fletcher’s blog

Folsom Street Fair

Barbara and I went to the Folsom Street Fair yesterday. This was the 25th annual Fair, which is always scheduled for the last Sunday in September. It is billed as the world’s largest leather event. They say on their website, “We hope to see the fairgrounds filled with people in their most outrageous leather/rubber/fetish attire enjoying the worlds largest and best loved Leather fair.” It is very adult and outrageous event. There is nudity, public displays of sadism and masochism, bondage, and lots of sex related activity. Most people are there having a good time, and Barbara and I weren’t exceptions. There are lots of interesting looking people and sites to see.

Barbara wrote:
“Where do these guys keep their clothes?!

Fletcher and I attended the Folsom Street Fair on Sunday. It is a
fascinating affair, and one of the main events is nudity. For what we
saw of the women, this extended down to the waist. It was only the men
who took full advantage of the chance to completely strip down (though
most often with some form of accessories, be it leather, feather, or
boa constrictor!). We spent several hours roaming, and when we were
heading out, I asked Fletcher, “where do these guys keep their
clothes?!”. What, I wondered, do they do when they get beyond the
entrance gates and cross back over into ‘real time’?

Well, it being San Francisco, and The Folsom Street Fair being an SF
institution, no alarms would go off, and proceeding in nude fashion
down these mean streets for several blocks further would probably cause
no great stir and some great interest. Still, we decided that most
likely these nude ’stars for a day’ (who love strutting their stuff and
welcome the swarms of photographers at this event) probably have an
entourage who are carrying their street duds, much like the carriers of
James Brown’s famous cape.”

(Click on images to see larger views)
Woman dispensing condoms and health info	Fair participant

Large albino snake wrapped around man in lieu of clothing.

Sitting on Folsom Street	Tattoo on back of 75 year old man

Backup singer with Pussy Tourette	Woman in costume

If you want to to see more photos, go to my Flickr set.

Events | 1 Comment »

Debate - Who Won?

I wanted Obama to kick ass; he may or may not have won, but he didn’t kick butt. Because of the hidden, rampant racism in this country, I’ve heard it said that Obama has to be very far ahead in polls, at least 6-8 per cent, if he is actually to walk away a winner in this election. That is, if the Republicans don’t steal it.

I will be showing a piece at the Eclectix Gallery, in a show called Strange Brew, with an opening next Friday, October 3, 7:00-10:00 PM, running through Nov 2. The gallery is opening in a new location at 10082 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, Ca  94530, right next door to the Cerrito Theater.

Here’re a couple of images from the Potrero Hill area in San Francisco that I took last year.

(Click on images to see larger view)

Art, Events, Politics, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Circling the San Francisco Chronicle Building

Week two of Brad Newsham’s latest project of circling the Chronicle Building took place today. He’s got a lot of confidence and I’ll continue to take photos, but it does seem like Don Quixote and some windmill battle. We’ll see.

(Click on image to see larger view)
Demonstrators in front of Chronicle Bldg.

In addition to the above photos, I’ve published a whole bunch of images from the demonstration on my Flickr site. Also, I forgot to link the Flickr photos from last week as well.

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Enough of Palin - Impeach Bush and Cheney

I am sick of hearing about what’s her name. Talk about the economy. Talk about the differences between that stupid old man and Barack Obama. We need to do what we can to not let the Republicans win (steal) the presidency again. Help to register voters. Let’s get the current bunch of thieves, liars, and downright swindlers impeached.

Brad Newsham, the guy who organized the Impeach at the Beach events in and around San Francisco, organized an event today, called Ring Around the Chron #1. The idea is to “ring the Chronicle building and implore the Chron to stop censoring the Bush/Cheney/Pelosi shredding of the Constitution.” There weren’t a lot of people there. Brad is hoping that it will build on itself over the next several Thursdays before the election, and eventually there’ll be enough people there (300) to encircle the building. Bring on the media.

(Click on image to see larger view)
Demonstrators in front of Chronicle Bldg.	Brad Newsham and other demonstrator.

After the demonstration I walked on Mission over to about 2nd Street and took some other photos, including the photo below.

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