Handcar Regatta

This inspiring and lyrical short film, titled The Incredible San Francisco Artists’ Soapbox Derby by Amanda Pope, documents the wonderful community event organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1975.

The Great Handcar Regatta is a direct descendant of the notion that art is alive out in the sun among everyone in the community. Pat Tevenner, one of the artists interviewed in the film, says it succinctly:

“The kind of fun and joy that’s in the soap box derby is a very, very important element of art.

“I would call it a misnomer in our culture that for art to be important it has to be ’serious’… for it to be collectible, to be bought, to be in a museum… there’s a heaviness to it.

“I think this is absolutely absurd. I mean, it’s the absolute antithesis to creativity.”

A hearty thanks goes to members of our own Regatta crew and Baby Seal Club for the hard work and love in yesterday’s To Haiti With Love fundraiser with the generous help of Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol, CA.

Of course, these three groups are just the tip of the proverbial spearhead. Dozens of friends and family showed up to help run the huge event. Musical acts of kindness included Baby Seal Club, Mr. December, The Spindles, Hubbub Club Marching Band, Marc Nichols and Julie Lewis, Amber Lee and the Anomalies, and Belinda Blair.

And special thanks, of course, to the many more who arrived to show support by donating and buying the fabulous items to be had, including local Revolution Moto owner Roy who donated the highly coveted A2B Metro Electric Bicycle.

$11,000+ ITEM!
In just 6 hours of entertainment, tasty drinks, and the joy in community endeavor for those in need, early estimates suggest that at least $11,000 was raised to support bona fide humanitarian organizations: Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières.

But that was not all! The fundraising party continued into the wee hours with beats and grooves helmed by local DJs and all-around charitable chaps, Bryce Williams and Patrick Malone (plus their huge crew of sympathetic helpers and friends). With luck (and love), thousands of dollars more were no doubt raised by evening’s end!

Lest we forget, the REALLY hard work shall continue for years to come by those courageous folks on the ground in Haiti itself.

We, at the Regatta, are humbled and happy to salute those steadfast helpers over seas and our own gracious community of go-getter accomplices in aid and love for Haiti.

Dearest Fops, Floozies, Dandies, and Dilettantes in Devilish Duds of Yore,

Rejoice in this season’s 10th Annual Edwardian Ball 2010! Scribe in the dates thusly:

Friday, January 22
     8pm-2am — The Edwardian World’s Faire
Saturday, January 23rd
     Noon-7pm — Vending open to the public!
     8pm-2am — 10th Annual Edwardian Ball

Indeed, 10 years on, the gala continues in all its Edward Gorey themed debauchery and madness we do so love and that the S.F. Examiner dubbed “a staple of San Francisco culture”. A few of our very own Regattees shall be present in finery, of course, and hope you shall celebrate the year’s begin in style and ebullience.

Buyer’s Delight
Were you aware that this is the second year of vendors at the Ball? Moreover, vending is open to the public all day Saturday from noon until 7pm. Indeed!

Our very own mistress of Adornments for Tarts and costume authority Choklit Chanteuse, will be supply attendees both superlative and exquisite with gorgeous silken adornments for Zephyrous Chaps and Sirene Seductresses.

We shall see you at the stately Regency Center on the morrow eve…

Ladies and gentlemen! We are pleased to make a bold announcement: The Great Handcar Regatta shall commence for a third “bully” season on:

September 26th, 2010

HUZZAH!

And I, Erasmus P. Kitty, mettlesome caretaker of all things Regatta within our fair city of Santa Rosa, propose a delicious challenge to YOU, our dear fashionable friends and fruitful builders alike:

Let us show the bedraggled naysayers and irascible fuddy-duddies from the tepid surrounds what it means to throw an UNIMAGINABLE jamboree, the likes of which even bonny Barbary Coast has yet to witness, upon our own ironclad shores of rail-bound madness!

Three cheers and HUZZAH for all who dare to RIDE with us!

The Historic Railroad Square Association has just taken command of a fresh AetherWeb Site, built by our very own master of Sassy Monkey Media: Clifford Hill.

The RRSQ site features the many charms, varied events, and unique shops and services that we so love here in Santa Rosa.

Please take a moment to explore the site and better behold the adventurous events, storied history, manifold shops, delicious restaurants, entertaining diversions, and singular services to tickle one’s fancy in Railroad Square.

Master Corbin Dunn recently completed this clever tandem unicycle. Bravo!

Indeed, I once was obliged to quickly cobble together a tandem tooth extraction device for a particularly tough customer one afternoon. You see, I had yet to perfect my Anatomical Steam-Powered Forceps, which, alas, was still encumbered by a foul stench and a tendency to explode said tooth during expulsion. Of course, I tried Tillie the Elephant once or twice, but her labors usually meant the entire office in ruins! Ah well…

In any case, do take a look at Mr. Dunn’s tandem unicycle in detail or witness the dueling dangers in action via this motion picture demonstration.

If one must feel enslaved by time, why not fasten the concept with a chain?

The Catena wall clock by Andreas Dober at Anthologie Quartett Gallerie is a suitable timepiece for the kinetic-bound builder and melancholic winter denizens alike.

via LondonTown.com

Robert Ripley, one of the most famous men in America at one point, is now mostly known for Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – a franchise of museums worldwide that has kept audiences gaping for decades. Ripley was a collector of the strange but true. He was to his legions of fans across America, the ultimate gentleman explorer. He brought them on his radio show, with descriptive narration, to the far corners of the globe that few dared imagine going to themselves.

What few people know is that between traveling to some 201 countries around the globe, he was born, lived, and died in Santa Rosa, Calif. Ripley was definitely a local eccentric, and in the wake of news that a (somewhat beleaguered) movie will be made about his life starring Jim Carrey, I thought I’d talk a bit about Santa Rosa’s beloved son.

Continue Reading

Dear Regatta friends and lovers of fine vintage,

Even as we relax after such a grand Handcar Regatta day, we yet are stirring up vats of ideas and bits of interest to offer our beloved community.

To that end, instead of offering “exclusive” wine, we decided that, much like the aspirations of the Regatta itself, we would offer “INclusive” vintage wines for the Delight of all who partake.

As you must know by now, your generous contributions are necessary for us to carry on. In purchasing these wines, you help us booster our noble Regatta cause for none other than YOU: our fun-loving friends and cohorts in kinetic calamity! HUZZAH!

…AND NOW, E.P. Kitty & Co. Steam Grape Calliope Manufactory presents three ingenious wines:

Regatta Roustabout Cabernet

This full-bodied 2006 North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is saturated with complex blackberry flavors and hints of cinnamon and chocolate. Pairs well with stuffed pork chops.
BUY NOW »

Coweena McDermott’s Handcar Regatta White Wine No. 9

Floral, melon and lemongrass aromas lead to white peach and lemon-lime flavors with a hint of apricot in this crisp, delightful and refreshing gem of a 2008 California Pinot Grigio.
BUY NOW »

Handcar Regatta Magnus Rutilus

ITEM! This bottle’s label is elegantly etched into the glass of the bottle itself. A dark ruby red 2005 Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by aromas of black cherry, cassis and black pepper. Rich notes of black cherry and plum lead to a mouthwatering, spicy finish.
BUY NOW »

Legionnaires of Secret Eating,

The Great Handcar Regatta is approaching faster than a steam engine on rails and we, the Secret Eating Society (hereafter referred to as “SES”), wanted you to be the first to join our band of outlaws.

While the doe-eyed pedestrians observe the Regatta spectacle, we shall be passing out orders to those brave and stealthy enough to protect the SES way of life. You will fight for your life and liberty amongst, amidst and betwixt the passerby. If you would like to be considered, you may ply us with a few tokens of intent.

Only one shall survive and all BANDITS will crown the hero at a grand meal served in the Square.

TRANSLATION
SES is hosting a spy game to happen during The Great Handcar Regatta. When only one player is left, the BANDITS will gather to eat and celebrate the victor (whilst making everyone who didn’t get to play really, really jealous).

Brown Paper Tickets