Happy Juneteenth, Father's Day, and everything in between!
This week, the world’s biggest exhibition of LGBTQ+ cinema is on view at the Castro Theatre, Eataly opens its first Bay Area location, the Obama portraits dazzle at de Young, Alameda County Fair gifts free admission to dads, plus more than half a dozen ways to celebrate community on Juneteenth.
Have a good one.
The highly-anticipated immersive Stranger Things experience has finally landed in SF. Be transported into the world of the suspenseful Netflix show where you’ll hunt some Demogorgons and Mind Flayers. Reward yourself with 80s-style merch, food and drinks, photo ops, interactive performers, and more surprises; Wednesday to Sunday through July 31. // The Armory, 333 14th St. (Mission); tickets at feverup.com.
Secure free tickets to see Liz Phair, the nostalgic voice behind every single beloved early-2000s rom-com soundtrack, at Stern Grove on June 26. They go live at 2pm on Tuesday. // RSVP at sterngrove.org.
Celebrate the life of one of the greats with a very special 100-year birthday tribute to Judy Garland. This musical extravaganza starring Debbie Wileman as Judy Garland includes a live orchestra playing a lineup of famous hit songs from Judy’s illustrious career and songs Judy might sing today (from Lady Gaga & Adele to Amy Winehouse & The Beatles) if she was still with us; Tuesday at 8pm. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro); tickets at apeconcerts.com.
Sip literary-inspired cocktails while discovering your new favorite book at Library and Libations, a book swap and celebration benefitting 826 Valencia; Tuesday, 6pm to 9pm. // Mothership, 3152 Mission St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com.
Celebrate the first day of summer in Marin. Many outdoor activities like kayaking and surfing can be enjoyed from any of Marin’s beaches, plus there are numerous ways to immerse yourself in Marin’s natural beauty. // For more information, go to visitmarin.org.
Thank you to our partners at Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Black Food & Wine Experience shines much-needed light on Black professionals in the industry. This week, the multi-day program features keynote speakers and panel discussions, a food and beverage tasting spanning the African Diaspora, and networking with industry veterans and up-and-comers. Plus, Black winemakers will partner with local restaurants to create special pairing menus to celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth. Menus will feature wines priced at $6.19 per glass and food priced at $18.65 per dish, nods to the federal holiday. // Oakland; learn more at thechefmimi.com/bfwe.
Sashay your way to The Westin St. Francis for an evening of legendary drag and entertainment benefitting the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. Enjoy show-stopping performances from headliners Willam from RuPaul's Drag Race, the iconic Lady Bunny, and more; Thursday at 7pm. // The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com.
The world’s biggest and best exhibition of LGBTQ+ cinema is on now at the Castro Theatre. Frameline46’s Castro Pass is your golden ticket to more than 100 queer narratives, docs, and short films the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival; Thursday June 16 to June 26. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro); frameline.org.
Don’t miss Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine’s Outside Problems tour, coming to Berkeley’s Greek Theater on Friday, June 16! // Get tickets before they sell out, ticketmaster.com.
Thanks to our partners at Another Planet Entertainment.
Transport yourself to Italy—Eataly has arrived. Eataly Silicon Valley, the first location in the Bay Area, is officially open at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Foodies will be in heaven with two new restaurants, a market, and a wine shop, as well as a selection of food service counters offering gelato, pizza, coffee, and more; opening day is Thursday June 16 at 5pm. // Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd. (Santa Clara); details at eataly.com.
Join chefs, educators, experts, and adventurous palates for all things purple sea urchin this weekend in Mendocino County. The Mendocino Urchin Festival celebrates this delicacy and its intertwined ocean existence with a host of events in coastal Fort Bragg including a two Michelin-star uni luncheon, a sake and urchin seminar, demonstrations on harvesting and cleaning fresh purple urchin, and more; Friday to Sunday. // Details at urchinfest.com.
Always wanted to experience a night at the museum for yourself? Now’s your chance. Grab your sleeping bag and head to Cal Academy for an adult sleepover. You’ll start with a farm-to-table dinner in the café followed by stargazing in the planetarium, camp crafts, live science presentations, and, of course, s’mores; Friday at 6pm. // California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park); tickets at calacademy.org.
Celebrate the glorious era of '90s queer culture in the Mission at Chloe Sherman's fresh fine art photography retrospective, Renegade San Francisco;Fridaythrough July 23. // Schlomer Haus Gallery, 2128 Market St. (Castro), noon to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment; schlomerhaus.com.
Thank you to our partners at Schlomer Haus Gallery.
(Courtesy of Hangar !)
Party like it’s Pride Month at Hangar 1’s Alameda distillery, where they’re hosting events on their patio every weekend in June. Go for Drag Queen Bingo, a Not So Straight Comedy Showcase, Viva & Friends Drag Review, LGBTQ Music Series, and a Sunday market with Head West and Gardeneur’s 50-plus local craft and plant vendors. All proceeds will be donated to the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. PS: Don’t forget to reserve one of their popular distillery tours, vodka tasting flights, cocktail classes, or guided food and vodka pairings; weekends in June. // 2505 Monarch St, Alameda, CA 94501; more information at hangarone.com
Thank you to our partners at Hangar 1.
Pride, Father’s Day, sunnier days—whatever you’re celebrating, Almanac Summerfest has you covered. Enjoy three days of nonstop good vibes, live music, food trucks, drag shows, and more in the beer garden. Free to attend, first come first serve; Friday from 6pm to 9pm, Saturday from 2pm to 4pm, and Sunday from1pm to 7pm. // Almanac Beer Co., 651 W Tower Ave. (Alameda); details at facebook.com.
The Sundown Cinema series is once again taking over iconic San Francisco destinations with free outdoor movies. This week, watch the Alcatraz-inspired film The Rock in the Presidio. Pro tip: bring your favorite burrito and your warmest jacket; Friday at 6:30pm. // Civil War Parade Ground (Presidio); details at dothebay.com.
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with pitmaster Jack Arnold as he fires up prime beef Strip-loins, fresh Maine lobster, and Texas sausages on the Big Green Egg. This intimate dinner will also feature a delicious lineup of Frank Family wines, cooking demonstrations, and more; Friday at 6pm. // Frank Family Vineyards, 1091 Larkmead Ln. (Calistoga); tickets at frankfamilyvineyards.com.
"Let's Dance" opens the summer season of performing arts at Jack London State Historic Park's outdoor theater. Broadway fans won't want to miss the best hits from 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Wicked, and more re-imagined with Latin, jazz, and modern dance; Friday to Sunday at 7:30pm through July 3. // Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd. (Glen Ellen); tickets at transcendencetheatre.org.
(from left): Kehinde Wiley, 'Barack Obama,' 2018, oil on canvas, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. © 2018 Kehinde Wiley. Amy Sherald, 'Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama,' 2018, oil on linen, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. The National Portrait Gallery.
Beat the rush and reserve your place to see Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of former President Barack Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama in the much-anticipated Obama Portraits Tour. Tickets are now on sale and, given the eight-week limited run, are expected to go quickly. In celebration of opening weekend, free admission, generously underwritten by Google, will be available on June 18th and 19th on a first-come, first-served basis onsite at the museum only (limit four per family); June 18 through Aug. 14. //Make reservations to see The Obama Portraits Tour at De Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. (Golden Gate Park), deyoung.famsf.org.
The Obama Portraits Tour has been organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC. Support for the national tour has been generously provided by Bank of America.
Thank you to our partners at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Switch up your fitness routine and join Athleta for a yoga session at The Clancy Hotel complete with a curated Athleta pop-up shop and juices from Suja. Plus, you'll have the chance to win a $100 Athleta gift card; Saturday, 10am to 11:30am. // The Clancy, 299 2nd St. (SoMa); RSVP at lu.ma.
Feast your eyes on the world's biggest salami at the 66th Annual North Beach Festival. Considered to be one of the country's first free street fairs, you can expect everything from Italian street painting and live music to carbo-loaded eats and vendors; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. // Columbus & Grant Ave. (North Beach); details at northbeachfestival.org.
Bring the whole family out for the 5th Annual Children’s Fairyland Book Festival. This year, the festival features 25 beloved and emerging Bay Area children’s book authors and illustrators for a full day celebrating literature in a storybook setting; Saturday from 10am to 4pm. // Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave. (Oakland); tickets at fairyland.org.
The 10th Annual PanAfrican Wellness Fest brings a full day of holistic wellness to the shores of Lake Merritt. Learn from the Bay’s best wellness providers including experts in meditation, mental health, yoga, Tai Chi, self-defense, spoken word, and more; Saturday, 12pm to 8pm. // Lake Merritt Amphitheater, (Oakland); tickets at afrooak.com.
The (Oakland) hills are alive with the sound of music—plus beer, wine, and more at the 8th Annual Montclair Beer, Wine, and Music Festival. Your ticket gets you a commemorative glass and unlimited tastings of more than 40 craft beers and artisan wines, as well as access to a family-friendly fun zone, food vendors, and live music stages; Saturday, 12pm to 6pm. // Montclair Village (Oakland); tickets at montclairvillage.com.
Juneteenth celebrations take over the Bay this weekend. In San Francisco, head to MoAD for free admissionon Saturday June 18 (11am to 6pm) for art, music, and exhibit exploration. Keep the party going in the Mission at the SF Freedom Celebration and Carnivalon Saturday (11am to 6pm) with carnival rides, hair and fashion shows, live music, and more. Support San Francisco youth at the 1st Annual Juneteenth Festival at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater on Saturday (12pm to 5pm). North Bay folks can catch the 52nd Annual MLK Community Festival on Saturday (10am to 6pm) or the Vallejo Juneteenth Celebration (11am to 4pm). In the East Bay, the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival will feature performances and kids activities on Sunday (11am to 7pm), and Oakland goes all out for the 10th Annual Fam Bam Juneteenth event on Sunday (11am to 8pm).
On Father’s Day, entrance into the Alameda County Fair is free for all dads. Nothing says I love you like a funnel cake and pig racing; Sunday, 11am to 3pm. // Alameda County Fairground, 4501 Pleasanton Ave. (Pleasanton); details at annual.alamedacountyfair.com
Treat Dad to a BBQ brunch, seasonal brews, a bourbon tasting, an ax-throwing competition, a Zeppelin Comics pop-up shop, chair massages, live music, and more surprises; Sunday from 10am to 4pm. // The Meritage Resort and Spa, 875 Bordeaux Way (Napa); tickets at meritageresort.com
It’s full steam ahead on the Father’s Day Brew Train. Local brewers will be pouring tastes of some of their favorite beers. Ride the rails and jam to music on the way to Roaring Camp, where the festivities continue with more live music, gold panning, a BBQ lunch, and more; Sunday, 11am to 3:30pm. // Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. (Santa Cruz); tickets at roaringcamp.com.