Apr 18, 2023
When SF natives Gypsy Snider and
Shana Carroll hatched their idea for a show in the space once
occupied by Beach Blanket Babylon, they set out to pay homage to
their hometown. The result was Dear San Francisco, a
high-flying, loop-jumping, juggling, acrobatic love letter to The
City.
In Part 1 of our episode on Club Fugazi,
where Dear San Francisco takes place seven times
every week, we sit down with Co-producer and Executive
Director David Dower. David shares the
history of the space, going all the way back to its founding in
1914, up through its time as a dance hall and lecture hall, to its
setting for Thelonious Monk's Alone in San
Francisco (recorded there), and in 1974, its service as a
home for Beach Blanket Babylon.
Then David shares Gypsy and Shana's backgrounds in circus arts,
which trace back to San Francisco's very own Pickle Family Circus. From there, we go
to Montreal and Cirque du Soleil, out of which the 7 Fingers
Creative Collective was born.
Just before the pandemic, Beach Blanket Babylon wrapped up their
45-year run at Club Fugazi. When Gypsy and Shana heard about the
now quiet and dark hall loved by so many all around the world, the
idea for Dear San Francisco was born.
Forget what you might think when you hear the word "circus." There
are no rings or unicycling bears here. Instead, acrobats and
trapeze artists literally hurl themselves through the air while
also sharing personal stories and their deep, deep love for San
Francisco. Go. See. This. Show.
And check back next week, when we meet two current cast members
of Dear San Francisco—Maya Kesselman Cruz and Dominic
Cruz. Part 2 drops next Tuesday.
We recorded this episode at Club
Fugazi in North Beach in April 2023.
Photography by Michelle Kilfeather