San Francisco Opera

Le Bohème | SF Opera | Nov. 14 - Dec. 7th

This holiday season shines a warm spotlight over the talents of the San Francisco Opera, deservedly so. Two beautiful productions are currently running, Cinderella and La Bohème, the latter is also brought to the stage in a family-friendly format on select Saturdays. Each story is told through the music of Giacomo Puccini. 

What if you were so poor you couldn't pay your rent...And so in love you couldn't care less? The artistic and passionate struggles of 19th century Paris is the canvas of perhaps the world's favorite opera, Le Bohème. There are only 13 performances. (Nov.14-Dec.7th) 

Cinderella's mesmerizing tale comes to life inside San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House. Culturally a part of us, everyone can paint their own picture of this fairytale. (Ends Nov.26th) 

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Nature's Amazing

Chaotic beauty, imperfect perfection, the breathing, evolving vehicle that is Earth allows life to be possible. Thanks for always showing us the way, even if we're not paying attention. We are dependent on a healthy Terra, she has no need for us. Regardless of humanity, this planet would be supremely artistic and dazzlingly magnificent. The videos below showcase this ever-changing magic. Thanks to @mollyproctor and Madison Kotack of the Sierra Club. Enjoy.

Slow Life | by: Daniel Stoupin



Adrift | by: Simon Christen



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30 Days of Dead

30 Days of Dead | 2014 | 

November makes room for 30 Days of Dead—an offering of classic Grateful Dead tunes. These choice selections are made by David Lemieux, Legacy Manager of The Grateful Dead. Those curated picks are then put on dead.net for all of us to consume freely. Each unreleased track is straight out of the Grateful Dead vault. Your Deadhead knowledge can also be put to the test. Every daily download offers you the chance to name the venue, as well as the date, for an opportunity to win some Dead swag. Enjoy this gift that keeps on giving.

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Lotus

Lotus | The Gilded Age Tour | 2015

One of my favorite live bands will be making an appearance in San Francisco this winter. Beginning in January and ending in early March, Lotus embarks on an expansive tour that has them all of the country. Thankfully they make some California stops along the way. Between February 18th and the 20th, they will take their Gilded Age Tour to Solano Beach, then LA, and onto the Regency Ballroom in SF. The best part, tickets are only $19.50, if purchased before November 13th.

Their latest studio effort, Gilded Age, draws inspiration from none other than Mark Twain. "The Gilded Age" was describing the Reconstruction Era's thin veneer that masked substantial social struggle—sound familiar? Lotus encourages us to look beyond the erosion in order to see a palace of possibilities.

If you're looking to unwind, or you just want to get down and dirty, don't miss this show. Lotus has always been one of the few bands that never disappoints. They may not frequent the west coast as often, but that only fuels my desire to see them live. Enjoy the title track below.

Lotus | Gilded Age


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Purple Medley

Prince took over Saturday Night Live this past weekend with host Chris Rock. Instead of playing two performances, as is typically done, Prince was given roughly 8 minutes to do his thing. Initially he played keys while sharing vocals on "Clouds." Quickly the mood turned to a more rock driven sound as Prince took up his guitar. He and 3rdEyeGirl charged through "Plectrum Electrum" and "Marz." The last track, "Another Love," was a blend of R&B and rock. Enjoy.

Prince | Live | SNL Nov.1st


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Día de los Muertos

The three-day Mexican holiday known as Día de Muertos, or Allhallowtide, is upon us. Below is a recently released horror film from Arcade Fire titled, Festi. Though it is not directly intended to be an homage to the Day of the Dead per se, it does haunt with intrigue. There are numerous cameos, all of which are credited. Enjoy the mini-movie and your weekend.

 Festi | Arcade Fire | directed by: "Noreen Bauble" 



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