Burning Man

Will Burning Man become a victim of its own success? US festival’s journey from inclusive hippy gathering to billionaire’s playground

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Will Burning Man become a victim of its own success? US festival’s journey from inclusive hippy gathering to billionaire’s playground

Things came to a head in 2011 when tickets sold out for the first time. Organisers responded with a short-lived lottery system that left people out of what was supposed to be a radically inclusive event. As Burning Man matured, luxurious accommodation proliferated, as did the population of billionaires and celebrities. The “Painted People” of … Read more

Artist behind SF’s iconic ‘Bird Song’ mural dies at 47

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Artist behind SF’s iconic ‘Bird Song’ mural dies at 47

Joshua Coffy’s “Bird Song #3” mural adorns the exterior of a building near the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Avenue. Charles Russo/SFGATE Local artist Joshua Coffy, whose bright, animal-inspired murals adorn homes and buildings around San Francisco, died Dec. 20 from complications related to kidney failure, according to a GoFundMe a colleague posted to support his … Read more

The 12 most surprising Bay Area restaurant and retail closures of 2023

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The 12 most surprising Bay Area restaurant and retail closures of 2023

FILE: A view of Anchor Brewing Co. on Aug. 3, 2017, in San Francisco. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Bay Area said goodbye to many businesses in 2023. But some closures, like those of long-lived neighborhood restaurants and massive department stores, came with a dose of surprise, even shock. While a new year always brings hope, … Read more