Welcome to our new calendar feature BIG WEEK! Each week, our expert Arts & Culture writers recommend the best things for you to do in the best city on earth: Arts, Music, Food & Drink, Theater, Film, Nightlife, and more.
ARTS
Tons more to do and support right here.
FRI/2 THOUGH MAY 24: THE FUTURE THAT LIBERALS WANT The subtitle of this play by Awesome Theatre Co.—”Resume-Building Post-Apocalypse”—clues you in to the sardonic comic possibilities here, a “celebration of what it means to be a fuck up in a over-optimized world.” There’s frozen sperm, AI robots, and a Rip Van Winkle plot device to spell out our scary (hilarious?) future in the hands of tech-driven overlords. Eclectic Box, SF. More info here.
FRI/2-SUN/4: BERKELEY BLUEGRASS FEST Programmed by Grammy-award winner Laurie Lewis, the ninth installment of the foot-stomping, string-fiddling, rooting and tooting fest brings more blue-sky sunshine into the Freight and Salvage club than can be contained in a bottle of moonshine. Or something like that! Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, SF. More info here.
SAT/3: MAY DAY CELEBRATION AT THE NEW FARM Join musical performers the Yerba Buena Jug Band, Red Dust, and Pat Wynne for a free, upbeat concert commemorating May Day at non-profit, community-run performing outdoor space the New Farm in India Basin. 2pm-5pm, New Farm, SF. More info here.
THROUGH SAT/3: COMEDY OF ERRORS Chicago’s heroic The Acting Company has been wowing us at ACT with its version of August Wilson’s epic dissection of Black capitalism, Two Trains Running, but it’s also putting on this hilariously colorful take on one of Shakespeare’s minor—and preposterous—comedies. Christina Anderson’s ‘translation’ sprinkles AAVE throughout the Shakespeare’s poetry, which flows rapid-fire throughout this production, you could float on the terrific delivery of the cast alone, but the story of two twins separated by shipwreck has some ppoignant things to say, too, mostly about the status of married women. ACT, SF. More info here.
SUN/4: MALCOLM X: THE CENTENNIAL Join the Destiny Muhammad Trio for a jazz-filled journey to the streets of Detroit, celebrating the indelible voice and leadership of Malcolm on the centennial of his birth. Poet Tshaka Menelik Imhotep Campbell will offer insightful readings. 3:30pm-5:30pm, Zaccho Studio, SF. More info here.
SUN/4: “MÉXICO LINDO Y QUERIDO” Immerse yourself in the fantastic dance rhythms of Mexico: “Cuicacalli’s Ballet Folklórico performance promises to transport audiences through the diverse regions of Mexico, showcasing traditional Zapateados, Faldeos, and Sombreros. This performance highlights the rich fusion of Indigenous, European, and African musical and dance styles that together gave rise to Folklore Mexicano.” 6pm, Brava Theater, SF. More info here.
SUN/4: SQUID The idiosyncratic pleasures of this post-post-jazz-math-punk band are multifold. 2021 debut album Bright Green Field opened many ears and minds surfing out the pandemic; latest album Cowards confronts some weighty moral issues while expanding outward into textures of folk, kosmische, psychedelia, and electronics. 7:30pm, The Independent, SF. More info here.
MUSIC
Hit up John-Paul Shiver’s Under the Stars column for great musical picks every week.
THU/1-SAT/3: CHRIS MCCARTHY QUINTET W/ TAKUYA KURODA In this age of “Jazz is Back, Again: The Sequel,” you have to decipher between the trend and the root. Not knocking the in-vogue movement, a return to modal forms of music is stimulating. In most ways, this new crop of talented musicians has connected the old to what they are listening to or inspired by, and culture has properly shone a light in places “old jazz heads” might not have cared to look. Takuya Kuroda, the multifaceted trumpeter and arranger, is a modern musician who chose jazz as the prism to explore amalgam sounds. He’s released numerous albums in the past decade, backed up DJ Premier in his Badder band, and bounced between the highly respected Blue Note, Concord, and First Word Records imprints. It’d be a safe and colorful bet to see him; he’s with pianist Chris McCarthy Quintet for a three-night stay. 7pm and 9:30pm, Black Cat, SF. More info here.
FRI/2: YUKIMI Yukimi Nagano has been slowly and quietly petitioning for the role of vocalist for a generation. As the singer for Little Dragon, she’s been the lead engineer for a band that can take chances, dip, and move on from that fashionable version of R&B. You know the one numerous Australian bands fashion their sound after. Slick hit-and-run R&B artists you’d find on an ’80s compilation. With a solo project, she’s now supporting, For You, she fulfills all the potential we’ve, you and yours, me and mine, have always known; it just needed a tad of a push to be so-oh-so-much-more than cute Spotify podhole jammers. Be prepared for a night of fully realized, grown folk bangers from the neo-soul poster child moving into adult contemporary, that still go thump in the night. 8pm, The Fillmore, SF. More info here.
SAT/3: THE GREASE TRAPS Oakland’s bouillabaisse of bump-and-go, The Grease Traps, cover all sides of “funk.” They cruise through the Meters-type joy in repetition, swing by the cinematic psychedelic vibes of ’60s soul, touched by the acid-rock influence, give high praise to the JB’s hustle-bustle, and even dole out a bit of that Tower of Power slow jam finesse that low-rider culture cruises to. Get a whiff on Saturday, but don’t get burned. The show is part of the SF Public Library’s Bay Beats series, also featuring Mae Powell and Piwai. 2:30pm, Golden Gate Bandshell, SF. More info here.
SAT/3 & EVERY FIRST SATURDAY: SWEATER FUNK Thank Gawd for Sweater Funk. It’s San Francisco’s most-attended, highest low-key, high-credibility DJ music function… I wrote that line seven or eight years ago, and it still fits. Here’s what else hasn’t changed: the countless piles of funk-filled, boogie-ridden record bags behind the turntables and mixer setup. Oh, something else that has remained the same: take note of the multi-gendered mix of races on the dance floor and among the DJ crew, literally representing the music they play, observing and responding to obscure record finds. 10pm, The Knockout, SF. More info here.
MAY 4 & EVERY SUNDAY: CRUCIAL REGGAE SUNDAYS Just about every Sunday from 4:20pm, heh, to 7:30pm at the Golden Gate Bandshell, you can get your cool runnings in order amidst the trees and breeze for no cost. Crucial Reggae Sundays brings free, family-friendly reggae music to the historic Bandshell at Music Concourse in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Hosted by residents Irie Dole (Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi), Guidance (Infinite Guidance Sound/Nice Up Radio), and DJ Sep (Dub Mission), the day party features special guest live performances and DJ sets every week. Look out for Spliff Skankin (May 4), Mission Varrio Project (May 11), and Native Elements (May 25). (They’re skipping May 18 due to Bay to Breakers.) 4:20pm-7:30pm, Golden Gate Bandshell, SF. More info here.
FOOD & DRINK
Tamara Palmer’s Good Taste Good Taste column tells you where to stick your fork every week.
THU/1 SIDE A OPENS Last weekend, I was invited to a preview party for Side A, a fun new spot opening May 1 in the former Universal Cafe space. Go for food, wine, and DJs playing vinyl records (don’t call them “vinyls” if you want to look like you know what you’re talking about). At the party, I was handed a delicious “walking taco” made with short rib, butter beans, jalapeño, salsa macha, and Fritos, all served in the Fritos bag. I’m looking forward to going back for more of a sit-down dinner soon. Chef Parker Brown (last seen at Aphotic) and his wife Caroline Brown are behind the business. As Eater SF recently reported, it will also be home to the Coffee Movement’s coffee and doughnuts in the morning; I tried Side A’s Coffee Movement soft serve on Sunday and am craving more. Side A is dog-friendly, too! 2814 19th Street, SF
CHOCOLATE MILK FOR ADVENTURERS Breadbelly has raised $400,000 in small bonds to help them open a new production facility and second retail store, both on Pier 70 in San Francisco. The expansion will allow Breadbelly to get into the wholesale game as well, and it’s so exciting to see. In the meantime, the Clement Street location is continually offering fun new beverages and bites. When I stopped in on Monday to ensure that the Honey Walnut Shrimp Bunwich is still awesome (yep), I had a new-to-me drink: guava chocolate milk. It’s a thick bottled drink made with rich Valrhona chocolate, oat milk, a touch of malted dairy milk, and the tropical fruit, which appears as a bright aftertaste. Obsessed. 1408 Clement Street, SF
GET A FRUITQUEEN DISCOUNT Speaking of obsessions, I’m digging Fruitqueen, a weekly produce delivery service offering mystery fruit boxes and known bulk selections from small California farms that is self-described as a “fruit-forward fan club.” The loquats, blueberries, two kinds of cherimoya, and two kinds of strawberries I’ve tried over the past couple weeks are pretty much the GOATs; I’ve tried them all raw, cooked with some (you should try these fresh-baked blueberry/strawberry muffins), and frozen the rest to enjoy in blended drinks later. I enjoy supporting indie farmers and this local company. I made a video about it as a recent class assignment, and slipped in my referral link for $10 off your first order. Delivery is a flat $9, so you’re basically getting free delivery.
STAGE
Charles Lewis III hits up theaters and performance spaces every week for his Drama Masks column.
THROUGH MAY 18: SIMPLE MEXICAN PLEASURES Eric (Alex Rodriguez) wasn’t asking for too much, was he? The LA-based TV writer just decided to uproot his entire life and follow boyfriend Ryan to Seattle. All he was expecting was for Ryan to, y’know, not break up with him over the phone just as Eric was packing away the last of his things before the multi-state trip. Really, after that, you can’t blame the half-Chinese/half-Mexican writer for wanting to Eat Pray Love his way South of the Border (the first thing he does when he gets there is open Grindr). What he didn’t expect was “listening to the ancestors” to take on a literal meaning, as he finds himself learning about the cultures to which he has only a tangential connection. And yes, he meets a cute guy. New Conservatory Theater, SF. More info here.
THROUGH MAY 11: SHAMELESS HUSSY Lynne Kaufman’s Anaïs Nin bio is the playwright’s unabashed ode to the writer (Arwen Anderson) for whom “taboo” was a middle name. As a ponderance on the ever-unknowable Nin, Kaufman’s speed-run is a well-acted, carefully-directed Cliff’s Notes take on a complex person. The one who hated the restrictions placed on her by men, but had no connection with the Women’s Lib movement that revered her. The one who longed for a stable relationship, but treated marriage like a weekly appointment. And yes, she wrote “naughty” stories. The Marsh-SF. More info here.
FILM
Dennis Harvey’s long-running Screen Grabs has tons more flicks to recommend.
ON SWIFT HORSES At first, we expect the Eisenhower era marriage of Kansas-bred military vet Lee and Muriel will be threatened by the unexpected surfacing of his sexy, ne’er-do-well brother Julius. But it turns out Muriel will instead be waylaid by surprise attraction to butch So. Cal. neighbor Sandra, while Julius finds his own turbulent soulmate in Henry, a fellow security employee in a Vegas casino. This first theatrical feature by Daniel Minahan since 2001’s Series 7 covers thematic terrain similar to Todd Haynes’ Carol. But its portrait of sexual repression in the 1950s is spread out amongst more characters, and is less austere in tone. At AMC Metreon and other Bay Area Theaters. More info here.
BLUE SUN PALACE Constance Tsang’s debut feature trains eye on immigrant lives well hidden from everyday view. Amy and Didi are two Chinese emigres living and working in a Queens massage parlor, dreaming of opening a restaurant together in Baltimore. Their friendship, and solidarity with the others employed there, brightens a somewhat dreary existence that sometimes encompasses providing reluctant sexual favors for customers—then getting shortchanged by them. Then an armed robbery abruptly, drastically changes everything for our heroines. In the aftermath, one of them must figure out how to go on. Open at the Roxie Fri/2, more info here.
BJÖRK: CORNUCOPIA Isold Uggadottir’s film is a record of the Icelandic performer’s titular stage spectacular, which was largely built around songs from her 2017 album Utopia, and toured the world for several years. The concert is undeniably stupendous in design terms—“visual director” Bjork, who wears a commedia-style facial mask throughout, is just one player in a theatrical landscape of computer animations, elaborate costumes and eccentric musical collaborators. The aesthetic effect is a singular mix of Kabuki futurism meets fancy-dress rave in an aquarium, with the fantastical-sculptural influence of the star’s ex-spouse Matthew Barney often palpable. Plays Wed/7 in many theaters for one day only, more info here. More info here.
NIGHTLIFE
Marke B. often knows what’s up.
SAT/3: JOEY BELTRAM Once you’ve heard “Energy Flash,” the iconic 1990 techno record by New Yorker Joey Beltram that helped everything slide into rave, the whole caboodle snaps together. “Oh, this is what the fuss was about.” The main hook samples London party girl/dealer Cindy Ecstasy rapping her own name on another record that helped define a dance floor age, Soft Cell’s incredible “Memorabilia” from 1981. See what other goodies Joey packs, 35 years in(!), for the Domain party. 9pm-late, F8, SF. More info here.
SAT/3: DISCO, YES! Whoever had the brilliant idea of pairing up legendary disco DJ Steve Fabus (who is quite brilliant at house, too) with funky MOM (Motown on Mondays) DJs Don Gordo, Hellacat, Phleck, and Duserock in the big room at Public Works—well, I tip my feathered cap to thee. 9pm-2am, Public Works, SF. More info here.
SAT/3: DOC MARTIN No idea why we are being showered in rave royalty this weekend, but you can’t beat the techno-boogie of LA legend Doc Martin, who had quite a hand in kicking off the underground scene here back in “the day.” You also get Chicago ace DJ Heather and our own homegrown here Jenö, wo that’s certainly something! 10pm-very late, The Foundry, SF. More info here.
SUN/4: MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU A very gay Star Wars party in the Castro? Emperor voice: Yessss. Whip out your light sabers for Mom Eisley Cantina decor, Ahsoka Tano and Boba Fett standees, Star Wars specialty cocktails, and plenty of cosplay dancing (droids & Wookies welcome). 5pm-10pm, Q Bar, SF. More info here.
