Entertainment Commission highlights Sound Diplomacy study, new deputy and Mezzanine displacement

San Francisco Entertainment Commission Executive Director Maggie Wylund on Wednesday summarized recent staff work, including a global cultural convening and a locally focused study of the music economy, and introduced a new deputy director.

Wylund said San Francisco hosted the World Cities Culture Forum and that she and staffer Dylan Rice attended events and made policy connections. She announced that the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development selected Sound Diplomacy to conduct a music‑industry study the week of Dec. 10–14, including group interviews and surveys across the local music sector. "This is going to be an ongoing study and we'll keep you apprised of that," Wylund told commissioners.

Wylund also introduced Caitlin Azevedo, who started as deputy director the previous week. Azevedo said she came from Alameda County and the Superior Court of California and that she looked forward to supporting the commission’s work.

In a staff update that drew commissioners’ concern, Wylund said mezzanine — a long‑running, female‑owned live‑music venue — is being displaced by its landowners as the space is being marketed for office conversion. She said the commission and city supervisors have been contacted and urged members to focus on prevention and preservation strategies for other affected nightlife venues.

Wylund additionally told the commission that a hearing for Halcyon has been moved to Dec. 18 after the permit holder submitted a large public‑records request that required more staff time.

The meeting closed with a reminder that the commission’s holiday party is scheduled for Dec. 10 at August Hall and an expression of condolences to a commissioner on a personal loss.

The commission did not take a formal action on policy to preserve venues at this meeting; commissioners discussed possible outreach to the Board of Supervisors.