Arts Extra! San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco does not wait for the weekend to meet, mingle and mix it up with new and exciting personalities. Thursday evening set the stage for many a party with a purpose. From social mixers to art receptions to clubbing with a cause, San Franciscans began the weekend early.

‘In Circle Launch Party’ at ROE

The In Circle Launch Party, held in the upstairs lounge at ROE, the stylish South of Market Burmese restaurant, hosted a cheery gathering of local professionals that dressed to impress while pressing flesh to forge new friendships and potential business contacts at this addictively friendly mixer.

Sheila Ash, who swooned with convivial grace around a crowd bent on expanding its social circle, said the event was too warm to leave anyone out in the cold. “On such a cold wintry night, it’s a pleasure to be at a fun affair where we can all make an appearance,” said Sheila, proprietor of Noe’s Nest Bed and Breakfast in Noe Valley.

Helping In Circle copartner Patrick Dalal to incubate an atmosphere of newly fashioned business and personal encounters, Anna Alioto tended to everyone’s social needs while spreading energetic verve throughout the stylish setting. “It’s a hip young sexy crowd from 25 to 50 that’s great for meeting somebody or wanting to network whether for business or pleasure,” said Alioto, who is a nominee for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2005 San Francisco Woman of the Year campaign.

‘Superstar Collection’ at Blue Cube

Next up, I ventured downtown to The Blue Cube, a newly renovated 1907 brick and steel warehouse that provided a suitable setting for the very lively artist reception that night. Art is reason enough to celebrate, but socially explosive contemporary art that draws the attention of friends and patrons alike is truly bliss to behold. Local pop art sensation Tim Gaskin embraced San Franciscans with talent, satire and electrical flair at his “Superstar Collection” reception Thursday.

“My work is a statement on how artists and advertising brands have both become icons,” said Gaskin. “And the public responds to the color and everyday branding in everyday life.”

With fresh energy invested into the Warholian school of thought toward contemporary pop-culture icons, Gaskin’s works juxtapose famous faces with brand-name logos in rich color. His work “Air Newsom,” a portrait of Mayor Gavin Newsom in front of a Nike Air Jordan logo, was auctioned off at the reception to benefit the San Francisco AIDS Emergency Fund.

His canvases may feature celebrity profiles ripped from the covers of gossip journals, but Gaskin himself was the center of attention at this highly energized event. Friend and fellow art lover Mark J. Rhoades said Gaskin’s personality and personal warmth reaches far deeper than the surfaces of his paintings. “He gives back to the community more than any other artist I know,” said Rhoades, noting his support and contributions to the San Francisco AIDS Emergency Fund and Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. “He thinks about how to bring people together, and he’s a good role model for our community.”

‘Dance for Disaster Relief’ fundraiser

Finally, I dropped into the upscale lounge environment at Dolce in North Beach only to become caught up in the local spirit of giving and grooving to a good cause. Providing an oasis for the generous, Dolce hosted its “Dance for Disaster Relief” fundraiser, helping to support the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

Sipping signature cocktails served by the beautiful Jamie Walker in the back lounge, I got her take on this vivacious charity event. “Soft, smooth and sweet is the theme of Dolce, and I feel we are accomplishing that tonight,” she said over the backdrop of sexy house and vintage hip hop resonating through the club.

The dance, and dizzy trance of bodies in transition, not to forget the lime-lit ambience of this icy-cool lounge, helped me to put the evening into perspective. As I nursed my final cocktail and savored the flavor of a North Beach crowd so content to come to the aid of a cause other than its own, I concluded that Thursday night’s alright for getting the weekend started.

Dolce is located at 440 Broadway Street, near Kearny. ROE is located at 651 Howard Street, near New Montgomery. And Blue Cube is located downtown at 34 Mason Street.

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View more photos from Arts Extra! at flickr.com/photos/artsextra.

All photos by Jamie Windborne unless otherwise noted. Copyright (C) 2005 Jamie Windborne, www.artsextra.com. All rights reserved.