UCSF’s Block Party is officially back.

After a seven-year hiatus, Gene Friend Way Plaza on the Mission Bay campus was packed to the brim with more than 1,500 UCSF faculty, staff and learners enjoying the return of the beloved event. Booths representing many of UCSF’s programs and offices lined the plaza, anchored by a live band, chalk drawing contest, and competitive games of cornhole and Jenga.

The crowd – which enjoyed a rare hot and sunny day at Mission Bay – included Sandie Jones, a medical custodian at the Weill Neurosciences Building.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s just so beautiful to see us all come back together again after COVID.”

UCSF staff, including a police officer, laugh as they play a game of jenga together.
Members of the UCSF community enjoy a game of Jenga. Photo by Marco Sanchez

Jones has been with the University for almost five years, and was pleased to see all services and programs that UCSF offers in one place. “I love working here because there are so many options. You don’t have to stay in one place. So, to see everybody come together as one is beautiful. We all can come together as human beings and support one another.”

The first 1,000 attendees were given $10 vouchers for food at participating Mission Bay eateries.

It’s just so beautiful to see us all come back together again after COVID.”

Sandie Jones, UCSF Medical Custodian

Both Katie Maloney and Nancy Knowles were stationed at the UCSF Alumni booth.

“Everybody is really happy to learn about what we do,” said Maloney, UCSF Alumni Relations senior director. “We’ve had a number of alumni come and ask us about our communications, events and programs. That’s been wonderful.”

For Knowles, UCSF Alumni Relations assistant director, it was “fabulous” to see people out and about. “They are jazzed to be enjoying some of the best that UCSF has to offer,” she said. “You’re coming through to see what there is. You’re getting a little free swag. There’s so much information on tap that you can just stop on by, scan a QR code, and keep on going or stop and get into a deeper conversation with some of these awesome volunteers.”

The event was produced by UCSF Campus Life Services.

Let there be fun!

A graphic icon of two polaroid photos.

 

Two women who are UCSF employees sit on the ground next to their chalk drawing of a government building with the text "Commuity & Gov Relations + Impact."
A group masters students smile as they crowd around their chalk drawing of a globe with "UCSF" written below it.

Chalk Zone Contest

Left: Amiee Alden, MPP, Senior Director, Local and State Government Relations at UCSF Community and Government Relations and Aimee Williams, MPH, Program Coordinator for IMPACT at CTSI pose with their winning Sidewalk Drawing Contest entry. Photo by Abby Ellis

Above: Students in the Global Health Sciences Masters program work on a chalk drawing of a globe titled, “UCSF IGHS,” as their entry in the Sidewalk Drawing Contest. Photo by Susan Merrell

 

Games and Prizes

Right: Anya Gunewardena, staff research associate in UCSF Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, carefully slides a wood block from the Jenga puzzle hoping the tower stays intact. Photo by Susan Merrell

Below: Nadine Calhoun, center, lead custodian at UCSF Facilities Services, won second-place in Bingo and received her Target gift certificate from drag queen and event MC drag queen Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, far left. Photo by Susan Merrell

A female custodian employee dances as she receives a prize from a drag queen MC for a game of bingo.
UCSF staff member Anya Gunewardena carefully slides a wood block from the Jenga puzzle hoping the tower stays intact.

 

Live Music

 

Jenny Low, senior custodian in Facilities Services, participates in a line dance. Photo by Susan Merrell

Jenny Low, a senior custodian, participates in a line dance outdoors.

Jennifer Surjadi, far left, and her band give Block Party attendees a live musical performance. Photo by Susan Merrell 

A group of female musicians sing and perform live music.

 

Let there be fun!

A graphic icon of two polaroid photos.


Chalk Zone Contest

Two women who are UCSF employees sit on the ground next to their chalk drawing of a government building with the text "Commuity & Gov Relations + Impact."
Amiee Alden, MPP, Senior Director, Local and State Government Relations at UCSF Community and Government Relations and Aimee Williams, MPH, Program Coordinator for IMPACT at CTSI pose with their Sidewalk Drawing Contest entry. Photo by Abby Ellis

 

A group masters students smile as they crowd around their chalk drawing of a globe with "UCSF" written below it.
Students in the Global Health Sciences Masters program work on a chalk drawing of a globe titled, “UCSF IGHS,” as their entry in the Sidewalk Drawing Contest. Photo by Susan Merrell


Games and Prizes

A female custodian employee dances as she receives a prize from a drag queen MC for a game of bingo.
Nadine Calhoun, center, lead custodian at UCSF Facilities Services, won second-place in Bingo and received her Target gift certificate from drag queen and event MC drag queen Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, far left. Photo by Susan Merrell

 

UCSF staff member Anya Gunewardena carefully slides a wood block from the Jenga puzzle hoping the tower stays intact.
Anya Gunewardena, staff research associate in UCSF Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, carefully slides a wood block from the Jenga puzzle hoping the tower stays intact. Photo by Susan Merrell


Live Music

Jenny Low, a senior custodian, participates in a line dance outdoors.
Jenny Low, senior custodian in Facilities Services, participates in a line dance. Photo by Susan Merrell

 

A group of female musicians sing and perform live music.
Jennifer Surjadi, far left, and her band give Block Party attendees a live musical performance. Photo by Susan Merrell 

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