This week kicks off the grand daddy leather festival in San Francisco – The Folsom Street Fair. This event is celebrating 25 years and has grown in scale in the years I have gone to be quite a spectacle. With a smattering of dance events, social events, house parties, and the street fair itself, there is so much to do. However, I encourage you to go out and get into the events, don’t just be a spectator. So with that in mind, here are my picks for parties and events over the next two weekends, in chronological order (with abbreviated commentary).
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 20 – 10PM to Late
Industry – Mighty at 119 Utah
DJs Pagano and Luke Johnstone
This Industry is the kick off to Folsom Week with two amazing DJ talents. Luke Johnstone who is a great DJ and producer will certainly make the room come alive along with the sexy beats of DJ Pagano. Both of these guys have never let me down. Additionally, this is West Coast premiere of “Schwartzwald”, the movie you can dance to. Should be a fun crowd and a great party with a smattering of leather clad men, hot muscle, and fun party goers.
SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 21 – 11PM to 3AM
Industry – Club Eight at 1151 Folsom Street
DJ Frank Wild
While this event is a little late for me on a school night (Sunday), it does offer a great DJ talent in Frank Wild, in a rather intimate setting. Fresh back from touring Germany and doing Folsom Berlin, I would expect Frank will keep the energy going from Fresh at this club for the evening. Check it out if you can stay up late and keep the energy going.
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 26 – 9PM to Late
Bearracuda Magnum – DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh with DJ Pete Savas
Tag Team set with DJ Pete Savas and DJ Ted Eiel
This is round two for the Bearracuda folks with Magnum at DNA Lounge. As mentioned in other reviews, this is my favorite space for small venue with flagging and dancing space. I love it. And what could be better than two great DJ’s, Pete Savas and Ted Eiel, doing a tag team set on the decks that night. I hope to get a good dose of good chunky house music with a shot of lyrics to make it all go down. Ok, and there is possibly one better thing about this event, in the fact that the poster child for this event is my best friend (yes – just go check it out kids and you will know who it is).
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 27 – 10PM to 4AM
Magnitude –The Regency Center – 1290 Sutter St. (At Van Ness)
DJ Paul Goodyear
Magnitude is a premier dance event in San Francisco for the Leather Weekend, and certainly the place to be seen prior to the Sunday Street Fair. DJ Paul Goodyear has always thrown down great sets of music, perfectly fitting the event. Paul can range from handbags, to fluff, to deep sexy grooves, and always has an appealing set as far as I am concerned. This is a high leather gear party, while not required, gear, fetish wear, and leather is encouraged. This will be a sexy and dark party with an array of hot guys, bears, leather clad studs, and muscle galore. The venue is new to me for the dance scene, having only been there for a couple other events, so that part is yet to be seen. However, if you want the Saturday night ticket for Folsom Weekend, and you are not too busy at some “private” party, be sure to get your tickets early and get to Magnitude.
SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 28 – Noon to 6PM
The Folsom Street Fair– Folsom Street from 10th to 7th
While not likely I will make it out to much, if any, of the street fair, this is an event not to be missed. The fair runs from 10th to 7th along Folsom Street with vendors, drinking, dancing and entertainment, oh and then there is the crowd of hot leather clad folks. Check it out – this is the main attraction of the weekend. Weather looks to be good, so dress in layers to reveal some skin through the sun of the day. One of my favorite things to do at this street fair is to just hang out with friends along Dore Alley next to the Power House bar and watch the crowd pass by. The endless parade of people is really the best part of the event, and you never know what you might see (or what you did not want to see – as is often the case). However, save some energy, because when the sun goes down, there is one more event I want you to go to.
SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 28 – 7PM to 4AM
Real Bad– Club 1015 – 1015 Folsom Street
DJ Tim Jones
I should preface this statement with a clear disclaimer. I am part of the production team for this event and JuicyFruitJim.com is also a proud sponsor of Real Bad XX. So with that said, this is a great party. I attended this once as a spectator and quickly found myself on the host list and participating in the production of the party. This party has a lot to offer including flagging stage, a great club space, and an amazing chill out area in “The Vault” with DJ Beatdaddy, lights, cryo blasts, and more. Come check out this community fundraiser and dance. Tickets are most easy to come by if you know a host, if not ask your friends, check Craig’s list, or be one of the few at the door to pick up one of the very limited tickets at the door.
So, there you have it – a slice of the fruit – a drink of nectar – JuicyFruit’s top picks for Folsom Week 2008. Coming up in the next release, Castro Street Fair Weekend, Love Parade, Burning Man Decompression, and Remember the Party – remember I said this is the party season in San Francisco.
See you on the dance floor.
Jim 'Juicy Fruit' Hauck
Check out my Blog... The Juice Box
San Francisco, California
USA
www.winterparty.com
