48 Hills writers and editors are choosing their Best of the Bay Editors’ Picks for our 50th anniversary Best of the Bay edition. See more great profiles here, and stay tuned for our Best of the Bay 2024 Readers’ Poll results coming in September!
On a recent gray and chilly Saturday afternoon, I saw signs of both Lower Polk’s ongoing struggles and positive change as I headed down Fern Alley between Larkin and Polk Streets. Just off Larkin, a small homeless encampment sagged against a wall, while a soulful voice crooned Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” nearby. That joyful noise was emanating from Fern Alley Music Series.
The free event series is put on by the Music City complex, which backs onto the alley. Part nightclub, part incubator for emerging musicians, the hub opened earlier this year. For Aprill Lacey, Music City’s entertainment director, and founder Rudy Colombini, hosting mini street fests in the alley through their nonprofit arm was a logical extension of their mission. And a way to help revitalize Lower Polk.
“We’re really trying to get eyes on Lower Polk and get folks to see it as a destination,” says Lacey, a member of the neighborhood improvement organizations Lower Polk Community Benefit District and Lower Polk Neighbors. “Across San Francisco, there are all these live music events. But I didn’t see much of that coming from Lower Polk.”
Along with great local bands like Tori Roze and the Hot Mess—the source of that alluring Green rendition I was hearing—the series also features artists and vendors, most of whom live in the neighborhood, including Andrea Fuenzalida.
“This is my neighborhood,” says the fine artist and graphic designer. “Lower Polk has struggled a lot. This is a space for the community to come together and for people to get to know each other. That provides more security for everyone.” .
I’ve seen the alley party buzz with bigger, more lively crowds on nicer days. But Lacey admits that attendance is still hit-or-miss. That’s partly because, even though the bar scene this part of Polk was known for before the pandemic is more subdued now, it’s still mainly active at night. Lacey notes that since the Fern Alley Music Series started last spring, that’s been slowly changing as more local businesses engage with and help promote the event. Uni Pizzeria and Grill, located on the corner of the alley, for example, used to only serve dinner. Now it’s open for lunch, so attendees can duck in and grab a slice. They can also order food from the Music City gastropub to-go window.
“We’re encouraging people to get food from local restaurants, listen to the music and check out the vendors,” says Lacey. “So many residents in the area are thanking us for being out there.”
Lacey is working to attract more vendors. (If you’re interested, here are the details on how to apply.) She’s also experimenting with adding more entertainment to the series, like stand-up comedy. Her team is on a mission to bring new grooves to the alley, whether times are good or bad, happy or sad …
FERN ALLEY MUSIC SERIES Fern Street between Polk and Larkin, SF. for more info, go here.
