It’s fitting for one of the most picturesque cities in the world that we keep discovering treasure troves of lost photographs of our fair, hilléd home. From 1970s Gay Halloween extravaganzas to fabulous shots of ’60s downtown glamour—recovered just this year alone—we’re constantly readjusting the lenses on our shared past.
Now comes A Fearless Eye: The Photography of Barbara Ramos, San Francisco and California, 1969-1973 (Chronicle Books, release date February 8), made up of incredible shots unearthed 50 years after they were taken by the San Francisco Art Institute grad and SFSU master in Interdisciplinary Arts—who switched careers midstream and started a handcraft jewelry business, packing her negatives away.
“Ramos’s photographs offer up stirring scenes from everyday life—a group of Hari Krishnas sing on Market Street, a window dresser changes a mannequin at the Union Square Macy’s, two men lean in for a kiss at a peace rally in Golden Gate Park,” says the press release. Other shots I love that her voracious eye captured, surprisingly skipping unbounded across racial, class, and gender lines: A woman showing very much cleavage to the camera at an art opening at De Young Museum; a hyperactive gaggle of little boys in Vietnam-era army uniforms waving toy guns beneath an American Flag poster that reads “We Do Care”; a disheveled man on MUNI with a chihuahua peeking out of his shirt.
Ramos brilliantly captured a period of tumultuous urban change, when the last vestiges of conformist yet highly romantic “polite society” were clashing with the colorful chaos of individual expression—and the increasing neglect, decay, and poverty that were beginning to overwhelm each. Sounds kind of familiar.
EVENTS OF NOTE
FRI/31-MARCH 21: REX RAY: ETERNAL It’s been 10 years since iconic artist Rex Ray left us at age 58, bequeathing a colorful output for the ages. The internationally recognized artist, activist, and graphic designer was one of the grand figures of San Francisco’s high queer era: Gallery 16 is mounting this fabulous career-spanning retrospective, and it’s not to be missed. Opening reception Fri/31, 6pm-9pm with DJ Andy Cabic of Vetiver, Gallery 16, SF. More info here.
FRI/31: SPOOKY MANSION Nothing but good ol’ downhome surf rock Americana vibes from this supercute act, courtesy of local kid Grayson Converse, bringing faves like “I’m the Moon” and “You’re the Wave” to the Kilowatt. 8pm, Kilowatt, SF. More info here.
THROUGH FEB 22: DANNY HOYLE: TAKES ALL KINDS We are huge fans of local metamorphic theatrical force Danny Hoyle. His latest one-person show, in which he plays many people throughout the Blue States and the Red States in these tumultuous times (“based on immersive reporting from school board showdowns in Florida, grassroots organizers in Atlanta, barbershops in Las Vegas, deprogrammers of violent extremists in Missouri and more”) has been extended. Go see it. The Marsh, SF. More info here.
FRI/31 + SAT/2: 2025 EDWARDIAN BALL Special mention this week for this local institution—think Mad Max meets “Bridgerton”—which features more powdered wigs and wild looks than you can imagine. It’s nigh impossible to describe, but absolutely delightful to experience, an eye-popping, circus-leaning, era-melding tribute to the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey. The theme this year is “Pop-Up”: like the books. Regency Ballroom, SF. More info here.
SAT/1 + SUN/2: RARE BOOKS SAN FRANCISCO If you get a buzz on for antiquarianism, can I offer you this spine-tingling high: The Rare Books San Francisco fair is celebrating the 250th birthday of Jane Austen, and the Peter Herrington booth is offering super-rare first editions of Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, among the fair’s other delights. Wowsers. Fort Mason, SF. More info here.
SAT/1: VOLTI: ON THE THRESHOLD OF DREAMLAND The cutting-edge choral ensemble continues its 46th season, joining forces with Left Coast Chamber Ensemble for a program that highlights “the beauty of collective creativity” and features the world premieres of “This Place,” a new work from LJ White that Volti has co-commissioned with LCCE; Todd Kitchen’s “Soprasymmetry IV,” which explore instability and dreams, and more. 7:30pm, Noe Valley Ministry, SF. More info here.
SAT/1: BAY AREA RENEGADE TRAX VOL. 2 RELEASE PARTY Do you want to know what the future of Bay Area underground dance music sounds like? I mean really? It’s so exciting I could burst. Local label No Bias is releasing the Bay Area Renegade Trax Vol. 2 compilation, and DJs Bored Lord, bastiengoat, and more are doing it up for the debut party. 9pm-4am, F8, SF. More info here.
SAT/1: FREE MUSEUM DAY AT THE DEYOUNG Residents of all nine Bay Area counties get free admission to this gem in Golden Gate Park—just in time to check out the fabulous Tamara de Lempicka show! (Among many other cool exhibits of course). 9:30am-5:15pm, de Young Museum, SF. More info here.
SUN/2: FROM THE BAY TO LA FUNDRAISER The nightlife community is not sitting on its duff when our friends are in trouble: Help raise funds for those affected by the LA fires while dancing to some of our best house DJs: David Harness, Rob Garza, Miguel Migs, Julius Papp, Homero Espinosa, and more send some love, soul, and support down south. 2pm-8pm, The Midway, SF. More info here.
