Now through 1/6/18 – Art: Xiaoze Xie: Nocturnes
Xiaoze Xie observes daily life, particularly night scenes, to create theatrically lit, stage-like spaces with an ambiguous atmosphere and mood in paintings and a new video. The subjects in Nocturnes expand on Xie’s long-standing interest in exploring social reality and history. Stylistically, the works resonate with his earlier efforts, evoking a melancholic, poetic, quality as he captures the subtle color variations found in the low light of evening hours. Xie deploys 35 millimeter and medium format film cameras, Hi8 home and mini-DV digital camcorders, 5D Mark II, and, often, an iPhone to constantly study and document everyday life in still and moving images. Minnesota Street Project, Anglim Gilbert Gallery, 1275 Minnesota Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2AOgdT3
Now through 1/10/18 – Art: Game Recognize Game
Game Recognize Game reflects a deep inquiry into sports’ power and potential as a culture-building element for social change, curated by Dania Cabello. Free. SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2nK230r
Now through 1/27/18 – Art: The Racism Series
The Racism Series consists of prints produced in 2017, reflective of recent political and human conditions, especially their effects on minority communities. Negative Space Gallery at Dependable Letterpress, 1192 Illinois Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2A2sKSo
January 2 – Art: Free Admission Day
Enjoy free admission to the Museum of Craft and Design on the first Tuesday of every month. For museum hours and more information: http://bit.ly/2hVUvBu
January 4 – Music: Bum Wagler & The Tune Wranglers
Live music by Bum Wagler & The Tune Wranglers, who play original tunes in the Honky Tonk country vein. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farleys, 1315 18th Street.
January 6 – Sports: Free Ice Skating Lessons in Union Square
Available for all ages, lessons will last 30 minutes; skaters will then have 30 minutes to free skate and practice their skills. Free, including skate rental, to those who sign up in advance. Limited to 50 participants per session. To enroll and for more information: http://bit.ly/1pWQHBo
1/6 and 1/7 – Art: Vintage Paper Fair
California’s finest selection of antique postcards, advertising, pin-up art, local history, sports, entertainment, transportation memorabilia, and more. Complimentary appraisals on site. Free. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. County Fair Building, Hall of Flowers, Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way. For more information: http://bit.ly/2BPNvOL
January 12 – Literature: T(w)een Winter Read
Teens and tweens are encouraged to pick up a reading log. Every five hours of reading fills one log, which, when returned to the library, becomes a raffle entry. The more read, the more chances to win. 5:30 to 6 p.m. SFPL, Mission Bay, General Floor Area, 960 Fourth Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2iMKhEm or email jspringer@sfpl.org
January 13 – Literature: Page Turners of Potrero
Umpqua Bank and Christopher’s Books are pairing up again for our series “Page Turners
of Potrero” where local authors and artist come do readings/activities with neighborhood children. Free. 11 a.m. Events every second Saturday of the month. Umpqua Bank, 415 De Haro St. For more information: StephanieSanchez@UmpquaBank.com
January 16 – Music: Daniel Berkman
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.
January 16 – Politics: MLK 2018 March
Join thousands honoring the Selma to Montgomery, Alabama marches at the MLK2018 commemorative march/parade from San Francisco’s Caltrain Station to Yerba Buena Gardens. The 1.5-mile journey crosses the Lefty O’Doul Bridge and stops at Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park to commemorate the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, a symbol of violence and victory in the Civil Rights movement. At Yerba Buena Gardens, an interfaith commemoration will remember Dr. King. Participants in groups of ten or more are encouraged to register to ensure a designated location within the march/parade. 9:30 a.m. to noon. Free. For more information: http://bit.ly/2nMBYxy
January 17 – Literature: The Spirituality of Awe
In The Spirituality of Awe, the robotic revolution is here and there’s no going back. From the way we raise our children, work settings, governments, and even wars, the quick fix-instant result society is roiling our world. What’s lost in this delirium is depth, the awesomeness, not just of machines, but of our flesh, capacity to feel and dwell in the miracle of the unknown. Can we preserve awe — the arguable “heart” of humanity — in spite of and even in light of our technologies? Or will we devolve into mechanically driven puppets, numb to possibilities, blind to our servitude? Author Kirk Schneider, Ph.D., is a leading spokesperson for contemporary existential-humanistic psychology. 6 p.m. Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building. For more information: http://bit.ly/2iHN01M
January 17 – Music: Soul Delights
Join us for a lively performance. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
January 18 – Music: EJ Matthews Band
Voted “Breakout Artist of the Year” in 2017 by Living Blues magazine. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
January 18 – Comedy: Sketchfest
The 17th annual SF Sketchfest Comedy Festival takes over the California Academy of Sciences for a knee-slapping night of creatures, cocktails, and humor. 6 p.m. Members $12. Non-Members $15. California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive. For more information: http://bit.ly/2nModis
January 20 – New Year: Mochi Pounding Ceremony
Celebrate the Japanese New Year with Kagami Kai, an acclaimed mochi group, as it presents the colorful and exciting New Year tradition of mochi pounding to make delectably sweet rice cakes, with music, dance and costumes. Fold paper cranes and take an omikuji – paper fortune – from the fortune tree for luck and prosperity in the new year. Free with general admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Asian Art Museum, Samsung Hall, 200 Larkin Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2yV2msG
January 20 – Food: The Great Mac ‘n Cheese Melt-Off
Fifteen of the best food trucks and pop-up shops will be mixing up mouthwatering mac and cheese specials all day long. Who’ll be the mac and cheesiest? Cast your vote for the chancellor of cheese, the monarch of mac, the king of queso in this tasty melt-off. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 to $32. SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street. To purchase tickets and for more information: http://bit.ly/2BR0LD1
1/22 through 1/31 – Food: SF Restaurant Week
SF Restaurant Week celebrates San Francisco’s world-class dining community. Nearly 130 restaurants around the City offer special prix-fixe menus to showcase their passion for sharing great food. Lunch (two+ courses): $15 and $25 menus. Dinner (three+ courses): $40 and $65 menus. For more information: http://bit.ly/1mZ1Q3F
January 24 – Community: Tree Planting
Join Friends of the Urban Forest for a community planting and potluck event. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Neighborhood request deadline: January 24, 2018. RSVP and for more information: fuf.net/events.
January 25 – Science: Radioactivity
What’s going on inside the nucleus of an atom? Why does it spit out radiation? Did you know that you’re exposed to radioactivity every day? Learn the facts about this somewhat controversial topic. Adults only (18+). 6 to 10 p.m. $17.95 advance; $19.95 at the door. Exploratorium, Pier 15. For more information on the evening’s full program and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/2z03x6Z
1/26 through 2/4 – Film: Noir City
Enjoy classic noir creations from around the world at the Noir City Film Festival. Most of the works are from the 1940s and 1950s. Each night, see two of the best works from a specific country, such as France, Argentina, and the United States. Proceeds from the festival help fund the Film Noir Foundation’s restoration and preservation efforts year-round. An all-access pass or individual Noir City double-feature tickets are available. Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street. For ticket prices, and more information: http://bit.ly/2kLhc08
January 27 – Dance: Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the San Francisco Public Library with a Chinese Lion Dance and martial arts performance. 5 to 5:30 p.m. SFPL, Potrero Branch, 1616 20th Street. For more information: http://bit.ly/2nN7Py8
