A Ffortissimo Valentine's in Half Moon Bay

For Valentine's Day, G had something great planned, something epic! It was also something I knew nothing about beforehand, but with the discovery of two potential obstacles to the plan came his insistence that it MUST be done, due to its ephemeral nature. Hmm.. intriguing.

Before sunset, we drove to Half Moon Bay, about 25 miles south of San Francisco. Armed with a picnic and a small bottle of Julian hard apple cider (a shout-out to one of our favorite weekend destinations in SoCal), we parked then walked to the coast, where a lone baby grand piano was installed upon on a bluff overlooking the ocean, facing the setting sun. 

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The Story Behind "Sunset Piano":

Argentina-born local artist Mauro Ffortissimo is known for taking apart pianos and reconstructing them into unusual sculptures. He recently acquired a 1917 baby grand piano, but no longer had room to add to his collection. He decided to drag the piano out to the nearby bluff to perform outdoor concerts nightly, playing Chopin, Debussy, and Schumann to see how the elements would affect the sound and the tuning of the already deteriorating piano. The experiment, dubbed "Sunset Piano," was cut short when a city code enforcement official informed him that he was encroaching on public land without a permit. He was given a brief grace period (until the 14th) to continue the concerts, which had begun just before sunset on February 1st.  As a final farewell, Ffortissimo's intention was to burn the piano on private land, as he never meant for the concerts to go on forever. "You know the bottom line it's about the impermanence of all things," he says. "Things are always changing. And it's good to basically be a bit loose about things."

It felt like a spontaneous combustion of happy people, magnetically congregating to enjoy the music as the sun set over the Pacific. There was a barefoot interpretational dancer who weaved in and out of the crowd, an upright bassist played along, a poet spoke to the beat, videographers documented the event, a wonderful older lady welcomed us to her community (and even introduced us to Mauro himself!), and around 200 adults, children, and pets united to appreciate this special, singular, fleeting moment that ended simply, not long after the sun was below the horizon. Here are some cell phone photos I took, edited on Instagram.

The view. Courtesy of G.

Mauro and his entourage.

The crowd.

A close-up.

Happy Valentine's Day! Courtesy of G.

And here is my short video of the concert. Forgive the sideways shot in the first few seconds - I forgot that my camera doesn't adjust for angle. If you listen closely, you can hear through the loud melodica to the quiet, slightly off-key serenade of the antique piano. 

What a romantic, thoughtful Valentine's Day surprise, don't you think? Nice work, G!

Oakland Museum of California & Gift Shop

The Oakland Museum of California is a gem of a museum. I'm sure I use that word a lot, but that's what I'm on the hunt for these days. GEMS - precious and rare. It was established in 1969 as a "museum for the people" and it tells the story of California, through art, history, and natural sciences. The museum's mid-century modern architecture alone is unique, designed by Kevin Roche as a "museum that also serves as a vibrant urban park and public space."

Open daily 11-5, except Wednesday 11-9, closed Monday and Tuesday. One block from Lake Merritt BART in Oakland, East Bay. Check out their website here.

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On Fridays from 5-9 PM, they host the "Off the Grid" food truck party, with half price museum admission, live music, and extended museum store hours. Also, they have an upcoming exhibit named "we/customize" from Feb. 9th- June 2nd. It's about maker culture and how "people are customizing mass-produced objects," along the lines of IKEA hacks or DIY projects. How very on-trend of them! That's what I love about this museum - the innovation and quest for relevancy as well as the focus on local culture and history! Needless to say, I can't WAIT to go to "we/customize."

I'm aiming to become a Museum Ambassador, twice a month, so today I went to a volunteer info session, where I had the pleasure of learning more about the museum and even got to participate in a short mock tour for our "fourth grade group." Here are some pics I took - again, with my camera phone and Instagram. I need to start brining my camera with me.

The short tour related to the Gold Rush of California, where we could spin a "wheel of fortune" to see what our fate was, after the gold was gone. Most involved dying or going broke, but it was a fun, interactive way for kids to learn about California's history.

Along the way was an original miner's cabin, with an interactive woman seen on a screen through the open cabin door. Children could pick up a phone and speak with her, to hear her story. 

There was also a John Hook street sign, introducing the modern controversy of immigration to California, as well as a "garage" exhibit, in homage to the birth place of much technological innovation in California.

At the entrance/exit:

Here's one half! Vive la France!

I could have visited this gallery alone ALL day. In order to motivate myself to move on, I decided to visit the museum gift shop. I ADORE museum gift shops - you can always find the most creative gifts there, although you usually pay the price. This shop was great. Of course, they had a very unique selection of locally made gifts (hooray!) as well as a great deal of SALE items. (Did you say SALE??)

Everyone at the museum was very kind, personable, and helpful. The attendants in the museum shop were interested in my story and went the extra mile to help me. They even forgave me for breaking a porcelain origami crane ornament... I bought another, I promise! But goodness, I don't know what's wrong with me these days, breaking ornaments left and right. 

Some particularly neat gifts I found were:

A print of Oakland's neighborhoods, $24.00

Grow your own mushroom kit. Another inspiring local story. Reminds me of the Tom's story, too. Post a pic with your fully grown kit on their Facebook page and they'll donate a kit and sustainability curriculum to an elementary school classroom of your choice! 

They had several DIY camera kits - a twin lens camera that you assemble yourself that takes lovely flare and saturated low-fi images. HOW COOL IS THAT? One was $11.00, the other $42.00. 

Finally, a sweet $8.00 birthday music box. You turn the handle and it plays "Happy Birthday" to you.

Better, and more original than a card, I think!

I made it out of there, SCATHED, with the aforementioned ornament, a Dios de los Muertos shirt from 2012 (I love local tees and hope to participate in this year's celebration at the museum), and a California flag necklace from the Yellow Owl Workshop, based in the Mission in San Francisco.

A Walk Down Maiden Lane

There is nothing that makes you feel more like a San Franciscan version of Carrie Bradshaw than taking a walk down Maiden Lane. I had the great fortune of doing this yesterday, sans legitimate camera. When I walked by the street, it beckoned me to linger, with its gorgeous lighting and serene atmosphere, and I knew I had to share! I also decided to take my first dip into the Instagram album pool. Forgive my doggy paddle skill with these low-res cell phone photos.

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Located in downtown San Francisco, adjacent to Union Square between Stockholm and Kearny streets, this cute two-block pedestrian street is most easily accessed by the Montgomery Street or Powell Street BART Stations.

MAIDEN LANE FACING UNION SQUARE

The poor reputation of old Morton Street (now, Maiden Lane) as a red light district was eradicated by the 1906 earthquake and now posh, upscale boutiques and art galleries are the only sins you'll find here. Upon street renovation, a jeweler (with a keen sense of marketing) changed the street's name in order to evoke the cheerfully intimate Maiden Lanes of New York and London.

The lane even has its own website! And there's nothing more posh than that.

From 11-5 daily, the street is blocked from traffic with Chanel-funded wrought iron gates, which are reopened in the evenings. I've seen an opera singer singing at the gate entrances before. Click here for a short blurb about that.

SHOPS:

Some particularly up-scale shops can be found on this street, including, of course:

CHANEL

Note the vishies working in the window. NOT akin to my visual merchandising experience, I'm sure.

Open 10-6 daily, Sunday 12-5.

This San Francisco institution's website says it all, "The legendary destination for unique gifts, fine jewelry, luxurious home decor, and one of a kind decorative objects. Since 1861." I once accidentally broke a $50 glass ornament there while trying to make my way through the chaotic holiday crowds. Needless to say, they were absolutely charming about it. Check out their website for adorable stories submitted by Gump's enthusiasts. Also check out their shop for unique San Francisco souvenirs.
Open 10-6 daily, Sunday 12-5.

BRITEX FABRICS

"The latest styles in fabrics can be found here: yet the atmosphere of this independent business is a throwback to an era when service was as important as value."

Since 1952, this is another San Francisco institution, with four breathtaking floors of merchandise.

FLOORS

4.) remnants, faux fur, felt & fleece, net & tulles, vinyl & leather

3.) notions & accessories, buttons (over 75,000!) & bridal, ribbons & trims, buckles & tassels, patterns & books

2.) home decor, cottons & linens, rayons & polyesters, velvets & lycras, metallics & sequins

1.) woolens, silks, brocades, couture laces, linings

What really stood out to me is that the staff is from another time - impeccably professional and expert. I went into the store looking for bow tie fabrics and immediately became consumed in the quantity and quality of options, gawking and drooling like a kid in a candy shop. The sales staff had to put me back on track. At the checkout desk, they offer free Britex post cards, with the outline of famous San Francisco landmarks including the Britex sign. Yes, I will, thankyouverymuch.

Open 10-6 daily, closed Sunday. www.britexfabrics.com

BRITEX INDOORS

ALLSAINTS SPITALFIELDS

Also on the lane is British fashion retailer AllSaints Spitalfields, with its ubiquitous vintage Singer sewing machines in the window. Where did they get them all?

Open 10-8 daily, Sunday 11-7. 

HERMÈS

Hermès' interesting window display, combining a red, simplistic wooden human mannequin portraying a security guard (?) with several cups of coffee and a security system aimed at the merchandise.
Open 10-6 daily, closed Sunday. 

CHRISTOFLE

This store reminds me of my grandmother and her high regard for this manufacturer of fine silver flatware and home accessories, based in France since 1830.

Hours not listed online.

OTHER CUTE SHOP WINDOWS OF NOTE:

Very "Black Swan," to me, yet cheerful.

Apparently there are Super Bowl fans on Maiden Lane!

... and the next fabulous boutique space can be yours! 

ARCHITECTURE OF NOTE:

XANADU GALLERY

San Francisco's only Frank Lloyd Wright building is located here, at 140 Maiden Lane. It was originally designed in 1948 as the V.C. Morris Gift Shop, and it now houses the Xanadu Gallery, selling fine Asian antiques. Inside, there is a spiral ramp reminiscent of the Guggenheim Museum. The entrance is an updated Romanesque arch, which beckons the passerby rather than vulgarly displaying merchandise on the sidewalk, according to Wright. The interior has a very prominent bubble theme, which I failed to take pictures of, although the kind doorman allowed me to. 

As I took the above picture from across the street, the doorman opened the door for me, invited me in, showed me the informational booklet located at the front desk, and was overall very generous and polite. This store is accustomed to admirers and welcomes them inside, which was an unexpected and wonderful service. 

Courtesy http://www.xanadugallery.us/

From the informational booklet, I learned that the wooden built-ins shown above are original. I also learned the significance of Frank Lloyd Wright's signature red tile on the wall outside the front door. The architect began placing a signed, single red tile on the outside of his buildings whose final outcome met his standards. He began this practice after completing the V.C. Morris Gift Shop, but came back and added it because he was so proud of the space.

Open daily 10-6, closed Sunday and Monday.

F.LL.W'S SIGNATURE RED TILE OUTSIDE XANADU

DINING OPTIONS ON MAIDEN LANE:

If you want to dine at an outdoor cafe as though you were sitting in a hidden, quaint street in a chic European city, well then this is the place to be. 

I saw two cafes on the street, Mocca and Bistro 69.

MOCCA - Cafe and Italian Restaurant - Counter service, cash only, tri-tip sandwich comes highly recommended.

Open 10:30-5:30 daily. No website listed. $$. 3.5 stars out of 5, on Yelp.com.

BISTRO 69 - Eclectic menu. I think I walked by during their 16th anniversary free cheeseburger and fries lunch celebration, unbeknownst to me. Drat.

Open 8:00-3:45 daily, closed Sunday. www.bistro69sf.com. $$ 3 stars out of 5, on Yelp.com.

ME

All in all, this fantastic hidden-yet-magnificent European-style fairy tale street is just another reason why I love this new city. I can sympathize with Carrie when she says, "If you can only have one great love, then the city may be mine. And I don't want nobody talkin' sh*t about my boyfriend."