How Weird Street Faire

The 12th annual How Weird Street Faire will be Sunday May 1st, from Noon to 8pm.

San Francisco’s street fair season begins Sunday May 1, 2011 with the 12th annual How Weird Street Faire. Once again, the city’s streets will be transformed into a celebration of peace and creativity, as thousands of people journey to the “Mythical Realms” of Howard Street.

All cultures share similar ideas about the types of societies and places where people may live. These are the mythical realms of our stories, and the theme of this year’s faire. There is the perfect society or paradise, there is the exotic location filled with diversity, and there is the magical and the sacred. Each of these perspectives provides an alternative view of the reality we all share, thus opening up a new world of possibilities.

The How Weird Street Faire envisions a place of peace, where all people can come and find some similarities and common interests among diverse music and art, building bridges of understanding and friendship. A place to celebrate all of the ways people cooperate and work together. A place where our differences and unique perspectives are appreciated as things of beauty, rather than causes for conflict. And most importantly, we envision a place of fun.

But unlike the mythical realms of our imaginations, this place of peace really exists. And you can visit it yourself and participate!

On Sunday May 1st, the intersection of Howard and 2nd Streets in downtown San Francisco will be transformed into a Paxorium, or “place of peace”, the city’s newest park. It will be a place to relax in the center of the faire. Come meet your neighbors, and connect with them. Know that whatever struggles and conflicts the world may be seeing can all be overcome when we work together.

The 2011 How Weird Street Faire will fill nine city blocks with thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets. There will be nine stages of world-class music, art and performances, a tasty selection of food and drinks, non-profit organizations to educate and inspire, and all the weirdness that San Francisco is famous for. All ages are welcome, and costumes are highly encouraged.

The How Weird Street Faire will feature over 60 vendors from around the world with unique goods for sale. Come prepared to find some special clothing, jewelry, art, decorations, hula hoops, and much more throughout the faire.

At 3:30pm, next to the center intersection, San Francisco Urban Beltane will set up a May Pole. There will be a special ceremony and dance, calling forth the world of our dreams.

This year the How Weird Street Faire introduces “Art Alley” on Minna Street off of 2nd Street. An art gallery in the middle of the street, featuring works by local artists and posters from all the previous faires. There will be live painting and art activities.

The How Weird Street Faire showcases many diverse genres of electronic music, including Live Electronica, Dubstep, Electro, Breaks, Psytrance, House, Techno, Drum & Bass, World Beat, and too many sub-genres to name. There will be something for everyone.

The music stages are produced by collaborations of local collectives and music organizations, representing some of the best in the world, including Symbiosis, Muti Music, Rebel Bass Collective, Tantra, Ultraviolet Carnival, Red Marines, Aum Festival, Opel, Opulent Temple, Groove Garden, Hookahdome, Non Stop Bhangra, Temple Nightclub, SF House, Pink Mammoth, SWAG, and more.

The faire takes place from Noon to 8pm. The main entrance is at Howard and New Montgomery Streets, where you’ll find complimentary bike parking. It is only two blocks from the Montgomery BART station on Market Street, and near many MUNI lines. The faire’s location, in the heart of the San Francisco SoMa district, is a short walk to Yerba Buena Gardens and the emerging museum district, as well as the Transbay Terminal and Caltrain Station.

There is a requested donation of $10 for the How Weird Street Faire. The full donation buys a Magic Sticker that is potentially worth many times that amount, with discounts at the faire bars and after parties, as well as specials at many of the vendors. The Magic Sticker is how people can support the faire, while getting something back in return.

At night, the faire moves indoors to three great venues at the faire site: Temple Nightclub, 111 Minna Gallery, and Harlot. The evening is only $10 for all three venues. Get your ticket at any of the venues. The after parties are all 21 and over with ID.

Also new this year is the addition of Tehama Street off of 2nd Street, featuring a music stage and a view of the faire. And we are introducing an official flying saucer landing zone, adjacent to the center intersection. We have invited all planets to join us in a celebration of universal peace. The landing zone coordinates are 37°47’10.88″N, 122°23’53.50″W

The How Weird Street Faire uses music to bring many different kinds of people together and create a common bond. We have found that dancing knows no boundaries or political affiliation. Music, more than any other form of communication, is able to transcend differences between people. It is through music and art that peace is always possible.

The How Weird Street Faire is a project of, and fundraiser for, the local non-profit World Peace Through Technology Organization.