Update from BISS

21 January 2026

BISS List 1.22.26 Spotlight on Euro Night ft Sonamó (1.24) + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy National Hugging Day, BISS Listers!

This week’s list lands on a day that honestly feels exactly right. The past several days in San Francisco have been filled with long hugs, quiet hugs, joyful hugs, and those wordless ones where you don’t even have to explain why you’re holding on a little longer.

In the wake of losing Bob Weir, the city came together in a way that felt deeply familiar and deeply necessary. Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or someone who just knows the songs by osmosis, there’s no denying the impact the Grateful Dead had on the live music world and on how communities form around it. That loss has been felt near, far, and wide. And alongside the grief, there’s been celebration, music, and connection. All of it sharing the same space.

Friday night was Marmot King’s Game Night at Manny’s. A new monthly favorite for many of us! Our host brought a new game that had our table giggling within minutes. About half the room was full of new faces, while the rest had phones out at 7 pm sharp, trying to score tickets for Bob Weir’s Homecoming at the Warfield. Some landed tickets right away, and for those who didn’t, everyone took care of each other. Calls, texts, extras offered. Almost everyone got in. Very on brand for this community.

On Saturday, just before I watched the memorial online, police cars lined up outside my window as Bob and his family passed by in the hearse down Haight Street. Not long after, the music returned. This time, there was no stopping the crowds, as the block was closed (TY SFPD!) and people quite literally danced in the street. Thank you to everyone who showed up, held space, and danced together. I also made it to Bobby’s Homecoming at the Warfield that night. The room was full of joy, tears, and gratitude all at once. San Francisco knows how to do this right. Thank you to Pete Shapiro for making it happen. (+ see more LIVE videos on my FB page).

On Sunday, I had the honor of photographing Pete Dalmolen, who was recording his new album with his band at The Plant Recording Studio (FKA). That space is something special. You can feel the history and the energy of all the legendary artists who have recorded there over the years. For more on Pete and other good stuff, I highly recommend checking out the latest episode of Upful Life with B. Getz, featuring interviews with three BISS favorites: Otis McDonald, Soul Brass Band, and Pete Dalmolen. When I got back home on Sunday, Mason’s Children was setting up to play at Psychedelic SF. I went live on my FB page if you want to see the view from my window…

I’m grateful to include a community contribution this week from Natalie, who shared a few reflections from the week. “After a touching week of honoring Bobby, it felt fitting that I got to also honor another one of my favorite icons, Janis Joplin. Big Brother & The Holding Company celebrated Janis’ birthday at HopMonk Tavern Novato on Sunday. It was such a fun night with laughter, dancing and singing! OG members Peter Albin & Dave Getz shared cool stories about Joplin and they also played homage to her and other fellow musicians & songwriters who were there in spirit!” Check out videos here. They are playing again on 1/23 at The Guild Theatre if you want to see them live (*WIN*).

On My Radar: There is a lot of good music this week. For the #1 picks, make sure you check out the Hot List Reel we’ve been posting each week. Be sure to follow us so you don’t miss the hot list next week!

As for what’s on my personal radar, I’m thinking about hitting a lot of these:

And as always, feel free to choose your own adventure. You can check out Best of BISS below, explore the full calendar
on the website, or head to the Win Tickets page for chances at free tickets.

As this week unfolds, and on National Hugging Day, take a moment to hold the people you love a little closer. Give the long hugs. The quiet ones. The kind that don’t need words.

Music has a way of reminding us that we don’t have to carry everything alone. It gives us places to gather, to feel, to celebrate what came before, and to keep moving forward together. However you choose to spend your week, I hope you find a show, a song, or a moment that feels like exactly what you need.

~Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

 


SPOTLIGHT ON EURO NIGHT


Euro Night Party ft Sonamó

Jan 24th @ 111 Minna Gallery

Win Tickets

Euro Night Party is back at the gorgeous 111 Minna Gallery for another night of European flair, big grooves, and non-stop dancing. And yes… it’s a dress to impress situation. Grab your friends, shine your shoes, and come out for a night of Spanish rumba, Italian funk, CalItalo disco, and beautiful people under one roof.

Featuring the Italian funk and global grooves of Sonamó. Sonamó brings the sunshine of Napoli and the grit of San Francisco to the stage—global grooves, sing-along hooks, and a live show that feels like a worldwide block party. Dos Bandoleros serve up high-energy Spanish rumba with a Latin twist, and DJ Nino MSK glues the evening together with a seamless blend of European flavors and California energy. French-American comedian Clara Bijl hosts the night, keeping things moving with quick wit and crowd-friendly banter.

Buy your tickets now with an exclusive 20% discount for BISS Listers using code BISSROCKS. You can also enter to win tickets here.

 


Highlights from THE BEST OF BISS THIS WEEK

We’ve got so many amazing shows on our Best of BISS every week that we’re running out of room, so this week we’re just sharing the highlights!

01/22 Huney KnucklesMadrone Art Bar

01/22 Pete Sawyer & The Left Hand Monkey Wrench Gang w/ Joe Marcinek Band @ Sweetwater Music Hall

01/22 SOUL Brass Band @ Moe’s Alley  Win Tickets

01/22 Etienne Charles Trio (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

01/22 Crosby Collective @ The Guild Theatre  Win Tickets

01/23 JD Simo & Luther Dickinson @ HopMonk Tavern Novato  Win Tickets

01/23 Stinkfoot Orchestra: A 14-piece Tribute to Frank Zappa @ Mystic Theatre

01/23 Chum: A Tribute to Phish @ Cornerstone Berkeley

01/23 SOUL Brass Band @ The Chapel  Win Tickets

01/23 Scott Pemberton O Theory @ Crazy Horse Nevada City

01/23 Big Brother & The Holding Company w/ Bella Rayne @ The Guild Theatre  Win Tickets

01/23 AJ Lee & Blue Summit w/ Kentucky Mule @ Moe’s Alley

01/23 Tower of Power: Back To Oakland Residency @ Yoshi’s Oakland

01/24 SOUL Brass Band @ HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol  Win Tickets

01/24 Chum: A Tribute to Phish @ Felton Music Hall  Win Tickets

01/24 AJ Lee & Blue Summit w/ Joe Kaplow @ Moe’s Alley

01/24 Tower of Power: Back To Oakland Residency @ Yoshi’s Oakland

01/24 Euro Night Party ft Sonamo @ 111 Minna Gallery  Win Tickets

01/24 Somewhere We Dream: Travis Atreo & Jolene Lozano @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall

01/24 The Attic @ Boom Boom Room  Win Tickets>

01/25 AJ Lee & Blue Summit @ HopMonk Tavern Sebastopol

01/25 Apex Breed + Huney Knuckles @ Boom Boom Room  Win Tickets

01/25 PHER & Friends (7 & 9:15pm) @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

01/25 Tower of Power: Back To Oakland Residency @ Yoshi’s Oakland

01/25 Jerry’s Middle Finger @ Rancho Nicasio

01/26 JD Simo and Luther Dickinson w/ Strange Vine @ Moe’s Alley

01/27 Say She She @ August Hall  Win Tickets

01/28 Jenny Kerr Band @ Madrone Art Bar

01/28 Strolling Gnomes ft Scott Amendola, Fred Frith, Thomas Dimuzio, Ben Goldberg, Larry OchsIvy Room  Win Tickets

01/28 Lorin Benedict 4tet @ Black Cat  Win Tickets

01/28 Corey Harris w/ DJ Sep @ Mitchell Park Community Center  Win Tickets

 

Want more shows from BISS?
Check out the
Best of BISS & BISS Full Calendar

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