8/1 Friday through 8/24 Sunday
Theater: SF PlayGround Free-Play Festival
This four-week “fringe style” new works festival features 17 productions and 58 performances by artists from across the country. Presentations include improvised protest songs and how to resist an orange predator, with seasoned theatre professionals, first-time producers, and all-stars in every aspect of live performance, direction, and choreography. $0 to $30, donation-based. Simulcast and at the Potrero Stage, 1695 18th Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/4keFebV
8/2 Saturday and 8/3 Sunday
Craft: Renegade Fair
Browse more than 250 artists at a curated summertime fair featuring creatives from the Bay and beyond. Indoors with some outdoor food trucks. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; $5 suggested to help support Renegade Craft’s vision of an accessible, equitable, and inclusive creative economy. Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard. For more information: https://bit.ly/3G4lVEv
8/2 Saturday
Animals: The Amazing Acro-Cats
The Amazing Acro-Cats are a troupe of trained domestic house cats, all former orphans, rescues, and strays, that give a one-of-a-kind, 90-minute purrformance that includes cats riding skateboards, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls, and other feats of agility and entertainment. The show finale is the all-cat band: Tuna and the Rock Cats, who play guitar, drums, and piano. 2 to 3:30 p.m. $35.14 to $83.44. Proceeds benefit Rock Cats Rescue, a nonprofit focused on cat welfare, rescue, and adoption. The Cowell Theater at Pier 2, 2 Marina Boulevard. For more information: https://bit.ly/44tAE3I
8/2 Saturday
Craft: Rug Tufting Workshop
Learn the basics of tufting and create unique, textured artwork, including setting up a tufting frame and finishing touches. Take home a finished 12 by 12 inches wood-backed tufted design. No experience necessary. 1 to 3:30 p.m. $135.23. Humanmade, 655 Bryant Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/4etQ4K9
8/4 Monday
Health: Meditation 101
In this meditation class, learn how to cultivate self-compassion and inner peace. Through meditation and reflection, study how to let go of inner struggles and create a more peaceful and supportive relationship with yourself. No meditation experience necessary. First time participants receive two free class passes for any Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday meditation. 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. $10; free for members. Kadampa Meditation Center San Francisco, 3324 17th Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/46mY0KY
8/4 Monday through 8/8 Friday
8/11 Monday through 8/15 Friday
Summer: Yoga Kids Camp
A movement-based day camp designed to help kids strengthen and stretch their bodies, minds, and hearts. Campers ages four to 12 will explore yoga and mindfulness through the IYK(R) High 5 Habits, enjoy free choice games, storytelling, and art projects, and outdoor time in Dogpatch parks. Session 1 August 4 to 8. Session 2 August 11 to 15. Both sessions: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $550 per session. Dogpatch Hub, 1278 Minnesota Street. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/yu279s88
8/9 Saturday
Community: Bernal Heights Hillwide Garage Sale
Bernal Hillwide is arguably San Francisco’s largest single day garage sale. More than 100 households offer records, vehicles, water toys, collectibles, new and used, worn and pristine; Bernal Heights in bulk. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. Start at Cortland Avenue! For more information: https://hillwide.com/
8/11 Monday through 8/13 Wednesday
Astronomy: Perseids Meteor Shower
The annual Perseids meteor shower is the glittery result of Earth passing through debris left behind by a comet. Typically, viewers can see up to 40 meteors an hour, if there’s minimal light pollution and the clouds stay away. August 11 to 13. The shower is best seen just before dawn. For more information: https://bit.ly/40zNDQf
8/13 Wednesday
Craft: Introduction to Letterpress Printing
This class introduces the process, materials, machines, and art of printing by hand on a Cylinder proof press. Participants will learn the basics of setting type and decorative ornaments as well as inking, locking up, and pulling a print. Beginners are welcome; all materials provided. 6 to 9 p.m. $85. San Francisco Center for the Book, 375 Rhode Island Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/45Q9oPw
8/16 Saturday
Art: Introduction to Intuitive Painting
Intuitive Painting offers permission to explore and create. This isn’t a typical class to learn techniques and methods; instead, be expertly guided to tap in and listen to your intuition and paint from your heart, free from beliefs and concepts. In this way images happen spontaneously, unplanned and unexpected. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $45.59. The Center for Creative Exploration, 300 Chenery Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/3ZYlfHl
8/16 Saturday
Music: Marcus Shelby Orchestra
Internationally acclaimed bassist and composer, Marcus Shelby, brings his 15-piece big band to the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. He’s used the ensemble to develop works exploring the abiding ties between jazz, blues and African American social and political movements. For this concert, Shelby gathered pieces from four previous YBG Festival commissions inspired by Harriet Tubman, Black baseball, the Ohlone tribelets and the recent pandemic. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free. Yerba Buena Gardens (Esplanade), 773 Mission Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/44teTRM
8/21 Thursday
Typography: 10 X 10 for 10
Letterform Archive celebrates its tenth anniversary with an exhibition of 100 staff picks, offering a glimpse into every corner of the Archive through the lens of the ten teams who steward the collection. Traverse centuries of graphic art: cuneiform tablet, contemporary artists’ books, icons of modernist typography and everyday ephemera. 1 p.m. Free. Letterform Archive, 2325 Third Street. For more information: https://bit.ly/40AeUSC
8/23 Saturday
Books: Feasts on the Farm Signing
Tamara Hicks, founder of Toluma Farms, and former Daily Driver owner, has published her first cookbook, Feasts on the Farm. While working as a psychotherapist, and raising her family, Tamara acquired a plot of land in Tomales in 2003. Over the last 23 years she’s cultivated Toluma Farms to restore and steward land that’d fallen out of production to create a sustainable, regenerative farm. Feasts on the Farm shares her story of transformation from city dweller to passionate farmer alongside her husband David Jablons and daughters. Meet Tamara from 4 to 6 p.m. at Christophers Books, 1400 18th Street. For more information: Christopher’s Books 415.255.8802
8/23 Saturday
Craft: Making a Bud Vase
Learn from Heath Clay Studio master potters how to shape one of Heath Ceramic’s most iconic designs. Students will glaze one bud vase for keeps. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. $150. The cost includes instruction, materials, firing and domestic shipping. Workshop is suitable for ages eight and older; though up to 14 must be accompanied by a parent. Heath Clay Studio, 555 Alabama Street. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/ms9y6peu
8/23 Saturday and 8/24 Sunday
Textiles: Indigo Dye Workshop
Explore the art of indigo dyeing in this two-day, intensive workshop. On Saturday, a brief lecture will cover history and cultural context of indigo. Students will also learn how to make an indigo vat and see demonstrations of a variety of Shibori folding and pattern making techniques. Sunday focuses on resist dyeing with the prepared fabrics. Students will learn tips on caring for dyed pieces, and leave with finished napkins. Perfect for beginners and those curious about textile arts. Must be 18 years or older. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $295. California College of the Arts Textiles Studios Dye Lab, Main Building, 145 Hooper Street. For more information: https://tinyurl.com/y87uwcy8
8/24 Sunday
Community: Sunday Streets Bayview
Experience Bayview free from cars, and as a vibrant space for recreation, culture, and engagement. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Find route details at website. For more information: https://bit.ly/3TkDUcH