Best Bay Area Events 12.24-1.13
All of My Love
by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor
Happy Holidays! Sending all of my love to you, but an extra special dose for those who are not celebrating, celebrating alone, grieving, or maybe not feeling so holly and jolly this year. I see you, I love you… I’m sending you hugs. And when you’re ready, we can go back to having some fun. I have some events I’d like to see you at this week of 12/24 and beyond.
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Listen to this week’s playlist so you can sample upcoming bands and comedians listed in this newsletter.
This Week’s Events 12/24-12/30
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
12/24 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. | $22 ADV, $25 DOOR
The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir weaves together a family of more than 55 singers from a wide range of faiths, races, and cultures– joined in the mission to inspire joy and unity in all people through Negro spirituals and black gospel music. No matter the venue, whether it’s the Paramount Theatre, San Quentin State Prison, Mercy Retirement Center, or even a small church in Selma, Alabama, the choir sings with the same passion and precision. And when the choir starts singing, audiences can’t help but jump to their feet, lift their hands, and allow the glory of the music to uplift them.
12/24 | F8SF | 1192 Folsom St, SF | 10 p.m | $5-$10, 21+
Yes, we return this year, keeping the holiday tradition alive. Room 1: Solar, Mozhgan,& Tyrel. Room 2 Interzone: Hex Embrace, Impirumcrypt, &Echoic. Free w/ RSVP before 11 p.m.
Christmas Eve Farmers Market
12/24 | Ferry Plaza | 1 Ferry Building, SF | 10 a.m. | Free
Satisfy your last-minute holiday feast and gift-giving needs at our special Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesday, December 24. You’ll find everything you need to make for a unique, delicious, and truly local winter feast. Stock up on fresh produce, handcrafted treats and sweets, and delicious and unique gifts, and grab lunch while you’re here.
Chanukah In Union Square
12/25-1/2 | Union Square | Geary, Powell, Post, & Stockton St, SF | 3:30 p.m. | Free, All ages
A local miracle happened in San Francisco in 1975 when community leaders joined together to create the first big public menorah and celebration of Chanukah outside of Israel. The San Francisco “Mama Menorah” public celebration has now become a global phenomenon with large menorahs lit annually in over 15000 cities worldwide.
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy
12/24-12/26 | Imperial Palace Restaurant | 818 Washington St, SF | 5 p.m. | $35-$117
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy™ is celebrating its 32nd Annual Jewish-Comedy-on-Christmas-in-a-Chinese-Restaurant extravaganza on December 24-26, 2024. This San Francisco institution returns to San Francisco’s Chinatown this year to its new home, the Imperial Palace Restaurant, just steps away from the new Chinatown-Rose Pak MUNI Station.
X-Mess Night
12/25 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF 9 p.m. | $8
Death Guild is the oldest weekly goth/industrial dance night in the world! Every Monday, six DJs in two rooms play a mix of gothic, industrial, synthpop, noise, ambient, and weird stuff for those who love the darker side of things.
Christmas Party
12/25 | Question Mark Bar | 312 Harriet St, SF | 10 a.m. | Free
Celebrate Christmas Day at Question Mark Bar! Join us on December 25th for a festive day filled with: Music, Karaoke, Movies, Sports, and Delicious food. Don’t miss the Happy, Drunk Santa vibes!
Thursday 12/26
THROTTLE THURSDAY: Fatima Hajji
12/26 | 1015 Folsom | 1015 Folsom St, SF | 9 p.m. | $15-$20, 21+
Young DJ, composer and entrepreneur girl. Fátima, Spanish by birth but with Arab origins is a confessed lover of nature and animals, as well as striking colours… and of course, she’s in steadfast love of a fireproof music genre like Techno. From its analogue and classical roots through the most contemporary sounds combining all with ancestral sounds – she’s specialist in bringing up her deep African origins-. She stands for freshness, audacity and ruthless grooves, ideal medicine for having fun.
Get It?! Gameshow
12/26 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $18.50-$26.50, 18+
Get It?! A Stand-Up Comedy Game Show with host Joe Klocek! Test how well you understood a stand-up-comic’s set in real time! A comic performs. Then three participants are picked from the audience and asked questions about what they just laughed at. Whoever gets five questions first wins the round! After two rounds, the winners face off in a third and final Speed Round to decide who will be the champion of Get it?! Game Show!
Friday 12/27
12/27 | Audio SF | 316 11th St, SF | 12 p.m. | $24.72-$37.08, 21+
The legendary duo, CHROMEO, are playing a day party at Audio on Saturday, December 28th! This will be an event to remember as we open the skylights and bring in all the special effects for this daytime disco.
Luenell: Live at the Paramount
12/27 | Paramount Theatre | 2025 Broadway, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. | $35.50-$125.50
Luenell, the “Original Bad Girl of Comedy,” has thrilled audiences for over 30 years with her bold humor and infectious energy. Born in Arkansas and raised in Oakland, she is currently headlining her “Fresh Out of Favors” comedy tour and holding a residency at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas.
Misfit Cabaret: Divine Decadence
12/27 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $30-$600, 21+
Misfit Cabaret is a splendiferous variety show centered around magical music with a rotating cast of eccentric performers. From burlesque to drag to circus to magic, you never know what you’re going to see! For each new Misfit Cabaret, emcee Kat Robichaud writes two original songs keeping with the theme of the evening and plays them with her Darling Misfit band, as well as a special medley to kick off the evening and welcome in the spirits of San Francisco’s saucy past.
The Christmas Meltdown
12/27 | Monarch | 101 6th St, SF | 9 p.m. | $13.63-$37.18
Strap in for a night of holiday cheer with Sleevin Records! Tune in to the sounds of the UK with UK Bassline, Garage, DnB, and more. DJs: IZUK, J9, SIMO, MYCHØ, SOL & MANCUB, DYLL, YUKA YU, & COLONEL MC.
Saturday 12/28
Sarah Silverman
12/28 | The Masonic | 1111 California St, SF | 8 p.m. | $45-$95
Sarah Silverman is a comedian, writer, and actress who is best known for producing and starring in the comedy series “The Sarah Silverman Project.” Sarah was born and raised in New Hampshire with her three older siblings and attended college at New York University. She began her stand-up career in New York City, gigging at local venues before receiving national recognition in the early nineties as a writer and featured player on “Saturday Night Live.”
Shaq’s Bass All-Stars Block Party
12/28 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 4 p.m. | $45-$129
SHAQ’S MAIN STAGE LINEUP: Diesel, Troyboi, Layz, Vastive, Kliptic, & Downlo. VITAL EVENTS TOXIC STAGE LINEUP: Eliminate, YDG, Sanzu, Ayvo, & Ecka.
Chuck Prophet and his Cumbia Shoes
12/28 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 9 p.m. | $28-$33
“I was going through a tunnel,” he recalls. “It was dark. But I had music: music to play, music to listen to, music to get me out of my head. Music was my savior.” That much is plain to hear on Wake The Dead, Prophet’s extraordinary new album. Recorded with band of brothers ¿Qiensave?, the collection explores the world of Cumbia music, which consumed and comforted Prophet during his illness and subsequent recovery. The songs are intoxicatingly rhythmic, all but demanding you move your body, with arrangements that blur the lines between tradition and innovation. There are flashes of rock and roll, punk, surf, and soul, all filtered through the streets of San Francisco and wrapped up in the rich legacy of a genre that traces its roots back to the jungles of South America.
PLAN 9 – Misfits Tribute
12/28 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 9 p.m. | $15-$20, 21+
Plan 9 was started in Oakland, CA as a Misfits tribute band. Years later, this tribute band has grown into a full-fledged horror punk band with acclaimed albums of original songs including one featuring Jerry Only (“8 Hits from Hell”).
Sunday 12/29
Lindy in the Park
12/29 | Golden Gate Park | JFK Dr. btwn 8th and 10th, behind the De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, SF | 11 am. | Free
Lindy in the Park is a perfect way to get the heart rate going by moving those muscles (legs, arms, and even face — cause you’ll be smiling!) to great swing dance(able) music spun by friendly DJ’s.
Cyber Sunday
12/29 | Cat Club | 1190 Folsom St, SF | 10 p.m. | No Cover, 21+
Calling all Cyborgs and Androids to UNPLUG from the Matrix to fight Brain Rot!!! Join us off the grid every Sunday for UNPLUG, (aka Cyber Sunday). New name, same party. Still FREE to enter! We specialize in many forms of dark and heavy electronic music. If you’re in the mood to power down instead of dancing, we will also have a variety of video games set up on 3 TVs, as well as a big stack of board games.
Pink Talking Fish
12/28 & 12/29 | Sweetwater Music Hall | 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley | 8 p.m. | $41.75
Pink Talking Fish is a Hybrid Tribute Fusion Act that takes the music from three of the worlds most beloved bands and creates a special treat for fans of the music. Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish are all more than just bands they are phenomenons. Their creations have artistically inspired people and their mind-blowing live performances have brought people together to form a special sense of community around the love for their favorite band.
Monday 12/30
Primus
12/30 & 12/31 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $78.15+
Primus is responsible for some of the most cutting edge and original rock music of the 1990’s. And now, the definitive Primus line-up – singer/bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde, and drummer Tim Alexander – is back together and planning on getting the worldwide masses bobbing up and down in unison once more.
Greg Proops: Live Album Recording
12/30 & 12/31 | Punch Line SF | 444 Battery St, SF | 7 p.m. | $40.20-$52.05, 18+
Greg Proops is a stand up comic from San Francisco. He lives in Hollywood. It’s not that bad. Really. The Proopdog is best known for his unpredictable appearances on Whose Line is it Anyway? Both US and UK.
The Week of 12/31-1/6
Tuesday 12/31
Dark Masquerade NYE: Circus Variety Show + Party
12/31 | Flux Vertical Theatre | 811 University Ave Suite 104, Berkeley | 9 p.m. Doors | $44.52+
For this event, DARK Events returns to Flux Vertical Theatre for an enchanting evening of sultry performances, masked characters, and a magnificent midnight moment. Add on to your experience by selecting to indulge in an aerial champagne service with our in-house troupe, The Dragonettes. The Main Show will be opening with a bondage performance by performers Dancehall Dyke & Slab Me Harder. The Variety Show features aerial acrobatic performances by our in-house troupe, The Dragonettes, as well as performers from Flux Vertical Theater, DAM Circus, Nerds Cradle, Misfit Cabaret + MORE. Stay after the main show for a countdown & dance party to close out 2024.
GRYFFIN NEW YEAR’S EVE (+ OPEN BAR)
12/31 | Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center | 2 Marina Blvd Suite #260, SF | 9 p.m. | $230+, 21+
Coming off of yet another amazing year with Diplo last year, we brought it back with Hometown Favorite GRYFFIN! After catching his amazing set Headlining the Twin Peaks Stage at this year’s Outside Lands and then his Popup Pulse Set, it was a No Brainer that his energy and MAGIC will make us all FEEL GOOD.
Fresh Start
12/31-1/1 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 3 p.m. | $137.50-$359
Get ready to dance like it’s 1999, Phase One of Fresh Start has landed! We’re counting down into ’25 this year but we want you to come prepared to celebrate like it’s the turn of the century. This will be the party to end all parties… til we wake up and do it again on New Year’s Day.
New Bohemia NYE 2025
12/31 | The San Francisco Mint | 88 5th St, SF | 9 p.m. | $58.12-$452.61, 21+
Co-created by the Vau de Vire Society & Opel Productions now in its 11th incarnation. The historic Mint is transformed into a playground for the senses. 23 immersive environments to explore over 6.5 hours. 7 dance floors, game rooms, Shibari Lounge, variety and sideshow stage, themed karaoke, circus performances, dancers and art galleries throughout.
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers ft. Deanna Bogart
12/31 | Freight & Salvage | 2020 Addison St, SF | 9 p.m. | $46.50-$89
Ring in the New Year at The Freight with a funky night of soulful blues. Bay Area blues rockers Tommy Castro and the Painkillers are bringing their signature soul-shaking sound, featuring Castro’s gritty vocals and the ensemble’s tight grooves. They’re joined by multi-instrumentalist Deanna Bogart, known for her smokey voice and dazzling prowess on keys and saxophone. Kicking off the night is local favorite DJ Harry Duncan, who many will know from his popular KCSM radio program, “In the Soul Kitchen.”
Karma: The Taylor Swift & Chappell Roan NYE Party
12/31 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 9 p.m. | $29-$60, 21+
My kink is karma and karma is my boyfriend. For one special nite, we say goodbye to the bad karma of the year and invite in good karma for 2025 as we pack the best of each era of Taylor Swift’s expansive career with the power of the Pink Pony Club, Chappell Roan, for a NYE tribute dance party extravaganza to remember. After the clock strikes Midnight and the balloons rain from the heavens, you’ll wonder why every moment on Earth can’t be this magical.
The 8th Annual HellaFunNYE Comedy Explosion and Free AFTER PARTY
12/31 | Mayes on Polk Street | 1233 Polk St, SF | 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. | $30, 21+
What’s the best way to end your year? With laughter duh! Come to Mayes on Polk Streetto end your year with a high note of laughter from San Francisco’s BEST COMEDIANS! Line up includes… Honotan Ortiz, Shivaan Nadan, Brian Babylon, & Karen Braswell. After Party: The best part is after the comedy show you can stick around for the No Scrubs: 90s Hip Hop and RnB Party with a Free Champagne Toast! (Only ticket holders from the 8:30pm show will be allowed to stick around for the after party.)
New Year’s Eve Gala on the USS Hornet
12/31 | USS Hornet | 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda | 7 p.m. | $74-$109
Celebrate the New Year onboard a historic Aircraft Carrier… A fundraiser for the museum! Featuring… 3 O’Clock Jump & special guest Nick Rossi & his Swing Four Band. The Bay Area’s best place to dance! Numerous dance floors on the enclosed, heated Hangar Deck! Silent Auction! Midnight countdown with the band! Black Tie optional! Cash bars & food concessions available. Free Parking!
Wednesday 1/1
It’s A New Day + Breakfast Of Champions Block Party 2025
1/1 | The Great Northern | 119 Utah St, SF | 4 a.m. | $48.95-$119.80, 21+
Join us as we take over the block with our favorite crews and plenty of new surprises for the Bay Area’s most treasured New Year’s Day tradition – a quarter century in the making! We’re taking over the streets with 10 stages, art cars, aerial performances, interactive playgrounds, art, food trucks and lots of other vendors.
Supper of Survivors XII
1/1 | Public Works | 161 Erie St, SF | 4 p.m. | $25.96, 21+
How do you spell VIP? We spell it Y-O-U at S-o-S! You’re the glitter-encrusted cherry on top of the Bay Area’s elite party task force sundae. The knees of the bees. The pajamas of the cat. The eye of the tiger. The party straw in the scorpion bowl. You deserve the best, and that is precisely what Brass Tax shall deliver unto thee on New Year’s Day at Supper of Survivors.
1/1 | Ocean Beach | The Great Hwy & Taraval, SF | 10:30 a.m. | Free
On New Years Day, starting at 10:30 am, begin gathering at the intersection of Taraval and the Great Highway. If it isn’t raining, then we’ll ride down to the Lincoln end of the Great Highway up to the Cliff House, turn around and head to Sloat by the zoo and back to Taraval. Then we will go down onto Ocean Beach to participate in the Polar Plunge. If the weather is good, we’ll stay around afterwards for our Annual WNBR-SF New Years Day Beach Party.
1/1 | Kilowatt Bar | 3160 16th St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free, 21+
Start your year off right with the annual Kilowatt pancake breakfast hangover party! Classic movies on the projector, blow up mattresses to lounge around on all day, bottomless mimosas, and a FREE pancake breakfast to boot…pajamas strongly encouraged. First of 3 movies starts around noon!
Tropicana Reggae en Español – First Thursdays
1/2 | Madrone Art Bar | 500 Divisadero St, SF | 10 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP (Donation)
Join us every 1st Thursday of the month at Madrone Art Bar for a night filled with the electrifying fusion of Latin rhythms and reggae beats. this event its Produced by La Fauna Music, this event promises an unforgettable experience that will keep you dancing all night long.
1/2 | 2nd & Market St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages
It’s a new SF tradition! Grab your friends and head downtown for Downtown First Thursdays. Get ready for DJs, live music, screenprinting, arts + crafts, drag and many more surprises! DFT also features outdoor bars, dozens of food and shopping vendors, family-friendly activities, dancing in the strees, and amazing local restaurants, museums, and bars to explore.
Queer Bedtime Stories
1/2 | Queer Arts Featured | 575 Catro St, SF | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $12.51-$17.85
Queer Bedtime Stories is an opportunity to re-seed the fertile ground of your imagination with poetry, memoirs, and history from our people: LGBTQ+ ancestors and creators alive today. You can come just to listen or bring a reading to share! Readings should be 1-8 minutes long, be any genre, and either be written by an LGBTQ+ author or be about queerness in some way. Original work is more than welcome!
Jesus Trejo
1/2-1/4 | Punch Line San Francisco | 444 Battery St, SF | 8 p.m. | $22.25-$34.25, 18+
Jesus Trejo is one of the fastest rising names in the stand-up comedy scene. He can be seen recurring on the upcoming Netflix series MR. IGLESIAS, and in roles on ALONE TOGETHER (Freeform) and TEACHERS (TV Land). Born and raised in Long Beach, CA, Trejo is a paid regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
Friday 1/3
Freakonomics Radio Live w/ Stephen Dubner + Special Guests
1/3 | Sydney Goldstein Theater | 275 Hayes St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $54.25-$86.35
Freakonomics Radio Live brings to the stage the same uncommon, inquisitive journalism that is a hallmark of the Freakonomics Radio podcast — but in an unscripted and freewheeling format. Join Freakonomics Radio host and best-selling author Stephen Dubner as he explores the hidden side of everything, live onstage at the Sydney Goldstein Theater.
Sam Jay
1/3-1/4 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $30.25, 18+
Stand-up comic, actor, and Emmy-nominated writer Sam Jay can currently be seen as the host of HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, a weekly late-night series on which she also served as executive producer. Sam is a two-time Emmy nominee and WGA award nominee for her writing on Saturday Night Live. Sam’s TV credits include her hosting role on Ricking Morty, the Rick and Morty post-show on Adult Swim.
Shlømo
1/3 | Public Works | 161 Erie St, SF | 9 p.m. | $37.39-$48.82, 21+
Dark Techno Mastermind Shlømo makes his SF debut. Featuring local heavy hitters Miss Crafty and SNAQ.
The Realest Coolest Dopest New Year Rap Show Ever!
1/3 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 9 p.m. | $12, 21+
Señor Gigio presents The Realest Coolest Dopest New Year Rap Show Ever! 3rd annual show setting the intentions to kick off the Year right promising new music & continued growth for all. A special curated night of dedicated local Bay Area Hip-Hop acts bringing the conscious messages, lyricism & organic high vibes to inspire & entertain.
Saturday 1/4
Mild Heroes, Fossil Fuel, Pretty Boy Chance
1/4 | Brick & Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $16.97
Start your year off right with a night of electrifying music as Mild Heroes takes the stage at Brick & Mortar Music Hall! Known for their heartfelt blend of Pop and Rock-n-roll, Mild Heroes is kicking off the new year with an unforgettable performance. Get ready for a high-energy show filled with captivating melodies, powerful rhythms, and an atmosphere that will leave you wanting more. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience one of the Bay Area’s rising bands as they gear up for an exciting year ahead!
Jeremy Passion, Gabe Bondoc
1/4 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $35-$85
In Jeremy Passion’s own words: “my best friend @gabebondoc and I are kicking off the new year with a concert in a city very dear to our hearts- SAN FRANCISCO ❤️ It will be a soulful night to remember at @greatamericanmusichall as we share acoustic songs, stories, laughs, and memories of our 20+ year-friendship.”
The Last Supper Party: Poetry and Music Series
1/4 | Temo’s Cafe | 3000 24th St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free, All ages
Inspired by Fe Bongolan’s painting, this monthly series showcases diverse artists addressing social justice and equity issues through spoken word and music. Join us for the next installment of The Last Supper Party, featuring Clarisse Kim, Frances Ancheta, and Tadeh Kennedy. Curated by Kimi Sugioka.
Tribute Saturdays Live
1/4 | Music City SF | 1355 Bush St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $29
Join us at Music City San Francisco for a night of unforgettable performances paying homage to the greatest hits of all time! This is your chance to sing, dance, and relive the soundtrack of your life in a vibrant, immersive setting. Whether you’re a fan of rock legends, pop icons, or soulful classics, our Tribute Night has something for everyone.
Burlesque Show San Francisco’s #1 Variety & Cabaret Show
1/4 | Red Velvet Burlesque Show | 6 p.m. | $18.82 ( +2 drink minimum), 21+
Our San Francisco burlesque dancers engage with the audience to ensure that everybody is having a good time during the performances. Our management team goes above and beyond to coordinate all of the stunts and choreography involved in each and every show. Every show is different from week to week which is why our repeat customers always enjoy coming back. Nobody is ever bored at our burlesque shows.
Sunday 1/5
An Evening with Black Flag
1/5 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $30-$39, All ages
If unbridled anger and unfocussed rebellion have a soundtrack, it’s Black Flag. Primarily the brainchild of songwriter/guitarist Greg Ginn, Black Flag welded the heaviest metal to avant-jazz’s noisy atonality powered by the full-tilt rhythms of the highest energy punk. Black Flag will be performing The First Four Years in its entirety and a second set of Black Flag greatest hits!
1/5 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $61.22-149.19, All ages
Puddles Pity Party, the 7-foot sad clown whose golden voice is comparable to rock legends like Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury, has amassed nearly 900K YouTube subscribers and performed sold out shows all over the globe. Deftly combining melancholy with the absurd, Puddles has received endorsements and accolades from musical comedy legends like Jack Black, Michael McKean, Weird Al Yankovic, Drew Carey, Nick Offerman and Paul Reubens. His one-of-a-kind “textured voice laced with melancholy” (NY Times) has been hailed as “operatic” (Boston Globe) and his show both “life-affirming” (Herald Scotland) and “hysterically funny” (LA Weekly).
1/5 | Secret Improv Society | 533 Sutter St, SF | 8 p.m. | Free-$17.85
Here’s how it works. We are a team of award-winning improvisers. We ask an audience member questions about their life. Then we turn the answers into an hour-long show right there in front of you. No writing, no planning, just spontaneous comedy. It’s like a magic trick. (There is no pressure to participate! We never pick on the audience. If you don’t want to volunteer your life’s details, someone else will.)
Rod Wave, Featuring Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic
1/6 | Oakland Arena | 7000 S Coliseum Way, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. | $96-$334
Rod Wave, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his strong voice and incorporation of hip hop and R&B, and having been recognized as a pioneer of “trap-soul.”
Donut Worry Just Laugh – SF presents: “BS Comedy Corner”
1/6 | The Blarney Stone | 5625 Geary Blvd, SF | 8:30 p.m. | Free
Join the fun of Donut Worry Just Laugh – SF presents: “BS Comedy Corner” at The Blarney Stone on Geary Blvd in SF! This show has been going strong since May of 2022 and runs every Monday night from 9pm – 11pm showcasing the best local comics from the bay area, the entire state of California as well as guest spots from around the country and even Canada! The show has been named one of “the BEST open mic stages in SF.”
The Week of 1/7-1/13
Tuesday, 1/7
Gary Anderson
1/7 | Punch Line SF | 444 Battery St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $20.25-$28.25, 18+
Gary recently made waves as the winner of the 2023 San Francisco International Comedy Competition, captivating audiences with his charming and introspective humor. After honing his craft in San Francisco’s comedy scene, Gary now performs regularly in Los Angeles and headlines clubs across the country, still driven by the goal of someday having someone else write his bio in third person.
Some Like It Hot
1/7-1/26 | Orpheum Theatre | 1192 Market St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $55.50-$224.50
Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.
Wednesday, 1/8
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición
1/8 | Yoshi’s Oakland | 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $25
Since 1996, the 12-piece Orq. La Moderna Tradición has captivated audiences with the best of traditional and modern Cuban music. Come immerse yourself in their first performance of 2025! -from sensual danzones and swinging cha-cha-chas to contemporary timba-infused rhythms. The exceptional musicians of the Orquesta inspire music lovers and dancers alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the essence of Cuban music, where tradition meets innovation on the dance floor.
Jimmy Shin + Tom Arnold
1/8 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $32.05-$43.80, 18+
Jimmy Shin is a Los Angeles-based Comedian. After graduating law school, Jimmy decided on a more humorous path to the dismay of his traditional Asian parents. Jimmy’s parents acknowledged that he was a real comedian when they saw him on the Tonight Show three times. His energy and intelligence match the guaranteed laughs he delivers every time he steps onto the stage. As a writer, comedian and actor Tom Arnold has established himself to both television and film audiences worldwide having won such awards as the Peabody Award for writing and a Golden Globe Award for writing and producing.
Thursday, 1/9
Lee Fields & Monophonics
1/9 | The Fillmore | 1805 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $49.75
Lee Fields & Monophonics are a musical duo that combines the vocals of American soul singer Lee Fields with the horn-driven sound of Monphonics, a psychedelic soul band.
1/9 | Mechanics’ Institute | 57 Post St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free/members, $10/non-members
From restaurateur and chef Toriano Gordon bringing vegan soul food to Oakland and the greater Bay Area, to organic farm owner Leslie Wiser growing culturally relevant produce to feed seniors in the Oakland and San Francisco Chinatowns, to public health researcher and clinician Dr. Daphne Miller teaching doctors-in-training on urban farms in Richmond, the panel features diverse stakeholders all working to answer the same question: how do we use food to holistically care for our Bay Area communities? Moderated by SFGate Food Editor Jessica Yadegaran, the panel will explore how different ingredients, food and farming practices, and cuisines speak to the heart, culture, and wellbeing of their neighborhoods.
1/9 | O’Reilly’s Pub | 1840 Haight St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | Free
This is a show about quickness and creativity. Each comedian goes onstage with no plan, no notes and no escape. They have to riff their way through their entire set and you can tell them what they talk about! That’s not all!!! There are 4 more comedians at a table onstage, each with their own microphone, and they get to talk during the set, roasting the comic and making you laugh. It’s a fun, Fast Paced comedy show that will keep you laughing the entire time.
1/9 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 8 p.m. | $20-$25
In Los Angeles, where the weight and pressure of the city’s fast paced culture can make your legs feel like pillars, emerges psychedelic quartet, Levitation Room, to break the bonds of gravity with their cosmic wall of sound and thought provoking lyrics. Their decidedly hallucinogenic songs whisper and hum the same gentle refrain of their summer of love influences, conjuring up the cognitive imagery of sunny days at the park, spent with friends in a euphoric haze along with lyrical and sonic meditations on life, love, society and self-awareness.
The 14th Annual Bowie Bash!
1/10-1/11 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 9:30 p.m. | $20-$29
Reverent Father Lysol Tony-Romeo! Kat People! Major Tom! Foxe Fatale! Blam Blam! President Superman! Johnny Ripper! Hazy Deranged! Rudi Moonshine! Cosmic Urchin! Drag, Burlesque and Puppetry!
YEAH, WHATEVER – Smooth Comedy for a Rough Era
1/10 | Gilman Brewing Company | 912 Gilman St, Berkeley | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $10, 18+
Join host Micheal Foulk (Greetings, from Queer Mountain) for a monthly stand-up comedy night to take the edge off. Things are bad, but comedy and beer are good so join us at Gilman Brewing in Berkeley for a little relief. January Line-Up: Annette Mullaney, Tremane Webb, Rea Kapur, Elisha Tan, Cynthia Ouandji, & Geneva Rust-Orta.
The English Beat
1/10 & 1/11 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $46.29-$51.44, All ages
The English Beat is a band with an energetic mix of musical styles and a sound like no other. The band’s unique sound has allowed it to endure for nearly four decades and appeal to fans, young and old, all over the world.
Danae Hays: The First Time Tour
1/10 | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts | 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa | 8 p.m. | $43.07-$125.67
Alabama-bred and Nashville-based, comedian, actress, and content creator Danae Hays represents a fresh, new female voice in the comedy, acting, and music worlds. Her cast of zany Southern characters and parody of country music songs have pushed her to the top of the Spotify and Apple Music charts, earning her more than 3.6 million followers and nearly 2 billion views.
San Holo
1/10 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $15.60-$60
San Holo, born Sander van Dijck, seamlessly weaves his personal journey into his music. From punk and alt-rock roots that fueled his guitar prowess to emerging as a future bass pioneer during the Soundcloud era, his unique style and candid songwriting have captivated both fans and peers.San Holo’s compositions serve as emotional narratives, inviting listeners to explore the human experience. His live performances, whether at renowned venues or festivals, forge intimate connections with fans who embody his “stay vibrant” philosophy of honesty and mutual support.
Electric Feels: Indie Rock + Indie Dance Party
1/10 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 9 p.m. | $23.92+
Electric Feels is an experiential dance party that features all your favorite Indie Rock + Indie Dance songs all night with amazing DJs, stage production and more!
Saturday, 1/11
A Massive Seance
1/11 | Palace of Fine Arts | 3301 Lyon St, SF | 8 p.m. | $39.50-$59.50
What could possibly go wrong when two skeptical podcasters try to summon a ghost? Join Sarah Marshall of You’re Wrong About and Chelsey Weber-Smith of American Hysteria for a historical, theatrical, ecstatic spectacular for the living and dead. Hold hands with your favorite disembodied voices for a spiritualist séance* featuring fireside conversation, mystifying tricks, special guests, and music from The Little Lies – the only Fleetwood Mac tribute band that may actually be ghosts. This winter, we will release the phantoms of the past year and make room for the spirit of the new.
Marc Maron
1/11 | Uptown Theatre Napa | 1350 3rd St, Napa | 8 p.m. | $44-$70
Marc Maron has released five hit stand-up comedy specials throughout his career. Maron has an incredible reputation in the podcasting world through his landmark podcast “WTF with Marc Maron”. Launched in 2009, this interview-style podcast receives over 100 million listeners every year and has become a phenomenon in the podcasting space, with over 1400 episodes to date. Over the years, Marc has interviewed icons such as US President Barack Obama, Keith Richards, Kate Winslet, and Robin Williams.
State Line Empire, Red Voodoo, Velvet Grave
1/11 | Bottom of the Hill | 1233 17th St, SF | 8:30 p.m. | $13-$15
Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, State Line Empire is an established independent hard rock band with a penchant for writing infectious hooks and controversial narratives. Inspired by daily events and situations around them, State Line Empire unabashedly challenges social norms and the status quo through hard hitting music.
Flash Mob Musical
1/11 | Endgames Improv Theater & Bar | 2965 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. | $16.37
Come see SF’s longest running musical montage group, Flash Mob Musical, as we go from scenes to songs (and sometimes back again). You tell us the title of a song that’s never been sung before, and be prepared to hear it (and some relevant spin-offs) on the spot.
Knockoff Broadway: The Improvised Musical
1/11 | All Out Comedy Theater | 2550 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 9 p.m. | $20-$25
Don’t miss the funniest musical comedy in the Bay Area. Based on your suggestion, Knockoff Broadway improvises an entire hour-long musical that will never be seen again, spontaneously creating every laugh-inducing lyric, every heart-melting melody and every show-stopping song.
Sunday, 1/12
Cameron Esposito
1/12 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 5 p.m. | $43.80-$56.25, 18+
Cameron Esposito (she/they) is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, writer, and host. She is currently developing her new comedy-hybrid special alongside W. Kamau Bell, which follows her mental health journey. Her 2018 special “Rape Jokes” raised over $100,000 for RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, by releasing the special for free and encouraging viewers to donate in lieu of subscribing and watching on a streaming service. The self-financed hour has been praised as “unapologetically hard-hitting, bracingly timely hour” (Vanity Fair), “blistering, masterful, tragic, hilarious” (New York Magazine). A writer from the The Daily Beast who happened to be in the audience hailed the set as “powerful,” “daring and hilarious,” and as “the first great stand-up set of the #metoo era.”
The Art of Flow – Continuous Line Drawing with Meagan Burns
1/12 | Ferry Building | One Ferry Marketplace, SF | 10 a.m. | $78
Join artist and instructor Meagan Burns for The Art of Flow: Continuous Line Drawing at the San Francisco Ferry Building, an immersive, half-day workshop open to all skill levels. With years of experience hosting workshops in cities like Mexico City, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, and Paris, Meagan brings her transformative continuous line practice to the iconic Ferry Building, complete with delicious snacks from a few of its renowned vendors.
Monday, 1/13
Classical at the Freight
1/13 | Freight & Salvage | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 7:30 p.m. | $14-$16
Our annual salute to the Salzburg scribbler, celebrating Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s 269th birthday with a program of chamber music masterpieces. Featuring violinist Hrabba Atladottir, violist Ben Simon, cellist Samsun van Loon and our very special guest, noted Bay Area pianist Robert Schwartz, this concert presents Mozart’s dramatic Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor plus a masterpiece for string trio, the Divertimento in Eb Major.
Don’t forget to check out our Big Bad List of Rad Ongoing Events right here!
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