Follow a historic trail via neon and matchbooks on an online journey to discover San Francisco's mid-century night-life culture. You’ll see stunning visuals of vintage match books and neon signs from the nightclubs, hotels, and late-night greasy spoons that formed the Tenderloin’s mid-century nightscape.

Suggested donation of $10 or Free | Zoom link will be sent on the day of the event to those who register.

This event is part Neon Speaks 2020 Festival & Symposium. If you plan to attend to attend several events, consider registering for the All-Event Pass to get access to event recordings and daily schedules with Zoom links to join the day's events, plus access to recorded events.

This one-hour virtual tour features imagery and stories researched by hosts Katie Conry from the Tenderloin Museum with Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of SF Neon, a neon preservation organization. Tenderloin matchbooks associated with legacy businesses and neon signs. Just like matchbooks, historic neon signs are a fascinating synecdoche of the small businesses they represent, and a window to the past explored through material culture. Tour includes iconic businesses remembered vividly through vintage ephemera, video clips, and historic photographs.

Read the review of Online Neon Tours in the SF Examiner by Leslie Katz.

In proud partnership with SF History Days and the Tenderloin Museum.

Photos by Al Barna. Matchbook art from the Match Book, Tenderloin Museum.

Neon Speaks Festival & Symposium brings together neon advocates, artists, and preservationists to celebrate and share information. Our mission is to educate and advocate for the artistic legacy of neon: a brilliant archive of design, craft, and community history.

Neon Speaks is produced by Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan of San Francisco Neon in proud partnership with the Tenderloin Museum and the Museum of Neon Art. Neon Speaks is funded by loyal sponsors and by grants from SF Heritage and the National Trust of Historic Preservation. Thank you.

Find out how to donate as a sponsor for 2020 if you are interested in supporting Neon Speaks via the Tenderloin Museum/501(c)(3). Your support helps make Neon Speaks possible and helps us offer free registration to individual events.

FAQs

How do I get the Zoom link to join this event?

Zoom link to join will be sent via an email from Eventbrite on the morning of the event to those who registered. Be sure to join the Zoom webinar 10 minutes early. If you have trouble joining, try restarting your Zoom app.

Is it OK to share the Zoom link with a friend?

Instead of sharing the Zoom link, please ask friends to register so that we have an accurate count of attendees.

Can I watch recordings of the Neon Speaks events?

Register for an All-Event Virtual Pass to receive a link to access Neon Speaks recorded events, available for a limited time to be announced.

When will you announce individual events, tours, and symposium schedule?

Visit neonspeaks.org to see the full schedule, list of speakers, and more details.

Can I purchase neon books, pins, and t-shirts like last year?

Yes. In September and October there will be a virtual Neon Speaks Book Fair hosted by SF Neon and the Museum of Neon Art with a curated list of books and other neon-related items .

Terms & Conditions

Early Bird all-event passes allow one attendee to all events for Neon Speaks 2020. Each Individual ticket allows one attendee to that individual event.

Registration and tickets are being handled through Eventbrite.com. Confirmation of your purchase will be sent upon completion of registration via email. The day of the event, Eventbrite will send you a reminder email with a link to join the event online. If you do not see confirmation in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you have any questions please contact us at neonspeaks@gmail.com for assistance.

Most events will be photographed and possibly live streamed and recorded. By registering or accepting a ticket to this conference you are granting your explicit permission to be photographed, videotaped, and published.

In the unlikely case of cancellation of Neon Speaks due to unforeseen circumstance, Neon Speaks and San Francisco Neon will not be responsible for expenses incurred by pass/ticket holders.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be last minute changes to schedule and participants.

Still have questions? Contact the organizers at neonspeaks@gmail.com.