The Shadow Finds Sex and Love in the City

The Shadow had the opportunity to attend yet another art reception yesterday evening. Unfortunately, this was a closing reception so you will have to view this exhibit through The Shadow.

The Shadow's good friend and curator Sandi Ippolito invited him to view the exhibit "Sex and Love in the City" which is showing at the Califormia Modern Gallery through Saturday, May 27th. Sandi was not the curator for this show, but she does make an excellent martini!

Sandi Ippolito prepares a martini for The Shadow

"Sex and Love in the City" was a series of new and original paintings by artist Barbara Rose Brooker and photographs by photographer Susan Mall.

Lovers on Bench by photographer Susan Mall

Susan Mall's photos are about lovers, sexuality, and the human condition. In her own words:

This exhibit is about love and loneliness, friendship and longong. Why do we choose the people we choose? What goes in to relationships that make them work? What is it that makes us attractive to one another? As long as I can remember, I've always been interested in relationships. The moments I have caught on film reflect some of the feelings and issues I see in relationships -- being young and in love, being old and in love, looking for love, and what we do to make ourselves look more appealing in pursuit of love . . ."

Natasha by artist Barbara Rose Brooker

Barbara Rose Brokker views love through a variety of venues as her alter-ego "Natasha". Her paintings are stunning to view and fit the theme of this show well.

The Shadow with artist Barbara Rose Brooker

This is a new venue for The Shadow to view art. The venue was the California Modern Art Gallery, located at 1035 Market Street, in downtown San Francisco. Co-owned by Inga Fischer and Risley Sams, it is a wonderful spacious venue for an art exhibit.

The Shadow with California Modern Gallery co-owners Risley Sams (right) and Inga Fischer (left)

The Shadow with California Modern Gallery co-owner Inga Fischer

Sandi recently joined the Gallery as a curator. She will be doing her first show very shortly and you can count on this blog to bring it to you when it opens.

Curator Sandi Ippolito with co-owner Inga Fischer

For more information on California Modern Gallery, including upcoming shows, click here. More pictures from the reception are available here.

You can view more of Barbara Rose Brooker's work here.

The Shadow Says Goodbye To A San Francisco Institution

The Shadow has recently learned that one of San Francisco's premier pipe and tobacco shops, Sherlock's Haven, will close its doors on Saturday, May 27.

(Picture courtesy Critical Cloud)
For those of you who may be aware of this shop, Sherlock's Haven, located at 275 Battery Street in downtown San Francisco, is ranked among the top ten tobacco shops in the world by Forbes magazine. It was a place where men -- and women -- could come by, enjoy a cigar or pipe, and discuss the issues of the day with the lively owner of the shop, Marty Pulvers.

Marty is about to retire and it is our understanding that another tobacco shop will be in the space that Sherlock's now occupies. But take it from The Shadow, the new place will never have the charm that Marty gave to his loyal customers and friends over the years. This is definitely an institution that will be missed.

The Shadow wishes Marty a pleasant retirement.

If you would like to know more about Sherlock's Haven, go to Critical Cloud's report on the closing party.

The Shadow Views Work from San Francisco's Finest Seniors

When The Shadow moved into San Francisco, one of the first event he encountered was a monthly art exhibit shown in the offices of then San Francisco Board of Supervisor President Matt Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez, who has since left the Board and has gone into private law practice, has been replaced by a very able successor, Ross Mirkarimi, who now represents District 5 of the City and County of San Francisco.

San Francisco District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi

When Matt Gonzalez was on the Board of Supervisors representing District 5, he held an art reception once a month in his offices. Supervisor Mirkarimi has continued that tradition and had built upon it.

The Shadow had the opportunity tonight to view an exhibit from District 5 senior residents at the Western Addition Community Technology Center.

Untitled by artist Raymond Foo

The artists who were featured tonight were:

• Frank Davis
• Raymond Foo
• Doretha Albert
• Glenn Walker
• Thejana Cheremiski
• Felton Cogell
• Louvenia Williams
• Susie Eng
• Jean Burks
• Richard Milam
• Ray Gaskin

This exhibit is one that The Shadow definitely enjoyed attending.

San Francisco has just observed the 100th anniversary of a massive earthquake and fire that destroyed the city. But San Francisco has risen from the ashes to become a world-class city once again. This exhibit has shown that even our senior citizens have the drive to make this city great again. This is an exhibit that is definitely worth seeing -- many of the seniors who are showing in this exhibit have never touched a computer before and have learned to use it to create wonderful works of art.

This exhibit can be viewed during regular business hours in the offices of Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi in San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (Civic Center), Room 244, San Francisco, CA. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can view more pictures from the reception here. Unfortunately, this site will not allow The Shadow to post all of the pics that he would like to.

Supervisor Mirkarimi holds these art receptions on the third Friday of each month and The Shadow now has a standing invitation to each of them. You are also invited as well. The Shadow will bring you works from this reception each month.

The Shadow Pays Homage to "The Queen of Polk Street"

The Shadow was invited to another art reception yesterday by his good friend Sandi Ippolito. This reception was at Backstage Hair Salon and Gallery in Russian Hill and was entitled "Queen of Polk Street".

Queen of Polk Street by artist MariNaomi

The artists featured at this exhibit are:

• Kate Anderson
• Clancy Cavnar
• MariNaomi
• Jim Rose

The Shadow and artist Kate Anderson

Hildy and Cecil by artist Kate Anderson

This exhibit will be up and available for viewing during regular business hours at Backstage Salon & Gallery, 2134 Polk Street (at Broadway Street), in San Francisco. All of the artwork at the show is available for sale.

The Shadow and Backstage Salon Curator Sandi Ippolito

For more pictures from the reception, click here.

To view more work from Kate Anderson, click here. To view more of Clancy Cavnar's work, click here.

The Shadow Does A Rainbow For Johnny Walker

The Shadow has been busy the past few days.

In the past few days, The Shadow has done 2 art openings and one whiskey tasting.

Yesterday, The Shadow did a whiskey tasting of the five Johnny Walker Blended Wiskeys (Black, Red, Gold, Green, and Blue). It was definitely something to experience.

Johnny Walker Black, Red, and Green Labels

The Shadow was able to enjoy the tasting of five Johnny Walker Blended Whiskeys with two very lovely lasses.

The Shadow with his two Lovely Lasses

The attendees at this tasting were able to taste the Johnny Walker Blended Whiskeys sold in the United States. That would be the Black Label, Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, and the very rare Blue Label.

Attendees at the Johnny Whiskey Tasting

This was definitely an experience to enjoy. The Shadow and the two lovely lasses who accompanied him were able to enjoy a Johnny Walker drink and to enjoy the extremely rare Johnny Walker Blue. A good time was had by all.

Johnny Walker Blue Label served to The Shadow

For more pictures of the party, click here.

"The Shadow Knows" Approaches Its First Anniversary

On June 16, 2005, The Shadow made himself known to the world. Knowing the evil that lurks in the hearts of men, The Shadow came forth to give you the dark side of culture in San Francisco and beyond.

Now as this blog approaches its first anniversary, The Shadow would like to thank all of the readers and visitors who have read his thoughts over the past year. And The Shadow is just getting warmed up -- there is a lot more to come.

Feel free to leave comments on your favorite posts from the past year. On June 17, 2006, The Shadow will post his anniversary entry giving you his favorites and a retrospect from the past year.

The Shadow "Sees" Music

It has been awhile but The Shadow has returned to blogland again!

Just recently, The Shadow had the opportunity to attend another art reception from ARTworkSF. The title of this exhibit was "Music to My Eyes".

Celloist by artist Vladimir Vitkovsky

Featured artists in this show were:

• Vladimir Vitkovsky
• Alanna Spence
• Ben Dominguez
• Seth Matarese
• Nick Wightman
• Holly Calica
• William Mayfield

Artist Nick Wightman (left), The Shadow (center), and artist Seth Matarese (right)

In the words of curator Matt McKinley: "As a tool for conveying emotion or mood, color finds its equal only in music, musicians and musical instruments -- a visual tribute to purveyors of melodic sounds!"

Jazz Sketches: Betty Carter by artist Holly Calica

This exhibit was scheduled to close tonight, but you may still have time to see it before the paintings come down. It is at the Hotel Triton, 342 Grant Avenue (at Bush Street) in San Francisco. As always, work from this exhibit is available for sale or rent (3-month period). Contact ARTworkSF for more details.

You can view more pictures from the reception here.