Sunday, December 28, 2008

My Town Monday: San Diego Silverman

I know, I know, I know. We're not really doing My Town Monday posts until the New Year. Our fearless leader, Travis Erwin, is off with his family, kicking it with Mickey, Donald, Goofy et al.

But...I was down on the Embarcadero this evening and got this picture taken. And now I just want to do a MTM post.

Here's the photo:

It's me and San Diego Silverman!

He's a street performer, also called a performance artist, who hangs outside Anthony's Grotto on the Embarcadero. You can also find Silverman at Seaport Village and various other places around town.

Silverman can give you a bit of a shock because he looks like a statue. He might even be standing on a cement block. And then, suddenly, he changes positions. Child #4 kept a safe distance.

He's silver from head to toe, including his teeth! Including his tips can! Silverman's real name is Dash MacTavish. Although, seriously? That does not sound like a real name at all. Dash is around 30 and is a theater-arts student. I've just friended him on Facebook, so I may have more scoop in the future. I'm going to ask him how long it takes to get all silvered up.

Here's a little article from The Union-Tribune about how, due to a police error, Dash and other street artists almost lost the right to perform in front of Anthony's Grotto. And, while we're on the subject of Anthony's Grotto, the menu has changed since I was last there. This evening, the food was greasy, bland and overpriced. So not recommending it.

If you have time to kill, here's a YouTube of San Diego Silverman:


Happy Monday!

16 comments:

  1. That is so cool!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  2. What an interesting gig! (I know we're lost without our leader, but I have an MTM, too, if you want to pop by.)

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  3. He's like a cross between Baum's Tin Man and the Flying Man from Northern Exposure. Very cool!

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  4. Loved the video and that's a great photo!

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  5. My girlfriend and I used to go to Anthony's Fish Grotto all the time! It's sad to hear that maybe their food isn't up to par any more. It's probably been two years since we've last gone.

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  6. Hi Barrie

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! You might not have snow, but you have San Diego Silverman!! What a riot - love the video!
    You said that you miss the snow - where are you from originally?

    My sister lives in Morro Bay,CA with her 5 year old granddaughter (Patience) who has been dreaming about seeing snow. Patience's aunt lives in northern CA and brought some snow down on Christmas Eve in the back of her pickup truck for P to play in!!
    :^)

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  7. Just popped in to say THANK YOU for visiting my blog.

    My sisters and I went to Chicago for Christmas a few years ago and found a Silver man and a Gold man on the street. They weren't as nice as your man, make sure you tip them!!!! Pretty neat!

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  8. Fun! I saw a silverman in San Fran once, but he was definitely not as cool.

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  9. He seemed to perform better with a donation to his box. I like his disguise as it sets the strollers up nicely for a surprise. Thanks for sharing this, Barrie.

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  10. That would completely freak me out! The problem is that when I'm scared I collapse into a puddle on the floor. That's not so good.

    So glad you stopped by my blog today. I love meeting new bloggy friends and especially when they love licorice too!

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  11. happy new year to you and yours, barrie :D

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  12. I remember going to Seaport Village when I lived there. sigh....

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Comments are always welcome!