I love Valentine’s Day because I can eat a shitload of chocolate without feeling any guilt, something I haven’t been able to do since Christmas, like one million years ago. But before I fall into a Kokak– or Recchiuti-induced sugar coma (yes I buy those heart-shaped boxes for myself), I like to go out and surf the lovers’ vibes pouring out of our local establishments. What with the NBA All-Star Weekend, the Chinese New Year Parade and Community Street Fair, and the city revving back up again from winter, things will be “banging.” Let’s choo-choo-choose to get out there.
EVENTS OF NOTE
THU/13-MARCH 2: LOVE AND BASKETBALL: MY FREEDOM GOT A RIM ON IT Look, all the NBA All-Star hoo-ha may be a bit too “bro” or “another corporatized entertainment con with billionaire white men at the top as usual” for you—and me! But there in one adjacent happening that adds extra depth and artistry to the whole shebang. artist Ann “Sole Sista” Johnson’s stunning art show at MoAD “is a tribute to the rich tapestry of the African Diaspora and its profound impact on both artistic expression and athletic excellence,” which weaves together basketball equipment and African designs, among other gorgeous things. Opening reception Thu/13, 6:30pm. Museum of the African Diaspora, SF. More info here.
THU/13-SUN/16: YUJA WANG Finnish firebrand Esa-Pekka Salonen is leaving as musical director and conductor of the SF Symphony, but he’s sailing out on a high note of a season. Enthralling pianist Yuja Wang is coming in for several concerts, playing selections from impressionist dreamers Debussy and Ravel (the genius Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, a Wang specialty, which is indeed all for left hand). But the real money melon here for me will be seldom-heard Finnish giant Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a fiendishly difficult piece that will shoot you up into the stars. Two Finns and a Wang, let’s go. Davies Symphony Hall, SF. More info here.
THU/13-JULY 5: SKATEBOARDING SAN FRANCISCO Skateboarding: It’s not just news! It’s also a neato SF Public Library exhibit: “Much of skateboarding’s 21st-century appeal—embracing diverse communities, creative approaches to the city’s built environment, music, fashion, slang, trick choice, style—come directly from San Francisco. The exhibit Skateboarding San Francisco explores how a local activity made global impact. San Francisco has always been and remains a lodestar for skateboarders worldwide, where challenges are seen as appeals, surfaces beckon play, and whose lore is celebrated through the city’s characteristic concrete and evolving, vibrant communities.” Opening reception Thu/13, 5pm. Jewett Gallery, SF Main Public Library. More info here.
THU/13—APRIL 5: SOUNDS OF RESISTANCE AND IDENTITY THROUGH 176 SPEAKERS San Francisco sonic spaceship the Audium has greatly expanded its programming in the past few years, opening up the beautifully tuned sound theater to new voices and artists. New Voices IV, the latest edition of the groundbreaking sound residency series, features emotionally rich work by three Bay Area artists: Briana Marela, Phillip Laurent, and Shanti Lalita. Sounds super-cool. The Audium, SF. More info here.
THU/13: THIRST French electronic music and media sorcerer Franck Vigroux presents the world premiere of THIRST, an “intense spectacle of overlapping multi-projector image layers onto a singular expansive screening canvas in 3 dimensions, portraying an advanced AV approach to live telluric depictions as generated by Kurt D’Haeseleer, from the top Belgium based media collective Werktank. I absolutely love that I have no idea what most of that means, but as with most events at Gray Area (especially those presented by Recombinant Media Labs), my eyes will be opened and my mind will be blown. 7pm, Gray Area, SF. More info here.
FRI/14: VALENTINE’S GAY QUEERCORE EXTRAVAGANZA Forget about surfing Grindr for love, it’s time to surf the crowd. (Groan.) We totally heart local punk rockers the Middle-Aged Queers, and their annual VD blast lets all ages punk the fuck out, but lovingly, at the legendary 924 Gilman. They’ll be joined by Slutzville (Nevada), SheCock (Utah), and MugSlug (Bay Area). 7:30pm-10pm, 924 Gilman, Berk. More info here.
FRI/14: SMITHSFITS VALENTINE’S DAY EXTRAVAGANZA Morrissey may be a racist prick, but let’s take solace in the fact that he was forever suffering in romantic torment, smitten by endlessly unrequited affection. The joke, no longer funny anymore, is that so were our teenage selves, and no one spoke to that amorous abyss better in the 1980s (or, possibly, now). So hurray for a Smiths-themed Valentine’s Day party! DJs Omar and Josh Yule bring the excellent tunes, you bring your handsome devil self—and the Queen is actually dead. 9pm-2am, The Knockout, SF. More info here.
FRI/14-SAT/15: PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND We could use some good ol’ NOLA soul here in SF right now, and who better to bring it than this legendary outfit, with an early Mardi Gras Party that includes food, cocktails, and Big easy vibes—plus, of course, lots of brassy tunes. Guest percussionist Mino Cinelu, opening DJ Weekend Girl, and a fancy new Members Lounge (open to all) add some filé spice. Presidio Theatre, SF. More info here.
SAT/15: 34TH CHINESE NEW YEAR TREASURE HUNT Chase a mystery into the Year of the Serpent! San Francisco’s longest-running (since 1989) urban adventure game is an off-the-beaten-path scavenger hunt set against the backdrop of the annual Chinese New Year Parade, through the colorful streets of Chinatown, North Beach, Telegraph Hill and the Financial District for information. Teams solve clues connected with local history, art, and culture—and it’s a fantastic family affair. 3pm-7pm, starts at Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center gymnasium, SF. More info here.
SUN/16: FAULT RADIO GRAND (RE)OPENING We’ve been huge fans of local electronic music broadcaster Fault Radio since its very start, and were stoked when it moved into its Chinatown base. Welp, wouldn’t you know, it got evicted (not its fault!), and now is teaming up with Aurora Centro deli in its cool new space on Valencia. The opening’s going to be a who’s who of young local players (with yummy treats, we hope). Noon-10pm, Aurora Centro, SF. More info here.
SUN/16: WE STAND WITH LA FUNDRAISER El Rio is opening its spacious back patio to some of the best local DJ talent—Infinite Jess, Rich King, Charles Hawthorne, and Jen DM—for a dance party that will be steeped in soulful grooves and cutting-edge moves. Proceeds go to World Central Kitchen for LA food distribution. 3pm-8pm, El Rio, SF. More info here.
SUN/16: POLYGLAMOROUS 10-YEAR-ANNIVERSARY DJ Ariel Zetina always slays with her underground queer techno/ Chicago house/ Belizean punta sets, and she’ll be turning it out for a very gay crowd of revelers at the fabulous Polyglamorous party’s 10th birthday —showing who the true President of Presidents’ Day is. 10pm-late, Public Works, SF. More info here.
THROUGH FEB/22: VIOLA FREY: TRANSITORY FRAGMENTS The Oakland-based artist’s career spanned more than 50 years—she was known for her towering, figurative ceramic sculptures, but Violet Frey (1933–2004) delved into so much more through her artistic journey. The first monograph of her vibrant work, Viola Frey: Artist’s Mind/Studio/World, was just published this month by Gregory R. Miller & Co., and this show at Pt. 2 gallery in Oakland is a perfect opportunity to experience the range and depth of her work in person. Pt. 2 Gallery, Oakland. More info here.
