Arts and CultureNews

Best Bay Area Events 1.21-2.10

The Bay's best newsletter for underground events & news

Coffee & TV
by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor

I’m slowly starting to come out of my hibernation and have some recommendations for your cozy nights in. First of all, Shrinking on Apple TV has quickly joined the ranks with Ted Lasso and Schitt’s Creek as one of my favorite shows. The writing, the characters, the laughter, the tears… Harrison Ford! Just amazing. I recently watched the first season of Night Agent on Netflix, just in time for the release of the second season this week. It drew me in so quickly, I forgot the existence of my phone, which is always a good sign of an intriguing show for me. Finally started Traitors on Peacock after suggestions from more than one friend and I am hooked! So, there you have it. Now, when you’re ready to leave the house… I have some recommendations for you there, as well. Here’s what I’m excited to ditch my sweats for the week of 1/21 and beyond.

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Our Partner’s Events

Dungeons & Dragons Live w/ Forum + Games of Berkeley
1/28 | The Commons, KQED Headquarters | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $24.38

Join KQED’s Forum and Games of Berkeley for a night of live Dungeons & Dragons gameplay! Skilled Bay Area players and special guests bring a thrilling campaign to life onstage, weaving a story of mystery and daring strategy. Experience the storytelling and imagination that have made this role-playing game a cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or curious newcomer, discover how the magic of D&D continues to inspire new generations of players. Get your tickets here.

This Week’s Events 1/21-1/27

Tuesday 1/21

Albert Brooks In Conversation with Kevin Pollak: An SF Sketchfest Tribute
1/21 | Sydney Goldstein Theater | 275 Hayes St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $50-$81

SF Sketchfest is thrilled to pay tribute to the one and only Albert Brooks, who will sit down for an in-depth conversation with Kevin Pollak.

Dua Saleh
1/21 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 8 p.m. | $32.42-$86.49, 21+

The music of LA-based Sudanese-American artist Dua Saleh (they/them) explores the inner self and the world at large. With their long-awaited full-length debut, a collection of R&B-infused electronic indie-pop songs titled I SHOULD CALL THEM, they portray the spiritual power, resilience, and joy of love. Equal parts imaginative and lived-through, it’s a statement record only Saleh could make.

Mary Ocher
1/21 | The Lab | 2948 16th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $23

Ocher is a self-taught punk poet, sound artist, director and visual artist, who toured the whole world and counts artists such as Animal Collective, Sean Lennon, Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and Nan Goldin among her admirers. Her new album joins a series of apocalyptic and politically charged concept albums. Your Guide To Revolution is a joyful ode to hope, released just six months after its predecessor, the edgy and experimental Approaching Singularity: Music for The End of Time.

Wednesday 1/22

Fixit Clinic
1/22 | The Commons, KQED Headquarters | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $18.67

In 2009, Peter Mui, a longtime champion of the Right to Repair movement, launched a Fixit Clinic in Berkeley. These volunteer-run pop-up workshops allow participants to teach each other how to mend broken appliances. Joined by the team behind KQED’s local news podcast The Bay, Mui helps us understand what’s so appealing about the Right to Repair movement, and discusses changes in California law requiring appliance and electronics manufactures to give consumers the tools they need to fix their own stuff. The event will also include a hands-on workshop about how to fix your own broken objects!

Post:Ballet presents Magma
1/22-1/26 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 7 p.m. | $67.98-$80.34

The Midway’s Artist-in-Residence Post:ballet unveils Magma, an evening-length immersive experience inspired by the myth of Cassandra, who was cursed with the power to see the future while no one believed her visions. Told through an ominous, contemporary lens, Magma unfolds across six rooms in The Midway, weaving together an awe-inspiring blend of choreography, text, music, lighting, and projection mapping for a modern day masterpiece by choreographer/director Moscelyne ParkeHarrison.

“A Bright Room Called Day” by Tony Kushner — FREE Staged Reading
1/22 | Madrone Art Bar | 500 Divisadero St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free (Donations)

Community and catharsis for our new era. Work through some of your Inauguration Week feelings at a free staged reading of Tony Kushner’s “A Bright Room Called Day,” a play about five bohemian, artsy friends in 1930s Berlin, reacting to the rise of Hitler.

Tim Heidecker: Slipping Away Tour
1/22 | Bimbo’s 365 Club | 1025 Columbus Ave, SF | 8 p.m. | 1025 Columbus Ave, SF | $48.88-$129.74

Tim Heidecker makes music to be understood. The multi-hyphenate comedian and songwriter, working with his seasoned touring band, wrote a series of songs that tap into universal anxieties, familiar settings, and, occasionally, a blast of apocalyptic unease. On Slipping Away, a father-daughter trip to a ballgame might spiral into a reflection on the random lottery of fame; a walk into town can induce a nightmarish vision of a world without people and the lifelong struggle between man and society. Even the simple act of making music, as portrayed in the cleverly constructed writer’s block anthem “Well’s Running Dry,” can lead to an earnest reflection on insecurity and aging.

Thursday 1/23

FOG Design+Art 2025
1/23-1/26 | Fort Mason Center | 2 Marina Blvd, SF | 7 p.m. | $35-$20,000 

Bringing together an international roster of leading contemporary design and art galleries, FOG Design+Art 2025 presents nearly 60 prominent exhibitors at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture. In addition to the exhibitions on view, the FOG Fair once again presents FOG Talks, a programming series that explores ideas and issues relevant to the fields of art, design, aesthetics, and the contemporary world, in the FOG Theater.

Dragcula
1/23-1/25 | OASIS | 298 11th St, SF | 7 p.m. | $38.90-$55.28, 21+

Lovingly lampooning the 1930s Universal horror classic, DRAGCULA celebrates the undeniably charismatic vampire at the heart of Bram Stoker’s original text while incorporating the kink subcultures of the SoMa Historic Leather District. Presented in living grayscale with bright bursts of blood red, and featuring goth and rock hits from the 1980s, this Drag-sical breaks the boundaries of a fourth wall to invite us all into the debauchery. Come celebrate Queer and Trans empowerment at SoMa’s artistic clubhouse, the fabulous Oasis!

ScHoolboy Q
1/23 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $54.25-$261

This new abum features Q’s most precise, economical writing to date and injects new emotions and tones seemingly at will. It’s the kind of record that could only be made by someone who has mastered his skillset—and knows exactly what he wants to say. And what ScHoolboy Q wants to say is that it’s time to keep our eyes on the horizon. “Whatever happened in the past isn’t today,” he says. “I can’t really fix it. But I can fix today and tomorrow.”

Micro Mania Wrestling
1/23 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $20-$35

Micro Mania Tour is a high powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with just the right touch of comedy thrown in to make for a unforgettable Big event not necessarily Big people!! These 5 foot & under micro athletes may be short in stature but are giants in the world of entertainment where they will keep you on your feet screaming from the opening bell through the Main Event!

Support Women DJs: Open Decks Night
1/23 | Monarch | 101 6th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, 21+

Open Decks is a creative & safe space where women, femme, non-binary, and trans DJs can dance, mingle, and practice their sets live. Bring your friends to dance and support you during your set! We particularly want to uplift our women, femme, non-binary, and trans DJs behind the decks, but all are very welcome to dance, support and vibe with us.

Friday 1/24

8th Annual Playground Solo Performance Festival
1/24-2/9 | Potrero Stage | 1695 18th St, SF | 7 p.m. | Free, Suggested Donation $10-$30

PlayGround has announced the lineup for its eighth annual PlayGround Solo Performance Festival, a curation of the best in Bay Area solo performance, running January 24-February 9, 2025 (Fri-Sun), presented live at San Francisco’s Potrero Stage and simulcast online. The festival of new solo work features 18 double-bill performances by twelve California artists over three weeks, including Diana Brown, Ben Chau-Chiu, Elijah Jalil Paz Fisher, Safiya Fredericks, Jon Gentry, Steve Harper, Ric Iverson, Lucy London, Daniel Martinez Jr., Aaron Pang, Tansu Philip, and Miyoko Sakatani.

Good Ol’ American Satire
1/24-1/26 | Church of Clown | 2400 Bayshore Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $20-$40

Inauguration gotcha down? Head over to the Church you wish was married to state, Church of Clown, for Good Ol’ American Satire: an evening of political comedy by clowns and queens you’ll love to hate while they fly our Americana Pride high in the sky.

Celebration of Iranian Cinema: Empty Nets
1/24 | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | 701 Mission St, SF | 6:30 p.m. | $10

Experience the vibrant world of Iranian cinema at the UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema, featuring some of the most acclaimed Iranian films of the year making their San Francisco premiere. Join us for a remarkable journey through stories that inspire, challenge, and captivate.

Kash Doll
1/24 | The UC Theatre | 2036 University Av, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $79.50-$132

Kash Doll is a Detroit-born rapper and actress who has made a significant impact in the music industry over the last decade. Known for her confident delivery and unapologetic style, she first rose to prominence with hits like “For Everybody” and “Ice Me Out.” Beyond music, she has made waves with her roles on Starz’s BMF and BET’s Diarra from Detroit, and she continues to influence through her philanthropy with her nonprofit, Fairy Boss Mother. Kash Doll is a commanding presence both in and out of the spotlight.

Live Punk Band Karaoke
1/24 | Kilowatt Bar | 3160 16th St, SF | 8 p.m. | Free, 21+

Sing punk songs with a live band on stage!!

Tom Segura: Come Together
1/24 | Chase Center | 1 Warriors Way, SF | 7:30 pm. | $29.50-$189.95, 16+

Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business.Your Mom’s House Studios is home to his hit podcasts Your Mom’s House which he co-hosts with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky, 2 Bears 1 Cave which he co-hosts with Bert Kreischer, and many more podcasts that draw millions of listeners each week.

Saturday 1/25

Pink Flamingo (Drag & Burlesque) Bingo
1/25 | 540 Rogues | 540 Clement St, SF | 4 p.m. | No Cover

Pink Flamingo is back with our first show of the year!! And this time it’s on Saturday January 25th. We’ll have: Bingo!  Burlesque!  Drag!  Drink Specials! Filth! Glamour! Prizes!

Gary Hutton: Designing For Collections
1/25 | Museum of Craft and Design | 2569 3rd St, SF | 11 a.m. | $30-$40

Join the Museum of Craft and Design and renowned Bay Area interior designer Gary Hutton in celebrating San Francisco Art Week. A longtime friend and museum collaborator, Hutton will explore MCD’s current exhibition, Ruglife, through the lens of his extensive career.

Crazy Cat Ladies: Comedy and Art Show
1/25 | Helvella Art |  850 42nd Ave #2H, Oakland | 6 p.m. | Free

An all-star, all-female comedy showcase AND a cat-themed art show in the same evening? Meow you’re talking! Take in a stunning gallery show by talented emerging artists and laugh the night away with some of the Bay Area’s most hiss-terical comedians at this unique art and comedy event.

Denm
1/25 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $34.46-41.15, All ages

The genre-bending, SoCal musician, songwriter, and producer blends a unique recipe of hazy daze optimism and suburban beach influence into a modern-day melting pot of hip-hop beats, dubby rhythms, and catchy vocal hooks with a bonafide street mentality. DENM possesses the edge and wit of an artist aware of the realities of society, while addressing his own personal values and tongue in cheek commentary on the quest for the American Dream.

Midnight Serenades: Music by Women and Nonbinary Composers
1/25 | Center for New Music | 55 Taylor St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | Free-$17.85

Award-winning San Francisco contemporary chamber music group Ensemble for These Times (E4TT) performs the sixth edition of its annual favorite: music by women and nonbinary composers and the second year of its collaboration with Luna Composition Lab, featuring composers chosen in the 2023 E4TT/Luna Composition Lab Call for Scores.

Doughboys with Mike Mitchell + Nick Wiger
1/25 | Palace of Fine Arts | 3301 Lyon St, SF | 4 p.m. | $42.46-$64.16

Doughboys is the award-winning Best Food Podcast featured on “Good Morning America” and “The Simpsons.” Hosts and longtime frenemies Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger review chain restaurants and bicker about absolutely everything.

Sunday 1/26

L.A. Fire Department Foundation Benefit Concert
1/26 | Hopmonk Tavern Novato | 224 Vintage Way, Novato | 12:30 p.m. | $50-$5,000

This event will raise vital funds for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation to help provide vital equipment and fund critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities. The day-long concert aims to make a meaningful impact and feature performances by The Brothers Comatose (Duo), Terrier, The Sam Chase, Laurie Lewis, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Fantastic Negrito, John Elliott, Megan Slankard, Shana Morrison, Danny Click, Sean Hayes, Petty Theft, Walking Mirrors, and Greg Loiacono.

66th Annual White Elephant Preview Sale
1/26 | Oakland Museum of California | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | 9 a.m. | $50

The White Elephant Sale (WES), is a Bay Area tradition and the largest rummage sale in Northern California. Organized by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, WES  is the biggest annual fundraising event benefiting the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). The sale returns for the 2025 season starting with its Preview Sale on January 26, and runs through the beginning of March.

19 Voices in Solidarity Fundraising Event for ACLU
1/26 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 4 p.m. | $18.07-$43.82, 21+

19 amazing artists performing in solidarity to help protect our fundamental freedoms. Featuring: Aireene Espiritu, Amelia Ray, Azere Wilson, Cecilia Long, Deborah Crooks, Emily Bonn, Jaeger & Reid, The Keller Sisters, Laura Benitez, Maggie Forti, Marina Crouse, + more tba.

Lewis Black
1/26 | The Masonic | 1111 California St, SF | 7 p.m. | $59-$287.35, 18+

A bittersweet farewell tour by comedian Lewis Black.

Monday 1/27

Masta Killa Of Wu Tang Clan
1/27 | Yoshi’s Oakland | 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $34-$69

Masta Killa, is a rapper and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The lyricist has been prolific on Clan group albums and solo projects since the mid-1990s. He released his debut album No Said Date in 2004 to positive reviews and has since released three additional albums.

The Magic Game Show
1/27 | O’Reily’s Pub | 1840 Haight St, SF | 8 p.m. | $22.09

Join us at O’Reilly’s Pub the last Monday of the month for The Magic Game Show, a first-of-its-kind trivia-meets-magic experience! Your $20 ticket includes the ability to play the game live on your phone. The winners of each of three rounds will win a small prize, be invited on stage to compete for an additional prize, and then face off against each other in one final round for a gift card to the bar and a free ticket to the next show so that you can defend your title! And yes, in the middle of the show there is a full stage magic performance.

The Week of 1/28-2/3

Tuesday 1/28

Booked and Beautiful
1/28 | Koret Auditorium Main Library | 100 Larkin St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Booked and Beautiful is a recurring series of unfiltered, unapologetically Queer and Trans-focused programs in the style of your favorite TV talk show. Featuring conversation, performance, video and audience participation!  Your new favorite host SNJV, mistress of many arts, brings his sparkle and shine to the library for a new talk-show-style program featuring conversations with the boldest change agents of the queer and trans community. Our inaugural edition features VERA!, Armenian-American drag king and dancer. Hold on to your wigs!

The Music of The Kids in the Hall
1/28 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $45-$95

Legendary sketch troupe The Kids in the Hall has been a staple of SF Sketchfest — in one way or another— for 20 years, but this is the first time we’re bringing you a show spotlighting the extraordinary, hilarious, strange, and beloved music of this groundbreaking group. Spend an evening of songs and sketches with Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Scott Thompson, and some of your favorite KITH characters, who will be accompanied by San Francisco’s own Red Room Orchestra: a collective of popular, jazz, classical, and electronic composers and performers who’ve played and recorded alongside some of the most iconic bands in history.

Wednesday 1/29

Houndmouth
1/29 | The UC Theatre | 2036 University Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $38.50-$44.75

Houndmouth is an American alternative blues band from New Albany, Indiana led by Matt Myers (guitar, vocals). SPIN and Esquire.com named Houndmouth a “must-see” band at Lollapalooza, and Garden & Gun said, “You’d be hard pressed to find a more effortless, well-crafted mix of roots and rock this year than the debut album from this Louisville quartet.”

Long Now Salon Talk: A Philosophy Of Planetary Computation
1/29 | Fort Mason Center | 2 Marina Blvd, SF | 6:30 p.m. | $28.52-$108.55

The Long Now Foundation presents a “A Philosophy Of Planetary Computation: From Antikythera to Synthetic Intelligence” with Benjamin Bratton in the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center For Arts & Culture. Speaker Benjamin Bratton is Professor of Philosophy of Technology and Speculative Design at the University of California, San Diego. His current book projects address the history of planetary technologies, the evolutionary paradox of intelligence, a formal theory of artificialization, and the paradigmatic conjunction of biology and technology.

Songs Of The Arcana
1/29 | The Eleventh House | 7 Bolinas Rd, Firfax | 7 p.m. | Sliding Scale $12.51-$17.85

Together, we will explore key Tarot cards, delving into their meanings, history, and rich symbolism. With time for meditation, journaling, and group sharing, allowing you to reflect on how these archetypes resonate within your own life, followed by music from local and award winning pop priestess Tess Posner, who will perform songs crafted specifically for each of the cards, offering a musical experience that helps us connect deeply with the card’s energy and themes.

Rickie Lee Jones
1/29 & 1/30 | Freight & Salvage | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $64-$84

Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner who has been inspiring pop culture for decades. Named the “premiere song-stylist and songwriter of her generation” by The New Yorker, and “The Duchess of Coolsville” by Time magazine. The Independent writes, “There has always been something defiant about Rickie Lee Jones . . . a voice from a dream, elusive yet familiar, transcendent, a messenger from another place.”

Thursday 1/30

Nemahsis
1/30 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 8 p.m. | $38.08, 21+

A rising Palestinian-Canadian singer and songwriter, Nemahsis captivates audiences with her powerful voice and personal lyrics. Her music explores themes of identity and belonging, often drawing on her experiences as a hijabi, Muslim woman. This year, she released her debut album Verbathim to much critical acclaim; a project that has been lauded by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Lorde, and Imogen Heap among many others. Her lead single, “stick of gum” was slated as Spotify’s best song of 2024 behind Kendrick Lamar.

Peninsula Bridge + Neighborhood Crime Wave
1/30 | The Guild Theatre | 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | 6:30 p.m. | $147.17, All ages

Enjoy upbeat hits direct from your favorite mixtape by local cover band Neighborhood Crime Wave while connecting with friends, both old and new. Ticket proceeds from the event will benefit Peninsula Bridge, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering highly motivated, low-income students to achieve college and career success through individualized support and transformational educational opportunities. Come cut footloose with us at this party with a purpose and help support the dreams of our community’s deserving students!

Profs & Pints Alameda: Nosferatu and Erotic Horror
1/30 | Faction Brewing | 2501 Monarch St, Alameda | 6 p.m. | $13.50-$17

Profs and Pints Alameda presents: “Nosferatu and Erotic Horror,” on a film vampire’s many lives and seductive powers, with Michael Chemers, director of the Center for Monster Studies and professor and chair of the Department of Performance, Play, and Design at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Join Professor Michael Chemers, a scholar of monsters and horror who has extensively studied Nosferatu and other vampire films, for a look at the history of Nosferatu and what it tells us about horror, hatred, ourselves, and our desires.

Go Tech Yourself
1/30 | Endgames Improv Theater & Bar | 2965 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. | $17.35

Get ready for a night of unscripted hilarity at “Go Tech Yourself”! A team of comedians pitch the craziest, absurd, and most unnecessary app ideas provided by the audience that no sane person would ever productize, and show the audience through improv just why it should never hit the market! Join us for this one-of-a-kind improv comedy show where tech meets comedy in the most ridiculous way. Whether you’re a tech geek or just love a good laugh, you won’t want to miss this night!

Friday 1/31

Quarter Century Tech GigaParty
1/31 | Temple | 540 Howard St, SF | 5 p.m. | $35-$3000

Join the largest VC Event happening in 2025! Investors from Sequoia, A16z, Khosla Ventures, Softbank and many more will be joining! Over 2,000+ founders, VCs, and tech visionaries are coming together for an unforgettable evening of futuristic experiences, forward-thinking conversations, immersive art, cutting-edge demos, and non-stop music!

Fake TED Talks
1/31 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7 p.m. & 9:45 p.m. | $54.80-$67.10, 18+

Enjoy Fake TED Talks with Jonathan Coulton, Molly Lewis, Paul & Storm, Adam Savage and more.

Shwayze
1/31 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $33.43-124.50

Raised on the beaches of Southern California, Aaron Smith is a rapper, actor, musician, and father who became known to the world simply as Shwayze following a massive music breakout in 2008. The past decade has boasted an impressive resume including a top 10 album, Billboard chart topping singles including ‘Buzzin’ and ‘Corona & Lime,’ a rock-doc reality show on MTV, and a number of roles in feature films and major network television- all while living on the road much of the year touring the world. Shwayze continues to perform around the world and each year he finds new territories and fanbases to connect with.

Andrew Santino: Freeze Peach Tour
1/31 | Palace of Fine Arts | 3301 Lyon St, SF | 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m. | $49.50-$59.50

Andrew Santino is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Santino produces and hosts the podcast Whiskey Ginger, where he interviews friends in the entertainment industry as they reflect on their past while sipping whiskey. In 2020, Santino began co-hosting the Bad Friends podcast with Bobby Lee.

Flamenco a Las 8 with Melissa Cruz
1/31 | Rhythmix Cultural Works | 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda | 8 p.m. | $32-$114

This performance of Flamenco a las 8 features Kalifeña, a music and dance ensemble directed by Melissa Cruz, inspired by an idea to unite voices of women who, despite their diverse backgrounds, have a thread of commonality between them – the study of flamenco, the art form from Andalucía, Spain deemed by UNESCO as a treasure of World Cultural Heritage. Kalifeña melds original compositions and traditional flamenco styles with flamenco dance as its cornerstone.

Miss Kittin
1/31 | Monarch | 101 6th St, SF | 9 p.m. | $37.18, 21+

Caroline Hervé, aka Miss Kittin, is a pioneering DJ and electronic music icon from Grenoble. While she’s released multiple albums, her true passion remains DJing. Since 1994, she’s captivated audiences with her genre-defying sets, moving seamlessly from acid techno to electro and experimental beats. Her unique ability to blend tracks and create unforgettable atmospheres has made her a beloved club figure.

Saturday 2/1

Rare Books San Francisco
2/1-2/2 | Fort Mason Center, Gateway Pavilion | 2 Marina Blvd, SF | 10 a.m. | $15-$44.52, All ages

This literary event brings with it a Regency-era flare in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of revered English novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817). With support from AbeBooks and KQED, this celebration of antiquarian books, rare maps, fine printing, ephemera, and artists’ books, for the first time, includes a selection of independent writers, artists, and creators curated by San Francisco Zine Fest.

Foster The People, Good Neighbours
2/1 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. | $62.10-$178.80, All ages

Foster the People is an American indie pop band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009. After Foster’s song “Pumped Up Kicks” became a viral success in 2010, the group received a record deal from Startime International and gained a fanbase through small club shows and appearances at music festivals.

Middle Aged Dad Jam Band with Ken Marino & David Wain
2/1 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $45-$125

The Middle Aged Dad Jam Band (sometimes called MadJam) is an American garage band led by members of the comedy troupe The State. Its principals include vocalist Ken Marino, drummer David Wain, guitarist Frank Barrera, bassist Sweet Teddy P, keyboardist Jon Spurney, trumpeter Jordan Katz, and Wain’s son Henry on saxophone.

Lyrics Born
2/1 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 9 p.m. | $32.42, 21+

Lyrics Born relocated to the United States from his birthplace of Toyko, Japan right around the time Hip Hop was exploding on the East Coast.LB has obliterated the stereotypes of what an MC is “supposed to” look like and captured the hearts of countless fans who gravitate to his distinctive voice. He’s now the only Asian-American MC to release 10 studios albums and the first to play major music festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Cobweb Cabaret
2/1 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 9 p.m. | $28-$45, 18+

Eclectic burlesque at its finest from the top talents in the biz. Get caught in the web with spine tingling high glamor at Cobweb Cabaret. Featuring Emma Vauxdevil, Reina La Rouge, Jessabelle Thunder, Yayah and Kaigodlike! Hosted by Tito Bonito.

Sunday 2/2

10th Annual Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Black History Month Celebration
2/2 | Freight & Salvage | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 1 p.m. | $21.50-$34.00

Join us for a powerful musical journey that honors African American history, blending the depth of traditional and contemporary gospel with the stirring authenticity of Negro spirituals rarely heard outside the South. Feel the spirit and energy of OIGC up close in this intimate setting—an annual fan favorite that fills up fast.

Simple Ceramics: Handbuild Your Own Tea or Coffee Mugs
2/2 | Workshop | 1310 Haight St, SF | 12 p.m. | $89.75

In this beginner-friendly class from our Simple Ceramics series, ceramics designer Bri Santo will walk you through the steps to transform a slab of clay into two lovely and fully functional mugs! Bri will instruct you on how to use fundamental pottery tools and specific hand-building techniques as she helps you carve out your base and mug walls and put its final form together.

Hidden Brain: An Evening with Shankar Vedantam
2/2 | Curran Theatre | 445 Geary St, SF | 7 p.m. | $58.50-$78.50, All ages

Are there parts of our minds that are hidden from us? This question launched the Hidden Brain podcast ten years ago. Since then, the program has helped millions of listeners accomplish their goals, improve their relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of their emotions. Now, host and creator Shankar Vedantam brings seven key insights from the first decade of Hidden Brain to the stage. Whether you’re new to the show or a longtime listener, this evening of science and storytelling will change how you think about yourself.

Jill Sobule
2/2 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 7 p.m. | $25-$30, 21+

The Denver-born songwriter/guitarist/singer’s work is at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and derisively tragic. While her songs cover expansive thematic ground, they benefit greatly from Jill’s subtle intelligence and skillful light-handedness. No sloganeering flag-and-fist waving here, but rather portrait-&-story songs about human beings, real and imagined, which allow us to step back from the issues they tackle, be they individual or societal, and to relate to them as we would to a close friend.

Monday 2/3

Lo Moon
2/3 | Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell ST, SF | 7 p.m. | $17-$20, All ages

The nomadic, self-taught, soul searching troubadour has effectively and dynamically been able to disassemble the idea of an artist needing to be accredited to be accomplished. With an old soul and a fresh perspective, he has cultivated soundscapes and wave therapy on some of the musical worlds biggest stages such as Newport Jazz Festival, TEDx, and NPR while simultaneously staying steadfast in his belief of authentic quality over quantity.

The Week of 2/4-2/10

Tuesday 2/4

Behind the Aria with San Francisco Opera
2/4 | The Commons, KQED Headquarters | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $41.52

Music Director Eun Sun Kim and General Director Matthew Shilvock join Forum‘s Mina Kim about the artistry and passion that make this Bay Area institution beloved. The maestro will share behind-the-scenes footage of her recent production of Lohengrin from documentary filmmaker Elena Park, and she’ll discuss how she interprets timeless works alongside live performances by the Opera’s young resident artists, the Adler Fellows. Discover the San Francisco Opera’s inspiring vision for the future of the art form as it prepares to unveil its next season.

The Vaccines
2/4 | The Fillmore | 1805 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $48

The Vaccines are an English indie rock band, formed in West London in 2010 by Justin Hayward-Young and Freddie Cowan. The band currently consists of Young (lead vocals, guitars), Árni Árnason (bass, vocals), Timothy Lanham (guitars, keys, vocals) and Yoann Intonti (drums). The band’s debut album was the best-selling debut album of 2011 in the United Kingdom, drawing comparisons to the Ramones, the Strokes, and the Jesus and Mary Chain.

L’Impératrice, Erick the Architect
2/4 & 2/5 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $56.25

The whimsical, stylized disco of French alternative dance group L’Impératrice was the brainchild of keyboardist/composer Charles de Boisseguin. After releasing a series of EPs beginning in 2012 and adding a dedicated singer along the way, the band issued their first album, Matahari, in 2018. They followed up with Tako Tsubo in 2021. Erick the Architect is a celebrated artist and a sought-after collaborator. As a founding member and primary producer of Flatbush Zombies, Erick has accomplished some incredible feats including 900 million streams across all platforms, Billboard 200 debuts and performing at of the world’s most prestigious festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza.

Wednesday 2/5

The Moth StorySLAM: Love Hurts
2/5 | Freight & Salvage | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 7 p.m. | $20

Tonight’s theme is… LOVE HURTS: Prepare a five-minute tale about a love that made you go OUCH. The agony of deferred love! The misery of good love, gone bad! The anguish of one-way love! Bring stories of your heart, kicked to the curb by the people or places or things you love…or used to love. Love that “Hurts So Good” also welcome.

Dopethrone, CHRCH
2/5 | Bottom of the Hill | 1233 17th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $20-$25, 21+

Dopethrone is a three piece band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Active since 2008, this DIY band is known for their abrasive mix of sludge and doom with lyrics based in the self destruction, cannabis, sleazy drug abuse, and the macabre. Influenced by rock n roll, punk, black metal, and blues, the band refers to their music as “Slutch”, the Canadian term for cold sludge, a.k.a. dirty mud snow. They once described it as “frozen sludge, snow covered in addiction, blood, tears, and broken dreams”.

Joe Mande
2/5 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $32.05-$56.25, 18+

Writer/comedian/actor Joe Mande is currently an EP on the award-winning HBO Max show HACKS. He also recurs on HACKS, and has appeared on shows like PARKS AND REC, KROLL SHOW, and MODERN FAMILY. Writing credits include all four seasons of THE GOOD PLACE on NBC, three seasons on PARKS AND RECREATION as well as MASTER OF NONE on Netflix, FOREVER on Amazon, and KROLL SHOW on Comedy Central. His new one hour special, “CHILL” can be seen on Hulu.

Thursday 2/6

Bright Eyes
2/6 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $66.75-$150

Five Dice, All Threes is a record of uncommon intensity and tenderness, communal exorcism and personal excavation. These are, of course, qualities that fans have come to expect from Bright Eyes, nearly three decades into their career. The tight-knit band of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott tends to operate in distinct sweeping movements: each unique in its sound and story but unified by a sense of ambition and ever-growing emotional stakes. I will definitely be at this show!

Nick Swardson
2/6-2/8 | San Jose Improv | 62 S Second St, San Jose | 8 p.m. | $43.19-$113.80, 21+

A comedian, actor, writer and producer, Nick Swardson has found success on the small and silver screens as well as the live stage. His unique comedic view has made him a regular guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Conan.

NightLife: Black Thursday
2/6 | California Academy of Sciences | 55 Music Concourse Dr, SF | 6 p.m. | $24.95, 21+

In honor of Black History Month, we’re hosting our second annual celebration of Black joy, featuring a night full of energetic dance, soulful live music, a marketplace with 20+ Black-owned local businesses, and a whole lot more.

Benjamin Booker
2/6 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 8 p.m. | $22-$25

The last place you’ll find Benjamin Booker is where he was yesterday. The artist grew up in a woodsy trailer park on the outskirts of Tampa overlooking a sewage plant, surrounded by rebel flags and religious fanaticism.  Eventually, he found his way to the local DIY punk scene, a welcomed escape, and never looked back.His new album, LOWER, mixes experimental hip hop, dream and noise pop, and singer-songwriter music into something that is entirely his own.

Friday 2/7

HOME a solo exhibition by LADY MAGS
2/7-4/1 | 111 Minna Gallery | 111 Minna St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free

Lady Mags has been a graffiti writer since the early 2000s, gaining her chops in her home town of New York City. She really took off in 2006, when she started painting track sides in Chicago and then all over the world. Painting art in the street and large scale fine art pieces are her passion. Over the last two decades, Lady Mags has painted thousands of graffiti pieces in alleys, tunnels, trains, walls and more.

The Infinite Wrench
2/7 & 2/8 | 447 Minna | 447 Minna St, SF | 9 p.m. | $10.12-$28.16

50 weekends a year, the critically-acclaimed San Francisco Neo-Futurists present The Infinite Wrench, an attempt to perform 30 bite-sized plays in a frantic race against the clock, in an order determined by you, the audience. Each week, the ensemble offers up new plays ranging from the personal, to the political, to the profoundly WTF, all truthful and inspired by the lived experiences of the performers. With The Infinite Wrench, the SF Neo-Futurists promise to break the fourth wall and maybe your heart but never your wallet.

Liquid Stranger
2/7 & 2/8 | The Regency Ballroom | 1300 Van Ness Ave, SF | 9 p.m. | $43.31-$66.57, 18+

Renowned for his metamorphic capabilities and expertly crafted sonic adventures, Liquid Stranger has mastered his ability to slip in and out of genres all while honing his own personal style. Liquid Stranger has earned his reputation for exuding incommensurable talent and taking audiences on a soul-stirring aural journey of genre-bending beats on the dance floor.

Analog Dog
2/7 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 9 p.m. | $27.27

Analog Dog makes genre fluid music in San Francisco, USA. Formed in 2019 & hailing from all corners of the country, the band came together in and around the hallowed musical breeding grounds of Golden Gate Park, with an intention of breaking free from the modern malaise and putting on transcendent live performances. Having once been described as ‘the sound of the 70s, but from the future’, Analog Dog’s music is steeped in vintage allure while simultaneously embracing modern indie pop / nu-disco / jazz fusion soundscapes.

Saturday 2/8

Lovers Lane 2025
2/8 | Balmy Alley | Balmy Alley & 25th St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free

This Valentine’s Day weekend, Balmy Alley will come alive with the art, music, and community spirit as Lovers Lane 2025 rings in its 4th annual cultural event. This highly anticipated one-day event is more than just a
street fair; it’s a community celebration of love, unity, and creativity, capturing the hearts of the Mission District.

Fungi Walk in the Presidio
2/8 | Presidio Visitor Center | 210 Lincoln Blvd, SF | 10 a.m. | Free w/ Registration

Join us for an easy and adventurous walk in the Presidio to learn about and find local fungi! This event is grounded in curiosity, a sense of wonder, and the joy of tuning into nature with all our senses.  We’ll be joined by local naturalists, who will provide short and interactive talks about the incredible world of fungi, like how to identify fungi, how the mycelium network works, indigenous and medicinal uses, and a short history of foraging.  And we’ll search for fungi specimens throughout the walk, too!

Cursive
2/8 | August Hall | 420 Mason St, SF | 8:30 p.m. | $39.75

Very few bands manage to last decades, and for the ones that do, it’s often easy to settle down and get a little too comfortable. But there’s nothing comfortable about Devourer, the explosive new album from Cursive. The iconic Omaha group is known for their intensity, ambition, and execution, and has spent 30 years creating a bold discography that’s defined as much by its cathartic sound as its weighty, challenging lyrical themes. And Devourer is as daring as ever. Full of intense and incisive songs, the album proves exactly why Cursive have been so influential and enduring–and why they remain so vital today.

2nd Saturdays: “Literary-Core Bards” ft Stephanie Strange Ants Fujinaga, E.G. Phillips
2/8 | Bazaar Café | 5927 California St, SF | 7 p.m. | Free

Portland based Stephanie Strange is the Conductress and lead singer of Strange & the Familiars, who have for years been telling tall tales about lost people with unusual abilities, dark friends from unexpected places, and warnings from the wordless. Heavily inspired by the work of literary and comic book artists, Stephanie’s songs come from the wildest woods to the littlest cages. She straddles the line between rock opera and musical theatre storytelling while exploring the dark and fantastical places in the human mind.

Valentine’s Extravaganza
2/8 | The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square | 335 Powell St, SF | 7 p.m. | $23.18-$44.52

Get ready to dance the night away to your favorite hits while dressed in your finest attire! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends and perhaps even a romantic partner as we celebrate Valentine’s Day together.

Sunday 2/9

Dilla Day
2/9 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 2 p.m. | $24.72

Join us for a special celebration honoring the legendary J Dilla at Dilla Day S.F. on February 9th, 2025, at The Midway in San Francisco. This unforgettable event will feature an appearance by J Dilla’s mom, Ma Dukes, alongside an incredible lineup of artists, DJs, and special guests.

Goldford: Orange Blossoms Us Tour
2/9 | The New Parish | 1743 San Pablo Ave, Oakland | 8 p.m. | $28.55

Join GoldFord on his debut Orange Blossoms US tour as he brings his soulful anthems, new songs, and fan favorites to the stage, creating unforgettable nights of music and connection.

Everything Goes Cold
2/9 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $15-$20

Everything Goes Cold forcibly and indignantly amalgamates influences from the full spectrum of classic American guitar-based industrial music with a modern sensibility and foul attitude that makes the lead singer of your favorite terror EBM band look and smell like your great-grandfather after a long day in the sun. Everything Goes Cold will freeze you to death and tear your face off. Maybe they already have. We’re fairly certain you had more face before, and you should probably put on a coat.

Monday 2/10

Cowboy Bebop LIVE, Bebop Bounty Big Band
2/10 | August Hall | 420 Mason St, SF | 8 p.m. | $50.53-$127.60

“Cowboy Bebop Live” is a multimedia concert experience that brings the iconic anime series “Cowboy Bebop” to life on the big screen by performing its acclaimed jazz soundtrack live with the “Bebop Bnty Big Band” while key moments from the anime play alongside the music, creating an immersive journey through the show’s story and characters.

Gender Reveal Podcast presents: Gender Ordeal
2/10 | El Rio | 3158 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. | $15

For seven years, Tuck Woodstock has hosted the beloved trans podcast Gender Reveal. Now, we dare to ask the question: What if instead of interviews and guests and thoughtful analysis, Gender Reveal was a series of high-concept games and bits presented by Tuck and his two most available friends? Expect comics (both kinds), historical personal ads, lightly coerced transitioning, and something called Jeremiah AFAB Sweatpants. No prior podcast knowledge needed, but being gay is encouraged.

Don’t forget to check out our Big Bad List of Rad Ongoing Events right here!

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Vanessa Gil

Vanessa Gil