Hey there, San Francisco. 

Walking through the Panhandle on a recent Saturday morning, I witnessed something incredible – a crowd of people in athletic attire dancing, mostly in unison, to a catchy pop song. 

There was an instructor at the front calling out the moves, and pretty much everyone I could see had a massive smile on their faces. It felt like… one of the coolest things I’ve seen in San Francisco in a very long time. 

Kenny Walter, a senior retail buyer by day and fitness instructor on nights and weekends, told me recently that he started the class over Zoom during the early days of the pandemic for co-workers and friends. 

“It just felt like they could use some activity and something to participate in,” he said. 

Eventually, word spread and the Zoom link was shared with people he “didn’t even know.” When shelter-in-place restrictions started to lift, Walter decided to move the class – known officially as “Turn Up” – from his living room to the Panhandle. 

Today, a Saturday Turn Up class might draw upwards of 60 people who get their weekend workouts by dancing to Beyoncé’s Freakum Dress or, one of Walter’s favorites, Rain On Me by Lady Gaga. 

“You don’t have to be any shape, any size, any age to have a freaking blast with me,” Walter said. “It’s an opportunity to feel alive and not get bogged down by the daily grind… Just to get out there and let loose, it’s amazing.” 

If you want to get out there this Saturday, there’s a class from 11 am to noon in the Panhandle (on the blacktop area, just west of Masonic). Donations via Venmo are welcomed. 

With that… onto some more ideas for your weekend ahead… 

Weekend guide: Events, ideas, and more

🎧 GGP walking tour. Over the past week, KQED has released an awesome, six part series that dives into the history behind some of their favorite Golden Gate Park features. Attractions include the Bison Paddock, Japanese Tea Garden, Dutch Windmills, and Polo Field. Consider walking (or biking) around the park and listening to the 10-15 minute podcast at each stop. 

🎵 Big book (and vinyl) sale. The Friends of the Public Library are hosting their monthly “Big Book Sale” this weekend at their donation center (located at 1630 17th Street). This month's theme is “film and media,” which means they’ll be selling books on film and media, but will also have $2 vinyls, Blu-Rays, DVDs, and CDs available. The group promises over 25,000 items for sale in total. Friday 1pm-5pm / Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm 

⛹️‍♂️ Watch the Warriors: Game 1 of the NBA Finals is tonight! Game 2 is on Sunday. Mission Local’s Mark Rabine writes that if the Celtics win it’ll be because of their “height, weight and… other-world scoring from Jayson Tatum.” And if the Warriors win, it’ll be because of their “speed, creativity, experience and elite marksmanship” from players like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole.  We’ll see which scenario plays out. 

Quick bits: News to know

A select number of SFPD officers will now be able to march in-uniform at San Francisco’s Pride parade later this month after reaching a compromise agreement with event organizers on Thursday. Mayor Breed has also decided to march again and will lead “a contingent of front-line public safety employees,” SFPD Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. (SF Standard) 

A security guard at the 16th Street UPS distribution center shot and killed a man on Wednesday morning who allegedly charged at him with a knife.  “It just doesn’t sound like him… I’ve never seen him in that capacity, none of us have,” the aunt of the deceased man told Mission Local. (Mission Local) 

On Thursday, Honey Mahogany officially announced her bid to become District 6 Supervisor and claim the seat of her former boss, Matt Haney. Mahogany will run against Matt Dorsey, who Mayor Breed appointed to represent the district until the November election. If elected, Mahogany would be San Francisco’s first transgender supervisor.  (Chronicle / Bay Area Reporter) 

*To note, yesterday we reported that a bicyclist was killed in an early morning collision. But Recology released a statement later in the day that the person had been riding a “motorized unicycle.” Police still haven’t shared more details about how the collision occurred. 

What else I’m reading: Links to browse 

• CEO of S.F.’s Laguna Honda steps down as hospital weathers funding crisis (Chronicle) 

• Last Call at 4 a.m.? SF Legislators Renew Push to Keep Bars Open Later (SF Standard) 

• After pandemic hiatus, cruises are back in San Francisco (Examiner) 

• I Went BTS at the World’s Largest Marine Mammal Hospital (Bold Italic) 

That’s all for today! Thanks so much for reading y’all and I’ll see you tomorrow. Almost Friday! - Nick B.