Arts and CultureNews

Best Bay Area Events 1/28-2/17

The Bay's best newsletter for underground events & news

Bay Area Artist Kota Ezawa’s
Here and There 
 Now and Then

Remember the eerie sight of the COVID-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship entering the Bay in early March 2020, before statewide stay-at-home orders were issued? Or the powerful images of canoes paddling around Alcatraz in 2019? Artist Kota Ezawa brings these gripping moments back into view with a new site-specific exhibition, Here and There — Now and Then, currently on view through March 9, 2025, in Gallery 308 at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture (FMCAC). Get your tickets here.

Hour Follows Hour
by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor

I took myself on a date the other night to see Ani DiFranco at The Fillmore. It had been months since my last show and over a decade since the last time I saw Ani… at this exact venue. I was overdue and I’m so glad I went. I’ve been to plenty of shows alone, especially over this past year, but that night was the first time I felt at complete ease, not self-conscious. There’s nothing like the crowd at Ani concerts. So welcoming and I appreciate them for that warmth. I made friends with the people around me and we shared stories about our favorite Ani songs or moments. I cried while she performed her song, “As Is”. It was beautiful. The opener, Joy Clark, is not a performer to sleep on! If you haven’t heard either of these musicians work, check them out… if you have, it may be time for a revisit. Concerts are seriously like going to church for me and last night did so much good for my soul. If you’re looking for your own soul-lifting experience, here’s what I suggest for the week of 1/28 and beyond.

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This Week’s Events 1/28-2/3

Tuesday 1/28

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.

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

Atomic Love
1/30-3/1 | 200 Channels | 111 6th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $40+

Step into our cyber-sultry playground inspired by your most indecent blacklight fantasies. Set as a forbidden synth-wave nightclub filled with UV lights, surrender to pure synthetic ecstasy and come celebrate love in all its electric forms.

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

From The Bay To LA Fundraiser
2/2 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 2 p.m. | $20.00, 21+

Music Connects Foundation invites you to join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music, community, and support at “From the Bay to LA,” a fundraiser benefiting artists impacted by the Southern California wildfires. On Sunday, February 2nd, from 2 PM to 8 PM, The Midway in San Francisco will transform into a hub of good vibes and giving back. We’re bringing together some of the Bay Area’s finest DJs, all generously donating their time and talent to help raise funds for wildfire relief.

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.

The Week of 2/11-2/17

Tuesday 2/11

Bill Gates with Dax Shepard – Source Code: My Beginnings
2/11 | Curran Theatre | 445 Geary St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $75- $175 (includes book)

In this one-night-only event, join Bill Gates as he discusses his first ever memoir, Source Code, in conversation with Dax Shepard.

Mustafa
2/11 | Palace of Fine Arts | 3301 Lyon St, SF | 8 p.m. | $30-$40 

Dunya, the title of Mustafa’s masterfully crafted and breathtakingly tender full-length debut, roughly translates from Arabic to “the world in all its flaws.” It’s a lofty subject for a young songwriter, but as with every theme at the heart of the Sudanese-Canadian artist’s work—from religious devotion to childhood trauma, gang violence to romantic intimacy—he approaches it through a personal lens. Blending genres and moods, weaving novelistic details into instantly memorable folk songs, he has crafted a record that feels like a series of personal breakthroughs, arriving one after the other.

Wednesday 2/12

Back to the Future: The Musical
2/12-3/19 | Orpheum Theatre | 1192 Market St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $60+

Great Scott! BACK TO THE FUTURE, the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. When BACK TO THE FUTURE hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever.

Exhibition Opening Mélanie Courtinat: The Siren
2/12 | Gray Area | 2665 Mission St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free

Gray Area is pleased to present Mélanie Courtinat: The Siren, a solo exhibition and the US premiere of a new video game work by French artist Mélanie Courtinat. Join us in the Gray Area Gallery on February 12 for an opening reception and guided playthrough with curator Wade Wallerstein.

Artist Talk with Seonna Hong
2/12 | Soda Activity Center: Moraga Room | 1928 St. Marys Rd, Moraga | Free

This event will spotlight Seonna Hong in conversation with Hashimoto Contemporary Director Dasha Matsuura. Hong’s memory landscapes are featured in her upcoming exhibition, “Past Lives,” which traces and interprets Hong’s personal totems and magical thinking as she uncovers traditions and folklore from her Korean heritage. A 20-minute Q&A will follow a 40-minute conversation. This event will take place in the Soda Activity Center on the Saint Mary’s College campus. It is free and open to all.

Thursday 2/13

Grumpy Singles Club SF w/ the Hiwatters
2/13 | SWIG | 561 Geary St, SF | 9 p.m. | No Cover, 21+

Grumpy? Single? Let’s be grumpy together and listen to live music with the Hiwatters and have some yummy cocktails and talk trash. Name tags and grump meter will be given out to those who wish to participate.

Love Bites! – Valentine’s Food & Wine Event
2/13 | Ferry Building | 1 Ferry Building, SF | 5 p.m. | $28.52-$33.85

Celebrate your love of San Francisco with an evening of gourmet bites, wines, music and art activities at the Ferry Building! Eat and drink your way around the Ferry Building with small bites and wine tastings from Napa Valley Vintners.

Stand-Up For Love Comedy Show
2/13 | Club Fox | 2209 Broadway, Redwood City | 7:30 p.m. | $15-$20

Whether you are madly in love, single, or over it, this is a show where we can all come together for some laughs. Come and witness some of the best comedians in the Bay Area. Join me in this unforgettable night that will be full of laughs and excitement!

The Power of Desire
2/13 | Mechanics’ Institute | 57 Post St, SF | 6 p.m. | $17.85 (non-members)

Join bestselling authors Caro de Robertis and R.O. Kwon for an electric Valentine’s Day conversation on the power of desire in writing. In The Palace of Eros, Robertis rewrites Olympus in a sapphic tale of infatuation and independence with lovers Psyche and Eros. In Exhibit, Kwon depicts an intense affair between artists Jin and Lidija, bound together by passion, ambition, and a family curse. Both authors defy conventional depictions of love, lust, and longing while bringing forth innovative and intoxicating queer narratives.

The Ruckus Revival: F*** Valentines Day Spectacular!
2/13 | Continental Club | 1658 12th St, Oakland | 8 p.m. | $25

Join us for a raucous night of uncensored circus, stand up comedy, burlesque, pole performances, freestyle rap battles, aerial acrobatics, beat-boxing, slam poetry, jaw-dropping sideshow, break-dancing, dirty haiku bouts and audience-interactive mayhem in a fast paced night of unfiltered entertainment!

Friday 2/14

Mission Delirium with, La Gente Sf & Ladyryan
2/14 | The New Parish | 1743 San Pablo Ave, Oakland | 9 p.m. | $24.62, 21+

Mission Delirium presents a very special Valentine’s Day show. A love letter to your feet from the dance floor. An invitation to revel in the sound of heart-pounding drums and face-melting brass. Let your hair down, get delirious and shake your ass.

Dark Love: Valentine’s Circus Variety Show + Party
2/14 & 2/15 | Fluid510 | 1544 Broadway, Oakland | 8 p.m. | $40-$250, 21+

We invite you to join us for a Valentine’s themed enchanting evening of performance art, interactive installations and sensory delights for your dark hearted pleasure.The night kicks off with a decadent live art installation & tantalizing ambient bondage performance. Our main show features Valentines’ themed aerial acrobatics, speciality acts, hair hanging, pole, sideshow, burlesque & more.

Valentine’s Day Swing Dance on the USS Hornet
2/14 | USS Hornet | 707 W Hornet Ave, Alameda | 6 p.m. | $30

Picture the romance of a WWII sailor returning from war to his sweetheart…and now come recreate this feeling aboard the USS Hornet aircraft carrier on Valentines Day. The USS Hornet is opening up its bulkheads and hatches for a 1940’s swing dance. This evening will feature drinks, dancing and a whole lot of nostalgia and romance. The Bay Area’s unavoidably swingin’ big band, the Death and Taxes Swing Band will provide an evening of great music for dancing or listening. Come as a couple or come to meet someone!

Misfit Cabaret Presents Heartbreaker!
2/4 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $30-$500, 21+

The evening will be emceed by the dazzling Kat Robicahud, who will serenade you live throughout the show, accompanied by her phenomenal band, The Darling Misfits. Kat will also enchant you with her original music, written especially for the theme of the evening, adding an extra layer of heartfelt emotion to the performance.   HEARTBREAKER will be a rock-and-roll klassy slutty sleasefest with the finest in talent and entertainment making you EAT CAKE. We’ll explore different types of love with songs of heartbreak, rebellion, lust, and obsession.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show w/ Live Cast Barely Legal
2/14 | The UC Theatre | 2036 University Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $21.63-$35.02

Relive this cult classic on screen, complete with the Bay Area’s premier live cast, Barely Legal! Sweethearts Janet and Brad stumble upon the flirtatious mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s, bizarre abode during his annual Transylvanian science convention. Audience participation is expected. Burlesque show included.

Saturday 2/15

Hey, Auntie! Gumbo Cooking Contest 2025
2/15 | Ruth Williams Bayview Opera House Parking Lot | 4705 3rd St, SF | 1:30 p.m. | $20

In celebration of Black History Month and Black food culture, we invite you to the 2nd annual Hey, Auntie! Gumbo Cooking Contest 2025. After the Black History Month Parade come to the Bayview Opera House to taste all the gumbos and vote for your favorites! The event brings together home cooks and professional chefs from around the Bay Area to compete for the Hey Auntie crown! Don’t let the name fool you, “Uncles” who can cook a mean gumbo will also have a chance to compete.

Celebrity Pickleball Bash
2/15-2/16 | The Warfield | 982 Market St, SF | 1 p.m. | $42.85-$552.14

Join us for the inaugural Celebrity Pickleball Bash in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area! This two-day event is packed with high-energy pickleball action, where your favorite celebrities and top athletes from basketball and beyond are ready to serve up some serious fun. Watch NBA stars, pickleball pros, and celebs dink and smash their way through an epic showdown of skill, laughter, and ultimate bragging rights.

San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade 2025
2/15 | Chinatown | 2nd & Market St, SF | 5:15 p.m. | Free, All ages

Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association and USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice award, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia.

Chinese New Year Parade Viewing Party
2/15 | The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco | 750 Kearny St, 3rd Floor, SF | 4 p.m. | $47.23

Join KQED Live and The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco for an exclusive viewing party at the Portsmouth Square Bridge, where you’ll have a prime spot to enjoy the colorful and vibrant Chinese New Year’s Parade. The party will feature special performances and local bites. Don’t miss this unique experience, combining tradition, culture, and community spirit in the heart of Chinatown!

Moist – An All Black Erotic Cabaret at Oasis SF!
2/15 | OASIS | 298 11th St, SF | 6 p.m. | $30-$50

A little play, a little tease and a whole lotta sexploration. Starring Producer sextraordinaire, 17 on 21st Century Burlesque Magazine’s “Top 50 Most influential Industry Figures”, from Seattle, WA….Mx Pucks A’Plenty is joining our Core Cast & Crew of Moist: Sydni Deveraux, Sgt Die Wies, Sadira Lady Liquid, Stormy Chance, Cheetah Biscotti, Major Hammy, Francis Sinclaire & Butch Charming. Hosted by The delicious duo Alotta Boutté & RedBone… Cum play with us as we get you…

Sunday 2/16

Hubba Hubba Revue Presents Sgt. Die Wies’ CHOCOLATE SUNDAE!
2/16 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | $14-$30, 18+

Join San Francisco’s world-famous burlesque revue for an all Black performers edition of our big, monthly show! See pole dancers, special guests, the Bay Area’s tops in tease, and your hosts, Sgt. Die Wies, Marc Stretch, and Juicy D. Light!

We Stand With LA Fundraiser
2/16 | El Rio | 3158 MIssion St, SF | 3 p.m. | $15-$20

Let’s do this, it’s a great way to show support for your LA family! Sets by: Infinite Jess, Rich King, Charles Hawthorne, & Jen DM.

Concerts for Cuba
2/16 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 4 p.m. | $25

In the last few months, successive hurricanes, an earthquake and a massive power outage have had devastating consequences for the people on the island of Cuba. The increased depravations have compounded the negative perennial effects of the U.S. policies, which had already led to widespread shortages. All proceeds will be directed to support humanitarian aid for Cuba. Global Partners for Health and The People’s Forum are experienced in managing the logistics of large-scale relief efforts and are our designated partners to deliver the supplies.

Snakehips (Day Party)
2/16 | Audio SF | 316 11th St, SF | 1 p.m. | $42.75-$55.11

Another BIG day party hits Audio on Sunday, Feb. 16th when SNAKEHIPS takes over the club. Per usual, the room will be decorated for the day vibe and the skylights will be open.

Monday 2/17

Morgan Wade
2/17 | The Fillmore | 1805 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $41.75-$230.10

Morgan Wade is a Virginia-brn country singer & songwriter who released her first album, Puppets with My Heart, in 2018 with her band, Morgan Wade and the Stepbrothers. Her solo debut, Reckless, came in March 2021. Wade has collaborated with artists like Diplo and Kip Moore, and appeared in Moore’s music video for “If I Was Your Lover”.

Mount Eerie
2/17 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $35-$40

Mount Eerie is the musical project of American songwriter and producer Phil Elverum. Elverum is the principal member of the band, but has collaborated with many other musicians on his records and in live performances.

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

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Vanessa Gil

Vanessa Gil