A San Francisco tradition, Beach Blanket Babylon evolved from Steve Silver's Rent-a-Freak service -- a group of party-givers extraordinaire who hired themselves out as a "cast of characters" complete with fabulous costumes and sets, props, and gags. After their act caught on, it moved into the Savoy-Tivoli, a North Beach bar. By 1974, the audience had grown too large for the facility, and Beach Blanket has been at the 400-seat Club Fugazi ever since. The show is a comedic musical send-up that is best known for outrageous costumes and oversized headdresses. It's been playing for 29 years, and almost every performance sells out. The show is updated often enough that locals still attend. Those under 21 are welcome at a Sunday matinee at 3pm, when no alcohol is served; photo ID is required for evening performances. Write for weekend tickets at least 3 weeks in advance, or get them through Tix Bay Area (tel. 415/433-7827). Note: There are only 44 tickets per show with assigned seating. All other tickets are within specific sections depending on price, but seating is first-come, first-seated within that section. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm, Friday and Saturday at 7 and 10pm, and Sunday at 3 and 7pm.