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Salons & Acknowledgements
Our focus is on bringing you into the music. We perform in small, intimate salons to help audiences connect with classical music on a deeper level. This removes the separation between performers and audience members created by enormous concert halls and elevated stages. In truth, this is how many of the most beloved works of chamber music were meant to be heard: in beautiful homes with a sense of community and unity. Our events honor the traditions of chamber music while building community between musicians and non-musicians.
If you have a space that you think would be perfect for the next Insight concert, please email us at admin@insightchamber.com
Clocktower Salon
The ClockTower building was originally the home of the Schmidt Lithograph Company, a graphic arts firm that produced classic California fruit-crate labels. The original three-story brick and timber plant that Max Schmidt built was expanded over the years to include a six-story concrete building and finally, to signal the company's success, the 170-foot-high steel-frame clock tower.
In the early 1990s, the 230,000-square-foot building was converted into 127 open floor-plan spaces by McKenzie, Rose & Holliday Development, offering tenants live/work units with views of the freeway and the San Francisco Bay. The project was completed in 1993 with a total value of $33.6 million.
Today, owners Davidson Bidwell Waite and Edwin Waite have made this unique space a home for many prestigious artists in the Bay Area. It is a stylish, intimate space that brings chamber music to life. We are thankful to be a part of the Clocktower Salon's season.
In the early 1990s, the 230,000-square-foot building was converted into 127 open floor-plan spaces by McKenzie, Rose & Holliday Development, offering tenants live/work units with views of the freeway and the San Francisco Bay. The project was completed in 1993 with a total value of $33.6 million.
Today, owners Davidson Bidwell Waite and Edwin Waite have made this unique space a home for many prestigious artists in the Bay Area. It is a stylish, intimate space that brings chamber music to life. We are thankful to be a part of the Clocktower Salon's season.
The Fisk House
The Fisk house is generously hosted by Jim Warshell and Gail Baugh. Long time friends of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and upstanding community members in Hayes Valley, the couple has spent the last 19 years restoring the Fisk House to absolute perfection. Matched with their exquisite taste in antiques, their historic house ties together an image of victorian royalty.
The house was originally commisioned by a financier from New England, Asa Fisk. It was built with ornamented Cuban Mahogany woodwork and features a ballroom and plant conservatory on the top floor. The ballroom was originally designed for dances and concerts for small orchestras. We hope to honor the original purpose and bring it into the present day community of music and art lovers.
The house was originally commisioned by a financier from New England, Asa Fisk. It was built with ornamented Cuban Mahogany woodwork and features a ballroom and plant conservatory on the top floor. The ballroom was originally designed for dances and concerts for small orchestras. We hope to honor the original purpose and bring it into the present day community of music and art lovers.
The Blue Painted Lady
The Blue Painted Lady is generously hosted by George Patrick Horsfall. Although classical chamber music will be a new experience in this iconic home, this evening's concert continues the tradition of supporting the arts established many years ago by George and his mother, Catherine. For many years the Horsfall's have welcomed Broadway touring companies for evenings of music, warmth and welcome to artists on the road.
Starting in 1993 and well into the new millennia, the Horsfalls also produced and directed a series of sold-out and well-reviewed Cabaret performances of the Great American Songbook, at the Kensington Park Hotel and at the Plush Room at the York hotel
The Blue Painted Lady, #712, is the third home of the row, that was completed, (of seven), by Matthew Kavanagh in 1892-1895. It is arguably, the most intact of these famous homes with regards to original detail. As you listen to the gorgeous music tonight, you will be surrounded by the paintings, rugs and furniture, collected by the Sheehan, Horsfall and Rogers families over the last 173 years in San Francisco. Thank you for being a part of this new page in our home's history.
Starting in 1993 and well into the new millennia, the Horsfalls also produced and directed a series of sold-out and well-reviewed Cabaret performances of the Great American Songbook, at the Kensington Park Hotel and at the Plush Room at the York hotel
The Blue Painted Lady, #712, is the third home of the row, that was completed, (of seven), by Matthew Kavanagh in 1892-1895. It is arguably, the most intact of these famous homes with regards to original detail. As you listen to the gorgeous music tonight, you will be surrounded by the paintings, rugs and furniture, collected by the Sheehan, Horsfall and Rogers families over the last 173 years in San Francisco. Thank you for being a part of this new page in our home's history.
The Shanon Kavanaugh House (Corner Painted Lady)
722 Steiner was bullt by a young San Francisco carpenter-bullder, for his own famlly, in 1892, The rest of the houses in the row were built as "spec" houses in the years between 1892 and 1895. Kavanaugh was eclectic in his choice of design and details for the house. Appearing to be Eastlake in style, it is really Queen Anne, with typical fish scale shingles and lack of heavy applied woodwork that was typical of the period. The octogonal corner bay is reminiscent of the Second Empire style of two decades earlier. The Neo-Classic ornament predate trends of decades to follow. The house was purchased by Frederic Klopper, a German immigrant, in 1900. He was a well-known supplier to blacksmiths from the 1860's until his retirement in the early 20th century. The house was purchased in 1975 by Michael Shannon and James Vögeney, MD. The interior of the house includes a stained glass skylight in the Stair Hall, salvaged from a church in St. Louis, and seven other stained glass windows. The gilded mirror in the main parlor was purchased by the Fulton family in New York City in 1870 and shipped "around-the-Horn for their house formerly on Scott and Oak streets, It remained their until it was purchased for this house in 1975. All light fixtures on the main floor are working gaslights. The largest, In the Dining Room, was manufactured in San Francisco in the 1880's for a Pacific Heights mansion. The film "Maxie" was made here In November, 1984 as the house appeared as the home of Ruth Gordon, Glenn Close and Mandi Patinkin and will appear in Universal's "Junlor" with Arnold Swartzeneger, Danny Di Vito, Emma Thompson and Julie Kavner, due in 1995. Over 40 T.V. commercials and series, as well as 20 magazines, book covers and postcards have used the house. Restoration has been conducted by Michael Shannon and James Vogeney continuously since 1975, with Peter Jeal joining the project In 1982. Dr. James Vogeney died, January 1994. It is currently owned by Dan Robinson and Courtney Chenette.
The St. Francis Wood Salon
The St. Francis Wood Salon at 1365 Portola Drive, hosted by Udi and Guy Ledergor, was designed by architect George Ikeda in the 1970s as part of the St. Francis Wood residential park established in 1912. On heavily-forested land remote from downtown San Francisco, the Mason-McDuffie Company sought to create a residence park that embodied the highest ideals of early twentieth century landscaping and architecture. The "City Beautiful" movement, popularized by heralded landscape architect and planner Daniel Burnham, influenced the community plan. Landscape features meant to be "reminiscent of the loveliest gardens of the Italian Renaissance" ornamented the grounds, including an elaborate gateway and two fountains on the main arterial, St. Francis Boulevard. The famed landscape firm Olmsted Brothers laid out the curvilinear street plan. John Galen Howard acted as the first supervising architect, designing the elaborate lampposts, brick-diamond sidewalks, entryway pillars, and the main gate and first fountain. Henry Gutterson soon succeeded Howard, and designed the monumental upper fountain and numerous houses over the next three decades.
The house on 1365 Portola Drive went through several owners and design updates, including its "Chinese Palace" phase, which included a fish pond in its backyard, to its current modern family home design.
The house on 1365 Portola Drive went through several owners and design updates, including its "Chinese Palace" phase, which included a fish pond in its backyard, to its current modern family home design.
Broderick Victorian
The house and its neighbor were constructed in the 1890s for a local businessman to give to his daughters. Over the years it was the home of the Radical Psychology movement (the "radical" part being that maybe women could become therapists or get therapy without their husband or father's permission). We've also been told that later it was also a the location of an Experimental Music Collective formed by staff from Amoeba music.
In around 2010 the house was entirely renovated from the studs up and became the first LEED platinum private home in San Francisco. Amongst other features it has 25 solar panels on the roof and the walls are filled with shredded blue jeans as an insulator. After a brief stint as The San Francisco Dream Home as part of the annual YBCA raffle it became an artists' residency called The Growlery. Both the current owners went to shows there and it's why there's graffiti on the rubbish bins, paint splashes on the floors and a collaborative mural outside the kitchen.
The stained glass window in the front parlor is original to the house and was completely restored in 2020 by Nzilani Glass in Oakland. It changes color during the day from light pink to a dark blue.
Please note that this salon is NOT wheelchair accessible.
In around 2010 the house was entirely renovated from the studs up and became the first LEED platinum private home in San Francisco. Amongst other features it has 25 solar panels on the roof and the walls are filled with shredded blue jeans as an insulator. After a brief stint as The San Francisco Dream Home as part of the annual YBCA raffle it became an artists' residency called The Growlery. Both the current owners went to shows there and it's why there's graffiti on the rubbish bins, paint splashes on the floors and a collaborative mural outside the kitchen.
The stained glass window in the front parlor is original to the house and was completely restored in 2020 by Nzilani Glass in Oakland. It changes color during the day from light pink to a dark blue.
Please note that this salon is NOT wheelchair accessible.
Lumina
Located in downtown San Francisco and hosted by Bing Liem, the Lumina is a sleek and modern luxury apartment complex. Designed by Arquitectonica Heller Manus Architects, Lumina is one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco and has won the National Association of Home Builders Award (NAHB) for Best Architecture of an Attached Community and the CEMEX Building Award for Best Residential Housing. Included in its many amenities is the private dining room which we hold our concerts.
Amador Club
The Building
The Club occupies the two penthouse floors at 550 Montgomery in the original Bank of Italy Building. Constructed in 1908, it remains one of the oldest and most recognizable structures in the Financial District. The Bank of Italy would later become the Bank of America and the building would go on to be classified a national historic landmark. For six decades it stood before the arrival of its famous neighbor, the Transamerica Pyramid.
The Club
While The Club itself hasn’t been around since 1908, the rich history and heritage of our space serve as a constant inspiration. Spanning 22,000 square feet, both the store and The Club are meticulously designed to evoke a sense of timelessness and wonder. From the elegance of our main bar to the breathtaking views on the roof deck, The Club offers a unique escape — a serene haven where you can feel both removed from the city’s hustle and yet deeply connected to its vibrant pulse.
The Club occupies the two penthouse floors at 550 Montgomery in the original Bank of Italy Building. Constructed in 1908, it remains one of the oldest and most recognizable structures in the Financial District. The Bank of Italy would later become the Bank of America and the building would go on to be classified a national historic landmark. For six decades it stood before the arrival of its famous neighbor, the Transamerica Pyramid.
The Club
While The Club itself hasn’t been around since 1908, the rich history and heritage of our space serve as a constant inspiration. Spanning 22,000 square feet, both the store and The Club are meticulously designed to evoke a sense of timelessness and wonder. From the elegance of our main bar to the breathtaking views on the roof deck, The Club offers a unique escape — a serene haven where you can feel both removed from the city’s hustle and yet deeply connected to its vibrant pulse.
Faithful Fools
Faithful Fools was founded in 1998 by Kay Jorgensen, a Unitarian Universalist minister and Carmen Barsody, a Franciscan from Little Falls, MN. The two of them were inspired and supported by a strong community of people who worked together in founding a community dedicated to deep personal change in the service of deep social change.
Kay had been working at the Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco at the corner of Geary and Franklin. Her life had become dedicated to connecting the Tenderloin (just a 10 minute walk down the hill) to the Church.
In 1997, Kay’s friend, Reza Leah Landman also happened to be Carmen’s spiritual teacher. Kay lovingly described Reza as a Jewish, Sufi, Mystic Therapist. She also was a teller of Teaching Tales. Kay’s response to Reza Leah’s invitation to meet Carmen was hesitation.
She didn’t really want to meet one more “nice” person with a romantic vision of working with homeless people. The romance usually didn’t last. The harsh reality of the streets would sink in, and the injustice of it all became overwhelming and they’d leave. It had happened before. It wasn't how she wanted to use her time and energy.
But it was generally an unwise thing to ignore one of Reza Leah’s recommendations. Her advice was most often exactly what you needed and usually came right when you needed it most. So Kay called Carmen, and they met over a cup of coffee at B.B’s Café on Franklin Street. Within a couple of hours, they both knew something unique was about to begin.
They began walking the streets of the Tenderloin together, meeting people and paying attention. Day after day, they noted what they saw and experienced on big sheets of newsprint. Within those notes and from their daily reflections, the mission and vision of Faithful Fools grew. Soon there were Street Retreats and then came the purple building at 234 Hyde St.
The rest, as they say, "is history."
With the love and support of many generous people, Kay and Carmen found and purchased the purple building. They moved in on April 1st, 2000. The last of the mortgages will be paid off by 2022.
We know that space is a precious resource in the Tenderloin. We are stewards of this place and we invite you to be stewards as well by donating a few pennies or many pennies.
Kay had been working at the Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco at the corner of Geary and Franklin. Her life had become dedicated to connecting the Tenderloin (just a 10 minute walk down the hill) to the Church.
In 1997, Kay’s friend, Reza Leah Landman also happened to be Carmen’s spiritual teacher. Kay lovingly described Reza as a Jewish, Sufi, Mystic Therapist. She also was a teller of Teaching Tales. Kay’s response to Reza Leah’s invitation to meet Carmen was hesitation.
She didn’t really want to meet one more “nice” person with a romantic vision of working with homeless people. The romance usually didn’t last. The harsh reality of the streets would sink in, and the injustice of it all became overwhelming and they’d leave. It had happened before. It wasn't how she wanted to use her time and energy.
But it was generally an unwise thing to ignore one of Reza Leah’s recommendations. Her advice was most often exactly what you needed and usually came right when you needed it most. So Kay called Carmen, and they met over a cup of coffee at B.B’s Café on Franklin Street. Within a couple of hours, they both knew something unique was about to begin.
They began walking the streets of the Tenderloin together, meeting people and paying attention. Day after day, they noted what they saw and experienced on big sheets of newsprint. Within those notes and from their daily reflections, the mission and vision of Faithful Fools grew. Soon there were Street Retreats and then came the purple building at 234 Hyde St.
The rest, as they say, "is history."
With the love and support of many generous people, Kay and Carmen found and purchased the purple building. They moved in on April 1st, 2000. The last of the mortgages will be paid off by 2022.
We know that space is a precious resource in the Tenderloin. We are stewards of this place and we invite you to be stewards as well by donating a few pennies or many pennies.
the Nook SF
The Nook was started earlier this year by seven friends as a communal living room and creative corner. Event hosts, artists, club leaders, and anyone with a project are welcome to stop by, connect, and make this space their own. Our goal is simple: make space accessible for everyone. Every dollar goes directly to keeping The Nook alive and supporting organizers who bring their ideas here.
If this vision resonates with you, the best way to take action is to contribute what you can and bring your ideas to life.
If this vision resonates with you, the best way to take action is to contribute what you can and bring your ideas to life.
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