Shello! Meet Our Guardian of the Golden Gate, Mermaid Atlantis
Perched on some rocks under the Golden Gate Bridge sits the Mermaid Atlantis. Perhaps you already caught a glimpse of her in the popular Netflix docuseries MerPeople. Flame red hair blowing in the breeze, The Mermaid Atlantis informs me that she has just arrived in “Sand Francisco”. Her wide set dark eyes fill with worry as she tells me that she has recently acquired an arch nemesis in the form of “Plastic Island” or P.I. For short. P.I. Has been littering Atlantis’ ocean home with single use plastics. She is now on a quest to clean the oceans by teaching kids and adults alike about the dangers of trashing the ocean. Catch her at the Dive Bar in Sacramento if you are an adult or on her very own show on YouTube for the kids. The Mermaid Atlantis is here to delight, to enthrall and to teach.
The Mermaid Atlantis in Sand Francisco. Photo by Vita Hewitt.
Where did you come from?
The ocean! It’s the blue one.
Can you tell us what it’s like being a mermaid? Take us through a typical day?
Normally, I wake up, visit my ocean friends, study human languages, and try to make new friends! But recently, I haven’t been able to, because of P.I.
Atlantis in the ocean. Photo by Brett Stanley.
Are there things about mermaid culture you can share?
Well, we really love meeting people! We collect shiny things, read lots of books, and love to eat cheese!
Why did you choose San Francisco for a home?
There are so many fun and interesting people and artists here. I love stories, and the people here have lots of them. They tell their stories in so many different ways. They speak in many languages, sing songs, paint, and dance! I feel like Sand Francisco will welcome the new mermaid in town.
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Plastic Island menacing The Mermaid Atlantis. Photo by Eddie Gomez.
Have you made any mer-friends while here?
Yes! I have been very lucky to meet mermaids, mermen, and mer-thems! Their sand castles are in Oakland, Sacramento, and even Los Angeles. These Mers are so unique and kind!
Nymphia the nautilus mermaid is writing a book! Merman Icarus makes beautiful wearable art. Mermaid and Mom are always performing. Merman Jax helps produce big events. Sammy the MerThey is starting some family friendly drag shows.
You’ve met the plastic trash monster, how are single use plastics affecting the ocean?
The Plastic Island, or P.I. As he likes to be called, is my arch enemy! I’m not really sure what an arch enemy is, so I am trying to get to know him. I want to understand where he comes from, and why. Single use water bottles are covering my home, the ocean. This is making sea animals sick, poisoning everybody’s drinking water, and ends up back in human foods. This all sounds super scary, but I am sure we can work together to figure out a solution that works for everyone, by land and by sea.
The Mermaid Atlantis enchants audiences at her magic show. Photo by Ben Wester
Where have you traveled to in the Bay Area/California to spread the word?
Most recently, I was invited to the Bamboo Reef Scuba Shop in Sand Francisco, by Eddie Gomez of Deeper Diver photography. We did an underwater photoshoot which was super fun, but then P.I. crashed it!! He seems to be showing up in all the water, lately.
I have also been to The Dive Bar, in Sacramento. The mermaids there are super friendly and perform shows nightly! It’s adults only, since it’s a bar. We have put on a few underwater fashion shows, and events there.
Mermaid Rachel, from The Dive Bar, also hosts an all ages mermaid event in Sacramento called California Mermaid Convention! She and her production partner, Mermaid Smash, have asked me to perform for the guppies every year, which has been a huge honor.
Other than that, I have been invited to celebrate birthday parties and corporate events all over the Bay Area.
Photo by Vita Hewitt.
What episode of the mermaid documentary Merpeople on Netflix can we find you?
I was featured for a few moments in Episode 2. We were celebrating CalMerCon’s masquerade ball, so I was dressed as a Rococo jellyfish that evening!
I also played a Mermaid Barmaid in the background of the film “Lorelei”, on set at Dive Bar!
You can catch a glimpse of me in “Mermaids” a documentary by director Ali Weinstein
Where can kids find your show?
On your shell phone! I am on Fin-stagram, YouTube, and Tiktok.
I am working on turning my bilingual YouTube show into a live theater production. That way, I can visit humans on land. I’d love to tour human schools, libraries, aquariums, or anywhere really. It’s all so new and exciting to me.
Where can grown ups see you swim?
In the ocean! You can also invite me to your pool party or event, or sometimes I visit the Dive Bar. If you know of any tanks or aquariums that would like me to visit, let me know!
See her show on YouTube
Website MermaidAtlantis.com
See her at Dive Bar https://www.instagram.com/divebarmermaids/
The California Mermaid Convention
https://www.instagram.com/californiamercon/
Photo by Craig Colvin.
Editor’s note: Every Mer-Person has a twin human that walks the earth. It can be confusing if you see them on the street. We don’t talk about it. It’s a mer thing.
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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