Stories From the Self-Help Therapeutic Community Movement - Dancing in the Streets - '67 SF Fair
The Seawall, a San Francisco white elephant was generously made available for almost nothing. But, not much time after Synanon residents moved in, it was registered as a condemned building,…
“God helps those who help themselves.” A similar phrase can be found in Aesop’s fables, Ben Franklin’s Almanac and the last line of the Synanon Prayer. However, it was Emerson’s essay on Self Reliance that provided both philosophical as well as strategic thinking for the first self-help therapeutic community. Street translation: “If you wanted to kick drugs, get off your ass and just do it!” And if you need a new clubhouse, stop complaining and host a fair in San Francisco.
The Seawall, a San Francisco white elephant was generously made available to this rehabbing group, for almost nothing. Save a nickel, save a dime. But, not much after Synanon residents moved in, it was registered as a condemned building, scheduled for demolition. We needed a new clubhouse.
1501 Sansome Street - Condemned Warehouse and Synanon Clubhouse circa 1964-68
The San Francisco Synanon ‘67 Fair was the first big resident/non-resident collaboration. Square, non-resident members of the community volunteered time and resources to this fundraiser. Dan Sorkin a KSFO radio talent, promoted the fair. Dick Bullis, the owner of Dick Bullis Chevrolet, donated the Mustang for the raffle. Scott Beach a local entertainer, attracted talent from North Beach to perform.
Meanwhile full time members like Dian G., a resident artist, designed the fair poster. Our Synanon Teen Game Club raised money by selling raffle tickets after school in the Haight Ashbury. I suspect that many hippy donors bought tickets as an informal downpayment for future rehabilitation services.
John Maher, the future co-founder of Delancey Street, was the resident fair manager. His crew built a 30 foot wide, 6 foot high stage at the base of the Lombard Street cliff.
Janis Joplin had just become quite famous only one week before at the ‘67 Monterey Pop Festival. While she was performing at the Synanon Fair with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Bob Rodriguez, a resident man-for-all seasons, was producing a state-of-the art light show on the sheetrock wall behind the band. He used a donated S.F. Unified School District opaque projector, cooking oil and painter's inks. Like bees to honey, hundreds swarmed to this happening.
That fair raised funds for the down payment on another regional white elephant, the shuttered Oakland Athletic Club.
As for me and my friends,
“We were dancing, dancing in the streets.” Martha and the Vandellas
Written by Andre James
Former member of the Synanon Teenage Game Club
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