New name and new focus for Mission café

Mutiny Radio and Café, formerly known as Pirate Cat Radio and Café, is under new ownership and has a distinctly new focus: creating a family-friendly space complete with “cereal, food, and Saturday morning cartoons.”

Enrique Ramirez, a recent college graduate, hopes to make the cafe a community center and not place emphasis on turning a profit. To carry out this vision, Ramirez said he often works 12 to 13-hour days.

He has opened the space to weekly comedy shows, open mics and community organizing meetings, and hopes to create a venue for local directors as well.

“I want it to be as open as possible—any group anywhere can come, as long as they are committed to positive community change,” he said.
Diamond Dave Whitaker is one community member who has taken advantage of the space, promoting community organizing and events surrounding the 99% movement.

Whitaker hosts an open mic every Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., which stresses freedom of speech, the 99% movement and the Mission community.
“It’s working-class radio for working-class people,” Whitaker said. “It’s for people working here, working there, working everywhere.”

He also added that he feels there is a need for community elements to work together to create a collective voice.

“Mutiny Radio for the radio voice, El Tecolote for the bilingual voice of the Mission and the community for the collective voice,” he said.

Michael Alvin considers the space a great opportunity to train himself for larger public events such as Occupy Oakland general assemblies. The Mutiny’s tight-knit community atmosphere, which allows time for as many voices to be expressed as possible, has helped give Alvin the confidence to speak to larger crowds at more public events.

“I’m not here just to perform, but also to practice before I get to Oakland,” he said, after reciting a poem during an open mic.

Diamond Dave and Alvin met through Mutiny Cafe and were eager to combine forces from City College and the Mission’s 99% movement.

People who may be interested in participating in the space, whether it be community organizing, opening screenings of local films or art, comedy shows or applying for a radio slot, should stop by 2781 21st St., and are especially encouraged to come on Fridays for open mic from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and comedy shows from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.