It’s People That Make This Place So Special: 2023’s People You Should Know
Editor’s note: We highlight Bay Area artists, makers, writers and creative people who are doing incredible work, it’s our way of supporting the creative community and helping to keep San Francisco a strange and wonderful place. Could it be that it’s the people that make this place so special? Looking back at 2023’s “People you should know” series fondly and grateful to live in a place with such dynamic and talented people.
Here are some of our favorite stories about people you should know that you may have missed in 2023.
EMPOWERED ALLIANCE: WOMEN SHAPING SUCCESS IN OAKLAND’S DIVE BAR SCENE
This is a story about the inspiring journeys of Shari Murphy, Lexi Filipello, and Allison Fontes, courageous women who defy the odds by owning some of Oakland’s best dive bars. United by friendship and mutual support, they prove that in a male-dominated field, collaboration triumphs over competition. Beyond their own origin stories, they offer valuable advice for aspiring bar owners and bartenders alike.
READ THE STORY HERE
East Bay Dive Bar owners Allison Fontes, Lexi Filipello and Shari Murphy
BEYOND ART AT BURNING MAN: THIS PILOT’S THRILLING ADVENTURES ON THE PLAYA
As we delve into this interview, we have the pleasure of meeting Matt Stephenson, a person with a wide variety of talents. Matt shares his journey into flying, his connection with Burning Man, and the various ways he has leaned into his happiness by continuing to share his skills and seeking new adventures which has led to a really dynamic lived experience.
Burning Man from the air
MEET SHANA, THE ARTIST & VINTAGE MAVEN BEHIND FOX & DOLL
I often tell people that being an artist starts the moment the artist is born. That theory holds true with this week’s featured artist who feels like they’ve been creating their whole life. At the tender age of 13, Shana Astrachan started making jewelry when they found some dusty books and jewelry making tools in her parents basement.
READ THE STORY HERE
Shana Astrachan of Fox & Doll – photo by Vita Hewitt
BEYOND THE BOARD: INSIGHTS FROM A LOCAL CHESS GRANDMASTER
Growing up in San Jose, Chess Grandmaster Vinay Bhat achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest National Master at the age of ten. He currently has the esteemed title of Grandmaster, the second highest rank in chess (the top being World Champion which is given to the top player). Recently, Vinay wrote and published his first book, How I Became a Chess Grandmaster.
READ THE STORY HERE
Chess Grandmaster Vinay Bhat – photo by Vita Hewitt
Learn about owner and artist Christina Molcillo as she discusses the origin story of Moonlight Manor and its transformation into an Hotel/Airbnb. She mentions her initial fascination with the house and how she purchased it after a vivid dream. She also recounts her creative partnership with her best friend, Michael Aiello, who was a talented artist and how they turned the house into a hub for artistic projects, particularly elaborate Halloween decorations.
READ THE STORY HERE
Inside the Moonrise Kingdom room at Moonlight Manor
UNVEILING EERIE TRUE TALES WITH THE HAUNTED BAY IN SF
Ying Liu is a paranormal legend. During our walk, we stumbled upon another random ghost tour. The guide gasped with excitement when they saw Ying. “I forgot what I was saying because I’m so starstruck,” they said to their group. Ying’s tales have become legendary in The Bay, where enthusiasts of the supernatural frequently turn to Ying’s discoveries. In particular, they draw inspiration from the content available on Ying’s YouTube channel for Haunted Bay Area.
Paranormal Investigator Ying Lui – photo by Vita Hewitt
PANDEMIC ROAD TRIP SPARKS SUCCESS FOR LOCAL CIDER COMPANY, SINCERE CIDER
Bex Pezzullo playfully refers to herself as a “recovering sommelier,” and it’s likely that her expertise in wine is one of the reasons her cider company makes some of the best cider in The Bay: Sincere Cider. Having started Sincere Cider in 2020 during the pandemic, Bex wasn’t always sure her company would make it but the steps she took to get to where she’s at now is a story that’ll inspire you to keep-on-keepin’-on with whatever dream you might have of your own. You can get there… one step at a time. While the path may not be easy, every small victory along the way will prove to be worthwhile until you reach your desired destination.
READ THE STORY HERE
Bex With Sincere Cider – photo by Vita Hewitt
JAM-PACKED: THESE MUSICIANS MADE AN ENTIRE ALBUM IN JUST 3-DAYS!
Co-created by Casey Cope and Marquito, Qamp is a 3-Day writing camp in Berkeley where dozens of Bay Area musicians and producers coming together to create a full length album in only 3 days. It’s that simple. This year marks their third album that they’ve created using this format.
READ THE STORY HERE
Casey Cope and Marquito, creators of Qamp – photo by Vita Hewitt
THIS HOUSE IN SF IS A MASSIVE IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE
Over the last 42 years, artist and owner Gregangelo Herrera and his team of artists have worked together to create a home which brings people together and into a world of art. Every nook and cranny has a story attached to it. Almost like a sacred altar, the whole house is adorned with tiny glittering treasures which were created to honor the space and bless each visitor.
Alex Mak, Stuart S, Katy Atchison and Kayla Brittingham stand inside the Gregangelo Museum
THE FULL QUEER, ACTIVIST WRESTLERS GRIPPING THE BAY
The Bay Area has a queer pro wrestling team and they’re awesome. The Full Queer (FQ) is here and ready to wrestle, soar, slam, and suplex as a form of performance art, activism, and fight for rights. Marco Mayur began the team in 2021 hoping to create spaces in wrestling that explicitly focus on LGBTQ+ performers. They will be at Armistice Brewing Company on Sunday June 4th.
Ellie D, Rosie Fingers and Lara Frazier show off their wrestling skills – Photography by Vita Hewitt
ARTISTRY & RESILIENCE: THE JOURNEY OF SF MURALIST AMANDALYNN
I think by now you know that my love for public art spans across all genres. Whether it’s strolling along Oakland’s Troll Trail filled with random “trolls” made made from scrap materials, SF’s mosaic stairs or massive collaborative street art murals. Through my years of exploring The Bay Area’s public art, I’ve been following the work of different artists who have their own distinctive unmistakable style. Among these talented artists, is muralist Amandalynn from San Francisco.
Amanda Lynn sitting on her mural “Paradise” in Grand Cayman – photo courtesy of Amanda Lynn
VIVVYANNE FOREVERMORE, EMBRACING AUTHENTICITY & GLITTERING GLAMOUR
Vivvyanne ForeverMORE, also known as Vivvy, is an inspiring drag performer who embodies the essence of authenticity, glittering glamour and bold self-expression. Her radiant personality brightens the lives of those around them, and they serve as a shining example for individuals who want to embrace their true selves and dance in the glittering world of drag.
VivvyAnne ForeverMORE
MAKING THE COOLEST BALLOON ART IN THE WORLD
Back in 2000, during the first dot-com economic downturn, Korene Tom lost her administration job. From there, Korene saw this as a rare opportunity to leave that life behind and become – a balloon artist and clown! Today, she is making some of the most amazing balloon art I’ve ever seen and living her best life. “Well, when one door closes, another door opens – all you need to do is walk through it. Let the universe know and the universe can provide,” she encourages me.
READ THE STORY
Korene has such an electrically beautiful smile and joy that resonates
MEET MARCEL PARDO ARIZA: CURATOR, EDUCATOR, & TRANS VISUAL ARTIST YOU SHOULD KNOW
Marcel Pardo Ariza is a trans visual artist, curator, and educator. Their work explores the relationship between queer and trans kinship. They do this through photographs and site-specific installations that take great care to cultivate a visual space to show the value of collective care and intergenerational connection.
PERSON YOU SHOULD KNOW: TONY LEO OF PROCLAMATION GOODS
We’re so lucky to be surrounded by so many talented people in The Bay Area. A few months ago, my friend and I met up at Urban Putt in the mission and nearly the exact moment she arrived she told me of someone I needed to know, Tony Leo. My friend’s enthusiasm about meeting Tony had me intrigued and after meeting him, I really feel like you’d all love with him, too.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Tony Leo in the mission
MUSICIAN TO KNOW: CRIIBABY – MAKING MUSIC MORE INCLUSIVE
Criibaby asks, “What is more human than heartbreak?” Feelings are universal – music should be as well. Criibaby is making music more inclusive so that people can identify with the song regardless of a listener’s gender, sexual orientation, age – after all, emotion is a universal feeling. Bay Area musician and artist, Criibaby’s music is void of any binary lyrics – just beautiful music which is consciously created to be more inclusive. After all, a great song is always the one that helps someone connect with it.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Criibaby is a Bay Area artist who believes that music can be gender neutral
ICONIC DRAG PERFORMER YOU SHOULD KNOW: DONNA PERSONNA
Donna Personna, drag queen, artist, actress and transgender activist, is dancing in sequins everywhere you look these days. Sales Force Park will be featuring her and Banda Sin Nombre in a show one June 17th. She was recently stunning the crowd at SF Moma meanwhile her film Donna (directed by Jay Bedwani) is winning awards across the globe.
READ THE STORY HERE
Donna Persona lip synchs and dances to a packed house.
Wishing we could have featured everyone again and again and again. Here’s to 2024 and the future ahead – meeting even more amazing people and sharing their stories with you.
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