San Francisco Best Tattoo-Sporting, Banjo-Playing Philanthropist - Warren Hellman - Best Of San Francisco

Best Of

Best Of San Francisco >

Best Tattoo-Sporting, Banjo-Playing Philanthropist

Warren Hellman

Sporting a green frog tattoo, Hellman is an unconventional businessman and philanthropist. As the chairman and co-founder of the private-equity investment firm Hellman & Friedman, Hellman not only sits on the board of various Bay Area academic and art institutions, he also funds the San Francisco Free Clinic and the San Francisco Foundation. But perhaps his greatest contribution is the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. Hellman foots the bill for the annual event, which is free to the public. Taking place on a potentially balmy weekend in October with hardly a gut-bucket or jug band in sight, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass showcases a bevy of musical talent — from Willie Nelson to Billy Bragg, from Emmylou Harris to Elvis Costello. This festival has emerged as an enormous boon to the Bay Area, and one of the best parts of the weekend is witnessing the 74-year-old Hellman gleefully live out his bluegrass fantasy as he gets up onstage to jam with his favorite bands. Now here's the sort of generosity everyone can enjoy!

<< Best Local Nerds

Best Activist >>

show/hide comments (11) write your comment

Best Of Search

Best Of Issues - Previous Years

Latest Best Of User Comments

Best Bus Line (1)
2009-11-14 23:24:21

Yeah, that bus is a rolling circus. check out one of the wilder...
Best Swing Dance Party (1)
2009-10-01 12:11:40

9:20 Special is still alive and well. The web site is now www.920special.com. Free Open...
Best Crab Cakes (1)
2009-09-12 23:16:07

Yummy crab cake lightly pan fried on a plate that is laced with cream sauce. Watch a video of...
Best Salon (1)
2009-09-06 04:52:18

Great personal service too- The salon itself is gorgeous and full of beautiful artwork....
Best Business Experimental Model for News (2)
2009-09-01 09:36:30

China wholesale products,Chinese wholesaler,Online buy wholesale cheapest products direct from...

Best Of Issues - Other Cities

Best of San Francisco 2008 Award Graphics

Advanced Archive Search >>