Best Bay Area Events 2/4-2/24

Road to Joy
by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor

I’m really looking forward to seeing Bright Eyes this week with two of my childhood friends… a night of catching up and singing out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bright Eyes without either of them, it’s like a lifelong tradition now. I am thankful for 20+ years of seeing Conor Oberst with these two. I’m also vyying to catch Cursive at August Hall. I’ve never seen them live and it’s about damn time! Here’s everything else I’m excited for the week of 2/4 and beyond. 

Our Giveaways

We Wanna Send You To the Closing Night Film
at SF IndieFest

Join SF IndieFest for the fabulous closing night film TIMESTALKER playing at the Vogue Theater Feb 18 at 8:30pm. Agnes, a hapless heroine, falls for a mysterious man, promptly meets her bloody demise, and then is reincarnated a century later. When she meets her love again, the cycle begins anew. As Agnes traverses through time, she repeats all the messy thrills and spills that come with daring to follow one’s heart. How can she ever hope to break the cycle when she’s destined to be a fool for love?
 
Enter to win right here.

Our Partners’ Events

Make the pier your playground. Thursdays After Dark.
Thursdays | The Exploratorium | Pier 15, SF | 6 p.m. | $22.95, 18+

No kids allowed—but you can still act like one. Unplug and play with 700+ interactive exhibits exploring science, art, and perception. Get inquisitive, grab a drink, and let the DJ set the vibe. With 75,000 square feet of conversation starters, you’ll never run out of things to talk about. Get your tickets here.

Country Music’s New Era
2/18 | Brick + Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. | $30.10 

Country music is having a moment! As stars like Beyoncé and Post Malone embrace the sound, the Bay Area’s country music scene – historically based in more rural areas – is taking root in the city and growing more diverse. Join us to meet the new faces of local country music like Sacramento’s Kelvin Truitt, San Francisco’s Noelle & The Deserters and more for a boot-stompin’ evening of music. And, to get you prepared, Stud Country will be teaching classic beginner line dances to get you ready for the night! Get your tickets here.

Listen to This Week’s Spotify Playlist

Listen to this week’s playlist so you can sample upcoming bands and comedians listed in this newsletter.

This Week’s Events 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

Downtown First Thursdays w/ Special Guest Rich Medina
2/6 | 2nd & Market St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

Downtown First Thursdays returns February 6th, featuring a DJ set by sonic storyteller Rich Medina that will bring Afrobeat to the streets! Don’t miss a Diana Ross-inspired fashion show, live samba, Mardi Gras vibes, a DJ battle royal, ping pong, games, and more all-ages fun on 2nd St. 

Doodler
2/6-3/2 | Theatre Rhinoceros | 4229 18th St, SF | 8 p.m. | $17.50-$50

Conceived and Performed by John Fisher. A murderer stalks the Castro and Jack is determined to catch him. Doodler is a crime drama based on true events.

Christian Cagigal’s Witching Hour
2/6-2/27 Thursdays | Hotel Majestic | 1500 Sutter St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $66.60

Spells, Stories, and Strange Happenings at the Haunted Hotel Majestic. Step into the eerie and enchanting world of magician Christian Cagigal at the legendary Hotel Majestic, the oldest continuously running hotel in San Francisco for an unforgettable evening of spine-tingling illusions, mind-bending magic, and ghostly tales of the Hotel Majestic’s 122 year history. With a menagerie of weird artifacts, from antique dolls to ouija boards, you’ll experience magic, mind-reading, and storytelling that will open a portal into another realm and create a night where reality and mystery collide.

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

LASERS! Light Show
2/7-3/2 | The Tech Interactive | 201 S Market St, San Jose | 6 p.m. | $12-$16

Everyone loves lasers! The Tech Interactive is excited to be offering a new, state-of-the-art laser light show this winter! Vibrant beams of light cut through haze, creating captivating displays of color and patterns, all set to the music of popular artists and bands. With laser graphics projected onto the dome, each show offers an immersive experience blending music and visuals. Whether you enjoy rock, pop, or classic hits, there’s a show for everyone to enjoy in this dynamic fusion of light and sound.

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

Super Bowl Watch Party presented by Bay Area Cub
2/9 | The Lone Star Saloon | 1354 Harrison St, SF | 2 p.m. | Free

It’s a Super Duper Super Bowl Watch Party and it’s being thrown by the always fabulous Bay Area Cub – Jacob. Bar snacks, Hot – Dogs, Je3ll-O-Shots, Raffles and more.

Super Bowl Watch Party @ Zoe Bar SF
2/9 |Zoe Cocktail Bar | 579 Howard St, SF | 3 p.m. | Reservations Available

Whether you’re celebrating a victory or gearing up for the big game, Zoe is the place to be for a fun and festive atmosphere. Watch all the action on big screens while enjoying craft cocktails, delicious bites, and great company.

Super Bowl Sunday Chili Cook Off
2/9 | Kilowatt Bar | 3160 16th St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free, $20 tasting wristband, 21+

Bar opens at noon, game will be on at 3:30 and we will have the game up on the projector with sound on all day.

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

Dirty Puppet Soiree
2/14 & 2/15 | Church of Clowns | 2400 Bayshore Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $15-$100

Join us for Church of Clown’s Third Annual Dirty Puppet Show! An evening of steamy laughter with clowns, variety artists, and… puppets. Bring a puppet or borrow one and jump into this show where the boundary between audience and performer is blurred. What will this puppet experience entail? What’s under that puppet’s pants? Do puppets masturbate? Did we bring enough smut? Who are these puppets and how did they get so deranged? Come prepared for adult content. Bring a puppet if you got one, and leave your purity at the door. And yes… we will have drink specials!

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.

Songs From the Heart: A Valentine’s Day Music Special
2/14 | The Faight Collective | 473A Haight St, SF | 8 p.m. | $23.18

Celebrate love and music this Valentine’s Day with Songs From the Heart at The Circle. This intimate event brings together four incredibly talented singer/songwriters who will share their heartfelt songs about love, heartbreak, and everything in between. What makes this night so special? At The Circle, the performers sit in a circle right among the audience, creating an up-close and personal experience that makes every lyric and melody resonate a little deeper.

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!
2/14 | 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.

The Week of 2/18-2/24

Tuesday 2/18

Michael Shannon + Jason Narducy and Friends play R.E.M.
2/18 | The Fillmore | 1805 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $48

Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and friends are touring in celebration of R.E.M.’s ‘Fables Of The Reconstruction’, Michael Stipe and co’s third studio album which is turning 40 this year. 

Scott Capurro Has Friends
2/18 | Punch Line SF | 444 Battery St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $28.75-$41.25, 18+

If he’s not reading aloud the Koran to acquire a seat on the bus, or mocking the New Testament at hipster dinner parties because gays with Jesus beards are self hating, Scott is touring, and being asked to tone it down in places like Manchester. Manchester for fuck sake, where clearly he’s not the problem. Still he perseveres, pocketing shekels out of a craving for attention and protein.

Wednesday 2/19

Red Room Orchestra: A Tribute to David Lynch
2/19 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $44-$74.50

Noise Pop Festival, SF Sketchfest along with Vinelands on KEXP & Great American Music Hall present Red Room Orchestra: A Tribute to David Lynch. Proceeds will benefit Carel Struycken (The Giant) who lost his home in the Eaton Fire.

Kristin Key
2/19 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $32.05-$43.80, 18+

Kristin Key is a nationally headlining, queer, musical comedian with sold-out shows nationwide . Her hilarious viral videos — including the iconic LESBIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM — have garnered over 92.2 million views from more than 590,000+ dedicated followers across social media. She uses her comedy as a way to uplift her community and create safe spaces for comedy fans from all walks of life.

Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque
2/19 | Luther Burbank Center for the Arts | 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa | 7:30 p.m. | $49

Immerse yourself in a world where cirque becomes a form of storytelling, where every move is a testament to the cultural legacy passed down through generations. “Afrique En Cirque” is a testament to the power of artistic expression, where the dynamism of African youth takes center stage, leaving you enchanted and inspired by the strength, agility, and joy of life embodied in this extraordinary show.

Thursday 2/20

Heroes With Bling – “NOT on OUR Watch”
2/20 | The Academy SF | 2166 Market St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

18 months in the making, this event features a collection of stunning 5×9” mosaics by Michael Kruzich, each capturing local SF Drag Artists’ soulful and expressive eyes. Created as a response to the rising threats against LGBTQ2+ rights, this exhibit is a love letter to our local “Heroes with Bling”—the entertainers, activists, and humanitarians who stand as pillars of strength and love in our community, keeping their eyes vigilant against the erasure of our past and present by ignorance and hate. 

The Setup
2/20 | The Palace Theater | 644 Broadway, SF | 9 p.m. | $35, 21+

The Setup is having a special run of Speakeasy comedy shows at The Palace Theater. This is the best speakeasy comedy experience in San Francisco and is a must watch. Underground and intimate, the show takes place in the bar of the beautiful Palace Theater. The Setup always brings the most talented comedians that the city has to offer, and surprise drop-ins from guest stars passing through.

Eggy: Here and How Tour
2/20 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 7:30 p.m. | $30.35-33.43 

Song by timeless song Eggy reaches out a hand, inviting you along as a great story unfolds. Eggy’s music traces the full spectrum of emotions, evoked by a life well-lived alongside friends well-loved. Eggy’s new record, “Waiting Game,” is out now. Co-produced by White Denim’s James Petralli, “Waiting Game” showcases the band’s artistry through a concentrated and refined studio approach as a compliment to their exploratory live shows.

Slow Coast, The Undercurrent
2/20 | Brick + Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. | $22.84

Slow Coast in an indie rock project out of the Bay Area in California that started in 2022. Their sunny, upbeat, beach-rock sound, contrasted by heavier lyrics, inspires a road trip that unexpectedly leads inward. They create a rich musical style that balances fresh pop sounds with raw indie rock drawing from influences such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Tame Impala.

Friday 2/21

Planet Booty
2/21 | Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell St, SF | 9 p.m. | $25

Planet Booty’s sound is a divine mixtape of pop, R&B, 90’s house, 70’s funk and classic hip-hop that might have been made by your strangely attractive high school gym coach. Their unrelenting energy, showmanship and body positivity transforms any venue into an inclusive, sexually charged safe space. 

SF Beer Week Kick Off: Brews & Bites
2/21 | 21st Amendment Brewery | 2010 Williams St, San Leandro | 5:30 p.m. | $81.88-$135.23

Get ready for an epic start to SF Beer Week 2025 with 21st Amendment Brewery’s Brews & Bites @ Nite Fest on Friday, February 21, 2025! This unforgettable evening supports the Bay Area Brewers Guild and features: Unlimited beer tastings from 15+ of the Bay Area’s best breweries. Delicious food pairings crafted to elevate every sip. Live music to keep the energy going all night.

The Clarafication Tour
2/21 | Tessier Winery | 1335 4th St, Berkeley | 5 p.m. Doors | $20

Come laugh your heart out with Clara Bijl, Bay Area’s favorite internationally unknown stand-up comedian and support independent filmmaking. Clara is raising funds to bring her comedy film to life, and your ticket helps make it happen.

Kumail Nanjiani
2/21 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 6:30 p.m. Doors | $56.25

Kumail Nanjiani is an Oscar-nominated writer, Emmy-nominated actor, and critically acclaimed producer and comedian. Nanjiani recently earned an Emmy nomination for his compelling portrayal of Chippendales Founder in Hulu’s limited series, Welcome to Chippendales, which he also served as an executive producer on.

Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats
2/21 | The Regency Ballroom | 1300 Van Ness Ave, SF | 8 p.m. | $54.91-$83.48

The brainchild of mercurial Cambridgeshire mystic Kevin Starrs, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats have been making extraordinary music since 2009. Always too bold and idiosyncratic to be easily pigeonholed, they emerged from an obscure corner of the labyrinthine English underground as shadowy purveyors of a new and overwhelmingly psychedelic take on the gruff and gritty rudiments of hard rock and turbo-blues, powered by the dark, lysergic heart of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s and drenched in woozily macabre imagery. Steeped in both the wayward melodies and mischievous arrangements of psychedelic pop and the dissonant thunder of proto-metal and doom, Starrs’ greatest feat has been to create an entirely fresh sonic world from these most familiar of ingredients.

Saturday 2/22

Pier 23 Cafe Pop-Up Book Fair
2/22 | Pier 23 Cafe | 23 The Embarcadero, SF | 4 p.m. | Free

Join for a special Pop-Up Book Fair celebrating talented local authors. Meet the writers behind the stories, get your favorite books signed, and enjoy the stunning waterfront views. While here, indulge in delicious food and refreshing drinks at the renowned Pier 23 Cafe.

SF Beer Week Fest
2/22 | Salesforce Park | 425 Mission St, SF | 12 p.m. | $69-$90

Hosted by the Bay Area Brewers Guild with our friends at Barebottle Brewing Co., the first-ever SF Beer Week Fest is here! In the spirit of the epic Galas and Kick Offs preceding it, SFBW Fest is the place to be for sampling the many collaborations and special releases SF Beer Week has to offer, all while supporting the craft brewing community!

Stand Up Stars: SF Comedy College Showcase at the Great Star!
2/22 | Great Star Theater | 636 Jackson St, SF | 12 p.m. | $25

The SF Comedy College Presents our show of 2025 at our new comedy home – the Great Star Theatre! Our students are a diverse mix of seasoned veterans and fresh voices who have been coached to utmost hilarity by our stand up teachers. Come see why we are the most successful stand-up comedy school in Bay Area history and America’s most attended stand-up comedy school!

Jazz Is Dead: Alice Coltrane
2/22 | The UC Theatre | 2036 University Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $58

Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda was an American jazz pianist, organist, harpist, singer, composer, swamini, and the wife of John Coltrane. Turiyasangitananda translates as the Transcendental Lord’s highest song of Bliss. Jazz Is Dead and ArtDontSleep present Universal Consciousness: The Music of Alice Coltrane, led by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and special guests Courtney Bryant, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Bob Hurst, David Virelles, and more! 

Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats w/ Iron & Wine
2/22 | Bill Graham Civic Auditorium | 99 Grove St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $67+

Nathaniel Rateliff is a singer & songwriter whose influences include folk, Americana, and vintage rhythm & blues. Samuel Beam, better known by his stage name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. 

Sunday 2/23

Jon Spencer
2/23 | Bottom of the Hill | 1233 17th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $29.71

Jon Spencer is an American singer, composer and guitarist. He has been involved in multiple musical acts, such as Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, Heavy Trash and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. 

Bark at Spark – Puppy Love!
2/23 | Spark Social SF | 601 Mission Bay Blvd N., SF | 11 a.m.| Free

Grab your puppy love and celebrate the paw-fect Valentine’s with us. Cupid’s Bow is ready, with pet-centric vendors to pamper your furry friend, Valentine’s activities everyone (pup included) will “dig,” and a chance to vote for San Francisco’s Ultimate Pup Contest to find the Pawsitively Cutest Pet in San Francisco!

Jason’s Lyric Live!
2/23 | Paramount Theatre | 2025 Broadway,Oakland | 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | $49.95-$129.95

Jason’s Lyric Live is a fiery, high-stakes love story set in the heart of the Houston ghetto, where love and danger walk hand in hand. Jason (Allen Payne reprising his role), a man haunted by the ghosts of his violent past, meets serendipitously and falls deeply for Lyric (Eva Marcille), a guarded woman who’s built walls around her heart in order to survive the mean streets. Their passion becomes undeniable, but both are chained to scars they can’t escape.

Monday 2/24

Tyler, The Creator
2/24 | Oakland Arena | 7000 S Coliseum Wy, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. | $122+

Tyler, The Creator is an American rapper, singer, record producer, director, fashion designer, and entrepreneur. Chromakopia is his 7th headlining tour.

Whores.
2/24 | Thee Stork Club | 2330 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 8 p.m. | $20-$25, 21+

Whores is an American noise rock/sludge metal band based in Atlanta, Georgia. It currently consists of vocalist and guitarist Christian Lembach, bass guitarist Casey Maxwell and drummer Douglas Jennings Barrett. 

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

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