In the face of another Trump era, I'll continue to seek joy in San Francisco
San Francisco remains resilient, irreverent and the most progressive city in our country — not to mention beautiful. Now is the time to remember that.
It feels weird to write a newsletter celebrating local arts while ignoring what happened on Tuesday. We knew a Trump presidency was somewhere in the cards, but it’s not something San Francisco nor I will happily accept. And I won’t downplay our collective mood simply because The Bold Italic writes about parks, parties, and concerts.
I got into arts journalism after years of listening to bitchy comments that soared between the cubicles of a Financial District newspaper. My coworkers wanted their paycheck but hated our conservative overlords — a situation not unlike the direction we’re headed nationally. I eventually donned an excessive amount of sequins and guzzled dirty martinis, anything to lighten the mood. Then I made a career out of that.
The need for laughs and celebrating our city never felt more essential than in this moment. I remember eight years ago on the heels of Trump’s first win. Bigots felt emboldened while my progressive friends raged against the world, flooding social media with their opinions and often fighting each other. That reality will inescapably return in some part, but it doesn’t mean we should simply ride the current.
San Francisco remains resilient, irreverent and the most progressive city in our country — not to mention beautiful. I love a fog-draped stroll down Outer Sunset avenues, weaving through the crowds at the Ferry Building, and enjoying everything from queer cabarets in the Castro to browsing vintage finds in Haight-Ashbury.
I love the drum circles in Golden Gate Park, getting lost walking through Mission murals, and sunbathing in Dolores. I love late-night jazz spilling out of North Beach clubs, catching an indie film at the Roxie, getting fresh-baked bread at Tartine, and wandering through Japantown, browsing trinket shops and stopping for matcha ice cream. Most of all I love being myself, a proud queer man who celebrates equality, sexual expression, and nonconforming, outrageous fashion.
None of this changes because of the ballots cast on Tuesday. There is joy in San Francisco that I’ll continue to report on, places to visit, and new businesses to support. I hope you’ll join me.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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).
What we’re doing this week
Crying. J/K the events move on in San Francisco, here’s what’s up:
SF Coffee Festival
The 8th Annual San Francisco Coffee Festival is set to offer an experience for coffee enthusiasts, featuring over 100 curated roasters and exhibitors. Attendees can sample a diverse array of coffee concoctions, explore brewing products, and enjoy live musical entertainment. The festival also includes "Coffee Convos," educational sessions led by Bay Area coffee experts, and a Latte Art Competition.
It’s at Fort Mason so we expect a bit of a convention center vibe. But it looks cute.
WHEN: November 9–10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123
Fall Cider Fest
The San Francisco Fall Cider Fest is an annual celebration that invites attendees to savor the flavors of autumn. The event features unlimited pours of over 30 craft ciders, including unique flavors like sweet honey-sage, agave ginger, sour blood orange, and tropical passionfruit. Guests can also enjoy fall-themed dishes from more than 15 gourmet vendors, warm up by the fire pit with s'mores, and groove to live music. The festival is exclusively for those aged 21 and over, and pets are not permitted.
WHEN: Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: The Field at SPARK Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Blvd. North, San Francisco, CA 94158
Tweed Ride
The San Francisco Tweed Ride is an annual event where cycling enthusiasts don vintage tweed attire and embark on a leisurely group ride through the city's scenic neighborhoods. Participants celebrate classic fashion and cycling culture, often pausing for picnics and photo opportunities along the route. The event fosters a sense of community among riders and offers a nostalgic journey through San Francisco's streets.
WHEN: Saturday, November 9, 2024, gathering at 12:00 p.m. and rolling out at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mission Dolores Park, 566 Dolores St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Event pages are a bit scant for this one. The following link ought to go to its Facebook event page. Their Instagram is here.
San Francisco is to the United States foreign occupied territory that needs to be eliminated. You can TRY to stay, but if you're a progressive you will be arrested, and probably executed. If you can't pay more to the Supreme Court than MAGA does, you will be found guilty. Make the paradigm shift people; come January you live in a theocratic dictatorship. Get out of the country NOW, or stay involuntarily.