Now through 1/1/2017
Outdoor Exhibit: Winter Walk SF
Back after its popular inaugural year, this year’s Winter Walk features food vendors, live performances, appearances by the Macy’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s window puppies, and other wintery surprises. Free. Stockton, between Geary and Ellis streets. For more information: http://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/winterwalksf
Now through 1/29/2017
Science Exhibit: Curious Contraptions, Featuring Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
An exhibition of more than 20 charming and hilarious sculptures, known as “automata.” Like complex mechanical toys, these whimsical machines are brought to life by intricate arrangements of handmade cams, cranks, and other simple mechanisms. Each sculpture performs an absurd miniature drama, often reflecting its maker’s dark and British sense of humor. Exploratorium, Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green Street. For tickets and pricing information, visit exploratorium.edu/tickets. For more information: http://www.exploratorium.edu or 415.528.4444
12/1 through 1/17 Art Exhibit: Touch On, Aesthetics
in the Art, Politics, and Ontology of Touch
Fourteen multidisciplinary artists reflect on the meaning and power of touch through painting, sculpture, photography, performance and video. Free. Opening reception and performances, December 1, 6 to 9 p.m. SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets. For more information and gallery hours: http://www.somarts.org/touchon
12/2 Festival: Tree Lighting for the Holidays
Join Westfield San Francisco Centre for its Tree Lighting Event on Level Four, Under the Dome. Open to the public, featuring live music and performances, hosted holiday treats and beverages, and new, spectacular holiday décor. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Westfield San Francisco Centre, 865 Market Street. For more information: http://tiny.cc/n092gy
12/3 Art: Dimitra Skandali: Meltemia and Other Stories
Skandali’s first solo show with the gallery includes site-specific multimedia installations, with smaller pieces made of found, natural, and manmade materials. The exhibition’s title refers to the Aegean Sea’s annual periodic winds, which bring trash to seashores, can be dangerous if strong, pleasant if smooth; a reminder that everything passes and moves in circles. Skandali received her master of fine art from the San Francisco Art Institute. She’s received numerous awards; her works have been exhibited throughout the Bay Area and abroad. Don Soker Contemporary Art, 2180 Bryant Street. For more information and gallery hours: http://www.donsokergallery.com or 415.291.0966.
12/2 through 12/4
Education: Christopher’s Books
Christopher’s will donate 20 percent of its receipts to Everett Middle School. Be sure to mention the school at the time of purchase. Teacher and staff wish lists will be on hand for those who want to buy books for the school. The store is well stocked; stop by for pre-shop browsing. Special orders placed or picked up the weekend of the book fair qualify for the fundraiser. Christopher’s Books, 1400 18th Street. For more information: chrisbookssf.com or 415.255.8802.
12/3 Art
Tsungwei Moo. 7 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/4 Performance: Bay Choral Guild Presents Christmas Jubilations
Bay Choral Guild presents Missa Brevis for the Refugees of War by Saratoga composer Henry Mollicone, conceived as a musical prayer for the millions of refugees from Middle Eastern and African conflicts. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. $25 general, $20 senior, $10 student. St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal, 500 De Haro Street. For tickets: http://baychoralguild.org/tickets. For more information: http://www.baychoralguild.org
12/5 Family: Yoga
This song- and play-filled class will help teach your crawler or toddler, up to two years, yoga basics. 10 to 10:30 a.m. $25 per family. Recess, 470 Carolina Street. Reservations and more information: http://www.recessurbanrecreation.com/calendar-of-events/family-yoga-dec
12/6 Community: Proposed Child, Teen, and Family Center
Part one of this meeting, 2130 Third Street Preliminary Design Presentation, will be from 6 to 7:15 p.m.; part two, 2130 Third Street Draft EIR Public Hearing, will start at 7:30 p.m. Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota Street. For more information, contact Michele Davis at Michele.Davis@ucsf.edu or 415.476.3024.
12/7 Film: Not Without Us
Join the Green Film Festival to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the COP21 Paris Agreement, with a free, encore screening of Not Without Us. The film’s director, Mark Decena, will introduce the movie, which focuses on seven grassroots activists from around the world who attended the United Nations Climate Talks in Paris, France. A deal was signed, but with the election of a new U.S. president, it’s far from clear that catastrophic climate change can be stopped. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street. For more information: http://www.greenfilmfest.org/2016encorenotwithoutus
12/9 Comedy: Good Times in the Grotto
The Sports Basement Bryant Street store hosts Good Times in the Grotto comedy night on most second Fridays of the month. Start your weekend off with a laugh. Host, local comedian Anthony Medina, orchestrates a diverse lineup of Bay Area comedians. Free drinks and snacks. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. No cover, but a suggested donation of $5. 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult; 21+ to drink. Sports Basement, 1590 Bryant Street. For more information: 415.575.3000.
12/9 Family: Date Night Drop-Off
Need a night out? Drop your two to seven year-olds off at a familiar, fun environment. Your little one can enjoy the play space, have dinner, and participate in an art project. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff provides childcare. 5 to 8 p.m. $45 per child/ $15 for sibling add-on. Recess, 470 Carolina Street. Rservations and more information: http://www.recessurbanrecreation.com/calendar-of-events/7dj73ldlbtb5aczctrfmw2r58f22nj
12/10 Environment: Garden Party
Featuring live music, locally-sourced food and drinks, and plants. Learn about sustainable living, feed the goats, meet the roosters, bring your kids, and start a garden. Fall is the beginning of planting season for drought-resistant native plants. The celebration continues every second Saturday afternoon. Noon to 5 p.m. Free. Bay Natives Nursery, 10 Cargo Way. For more information: http://www.baynatives.com
12/10 Music
Eli and the Approach, an acoustic band from Potrero Hill, featuring lead singer Eli Becker, Dave Gabine on percussion and Chris Martin on guitar, performs classics from the 1970s and 1980s, mixed with hip hop and alternative songs. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/11 Family: Day Date Drop-Off
Drop your eighteen months to three year-olds off and enjoy some grownup time. Run errands, get brunch, take a mid-morning nap. Snack’ll be provided, as well as free play in the play space and an art activity. 9 to 11:30 a.m. $35 per child/$15 for sibling add-on. Recess, 470 Carolina Street. Reservation and more information: http://www.recessurbanrecreation.com/calendar-of-events/day-date-drop-off
12/14 Music
Potrero Hill resident Daniel Berkman is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and innovator of the kora, a 21-stringed harp/lute from West Africa. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/16 Family: Holiday Happy Hour
Enjoy sweet treats, art activities, crafts, face painting, and live holiday music from cellist Lori Hennessy. 3:30 to 6 p.m. $25 per family. Recess, 460 Carolina Street. Reservations and more information: http://www.recessurbanrecreation.com/calendar-of-events/holiday-happy-hour-1
12/16 Music
Afterparty performs old-school barbershop, a mix of upbeat tunes and ballads. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/17 Art: “F*ck U”
More than 40 self-identified feminist artists speak-out against misogyny in the provocatively-titled exhibition, F*ck U! Organized in response to the 2016 presidential campaign and election, the exhibit examines in raw detail how the artists react to patriarchy, and shines a spotlight on women’s identities and embodied experiences. The show features the works of groundbreaking artists from the beginning of the feminist art movement, as well as internationally-known contemporary artists. 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Arc Studios & Gallery, 1246 Folsom Street. For more information: http://www.ncwca.org/events.html
Through 12/17
Art: I Dreamt Bees made Sweet Honey From My Past Failures
Paintings by Charles Arnoldi, David Becker, Jenny Bloomfield, Linda Geary, David Maxim, Jacob Melchi, and Ann Harrold Taylor. The exhibit’s title is a paraphrase of a line from Spanish poet Antonio Machado’s famous poem, “Last Night As I Was Sleeping.” The seven works in this exhibition, each in their own way, embody the spirit and revelation of Machado’s theme, that new life, creativity, can be seen as an aqueduct cut through the stubborn ground by false starts, exploration and learning from mistakes. George Lawson Gallery, 315 Potrero Avenue. For more information: http://www.georgelawsongallery.com/
12/18 Food: Holiday Wine Event
Join Alice’s Table to learn how to craft festive holiday flower arrangements while enjoying wine tasting from Bluxome Street Winery. Take your holiday arrangement and enjoy fresh flowers in your home! 3 to 5 p.m. Cost: $85. Bluxome Street Winery, 53 Bluxome Street. For more information: https://alicestable.com/events/bluxome
12/18 Music
Soul Delights. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/23 through 12/25
Comedy: 24th Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy
The legendary Jewish-comedy-on-Christmas-in-a-Chinese-restaurant extravaganza has featured Jewish comedians, including Henny Youngman performing his last show, Shelley Berman, and David Brenner, Chinese food, and Yiddish proverbs in fortune cookies for more than two decades. Kung Pao Kosher Comedy is San Francisco’s longest-running comedy show, drawing more than 2,000 people annually, some of whom have attended all 20+ years. This year’s headliner is Elayne Boosler, a comedian for more than 40 years, who has appeared more than 30 times on The Tonight Show and Politically Incorrect, with five Showtime specials. For tickets and more information: http://www.koshercomedy.com/
12/24 through 1/1/2017
Festival: Bill Graham Menorah Project
Celebrate Hanukkah 2016 with the 42nd annual lighting of the 25 foot tall mahogany menorah in Union Square. This San Francisco tradition, the brainchild of rock and roll concert promoter Bill Graham, began in 1975. Lighting ceremonies take place from 12/24 through 1/1/2017, at approximately 5 p.m. on most days; Friday at 3 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m.. Free. Union Square. For more information: http://www.billgrahammenorah.org/
12/25 Art: Contemporary Jewish Museum
The Museum’s Community Day is an admission-free, fun-for-all extravaganza that’s become an annual tradition for Bay Area residents. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street. For more information: http://www.thecjm.org, info@thecjm.com, or 415.655.7800.
12/25 Television: ’90s Simpsons Trivia Night & Watch Party
Know The Simpsons like the back of your hand? Then join 1990s Simpsons Trivia Night every fourth Sunday of the month. Watch 1990s Simpsons and answer trivia. Prizes for true Simpsons nerds. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. The Knockout, 3223 Mission Street. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/SimpsonsTriviaSF
