To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Litquake is set to stage a legit lineup of literary luminaries this year (sorry, we couldn't resist a bit of festive alliteration).
It all kicks off with the opening night party on Thursday, October 10th. Here are our picks for the can't-miss readings and events.
Eureka! California's Best Authors Read by More of the Same
Isaac Fitzgerald, co-author of Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos (With Recipes), moderates Litquake's event at Swedish American Hall on October 11th.
(Photo by Clams Rockefeller)
8-10pm, October 11th
Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St. (Duboce Triangle)
Beth Lisick, Daniel Handler, Charlie Jane Anders, Tobias Wolff—these are just a handful of the boldface literary giants who will be reading and interpreting stories and passages taken from books by their favorite California authors tonight at Swedish American Hall. Don't miss an appearance from the mysterious Karl the Fog. The event is moderated by author Isaac Fitzgerald, with live music from the Patrick Wolff Quartet. // For details and tickets ($25), go to litquake2019festival.sched.com.
Grace Notes: Poetry at Grace Cathedral
8pm to 9:30pm, October 12
Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. (Nob Hill)
Where better to see a poetry reading than in the dramatic gothic-style surrounds of Grace Cathedral? Look for appearances from award-winning writers Alexandra Teague (Or What We'll Call Desire); Sam Sax (Madness); Gillian Conoley (A Little More Red Sun on the Human), and Matthew Zapruder (Father's Day). // Free to attend, but $5-$10 donation are encouraged; for more info, go to litquake2019festival.sched.com.
Baby, Don't Hurt Me: An Evening With Chris Kattan
Actor Chris Kattan talks about his new memoir, Baby Don't Hurt Me, at Alamo Drafthouse on October 12th.
(Courtesy of @chriskattanofficial)
7:30pm to 8:50pm, October 12th
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at New Mission, 2550 Mission St.
We laughed with his character Gay Hitler at the Saturday Night Show. Now, Chris Kattan, the comic actor, is on stage to introduce his new memoir Baby, Don't Hurt Me. A journey into Kattan's life, from working alongside Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey, to a more painful memories like breaking his neck at SNL. The unfortunate accident that forced him to step back from his career to recover. You'll discover everything during a chat with Isaac Fitzgerald. // Tickets ($30)
Porchlight Storytelling: Liars and the Lies They Tell
8pm to 10pm, October 14th
Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St. (Duboce Triangle)
The Bay Area beloved Porchlight series, cohosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick, returns to the Litquake stage this year with a talented showcase of serial liars—Sarah Cannon, Rene Denfeld, Michelle Ruiz Keil, Tom Lanoye, Tiffany Midge, and Hagar Peeters, we've got our eyes on you. Get ready to laugh and relax with a soundtrack by Marc Capelle. // Tickets ($20) and deets at litquake2019festival.sched.com.
The Ego Has Landed: A closer look at Uber and Facebook
7:30pm to 9:30pm, October 15th
Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St. (Duboce Triangle)
The tech scene is so pervasive in San Francisco, it's even taking on the lit scene. Tonight, sit down for a behind-the-scenes talk about the tech industry with investor Roger McNamee—a technical advisor HBO's Silicon Valley series and author of Zucked: Waking up to the Facebook Catastrophe—New York Times technology reporter Mike Isaac; and The New Yorker writer Anna Wiener. // ($25 adv / $30 door)
Raphael Bob-Waksberg: Someone Who Will Love You in all Your Damaged Glory
The BoJack Horseman creator with his debut collection of stories, Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)
7pm to 8:30pm, October 16th
Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. (Presidio Heights)
We all fell in love with BoJack Horseman. Now the Netflix show's creator, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, will delight us with his presence to introduce his debut story collection, Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory, with his signature dark humor well in tact. Tonight he talk about this new work with Berkeley-based author and musician Paul Myers. // For more info and tickets (($30), go to litquake2019festival.sched.com.
Between Heaven and Hell: A Very San Francisco Conversation with David Talbot
7pm to 8:30pm, October 16th
Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery St. (Glen Park)
Sit in as Salon.com founder David Talbot, also the author of the bestselling book Season of the Witch, seeks to defend the involution of San Francisco and to highlight all the beauties the city still has to offer, even in spite of its unaffordable rents and homeless crisis. He will also talk about the acclaimed movie The Last Black Man in San Francisco, directed by his son, Joe Talbot. // Free to attend; for more info, go to litquake2019festival.sched.com.
The Velvet Underground Experience
(Courtesy of Litquake)
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, 261 Columbus Ave. (North Beach)
Be honest, you could never resist Lou Reed. Tonight at City Lights, Los Angeles–based indie publisher Hat & Beard Press, along with the San Francisco Rock & Roll Book Club, will two new releases—The Velvet Underground Experience, and My Week Beats Your Year: Encounters with Lou Reed. There will be a screening of rare Velvet Underground footage. The night is hosted by the music historian Richie Unterberger.
