The Club & Music Scene

Country-Western Dancing, San Francisco-Style

Country-western dancing is far from hip in San Francisco, but nevertheless there are plenty of cowgirls -- of both genders -- who like to don their cowboy duds and have a little fun. The best place in town (the only place, actually) is the Sundance Saloon. Every Thursday and Sunday night you can get dance lessons in the early evening, then two-step your little pea-pickin' heart out until 10:30pm -- all for only $5. Where else but in a fabulous gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender blender dance hall could you learn line dances like the Tush Push, Backstreet Attitude, Circle Jerk, and Dog Bone Boogie? On a good night, you might just hook up with a cowpoke wearing nothing but chaps. It's located at 550 Barneveld Ave. off Industrial Ave. (tel. 415/820-1403; www.sundancesaloon.org).

Scope-a-Scene

The local newspapers won't direct you to the city's underground club scene, nor will they advise you which of the dozens of clubs are truly hot. To get dialed in, check out reviews from the ravers themselves at www.sfstation.com. The far more commercial Club Line (tel. 415/339-8686; www.sfclubs.com) offers up-to-date schedules for the city's larger dance venues.

SF's Underground Entertainment

If you're really in the mood to for some radical entertainment on your vacation, log on to www.LaughingSquid.com. Since 1995 Laughing Squid's "Squid List" has been the Bay Area's sine qua non online resource for underground art, culture, and technology. Along with links to local art and culture events, the Laughing Squid also hosts the Squid List, a daily event announcements list. There's some really freaky fringe stuff on this webpage, with plenty of garbage-level entertainment amongst several gems. Either way it makes for entertaining surfing.

ZinZany Dinner Party

Hungry for dinner and a damned good time? It ain't cheap, but Teatro ZinZanni is a rollicking ride of food, whimsy, drama, and song within a stunningly elegant 1926 spiegeltent on The Embarcadero. Part musical theater and part comedy show, the 3-hour dinner theater includes a surprisingly decent five-course meal served by dozens of performers who weave both the audience and astounding physical acts (think Cirque du Soleil) into their wacky and playful world. Anyone in need of a night of lighthearted laughter should definitely book a table here. Shows are held Wednesday through Sunday and tickets are $123 to $147 including dinner. The tent is located at Pier 29 on The Embarcadero at Battery Street. Call tel. 415/438-2668 or see www.zinzanni.org for more details.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's San Francisco 2009 Author: Matthew Richard Poole Pub Date: October 06, 2008 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: A Moveable Thirst: Tales and Tastes from a Season in Napa Wine Country California For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's 24 Great Walks in San Francisco

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