(Photo by Chris Palomar on Unsplash)
14 Fun Things: Murakami paints SF, free outdoor movie galore + more events this week
18 June 2018
and
(Photo by Chris Palomar on Unsplash)
Also, it's Pride Week, of course. So if you're looking to fly your rainbow flag, sashay over to our roundup of the best Pride events. If you'd rather steer clear of the crowds, keep reading—there's plenty art, food, film, and music to keep you well entertained.
Monday, June 18-30: The Playful World of Takashi Murakami
When: 10am to 8pm
Where: Martin Lawrence Galleries, 366 Geary St. (TenderNob), martinlawrence.com
Why: Remember when Louis Vuitton purses were swathed in cherries and long-lashed eyeballs? Or when Kanye West released that music video including an adorable brown bear with sparkling rainbow eyes? You can once again be immersed in the multihued wonderland of contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, on show now at Martin Lawrence Galleries.
Tuesday June 19–23: Refugee Food Festival
When: Multiple times
Where: Multiple locations
Why: The Refugee Food Festival pairs top local chefs—from restaurants including Tawla, Hog Island Oyster Co., and Jardiniere—with refugee chefs who prepare authentic dishes from their home countries in five pop-up dinners. // facebook.com
Wednesday, June 20: Surrealistic Summer Solstice Jam 2
When: 6pm to 10pm
Where: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, 100 J F Kennedy Dr. (Golden Gate Park), sfrecpark.org
Why: Head to the Conservatory of Flowers for a free concert in the park. As the longest day of the year transitions into night, you can relive last year's Summer of Love light installation and listen to iconic 60s tunes—by the likes Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, and Jefferson Starship—performed live. // facebook.com
Wednesday, June 20: Movie Night on the Green
When: 6pm
Where: Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle (Larkspur), marincountrymart.com
Why: Tonight's season opener of Marin Country Mart's free outdoor movie series kicks off with the Wizard of Oz. Grab a blanket or a beach chair, and enjoy food and drinks from tasty eateries on site. Later in the season, take the kiddos to screenings of Cars, Mary Poppins, and the OG Jungle Book.
Wednesday, June 20: SF Lights Up for Pride
When: Evening
Where: SF City Hall (Civic Center), sfgov.org; San Francisco International Airport (South San Francisco), flysfo.com
Why: Pride festivities are already underway, but tonight we paint the town rainbow as SF City Hall and the international terminal and control tower at SFO light up in honor of the annual celebration. The colors will change later in the week for the annual Transgender March.
Wednesday, June 20: Eat a Sandwich
When: 7:30am to 4pm
Where: Kantine, 1906 Market St. (Duboce Triangle), kantinesf.com
Why: The Scandinavian pop-up Kantine has opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant and is serving its signature, the open-faced Danish smørrebrød, topped with anything from shrimp with mayo amd dill to smoked trout rilletes to peppered pork with apple, pickled beets, and red onion.
Thursday, June 21: Americana-Themed Roller Disco
When: 8pm to 10pm
Where: Church of 8 Wheels, 554 Fillmore St. (Lower Haight), churchof8wheels.com
Why: Skyy Vodka is throwing a 1970s–style roller disco bash with dancing, complimentary Pride-themed cocktails, eat including cookies from XO Bakes, face paint and glitter tattoo stations, and a photo booth to capture the moment. One hundred percent of ticket sales will be donated to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). // Tickets ($15) are available at eventbrite.com.
Thursday, June 21: Third Thursday
When: 5pm to 10pm
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. (SoMa), yerbabuena.org
Why: Party like it's the weekend at this monthly night of art, music, performance, and drinks spanning Yerba Buena district venues including the CJM, Root Division, Museum of the African Diaspora, Bluestem Brasserie, Novela, and more.
Thursday, June 21 and Friay, June 22: LGBT Happy Hour With the Speakeasy
When: 5:30pm to 7:15pm
Where: Goorin Bros. HQ, 1612 Stockton St. (North Beach)
Why: Did you know there's a hidden speakeasy beneath the Goorin Bros.' North Beach shop? Tonight and tomorrow night, the hat makers will open up the former saloon for a pre-Pride celebration with a free performance from the Speakeasy, the beloved 1920s-themed theater experience. // Event is free (hats and hooch are extra); for more information, go to facebook.com/events.
Thursday, June 21: Waterfront Flicks
When: 8pm to 10:30pm
Where: Jack London Square, Broadway and Embarcadero (Oakland), jacklondonsquare.com
Why: Sit under the stars and catch a free outdoor screening of the coming of age baseball film The Sandlot, with special goodies and activities provided by the Oakland A's. Later in the season, look for screenings of Coco and Black Panther. // For more information, go to facebook.com
Friday, June 22nd: Culinary Pop-up at Plum
When: 4pm to 2am
Where: 2216 Broadway (Oakland), plumcocktailbar.com
Why: Daniel Patterson's Alta Group debuts a guest chef series at Plum Cocktail Bar in Oakland this month. First up is Keith Corbin, who was opening chef at the original Locol. Corbin's menu offers southern flavors with a produce-driven Californian aesthetic and includes watermelon and cucumber salad, grilled shrimp and grits with pickled okra, oxtails and rice, and more.
Saturday, June 23rd: Dinner
When: 5pm to 10pm
Where: Pearl, 6101 California St. (Outer Richmond), pearl-sf.com
Why: The team behind Pizzetta 211 has launched a new neighborhood gem, located right next door, called Pearl. There's coffee and pastries during the day; by night, expect a menu of crudos, handmade pastas, and a giant tomahawk chop with chili-cheese polenta, cipollini onion, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce for a family-style supper style.
Sunday, June 24: See Ziggy Marley
When: 2pm
Where: Stern Grove Festival, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. (Parkside), sterngrove.org
Why: Three-time Grammy Award winner Ziggy Marley takes the stage for a free show at Stern Grove Festival. Get there early to catch Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho deliver bossa nova, samba, Brazilian rap, and reggae. If you're looking for a mellow weekend, Stern Grove is a perfect place to escape the chaos of Pride.
Sunday, June 24: Rooh + Absinthe
When: 5:30pm reception, 6pm seated dinner
Where: Rooh, 333 Brannan St. #150 (SoMa), roohsf.com
Why: Rooh executive chef Sujan Sarkar is opening his space for the Absinthe Group, whose chefs from restaurants including Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Bellota, and Comstock Saloon will be cooking up a storm. Expect welcome cocktails, passed canapes, and a six-course tasting menu. // Tickets ($135 for the six-course menu, $45 for optional beverage pairing) are available at mailchi.mp