FREE CONCERT CITY HALL JUNE 19th
FREE CONCERT CITY HALL JUNE 19th #SFCityHall100
Show Times:
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers plus Guests - 6–6:45
McAllister Stage
Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express plus Guests – 6:45-7:30
Grove Stage
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickets plus Guests – 7:30-8:10
McAllister Stage
Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express – 8-9:15
Grove Stage
Grove Stage is on Grove at Polk – right by Bill Graham Civic
Anything else? I’ve left out all the piercings, DJ set times, and light show at 9:15.
Folks, If you’re in San Francisco on June 19th (and come to think of it, even if you’re not), the Mission Express will be the House Band at a big bash for the 100th anniversary of City Hall - a big outdoor show in Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall starting at 6 PM. For the price of free, people.
I was asked to reach out into the community and put a couple of sets of music together. To tap into San Francisco music history - and I dug deep with a sharp spade, even with my hands when necessary. Some “people” were busy, but others weren’t, and there will be a lot of talent on the stage. Maybe even a few ego collisions.
AND…Lavay Smith will be hosting a second jazz & blues stage featuring legends like Jules Broussard, Denise Perrier and Freddie Hughes. We’re totally chuffed (sorry, but I’m on the M1 typing this) to be backing original Flamin’ Groovie Roy Loney and original Beau Brummels vocalist Sal Valentino, along with many other well-knowns and lesser-knowns you’ll be happy to hear. We’ve got the Kingston Trio with original members. Kelley Stoltz singing Bobby Freeman’s “Do You Wanna Dance?” Amoray will be doing a tribute to underground disco icon Sylvester. Jorge Santana - original member and leader of Malo - will perform Mission District lowrider anthem “Sauvecito.”
We’ve also got Bill Kirchen from Commander Cody with the Red Meats, Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon, Tim Bluhm from The Mother Hips, and Andy Cabic from Vetiver. I’m even starting a rumor that I’ll be singing “Willie Mays Is Up At A Bat”. There will be a tribute to 415 Records with Translator, Romeo Void and Mark Pistel from Consolidated. We’ll re-imagine Journey with a choir and re-imagine the Dead Kennedys with a classical string octet. And yes, Jello is singing “Let’s Lynch The Landlord.” Penelope is doing the Avengers anthem “American In Me.” That’s a lot to melt down. I’m not too handy with the bullet points but I hope this gives you some kind of idea.
Oh yeah, also on board as MC is Ben Fong-Torres. There also promises to be a courtyard of carnival chaos with circus performers, magicians, stilters (is that a word?), marching bands, contortionists and much more. After dark, the DJ’s will take over. Expect light wand acrobats, a burlesque revue and an over the top light show. Plus all manner of cabaret weirdness. 100 Years of San Francisco music. A lot to sink your gums into.
There are easily 27 different San Franciscos and they all overlap. It’s impossible to include everyone’s San Francisco but we’re gonna reach for it. Also, there are no corporate sponsors. The Hellman family and the Giants are footing the bill. But if any of those drones from the Twitter tower can peel themselves away from their computer screens and want to wander over? Well, it’s a free country, right? Hope to see you there.
