There I was, looking fierce bouncing up and down in my little black dress and orange pumps, along with bunch of other people.* We few, we Band of Brothers, we Baseball Furies.
Anyway, as the above link to Haighteration shows, the Big Pig, she got messed up.
But here she is back on the road in 2013, wavy roof panels and all:
Click to expand
I don’t know, I think this ride is worth more than it would have been without the battle scars from aught-ten.
I think this rig is now a historic artifact worthy of preservation.
*Oh, not really. Actually, after watching on a friend’s big screen (’cause I don’t I have cable ’cause I want the Comcast monopoly to die die die) I had to ride my bike on up to Pac Heights. The city was electric, all over, not just in the Mission and in the Haights.
MORE: Grab your scarf and mittens and make your way down to the ice rink to view several talented ice skaters from “The San Francisco Tremors Ensemble” from the Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center performing to Disney’s THE LION KING’s “Circle of Life” sung by Buyi Zama who portrays “Rafiki.”
Ever more deets, including info on GIANTS PRIDE NIGHT:
“Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines - Announces Giants’ PRIDE Night - Fans Across the Bay Area Are Invited to Come Out in Their Best San Francisco Giants Outfit
SAN FRANCISCO (November 5, 2012) – Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines will join the legion of proud Bay Area fans in celebrating the San Francisco Giants’ World Series sweep with Giants’ Pride Night on Thursday, November 8 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The ice will be lit up in orange and fans are encouraged to come out in their favorite San Francisco Giants’ outfit for a fun night of celebration. The first 100 fans to arrive at the rink wearing Giants apparel will receive a complimentary skate admission for their guest that evening. General admission tickets are $10 and tickets for children eight years old and under are $6. Skate rentals are an additional $5. KMEL and KYLD will be at the ice rink between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. that evening handing out custom Giants Champs placards.
Hours: The ice rink opens November 7 through to January 21, and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of December 31, 2012 when it will close at 9:30 p.m.
Ticket prices: General admission tickets are $10 and tickets for children eight years old and under are $6. Figure and hockey skate rentals are $5. Advance tickets go on sale Monday, October 15, 2012 at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Starting Wednesday, November 7, 2012 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square. Group rates and private parties are also available.
Sponsors: Safeway, Alaska Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Macy*s, Marmot Mountain, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Square, American Conservatory Theater, Union Square Business Improvement District, The Westin St. Francis San Francisco, JW Marriott, Chancellor Hotel, Galleria Park Hotel, Grand Hyatt Union Square, John’s Grill, SFMTA, Emporio Rulli Caffé, Disney’s THE LION KING, UNIQLO, San Francisco Examiner, NBC BAY AREA, Telemundo, KSTS-TV 48, STAR 101.3, 98.1 KISS FM, 106.1 KMEL, KOSF 103.7, WiLD 94.9 and KGO 810
About the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink has delighted children and adults with a holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco’s Union Square. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission and $6 for children eight years old and under. Figure and hockey skate rentals are $5. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. daily. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. For tickets or more information, please visit www.unionsquareicerink.com or call 415-781-2688.
Robert Keith, Ice Rink General Manager at Willy Bietak Productions
Karin Flood, Executive Director at Union Square Business Improvement District
Keith Turner, Director of Public and Government Affairs atSafeway Inc., NorthernCaliforniaDivision
Steven Carhart, Veteran representative from Safeway Inc.
Randy Wittorp, Public Affairs Area Director at Kaiser Permanente
I’ll tell you, I’ve never used Verizon, but I approve of this message:
“Verizon Wireless Network Ready For San Francisco Giants World Series Victory Parade - Parade Attendees Can Take Advantage of Company’s Super-Fast 4G LTE Network
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Oct. 30, 2012 — When the San Francisco Giants parade thru the city October 31, the Verizon Wireless will be ready to handle the frenzy of calls, cell phone picture and video messages and texts from the one million excited fans expected to attend.
The company has significantly increased capacity on its voice and 4G LTE data network in downtown San Francisco and at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Verizon Wireless’ network is ready to handle more voice and data traffic than that at the busiest time on a normal day.
As part of Verizon Wireless’ preparation for the parade, the company will have temporary cell sites, known as Cells on Wheels (COWs), deployed near the parade route to handle increased network traffic. These sites can process thousands of calls and data transmissions each hour and are designed for use at special events that demand additional network capacity. They will be deployed to downtown locations.
“We have made a significant investment in network improvements in preparation for this major event,” said Russ Preite, region president for Verizon Wireless. “Our customers will be talking, texting, navigating and e-mailing with their wireless devices at a fast pace. We are prepared, as we were with the SF Giants 2012 playoff and World Series home games, to handle more traffic and to provide the reliable, high-quality service our customers expect from Verizon Wireless.”
Verizon Wireless’ network reliability is supported by industry-leading redundancy and maintenance measures, including back-up power at most facilities. For additional reliability, generators are installed at all switching facilities and many cell site locations.
The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network offers more 4G LTE coverage than all other competitors’ networks combined. The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is currently available in 419 markets to more than 250 million people throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.
Verizon Wireless has invested more than $70 billion since it was formed in 2000 – on average more than $6 billion every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its premier nationwide network and to add new services.
About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.”
The thing about Lucky Strike at 200 King near 4th Street is that’s it’s not like any bowling alley you’ve ever seen. Call it a “gastropub-ish funhouse” or an “upscale bowling lounge” instead.
L.S. on the left, AT&T Park on the right, kitty-corner:
And the CalTrain station is to the right as you look outward:
Here’s the main bar and restaurant seating area. The idea of the communal tables on the left is to have them at Goldilocks height, not too low and not too high, to allow mixing and conversation betwixt those sitting and those standing.
OMG, this place is bigger than I thought it would be.
Moving on to the Einstein Room, with billiards and other diversions to entertain your brain:
But lets go further in, let’s go bowling:
Shoes shoes shoes!
On the way to the lanes:
I don’t know what this is:
Here we go, here are some of the lanes:
The main bowling area will have art all around, made by innumerable local artists. Here are some Obey Giants from Shepard Fairey, who used to be local.
Moving on past the Lebowski Wall(!) to…
…the Green Room, your own private party space with your own private lanes! OMG.
Can you imagine what kind of large, rich, youthful companies have already made reservations to rent out the Green Room and portions of the main bar area? Oh yes you can, give a guess and you’ll be correct. Anyway, here are the special Green Room lanes, one of which is named in honor of Brian Wilson, a part-owner.
The thing about Lucky Strike at 200 King near 4th Street is that’s it’s not like any bowling alley you’ve ever seen. Call it a “gastropub-ish funhouse” or an “upscale bowling lounge” instead.
L.S. on the left, AT&T Park on the right, kitty-corner:
And the CalTrain station is to the right as you look outward:
Here’s the main bar and restaurant seating area. The idea of the communal tables on the left is to have them at Goldilocks height, not too low and not too high, to allow mixing and conversation betwixt those sitting and those standing.
OMG, this place is bigger than I thought it would be.
Moving on to the Einstein Room, with billiards and other diversions to entertain your brain:
But lets go further in, let’s go bowling:
Shoes shoes shoes!
On the way to the lanes:
I don’t know what this is:
Here we go, here are some of the lanes:
The main bowling area will have art all around, made by innumerable local artists. Here are some Obey Giants from Shepard Fairey, who used to be local.
Moving on past the Lebowski Wall(!) to…
…the Green Room, your own private party space with your own private lanes! OMG.
Can you imagine what kind of large, rich, youthful companies have already made reservations to rent out the Green Room and portions of the main bar area? Oh yes you can, give a guess and you’ll be correct. Anyway, here are the special Green Room lanes, one of which is named in honor of Brian Wilson, a part-owner.
Brian Wilson loves him some bowling, as this photo shows. Deets of the biggest thing to hit SoMA this decade below.
Brian Wilson arrives at Matt Leinart Foundation’s celebrity bowl at the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley on July 13, 2009 in Hollywood, California. Matt Leinart Foundation Celebrity Bowl, Lucky Strike Bowling Alley Hollywood, CA United States, July 13, 2009 Photo by Alexandra Wyman/WireImage.com
Here’s the news:
“Lucky Strike San Francisco Announces Brian Wilson as New Partner”
“SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 29, 2012 – Lucky Strike, the gastro pub-ish Fun House about to open on King Street across from AT&T Park is proud to announce that Brian Wilson, gifted closer for the Giants, has joined Lucky Strike San Francisco as a partner/owner. Steven Foster, founder and CEO couldn’t be more thrilled. “Of all the well known folks from the professional sports and entertainment world that have helped popularize Lucky Strike, there isn’t anyone that I would rather have as a partner than Brian. He is a singular force – a unique combination of excellence – as an athlete, as a person and as an appreciator and lover of life. As all his fans know he is fearless, in the moment, inventive and community oriented. It’s how Lucky Strike aspires to roll on every level. “
Reaching the closer at spring training as he readies for the season, Brian echoed these sentiments. “I am amped to be on board with Lucky Strike. The concept – from the ambiance to the food to the energy – is edgy, crafty and unique. I am pumped to be in the Lucky Strike mix and am honored that lane 12 will be renamed lane 38. I love that number, and I expect to roll many massive strikes on that lane. See you there. The Dude abides.”
“The Dude abides.” I don’t know about you but I take comfort in that. It’s good knowin’ he’s out there. The Dude. Takin’ ‘er easy for all us sinners.
Shoosh. I sure hope he makes the finals.
“About Lucky Strike:
Lucky Strike Entertainment is the leading operator, and defining brand, of upscale bowling lounges in the United States and Canada. Lucky Strike specializes in hosting a variety of upscale parties from team building events to birthday parties. The business has grown over the course of the last eight years since inception, from one location in California to a total of 21 locations across 14 states and two countries. Steven Foster is the CEO and Co-founder of Lucky Strike Entertainment, and has over 30 years of experience creating entertainment and dining concepts. Steven, along with his wife Gillian, has been the driving force for the success and growth of the Lucky Strike brand across the nation. For more information, please visit www.bowlluckystrike.com.”
Last night’s show at the huge Oracle Arena was 90%-plus full, so I imagine it will be the same thing tonight. The seats aren’t cheap, but this is the official show from Michael Jackson’s family, so there you go.
Fundamentally, this is a Michael Jackson show for Michael Jackson fans (as opposed to it being a Michael Jackson-themed Cirque du Soleil for a more general audience, if that makes sense.) For more on this topic, Chloe Roth does a good job of explaining things here in the Culture Blog of the San Francisco Chronicle.
SAN JOSE: From January 13 – 15 at HP Pavilion OAKLAND: From January 17 – 18 at the Oracle Arena
San Francisco, CA – The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil are proud to present Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ in San Jose, on January 13, 14 and 15, 2012 at HP Pavilion, and in Oakland on January 17 and 18, 2012 at Oracle Arena. This once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production combines Michael Jackson music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture. Proudly sponsored by Sun Life Financial, the show is written and directed by Jamie King, the leading concert director in pop music today, and featured more than 60 international dancers, musicians and acrobats.
A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations.
THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael’s inspirational Giving Tree—the wellspring of his creativity. The secrets of Michael’s inner world are unlocked—his love of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature.
The underpinnings of THE IMMORTAL World Tour are Michael Jackson’s powerful, inspirational music and lyrics—the driving force behind the show—brought to life with extraordinary power and breathless intensity. Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour underscores Michael’s global messages of love, peace and unity.
Writer and Director Jamie King has been called one of the most influential “movers and shakers” in the music industry, and the “Jerry Bruckheimer of tent-pole concert tours” by Variety. A multiple Emmy Award® and MTV Video Music Award® nominee, he has choreographed some of the most popular music videos and directed some of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time. For the past 12 years, he has served as Madonna’s creative director, and most recently directed world tours for Rihanna, Celine Dion, Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne. King has worked with an array of superstars including Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Shakira, George Michael, Elton John, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez and even Ellen DeGeneres. This is Jamie’s first show with Cirque du Soleil.
Cirque du Soleil returns to the Bay Area with a new Big Top production! TOTEM from Cirque du Soleil opens in San Francisco on October 28, 2011 for a limited engagement under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at AT&T Park; and in San Jose as of March 2, 2012 at the Taylor Street Bridge. For more information please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.”
