This week in San Francisco…
Monday August 29: Bill Berkson and Duncan McNaughton are reading from their most recent volumes tonight at Bird and Beckett Books in Glen Park. Both poets hold deep academic roots in the Bay Area-McNaughton was at the New College of California and Berkson at SFAI-and are some of the most prolific, long term poets in the area. 7PM FREE.
Tuesday August 30: SOMARTS puts on Lesser but Vital Practices, a public lecture featuring an artist panel discussing the inspirations seemingly unrelated to their work that have come to significantly influence their practice. The group of seven visual and performing artists, whose work is currently on exhibition, walk and talk an audience through their experiences of relating bank robberies to family, utility to playfulness, and more. 5:30PM opening reception, 6PM discussion. FREE. It’s also the last Tuesday of the month, so head to 3300 Club for Poetry at the 33, free every month, at 7PM. As always, this event features two local headliners-this week it’s J.R. Brady and Jeanne Powell-followed by an open mic. Sidenote: the venue is holding 100,000 Poets for Change on Sept 24, and is accepting submissions (not just poems! short essays and stories too) through the end of this week. Check their homepage for details.
Wednesday August 31: Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema kicks off its week of outdoor viewings tonight, and there’s a free opening party to prove it at 7PM. The ongoing Sacred Grounds open mic is also happening tonight in NOPA, 7-9PM FREE.
Thursday September 1: If you haven’t been, it’s worth it-read a description of a standard night here– and it’s happening this Thursday at 9: The 16th and Mission poetry slam at the 16th Street BART station gives a chalk-art stage and an audience of innocent commuters and dedicated supporters to anyone who shows up with a piece to perform. There’s no set schedule and no lineup. 16th and Mission.
Friday September 2: You know how putting your inspired artistic revelations into physical form is really, really hard when you’re sitting in your financial district cubicle? Art is Moving is hosting Take 5: Art Break at Justin Herman Plaza all day on Friday, so take some time for midday sun and build get your artistic alter ego on during your lunch break. Supplies will be provided.
Saturday September 3: If you choose not to participate in the labor day mass exodus, good thing await you. Montreal-based Handsome Furs are playing at Slims tonight, and if you are there I will come shake your hand $17 PM. SF Zine fest is happening all weekend in Golden Gate Park-check out your favorite underground publications and learn tons about everything DIY that you never knew. FREE Sat-Sun 11am-6pm.
Sunday, September 4: Free tunes all day- Experimental music festival is happening at the Japantown Peace Plaza from 12-5PM, and the 9th annual Doin’ it in the Park BBQ is in Golden Gate Park from 12-6PM.
