Virtual
Tuesday 2/2 – History: 3.9 Collective’s Art of Research
3.9 Art Collective members discuss research’s role in their creative practices. Archives, libraries, museums and dynamic contemporary communities are resources and sources of knowledge. Panelists will talk about moving from engaged study and learning to interpretation and making. The 3.9 Art Collective is an association of African American artists, curators and art writers who live in San Francisco, working to draw attention to the City’s dwindling Black population. The Collective bears witness to this phenomenon and seeks to reverse it by highlighting the historical and ongoing presence of Black artists and creative expression in Black communities. They create and claim spaces to display their artwork; nurture young artists and develop educational programs for students; and write about and curate exhibitions to generate productive, cross-cultural dialogues. 7 to 8:15 p.m. Webinar presented by the San Francisco Public Library, Potrero Branch. For more information and to register.
Virtual
Wednesday 2/3 – Science: “Living with a Star”
The Sun makes life possible on our planet. Join Exploratorium astronomers and physicists for a conversation in Spanish and English with National Aeronautics and Space Administration experts about what we know about the Sun, what we hope to learn about it through the Parker Solar Probe mission visiting the Sun’s atmosphere, and the characteristics of space weather caused by the Sun. 4 to 6 p.m. Free. For more information.
Virtual
Wednesday 2/10 – Society: Social Media + Future of Journalism
“Fighting the Disinformation Machine,” a Cal Performances’ Illuminations: “Fact or Fiction” livestreamed event presented in partnership with the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, features Dean Geeta Anand and Tristan Harris, former Google Design Ethicist and star of the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, in conversation about the movement to counter technology’s challenges to journalism. 7 p.m. Free, open to the public. For more information and to register.
Virtual
Now through Thursday 2/11 – Film: A Celebration of World Cinema
For the 17th consecutive year, the California Film Institute presents a selection of global Oscar® submissions. Ninety-three countries submitted films for consideration in the 2021 Academy Awards® Best International Feature Film category. For Your Consideration is a rare opportunity to watch a selection of outstanding foreign films. All-access pass: $55 CFI members; $75 general public. Single tickets: $7 CFI members; $12 general public. To purchase tickets and for more information.
Virtual
Wednesday 2/3 – Aging: “Reinventing Retirement”
From his 75+ interviews with retirees, Richard Haiduck, author of Shifting Gears: 50 Baby Boomers Share Their Meaningful Journeys in Retirement, will discuss stories of people who have discovered or rediscovered a new passion, ranging from the exotic to the mundane, happy to sad. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Free. Meeting via Zoom. For more information and to register. Hosted by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at San Francisco State University; an OLLI account must be established to register for the session.
Virtual
Thursday 2/4 – Holiday: Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Ox as poets Michael Warr and Chun Yu read works in English and Mandarin that reflect the essence of the New Year — vanquishing the past, embracing new beginnings, and venerating ancestors — while Aiqin Zhou demonstrates her skillful calligraphy by illustrating the poems. 7 to 8 p.m. $0 to $25. Presented by the Asian Arts Museum. Event link will be provided in confirmation email. To purchase tickets and for more information.
Virtual
Tuesday 2/9 – Finance: Small Business Tax Basics
Liz Hanley of Liz Is All Biz, Inc. will cover best practices in business bookkeeping, tax filing, estimated taxes, and entity types. Hosted by the Small Business Program at the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Free. For more information and to register (required).
Virtual
Thursday 2/11 – Performance: Comedians & Commentary & Cynthia
In this comedy show, comics perform while being interrupted, questioned, and heckled by other comics. A portion of the proceeds go to Black Lives Matter organizations addressing racial injustice or providing community services. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free, with option to make a donation. To reserve your space and for more information.
Virtual
Thursday 2/11 – Cooking: Soul Food for my Soulmate
In honor of National Donor Day, Donor Network West presents a virtual cooking demonstration featuring celebrity chef Nikki Shaw. Chef Shaw will create a soul food dinner for two, joined by heart transplant recipient Frank Green III and his wife Bashana. Recipes will be provided in advance so attendees can cook alongside and make a savory, healthy soul food meal that’s good for the heart and soul. 6 to 7 p.m. Free. To register and for more information.
Virtual
Saturday 2/13 – Health: Learn to Meditate
This virtual session for beginners will introduce the benefits of meditation, which can help settle the body and mind amid the swirl of daily life. Sitting in a balanced posture creates a steady calm that, with training, can become the way you meet whatever arises. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and find a good place to sit, or lie down, during the session. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. $0 to $25. Present by the San Francisco Zen Center and Asian Art Museum. To purchase tickets and for more information.
Online
Sundays 2/14, 2/21, 2/28 – Audio Drama: “Books & Roses”
San Francisco theater company Word for Word’s new audio drama podcast series Word for Wordcast continues with “Books & Roses” by Helen Oyeyemi, posted in three parts. “Books & Roses” is a fairy tale and a remarkable love story about Montserrat, a foundling left in a Catalonian chapel at the feet of Virgin de Montserrat. Her only possession is a key hanging on a golden chain around her neck, and a note. Cared for by the monks of the order, she grows up and finds work in a laundry, where she encounters Señora Lucy, a painter who also wears a key. Montserrat eventually discovers that she and Lucy are linked when she finds the lock that fits her key. Her reaction is bittersweet, “She’d carried the key to this place for so long and now that she was there she didn’t know where she was.” From Oyeyemi’s short story collection, What Is Not Yours is Not Yours, described as “flawless” by National Public Radio. For more information and how to listen.
Virtual
Thursday 2/18 – Comedy: Lockdown Comedy
Geduldig’s Kosher Comedy presents Lockdown Comedy every third Thursday of the month. February’s show features Jackie Hoffman (New York), Elvira Kurt (Toronto), Bernadette Luckett (San Francisco), Lisa Geduldig (from Flawrida), and Arline (Lisa’s mom). 6 p.m. $10 to $20. To purchase tickets and for more information.