Haight Ashbury 1967

The film material: Haight Ashbury 1967.

The film footage of Haight Ashbury in San Francisco was shot in the summer of 1967 and remained unpublished. They show the cradle of hippie culture. The legendary “Bo Maverick” can be seen. A document of the new libertarian lifestyle that changed the Western world in the late 1960s. Music by Greatful Dead.

Historical background

Haight-Ashbury is a neighbourhood in San Francisco, California, USA. It gained fame in the 1960s as the centre of the counterculture movement, particularly in connection with the hippie movement. The neighbourhood attracted many young people seeking an alternative lifestyle and became known for its vibrant music, art and political activism.

In the 1960s, Haight-Ashbury was a centre of the “Summer of Love” in 1967, which brought thousands of young people to the neighbourhood. It was a time of experimentation with drugs, communal living and free love. The neighbourhood was also a nest for up-and-coming musicians, including the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin, who performed at local venues such as the Fillmore West Auditorium and the Avalon Ballroom.

Today, Haight-Ashbury still retains some of its countercultural heritage. It’s known for its bohemian vibe, independent boutiques, vintage clothing shops and eclectic mix of restaurants. The neighbourhood is also home to the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, held annually to celebrate the neighbourhood’s history and culture.

Although Haight-Ashbury’s counterculture days are over, it remains an important symbol of the 1960s counterculture movement and continues to attract visitors interested in its historical significance and bohemian vibe.