FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cinematic sestina by poet James Morehead and filmmaker Paul Ghusar, created in collaboration with the Tenderloin Museum, premieres at Decentered Arts’ ‘Poolside Poets’ event.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – November 8, 2025 – The San Francisco Tenderloin district premiere of James Morehead‘s new poetry film “Welcome to the Tenderloin” will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the iconic Phoenix Hotel. The screening is a featured part of Poolside Poets, a long-running monthly poetry and music event produced by Decentered Arts. (Tickets available now)
The film is based on the sestina of the same name by Dublin Poet Laureate Emeritus James Morehead and directed by San Francisco-based documentary filmmaker Paul Ghusar. Inspired by a visit to The Tenderloin Museum, the film was produced by Viewless Wings and filmed on location at the museum and in the surrounding Tenderloin district.
“Welcome to the Tenderloin” is a 4-minute 22-second cinematic sestina that unravels the “complex, resilient, and artistic soul of San Francisco’s misunderstood Tenderloin district”. The film challenges viewers to look beyond headlines by weaving historical and contemporary imagery with Morehead’s narration, celebrating the spirit of the neighborhood and its people.
“The Tenderloin’s story is one of resilience, a complex mosaic of art, activism, and grit that is too often ignored. The sestina form felt perfect for exploring these layers of struggle and resolve. To premiere this poetry film at an iconic venue like the Phoenix Hotel, as part of the Poolside Poets series, feels like bringing the work home. San Francisco filmmaker Paul Ghusar’s documentary eye was essential, creating a film that honors both the poem and the Tenderloin’s true, artistic soul.” — James Morehead, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, CA
Morehead’s poem, which serves as the film’s script, contrasts the neighborhood’s notorious reputation for “grit, struggle” with its vibrant, often-overlooked history as a haven for artists, activists, and pioneers. The poem references key figures and moments from the Tenderloin’s past, including:
- Suffragette Maud Younger
- The early gay community being “welcomed, out and proud”
- Transgender flag creator Monica Helms
- Burlesque headliner Sultry Sally
- The artistic presence of icons like Janis Joplin and Allen Ginsberg
The work frames the community as a resilient “unfinished mosaic” defined by its history of struggle and resolve.
The film is a collaboration between Morehead, an author of three poetry collections and host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast, and Ghusar, a two-time Hearst Award-winning filmmaker and a Dean’s Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.
The premiere screening will take place during the “Poolside Poets” event at the Phoenix Hotel, known for its deep roots in San Francisco’s music and arts scene.
Event Details
- What: San Francisco Tenderloin District Premiere of “Welcome to the Tenderloin”
- When: Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:30 pm
- Where: Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Hosted by: Poolside Poets (produced by Decentered Arts)
- Event Information & Tickets available here
About the Creators and Partners
James Morehead
James Morehead is Poet Laureate Emeritus of Dublin, California, author of three poetry collections, and host of the Viewless Wings Poetry Podcast. His poem “tethered” was transformed into an award-winning animated short, and his poems have appeared in multiple publications. (More: https://viewlesswings.com/james-morehead/)
Paul Ghusar
Paul Ghusar is a documentary filmmaker based in California. Currently a Dean’s Fellow earning his master’s at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, Paul tells character-driven stories that explore identity, culture, and place. He is a two-time Hearst Award winner and a recipient of the White House News Photographers Association award.
The Tenderloin Museum
The Tenderloin Museum celebrates the rich, complex, and often misunderstood history of the Tenderloin neighborhood. Through exhibitions, walking tours, and community programs, the museum aims to preserve the neighborhood’s history and share its stories. (More: https://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/)
Decentered Arts & Poolside Poets
Decentered Arts produces live events that foster creativity and community, including the long-running monthly “Poolside Poets” series at the Phoenix Hotel, which blends poetry and music. (More: https://decentered.org/)
Phoenix Hotel
A beloved San Francisco cultural icon, the Phoenix Hotel is a legendary oasis in the Tenderloin celebrated for decades as a sanctuary for musicians, artists, and the rock ‘n’ roll set. (More: https://www.phoenixhotelsf.com/)
Contact: editor@viewlesswings.com
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