4/3 Friday
Music: Golden Gate Park’s Free Happy Hour Concert in the Park
Illuminate LIVE is back at Golden Gate Bandshell for its sixth season of free outdoor concerts, with more than 125 performances scheduled through mid-November. The long-running series attracts more than 250,000 attendees each year. April 3 features Miss Carmen Getit, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Spreckles Temple of Music, Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Music Concourse Drive. For more information: https://bit.ly/4upFzyW
4/5 Sunday
Religion: Easter in the Park and Hunky Jesus Contest
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, satirical drag nuns, host their 47th Easter in the Park celebration. Children’s Easter: 10 a.m. Main Stage Celebration: 12 to 4 p.m. Hunky Jesus, Foxy Mary, Bonnet Contests: 3 p.m. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Dolores Park, 19th and Dolores streets. For more information: https://bit.ly/40ZcBbD
4/7 Tuesday
Botany: SF Conservatory of Flowers Free Admission
The Conservatory of Flowers offers an intimate experience with nearly 2,000 species of rare, exotic, and endangered plants from more than 50 different countries. Opened in 1879, the wood and glass greenhouse is the oldest conservatory of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park. For more information: https://bit.ly/4sAkno1
4/10 Friday through 4/12 Sunday
Art: Spring Open Studios at 1890 Bryant Street Studios
Studios feature art alongside the artists who create it; individuals who teach, mentor, nurture, and thrive on the exchange of new ideas. A wide range of disciplines represented, including painting, drawing, ceramics, fiber, fabric design, jewelry, letterpress printing, bookbinding, photography, sculpture, and more. Preview Night Friday 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m. Free admission. 1890 Bryant Street Studios, 1890 Bryant Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/3P2T6fD
4/11 Saturday
Art: Guided Urban Sketching
Instructor Cathy Raingarden believes that everyone can learn to draw. This class is meant to demystify urban sketching in a friendly setting, offering bite-size pieces that allow students to learn at a comfortable pace. Bring your own sketching kit as materials for this class aren’t provided. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $46. ARCH Art Supplies, 1490 17th Street, at Arkansas Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/4birWsz
4/11 Saturday
Music: 50th Anniversary of Punk Rock
Bands and musicians from the dawn of the punk rock revolution in San Francisco: No Alternative, Sleepers Ad, Society Dog plus Avengers guitar player Greg Ingraham performing with Jean Caffeine, The Dead Sailor Girls, and Insect Lounge. Also on the bill: John (VKTMS) Binkov, Temple Beautiful Band, The Seagulls, and The Blues Punks. 3 to 10:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Free. The New Farm, 10 Cargo Way. For more information: https://bit.ly/3PwbOwi
4/11 Saturday and 4/12 Sunday
Music: Free Opera in Crane Cove Park
San Francisco Opera’s fourth season of Bohème Out of the Box will launch in Crane Cove Park. The performance will include a First Act workshop before the shows, during which families and children will be invited to participate in free activities. 2 p.m. Free. Crane Cove Park, 18th and Illinois streets. For more information: https://bit.ly/4s7Q4FJ
4/11 Saturday and 4/25 Saturday
Science: Bugology with SaveNature.Org
This class explores the tiny worlds that thrive beneath our feet. SaveNature.Org’s educators will guide students through nature observation, with all the tools needed. Class will begin with introductory content. Then walk to Progress Park to catch and observe insects in their environment. All materials provided. For ages five and up; 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., both dates. $28.52. Dogpatch Hub, 1278 Minnesota Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/4sXdLAz
4/18 Saturday
Earth Day: Festival and Green Business Expo
Discover sustainable products and services from green businesses while enjoying live music from LoCura and family-friendly DJ Lamont, food, a tree planting demonstration, and other educational activities. 12 to 3 p.m. Free. Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission and Third streets. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/2hzajmvx
4/22 Wednesday
Dance: Smuin Contemporary Ballet
How does a ballet evolve from a choreographer’s idea to a fully realized vision onstage? Explore the creative process with Smuin Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Amy Seiwert, who will bring her recent world premiere to life. Set to the music of Lucy Dacus, it’s a character-driven work that’s Seiwert’s 15th ballet for Smuin. This talk, the second in Points of Departure, is part of an ongoing series showcasing the spectrum of Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, and includes live performance excerpts by Smuin Ballet. Tickets: $0 – $60. Cowell Theater, 2 Marina Boulevard. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/bddytcv9
4/25 Saturday
Pets: SF DogFest
A celebration of dogs, families, community, and spring, as well as a benefit for McKinley Elementary. Duboce Park will feature carnival-style games staffed by McKinley students, with jumping castles for the little ones. Dogs are the star of the event, with a daylong show and contests, including best costume and trick. Also on hand: food trucks, book fair, merchant stalls, and doggie adoption. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Duboce Park, Duboce and Noe streets. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/3w56yevf
5/2 Saturday
Health Care: Notes & Words
The event brings together music and storytelling in support of pediatric care and research.The program features Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin, Oakland singer-songwriter August Lee Stevens, New York Times bestselling author Emily Rapp Black, pioneering University of California, San Francisco neuroscientist Dr. Charles Limb, and rising stars from Oakland School for the Arts. An afterparty will feature a performance by The Coverups, led by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong; included with select ticket levels. Proceeds benefit UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals to support pediatric health care and innovation. General admission starts at $175. Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. For more information, including VIP tickets and sponsorship opportunities: https://bit.ly/3Pi37pt
5/2 Saturday
Community: Y for Youth Festival
A family-friendly festival featuring an afternoon of hands-on activities, including face painting, bling bar, family dance and yoga sessions, lawn games, food trucks and interactive booths showcasing the Y’s youth development, wellness and enrichment programs. 12 to 4 p.m. Free. Crane Cove Park, 18th and Illinois streets. For more information: https://bit.ly/4uCj1ev
