Tenderloin Buzz: Tree lighting, microcinema, new eateries, and more

"BlackMaria Microcinema is a new tiny movie theatre coming to the Tenderloin and expected to open in January at 570 Larkin St. The space will host independent film screenings and offer classes in acting, screenwriting, fundraising. Owner Maria Judice already runs the original BlackMaria Microcinema in the Mission District, and wanted to expand to a new, slightly larger - still micro at only 45-50 seats - location in the Tenderloin."

"LibreTe's main event will be the Xoffee, Judice's specialty brand of non-caffeinated, but energizing, coffee alternative that she's been selling for years at pop-ups. It's tea, in that it's a blend of herbs and spices like dandelion and cardamom and mushrooms, but Judice said it also tastes like coffee, with chicory that is an homage to her family's long-ago New Orleans roots."

"Come out for the Tenderloin's eighth annual Christmas tree lighting tonight at Boeddeker Park. Santa and his elves are rumored to be in attendance, and there will be music and dance performances from 5 to 6 p.m. And what's Christmas without some speeches from local politicians? Catch District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Assemblymember Matt Haney and State Senator Scott Wiener from 6 to 6:30 p.m. before the tree is lit."

"Another grantee is Falafelland, a Yemeni restaurant that opened on Tuesday at 265 Golden Gate Ave. The restaurant is only the latest venture for owner Billy Alabsi, who also operated the extremely successful Falafelland that once sat on Sixth Street in SoMa and closed in 2019. "Everything was destiny," Alabsi said, reflecting on the past few years. "I was destined to go to this place.""

Tonight Boeddeker Park hosts the Tenderloin's eighth annual Christmas tree lighting with music and dance from 5–6 p.m., Santa and elves expected, followed by speeches from local officials from 6–6:30 p.m. Speakers include District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Assemblymember Matt Haney and State Senator Scott Wiener prior to the lighting. BlackMaria Microcinema will open in January at 570 Larkin St., a 45–50 seat venue for independent screenings and classes in acting, screenwriting and fundraising run by owner Maria Judice. LibreTe, Judice's adjacent tea shop at 587 Eddy St., will serve Xoffee, a non-caffeinated coffee alternative. Falafelland, a Yemeni restaurant, opened at 265 Golden Gate Ave; owner Billy Alabsi previously operated a successful Falafelland in SoMa.

Read at Mission Local