Notable San Francisco, This Week 6/06-6/12

This week in San Francisco, Quiet Lightening strikes at 111 Minna with Rob Brezsny of Free Will Astrology fame, Michael Krasny hosts an evening with Vendela Vida and Jennifer Egan and it’s Dine About Town time all over the city.

Monday, June 6th – Tonight, a true literary treat.  This town is overflowing with writers and Quiet Lightening has hand-picked some of the very best ones for Neighborhood Heroes, v. 3.  “Each show is a mash-up of fiction, missive and poetry that weaves unexpected and varying patterns of language into a compelling and oft-intoxicating double set of literary mixtape madness.”  Readers include Tamim Ansary, Jack Boulware, my own personal favorite horoscope-er – Rob Brezsny, Meg Day, Jane Ganahl, my own personal favorite non-Portuguese Portuguese Artist – Caitlin Myer and D.A. Powell. That isn’t even all of them, seriously.  111 Minna, 7pm, $5 – Info.

Tuesday, June 7th – I gotta tell you about two things going on tonight:  Continue your literary indulgence this evening: native San Franciscans  Vendela Vida, esteemed novelist (And Now You Can Go, The Lovers) and screenwriter (Away We Go) and Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize winner (A Visit From the Goon Squad), journalist (The Bipolar Kid) and short story writer, join in a conversation with Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s Forum and professor of English at SFSU. Herbst Theatre, 8pm, $21 – Info.
OR
Get to the Independent for “A Benefit for Kelly Malone” of the fantastic DIY Workshop and founder of Indie Mart.  Kelly was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer and needs help with her medical bills.  Come support one of the big-time heros of the SF DIY/creatives scene.  Featuring Royal Baths, Social Studies and more at  The Independent, $8pm, $5-50 – Tickets.

Wednesday, June 8th – It is time to go snuggle up against a bar – which one, you ask?  Why, Amnesia, of course.  Picture it: you sit with your glass full of liquid comfort as the music of Gaucho Jazz wafts over you, soothing your aching soul and dragging you quickly into a past you never knew but that somehow seems oddly familiar.  Try it out on the web, then go experience it in person. Amnesia, 8pm, Free.

Thursday, June 9th – Called “wildly entertaining, and scary” by Rachel Maddow, “Back to Our Future: How the 1980s Explains the World We Live in Now – Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Everything” delves into the minds of the current generation and pulls out all the 80s paraphernalia hidden in the depths to explain our worldview and the state of things.  David Sirota shows how Nike slogans and Rambo contributed to today’s rampant narcissism and how Cliff Huxstable taught us more than we are even aware of.  Hillside Club, 7:30pm, $12, $6 for students – More Info.

Friday, June 10th – I think the rain has stopped today – if my future-telling weather abilities are spot-on, which, you know, whatever.    It’s date night, y’all.  Grab your sweetie/hook-up/heterosexual life partner etc, etc, and hit the streets for Dine About Town.  From June 1-15 enjoy 3-course dinners at the yummiest restaurants all over the city for just $34.50.  Browse the selection.

Saturday, June 11th – I’m starting to notice a pattern in my choices for this column: chocolate and nakedness keeps happening.  Is it me or just this city?  Today is the 8th Annual Worldwide Naked Bike Ride (so awesome, yet sounds so uncomfortable), rain or shine.  Justin Herman Plaza, 11am, Free. There is also a Hunt for Chocolate, Urban Hike.  Begin at the Ferry Building and wander across the city with Alex Genadnik in search of the city’s treats.  Ferry Building, 10:45am, Free. Hard choice. (via Johnny Funcheap)

Sunday, June 12th – I love fish, I do, but I am confused.  No tuna?  No salmon?  No farmed?  What kinds of sushi are sustainable?  Do you have as many questions about fish as I do?  Check out “Good Fish: Demo + Lecture with Becky Selengut”.  Learn to eat fish that tastes good, feeds your karma and eases your conscience.  Cookbook writer, Becky Selengut, will teach you 3 recipes in addition to all the in-and-outs of eating fish you need to know.  18 Reasons, 1pm, $25-35 – Tickets.

Don’t forget!
Monday, June 13th – The Rumpus is happening!  The Rumpus is happening! “Cold Summer Nights” – Tayari Jones, Camille Dungy, Tamim Ansary, Matt Werner, music by Alina Simone and John Craigie plus Stephen Elliott is back!  Need I say more?