Via the editor's inbox, we received the following setup: more ›

We've been fans for awhile, and now NBC 11's Traci Grant -- who seems like a lot of fun, and someone should throw a local Emmy at her -- has also picked up on the awesome public art piece Muni Hot or Not of the Now over at Nature abhors a vacuum. more ›

Usually, we don't feature arena concerts, but Wednesday night's concert featuring Mute Math, Alanis Morissette and Matchbox Twenty, is well worth it and is something to talk about. First off, who ever decided that those three bands ever belonged together? Strange enough, we kinda think it works (in an extremely 90's kind of way). With the arena setting, hopefully Mute Math will finally get the extra push to become a household name. Their concerts are continually called "amazing" and Alternative Press named them as the "#1 Band You Need to See Live Before You Die”. (What a title!) We think it's slightly awesome that Alanis Morissette is touring even though she hasn't had a record release since 2005. Her upcoming seventh studio album, Flavors of Entanglement is being released on May 20, 2008. It is being produced by one of our music heroes, Guy Sigsworth. The evening is headlined by Matchbox Twenty. We assume that their set list will be quite similar to their latest album, Exile on Mainstream. It featured six new songs and eleven greatest hits - sounds like a perfect set list to us. more ›

A lonelyheart would very much like to reconnect with an extra that he met on the set of . (It's not us, by the way. If you recall, we were deemed too grotesque to star in the film about former SF Supervisor Harvey Milk, and haven't left our apartment since.) We're posting it because how they met would make a great story for the two to tell their grandchildren one day. Sigh. more ›

Nicole Atkins starts this week off strong with some soulful tunes from the Jersey shore over at The Independent, starting at 8pm. She's crazy-cool and has a voice of gold. If you're more of a rocker, than get to Cafe du Nord early to see Cold Hot Crash and Filter play. It looks like the only way you can buy tickets is at the door and there's not too many of them. A Fine Frenzy, an alternative singer-songwriter and pianist headlines at Cafe du Nord on Tuesday night. She'll be supported by the talented Ferras and the English rock band, Ben's Brother. Again, get there early, the only way you'll get tickets is at the door. more ›

Image credit: Michelle Malkin more ›

• Lucas (1986), Say Anything (1989), My Bloody Valentine (1981): The first film has socially-retarded Corey Haim falling head over heels in love with a sensitive football player, Charlie Sheen, or something like that; Cameron Crowe's tale of teenage love and angst has John Cusack causing egregious noise pollution when he holds up a ghettoblaster pumping out a Peter Gabriel ballad; and the final film has a murderer in a small coal mining town killing those who celebrate Valentine's Day. They screen at 7:30 p.m., 9:45, and midnight, respectively, at the Castro Theatre; $6-9.
• Editors: Yeah, yeah. We screwed up. Again. The SSRIs are running low this week. Stupid shrink. Anyway, check out this English indie rock band along hipster favorites Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV. Music starts at 8 p.m. at the Warfield; $23.
• The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Love on Wheels: As SFist Jim mentioned before, tonight's Dating Game parody in Hayes Valley should be divine. Starts at 7 p.m. at Rickshaw Stop; free for members of the SFBC ($10 for non-members).

Look out, Alamo Square! A "hot prowl" has been reported! We have no idea what that means -- maybe SF Crime knows? -- but oh lord how it makes us giggle. Time to send in the Hot Cops! more ›

It's that time again. (We can't believe it's already Monday.) As usual, there is great music going on every night of the week so make sure you take the jump to see our daily recommendations. We've been counting down the days to see Sara Bareilles since we heard about this tour back in December. It's here. Finally. Bareilles will be opening for James Blunt in the VH1's "You Oughta Know" tour. There's no way you haven't heard of James Blunt - his single, "You're Beautiful" was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006. This was the first time a Brit had been in the #1 spot since Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" in 1997. Clearly, everyone knows who James Blunt is. The real question is: Do you know who Sara Bareilles is? We've been spouting praise about this singer/songwriter since we saw her open for Aqualung almost a year ago. We knew she would be big; we just had a feeling. Now with "Love Song" on regular airplay on radio stations nationwide there's a reason she's opening for Blunt in the "You Oughta Know" tour. With high-powered vocals, Bareilles can out-sing most, if not all, of the music industries' pop stars. Not only do we love her rich yet effortless voice, but her clever music is indeed what pop music needs right now. We would never miss her concert and you shouldn't either. more ›

• Beatropolis: Oh joy! Beatropolis has returned! (Not that they really went anywhere, but it always feels like forever when they're not around.) Anyway, Beatropolis' special brand of dance rock, live drum 'n' bass, and futuristic space pop will have you up until the wee hours of the morning. The Toy Soldiers (a heady nu-electrorawk mix of Flaming Lips, Justin Timberlake, and Hot Chip) and the Buttercream Gang (a local indie/post-punk/afro-beat band) also perform starting at 8 p.m. at Rickshaw Stop; $8.
• The Geek System: Starring Hard 'n Phirm , Reggie Watts, and " We have no idea what that last thing means--okay, some of that other stuff, too--but anything Kraftwerk-y is simply smashing by us. Starts at 10 p.m. at the Knockout; free.

You guys rock. Like, for reals. Why? Because just seconds after SFist Dan reported on today's 22-Fillmore mash up, we find an image of said Muni bus stacking in our inbox. more ›

The food section round up is back. We gobble the various food sections up each Wednesday. But first: ready to "dine and go to heaven" in San Francisco? We are! Dine About Town is here, and prix fixe dining heaven costs $21.95 for lunch and $31.95 for dinner. Participating restaurants include: A16, B44, Cafe de la Presse, La Provence and others. This heaven won't qualify as a cheap eat, but it's presumably cheaper than what you may normally pay at these spots. Check availability; not all restaurants offer lunch and dinner special pricing. more ›

• Londonist pondered who might be the next sponsors of the London Eye and whether or not readers would be willing to donate £1,000 each for a Londonist Eye.
• Shanghaiist was shocked to find a cameltoe in the city's only English-language paper.
• Gothamist believed that a writer who wanted pre-gentrified gritty New York and ended up getting beaten up during a mugging learned his lesson.

Goes from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Deco Lounge; $5.

If you haven't decided what you are doing to celebrate the New Year, it's okay - it seems that limited tickets are still available to tonight's biggest shows. We have a feeling they will go quick. If you don't like crowds, you can check out Radiohead's New Year's Eve bash on your couch with a bottle of booze. For the partiers, there are several options ranging from $8 at Hotel Utah to $100 at Cafe du Nord - something for everyone. We put the Radiohead broadcast on tivo and are headed out to the rockin' party at Bottom of the Hill where San Francisco's own, Scissors for Lefty will be headlining. If you want to dance, instead of rock, then check out popscene's dance party featuring Blaqk Audio. Where will you be tonight? more ›

The singing starts at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Slim's; $15.

Here are the top 20 Popscene shows of 2007, as voted by the fans of Popscene: more ›

Since the advent of the digital camera, we haven't stepped foot inside a Costco. Now we have a reason to return. Today's Hot Stuff ("Catering by Costco") in the Merc rates the appetizers found in the frozen food section of everyone's favorite warehouse store. Some of their top picks are the Full Circle Torta Stella, Cuisine Adventures' spanakopita, Clear Springs' smoked rainbow trout (smoked trout is phenomenal, folks -- miles above smoked salmon), and Jeremiah's Fine Foods shrimp and scallop cakes. To the best of our knowledge, we haven't tasted any one of these fine food products, but anything branded "Cuisine Adventures" can't be half bad, can it? more ›

This week we want to focus on the local music scene even though it seems that Portland natives' Blitzen Trapper and Stephen Malkmus have captured San Franciscan's hearts - Wednesday's show is sold out. (There aren't even any tickets available on Craigslist!) more ›

Here's todays sports news more ›

-- Booty Call Wednesdays: Local living legend and drag artist Juanita MORE! shares the spotlight with her harem of followers, the More Boys as well as her fans, at this night of drunken debauchery and DJ dancing. DJ Missy Hot Pants and Juanita man the decks, so to speak, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Bar On Castro; free. more ›

We had twenty but it's down to the last five. Live 105, a big supporter of local music scene (see popscene) is at it again. Each December, Live 105 hosts the "Not So Silent Night" event which brings a host of great bands - this year it's Modest Mouse, Jimmy Eat World, Angels & Airwaves, Spoon and Paramore - to San Francisco. (Seems like a great line-up to us.) To make it even more... more ›

Judging from the range of performers this week, there is something for everyone. Starting first, in our weekly recommendations, is New Zealand singer-songwriter, Brooke Fraser. Prior to this post, we knew nothing about this accomplished 19 year-old but a quick visit to her MySpace page and we were hooked. Tuesday, you can catch this gorgeous, pop-writing sensation at Cafe du Nord. If not, download her latest release, Albertine on iTunes. Wednesday, we are welcoming... more ›

In Los Angeles, LAist most definitely celebrated Thanksgiving like no other. After all, one has to keep up all the energy to keep on walking the line at the Writers Strike and fighting the unfortunate return of the wildfires in Malibu, which single handedly destroyed over fifty homes within the first 24 hours. National outlets may be covering the fires, but CNN also found it is easier to buy a gun than fruit and veggies in South Central. On the entertainment front, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are suing Showtime over the show titled Californication and Rami Kashou of Project Runway chatted with LAist about his Palestinian heritage and, of course, designing beauty. more ›

Blah blah blah soup kitchens blah blah fun-runs blah holiday schedules. All that stuff's fascinating, of course, but here's what we really want to know: Muni, where can we find all the hottest Xmas shopping deals? Aside from Dress Barn, of course. Fear not, shoppers, for Muni's assembled a guide to holiday buying, starting on the day after Thanksgiving and extending to late December. Thanks to the MTA, you are now fully prepared to buy gifts, no matter which Xmas you celebrate: the real one, the Jewish one, or the black one. more ›

Tonight, for one night only, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts will be featuring two sneak previews of Dirty Country, a highly entertaining documentary about the underground world of raunchy music, directed by Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, founders and hosts of the Found Footage Festival, which sold out four shows at the Red Vic last month. Dirty Country, which won the Audience Award at this year's South By Southwest, is part of Yerba... more ›

-- Comedy, Darling: Sleepover!: Mary Van Note hosts a new monthly underground talk and comedy show, where the stand-up is done in pajamas. Cute! Breaking the hymen of this monthly party is gangbang of hardcore comedic talent, featuring Brent Weinbach, Richard Kiss, Candy Churilla, Chris Garcia, and musical guest Jethro Jeremiah. The funny startsd at 8 p.m. at Edinburgh Castle; $8. more ›

We'll do the partying and/or dying, so you don't have to. Homebound denizens of San Francisco, the Bay Area, and the world at large. Our editor, Brock, will be coming at you live from the Castro all night. We'll bring you live reportage of the costumes, "unsanctioned gaiety," Dachau-like police state, public urination, and/or absolutely nothing happening at all whatsoever. Stay tuned. 10:45 Update: That's it. We're done here, folks. If there's a shooting... more ›

-- They're not mad at you, they're mad at the dirt: unkempt offices at the Chronicle and elsewhere. [SFBG] more ›

After last week's dueling press conferences and memo-leakage, the Homeless issue is becoming the Issue du Jour, leading to a full-fledged reporter dogpile. First came CW Nevius who weighed in with yet another story on the issue, this time saying that even in liberal, tolerant, San Francisco, residents might not be feeling so liberal and tolerant when it comes to dealing with the homeless. As evidence, he points to one of those online polls SFGate ran about the issue in which 90% of the people said they wanted something to be done. We, as a rule, hate those "polls" because it's actual scientific value is nil as it's all determined by people who were motivated enough to play along and doesn’t factor in those who were too lazy to. more ›