Just a quick note to my subscribers! I know I haven’t been blogging much lately as it is, but I DO plan to! I actually have a LOT of updating I need to do for this blog.

My site was hacked or had a virus recently. I’m not totally sure how it happened, but I’m a bit suspicious of one of the subscription options I had on the site previously. I’m going to delete all of those subscribers in the next couple of days. Please re-subscribe by email through Feedburner if you would still like to follow my blog. Hope you will!

Thanks,

~Laura

Monday, November 9, 2009 – Lunch 2.0 with Bing!

I won’t be able to attend this…and I’m sad about that, Terry Chay and Marie Williams are organizing it, and I know it will be fab! Adore them both! Unfortunately, I can’t take too much time off from the day job for social media fun!

Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: 475 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94107

Bing is in town to celebrate the past six months since the launch and our recent partnership with Twitter. Eat lunch on us and meet folks from the Bing team at Powerset’s office (the third Lunch 2.0 to be held at this legendary location), where we’ll have tasty grub, beer and other beverages, and Bing swag to take home with you. Please RSVP on Upcoming to reserve your spot – they’ll fill up fast!

RSVP here:
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4839835/CA/San-Francisco/Lunch-20-with-Bing/

Monday, November 9, 2009 – San Francisco Bay Guardian presents Goldies 2009: free party with live music and DJs

With The Fresh and Onlys, Dreamdate, very special surprise guests; DJ sets by Pleasuremaker and Señor Oz of Afrolicious; and more!

Start Time: Monday, November 9, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:00am
Location: 111 Minna Gallery
Street: 2nd St between Mission/Howard
City/Town: San Francisco, CA

Party down with the winners of this year’s Guardian Outstanding Local Discovery awards!

The Bay Area’s ground-breaking artists, dancers, filmmakers, and musicians gather for a free public showcase in their honor!

Live performances by The Fresh and Onlys, Dreamdate, and very special surprise guests; DJ sets by Pleasuremaker and Señor Oz of Afrolicious; and live painting by local artist Sirron Norris.

21 and over, no cover charge!

www.sfbg.com/goldies
www.111minnagallery.com

Best public transit: BART or MUNI Metro to Montgomery Station; F Market streetcar; 14/14L Mission

For more info also see their: Facebook Event Page

Now thru December 10, 2009 – The Art of Zen: Landscapes Inspired by Japan
Essential photographic and painted landscapes

Location: Elastic Creative
Street: 550 Bryant Street
City/Town: San Francisco, CA

Dear Friends and Art Afficianados,

You are invited to the art exhibtion: “The Art of Zen: Landscapes Inspired by Japan”.

Victoria Vedell and I are having a two person show for three months at Elastic Creative in SOMA. We both lived in Tokyo, and simultaneously were Artists-in-Residence at KAIR, in Tokushima, Japan in 2004.

In June, I returned to Tokushima with my camera to walk from temple to temple and photograph the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which is the oldest and longest pilgrimage in Japan. It is over 1,000 years old and a 1,000 miles long. The photographs I will be exhibiting were shot on the pilgrimage deep in the heart of the Japanese countryside. Victoria will be showing her lush landscape paintings inspired by her time in Japan.

Viewing by appointment, Monday – Friday 9am- 6pm. Please contact Andre: andre@elasticcreative.com.

More info here: The Art of Zen

Now through March 28, 2010, Tutankhamun at the De Young Museum!

Don’t miss this!

de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.750.3600
www.deyoungmuseum.org
Exhibition Hours

Through September 30, 2009:
Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm (closed for maintenance August 3 and 31)
Oct 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010:
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6:30 pm; until 8:45 pm on Fridays.

for more info: http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/

Now thru April 18, 2010 – The Legion of Honor Museum presents: Cartier and America

Cartier came to fame as the “King of Jewelers” during the Belle Époque for his beautifully made diamond and platinum jewelry created for the courts of Europe and Americans of the Gilded Age. With an extensive variety of jewelry forms—ranging from traditional white diamond suites to the highly colored exotic creations of the 1920s and 1930s—Cartier made its mark with the ingenuity of its designs and its exquisite craftsmanship. Cartier and America celebrates the imagination and creativity of Cartier in the 20th century. The jewelry and works of art include pieces from the private collection of Cartier.

for more info: http://www.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?exhibitionkey=1051

August 31, 2009 – I attended the Grand Opening of EAT at 111 Minna where edgy gourmet food, art and music collide. I really happened upon it by chance as I was actually in the building to attend another event! I felt like I had fallen into some alternative foodie universe! And…I liked it!

Chef Tommy Halverson wowed the crowd – see the menu here: EAT menu for August 31, 2009

Their next event is on Monday, Oct. 26th and upcoming is Monday, Nov. 16th at 111 Minna Gallery. The plan is for monthly events to follow, to find out about the next one, check their blog for news at: http://eatat111minna.blogspot.com/

More pictures of the event HERE.

Know of any upcoming foodie events? Please list them in the comments below. Thanks!

Firstly and most importantly on Wednesday, September 9, I will be at Sukhjit Ghag’s going away party as she leaves San Francisco to grace San Diego with her presence. I’m so sad to see her go, but happy she has found the job of her dreams as Sony’s corporate blogger and Social Media Consultant. Sony has no idea what a smart decision that was….but we do! http://bit.ly/PwEQb

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 – Women 2.0 Demystifying Government and Stimulus Funding for Your Startup

6:30-9:00 PM

Citizen Space
425 2nd Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, Ca

Are you having trouble finding an investor for your startup? You know, you don’t have to rely on VCs and angel investors to give you cash. There are ways the government can fund your startup. Yes, the government.

Join Women 2.0 for an informative night of Demystifying Government and Stimulus Funding for Your Startup. We will be meeting at Citizen Space in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 6:30pm to discuss alternative methods of funding your business.

Let’s demystify government and stimulus funding. Discussion topics will include:
» What is available to women-owned, minority-owned businesses
» Step-by-step instructions and examples on how to apply to the funds and loans
» SBA and SBIR loans
» Who can use the stimulus money from the government
» State and local incentives for locating companies in low-and-mid income areas

Speakers:
» Jill Fishbein (Partner, Carr & Ferrell)
» Cynthia Ringo (Managing Partner, DBL Investors)

Schedule:
» 6:30pm » Networking
» 7:00pm » Presentation by Jill Fishbein and Cynthia Ringo
» 8:30pm » Open discussion and Q&A

More info:
http://www.women2.org/demystifying-government/

Register here:
http://w2governmentfunding.eventbrite.com/

Friday, September 11, 2009 – TwestivalSF!

Twestival SF was one of my favorite events last year! The Twitter founders @ev and @biz even showed up! Don’t miss it!

It’s all happening Friday, September 11, 8pm at Horizon SF

On September 11, 2009, Twestival goes “Local”! Participants will gather in over 180 cities all over the world, joining forces to raise money for a charity of their choice.
San Francisco has chosen Operation Smile, who some of you may know as 140Smiles. Real people, real time, real power to make a difference.

Operation Smile is a private not-for-profit medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries. Medical volunteers travel on medical missions to repair of cleft lips, palates and facial reconstructive surgery in 34 countries around the world. Operation Smile has treated over 150,000 children and young adults.
The San Francisco Twestival event will take place September 11 starting at 8pm. Proceeds are to benefit 140Smiles.

Location
Horizon Restaurant & Lounge
489 Broadway Street at Kearny
North Beach, San Francisco

for more info: http://www.twestivalsf.com/

To purchase your tickets, please visit http://www.amiando.com/twestivalsf09

Sunday, September 13, 2009, Media Leaders Pre-TechCrunch50 Mixer!

Harlot
46 Minna St
San Francisco, CA 94105

from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Pre-TechCrunch50 Party!

Join us as we forget about the state of the economy and mingle with San Fran’s hippest professionals in marketing, advertising, tech and new media.

Please join us at one of San Francisco’s HOTTEST venues: Harlot. We will have a hip and diverse group of technology, marketing, public relations, and interactive new media professionals.

We are hosting this mixer the night before the TechCrunch50.com event and are only a few blocks from the main conference. Please join us for a cocktail and some great conversation.

Register here: http://sanfran2.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 – SF New Tech

5:30-10 PM

Mighty
119 Utah Street
(Cross street is 15th. Look for the big black doors!)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Featuring demos by: MyJobReferrals.com, 8kMiles, Waze, Collecta, Outspokes, JS-Kit’s Echo, and more!

Tickets:
$15.00 for early bird online tickets
$20.00 for all other (late bird) online tickets
$25.00 cash at the door, if not sold out

Mighty is a 21+ venue.

Schedule:
5:30 pm – Doors & Bar Open
5:30 -7:30 pm – Schmooze and Free Tacos!
7:30 – 9:00 pm – Live Demos
9:00 – 11:00 pm – Schmooze

for more info or to purchase tickets: http://sept16sfnewtech.eventbrite.com/event/415515819

Thursday, September 17, 2009 – TechKaroake SV- BBC Menlo Park!

6:30-11 PM

BBC (British Banker’s Club)
1090 El Camino Real
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 327-8769

Alright everyone. It’s long overdue already, and we have a new venue! Bring your karaoke voices and meet us at the BBC on Sept 17th, 630pm to get your drink and sing on!

Thanks to our sponsor- COOKIES BY DESIGN!

Cookies by Design Santa Clara is happy to be your gift giving resource for freshly-baked, artistically hand-decorated, personally hand-delivered (in most areas), creative cookie gifts that taste as good as they look. The shoppe is located at 5253 Stevens Creek Blvd. Santa Clara, Ca. 95051 or you can find us online, cookiesbydesign-sc.com for the local website, cookiesbydesign.com for the national website or find us on Facebook at
facebook.com/CookiesbyDesignSantaClara

RSVP here:
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=155292840179

August 29 – September 20, 2009 – Free Shakespeare in the Park!

Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and a picnic and enjoy
FREE professional theater in the park!

I go to this everyyy year! LOVEEE IT!

See Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”

Weekends only plus Labor Day, August 29 – September 20th

San Francisco’s Presidio
(Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, Graham Street between Lincoln Blvd and Moraga Avenue)

for more info: http://sfshakes.org

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced

What a deal this is for $20 with the proceeds even going to benefit charity…win win I say!

Date/Time: Thu., September 24, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Contact Info: | Event Website
SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced Parkmerced presents the 2nd Annual DISH event
An Evening of Food and Wine

September 24, 2009
at the City View at the METREON
6:30pm-9:30pm
$20 per ticket.
Proceeds Benefit One World Children’s Fund

Sample food from 30 restaurants including Out The Door, XYZ, Fish and Farm plus 10 unique wineries offering sampling as well.

Sponsored by: Parkmerced, LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, Pama, TYKU, MillerCoors, Sobieski Vodka, Westfield San Francisco Centre, Snag Tickets, and LikeMe.net.

for more info and to purchase tickets:
http://www.sfweekly.com/events/promo/1642716

Friday, September 25, 2009 – DineForChange’s Launch Event

6-10 PM

Temple
540 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA

Join us on Friday, September 25 at Temple for DineForChange’s kick off event between 6-10PM. This is a great opportunity for you to meet many local professional organizations and non profits to see how you can get involved.

Live performance by Fat Magic from 6-7PM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjP6bIEvFxw

Come network and learn how you can get involved with DineForChange and make a difference in your community just by eating and having fun!

We are expecting a full house for the evening. Please RSVP with us ASAP to ensure entry.

If you are a non profit or profesional organization, please contact via e-mail at info@dineforchange.com for further details on how your organization can be featured.

for more info: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/event.php?eid=124313354849

Saturday, September 27, 2009 – Now and Zen Fest

Alice Radio – 97.3 host’s Now and Zen Fest a free concert in Golden Gate Park featuring Howie Day, Colbie Caillat and TRAIN!!!

Noon – 5PM in Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park

for more info: http://www.radioalice.com/pages/4983440.php

Now thur March 28, 2010, Tutankhamun at the De Young Museum!

Don’t miss this!

de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.750.3600
www.deyoungmuseum.org
Exhibition Hours

Through September 30, 2009:
Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm (closed for maintenance August 3 and 31)
Oct 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010:
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6:30 pm; until 8:45 pm on Fridays.

for more info: http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/

Sunday, October 4, 2009 – Cupcake Camp

2:00-5PM

Automattic
Pier 38 (next to AT&T Ballpark, Embarcadero&Brannan)
San Francisco, CA

Sponsors: Automattic, Cakespy, Cupcake Swirl, Cups and Cakes Bakery, Iron Cupcake Earth, Jasmine Rae Bakery, Mexican Vanilla, Sugar Beat Sweets

Last year, we threw the first ever CupcakeCamp and it was a delicious success, so much so that it became a worldwide phenomenon. It is with much excitement that we announce San Francisco’s CupcakeCamp for 2009!

Event tagging: #ccsf

If you’re baking or buying cupcakes for the event, you must register your cupcakes at http://cupcakecamp.org/register

How CupcakeCamp Works

(this mainly applies to people bringing cupcakes, but please feel free to just show up and enjoy eating them too!)

This is an event for cupcake lovers, so you can:
- buy cupcakes to bring
- bake cupcakes to bring
- just eat cupcakes

1. No limit on how many cupcakes you can bring (the more you can bring, the better) – and mini cupcakes are encouraged!

2. You need to have your cupcakes (how much and what type) registered at http://cupcakecamp.org/register by Sunday, September 27 at Noon -otherwise we will have to do the unthinkable and reject your precious cupcakes (o noes!).

3. People bringing cupcakes should plan on bringing them to Automattic by 1:00pm the day of

4. In true BarCamp style, we will have twelve 15 min. timeslot schedules for tasting different types of cupcakes. The schedule will be posted at the event.

5. Add yourself to the CupcakeCamp Baker Directory! Request access to the CupcakeCamp PBwiki ( http://cupcakecamp.pbwiki.com ) to connect with other cupcake lovers.

6. We will have a Best In Show competition! Categories for best in show: Best Halloween Cupcake, Best Decorated, Best Unique Ingredients, and Best Breakfast-inspired. You can opt-in for a category when you arrive with your cupcakes at 1pm.

Feel free to let us know you want to attend at: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4408775

Also see the facebook event page for more info:
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=129018542242&ref=ts

Now thru April 18, 2010 – The Legion of Honor Museum presents: Cartier and America

Cartier came to fame as the “King of Jewelers” during the Belle Époque for his beautifully made diamond and platinum jewelry created for the courts of Europe and Americans of the Gilded Age. With an extensive variety of jewelry forms—ranging from traditional white diamond suites to the highly colored exotic creations of the 1920s and 1930s—Cartier made its mark with the ingenuity of its designs and its exquisite craftsmanship. Cartier and America celebrates the imagination and creativity of Cartier in the 20th century. The jewelry and works of art include pieces from the private collection of Cartier.

for more info: http://www.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?exhibitionkey=1051

Twestival SF was one of my favorite events last year! The Twitter founders @ev and @biz even showed up! Don’t miss it!

It’s all happening Friday, September 11, 8pm at Horizon SF

On September 11, 2009, Twestival goes “Local”! Participants will gather in over 180 cities all over the world, joining forces to raise money for a charity of their choice.
San Francisco has chosen Operation Smile, who some of you may know as 140Smiles. Real people, real time, real power to make a difference.

Operation Smile is a private not-for-profit medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing countries. Medical volunteers travel on medical missions to repair of cleft lips, palates and facial reconstructive surgery in 34 countries around the world. Operation Smile has treated over 150,000 children and young adults.
The San Francisco Twestival event will take place September 11 starting at 8pm. Proceeds are to benefit 140Smiles.

Location
Horizon Restaurant & Lounge
489 Broadway Street at Kearny
North Beach, San Francisco

To purchase your tickets, please visit http://www.amiando.com/twestivalsf09

Sunday, September 13, 2009, Media Leaders Pre-TechCrunch50 Mixer!

Harlot
46 Minna St
San Francisco, CA 94105

from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Pre-TechCrunch50 Party!

Join us as we forget about the state of the economy and mingle with San Fran’s hippest professionals in marketing, advertising, tech and new media.

Please join us at one of San Francisco’s HOTTEST venues: Harlot. We will have a hip and diverse group of technology, marketing, public relations, and interactive new media professionals.

We are hosting this mixer the night before the TechCrunch50.com event and are only a few blocks from the main conference. Please join us for a cocktail and some great conversation.

Register here: http://sanfran2.eventbrite.com/

Thursday, September 24, 2009 – SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced

What a deal this is for $20 with the proceeds even going to benefit charity…win win I say!

Date/Time: Thu., September 24, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Contact Info: | Event Website
SF Weekly’s DISH 2009 presented by Parkmerced Parkmerced presents the 2nd Annual DISH event
An Evening of Food and Wine

September 24, 2009
at the City View at the METREON
6:30pm-9:30pm
$20 per ticket.
Proceeds Benefit One World Children’s Fund

Sample food from 30 restaurants including Out The Door, XYZ, Fish and Farm plus 10 unique wineries offering sampling as well.

Sponsored by: Parkmerced, LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, Pama, TYKU, MillerCoors, Sobieski Vodka, Westfield San Francisco Centre, Snag Tickets, and LikeMe.net.

for more info and to purchase tickets:
http://www.sfweekly.com/events/promo/1642716

Saturday, September 27, 2009 – Now and Zen Fest

Alice Radio – 97.3 host’s Now and Zen Fest a free concert in Golden Gate Park featuring Howie Day, Colbie Caillat and TRAIN!!!

Noon – 5PM in Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park

for more info: http://www.radioalice.com/pages/4983440.php

Now thur March 28, 2010, Tutankhamun at the De Young Museum!

Don’t miss this!

de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
415.750.3600
www.deyoungmuseum.org
Exhibition Hours

Through September 30, 2009:
Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 9 pm (closed for maintenance August 3 and 31)
Oct 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010:
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6:30 pm; until 8:45 pm on Fridays.

for more info: http://www.tutsanfrancisco.org/

Now thru April 18, 2010 – The Legion of Honor Museum presents: Cartier and America

Cartier came to fame as the “King of Jewelers” during the Belle Époque for his beautifully made diamond and platinum jewelry created for the courts of Europe and Americans of the Gilded Age. With an extensive variety of jewelry forms—ranging from traditional white diamond suites to the highly colored exotic creations of the 1920s and 1930s—Cartier made its mark with the ingenuity of its designs and its exquisite craftsmanship. Cartier and America celebrates the imagination and creativity of Cartier in the 20th century. The jewelry and works of art include pieces from the private collection of Cartier.

for more info: http://www.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/exhibition.asp?exhibitionkey=1051

August 29 – September 20, 2009 – Free Shakespeare in the Park!

Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and a picnic and enjoy
FREE professional theater in the park!

I go to this everyyy year! LOVEEE IT!

See Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors”

Weekends only plus Labor Day, August 29 – September 20th

San Francisco’s Presidio
(Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, Graham Street between Lincoln Blvd and Moraga Avenue)

for more info: http://sfshakes.org

I #blamedrewscancer for it taking me five days to finish this blog!

August 5, 2009 – Dragon Bar, 473 Broadway Street, San Francisco, CA – Irina Slutsky and Melissa Jun Rowley of Rowley’s Word mobilized the San Francisco tech community in support of Drew Olanoff and the Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation to raise money for cancer research. The night included DJ’s, Raffles, Blue Angel Vodka and performances by Doc Pop and All About George!

Drew himself was not able to attend in person, but was there in spirit and was also livestreaming!

It was a pleasure to meet Melissa Jun Rowley, Shina Sebring, and Erica Mulkey. And always special seeing my friends Irina Slutsky, Sukhjit Ghag, Liza Sperling, Krystyl Baldwin, Tia Marie McGuire, David King, Adrian Chan, Scott “Laughing Squid” Beale, Doc Pop, Ken Yeung, Roderick Chow, Kristie Wells and Chris Heuer.

Highlights of my night included meeting Catherine Grison IRL (in real life)! Also I won rock climbing lessons in the raffle! Doc Pop did GeekRap about Skype and LOL Cats and All About George followed with and ode to Firefox’s About: Robots! I ended the night boogying to “I wanna put on my my my boogie shoes and boogie with you” with Liza Sperling! Too FUN!

My pics from the event can be viewed here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauralovesart/sets/72157621972655216/

Posted September 3, 2008. Laura Iriarte discusses her perspective on social media.

I found this on YouTube.com when I was googling myself one day! I barelyyy remember doing this. I think it may have been at a Mashable.com event. If anyone knows, tell me!

December 27, 2008 – Last night I swam in a sea of squids and neon jellyfish. I went to the Laughing Squid Unholiday Party. It was great! It was MY kind of party – art and social media! Woo! I was in heaven!

Sometimes I go to these events not sure of who I’ll know there or who I’ll meet. It’s always been a pleasant surprise. I did see some friends as well as met some wonderful new people! I just love being a Social Media Butterfly!

The party was held at an as-yet-unnamed art gallery in San Francisco. It is a live/work space run by housemates Jeff Herzbach, Jessica Hughes, and Andy Fusso who lives part time near Mt. Shasta. Andy had on the most amazing knitted vest! It houses Venusian Gardens West, a showcase of wonderfully glorious Neon Sculptures by artist Eric Ehlenberger. The neon jellyfish were so beautiful and befitting of the Squid Party!

Our host and hostess for the night were Scott Squid Beale and Lori Dorn. Scott is known as the primary tentacle of Laughing Squid, a site and newsletter which promotes art, culture and technology from San Francisco and beyond. (If you live anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, you need to sign up for this newsletter!) Even though it was held in an art gallery, the party was unpretentious. People were encouraged to bring leftovers and a bottle of wine to share. The vibe was friendly and even cozy. I met Lori Dorn for the first time last night – she was so nice and gracious, great people the Dorn/Beale’s.

It was nice to see Doctor Popular(artist and yo-yo champ), Irina Slutsky (reporter for Geek Entertainment TV), Tantek Celik(http://www.microformats.org), and Kevin Rose(co-founder of Digg.com), again.

In addition I met a lot of new people! I met Shelley Rae O’Conner(Shelley’s Place – A Place for Entrepreneurs, Creative Geniuses and others of Brilliant Mind!) and Info Diva(Independent Solo Renegade Information Pro)! Both were fun amazing women! They introduced me to Anna Billstrom(blog – Adventures in Email Marketing). I also met Lenore Edman(Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories). Lenore and I were dressed very similarly! Both of us were wearing dresses, mary jane heels and pearls! I also met Geri and Carl. She works for Adobe I believe. She had the most amazing necklace! Most importantly I met a kindred spirit – Trixie! We both love libraries and vintage! (Actually libraries were a repeating theme in my night) Loved her and her husband John’s style! (I know why now after I looked at their website-Maskharat.org!)

Lastly, I met Violet Blue! I’ve seen Violet’s name and face quite a few times over the internet this last year, so it was really fun to meet her in real life. She’s San Francisco’s real life Sex in the City Carrie Bradshaw,an author, blogger (http://www.tinynibbles.com/), and she was as sweet as can be.

We had a musical surprise mid-party! Two DJ’s had spun the night away, but then The Mark Growden Trio walked through the crowd with their instruments, set up, the crowd circled around and were swept up in their bluesy folky sultry sounds. Mark himself played several instruments as well as sings.

Quite a magical night overall!

For more magical pics of the night please see my flickr photostream here.

Did you read this far? Then please comment!

Another nice blog on the event -with a video of The Mark Growden Trio here!

November 22, 2008 – This was the biggest best free show yet! YouTube held their YouTube Live event at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, California. Angela Chamberlin and I arrived, parked and were scooped up by a shuttle bus and deposited in front of a circus atmosphere!

Performers performed and mingled above, below, inside trucks – you name it! The amazing thing about this was that these people were not only performers, they were YouTube users. Another fine example of Social Media working in an amazing way. Bringing product and users together to interact, and bring the users and product to life.

I don’t know if you have had the experience of meeting someone in real life that you met over the internet, or maybe someone you were a fan of. It is so fun and exciting to talk with that person in *real life*, to be able to hear their voice and see their expressions and experience them in all their dimensions! I had this experience most vividly at the BlogHer People’s Party I attended earlier this year. I went specifically to meet the women I had become friends with on the Social Media site Twitter.com. I’ll never forget it! The thing is – there were people all around me having that experience at YouTube Live!

As we walked around the venue we saw singers, beatboxers, acrobats, hula hoops, they even had the Guitar Hero World Tour set up in a tent where you could play Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Four artists were each painting a side of a giant wooden cube. Chad Vadar walked around and grumpily took pics with us. Skateboarders were skating. I can’t even begin to remember or explain all the things that were going on around me! There was truly something for everyone!

I saw Brad Wollack of Chelsea Lately fame, we also saw Hooman from Alice Radio, 97.3 and took a pic with him. While we were standing in line I ran into Mitu Khandaker, one of my social media friends. I was actually surprised with as packed as it was that I didn’t see more people that I knew?

Then, came the main event. Besides the talented performers and artists, the show had some big star power! Katy Perry, Will.i.am, MC Hammer, Akon, and Soulja Boy all performed. They even had the duo from Mythbusters there to perform an experiment! Once the show started it was non-stop! San Francisco Governor Gavin Newsom also stopped by to speak, accompanied by his wife, Jen Newsom -who was never introduced, they presented an award to Queen Rania. Queen Rania of Jordan accepted the Visionary Award at YouTube Live for breaking down sterotypes about the Islam and the Arab world by launching her own YouTube channel in March and posting videos and answering questions from viewers, keeping an open dialogue with them. Queen Rania accepted her award in a humorous way spoofing David Letterman’s top ten, titled Top Ten Reason’s why I launched my YouTube Channel.

There were two stages, the large main stage and the smaller stage. I was lucky to get quite a few great shots at the small stage! If you weren’t near the main stage there were 3 giant big screens that the show was projected onto where you could watch all the action. Viewers at home could watch the show streamed live on YouTube! And what a show it was as act after act poured out onto the stages! My favorite undiscovered act was Julia Nunes and the Ukulele Orchestra! Katy Perry was as adorable as ever, and I was thrilled to meet Jamie and Adam from Mythbusters!

Great event! I’m sooo glad I was able to get tickets! And they were FREE!

To see more pics from the event, please see my flickr photostream here.