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, Onstage, Nightlife, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter to get this straight to your inbox.
EVENTS OF NOTE
Find tons more to do in our Arts & Culture section.
REGENCY BALLROOM, REFRESHED Arts Editor Marke B. recently got a peek at the glowed up Regency Ballroom—from new L-Acoustics L Series sound system with insane subwoofer power and Robe ESPRITE lights with a ginormous video wall, to respectfully updated interior paint, redone bathrooms, and charmingly reappointed Marble VIP room, wallpapered with icons of San Francisco. (It’s not every day we get to explain the story of the Golden Gate Park Bison Paddock to young rock fans.) Best of all? VIP boasts its own bar and spacious bathrooms. It’s all Beaux Arts, baby! There’s a ton of great shows coming up at the 100-year-old venue—our friends won’t stop talking about Basement Jaxx (April 9 and 10) and Goldie (April 15), and in-the-know music geeks will flock to underground discombobu-rapper Osamason (April 2) and hyperpop maestro AG Cook (April 24 and 25). www.theregencyballroom.com
WED/26: BOULEZ AT 100 The cult modern French composer and conductor left a huge and sensorial impression with his works—fellow composer Nico Muhly memorably said of him “You can feel the butter swirling in that pan.” On his centennial (he passed away in 2016), hear Gloria Cheng’s upcoming duo-piano performance with Ralph van Raat, playing Boulez’s rarely heard two-piano masterpieces Structures Books I and II, plus Courtes dérives à partir d’Éclat, a solo work the composer wrote for Cheng as a wedding gift. 7pm, Mills College, Oakland. More info here.
THU/27-SAT/29: FROLIC! Dance, dance, and be gay. The Queering the Dance Festival at Counterpulse presents all the Trans-Queer dabke, LGBTQ+ movement liberation, and erotic transformation inspired by the gardens of AIDS activist Derek Jarman you could ask for, with Erik Wagner, Piano Rain, and more lovelies. Counterpulse, SF. More info here.
THU/27-SAT/29: BIONEERS CONFERENCE Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall will be flooded with sustainable ideas and (actually) noteworthy visionaries at the 36th installment of this huge event, prodding participants to “come together in community to be revitalized as we explore creative solutions and new paths forward.” Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley. More info here.
FRI/28-APRIL 4: CUBACARIBE FESTIVAL An incredible combination of master dance classes, panels, and shows that reflect the vibrant cultural and artistic traditions of the Caribbean and its Diaspora—with appearances by DJ Jigüe, Batey Tambó, Batuki, Folklo Ayisyen Lakay, Herencia Guantanamera, Los Lupeños de San Jose, Rueda Con Ritmo and Dimensions Dance Theater. ODC Theatre, SF. More info here.
SAT/29: POP-UPS ON THE PLAZA: CELEBRATING BIPOC WOMEN MAKERS Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is already a must on Saturdays for a little bit of fresh Bay air and a big bite of fresh Bay tastes. The charitable Foodwise org is bringing together dozens of amazing women makers—Asúkar Palestinian Cuban Fusion, Sainte Sophie Creole Confections, Tonantzin Mexican Cuisine, Cocoacentric Jewelry—for a showcase of brilliant flavors and creations. 9am-2pm, Ferry Plaza, SF. More info here.
Help us save local journalism!
Every tax-deductible donation helps us grow to cover the issues that mean the most to our community. Become a 48 Hills Hero and support the only daily progressive news source in the Bay Area.
MON/31: JUSTICE 4 HEKLINA The death of cackling drag SF legend in the UK has yet to be solved, its mystery abated by incredibly slow work and “investigative bias” by the London Metropolitan Police. It’s been four years, and they just recently finally released surveillance video of persons of interest. On Monday evening, SoMa will light up with her indomitable spirit, as drag performers and supporters march from the Stud to Oasis in a show of support. There will be shows, of course—and, in London, a rally at Big Ben. 5pm-11pm, starting at the Stud, SF. More info here.
ONSTAGE
For more onstage recommendations, check out Charles Lewis III’s weekly Drama Masks column.
THROUGH APRIL 6: WILD WITH HAPPY Colman Domingo’s play is a joyful show that looks deeply and lovingly in the Black Baptist milieu of his past—and the pitfalls and advantages of Disney fandom. New Conservatory Theatre, SF. More info here.
THROUGH APRIL 6: PUSH/PULL Central Works’ very timely production focuses on 20-something Clark, a mousy guy who wants to bulk up to reclaim a sense of manhood after a recent painful break-up. To that end, he turns to former high school classmate Nolan, a man-bun-sporting aspiring bodybuilder whose intense workouts go hand-in-hand with his frequent mood swings (hint, hint). Berkeley City Club, Berkeley. More info here.
MUSIC
For more music recommendations check out John-Paul Shiver’s weekly Under the Stars music column.
VINYL SUNDAYS AT MARS BAR Dancing on a big patio with friends to some funky disco and house music—played by vinyl experts Duserock, Julius Papp, and friends—and sipping on a big cocktail sounds absolutely what we need to be doing right now. Hit up SoMa favorite Mars Bar every Sunday starting this week to help kick in the summer with some ace tunes. 2pm-8pm, Mars Bar, SF. More info here.
FRI/28: FRANZ FERDINAND Look, the 2000s are back—at this point we’re almost back in the 2010s, in fact. But it can be worth it for some things, like witnessing beloved Scottish indie band Franz Ferdinand, who helped save that instrument known as the guitar by glamming and funking things up a bit, perform a solid cover of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe.” 8pm, The Warfield, SF. More info here.
TUE/1: ADRIAN YOUNGE You can pick out an Adrian Younge arrangement or composition by the retro-tastic type of visual that immediately invades your creative headspace. Taking cues from vintage David Axelrod and Burt Bacharach charts, his musical language lends itself to the big screen (he scored the Marvel series “Luke Cage” along with Ali Shaheed Muhammad) and always pops through with a deep shag, analog type of flair. See him with a 10-piece orchestra, why don’t you. 8pm, Cornerstone, Berkeley. More info here.
FOOD & DRINK
Tamara Palmer’s Good Taste Good Taste food & drink column tells you every week what eats to seek out.
B. PATISSERIE EXPANDS TO UNION SQUARE Belinda Leong and business partner Michel Suas (the Godfather of bread in California, in my book) have partnered with the city to open a Union Square location of their popular b. patisserie, moving into the space quickly after the previous tenant (Tyler Florence) vacated unexpectedly just before All-Star Weekend. It was a joy to graze on a fresh raspberry kouign amann pastry fresh out of the oven and a hot and crispy pressed sandwich with pesto, tomato and mozzarella on opening day last Friday. Café seating outside made Union Square feel lively, and I hope people will make this location really popular for Leong and Suas.
CROISSANT CRAWL TIME If you’re feeling flaky, consider taking a twirl on my San Francisco croissant crawl to experience both classic and creatively modern croissants. After reading it, I got a message from Baker Doe, the king of elaborate, underground croissants. They’re no longer selling to the public and have few favorites in town, but gave a rare thumbs up to one of my stops: Juniper (1401 Polk St., SF). Try the savory Cubano croissant!
THU/27: PASSPORT TO SPRING: A NIGHT MARKET ADVENTURE BY LA COCINA The San Francisco organization that has incubated and nurtured hundreds of local food businesses over the past two decades, is opening up their kitchen this week for a special evening event, featuring several newer vendors: Adelita’s Antojitos (Mexican and Salvadoran snacks), Bar Tanuki (Japanese home style cooking), Cali Sweet Cakes (nostalgic Southern desserts), Geez Freeze (organic frozen treats), Sisters Catering (Afghani food), and Xula (Guatemalan home style cooking). 6-9 pm, La Cocina on Hyde, SF. More info here.
FILM
Dennis Harvey’s long-running Screen Grabs movie column has tons more flicks to recommend.
THROUGH SUN/30: UNNAMED FOOTAGE FESTIVAL Analog horror geeks and faux documentary freaks, it’s time to feast. “Spanning video experiments of the early ’90s to new unreleased and underseen features, and not focusing specifically on horror, the Unnamed Footage Festival is set on opening a dialogue regarding the entertainment and artistic values of first-person narrative filmmaking.” (Check out last year’s gruesome coverage here.) 4 Star Theatre, SF. More info here.
THU/27-MON/31: BERLIN & BEYOND The 29th incarnation (Thu/27-March 31) of this vital fest serves to prove that at least parts of German-speaking Europe isn’t inclined to bury any uncomfortable history, despite contending with their own xenophobic and white-power movements. Several films this year deal head-on with events of the Nazi era (do we have to say “original Nazi era” now?), while others champion values antithetical to it. San Francisco and Berkeley. More info here.
OPENING FRI/28: ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL The sophomore feature by Rungano Nyoni, whose I Am Not A Witch was one of the most intriguing and widely seen African films in recent years, is an elegantly crafted, excoriating tale of of the costs of male privilege, which rarely allows so much as an accusatory word to be spoken. But its cumulative impact is devastating nonetheless. Roxie Theater, SF. More info here.
NIGHTLIFE
Marke B. often knows what’s up
WED/26: ERNIE MUNSON REBIRTHDAY A prime mover of the local electronic music scene, a rave pioneer, a dilettante of dance floor taste, Ernie Munson passed away earlier this year. His friends come together to celebrate his life, including Jeno, DJ Spun, Markie, Harry Who, and more. RIP Ernie. 9pm-2am, F8, SF. More info here.
FRI/28: FAKE AND GAY 7TH ANNIVERSARY I mean, I love this party to death for its jaw-dropping line-ups, but even this one might be too fake and gay for me. Reality star/singer(?) Heidi Montag and another reality star, Carolyn Wiger from “Survivor” (she’s hosting) reign over a wild drag and underground techno bacchanal, including Doss, Big Sister, and Shigecki. 10pm-3am, 1015 Folsom, SF. More info here.
FRI/28: DETROIT LOVE Your friendly neighborhood nightlife recommender happens to be from Detroit, and grew up listening to this party’s legendary headliners, techno wiz Carl Craig and deep funkateer Moodymann. It’s delightful that they’ve added local house luminary Nina Sol to the evening, for a well-rounded trip though gorgeous Black music. 9pm, Public Works, SF. More info here.
SAT/29: FJAAK The adorable Berlin duo careen through decades of acid house, hardcore, and deep techno with the confidence of DJs twice their age, keeping things upbeat and banging for the Throttle party. Lovely all around. 9pm-2am, Gray Area, SF. More info here.
