floating parklets” that would allow cyclists to ride in between dining areas and the curb. Others, including local businesses, appreciated the move, as the center lane had been blamed for declining foot traffic and safety issues.
Donate to The Bold Italic today
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.
You can help us celebrate our home by making a tax-deductible donation through our Flipcause page. We can also take stock, and Donor Advised Fund donations. We are partnered with Independent Arts & Media, a 501(c)(3).
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