36 dead at warehouse party fire in Oakland – community mourns, fears backlash.
by Patch O'Furr
Help here: Relief Fund for Victims of Ghostship Oakland Fire
“Ghost Ship” was the name of the warehouse in the inner city of Oakland, California. I’ve often visited the neighborhood under the booming overhead trestle of the BART train. The warehouse was zoned for business, but harbored a live/work space that was built under the radar of building inspectors. It was funded by parties and rent from people living in RV’s parked there. It was home for a collective of artists and musicians from the cultural underground of the San Francisco Bay area. Many were pushed out of previous homes by pressure of rising rents. These most expensive costs in the country are making a crisis for culture.
Friday, December 2, was the date for an electronic music show. Golden Donna was headlining with the L.A. label 100% Silk. It wasn’t a rave just for dancing and fun, but a deeper connection of creativity. Many watchers were themselves into producing music, or making big-scale art for festivals like Burning Man.
Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was the scene of a national tragedy in the early AM hours of June 12. News has spread far and wide about this worst mass shooting in US history. 50 or more lives were taken at a gay club, which is especially meaningful to many during Pride month. You’ll see a sea of rememberances at the celebrations everywhere.