Tag: creative
ABCey’s Weekend Lineup 2.6.14 – 2.9.14
Don’t let the rain stand in the way of getting out this weekend! There are tons of awesome events going on, and we can’t wait to share our favorite picks! Our Weekend Lineup features a great mix of activities including tech mixers, a Film Festival, a Valentine’s themed 5k dash, and more.
FEATURED EVENT | Startup & Tech Mixer| 181 Third Street |Friday, February 7th| 5pm | San Francisco is a city filled with startups and tech companies! The Startup & Tech organization creates opportunities for learning, inspiration, and creation. The platform fosters an environment where participants can have interactions with the best and brightest of today’s innovators. This fun experience will include music, interactive exhibits, art displays, a speaker series with 4 dynamic panels and more! Get your tickets for this can’t miss event.
1. CrowdFunding Movement Extravaganza| 111 Minna|Thursday, February 6th |6-10 pm| The CrowdFunding Movement is throwing a party to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Come enjoy delicious sweets and drink specials at the city’s premier entrepreneurship event made possible by Crowdfunders for Crowdfunders. Product designers and developers will participate in a Keynote Speaker Series to showcase how they are using crowdfunding and technologies to startup. Entry is free, so get your tickets now!
2. SF Independent Film Fest | Roxie and Brava Theaters |Ongoing from February 6th|One of the cities biggest film festivals, also known as SF Indie, celebrates its “Sweet 16th” and kicks off this weekend! This annual festival showcases the best in independent, alternative, and subversive cinema from all around the globe. Screenings will be held at the Roxie and Brava Theaters in SF and at the New Parkway in Oakland. Don’t forget to attend the awesome parties such as the annual Disco costume party and The Big Lebowski party! Check out the full lineup and ticket information.
3. Food from The Heart| Ferry Plaza |Friday, February 7th |5-7:30 pm|Come out to stroll the candlelit Grand Nave where the Marketplace merchants and restaurateurs will be offering seasonal hors d’oeuvres ($2-4 each) and Slow Food will pour wine from different wine bars($6-8 per glass). The proceeds of these purchases benefit Slow Food San Francisco. Additionally, you can take advantage of the marketplace shops open until 8pm for Valentine shopping!
4. Salted featuring DJ Spinna|Mighty|Saturday, February 8th |6-10 pm|Best known around these parts for his Wonderfull Stevie Wonder tribute nights and Michael Jackson vs. Prince “soul slam” events, DJ Spinna makes his way back to the Bay from Brooklyn. He will debut at the soulful house haven Salted. As both a producer and DJ, Spinna has deep roots in house, soul, funk, and hip-hop. We can definitely expect to hear an eclectic mix from him!
5. San Francisco Valentine’s Day Dash 5K|Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park|Sunday, February 9th |9am|Come out for this Valentine’s day themed run/walk where people can participate individually or as a two-person team! There will be a costume contest, participant shirts, Tunnel of Love sign making area, free food and drink, and a finish-line festival beer garden! There is also a free kids dash for children 10 & under.
Let us know which one’s you will be attending in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter! Stay warm & dry kids!
Tech Tuesday: Watsi
The world is constantly experiencing change due to advances in technology. With the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards just a week away, we decided to reflect on companies that made the biggest impact in 2013. Watsi came right to mind. The global crowdfunding platform for healthcare enables anyone to donate in order to directly fund life-changing medical care for those in need.
The idea was developed by co-founder Chase Adam when he was visiting Watsi, a small village in Costa Rica. Chase noticed that while he was riding a bus through the village, a woman was walking through the isle holding a red folder and speaking to the passengers. The woman had a picture of her son who had an incision across the width of his stomach. Chase realized that although the bus passengers could help, what if he could connect the woman with his friends and family back home?
The story of how this idea came to live is truly an inspiration, and has motivated many to donate to people in need. Watsi thrives on a few core values: impact, innovation, efficiency, and transparency. The overall goal is to fund low-cost, high-impact medical treatments for a million people in need. Here is a breakdown of how the donation process works:
1. Connect. Browse different profiles on Watsi.org and connect with a person in need that you would like to support.
2. Fund Treatment. Make a donation of any amount you choose, as little as $5 can go a long way. This will fund a life-changing medical treatment for helping the person of your choice.
3. Get an Update. Not only can you fund a patient. Watsi goes even further. Receive an update about the outcome of the treatment you funded. You can directly learn about the difference you made in one’s life.
Watsi has an empowering vision: A world where people no longer die from conditions that society has the knowledge, resources, and power to treat. This non-profit startup is bringing the world together and giving us access to become connected with those in need.
We are seriously impressed with this platform and the social impact it has made! What do you think of Watsi? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Have You Been Missing Out On Lazy Bear?
San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for foodies as chosen by Travel + Leisure readers! With tons of eclectic restaurants in the Bay Area, it can be tricky to decide where to dine. When we heard about an underground fine dining restaurant, we had to find out more!
Lazy Bear, run by David Barzelay, serves dinner to the public about three weekends per month, typically on Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Reservations are usually closed, so the best way to snag a reservation is to get on the mailing list. With over 10,000 subscribers, you will be one of many to hear about upcoming events.
Each set of dinners is an all-new menu and no dishes are repeated. Lazy Bear is the highest-rated “New American” restaurant in all of San Francisco according to Yelp.com and has been named one of the best underground restaurants in the city.
This unique restaurant usually has 1,000+ waitlists for 120 spots in one weekend. While the public events are popular to say the very least, Lazy Bear also holds private dinners for groups. The team will craft a custom menu for every event, making each experience at Lazy Bear personalized and special.
Here at ABCey, we love to check out restaurants that stand out among others which is why we find Lazy Bear so fascinating! This underground dining experience gained its popularity from word of mouth, so go check it! Let us know what you think in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Startup Monday: Good Eggs
Startups, startups, startups! 2013 was booming as more and more startups hit the market! Have you checked out who is up for nomination at the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards? There are tons of great companies being recognized for their amazing work, and we would like to acknowledge one that is truly applicable to our everyday lives.
Good Eggs originated in the San Francisco Bay Area, and connects you to local farmers and foodmakers. You can shop for local and fresh groceries of your choice, and it will be delivered right to your door. As a recent newcomer to the Bay Area, I don’t always know the best places to do my grocery shopping and want farmer’s market quality food. Aside from their excellent products, great delivery, do-able pick-up hours, and fantastic service, the prices are affordable.
Here are a few of the awesome things Good Eggs has to offer:
1. Good Eggs city marketplaces support independent local farmers and foodmakers. These producers use sustainable practices and make their food with care. You can see who made your food, learn more about them, and contact them directly if you’d like.
2. Good Eggs carries food you can’t find anywhere else. Meals come from top independent chefs, you can find gluten-free anything, and baby food is made to order! This startup is able to support smaller foodmakers who can’t sell into grocery stores because their food is too fresh to live among the grocery store inventory.
3. Local food is better for everybody. The Good Eggs producers are using fair labor practices on their lands, caring for their animals, and producing food that is significantly healthier for you to eat. As more money goes towards locally-owned businesses, the more local food will become easily accessible.
4. Good Eggs Gifting is now available. Gift cards, boxes, and orders are great ways to share with friends and families. Allow your loved ones to pick out foods of their own, or send a box or care package that will be made for them!
How convenient is it to have your food delivered right to your door? It’s cheaper than the chain natural food supermarkets, and the local and fresh food is sure to be a hit! This startup provides a win-win for shoppers, local economies, and the environment.
It’s great for personal grocery shopping and shopping for a group! If your planning an event and need a few last minute items, don’t fret! You can order directly from Good Eggs and they will provide you with what you need.
Here at ABCey, we absolutely love what Good Eggs has to offer! Give it a try, and if you love it as much as we do, spread the word! Let us know what you think of Good Eggs, nominated in the Best E-Commerce Application category, in the comments section below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: Crowdtilt
The 7th Annual Crunchies Awards are just around the corner! Here at ABCey, we did lots of digging and research to cast our votes. There are truly some unique companies and apps up for nomination! Let’s take a look at a platform from the tech world that stood out to us: Crowdtilt.
Crowdtilt is nominated in the Best Collaborative Consumption Service category. It serves as the largest funding platform for group experiences, purchases, and causes! Crowdtilt is a quick and simple way to pool funds with your friends and family.
This platform makes it a breeze to collect money for shared experiences such as group vacations and birthday parties. Costs can be split evenly for group purchases like wedding gifts, concert tickets, or dinner parties. Is there a cause near and dear to your heart? Support your favorite non-profit or local community by pooling funds through Crowdtilt.
Check out the video on How it Works! Let’s break it down. There are 3 easy steps to how Crowdtilt can collect funds for you.
1. Set things up: Develop a campaign by creating a description for it, add an image, and choose how much money you want to raise or collect.
2. Spread the word: Generate buzz by telling friends and family about your campaign through social media. Email, tweet, and post on Facebook!
3. Get paid: As soon as the campaign tilts, every participant’s card is charged. You will get the funds via direct deposit.
We love what Crowdtilt has to offer! Would you try it to plan your next group vacation, dinner party, or fundraiser? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter! Don’t forget to vote and purchase your ticket for the 7th Annual Crunchies Awards!
Friday Five: Event Startups We Love!
The dynamic event industry enables ABCey to keep an eye on unique event startups that will help create an unforgettable experience! Here are five of our favorites that can inspire you to start planning your next occasion.
1. EventWith: When planning an event, it can be overwhelming to determine who handles each task. With collaborative planning on the rise, this user-friendly service assists you in deciding when the event will take place, who brings what, and the budgeting needs. Specific features include the division of group lists and tasks in a timely fashion! Check out how it works by watching the video: EventWith – What is it all about?
2. Boomset: Guest list check-in becomes a lot simpler with this innovative service! Forget long lines, now you can check guests in within seconds. Additional services offered include badge printing, and an opportunity to make a donation right then and there through Stripe or Paypal. Pricing is quite affordable for the services you will be provided with!
3. TableCrowd: If you are new to a city, industry, or hobby, it can be tough to find others that are alike. Find those with common interests by meeting and eating! It is simple to start a table, and all you have to do is a pick a restaurant and theme. The service will tell members all about it, and you can also invite friends! Options to join a table that already has a set location and theme is another easy option.
4. Seats.io: Developing the seating chart for an event can be a daunting task. Make your seating chart in a fun and simple way! This service provides an online seating chart drawing tool that can create rows and automatic seat numbering. With the click of the mouse, guests can choose their own seating. The seating charts are also available on any smartphone device for your guests to have full access to!
5. SlideKlowd: Presentations can serve as important elements at events. In order to keep your audience engaged, share your slides to any device! Real-time audience responses can be captured, allowing you to follow up with your participants and create an interactive environment. Guests can ask questions and submit comments for you to respond to. Presenters also have the ability to monitor attention levels and receive direct feedback from their audience!
These 5 event startups can bring innovation to your next event and make it stand out amongst others! Which would you use to leave a lasting impression?! Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook & Twitter!
Tech Tuesday: BYOB – Be Your Own Bartender!
Tech Tuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming companies for their innovative ideas and ability to think outside the box!
Having events are always fun, but juggling between being a host and a bartender can be overwhelming. Add on loud music, with talkative guests, and you’re bound to mix a wrong drink or two. Luckily there’s a robot, (yes, robot!) that can help rectify your situation. Introducing Bartendro – a cocktail dispensing robot.
The Bartendro is a robot that can mix over 50 different cocktails. It uses a router board, which is linked to peristaltic pumps. These pumps dispense a certain amount of liquid with each rotation of the motor. Each cocktail is said to be made in about 10 seconds. With tons of drink orders to take, time is really of the essence.
The great thing about this is how hosts can set up drinks ahead of time. Now when their guests are ready, all they have to do is connect their phone to the Wi-Fi network. Once connected, guests can actually use their phones to order their drinks through the Bartendro ordering page.
What fun drinks would you like to create using Bartendro? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
5 Easy Ways To Go Eco-Friendly For Your Next Big Event!
There is so much emphasis on being environmentally conscious nowadays, so ABCey has come up with a few tips on how to plan your next event while keeping the environment in mind. Here are a few of our favorite ideas to make your event that much more environmentally friendly! We challenge you to try at least one of these next time you have an event. We sure will!
1. Use plants as favors! It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
2. Design the menu according to the season and focus on locally grown food. (It usually tastes better anyway!)
3. Decorate with eco-friendly items. Try some dried flowers for a beautiful display! Check out Etsy for some beautiful, handmade options!
4. Shop your local antique store for vintage finds. Mismatched cups make for a fun atmosphere!
5. Collect pictures electronically by giving guests a hash tag for any pictures they post! You’ll collect so many funny pictures from everyone’s point of view!
What’s your next event and how are you going to incorporate eco-conscious planning? Let us know with a comment or a tweet! Make sure to follow us on Pinterest and stay updated with ABCey for more fun party planning tips!
Announcing: Brit.co RE:MAKE Event!
We are SO excited to finally announce our collaboration with Brit.co to produce the RE:MAKE Event! Put this on your calendars now because you will not want to miss this!!
This two-day event will be held at the fabulous and iconic Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. Day 1 is set up as a conference with tons of innovative speakers, like Randi Zuckerberg and 3D printing master Christ Anderson, to spark a discussion about technology’s effect on the creative world. Day 1 will cover many of the themes Brit.co’s website explores, such as DIY, fashion, tech, and lifestyle. The first day is invitation-only; to request your invite, click here.
You’ll definitely want to snag a pass for Day 2 if you’re a lover of all things creative and fun! RE:MAKE opens up for a public, free convention with over 100 artisans and makers stations ranging from jewelry design to 3D printers. You can easily spend the entire weekend feeding your creative side surrounded by one-of-a-kind crafters and industry leaders!
Are you as excited for this event as we are?? Share your good vibes with us in a comment and on Facebook & Twitter!
Outdoor Events: The 10 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed
As summer BBQs and outdoor events reach their peak, you may find yourself ready to throw your own outdoor event! Remember ABCey’s list of 10 essential outdoor event items that are easily overlooked.
1. Permits | Whether your event is in a park, campgrounds, or even in your own yard, sometimes permits and restrictions you never new existed are lurking! Get all the facts before you start playing loud music or starting fires, even on the grill.
2. Speakers | You never know the difference a little music makes until it’s there! Products like Jambox are lightweight, easy to carry, and connect wirelessly to your iPod. Bring the party with you wherever you go!
3. Blankets and Chairs | Chairs are bulky to carry and blankets can be an afterthought, but these items make a world of difference! Not only do they give guests a space to sit and enjoy, they make your get-together look more official. Plus, your group is easy to spot from across the park!
4. Lighting | As the event moves into evening, you’ll need a seamless way to keep the party going strong! Use candles, tea lights, or lanterns as decorations and centerpieces during the day for an easy transition into nighttime fun!
5. Bug Zappers | The weather is hot, and there will be bugs. If no one wants to use bug spray, outfit your space with citronella candles designed to keep mosquitos away. No one likes getting bit!
6. Shade | Sun is definitely fun, but there should be options for people in need of a little escape. In addition to guest sunscreen, set up large umbrellas or tents for any shade seekers. They’re also useful in the (unfortunate) event of bad weather!
7. Water | Nobody ever brings enough water! If you’re outside for a couple hours, your body is losing even more fluid than usual. Keep that in mind when buying supplies.
8. First Aid Kit | Kids scrape knees, people need aspirin, and someone always seems to need a bandaid! Keep a medical kit, even a little one, on hand just in case.
9. Weights | Can you picture the wind sending all the napkins into a flurry? Prevent it by bringing your own table weights to weigh down tablecloths, paper plates, and anything else in danger. Weights can be anything from rocks to ready-made ones from a party store.
10. Solemates | Sometimes, a girl just needs her heels. Walk over grass, dirt, and mud easily with Solemates, a plastic cover that slips over your heel to protect you from sinking and staggering.
Did these tips help you? Tell us in a comment below or on Twitter and Facebook!