Dining out, an annual comedy festival, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, dark humor and dark films and overhauling ideas and careers are some of the themes of events in the Bay Area in January 2012.
CD Release Party: A Dog Named Moo
January 7, at 12:30 & 2 pm
San Francisco native essence (yes, it’s a small “e”), grand prize winner of the 2009 Great American Song Contest and former RCA records musician, sings songs from her new album while getting kids to play games. Songs include T REXXXX!, Everybody Has a Butt and Let’s Make A Pizza.
At California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park. Free with museum admission.
Speed Rack San Francisco
January 8, at 3-7 pm
Sixteen female bartenders compete to mix drinks with speed and accuracy for the title of “Miss Speed Rack San Francisco.” The contest, which travels to various cities in the country, is a benefit for breast cancer education and research.
At Brick and Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St. Tickets $25, 35.
The Intersection
January 14
A one-day pow-wow about applying innovation (in personal creativity, teams, organizations and institutions) to tackle socioeconomic needs such as social empowerment; access to education, capital and technology; health and sanitation; poverty; and natural resources and the environment. Speakers include Susan Sarandon, Marissa Mayer of Google, AOL founder Steve Case and Tim Brown of IDEO. Proceeds go to innovative social impact businesses in the US and Latin America.
At Pixar Studios, Emeryville. Registration $199, 1495, $1995.
National Park Fee-Free Days
January 14 to 16
During Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, all national parks offer free admission. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Forest Service also waive their entrance and standard amenity fees. Parks in the area that will be free include Muir Woods, Sequoia and Yosemite.
Bay Area Youth Orchestra Festival
January 15, at 3 pm
San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and five other youth orchestras from around the Bay Area take the stage in turn, capped by representatives of all six groups jointly playing a selection from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Proceeds benefit homeless youth organizations in the Bay Area.
At Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. Tickets $25, 70; half-price for ages 17 and under.
Dine About Town
January 15-31
There’s still no free lunch, but dozens of San Francisco restaurants are serving two-course lunches for $17.95 and/or three-course dinners for $34.95. The restaurants run from Absinthe to Zingari.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
January 16, at 11 am-5 pm
The Museum of the African Diaspora celebrates King’s birthday with free admission, films about the civil rights leader and an education fair with representatives of historically black colleges and universities. Visitors are welcome to add to a chalk-drawing mural in front of the museum with the theme “What is Your Dream?"
At Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St. Free.
Edward J. Larson: The 100th Anniversary of Robert Falcon Scott Reaching the South
January 17, at 6 pm
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson talks about a historic time a century ago, when Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott reached the South Pole within five weeks of each other. Amundsen's party returned safely; Scott and his team died on their way back. Was Scott a bungler or a dedicated researcher who was just trying to do too much on his expedition? What did each of them contribute to knowledge of the Antarctic?
At the Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market Street, 2/F. Tickets $7-20.
What Color Is Your Parachute?
January 18, at 6 pm
Richard Bolles, who first published his career counseling bible in 1970, talks about jobs, job-hunting and the economy. He also signs his book, which the the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book named as one of 25 Books That Have Shaped Readers' Lives.
At the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St. Free.
The Art of the Baroque Violin
January 19-22, at 8 pm
Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock leads three other musicians in playing music from the 17th and 18th centuries.
At various venues in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Tickets $25, 35.
Sketchfest
January 19-February 4
This comedy festival includes improv, films, music, stand-up, storytelling and game shows, and features a tribute to Robert Altman (led by Elliott Gould and Sally Kellerman), a Reggie Watts series and Drew Carey's “Improv-A-Ganza.”
At various venues in San Francisco. Ticket prices vary.
San Francisco Dump Artist in Residence Exhibitions
January 20, at 5–9 pm; January 21, at 1-5 pm
Three artists-in-residence have spent the past four months at the dump, salvaging scraps and bits to make art and promote recycling and reuse. Come see if their work is art or junk.
At 503 Tunnel Ave. Free.
The Edwardian Ball
January 20 & 21, at 8 pm
This celebration of darkly quirky author-illustrator Edward Gorey and turn-of-the-century art, theater, music, fashion and technology boasts San Francisco’s highest concentration of top hats, corsets and absinthe. Entertainment and diversions: Ballroom dancing, circus and acrobatic acts, bands, steam-powered machines, curiosities on display, DJs, an antique portrait studio, parlor games and performances by Vau de Vire Society, John Brothers Piano Duo and others. A vendor bazaar offers period garments and accoutrements. Get a taste with this video from the 2011 ball.
At Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness. Tickets $29-39, 75-85. Open to all ages.
Oakland Restaurant Week
January 20-29
Bay Wolf, Plum and other popular Oakland restaurants present prix fixe menus at $20, $30 and $40.
Noir City
January 20-29
The festival of film noir includes comedy noir, bad girls, a brand new 35mm print of the 1949 The Great Gatsby, a tribute to Angie Dickinson (who’ll appear), and a day-long Dashiell Hammett marathon. The Swedish-American Hall will be converted into the Noir City Nightclub for a 1940s party on Jan. 28. Proceeds go to saving and restoring endangered films.
At Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. Tickets (for double-bills): $10, 15.
Voices of Latin Rock Autism Awareness Benefit
January 26, at 6 pm
The Family Stone, Blanca, Miles of Will and other musicians perform to raise money for autism programs at local schools.
At Bimbo's 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave. Tickets $55-150.
Macworld | iWorld 2012
January 26-28, at 10 am–5 pm
Billed as “the ultimate iFan event,” this is a three-day pow-wow of talks, art, films, music, learning and shopping all related to Apple technology and products, including an “aapalooza” of great apps. Hank Shocklee and Bert Monroy are among the presenters.
At Moscone Center, 747 Howard St. Tickets $25-100.
