Thanks, Friends!
Thank you for supporting The Beast. It means a lot to us. Volunteers, Venues, Curators, and other literary and artistic movements all help make the crawl happen. We definitely couldn't do this without you. So from the bottom of our mangey, beastly hearts, thank you.
And a special shout out to the following venues for sticking with us for every crawl! We hella <3 you!
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Fellow Literary Festivals & Movements
Lit Crawl![]() The Lit Crawl was created by San Francisco’s Litquake literary festival back in 2004, and the idea was simple: let’s transform an ordinary bar crawl into a mob scene of literary mayhem. Could we take over a neighborhood, or two, add pop-up events to every venue that might allow it, invite dozens of authors to read from their work, and watch hundreds of literati tromp the route and get drunk on words — all for free?
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100 Thousand Poets for Change![]() The first order of change is for poets, writers, musicians, artists, anybody, to actually get together to create and perform, educate and demonstrate, simultaneously, with other communities around the world. This will change how we see our local community and the global community. We need to feel this kind of global solidarity. There is trouble in the world. Wars, ecocide the lack of affordable medical care, racism, the list goes on. We are only asking that local organize events about change within the guidelines
of peace and sustainability. |
East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Fest
![]() In 2010, two Bay Area writers/zinesters decided it was time the East Bay had its own indie media celebration modeled on the amazing work people were doing in San Francisco and Portland. Tomas Moniz and MK Chavez organized the first East Bay Alternative Press Book Fair. It was a wonderful experience and a huge success bringing over 50 tablers into Berkeley City College. The following year Brooke Appler created the flyer and helped organize the 2011 event. Again the tables went quickly, with over 60 vendors and artists, and attendance doubled. In 2012, Tomas Moniz and the amazing Rock Paper Scissors Collective members and volunteers Ara, Jamie, Olivia, and Crystal created an even larger, more wonderful event with a slightly different name: East Bay Alternative Book and Zine Festival, or EBABZ. Now in its fourth year, the festival is coming back bigger and better than ever in 2013!
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Berkeley Poetry Festival
![]() The Berkeley Poetry Festival is a City of Berkeley sponsored celebration of the city's poets. We honor a local poet with a Lifelong Achievement award for service in the community and writing. Each year we also showcase poets who promote poetry or writing in our communities. Because we live in such a poetically rich area, the lineup changes completely each year to honor all.
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Generous Donors & Sponsors
Yelp![]() Yelp has helped us get the word out to folks in the Bay Area, and The Beast considers that 5-star service! Thanks Yelp!
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Telegraph![]() Telegraph Beer Garden now has liquor! Plus beer, wine, greyhound slushies, and the best burgers, sausages, pulled pork, mac & cheese, and green bean sandwiches in Oakland. All ages welcome. A special thanks to Telegraph for always hosting the annual Beast Crawl Hat Party Fundraiser! |
Local Food & Wine Stores
Periscope Cellars![]() Serving wines that were produced in a WWII submarine repair facility, Periscope Cellars works with small, family growers with a focus on hands-on growing and winemaking to yield wines of unique character and quality. Distinctly non-traditional, our tasting room inside of Historic Swan's Market highlights our unique blends and innovative packaging.
Masse's Pastries![]() Located in Berkeley’s renowned Gourmet Ghetto since 1997, Masse’s Pastries is known for its quality and artistry. They specialize in finely crafted cakes that change with the seasons. Wedding cakes from Masse’s Pastries are renowned throughout the Bay Area for their style and exceptional taste.
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Vintage Berkeley![]() Vintage Berkeley features a selection of limited productions wines from around the world that are under $25. Our stock changes daily as new wines emerge from our tastings that fit the store profile. As buyers, we always seek out the best deal for you. Our hope is that you find shopping at Vintage Berkeley more pleasurable than predictable. Come visit us in the heart of Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto.
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Local Businesses
Peter Thomas Hair![]() Take one hairstylist chomping at the bit to make an enduring impact on the Art of Hairstyling, then add one photographer with a keen eye for fashion (especially from the neck up!), and you have the beginnings of Peter Thomas Hair. Since the spring of 1978, Peter Thomas and Deborah Simons have worked hand in hand to develop a salon renowned as a breeding ground for hairstylists wishing to perform at the highest levels of craft and creativity. The goal is still the same — a delighted client.
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Make-Out Room![]() PDA encouraged! Why get a room, when you can Make-Out in one of our cozy booths?
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Independent Artists
Raya Fine Art Gallery![]() Raya Fine Art Gallery delivers texture, color, emotion. She pushes boundaries in creating art, yet, also embraces traditional icons, but in a way that has a fresh perspective. Visual art is not passive, it is not secondary to other forms of expression. The visual is a constant. We never stop seeing....Even when we close our eyes.
Joakim Drescher![]() Joakim Drescher works mostly with drawing and the making of limited edition artist books but also dabbles in the realms of audio/songwriting. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Joakim has lived all over the world and is now located in the East Bay, California.
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Studio Morey![]() Studio Morey is an Oakland art space and gallery specializing in custom framing and fine art, including intaglio printmaking (etchings), commissions, sculpture, pottery, and small press books. Studio Morey is also available on a monthly basis as a performance venue for local writers, musicians, and artists to host events. 5500 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland
FilthGrime![]() Founded in 2009, FilthGrime is an artist collective with a combined 30 years of graffiti, painting, sculpture and performance experience. Acting as a media channel for the shadow-side of the collective unconscious, we take society's ignored, avoided, and hidden fears and put them boldly back in your face as our own brand of Doomsday propaganda. Mainly focused on pasting and painting imagery on walls and spaces—and a few select gallery shows—we are building a large and loyal following in the underground art scene.
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Adults Only Stores
Feelmore Adult Gallery![]() The Feelmore aims to bring more racial and gender diversity into the world of adult entertainment. Hip, edgy, and somewhat new-age, offering candles and spiritual-guide books in addition to vintage Playboys and accoutrements, they specialize in catering to the needs of their clients by offering memorable pleasure products.
Vixen Creations![]() Vixen Creations is the world's premier manufacturer of 100% Platinum silicone sex toys since 1992. Fine art and eroticism unite in their line of hand-crafted adult toys. Our products have been described by satisfied customers as “top-of-the-line” and “heirloom quality.”
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Good Vibrations![]() Good Vibrations is the premier retailer trusted for over three decades to provide high quality products, education, and information that promotes sexual health, pleasure, and empowerment. We invented the concept of the clean, well-lighted vibrator store and we’re proud to provide a safe and welcoming environment where customers can shop for sex toys, books, movies, and attend workshops.
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Comic Bookstores
The Escapist Comic Bookstore![]() The Escapist offers one of the largest selections of comics, graphic novels, and vintage comics in the SF Bay Area.
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Fantastic Comics![]() Located in the heart of Downtown Berkeley, Fantastic Comics offers a wide variety of comic books, graphic novels, and merchandise. Know what comics you want? They've got a saver program just for you. Not sure what you want to read? Their helpful staff will happily talk to you about the books they love. They are open seven days a week, located one block from Downtown Berkeley BART.
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Independent Bookstores
Dark Carnival![]() Dark Carnival specializes in science fiction, fantasy, and mystery books! We have a huge selection, a knowledgeable staff and plenty of random plastic stuff to round out your bookstore experience!
Half Price Books![]() Half Price Books is committed to promoting literacy and being kind to the environment.
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Laurel Book Store![]() A little bit of everything and the ability to get the rest. Laurel Book Store is a neighborhood gathering place where we delight in finding you the book you want, even if you don't know what it is. We'll hunt for the title you ask for or suggest those you might enjoy reading or giving.
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