San Francisco, CA

Meet the Man Behind San Francisco’s Musical ‘Star Factory’

Published

5 months ago

January 6, 2024

Meet the Man Behind San Francisco’s Musical ‘Star Factory’

Rudy Colombini, the frontman for a Rolling Stones cover band, is neither humble nor demure about his labor of love: San Francisco’s Music City, a complex dedicated to musicians and musicianship, at every level. It might sound straight out of Nashville, but it’s right here in the city’s Lower Nob Hill neighborhood.

“This is the most important fucking artistic project in the United States,” Colombini told The Standard.

The three-floor facility—which opened 20 new rehearsal spaces Friday—provides future stars with everything from living space to rehearsal rooms, engaged audiences and an array of refreshments. In the venture’s fundraising materials, Colombini is just as grandiose, describing the complex as “Motown Records, CBGB, the Chelsea Hotel, Abbey Road Studios, the Berklee School of Music, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, all in one building in San Francisco.”

A warehouse-looking space has a bar in the back and wooden floors with black columns. — The largest of four venues at Music City includes a full bar and has rehearsal spaces surrounding it. | Source: Courtesy Music City

The expansion comes at a time when San Francisco scouts for an artistic renaissance, the smoke signals of which include vinyl store openings, new music venues, expanded art spaces and entire neighborhoods enlivened by the arts.

A consummate showman who has been playing live music in San Francisco for 51 years, Colombini is used to performing. His band, The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, once opened for Elton John, and Colombini played at the Mill Valley institution Sweetwater Music Hall years ago—and also had a sold-out show there last week.

“I’ve played in every major venue,” he said. “And every shithole.”

But this gig—the passion project of his life—is the vision for which he put everything on the line, financially backing the venture thanks to the money he made as a real estate developer.

“I was born to do this,” he said. “It started out as a philanthropic project. It ended up a legacy.”

The superlative-slinging lead singer calls Music City a “star factory,” a place where emerging musicians can practice, perform and connect. There are affordable hotel and hostel rooms where touring artists can stay, store their gear and connect with a music-loving community. The bar and restaurant of the campus-like artist incubator is slated to open within 10 days, after final approval of the city’s Department of Public Health.

But the real star of the show here is the new rehearsal and venue spaces that have been under construction for the past six years, all of which are equipped with audio-visual capabilities, allowing bands to perform live online. Audience members walking into Music City can see two bands playing at once—one they hear (in the venue) and one they don’t (in the rehearsal space), beckoning passersby on Bush Street.

“There isn’t anything like this on the planet,” Colombini said. “We’ll give you a grand if you find it.”

Amps and guitars stand in a room with brick walls and glass windows. — Music City’s expansion includes the addition of 20 state-of-the-art rehearsal spaces equipped with gear and streaming capabilities. | Source: Courtesy Music City

According to Colombini, what budding musicians need most is an audience. With the number of people cycling through the complex—groups in the rehearsal spaces, guests in the hostel and hotel, the public at the bar and restaurant—there’s an organic listenership built into the building.

“There will easily be 700 to 800 people on-site,” he said.

He imagines a band rehearsing with the blinds down in the refurbished rehearsal studios—spaces that bridge the historic (original brick walls) with the modern (top-of-the-line equipment)—then streaming directly to one of the building’s venues or on a ClearChannel radio station.

Music lovers can pick up drinks from the alleyway window on Fern Street, dine in the on-site restaurant serving elevated gastropub fare and watch a multitude of bands rehearse in the stylish rehearsal spaces or take in a show at one of the four venues.

“Music is our thrill, our delight,” Colombini said. “It’s the most important antidepressant.”

Musicians play guitars and drums in a performance space with wooden floors and a brick wall. — Musicians perform in the main venue at San Francisco’s Music City. | Source: Courtesy Music City

It’s been a long time coming, but, to paraphase the Stones, time was on his side. The project was put on pause during the pandemic, and for a long stretch, Music City has had only one rehearsal space—a room adjacent to the hotel accommodations that had earlier been used as a common space.

The room has been continuously booked, said the hotel’s front desk receptionist, Isaac Lawrence, demonstrating the demand for more space.

Rehearsal spaces are affordable at Music City, ranging from $15 to $45 an hour, a fraction of what studios typically charge. From Jan. 5 to Jan. 12, Music City is offering its rehearsal spaces free of charge in connection with the opening celebration.

“There’s a great sense of community,” Lawrence said. “You have all these different groups commingling, between the rehearsal spaces and the guests and the permanent residents.”

An small alleyway has blue and green dots on it. — When finished, the Music City bar and restaurant will open up to tiny Fern Street in the back, allowing audience members to walk up for drinks and entertainment. | Source: Julie Zigoris/The Standard

Music City also houses the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame, a self-paced exhibition that spotlights local musicians who made it big.

It’s all part of a larger project by Colombini to put San Francisco back on the musical map, a city he called an “international star factory” but whose reputation has been diminished over the past 25 years.

The longtime musician cited a report put together by the London-based organization Sound Diplomacy that found many flaws in the city’s sustenance and promotion of its music scene and history. The Standard viewed a copy of the report, not made available to the public, which recommended “to create a multi-use music hub for the local community” as a priority. Colombini sees his Music City as that hub.

“I never had the big hit I wanted,” Colombini said, reflecting on his musical career. “This is my big hit.”

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San Francisco, CA

Sister Roma to Lead San Francisco Queer History Bus Tour for Pride Month

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2024

Press Room

Sister Roma to Lead San Francisco Queer History Bus Tour for Pride Month

Though Drag Me Downtown is free to attend, those wishing to get their hands on some Pride 2024 goodies can pre-register for $10, the proceeds of which will be donated to San Francisco’s Transgender District. Since 2017, the cultural district has been taking steps to ensure tenant protections for Tenderloin residents, working with the city to preserve sites of LGBTQ historical significance and providing workforce development programs and other community-minded activities.

“As a San Francisco native and the city’s first drag laureate,” Drollinger shared in a statement, “my goal is and will always be to celebrate and elevate the art of drag. I am thrilled that I was asked to participate in bringing some sparkle to this fabulous series.”

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San Francisco, CA

2024 Rams opponent breakdown: San Francisco 49ers, Week 3

Published

11 hours ago

May 28, 2024

Press Room

2024 Rams opponent breakdown: San Francisco 49ers, Week 3

2023

A five-game win streak to open the season got the 49ers off to a strong start. Although they experienced a three-game losing streak after that stretch to go into their Week 9 bye 5-3 overall, whatever corrections made over the break were effective, as they ripped six consecutive wins upon returning from it.

San Francisco’s 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders allowed it to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture in Week 17, and consequently rest the majority of its starts in the following week’s regular season finale against the Rams.

As is the case with any team, staying healthy played a big part in the 49ers’ success. The loss of third-year safety Talanoa Hufanga – who was coming off a breakout First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl season in 2022 – was big for their defense, but otherwise their major contributors were consistently available throughout the course of the season.

The 49ers dispatched the Packers in the Divisional Round and Lions in the NFC Championship to reach Super Bowl LVIII, where they fell to the Chiefs 25-22 in overtime on Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ game-winning, 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

Key Changes

The biggest ones came on the defensive side of the ball.

San Francisco parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after just one season and went internal for his replacement, promoting defensive pass game specialist & nickels coach Nick Sorensen to the role.

The 49ers also hired former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley as assistant head coach/defense.

In free agency, the 49ers signed former Bills and Rams outside linebacker Leonard Floyd to a 2-year deal.

In the draft, they used their first-round pick (31st overall) on Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, and grabbed Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo – whose 4.33-second 40-yard dash ranked fastest among all participants at that position – in the fourth round.

Head coach

Kyle Shanahan enters his eighth season as head coach of the 49ers, compiling a 64-51 regular season record and 8-4 playoff record through his first seven years.

What to watch for

What the 49ers defense will look like in 2024

That’s not to suggest San Francisco will do a complete schematic overhaul for that unit – especially after promoting from within for its new defensive coordinator – but Sorenson will likely have a different vision for the defense than Wilks did.

From a personnel standpoint, the 49ers will still carry over many of the familiar contributors like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Javon Hargrave, among others.

They will also have continuity offensively as well with Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle still around. All of them were focal points of the NFL’s No. 2 total offense and No. 3 scoring offense last season, which will provide a good early test for a young Rams defense embarking on the first season of the post-Aaron Donald era.

Beyond that, it’s always exciting to have a rivalry game this early in the season. Week 3 should be a great matchup.

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San Francisco, CA

The Best Happy Hours in San Francisco Right Now

Published

18 hours ago

May 28, 2024

Press Room

The Best Happy Hours in San Francisco Right Now

The primary purpose of a great happy hour is to do exactly what it promises it’s going to do: make you happy. We’ve all had those days, when work was too damn frustrating or we just couldn’t shake that thing from our mind that’s been eating at us — and there’s nothing like gathering with friends over drinks and bites, or even saddling up to a bar solo, to put a smile on your face before the evening comes around. San Francisco has tons of happy hours sprinkled throughout the city, but there are some can’t-miss ones you should seek out. Whether you’re after fresh oysters and drinks on the cheap, a rooftop with a view before sunset, or even a late-night cocktail and a bite, these S.F. happy hours will fill those needs and more.

Monday-Thursday, 3-5 p.m.

This cozy, bright space with ample sidewalk seating in the Marina packs a legit happy-hour punch for an introduction to chef/co-owner Melissa Perfit’s seafood dishes. Start with the $5 cured trout deviled eggs, with the oils from the fish melding divinely with a dash of fine olive oil sinking into the canals around the filling inside of the egg white — definitely as delicious as it sounds. The grab a pair of BBQ oysters for $8, or venture into the main menu for the Velma grilled oysters with nori, yuzu and trout roe surrounded by compound butter. Cava, a French white and Portuguese rosé are all just $7, and if you come on Tuesdays, wildly fresh Miyagi oysters are $2 all day. There’s hardly a more lovely corner of the city for a glass of wine and a dozen oysters.

2095 Chestnut St

Daily, 2:30-5 p.m.

Sitting outside on the patio at Waterbar, looking out at the Bay Bridge, might just be the most scenic happy hour in the city. If you opt to stay inside, you’ll feel the same grandeur sitting at their gorgeous wraparound bar. It’s a beautiful Embarcadero destination with a $1.55 daily featured oyster special served with a hibiscus apple mignonette. The happy hour beer selection is $5, wine is $8 and cocktails are $10. Once happy hour is over, expand beyond these and try one of Beverage Director Valentina Moyà’s memorable drinks, like the Queen Bee with Barr Hill Gin, St. Germain, Lillet, chamomile, prosecco, honey and lemon.

399 The Embarcadero

Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.

On the far edge of Golden Gate Park, across the street from the crashing waves of Ocean Beach, Park Chalet has the most thorough happy hour menu in town. While sister restaurant Beach Chalet offers an iconic dining experience upstairs, it’s the open-air dining room and grassy patio at Park Chalet that totally rules for soaking in the sun over house-brewed beers and diverse bites. All draft beers are $4. Head brewer Marco Tapiz’s Presidio IPA and the more tropical Sea Serpent IPA are killer; meanwhile, the VFW is one of S.F.’s best long-standing locally-made light beers. Start with a half dozen oysters for $14, then move into crispy buttermilk fried calamari for $8. There’s also taco, slider and wing specials to be had in this sweeping backyard patio.

1000 Great Highway

Monday-Friday, 5-8 p.m.

Time melts away when you’re sitting down at this Castro haunt on Upper Market. Blackbird’s happy hour has been so steady for so long — plus, I just love how expansive the space is; on a random weekday, it’s spacious enough to feel like you have your own small domain within it all, no matter where you’re sitting. Proper cocktails and beers are $1 off, including a house Old Fashioned, Aperol Spritz and rotating selection of local brews on draft from Temescal, Standard Deviant, etc. Oh, and you’re more than likely gonna hear solid gold ’90s R&B on the speakers. This is simply a wonderful spot for a catch-up with a friend.

2124 Market St

Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Quickly establishing itself as one of the most versatile spaces in the city, Cavaña — which was named one of Tales of the Cocktails’s top new cocktail bars in the U.S. — recently launched their La Hora Dorada happy hour, and it crushes. The multiculturally Latin-focused bar has drink specials led by a Margarita that’s downright transportive and a game-changing Michelada Verde with tomatillo, cilantro, cucumber, pineapple, lime and Tajín. Chef Edwin Bayone III’s chicharron de pollo (fried chicken thighs with coriander crema, salsa macha and herbed cucumber) is an absolute show-stealer, while the guacamole is an easy call to start. The latest full cocktail menu feels like a trip around the world, highlighted by drinks like the Feijoa, with Cañada rum from Oaxaca, Bolivian singani, New Zealand feijoa, honeydew lime leaf apéritif, lime and egg white (yes, please). Cavaña is a great spot for an upscale happy hour before a Giants game across the street, and the late afternoon rooftop views (of the city and the ballpark!) are truly golden.

100 Channel St, 17th Floor

Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.

While San Francisco’s SOMA and Financial District after-work scene hasn’t completely recovered since the pandemic, there’s something incredibly commendable about how the bright and sunny, women-owned Wine Down has kept chugging along through these valleys. Owned by Sarah Garand and Jaime Hiraishi, Wine Down is committed to featuring mostly small-production California wines from women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC winemakers. Happy hour has $5 off carafes of wine and $9 pours of intriguing selections like Terah’s Orange Falanghina. Meanwhile, $7 drafts from local breweries like Harmonic, Laughing Monk and Fieldwork pair nicely with mushroom empanadas or charcuterie plates featuring local cheeses. This is a top-notch wine bar (and more) that even has a monthly wine club showcasing favorite bottles.

685 Folsom St

Tuesday-Friday, 3-5 p.m.

Noe Valley’s Billingsgate is probably the only full-service fish market in town that sports a happy hour. On a charming stretch of 24th Street, you can get half off cava and fresh oysters — like briny shigoku and St. Simon — from one of the best seafood counters in town. If Billingsgate’s oysters might hit a little different, it’s because the fishmonger is part of local seafood purveyor Four Star Seafood, which provides fish to restaurants and markets all over the Bay Area. There’s a half dozen two-top tables inside by the fish counter and two coveted sidewalk tables outside. The menu also features poke with your choice of fish, along with cioppino, seafood salads and other delights. When you’re done with happy hour, definitely look to take home fresh fish for dinner, like Mt. Lassen trout, king salmon and local rockfish, along with something from the fresh produce and herbs selection to help you prepare it.

3859 24th St

Tuesday-Saturday, 9 p.m. onwards

For all of the afternoon happy hours in the city, there aren’t nearly enough late-night ones. Enter the Madrigal, which offers a badass happy hour that’s especially friendly for the post-concert crowd at nearby venues off of Van Ness like Davies Symphony Hall and Rickshaw Stop. Get started with $7 beers, plus $10 wine and cocktails (the Tough Honey with Scotch, ginger and honey is aces), before digging into a house burger with truffle aioli, or the real lifesaver, a “Breakfast on a Bun” with house-made sausage, fried egg, cheddar and hash browns on a potato bun for only $9. There’s ample seating in the crescent-shaped booth area along the window, but if it’s not busy, saddle up at the bar for the best vibes. This is a rare late-night find that does things right.

100 Van Ness Ave

Monday-Friday, 4-6:30 p.m.

Inside of the Hotel Zeppelin, PLS on Post is a classic rock-and-roll and smashburger joint right off of Union Square that has some seriously boozy shakes. Happy hour features a rotating $5 cocktail like a Smoky Margarita, $6 draft beers and sangria, plus discounts on all food and shakes. So yeah…about those? Flavors like Cookies and Cream and the peanut-buttery Choco Nut are served in pretty decadent fashion, especially when you add a shot of peanut butter whiskey. It all pairs well with the Classic American smashburger heaped with caramelized onions, or the Korean Smash with gochujang cucumbers and Korean slaw. It’s a fun room, spruced up with Jerry Garcia ephemera and the Zeppelin’s groovy ’60s decor and psychedelic motifs.

545 Post St

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