This week is a hodgepodge of playful events, from an art battle to acroyoga.
Looking for something a little more tradish? Nosh at a clambake dinner, watch free movies, catch a concert, and see some standup.
Have a great week!
Monday, August 13th
(Courtesy of Sound Meditation Presents)
Sound Healing Symphony
When: 8pm to 9:30pm
Where: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. (Nob Hill), gracecathedral.org
Why: Lay back and soak in the sounds of two harpists and vocalists along with the deep drone of the sound bath. This new rendition of the sound healing ceremony will bring together nearly 1,400 people for a restorative experience. // Tickets ($18 – $22) are available at eventbrite.com, facebook.com.
Desi Comedy Fest
When: 8pm to 10pm
Where: Gateway Theater, 215 Jackson St. (Jackson Square), 42ndstmoon.org/gateway
Why: The biggest South Asian comedy fest returns for its fifth year with 11 shows across the Bay Area. Catch the rest of the August lineup. // Tickets ($30) are available at eventbrite.com, desicomedyfest.com.
Open Game Night
When: 6pm to 11pm
Where: Victory Point Cafe, 1797 Shattuck Ave. Ste A (Berkeley), victory-point-cafe.myshopify.com
Why: To combat Monday blues, Victory Point Cafe is launching a weekly game night. Pop in solo or with a date; either way you're bound to leave with new friends. They'll have a game guru to find you a worthy foe. //facebook.com
When: 6pm to 7:30pm
Where: Yoga Garden San Francisco, 286 Divisadero St. (Lower Haight)
Why: Meld the alignment of yoga, the playfulness and strength-building of acrobatics, and the healing elements of Thai massage. Students will work with a partner as well as in trios and groups; come alone, a date, or all your friends. // yogagardensf.com
Tuesday, August 14th
(Nick DeRenzi, courtesy of Southern Exposure)
Vinyasa Flow
When: 7am to 8am
Where: Luckyduck Bicycle Cafe, 302 12th St. (Oakland), luckyduckoakland.com
Why: Start the day with all-levels flow and get 10 percent off breakfast and coffee afterwards. // $10; $8 with pre-registration at the cafe. Or, half off if you bring a friend; free if you bring two; facebook.com
Tarot Salon
When: 6:30pm to 8pm
Where: The Raven's Wing Magical Co, 536 Grand Ave. (Oakland), theravenswingmagicalco.com
Why: Whether you're just learning or are an experienced reader, tarot salon brings together a group to delve into what the cards are all about. Bring your favorite deck and get ready for a night of magic. // facebook.com
When: Noon to 6pm, through Aug. 18
Where: Southern Exposure, 3030 20th St. (Mission), soex.org
Why: This is the last week to scope out the photography and photo-based works of Bay Area artists of color at Southern Exposure's 27th annual juried exhibition, Green Book.
Besharam Dinner Pre-Fixe
When: 5:30pm to 10pm
Where: Besharam, 1275 Minnesota St. (Dogpatch), besharamsf.com
Why: Chef Heena Patel is introducing a new pre-fixe dinner menu ($59/person) at Besharam. You'll start off with snacks such as lentil fritters with coconut chutney and popped lotus seeds and cashews, then choose your own appetizer and main—think spicy grilled fish with baked summer vegetables or a lamb curry with dill rice and mango pickles. Finish with small, sweet bites like carrot halwa.
Wednesday, August 15th
Celebrate Indian Independence Day with damn delicious regional cuisine.
(Courtesy of @august1five)
Forest Bathing
When: 1pm to 3:30pm
Where: University of California Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. (Berkeley)
Why: Take it a down a notch and boost cognitive function with forest bathing, inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Walk through the botanical garden with a series of guided invitations to interact with the land. // Tickets ($40) are available at events.berkeley.edu.
When: 7pm to 10pm
Where: The Great Northern, 119 Utah St. (Mission), thegreatnorthernsf.com
Why: Local artists will transform blank canvases right before your eyes in this live painting tournament. Vote to determine the winner, and then purchase a painting in the silent auction. // Tickets ($15-$20) are available at facebook.com; artists applications at artbattle.com/register.
August1Five Indian Independence Day Celebration
When: 6pm to 9pm
Where: August 1 Five, 524 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), august1five.com
Why: We don't need much more excuse to celebrate Indian Independence Day than August1Five's special four-course tasting menu. Chef Manish Tyagi pulls out all the stops with modern takes on traditional Indian dishes—think lotus root chaat, and baby lamb chops spiced with turmeric, garam masala, and malt vinegar.
Thursday, August 16th
Relive Amélie
When: 9:30pm to 12:30am
Where: The New Parkway, 474 24th St. (Oakland), thenewparkway.com
Why: It's one of our favorite movies of all time...and we love The New Parkway Theater. Relive the magic en français tonight. // Tickets ($10) are available at ticketing.us.veezi.com; facebook.com.
An Evening with Ellen Degeneres
When: 8pm; through Aug. 17th
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Hayes Valley)
Why: Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired by the one and only Ellen. // Tickets ($59-$250) are available at ticketmaster.com.
Coco on the Waterfront
When: 8pm to 10:30pm
Where: Jack London Square, Broadway at Embarcadero W. (Oakland), jacklondonsquare.com
Why: BYO blanket, picnic, and friends for a free screening of Coco under the stars. // facebook.com
Violet's Late Night Happy Hour
When: 10pm to midnight
Where: Violet's, 2301 Clement St. (Outer Richmond), violets-sf.com
Why: In a town where everything seems to shut down at 9pm, this will be your new go-to after 10pm. Order up a double bacon cheeseburger and a cocktail for $20, $8 drink specials, and more.
Friday, August 17th
The Vintage Scooter Rally rolls through town this weekend.
(Courtesy of @alapan)
Botanicals and Brews
When: 6:30pm to 11:30pm
Where: San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F Kennedy Dr. (Golden Gate Park), conservatoryofflowers.org
Why: Meander through the lush Victorian greenhouse and gardens with craft beers from Ferment Drink Repeat and HenHouse Brewing Company. Meet the brewers, discuss botanicals, and chill out to live music and food truck grub. // Tickets ($27-$50) are available at conservatoryofflowers.org.
Vintage Scooter Rally
When: Friday through Sunday
Where: Multiple locations
Why: Vroom vroom around the city with the Black Sheep Scooter Club at the SF Classic Vintage Scooter Rally. The fun kicks off at Cafe Trieste Friday evening and makes the rounds over the weekend with stops including Bottom of the Hill, Mariposa Yacht Club, and The Riptide. // facebook.com, blacksheepsc.net
When: 7:30pm to 9pm
Where: Trademark & Copyright, 1123 Folsom St. (SoMa), trademarksfc.com
Why: Get in a few deep belly laughs with some of the funniest underground comedians while also chowing from the full bar and kitchen. Don't miss the boozy milkshakes, a 7x7 favorite. // The event is free but space is limited; register at eventbrite.com.
Emo Night Brooklyn
When: 8:30pm to 2am
Where: Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music, 2367 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley), cornerstoneberkeley.com
Why: Take a step back in time as the DJ spins emo and pop-punk all night long. // Tickets ($13) are available at facebook.com.
When: 9pm to 12am
Where: Slim's, 333 11th St. (SoMa), slimspresents.com
Why: Catch the notorious multi-instrumental DJ live as he plays hits old and new at one of the city's most beloved venues. // Tickets ($25-$50) are available at eventbrite.com
Saturday, August 18th
(Courtesy of @thecolorrun)
Noise Pop's 20th Street Block Party
When: Noon to 6pm
Where: Noise Pop HQ, 2180 Bryant St. (Mission)
Why: Pray for sunshine and spend a summer day enjoying food, drink, and live music at this free block party at NoisePop HQ in the Mission. There will be plenty of weird activities to sate your desires—go for the lip sync battle, silent disco, flash mob, tarot reading, leatherworking, henna tattooing, and more. // For more information, go to 20thstreetblockparty.com and facebook.com.
When: 10am to 6pm
Where: California to Post Streets (Nob Hill)
Why: Two main stages for live music, a merchant marketplace, arts and crafts booths, and plenty of food will fill Polk Street today. // For more info, go to sresproductions.com, facebook.com.
The Color Run
When: 8am to noon
Where: Alameda Point, 1100 W Red Line Ave. (Alameda)
Why: Run a 5k while throwing color bombs into the air and at each other. Because happy. // Tickets ($30-$35) are available at thecolorrun.co; facebook.com.
Bay Area Brew Fest
When: Noon to 8:30pm
Where: Pier 35, 1454 The Embarcadero (Embarcadero)
Why: In its seventh year, the Bay Area Brew Fest brings together dozens of breweries with hundreds of beers, food trucks, a photo booth, DJ, and more. Admission includes unlimited beer sampling. // Tickets ($45-$60) are available at facebook.com.
When: 9pm
Where: August Hall, 420 Mason St. (TenderNob)
Why: An appearance by pop crooner Sales, along with No Vacation, is a great reason to head over new music/gaming/dining venue August Hall. You can even get in a game of bowling beforehand. // Tickets ($20) are available at ticketweb.com.
Sunday, August 19th
SF Ice Cream Festival
When: 11am to 5pm
Where: Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Boulevard North (Mission Bay)
Why: Cones, cups, floats, and pops from all of your favorite ice cream shops? Uh huh. Lick from more than 30 vendors, plus outdoor games and live music. // Tickets ($5) are available at facebook.com.
Closing Weekend at Stern Grove Festival
When: 12:30pm to 5:30pm
Where: Stern Grove, Sloat Blvd. (Parkside), sterngrove.org
Why: The Revolution and Big Blu Soul Revue play the last show of the season at Stern Grove. Arrive early to sprawl out for a picnic before the concert starts at 2pm.
Fried Chicken! Fried Chicken!
When: 11am to 3pm
Where: RT Rotisserie, 101 Oak St. (Hayes Valley), rtrotisserie.com
Why: Now on weekends only, grub down with a half- or whole-bird fried chicken alongside seasonal veggie sides like heirloom tomato salad.
Clambake Series
When: 10am to 9pm, through Oct. 14th
Where: Presidio Social Club, 563 Ruger St. (Presidio), presidiosocialclub.com
Why: Make like an East Coaster with a three-course clambake dinner ($48/person) of Maine lobster, clams, mussels, corn and potatoes, with classic sips—who wants a sea breeze?!
