Elbo Room show proceeds benefit fire victims as artists around Bay rally in solidarity
“Pass it around like church,” announced Natalie Ribbons of touring act Tele Novella announced as she held up a box marked “Donations!”
The band is on tour from Austin, Tx., and was so moved by the tragedy on Dec. 2 that they decided to take donations into their own hands.
The attic of the Elbo Room was lively but somber on Dec. 6, as the Bay Area struggled to cope with intense loss to the arts community through entertainment.
Sugarcandy Mountain and Babewatch also performed in a night dedicated to the fuzzy, otherworld sounds of Psych-Pop, and Oakland up-and-comers Babewatch have pledged to donate proceeds from their shows and merchandise for their upcoming scheduled dates to Fire Relief funds (such as the YouCaring page created by the three major professional sports teams of the East Bay — the Athletics, Raiders and Warriors, who are matching donations up to $50k).
Many other bands and venues have promised to do the same, with shows turning into benefits to support those affected by the fire in the coming months. A calendar of these events is below.
It is more important now than ever to participate in this fleeting scene that we call home — with DIY spaces and events to be held under more scrutiny and external pressure than ever before. Many fear that the tragedy will be used an excuse for shutting down arts and culture spaces that support communities already marginalized by the East Bay’s rapidly changing landscape.
This tragedy will deeply influence the Bay Area for decades to come, but the arts community is already showing its strength and fortitude by coming together in solidarity and continuing on the best way they know how — by keeping on.
Maya Songbird, Elrond, Collin Gorman Weiland, Denney Joints, + more TBA at the Golden Bull 412 14th St. in Oakland; all funds go to Fire Relief Fund; Dec. 8 at 8 PM, $5 suggested donation; 21+
Ghost Ship Arts Collective throws Benefit Party at the Endup 401 6th St. in San Francisco; hosts DJs Sychosis, Ruby Valeros & Nick Garcia, Cristoffer Zuniga, Papa Lu, Vedda, and others at this free event, where donations will be collected for the families of the victims; Dec. 8 from 10 PM to 4 AM; 21+
Perfect Loss, New Spell, Ol Silver Tongue at Hemlock Tavern Dark love songs by Perfect Loss, dark indie pop band New Spell, and “convolutions of ecstatic rhythm” by Ol Silver Tongue; 1131 Polk St. in San Francisco; portion of proceeds will go to the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts Fire Relief fund; set breaks to feature music by artists who were lost in the Ghost Ship fire; Dec. 8 at 8:30PM; $8
Shannon and the Clams, Diesel Dudes, Preening, Undo, + DJs Fela Kuthi and Trill Team Six at Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland; all proceeds will go the Fire Relief Fund and the Safety Fund for Oakland Art and Community Spaces; Dec. 9 from 7PM to 1 AM; sliding scale $5-$100; 21+
SLØTFACE, DYAN, Quaaludes, Try the Pie at Rickshaw Stop Proceeds from door pay and merch sales go to Transassistance to fund funeral services and end of life costs for the trans women who lost their lives in the Oakland Ghost Ship fire; 155 Fell St. in San Francisco; Dec. 9 from 9 to 11:30 PM; $10
Hot Flash Heat Wave, The Tambo Rays, The Easies
Day 1 of Amnesia’s mini festival “Soundcheck” will feature this free show, and accept donations at the door for the Ghost Ship Fire relief at Amnesia, 853 Valencia St. in San Francisco; Dec. 9 at 9PM
Oakland City Chorus Memorial Concert Laney student and Ghost Ship Fire victim Nicole “Denalda” Siegrist would have performed in this chorus, at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway in Oakland; Dec. 9 at 7PM; $20, $10 Students/Seniors
The Vile Augury, Suicide Queen, Striplicker, and DJs Decay, Sage at DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. in San Francisco; proceeds will go to the Fire Relief Fund; Dec. 9 from 8PM-12AM; $10 advance, $15 at door; All ages
Joshua James Jackson, Attacrobat, Rags, The Illumignarly, Horders, Secret Cat, and Living in the 90’s at Arlene Francis Center 99 6th St. in Santa Rosa; Dec. 9 from 6:30 PM to 12 AM
2nd Friday Reception and Fundraiser at Norton Factory Studios Faultline ArtSpace, Float Gallery, Ford Street Studios, Gray Loft Gallery, and Jingletown Art Studios and Gallery participate in this open studio event; 3094 E. 10th St. in Oakland; all proceeds to be donated to the Fire Relief Fund; Dec. 9 from 6 PM to 9 PM
Creepers, Religious Girls, and Weed Alien at Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk St., San Francisco. All proceeds go to the Fire Relief Fund; Dec. 10 at 9PM; $8
As You Like It Family Memorial for Cherushii, Amanda Allen, and Nackt at Public Works SF All proceeds go to the families of Chelsea Faith, Amanda Allen, and Johnny Igaz, 161 Erie St in San Francisco; music from Prins Thomas, Tama Sumo, Lakuti, Sassmouth, Dorisburg, Sassmouth B2B Mossmoss, Alison Swing, and Petko Nikolov B2B CHVCK; Dec. 10 from 9PM to 5AM; $15 early bird, $20 pre-sale; 21+
Bodacious Ancients, Pluto & wlfcnts, Noble Savages, Rambush at Bottom of the Hill 1233 17th St. in San Francisco; Dec. 10 from 8:20 PM to 1 AM; all ages; $10 advance, $12 at the door
Oakland Fire Relief Benefit: MOBY (DJ Set) + MORE
At MEZZANINE 444 Jessie St. in San Francisco; proceeds will go to the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts Oakland Fire Fund; minimum donation $20; Dec. 11 from 8 PM to 2 AM; 21+
The Atom Age, Down And Outlaws, Half Stack at Bottom of the Hill 60’s punk garage rock surf band The Atom Age performs with rock band Down and Outlaws and alternative rock band Decent Criminal, 1233 17th St. in San Francisco; Dec. 14 from 8:30 PM to 1 AM; all ages; $10
GHOST SHIP Benefit Show with The Atom Age and Dirty Denim at the Starry Plough
Oakland garage punk band, The Atom Age, SF’s 60’s rock trio, Dirty Denim, SF punk duo Friends W/O Benefits, and DJ Sid Presley perform, 3101 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. Donations to go to the Gray Area Foundation for the Arts Oakland Fire Fund; Dec. 16 from 9 PM to 1 AM
Oakland Underground United hosts Zack Bateman and The Coal Minds, Blaherskite, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Georgia Sam, Mykee Ramen, and LunaSol Music Benefit at Eli’s Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland. Sliding scale from $5, to benefit the Fire Relief Fund; Dec. 17 from 8 PM to 1 AM; 21+
Kendra McKinley and Emily Afton at Bimbo’s 365 Club
60’s champer-pop vocalist and classical guitarist Kendra McKinley performs with nostalgic indie-pop artist Emily Afton, 1025 Columbus Ave. in San Francisco; Dec. 20 at 8 PM; $5 (2 drink minimum); 21+
