Author: David Hyman

The Businesses and Neighbors of SOMA are now launching SOMA NIGHTS! This Street activation will take place on the 4th Thursday of each month, through September, with an exciting line up of local activities. Join us for regular monthly art, food and cultural events on Folsom St (Between 6th-12th).

Both the organizers and the businesses are pleased with the project;  Michael Rotella, owner of Rocco’s Cafe, said: “We had good attendance and the businesses saw a 15-30% lift in sales. Some locations saw a 80% increase in sales. Many residents said SOMA felt busy and had the energy of pre-COVID days.”

The next SOMA NIGHT will be July 24, with over 20 business participating, plus a special fashion show activation, music, and vendors,   Visit soma-nights.com/ for the latest updates.

 

SOMA Nights aims to foster a sense of community by connecting residents and local businesses during the Folsom Streetscape Project, which is putting multiple legacy businesses at risk of closing 

These monthly events encourage collaboration and creativity bringing together local businesses who have operated in SOMA for the past 3 decades who need local support to survive through the major street construction. 

This is an inclusive event for all ages and backgrounds. Walk the Folsom corridor and visit any other restaurants, bars, clubs, art galleries, studios paired with street pop up events 

JOIN US EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

SPECIAL FOOD, DRINKS AND EVENTS WILL HAPPEN FROM 5 TO 9 PM BETWEEN 6TH AND 8TH STREET ON FOLSOM

CONTINUE THE PARTY FROM 9 PM TO 2AM AT OVER 15 CLUBS ON THE 9TH TO 12TH STREET CORRIDOR OF FOLSOM ST

 

The LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District has created a new body, called the Safety Committee, to address critical issues affecting our safety as individuals and as a community.

The Safety Committee is being chaired by Robert Costic (bio below), with Darius Taylor (Daddius ONYX) acting as the point of contact for the ONYX leather club.

The committee will be meeting via zoom on the first Monday of each month, starting on June 2nd at 6 pm.  Zoom link. To get on the mailing list for this committee, enter your email address here.

Robert Costic – Safety Committee Chair 

Robert Costic is an attorney who has spent two decades advocating for LGBTQ community members while building a career in public safety. He served for two years at Google, reviewing law enforcement legal processes and overseeing a team of thirteen attorneys. Before that, he spent six years with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, as a police officer, investigator, and part of the Special Liaison Branch, responding to incidents involving hate crimes, domestic violence, and mental health crises within the LGBTQ community. Robert is currently president of PFLAG San Francisco, which provides support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ people and the families who love them. He lives in SoMa with his husband and two cats.

You can contact him at safety-committee-chair@sflcd.org.

Darius Taylor –  ONYX Representative

Darius Taylor (Daddius ONYX) is a proud member of ONYX, a national organization and brotherhood dedicated to the support, education, and celebration of leathermen of color. As a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and university professor, he brings a deep commitment to healing, connection, and community care. Grounded in both professional expertise and personal passion, he works to create spaces where all community members can feel safe, affirmed, and joyful.