ARTS FORECAST Of course, you have heard from the trumpeting of various arts institutions that Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches. In accordance, the City is unusually full of visions of Black excellence. There is the annual young poets’ spoken word tribute to the civil rights hero (see below), the Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival, the Liberation Film Festival, Grace Cathedral’s interfaith service, and Sunday’s uplifting downtown parade and celebration.
MoAD’s new show is a great example of gateways into ongoing Black genius. “Black Refractions: Highlights from The Studio Museum in Harlem” (which opens Wed/16) offers a glimpse of a phenomenal curation of Black artists from the East Coast makes it to the City by the Bay. Take in works by Julian Huxtable, Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and more. Many of the pieces are the result of Studio Museum’s artist residency program, which has provided support to some of the country’s most important creatives. The museum will be offering free entry on Sunday, to honor the country’s most famous civil rights minister.
This year, don’t just attend the march, that talk, that opening, and consider yourself full. Let the panoply of excellent events this week — and those that will come among next February’s Black History Month offerings — underline your commitment to supporting Black and other voices of color throughout the entire year.
BLACK REFRACTIONS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM
Through April 14
Museum of the African Diaspora, SF
More info here.
TUE/15 MUSIC KAMAIYAH The Bay has nothing but love for this ascendant rapper of “How Does It Feel” fame. Show out for her triumphant return to the East Bay tonight — maybe she’ll drop some of the new tracks she’s rumored to have queued up for 2019. 10pm, $27-30. The New Parish, Oakl. More info here.
WED/16 MUSIC CORDER/WEEKS DUO, CHERYL LEONARD, LA MÈRE, LULU & THE HUMANS An evening of experimental sounds to bend the mind. Should the mastery of chaos-conquering chord not tempt you, know this; Lulu & The Humans is a band featuring the notes of titular and actual African grey parrot, accompanied by her mammal companions.
WED/16 NIGHTLIFE HOUSEPITALITY 48 Hills’ Marke B. has described this weekly gathering as “an intersection of smiling hotties, sweet freaks, and warm tunes”. Come through to be plied by the alchemy of Justin Aulis Long and the Circling Vultures’ Ken Zawacki. 9pm-2am, free before 10pm with RSVP, $5 presale. Housepitality, SF. More info here.
WED/16 ART BLACK REFRACTIONS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM A glimpse of a phenomenal curation of Black artists from the East Coast makes it to the City by the Bay. Take in works by Julian Huxtable, Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and more. Through April 14. Museum of the African Diaspora, SF. More info here.
THU/17 ART DESIGN15 LAUNCH PARTY The Museum of Craft and Design is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and kicks off celebrations tonight with this nocturnal gathering. Catch Gustavo Perez’s “Self Portrait in Black and White” installation, participate in photographer Natalia del Rio’s global portrait project, mingle with local designers, and eat free cheese. 6-9:30pm, $8. Museum of Craft and Design, SF. More info here.
FRI/18 NIGHTLIFE DJ MASEO De La Soul’s DJ rocked the hip hop world with his innovative sampling technique. Find out tonight how he’s held it together as the backbone of the perennial fresh ones. w/ Gordo Cabeza. 9:30pm-3am, $15-17. Public Works, SF. More info here.
FRI/18 FILM FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL VS. EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE! Let two of the world’s greatest VHS rummagers guide you through a journey of their best and freakiest clips, presented by the illustrious SF Sketchfest. 10-11:30pm, $23. Castro Theatre, SF. More info here.
FRI/18 & SAT/19 STAGE PORN & PUPPETS A truly freaky two-night run of puppet love. Get there early for the puppet kissing booth, stay there late for risqué performance from a host of plushie lovers like Trixxie Carr!, Dean Disaster, and Accidental Puppert. 8pm-1am, $25-50. Little Boxes Theater, SF. More info here.
SUN/20 DANCE VOLVER In the Rosalía neo-flamenco era, the San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company’s exploration of the genre’s poetic capacity is a passionate must-see. Standout performances will include a Moorish collaboration between master musicians Amir-John Haddad and Ali Paris with Syrian percussion Faisal Zedan and gypsy flamenco singer Jose Cortes. 7pm, $28. Brava Theater, SF. More info here.
SUN/20 NIGHTLIFE DISCO DADDY Light and love at the monthly run by SF’s realest bathhouse disco legend. DJ Bus Station John will be celebrating his 58th birthday — but in lieu of gifts, he kindly requests that you consider donating to NorCal fire relief at the door of the event. 7pm-2am, $5-7 sliding scale. SF Eagle. More info here.
SUN/20 NIGHTLIFE MIGHTY REAL 8 YEAR ANNIVERSARY After honoring MLK, a spectacular way to spend your holiday Sunday. Featuring the Mighty Real residents and guests Nina Sol (Elements / Constellations), Jayvi Velasco (AfterAfterHours), Demarco Holmes (House Vibrations NYC/SF). 4pm-midnight, $10 before 6pm, $15 all-day advance ticket. The Great Northern, SF. More info here.
SUN/20 FILM BLUE DIARY & BUDDIES DOUBLE FEATURE “The melancholy story of a dyke pining over a one-night stand with a straight girl” is the relatable summary of SF filmmaker Jenni Olson’s newly digitally preserved 1998 short “Blue Diary”, which is followed by Arthur J. Bressan Jr.’s “Buddies”, an expression of early AIDS rage. 6pm, $12. Additional screening Jan. 22, 4pm. SFMoMA. More info here.
MON 21 STAGE/LIT 22ND ANNUAL BRINGING THE NOISE FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. A convenium of young poets, who share their work in the spirit of the US’ most famous minister. The next generation will be joined onstage by poets Chinaka Hodge, Donté Clark, Rhodessa Jones, and more. 7pm, $10. Nourse Theater, SF. More info here.
