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A Jazzy riff on a jazzy little bookstore we know of…

November 26, 2011 by Elizabeth Weise

FRIDAY EVENIN’ MUSIC & SOCIAL CLUB AT THE B&B

…ain’ never heerd such pluckin’ an’ blowin’ since the close of Miss Pearl’s

            feets are tappin’

            heads are noddin’

all the chilrens are dancin’

            everbody’s smilin’ at everbody else           

Eric Whittington, presiding fellow of Bird & Beckett Books, announces, “Folks, it’s been happening here every Friday since 2002 – haven’t missed a week.”  There’s the hard corps of ladies who always stop in—many with goodies in hand and tin.  There’s Margaret, a bit shorter than most, but whose pride in her cookie skills raises her way up.  And some bodys are always bringing dips and chips, as Eric and others supply us with inexpensive liquids (donations only), from water on up. And the guys—some curious just off the street, some wizened jazzmen, all who just like the scene and sounds.

Wat’s hapnin’? Only that it’s also the time and place to listen to the very best jazz in town, and schmooze. Dig the animated conversations among bass, tenor sax (sometimes two–that would be same sax), baritone sax, drums, piano, trumpet, guitar, trombone, clarinet, flute, cornet, flugelhorn…It’s a real stir-fry from as many as four different groups, each with its own style and combos.  Musicians who have played and studied with the best of jazz bands.

So who we talkin’ about?

Don Prell’s Seabop Ensemble (on rare occasion see/hear the prello­–his electric cello on a stick; Jimmy Ryan’s Quintet; Chuck Peterson’s Quintet…

–all these groups involve a shuffle of various musicians with differing ensembles and guests.  That’s what makes Fridays sort of a surprise.

Sometimes Dorothy Lefkowitz drops in to sing a few good old songs.

Oh, yes, they all play ONLY with the assistance of our donations and contributions–

and the help of the Cultural Legacy Project.

Oh, and I didn’t mention–there’s thousands and thousands of books, all waiting to be chosen?  Most of them brand new, others sort of, others in  special pre-read sections, this week’s world newspapers, even my own 8×12 book that often finds itself in a remote corner.  This place is way–out better than a library because you can take ‘em home and keep ‘em—and you don’t have to browse some computer files to see if they exist somewhere in library cyberspace. What more?—stands and stands of cards to send to your fave. And if you know of some book Erik doesn’t have on the shelf, he or his staff will do their best to get it for you.

What a place to be just after work or a hard week at home– to browse, to listen, to greet, to buy, to schmooze!  Find your old friends, find new ones–like William the sailor, Linda the pet caregiver, Zadek the people’s advocate, Pat (Eric’s mom) with Pablo (her dachshund), Nick, Eric’s son and his wife behind the counter, Mary the nurse, Jim the instructor, any number of computer whizzes, poets, office workers glad to end the week, neighbors who drift in from up the street, some transporting themselves from nearby ‘hoods. Some escort four-leggeds, all like a family, sometimes talking at the same time, sometimes enough to be shushed (like myself).  Always meet the curious who have heard about B&B– from Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, France, New Zealand, New York, Chicago – all just to take in the atmosphere.

Wait! This is just Friday.  Sunday:  Poetry, unusual music through the Cultural Legacy Project, & stuff other days, too. Too darn much to talk about. Just GO!!

Charlie “BIRD” Parker and Samuel BECKETT

By Dolan Eargle, aficionado

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
Learn more and link to registration here


Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.



Stop the bleed logoStop the Bleed Workshop
Thursday, June 26, 6-9 p.m.
St. Aidan’s Church
To learn more, click here


Monthly cleanup on the Greenway
First Saturday of the Month (usually)
Click here to learn more


Friends of Glen Canyon’s
Glen Canyon Habitat Restoration
Every third Saturday 9:30 a.m to noon
Sign up here

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Glen Park Rec Center

Glen Canyon Park sign
Click here for latest
Glen Park Rec Center
class schedule


Saturdays 3-4:45 p.m.
Questions? Call 415-239-4007


GP Movie Night Schedule

Renew Your Glen Park Association Membership for 2025

Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

Glen Park Association Advertising Sponsors

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moroco
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Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
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Glen Park Association is at San Francisco Public Library Glen Park Branch.
3 days ago
Glen Park Association

Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library!
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

San Francisco Public Library Arion Press | Artist Books Museum of Craft and Design Rafael Mandelman 🏳️‍🌈 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #InCommunity
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Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library! 
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

@sfpubliclibrary @arionpress @museumofcraftanddesign @rafaelmandelmand8 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #incommunity
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Glen Park Association is at Glen Park Recreation Center.
4 days ago
Glen Park Association

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in!

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
... See MoreSee Less

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays  2:00PM - 2:45PM 
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in! 

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street 

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
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Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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