"If peace only had the music and pageantry of war, there'd be no wars."
- Sophie Kerr
The 13th annual How Weird Street Faire takes place Sunday May 13, 2012
in downtown San Francisco, centered at Howard and 2nd Streets.
The How Weird Street Faire is our experiment in creating peace, and a fundraiser for the World Peace Through Technology Organization. It has brought together many different types of people, and has united them all in a common purpose - to celebrate peace. It has created many lasting connections between individuals and communities. It has let people experience the reality of a place where cooperation is favored over competition, where diversity is celebrated, and where people can see that our differences are far fewer than our similarities. The How Weird Street Faire has made learning the foundations of peace as simple as walking down the street, and dancing.
The How Weird Street Faire has grown from a small gathering outside of the original World Peace Through Technology Organization headquarters in 2000, to about fifteen thousand people last year. Because the faire had outgrown its home in the residential fringe of San Francisco's SoMa district, it sought a new location on the same street of Howard. The perfect location was found, on Howard Street between First and New Montgomery... in the heart of SoMa. The new location is a short walk to Yerba Buena Gardens and the museum district, as well as the Montgomery BART and several MUNI stops.
For its 13th year, there will be 13 city blocks filled with art and celebration, thirteen stages of performances and electronic music, food and vendors from around the world selling unique and creative wares, and non-profit organizations to educate and inspire. Filling in the faire will be performance artists and thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets.
This year, the How Weird Street Faire will encompass Howard Street between 1st Street and New Montgomery, 2nd Street between Mission and Howard, and all four blocks of Minna Street and Natoma Street off of 2nd Street. As well as Tehama Street. There will be an urban crop circle at the center intersection of Howard and 2nd Streets, which will house the Paxorium, or "place of peace".
The faire entrances are at Howard Street & New Montgomery (with free bike parking!), and at 2nd Street & Mission, and at Howard & 1st Street. This is a short walk from the Montgomery BART station on Market Street, and many MUNI stops.
The How Weird Street Faire supports sustainable actions and education. The faire maximizes recycling and composting, aiming for zero waste. Green Mary will again be providing a waste diversion and eco-education campaign, featuring information on how you can make your life waste-free. Please bike or take public transportation to the faire. Free bike parking provided by the SF Bicycle Coalition, and public transportation is only a couple of blocks away.
Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Compost, Recycle - in that order.
The How Weird Street Faire showcases many diverse genres of music, including Live Electronica, Downtempo, Breaks, Electro, Trance, House, Techno, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, World Beat, and too many other sub-genres to name. The How Weird Street Faire uses music to bring different kinds of people together and create a common bond. Dancing knows no boundaries or political affiliation. Music, more than any other form of communication, is able to transcend differences between people. It is through music and art that peace is always possible.
For more information visit... www.HowWeird.org
