I mean, let’s face it: Not many of us are in a joking, dancing, laughing, singing, drinking (OK maybe drinking) mood right now. But, if the buffeting tumults of social media in the wake of this week’s election are any indicator, most are seeking out community right now to connect, commiserate, and organize for the future.
Arts offers a not just a creative space to make that connection and transcend all the emotional short-circuiting, but also gives you a reason to simply get out there: Go see a movie, attend a play or a show, dance at a concert, hit up a new restaurant or art exhibit, join a protest or support a political performance, join a literary conversation, catch a dance festival or even just sit quietly in a park with others—just don’t give into despair and inertia. There are people who feel just the way you do, and are also ready to harness some kick-ass energy for good.
OK, enough therapy talk, let’s make it all happen.
EVENTS OF NOTE
THU/7-SUN/10: SFDANCEWORKS SEASON 7 The lauded local dance company hits the Z Space stage for the first time, with a plethora of world premieres including Rena Butler dancing to the ethereal voices of the Young Women’s Choral Projects, a new project by co-choreographers Jordan and Aiden, and Marco Goecke in a stunning new solo. Z Space, SF. More info here.
THU/7: TENDERLOIN ART WALK One of my favorite things in the city, because it feels like we live in an actual city! Tenderloin and adjacent Polk/downtown areas come alive with music, drinks, food, art galleries and terrific shopping—plus very random adventures, like: Where else can you find yourself perusing Swiss fetish photos from the 1970s upstairs in an old, closed bookstore? (RIP The Magazine, now Steve Mizer Foundation, open for the walk.) Some picks: Rosebud Gallery for great queer art, Tilted Brim for very cool fits, Aria’s amazing Korean Fried Chicken (it’s huge and cheap), Dark Entries Records, Low Key Skate Shop, and lots more. 6pm-10pm, Tenderloin, SF. More info here.
THU/7-NOVEMBER 30: THE NANNY LIVE! How insane are the drag geniuses over at Oasis nightclub for staging a loving parody of this long-running, just-slightly-abrasive ’90s sitcom: “The costumes! The sass! The hair!” Oasis, SF. More info here.
THU/7: GIVE US THE WORD: QUEER YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER “Queer Rebel Productions presents a powerful literary exploration of Queer and Trans BIPOC history. Held at the GLBT Historical Society + Museum, this event is curated by Crystal Mason and features four talented writers crafting new works inspired by the museum’s collection. The evening will celebrate how queer history shapes our present and inspires future generations to build inclusive communities that embrace diversity and trans resilience.” 6pm-8pm, GLBT History Museum, SF. More info here.
THU/7-SAT/9: CONRAD TAO Have you ever had that thing happen where you go see someone actually slay a complex piano performance on a big concert stage and then end up dancing with them at a tiny rave until 6am? That was my experience previously with fiery young pianist Conrad Tao, who is in town this weekend to take on Tchaikovsky’s incredible Piano Concerto No. 1 with the SF Symphony. Expect fireworks, and maybe even some afterhours shenanigans. I love the piano/tap dance combo in the video above. Davies Symphony Hall, SF. More info here.
FRI/8-SUN/10: CIRCUS FREAKS It’s time to get freaky, three-ring-style. J.Lo’s pole-dancing trainer Johanna Sapakie, belly-dancer Juliano Wade, and viral dance sensation Kim Hale lead a cast of all-star performers at the Foundry Club. Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 4pm. The Foundry, SF. More info here.
FRI/8-SUN/10: SAN FRANCISCO LEAONARD COHEN FESTIVAL This celebration of the words, music, and spirit of the dapper Canadian patron saint of wry observation features the Conspiracy of Beards choir, Genny Lim, Alejandro Murguia, Tess Taylor, Gregory Pond, Ruby Lee Hill, Middle Harbor Songbirds, Slow Yoda, Ismay, and Cohen’s principle collaborator Sharon Robinson. Cafe du Nord and Swedish American Music Hall, SF. More info here.
FRI/8: BROWN NOISE: A KINDA BROWN COMEDY SHOW South Asian, Arab, Persian, and other Brown comedians take the Bats Improv stage to tell their hilarious tales, from dealing with traditional parents to the craziness of everyday cultural mix-ups. 8pm-10pm, BATS Improv, SF. More info here.
FRI/8: CROATIAN AMOR Croatian Amor, aka Denmark electronic musician Loke Rahbek, “composes with pop artefacts of the circuits that interlace our lives. Sometimes speaking in loneliness, though often telling of trysts, Croatian Amor presents a longing for indeterminate sensation. Employing a medley of diffuse electronic music traditions, fantastical synthetic worlds are evoked to make this world just a little more habitable.” Co-presented with HydeFM (who I really need to know more about, they are throwing ragers) at the Lab. 8pm, The Lab, SF. More info here.
FRI/8: BUZZBY’S IS BACK I adore new queer bar ZHUZH in the Polk—yes, that’s right, the Polk is sprouting gay bars again, and it’s a trip to traipse through the old gay hood there, long ceded to gentrification. The bar is bringing in all kinds of great DJs to play, and this week it pays tribute to iconic 1970s gay bar Buzzby’s, with disco legend Steve Fabus at the decks. Let’s get real gay. 9:30-midnight, ZHUZH, SF. More info here.
SAT/9: WHITE CRATE 4-YEAR ANNIVERSARY I am a huge fan of local music site White Crate, which features awesome coverage of musicians and players much-deserving of more exposure. For its fourth birthday blowout, it has the wonderful Sour Widows, Tony Jay, Pocket Full of Crumbs, and more playing live at El Rio, then a dance after-party next door with best of the Bay-winning DJ Charles Hawthorne, Farsight, and White Crates resident Rony Rony Rony. Come out! 3pm-8pm, El Rio, SF. More info here.
SAT/9 + SUN/10: SAN FRANCISCO COFFEE FESTIVAL 2024 Every year, Fort Mason fills to the brim with bean fiends eager to discover their next java obsession, sipping the offerings of dozens of roasters, checking out the latte art competition, and jittering to live music and DJs. 9am-4:30pm, Fort Mason, SF. More info here.
SAT/9: AFROLICIOUS AT THE GOLDEN GATE PARK BANDSHELL Longtime local Afrofunk heroes Afrolicious are joined by Los Calderones for a Boom Boom Room-hosted afternoon of getting down at the Bandshell. It’s the final SF Live musical event of the summer/fall season so get your boogie shoes on. 1pm-5pm, Golden Gate Park Bandshell, SF. More info here.
SAT/9: LEGION OF HONOR 100—FREE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The grand Legion of Honor museum turns a century old on November 11, and its kicking off a series of celebrations at this free Saturday extravaganza, with a marching band, performances, art activities, and “lots of cake!” 9:30am-5pm, Legion of Honor, SF. More info here.
SAT/9: SAN FRANCISCO FALL CIDER FEST Raise a glass—crisp and cold, spiked or natural—to the coming winter months with a taste of the fall orchard harvest, converted to liquid gold. Unlimited pours from 30 vendors and bites from 15 food trucks are just the start. Noon-4pm, Spark Social, SF. More info here.
SAT/9: ROSE PISTOLA The crackerjack Colombian DJ makes her home in Mexico, and has blown up in the past decade as a true renegade of Latin electronic dance music sounds, helping to bring sounds like reggaetón, cumbiatón, dembow, guaracha, merengue house, and 3ball into the underground club scene. Can’t wait to see her at this Amor Digital x SQUISH x FAKE and GAY joint. 8pm-4am, Great Northern, SF. More info here.
SUN/10-JANUARY 20: SAFEWAY HOLIDAY ICE RINK IN UNION SQUARE Strap on those blades and wobble, slice, and twirl to hits of yesteryear and today at this annual tradition. Absolutely do not forget to grab some hot cocoa. 10am-10pm, Union Square, SF. More info here.
MON/11: SOUND HEALING SYMPHONY AT GRACE CATHEDRAL Grace Cathedral becomes a portal to soul-cleansing relaxation, as meditative Bay Area musicians pull out their bongos, crystal bowls, didgeridoos, and vibraphones for a massive jam session. 8pm-9:30pm, Grace Cathedral, SF. More info here.
