After rejecting numerous proposals from a producer that really, really wanted to throw a free Golden Gate Park concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will throw a free Golden Gate Park concert celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love.
Ouch!
The Chronicle reports that Rec and Parks plans to hold "The Surrealistic Summer Solstice" on June 21:
The Surrealistic Summer Solstice boasts it will feature members of the Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and the Chambers Brothers, as well as "over 40 legendary musicians" in a jam that builds to a lighting of the Conservatory of Flowers in mandalas of psychedelic color.
Perhaps sounding defensive, Phil Ginsburg, the director of Rec and Parks clarified, "This is fundamentally a light installation where we are going to have music."
It sounds a bit like Ginsberg is purposefully downplaying the planned musical "four-hour jam" aspect of this LIGHT SHOW for the benefit of bummed-out promoter Boots Hughston. Houghton has spent months and months trying to get the city to approve his permits for a free concert in the park. First Hughston wanted to throw the concert on June 4 at the Polo Fields. Then the city told him to scale it down and do it August 27 at the smaller Sharon Meadow. So Hughston got the ball rolling on that event until the city told him to forget it all together.
Went to an open air Summer of Love concert on the site of an old colliery. It was mine blowing.
— Susannah Bean (@FemmeDomestique) June 1, 2017
Hughston didn't even know about the LIGHT SHOW until the Chronicle contacted him for a quote. Ouch again! Former and constant mayoral candidate Angela Alioto has offered to represent Hughston should he wish to engage in a battle over a summer all about love with the City and County of San Francisco.
"Basically, they are trying to steal our event," said Hughston.
The city's free LIGHT SHOW will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Conservatory of Flowers and attendees are asked to register on Eventbrite. The lighting of the Conservatory, which will take place at 9:15 p.m., was designed by Ben Davis of Illuminate the organization that brought us the Bay Lights.
"Boots is someone who lived the Summer of Love, who breathed it and should be allowed to have his day in the park," said Alioto, the Gloria Allred of San Francisco.
Musicians performing at the LIGHT SHOW include members of Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver, Hot Tuna, and the guy that sings, "Spirit in the Sky."
Related: Rec And Park Commission Denies Appeal For Summer Of Love 50th Anniversary Concert
