Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a good old-fashioned balloon drop. But balloons were pretty much the only old-fashioned decoration inside San Francisco’s Concourse for the Sea of Dreams party.
A striped sea anemone-looking streamer snaked across the ceiling, straddling what resembled massive Japanese lanterns. Organizer Joegh Bullock strung a row of painted bike inner tubes across a corridor, looking rather pleased with the results.
“We’re going for kind of a real hecticy [sic], crazy, wild kind of lunatic experience,” said Bullock. With circus performers, five sound areas, DJs and the punk-gypsy band Gogol Bordello all on the bill, Bullock should have no trouble reaching his chaotic goals. The event even included its own art gallery with live painting and sculpting.
“We believe when you’re out to start off the New Year you should also experience some art and some content,” said Bullock. “It’s not all about getting plastered.”
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Of course many will indeed get plastered. To that end Muni was operating free for the night and the Luxor cab company was also offering free rides if passengers mentioned its sponsor (psst… it’s “Berg Injury Lawyers”).
For revelers looking for a more traditional New Year, San Francisco was again trotting out its midnight fireworks show on the Embarcadero. And this year the fog had reportedly agreed to stay clear, as a year ending in 13 already presents enough questionable mojo.
For those wishing to ring in the New Year on an island, Alameda’s USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum was decked out for a night of ballroom dancing.
“We have a big band, 17-piece band that will be playing over there,” said Madeline McEntyre, gesturing to a stage draped by an American flag. But don’t expect to see anyone inside come midnight. The guests usually pop up to the deck to watch San Francisco’s fireworks across the bay.
