Now through 4/7 — Art: Gauguin
It seems like an awkward time to feature an artist whose breakthrough works were created while he was essentially a sex tourist in Tahiti, one who preferred what we’d now call “underage girls.” While the exhibit dispassionately names Paul Gauguin’s lovers-cum-victims, it provides no commentary on how today’s viewers are supposed to digest the painter-sculpture’s proclivities while also appreciating what’re no doubt compelling works. The pieces are cleverly shown adjacent to Oceanic art, aspects of which may have influenced Gauguin, thereby providing a clarifying context. But here again, there’s no commentary on the latent colonialism reflected in Gauguin’s travels, which, during the late-19th Century period in which he created, was arguably even a larger influence than whatever what would’ve then been called “crafts” he may have encountered In this respect, the exhibit may best be experienced as part of a curious cultural moment, on the way to visiting the quite compelling African art collection in the neighboring gallery. Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Members and youth, free; adults, $15; students, $6. de Young museum, Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. For more information: 415.750.3600.
Now through 12/23 Sunday — Art: Timothy Wells
Timothy Wells, 56, is a self-taught San Francisco artist who paints trash. Walking the gritty blocks surrounding his Chinatown-adjacent apartment, Wells finds discarded, even torn apart, cardboard packaging, many featuring Chinese characters communicating now-incomplete messages. He then uses watercolor and pigment ink to create hyper-realistic representations of such found debris on archival boards. One will be hard-pressed to believe Wells’ work is trompe l’oeil and not photography. Jack Fischer Gallery, 311 Potrero Avenue. For more information.
12/1 Saturday — Retail: Dogpatch Holiday Sale
Explore the neighborhood during the Dogpatch Holiday Sale! Retailers and studios host popups, sample sales, beer and wine tastings, and share complimentary seasonal treats. Free, all-ages. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information (including participating businesses).
12/1 Saturday — Art: Make Art Family Day
Create a gingerbread-inspired ornament or pinch pot; design and make your own holiday wrapping paper. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street. For more information.
12/1 Saturday — Art: Patricia Piccinini
In her second solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery, Patricia Piccinini presents an immersive installation of hyper-realistic sculptures probing the increasingly permeable boundaries of humanness. Artist reception Saturday, December 1, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; exhibition through Saturday, January 26. Free. Hosfelt Gallery, 260 Utah Street. For more information.
12/2 Sunday through 12/9 Sunday — Holiday: Chanukah 2018
Celebrate Chanukah 2018 with the annual lighting of the 25-foot tall mahogany Bill Graham 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 December 2 to 9. For detailed schedule and more information.
12/2 Sunday — Art: Priya Bhatia
Opening for artist Priya Bhatia. 5 to 7 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/6 Thursday — Holiday: Deck the Dogpatch
Join neighbors, colleagues, and friends of Dogpatch for a free night of fun at the museum, the fifth annual holiday open house. Enjoy drinks, holiday treats and festive hands-on activities. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free. Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street. For more information and to RSVP.
12/6 Thursday — Music: James Everett
Live music by James Everett, rhythm and blues, jazz and pop singer and performer, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/7 Friday — Comedy: MC Sergio Novoa
Standup comic MC Sergio Novoa. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/7 Friday through 12/22 Saturday — Theater: One Googol and One
This modern adaptation of The Thousand and One Nights or The Arabian Nights takes the classic tale and places it into a modern-day university. Sher, a Muslim-American creative writing student, and Scheherazade, a superheroine of the Islamic golden age, take the audience on a journey encountering little-known historical figures, such as Zheng Quain, Al-Mamun, Abu-Bakr and Atahualpa. One Googol and One is a piece about historical injustices and how our stories of the past shape our modern identities. $17 to $45. 8 p.m. Brava Theater Center Studio, 2781 24th Street, Second Floor.
12/8 Saturday — Music: the Batrays
Live Music by The Batrays, a San Francisco surf rock band paying special tribute to The Blue Stingrays, The Ventures, The Surfaris, The Lively Ones, and other classic surf rock bands. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/8 Saturday — Art: In the Red “Holidacious” Fun(d) Raising Party
The Flaming Lotus Girls, creators of interactive, largescale, fire and metal art installations, invite you to their In the Red “Holidacious” Fun(d)raising Art Party, an annual gathering, part art show and all around general good time. Auction items, cocktails, light noshes, and DJs. $15 to $90. SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street. For tickets and more information.
12/8 Saturday — Environment: Time to Wake Up!
Will Tuttle’s international bestseller, The World Peace Diet, illuminates a path you can take toward a world where freedom, harmony, and sustainability are possible. Dr. Tuttle’s teachings express the heart and soul of the peace, justice, and animal liberation movements. In this presentation and author talk, Dr. Tuttle reveals our culture’s deep structure so that you can free yourself, find more peace and joy, and contribute to a healthier and more abundant world for all. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street. For more information and to register.
12/12 Wednesday — Music: GT2
Live music by GT2, playing 20th Century music: The Beatles, Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Clapton, Dylan, Van Morrison. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/13 Thursday — Music: Shelter Cove
Live music by Shelter Cove, performing originals and select covers from the 1960’s to the present. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/14 Friday — Music: Karaj
Live music and CD release party for Karaj, a California-based singer-songwriter. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/15 Saturday — Music: Marc Maynon and CD Onofrio
Performing folk music. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
12/15 Saturday — Film: The End of Meat
The End of Meat, a sequel to 2013’s Live and Let Live, is a feature documentary, written and directed by Marc Pierschel, that explores the idea of a post-meat world, including interviews with philosophers, scientists, artists, and activists who offer their insight and progressive ideas about the role of animals in society. 1 to 4:30 p.m. San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street. For more information and to register.
12/16 Sunday — Food: All You Can Eat Crab Feast
Celebrate crab season with all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab legs, garlic noodles, salad, and iced tea. 12 to 3 p.m. $56; $25, 12 and under. SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street. To purchase tickets and for more information.
12/16 Sunday — Retail: SFMade Holiday Fair
SFMade presents its eighth annual holiday gift fair, featuring gift items, made in San Francisco by more than 60 vendors. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. California College of the Arts, 1111 Eighth Street. For more information and to register.
12/19 Wednesday — Music: Soul Delights
Live music by Soul Delights. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
