One of the few surviving small theaters on Market
Street, once the majestic Grand Boulevard and entertainment district of San
Francisco, still stands the dark, dilapidated Strand Theatre. It is a lonely ghost of yesteryear amidst a
transforming, rising city of luminary glass towers. But this building has somehow
managed to survive the years of decay in the area and is now playing an
important roll in the renaissance of the mid-market district.
In its heyday, it was a well attended multi-purpose
entertainment venue.
This abandoned relic of a venue interests me because
“Once upon a time, many years ago in a magical city on the bay” I attempted to
purchase it as a home-base and permanent show venue for Velocity Circus, *which
has since evolved to Velocity Arts & Entertainment.
Velocity Circus Cast of “Heliosphere
Jr”
I recall the first time I entered this unwelcoming entity.
The building had been reduced to a pigeon roost and a
house of derelicts. A hideous, nauseous blend of the stench of mold, urine, and
decaying vermin made it difficult to breathe.
As a pathetic attempt at misdirection, the realtor
pointed up and exclaimed- “Notice the beautiful crown moldings” to which I
painfully inhaled the putrid air to sarcastically reply “You mean the molding
crowns!”
Decaying Interior
Regardless, I had a clear vision of
the splendor it could be and went so far as to hire an architect to redesign the
interior to suit Velocity Circus… and an envisioned audience.
Preliminary plans for Velocity Circus Theater
Thank every deity ever known that it did not pan out!
I have since found my niche and live
my passion fully as an artist, entertainer, producer, impresario, and whatever
other job it takes to complete a project….or “Mission” as I often refer to my
work.
Without the anchor of a public venue, I have the full ability,
mobility, and availability to bring Velocity’s signature brand of shows,
artists, and installations anywhere in the world, adapted to any venue, for any
audience, for any purpose, and at any time.
Heck! I can create a wonderland in a barn, and am free to do
so.
Velocity Walk-Thru
Kaleidoscope (in a barn)
Meanwhile, back at The Strand
Every day on my way home to “Circus Headquarters”, I roller-skate
past this wreck of a building amidst a newly blossoming city.
As I glide by, glancing at the stoic facade of this
survivor, I realize that not attaining it was no lost dream and I am thrilled to
see that A.C.T./
American Conservatory Theater has since purchased it and is in the beginning
stages of a major renovation.
I am truly excited to see it once
again as a creative hub for artists and performers and serving to enlighten the
community…
Beyond a Theater…
I have since and continue to transform my private property
into a theatrical realm, deemed by the public “The Gregangelo Museum”. I am not
particularly fond of that name as it is really a living, thriving working
studio and evolving installation & storyboard for Velocity’s productions. Though,
I am not the type to name my car (oh, I don’t have one) or home, or body parts,
I do often cringe at the multitude of “untitled” works of art in the world. So perhaps
I will be someday inspired to come up with a name for this place which has
become somewhat of a living, breathing organism.
At the moment, I am drawing a blank.
Living edible
still life with pineapple (In the Kitchen)
It is not a museum, as there are no outsourced
collections of objects or historical records exhibited.
Unlike a museum, the viewer is fully immersed in the
artistry and story and becomes both the character and subject matter of the “exhibit”.
Moving through its labyrinthine path becomes hypnotic
and offers the rare chance to experience the awe of the Here and Now and of the
marvel of your own existence.
It ponders natural phenomenon by questioning artificial
normality.
It explains minutia while provoking expansive thought.
It unravels the innate with the learned.
It is a place which embodies reality, yet fuels your
dreams.
View from eclipse room
to solstice room
But foremost, it brings people together in profound
conversation and has continually proven to provide wonderment even to the most
apathetic.
There are no scores or competition in this intimate
theatrical experience which takes you on a journey to the beyond and back
again…
Creating and sharing this place has
become high on the list of my many passions.
To my wonder and delight, it has become a sought after
SF Attraction, and as this essential “To-do” list while in San Francisco
claims:
One of The “Hidden Gems” of The City
Of all of the articles written on
the place, I think this one sums it up fairly well:
Gregangelo
Artistic Director
Velocity Arts & Entertainment
Velocity Circus
San Francisco
415 664-0095
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