The beloved mixtape is so seldom embraced in an open forum — surprising in a community so keen on music discovery, no? I’ve only once seen a mixtape trading event in San Francisco, at Diary (emo night at Pop’s), acting as a holiday gift exchange. But it’s safe to say that ’90s post-punk and emo aren’t what everybody likes to jumble on a tape to say how they feel.

Opening the gates to all mix-making styles is the first annual event by SF Mixtape Society, brought to you by veterans of Brooklyn’s similar meetups, recently transplanted to the City. “Back in Brooklyn, the mixtape clubs were a great way to meet people and make friends,” SFMS co-founder Annie Lin explained an email, “so our hope is to recreate this as well as inject a very SF contest component as well.”

The theme of Sunday’s exchange is “Cities vs. Towns,” and although hands leaving with a mixtape must bring one to trade, the event is free and a mix is not required for admission. Any medium is welcome (CD, tape, USB) and there will be contests for the best track listings and packaging. More information about the Mixtape Society and Sunday’s first event can be found on their website. Look for my report next week, as I will venture out to participate in the event.