I don’t care if the last seven, not to mention, greatest, Beatles albums never were performed in concert, I still enjoy the atmosphere live music builds.  Even if Strawberry Fields Forever was the trippiest pop song ever written, it’s going to have a hard time competing against the relationship that develops between a live audience and the musicians, especially outdoors.

There’s something about the combination of live instruments and fresh air that activates our carnal instincts, just watch any of the Arcade Fire’s shows on YouTube and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  In a live set the crowd is not only able to hear the band but see, touch, and if you’re really lucky, smell and taste them too – that is, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Rockin’ out on the Row

Every now and then Santana Row feels the same way and holds live music sets of their own.  This time around, So Timeless, of Bay Area roots, wins over the crowd with smooth saxophone-laced tracks and crisp vocalized harmonies.

First up is Lionel on alto sax whose puffer jacket and Asics sneakers are a definite homage to 1970’s fashion.  The derby cap and cords let you know that he’s one smooth saxophoner.  To his left is vocalist, Lonnye who layers a zip-up hoodie underneath his leather jacket to give it an even more laidback vibe.  You can never go wrong with all black peices.

On the keys is Ed, and I’m starting to think they coordinated the derby cap look before they took to the stage.  Not to his detriment, the headwear compliments his printed button-up seamlessly.  Playing acoustic bass, Norman brings the cafe-guitar/vocalist-aesthetic to life with the tan-colored blazer (extra points for the fingerless gloves, brotha!).

As twilight turned into nightfall on Santana Row, So Timeless was able to showcase a nice sampling of their body of work that reflects their iconic r&b influences Earth, Wind & Fire; Stevie Wonder and Babyface.  They even used the intimate setting to take requests from the crowd, covering Jill Scott’s “A Long Walk”, inspiring multiple shoppers-turned-audience-members to drop some coin into the guitar case and even pick up a copy of their album.

Special thanks to Jasmine Price for the photos.

photo taken from treehugger.com

2010 is a big year for 40^th anniversaries.  James Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise were in the Earth’s orbit aboard Apollo 13; Charles Manson, Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone; and Midnight Cowboy, True Grit and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice were up for Academy Awards – all while the calendars read 1970.

photo taken from nadge.blogspot.com

That’s all fine and dandy but who really recalls any of it without Google’s helpful hand?  In that time span the helm of Star Trek’s Enterprise has been captained by William Shatner and Chris Pine’s Kirk, the airwaves rocked to the sound of David Bowie and Adam Lambert and the silver screen projected Sigourney Weaver as alien hunter in Ridley Scott’s Alien and alien philanthropist in James Cameron’s Avatar (and that’s just the highlight reel boys and girls!).

photo taken from eonline.com

With grand étonnement Earth Day hasn’t been forgotten despite all of the progress from the past 40 years, but why is it such an important holiday? 

Money does grow on trees.

From a fashion industry standpoint the word ‘trend’ describes a seasonal take on clothing that will pass as quickly as it came.  For the rest of the economy, green is a trend that hopefully is more of a shift than last year’s houndstooth blazer.

Eco-friendly is wallet-friendly.  You see it in the cars we drive (gas saved), the buildings we populate (heating and cooling) and the clothes we wear (recycled fashion, anyone?).  The first two may be obvious polluters but the fashion industry puts its fair share of emissions into the ecosystem.  It’s only natural that this segment gets its due from the green fairy.  Just look to GreenShows Eco-fashion Week hosted by New York Fashion Week and San Jose State’s Trashion Fashion Show.

With regulations on air and water pollution the United States has come a long way since the smokestack days of the ’70s.  Gaylord Nelson, former U.S. senator and San Jose State alum had something going, now let’s carry it into the next forty years.

Flyer from SJ Fixed

There are certain combinations out there that can’t be beaten.  There’s turkey and avocado on Dutch crunch – marvelous.  One can’t neglect to mention Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the triangle offense – deadly.  And of course Sunday morning sunshine, bicycles and breakfast.  It would take a force of nature to standup to combinations like these.

 Now to discuss our last combination I’ll have to bring you back to last weekend, which is when all of this greatness came together to create Breakfast and Baskets, the first installment of a monthly breakfast ride with SJ Fixed.

 Usually the Bay Area is known for weather on an even keel but being an El Nino year, it’s been nothing but fickle.  So if you have the chance to ride your bike with a t-shirt and sunglasses you better get in on it while you can.

 I met up with the guys at SJF at the San Jose State Event Center (the usual meet-up spot for the weekly Tuesday and Thursday rides.)  This group is most notorious for their fixed gear riding and trick sessions but today all bikes, from cruisers to tricycles, were welcomed for this easy jaunt.

The vine-covered patio was filled to capacity and hungry patrons were spilling into the sidewalk as our pack rode in.  Luckily, Kevin, who put the ride together, thought ahead and called to reserve a big enough table to fit all the riders (sans bikes) into the patio.

 From what I saw most of the breakfasteers were young – and tanned.  There was the occasional elderly couple enjoying, a no doubt, longstanding Sunday brunch.  Attire hit the entire range of the spectrum – from the median: t-shirts/polos and jeans/shorts, to the scruffy: sweatpants and undershirts/tank tops, and the dressy: selvage denim and dressier tops.

Here’s a look at some of SJF before the ride.

Here’s Kevin, the mastermind behind this ride hydrating before we all head out.  I wish I got a picture of his all-black cruiser from fashion designer Paul Smith.  Messenger bags and backpacks designed with cyclists in mind usually have a cellphone pocket that’s within arm’s reach like the one seen here.  And of course Wayfarers are always welcome on days like this one.

Jessica and her friend ride in v-necks, which definitely helps the air flow to vital parts on these sunny days.  Extra points for the helmet Jessica!

Marc and Tyson are living up this Sunday.  Cutoffs have always been a fixed gear riding staple, possibly because their chains chew up all their pant legs and make it a necessity, but who knows.  Tyson sports an interesting corduroy variation while Marc shows off this beauty of a Savers find.  It sort of reminds me of a watercolor I’ve seen somewhere.

This is Sean, an obvious Star Wars fan.  No need to be ashamed buddy, you’re in good company on the Radar blog.  At first glance the print looks just like any Star Wars tee – I didn’t notice till after I went through the pictures that Skywalker and Darth Vader are both ripping on guitar, sweet!

I usually like to wrap up with the best/funniest picture, and this time I think I might have outdone myself.  This is a cinnaroll that Sean ordered at Bill’s.  It wouldn’t have tasted as good without the links on the side.  Syrup on everything, yes!

(Shut your mouth, you’re drooling on the keyboard)

Business or Pleasure, not both

The way I see it, laptops and sandy beaches are like tighty-whities and black socks (not that they always need to match).  Name one cocktail or tropical libation inspired by the guy who answers emails beneath palm trees and tucks his Tommy Bahama into his Dockers.  There are people who think working while on vacation is productive; to me it’s a half-hearted attempt at either one.

With that said, I did attend Silicon Valley’s 20th celebration of Cinequest Film Festival, originally with the intention of photographing Silicon Valley’s chic, but opted instead to sit back and enjoy the show.  Well, five shows – but whose counting really? 

Fashion in Film

Staying true to the feeling of this website I can’t write this post without some mention of fashion, my heart just won’t let me.  So I’ll be pointing out characters and their individual styles while discussing Cinequest. 

The Greatest, produced by Pierce Brosnan who also appears in the film opposite Susan Sarandon and Carey Mulligan, was by far the most star-studded of the five films. 

Mulligan plays Rose, a high school senior who, on the last day of school, finally speaks to her crush Bennett (Aaron Johnson) after four years of passing each other in the halls.  Their romance is cut short by a lethal car accident that leaves Rose the surviving member of the couple.

Bennett’s parents (Brosnan and Sarandon) are still in a state of disbelief when Rose appears on their doorstep revealing that she is carrying their late son’s child.  The film’s deep characters drive the story and explore the different faces of grief.

Brosnan plays Allen, a university professor who definitely dresses the part.  In a scene where he takes Rose and the rest of his family to their beach house, Allen sheds all traces of academia.  A navy blue poplin shirt and khaki club shorts tell everyone around him that he won’t be available for office hours.  The look is definitely a nod to the reemergence of Americana in fashion.

Upperdog is a Norwegian film that traces the life of twins separated by adoption. Axel lives a very posh existence with his adopted, upper-class family.  After he is betrayed by his girlfriend with his best friend, Axel sinks into a depression. 

The importance of appearance among the wealthy lead Axel into a ritual of crisp, white shirts and pressed, black slacks.  It’s a veneer that hints not only to his depression but the sterile environment in which he was raised.

Let’s fast forward to our fifth film, The Orange Girl.  Aside from being one of my favorites, this Norwegian tale of life and love received its own reprise on the final day of Cinequest.  Now, it’s Cinequest tradition to bring back a number of audience favorites (decided by ballot) for closing night and The Orange Girl made the cut, bravo!

Our hero, Jan, and his son Georg both fall in love with girls by chance meetings, albeit one generation apart.  For Jan he discovers his muse on the train ride to work carrying a basket of oranges and wearing a bright red trench.  The coat becomes a symbol that haunts him as he mistakes her for every woman who boards the train. For Georg, who develops the plot by reading his fathers letters of the orange girl, finds an orange girl of his own while on a cross country ski trip.

The film flashes back from Jan as a young man to Georg in the present day, paralleling each other’s journey of infatuation.  It’s a great opportunity to see Jan impeccably dressed in Nordic knit sweaters and business suits.  (I love how classic staples in menswear always keep a man in style no matter how far back the picture was taken.)

Now as a post script and to give this entry some visuals, we’re spotlighting Cerina.  She is a makeup artist whose work can be seen in such indie flicks as Glory Boy Days, Liquor Store Cactus, All About Dad (featured in Cinequest 2009 and Pacific Rim Film Fest) and she’s also worked with us here at Helium!

I love her punk rock, rockabilly motif and she rocks that beach cruiser almost like an accessory.  Way to be Cerina!

So to wrap up this Pentateuch of a blog post I’d like to tip my hat to all those involved with Cinequest, especially the volunteers.  You could tell everyone loved films and really helped make the event run smoothly.  Lines stretched to the end of the block at the California screening of Outsourced and by the time I locked up my bike and turned the corner every one of those people was in their seats.

The venues were amazing, specifically the California Theater with its handsome lobby furnished with touch screens gave filmgoers an interactive Cinequest experience.  Volunteers at this venue were especially accommodating to a nosy blogger poking his head into every corner.

And enough can’t be said about the films chosen for the festival.  I wholeheartedly believe that if I had a movie lovers pass as they call them, there would be not a one that I had a negative opinion about.

Once again thank you Cinequest for bringing so many mavericks together in one place and for instilling that spirit into Silicon Valley.  We’ll be looking forward to having you back next year.

***All photos taken from Cinequest website except the last

Tramping through San Jose’s splashy sidewalks will lead to the countless restaurants and cafes lining its rain drenched streets with this poster on display.  It’s a badge indicating the establishment’s endorsement of the city’s premiere film festival, this year being its 20^th installment.

Representing Silicon Valley’s progressive state of being, Cinequest is one of the first film festivals to embrace digital technology within the film industry.  Its founders see it as a channel that empowers mavericks, who, in their words, act as a catalyst of dynamic change in a cookie cutter world.

Soiree Shutterbugs

This two week event (Feb. 23 – Mar. 7) draws a diverse crowd to the downtown area including film makers from 44 countries.  Helium Radar is going to take full advantage, cameras drawn, ready to snap any of the action, and of course fashion, that cross our lines of sight.

Aside from the top-notch films showing at the California Theater and the downtown Camera Cinemas, there will be plenty of bars and restaurants taking part in the action you may be interested in.  Check the Cinequest site for details.

The Super Bowl is an American holiday bigger than Flag Day and, in beer cans and hot wings consumed, rivals any Independence Day celebration.  You’d be hard pressed to find an art gallery open on this holy day, let alone people in them, but just like the corner store that hasn’t sold out of ice and bean dip for the big game – they are out there.

This one in particular, on the UC Berkeley campus featured photographer Ari Marcopoulos, entitled Within Arm’s Reach.  Kick starting his career assisting Andy Warhol, Marcopoulos has a keen eye for what’s hip, focusing his lens on snowboarders, musicians and anything that youth has fixed itself upon.  

Source: hamburgereyes.com

Source: lat34.com

Source: reserveresult.com

Within Arm’s Reach is generating plenty of buzz within the hypebeast community (see Huf SF and others).  It goes without saying that his work has seen much commercial success with companies like Burton, Capitol Records, Prada Sport and Hugo Boss.

So back to my Super Bowl Sunday excursion; I’ve been looking forward to this show even before the Saints had a chance but because of a tight schedule, peppered with the lingering feeling of procrastination that comes with a long winter break, I had to pay a visit on closing day. 

Luckily, Helium Radar, out of the shotgun formation and with the final seconds ticking away – throws up the hail mary pass for the end zone completion (for the football-challenged, that means I got my butt out of bed early Sunday morning and over to Berkeley before they slammed the doors in my face and took down the gallery).

Just like the ice and bean dip, this is who I ran into at Within Arm’s Reach.

Meet Carmela, there’s something easygoing about her outfit that shows she doesn’t mind you taking her picture while she lounges on the Chuck E. Cheese furniture.  The abstract floral print is just what you need when Spring peeks in through the rain clouds(and has been spotted up and down runways, of late).

Jenna, giving her friend Carmela some company, keeps a Sunday afternoon vibe about her with yoga pants and a print hoody.  Her understated look plays up the details in her clutch, which I was instantly attracted to.  These ladies were definitely thinking springtime when they stepped outside.

Here’s Sergio.  I ran into him in the DVD section at Rasputin;  not exactly at the gallery but in Berkeley nonetheless.  I’m digging the sunglasses and leather jacket combo, hey – it worked for James Dean.  He puts his own twist on the classic combination with an updated cut on the jacket and trendy frames.  Well done, Serg!

To send you guys off, I’ll leave you with the pics I was able to snap before the beefy security guard told me to cease and desist.

There’s one element to every holiday party that lets you know Christmas is here and it’s not the 40-proof eggnog or the great aunt whose had way too much of it.

I’m talking about those ugly festive holiday sweaters that coax even the grumpiest of scrooges into tipping the neighborhood carolers. 

The Ugly Sweater party, as it’s called, is a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit or to forget about the 50^th Starbucks gift certificate you got stuffed in your stocking (gift cards are for procrastinators, don’t be one of them this season!).

On a mission

While the elves up north were making PS3’s and flat-screen TV’s, the Helium Radar blog was pounding the pavement in search of ugly (ahem) festive holiday sweaters.

We ran into Joyce and Laura who work at a bookstore on Santana Row and they’re all about their Christmas sweaters.

 For Joyce it’s about feeling the Christmas cheer and maybe even spreading a little bit to the people she sees while the sleigh bells ring. 

 Laura shares in the Christmas spirit with her holiday sweater, decked with snowflakes, Frosty and everyone’s favorite, St. Nicholas.

Festive or faux pas?

How can you tell a holiday sweater from a plain ol’ ugly sweater?   Don’t worry; Helium’s got your back. 

You may get a hand-knit sweater with a unicorn emblazoned across the chest from grandma every Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you can wear it in public.  Actually, let me back that one up, you’re friends might cut you some slack if they used to get the same ones from their grandmas.  But as a rule of thumb, go for things sung about in Christmas songs.

Next, the more outrageous, the better.  You want people to know that you put out milk and cookies for Santa every Christmas Eve so don’t shortchange yourself by going conservative – the more things hanging from your sweater the better (think jingle bells and ornaments).

Not least is where you can find these gems.  Thrifting them would be my first reaction but experience has shown that Goodwill and Savers have disappointingly slim pickings, I guess demand is picking up for these guys.  You may want to try secondhand stores in major cities like San Francisco, where the selection can be a bit juicier (thanks for the tip Joyce!).

Naughty or Nice

So what have we learned here boys and girls?  Holiday sweaters aren’t just for grandmothers and cat-ladies anymore.  Even late night talk-show host Jimmy Fallon shed some limelight on this item, giving one away to a lucky audience member for the 12 nights leading up to Christmas.  Bottom line, Christmas is a time for giving so take a cue from Mr. Fallon and share your holiday spirit by wearing one or gifting one to someone you love.

I’ve been commuting by bike for about a year and a half now.  But by no means am I a black belt when it comes to the fixed gear scene.  If I had to guess I’d say I’m closer to the white belt range of the spectrum, maybe working for my third stripe (by Ernie Reyes West Coast Tae Kwon Do standards).

Since I am the ranking officer on this blog about these affairs, allow me to drop some knowledge on a young padawan.  First off, you get one gear, that’s it – you wanna climb hills with your bike, eat your Wheaties before hand and hope you were blessed with redwoods for thighs.  Next up, no coasting.  Alongside having to be built like Hercules, you better pray for Mercury’s endurance because when that bike is moving so are the pedals. 

If you’re thinking about getting into the scene, don’t fear baby deer, there are no tests for your white belt and everything else on a fixed gear is about the same as your garden variety bicycle.

Photo: iMiNUSD 

Now that we’re all up to speed, let’s talk a little about It’s a W.R.A.P. Alleycat Series Finale, hosted by local fixed gear boutique, iMiNUSD.  This “fixed only” bike race, or alleycat, is a point to point race traversing the Silicon Valley urban landscape – requiring townie-navigation-skills, not to mention Amtrak-type locomotion to the pedals. 

It’s a W.R.A.P., as the name implies, is the last hurrah to a series that began early this year where racers were met by challenges at each checkpoint.  These challenges, while presented in good fun, range from the culinary (downing spoonfuls of cinnamon) to the transsexual (see Back-to-the-Fashion post on “manscara”). 

Despite wrapping up the racing in Portlandesque riding conditions, racers still came out of the gates in the fashion that the fixed gear community is known for.

Photo: iMiNUSD

This is a great snapshot of fixed gear fashion.  Both guys fit into the genre and show where the roads split.  Andrew (right) is slated in standard cycling gear, save the cut-off jeans.  To his left, flannel and cycling cap keep this rider warm and fashionable while riding.

Henry, representing SJ Fixed with pride, has on a messenger bag with seatbelt-style buckle – a popular feature on fixed gear styled bags.

Pavel’s got on a water-proof shell that’s great for riding when the skies are looking grey.  He’s also got a marled beanie on – one trend this season that I’m falling in love with.

Photo: iMiNUSD

Photos from iMiNUSD are labeled.

Timing is everything and a zombie convention in the beginning of September isn’t exactly my idea of timely. But maybe I’m wrong and it deserves the same coverage as, let’s say, a Santa’s reindeer sighting – in July. Maybe San Jose is just notorious for its diehard zombie fans.

Regardless, these fans crawled from out of the cracks in the sidewalk as zombies from around Silicon Valley convene on a not-so-timely summer Zombie-o-Rama.

So we threw this one into the Helium Radar vault and sat on it like a Wall St. trader with a great tip– or a fanatical beanie baby collector, which ever you prefer.

With Halloween knocking on this weekend’s doorstep, the funny looks you get when Rudolf’s nose blazes across a warm summer night are predictably missing. It’s time for our zombies to prove our readers that they’ve got some style too.

Somehow this zombie manages to ooze with style despite her various states of decay.  The pompadour,  polka dot blouse and red lipstick combination reek of rockabilly.

                                                                                           Check out the leopard print

An all black ensemble can do a ton for a zombie when using different textures – especially for covering up lingering zombieness and gore.  Here lace gloves, fishnet veil, silken scarf and crocheted vest deliver loads of style for this queen of the undead.

                                                                                                            Digging the umbrella

                                                                                                                                                                  Sometimes the devil’s in the details.  Here it’s possesed this vintage baby carriage, using it to really bring the outfit home.  It carries a certain consistency and completeness to the look that would make Wednesday and the whole Addams family green with envy.

Gratuitous Zombie Mayhem