Photo: Marco Sanchez (marcosanchez.net)
Now through 5/19 Sunday — History: “Lest We Forget”
German-Italian artist Luigi Toscano presents 78 large-scale portraits of Holocaust survivors as part of an arts and remembrance project, “Lest We Forget,” sponsored by the Goethe-Institut San Francisco and Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany, San Francisco. Toscano, a photographer and filmmaker from Mannheim, Germany, has taken portraits of almost 300 Holocaust survivors in the United States, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Belarus, Austria and the Netherlands. “Lest We Forget” was presented for the first time in 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of World War II’s end. The exhibit was brought to America in 2018. Free. Civic Center Plaza, McAllister Street and Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. More information and schedule of related events here.
5/2 Thursday – Art: Amelia England
Opening for local artist Amelia England. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/2 Thursday – Education: Taste of Potrero Benefitting Daniel Webster Elementary School
Sixty of the City’s hottest restaurants and bars gather for one night, offering unlimited bites and sips. In its ninth year, Taste of Potrero has become
San Francisco’s premier culinary celebration. This year’s contributing purveyors include Piccino, The Slanted Door, Son’s Addition, The Morris, Barvale, School Night, Cala, Uma Casa, Trick Dog, BareBottle, Bon Voyage, and many more. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit Potrero Hill’s Daniel Webster Elementary School. $150 to $250. Group discount available. 6 to 10 p.m. The Midway, 900 Marin Street. For more information and to purchase tickets: tasteofpotrero.com
5/2 Thursday – Art: Agrarianaa
Asian American Women Artists Association and Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center present the multidisciplinary art exhibition Agrarianaa: Art Inspired by APA Agricultural Roots as part of the United States of Asian America Festival. The show features 25 artists reflecting on ancestral farming and gardening practices and addresses interconnected topics, such as migrant labor, environmental activism, land and food sovereignty. Works include installations mapping out food-related customs impacted by factory farming and genetically-modified seeds; and paper and dyed and woven textiles. Opening reception and performances, Thursday May 2, 6 to 9 p.m.; festival to June 22. Free. SOMArts Cultural Center, Main Gallery, 934 Brannan Street. More information here.
5/3 Friday – Tribute: John H. Anderson
Gray and Aaron Anderson, children of John H. Anderson, invite you and your families to join them in memorial tribute to their father’s life. Gather
1:30 p.m.; program 2 p.m. Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro Street. Contact JHAtribute [at] gmail [dot] com with any questions.
5/3 Friday – Comedy: MC Sergio Novoa
Standup comedy by MC Sergio Novoa. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/4 Saturday – Community: First Saturdays in Dogpatch
Enjoy food and drink, shopping specials, and family activities and fun. More information here.
5/4 Saturday – Art: MakeArt Family Day
Join the Museum of Craft and Design for an exploration of its exhibition “Wanxin Zhang: The Long Journey.” Visitors will take a deep dive look into the materials, themes and processes, including water slide decal experiments, painted brick objects, wearable panda self-portraits, and collaborative California Funk sculpture technique. Then, decorate a swag bag, or play with magnetic design. All activities are free with admission and great for all ages. Members: Free. Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third Street. More information here.
5/4 Saturday – Art: Potrero Hill Artists Celebration at the Library
A community party celebrating Hill artists and the Potrero Branch Library. Many of the 70 participating artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Children are welcome and encouraged to engage in art activities (meet Boswick the Clown 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.). Enjoy live music by Six Roses, a local duo which plays jazz standards and original tunes. Light refreshments will be served. This event is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. 5 to 8 p.m. Free. Potrero Hill Branch Library, 1616 20th Street. For more information: Marci Mills, 415.648.1452 or sf.marcimills [at] gmail [dot] com.
5/4 Saturday – Community: Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Family-friendly event celebrating Latino culture, featuring entertainment on two stages, kids’ zone, and other activities. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Valencia Street, between 21st and 24th streets. More information here.
5/4 Saturday to 5/5 Sunday — Art: Hunters Point Shipyard Artists Spring Open Studios
More than 120 artists located on San Francisco’s landmark naval shipyard invite you to their Spring Open Studios for a weekend of art buying and browsing, great food from neighborhood providers and family fun. This unique tradition, celebrating its 30th year, offers a chance to browse a diverse mix of art, interact directly with creators in their workspaces, and buy directly from the artists. Free. 451 Galvez Avenue. More information here.
5/4 Sunday – Family: Sunday Streets
Sunday Streets is San Francisco’s official block party, a roving neighborhood celebration and five-hour gathering where roads are closed to vehicles; pedestrians, roller skaters, bicyclists, and yogis take over for an afternoon. Expect activities like treasure hunts, dance performances, hula hooping, dodgeball games, yoga classes, bubble parties, and tons more fun stuff. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. More information here.
5/4 Sunday – Festival: How Weird Street Faire
How Weird 2019 is the 20th annual celebration of peace, creativity,
and weirdness. The faire features music and art, a unique and quirky marketplace, cannabis education area, and live performances. There’ll be thousands of people in colorful costumes dancing in the streets to nine stages of different styles of electronic music. Noon to 8 p.m. $15 to $20. Howard and Second streets. More information and purchase tickets here.
5/8 Wednesday – Music: Daniel Berkman
Live music by Potrero Hill resident Daniel Berkman, a composer, multi-instrumentalist and innovator of the kora, a 21-stringed harp/lute from West Africa. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/9 Thursday – Music: Ocean Shore Railroad
Performing originals and select covers from the 1960’s to the present. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/9 Thursday – Business: San Francisco Networking Mixer
For those who want to socialize with entrepreneurs, business owners, attorneys, bankers, real estate developers, physicians, technology gurus, sales and marketing experts, and others. 6 to 8 p.m. $10 early bird to $20 at the door. Bar VIA at Hotel VIA, 136 King Street. More information here.
5/9 Thursday through 5/26 Sunday — Theater: Best of Playground 23
The 23rd annual showcase, Best of Playground 23, is a fully-produced evening-length program of short plays drawn from more than 170 submissions and 36 ten-minute plays developed at this season’s Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series held at Berkeley Repertory Theater. Tickets $26.50 to $56.50; Previews May 9 and 10, $6.50 to $41.50. Potrero Stage, 1695 18th Street. More information and purchase tickets here.
5/10 Friday and 5/11 Saturday — Photography: “Westward”
The San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries presents “Westward,” an exhibition featuring ten female photographers documenting and depicting the West. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place. More information here.
5/11 Saturday – Gardening: Bay Natives Garden Party
Live music, free locally-sourced food and drink, and a free plant on offer. Learn about native plants, sustainable living, feed the goats, meet the roosters, bring your kids, and start a garden. 12 to 5 p.m. Free. Bay Natives Nursery, 10 Cargo Way. More information here.
5/12 Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day!
5/15 Wednesday – Music: Soul Delights
Live music by Soul Delights. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/16 Thursday – Music: James Everett
Live music by James Everett, rhythm and blues, jazz and pop singer and performer. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/18 Saturday – Music: Marc Maynon and the CD Onofrio
Performing folk music. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/18 Saturday – Music: Verry McVerry
Verry McVerry, a new solo cabaret show, offers an eclectic selection of songs about love. 7 p.m. $20 to $40. General Admission. 21+. Oasis, 298 Eleventh Street. More information and purchase tickets here.
5/24 Friday through 9/7 Saturday — Art: “What is an Edition Anyway?”
Featuring limited-edition artists’ books, prints, album covers, film ephemera, and other objects dating from the mid-20th century to the present, the exhibition provides a historical context to editions-based practices while engaging six contemporary artists to contribute creative projects that reflect their personal interpretations of the concept. Themes of politics, ownership, authenticity, sampling, distribution, creative autonomy, and empowerment run through the presented objects and artworks. Opening reception: Saturday, June 1, 6 p.m. McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, 1150 25th Street, Building B. More information here.
5/25 Saturday through 5/26 Sunday — Festival: Carnaval 2019
In the spirit of resistance and healing, Carnaval San Francisco dedicates the 2019 celebration to the theme “La Cultura Cura/Culture Heals.” Experience global cuisine, international music, dance, arts and crafts, and other fun activities and entertainment on every street corner for the entire family. This year’s grand parade, on Sunday, May 26, starting at 9:30 a.m. will feature a procession of beautifully adorned floats depicting multicultural ideas and performers. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Harrison Street, between 16th and 24th streets. More information here.
5/28 Tuesday – Music: Screen Door Slammers
Live music by the Austin, TX-based duo. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
5/29 Wednesday – Music: Ben Barnes and Ben’s students
Enjoy music by Ben Barnes, a fiddle player, singer, songwriter. Plus, a recital by his music students. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street.
