Philippines inspired night market will help you discover SF's new cultural district

S Some tend to view SF's South of Market neighborhood as an unimproved area of ​​the city lined with tall buildings and warehouses sprawling, plus AT & T Park and SFMOMA. But in reality, behind these technology-powered skyscrapers, there is a rich cultural heritage.

For more than a century, Filipinos have called SOMA home and continue to do so today. In fact, they represent more than 30% of the neighborhood's population and have undergone tremendous changes in recent decades.

The local Filipino community has long worked hard to preserve and educate people on their heritage, with events like the Pistahan Parade and Festival, a two-day event in August to celebrate "The Filipino Spirit," and the Parol Lantern Festival, a Christmas tradition in December. The most recent event: Undiscovered SF, a monthly creative night market that started last year and will come back this Saturday. It will run on the third Saturday of each month until October 21st.

The event last year attracted around 35,000 visitors during its four-stage race. This year's night market will be bigger and better, now located in the Historic Mint behind the offices of the San Francisco Chronicle at 411 Minna Street. The entrance is free

The event is one of the latest projects undertaken after the city's supervisory board appointed in 2016 SOMA Pilipinas as a new cultural district, ranging from the second at eleventh street, between Market and Brannan. District residents have made efforts to preserve their historic monuments – such as the murals and monuments found at Union Square – that have saved the life of SOMA while protecting the community itself from the displacements resulting from the accident. In addition to creating this new urban market, the market takes the best of Filipino American culture – food, music, dance, art, crafts and activism – and wraps it into an off-the-beaten-track event. the West Coast Craft Lounge so everyone can enjoy it for free, "said Desi Danganan, who currently leads SOMA Pilipinas' economic development strategy and a neighborhood resident himself. "It's a unique showcase of culture and community that's only found in San Francisco."

The event will feature DJs, writers- composers and other musical talents on the main stage as well as a salon flower, live art, innovative retail concepts such as Bayani Art and neighborhood businesses. One of the stars of the show will be the kitchen – you will have your choice among the pieces of FK Frozen Custard, Jeepney Guy and Binka Bites. And yes, you can quench your thirst in three well-stocked bars.

"I live on the edge of a cultural district, which supports the glittering new condos of the Design District and the residents of techies," said Danganan. "It often seems that my neighbors are safe from the outside world, with Ubers and Postmates cars lined up in our busy streets and ears with headphones, so it can be embarrassing to start a conversation."

But a 15-minute walk from Danganan's work on Mission Street, on the 6th floor of SOMA Pilipinas, he will see children going to Bessie Carmichael Elementary School, seniors on their morning walks, leather daddies who walk their dogs, some friends unplugged to say hello to, murals lining the walls and the very visible "down and out" trying to make ends meet at SF

"Living in SOMA Pilipinas is a tale of many cities, "said Danganan.But San Francisco has always been a story of many cities, which is reason enough for the city's Historic Preservation Commission to enact a law in 2012 to designate social and cultural heritage sites, creating SF cultural districts. at Battery Beach. And although Calle 24 District Mission and the newly founded SOMA Leather District often attract attention, SOMA Pilipinas is the one to watch.

Like all other SF cultural districts, SOMA Pilipinas exists as a means of preserving heritage, people, institutions, cultural centers and businesses. The undiscovered SF is only one part of the plan – places like the Bindlestiff Studio, the only space dedicated to American Filipino performances, and Arkipelago Books, one of only two American Filipino bookstores in the United States. United States, illustrate the multifaceted nature of SF-SOMA. In addition, community landmarks such as the Lip Ni Lapu Lapu mural depicting the Philippine Unity, and the Dewey Monument, a long-standing ode to Admiral George Dewey to commemorate his victory at the Battle of the Manila Bay, continue To illustrate the contribution of culture to San Francisco, specifically after the Spanish-American War

"In the end," said Desi, "living at SOMA Pilipinas meets the best of times." a cultivated San Francisco, circa 2018. "