Fashion, movies and parties!
Since fashion and music have always gone hand in hand, I’m beginning this column with the latest fashion news here in San Francisco.
On Thursday Nov 16th, there was a VIP Opening party for San Francisco’s first H&M store on Powell and O’Farrell in Union Square. This party was off the hook. There was a red carpet, klieg lights, cops and security everywhere, and a line of hundreds of people that went around the building. I should mention too, that I have never seen so many stylish people in line to go anywhere in San Francisco before. Everyone looked like stylists and model wanna-be’s. The party was guest list only, and our coolgrrrls publisher, Frank, got me on the list. The line was just so crazy though, that I almost left! Actually, I did leave for half an hour to get a drink. I came back later, and it hadn’t moved, so I left again to have another drink. When I finally returned, the line had moved a little, so I got in the back, begrudgingly. Luckily, a minute later, a guy gave me his VIP lanyards as he was leaving, so I was able to get right in. I felt like I had walked right into a dream!
As soon as I gained entry, I saw people serving trays of white wine and cosmos, and I began my white wine shopping frenzy. There were models (who I believe look a lot like giraffes when seen up close), full bars on each level with 3 bartenders at each, and servers with lots of lovely horderves. There was also terrible 80s DJ music blasting throughout. For this event, everything in the store was 25% off. I spent the next hour or so carrying a glass of wine in one hand, and a huge pile of clothes in the other. I had the best time at this party! It was so exciting… where else can you get models, beautiful discount clothing, booze and chocolate all in one place? I’m telling you, this was one of the best parties ever! I was on a high for a good 24 hours after it was over.
Two H&M’s opened to the public the following Saturday, Nov. 19th. The second H&M store is located on Post Street, just a few blocks away. I loved everything I bought, and I ended up going back to shop at both stores that opened that weekend. I spent about $500, and it was all money well spent.
If you haven’t heard of H&M, you are most likely American; and don’t worry, I am sure you’ll have one near you soon. This store is all over Europe, having begun in Sweden. It’s been said that they are like the “Ikea of clothing.” They carry very stylish clothing at extremely reasonable prices. For women, I would describe their clothes as a more affordable Bebe, or a more stylish Express. Anyway, H&M is the best thing ever. I can’t seem to get enough! I could live the rest of my life wearing only things from their stores, and I could die happy. They are currently expanding throughout the US, and I expect that every major city will have stores soon. New York City has already been graced by H&M for some time now. The last thing I will say about it is: they have the best lace thongs for around $5 each and I think I bought about 20!
I was on such a high after my shopping frenzy that I decided to pop in to the Clift Hotel’s Redwood Room for a drink on my way home. The Clift is one of Ian Schrager’s (of Studio 54 fame) Hotels. He has them all over the world, and all of them are stylish. I ordered a glass of Chardonnay and was given a $17 bill! After tip, I was drinking a $19 glass of wine! I was irritated, but I met a bunch of people who I joined, and they got the next one so I was appeased.
December is here, and the Holiday party season is upon us. I can’t tell you how many open bar parties I’ve been to! But I always have to make time for the punk rock. I went to a show Sat. Dec 10th that was so much fun, I couldn’t believe it. It was a Christmas party for the Lusty Lady at Studio Z, and it had many different elements: Punk Rock, Burlesque, Sleaziness, and a super fun crowd! The sleaze factor was due to the Lusty Lady… this is a nude Peep show strip club in North Beach. For their party, in addition to booking some great punk bands and burlesque performers, they had a back room show with lube wrestling where girls were sliding around wrestle-mania like, but topless. I walked back to see it for a second, but was completely bored by it! I am a straight girl though, and I was there for the music.
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My friends The Grannies were playing when I arrived, and they put on such a great set. They are a favorite of mine because not only do they sound great, but also since they dress up as “Grannies,” they are just hilarious in addition to sounding good. Dean, the singer spent most of the set mooning the crowd while singing. This always kills me. I can’t go to a Grannies show and not have fun. They are the most fun band in San Francisco, hands down.
After their set, Thee Merry Widows played. They’re an all-girl Psychobilly band I’ve written about before. The next band that played, The Nightcrawlers, were amazing. I have to admit though, by the time they played, I was drunk! I had a cocktail party before the show from 5-10 pm, so by the time the headliner went on around midnight, I was considerably “happy!” I do remember being at the front while they performed and thinking, ‘This band is great!’ I will have to go see them again as soon as possible!
In between bands, my favorite Burlesque performer, Roky Roulette, performed. He was wearing a Santa suit and did a striptease while bouncing on a pogo stick. He’s a riot! Also, Drag King Fudgie Frottage did a number, whipping out a big dildo… it was pretty funny. I don’t see that every day!
I recently saw 2 different movies about the New York Dolls at the Roxie Cinema in the Mission District. I would highly recommend both films. The first, called New York Doll, is a documentary about bass player Arthur Kane, who sort of faded into obscurity and poverty until the Dolls reunited a few years ago to tour. It was a very funny movie, and also very sad. I laughed a lot and cried a little too. I won’t spoil it for you by giving you the details, but check it out if you’re a fan of rock documentaries. (Click on this link to watch a trailer. movies.yahoo.com)
The next week, a film by Bob Gruen, All Dolled Up, turned out to be even better. Bob Gruen is a famous photographer who shot all the 70s punk greats: Sex Pistols, Ramones, you name it. This film is all early Dolls performances, rare interview footage, and backstage antics. While watching it, I was actually in awe. I thought it was amazing. Johnny Thunders, with the big hair, was just fascinating to look at. (For more info, photos, or to watch the trailer, check this link. newyorkdollsdvd.com)
Last week I went to a really random, fun Christmas party for Rock River, which is a company that places music in commercials. It was at their loft offices in the Mission, and it was a really fun party. Hieroglyphics performed, whom I LOVE. They are a really great local hip-hop group who won an SF Weekly award this year, and I mentioned them in an earlier column. There was open bar, a big buffet of food, clothing for sale, and a bunch of kids were there. There was a group of young boys aged about 6 to 12, who all danced hip-hop style, but they were too shy to dance in front of the band. I kept telling them to get out there and one of them said, “We’ll dance if you’ll dance with us, Alisha.” I decided it would be fun to dance with a group of young boys, so I did. I was the only adult dancing until later on when some spazzy chick decided to really go at it to the Rondo Brothers, a DJ team who also performed. It was a really funny night. I love to make an ass out of myself the way children often do!
Friday Dec 16th, I went to the Thrasher Skater of the Year Awards to see Manic Hispanic play. They put on a great show. They sounded awesome, and the crowd was going crazy. It was a whole lot of fun. For those of you who don’t know about this band, they are a bunch of talented musicians from other well known punk bands, who dress up as stereotypical LA Mexicans, and make the words to well-known punk songs cater to a Mexican theme. It’s very amusing. One of my favorites they do is “Mommy’s Little Chola,” instead of Social Distortion’s “Mommy’s Little Monster.” www.manichispanic.net
I’m off to Dallas for the holidays. Everyone have a good one and you’ll be hearing from me after the New Year.
XOXO Alisha Amnesia
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