April 2013 in the San Francisco Bay Area is packed, and it signals the start of the unofficial festival season. Two museums, the Museum of Craft & Design and the Exploratorium, are also opening in new and bigger SF locations.
Elect to Laugh: An Evening with Will Durst
April 3, at 6:30-7:30 pm
Will Durst skewers politicians and political issues. His performance is in conjunction with this year’s Schmulowitz Collection of Wit & Humor (SCOWAH) exhibition, On the Clock: A Playful Guided to Working Life, about “deliberately foolish” job opportunities. Said to be the world’s largest public collection of wit & humor, SCOWAH contains more than 22,000 books in 37 languages and dialects. The library presents an exhibit based on the collection every April Fools’ Day.
At the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco 94102. Free.
Museum of Craft and Design Grand Opening
April 6, at 11 am-6 pm
The museum is free on its first official day in its new, permanent home, in the original 1915 headquarters of the American Can Company (now known as the American Industrial Center). Opening exhibits: Fantastical metal-and-wood vehicles, furniture and objects by Bay Area artist Michael Cooper; Arline Fisch’s copper-wire jellyfish; and a Massachusetts artist’s onsite creation of tree-like forms from paper and other natural materials.
At the Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third St., Dogpatch, San Francisco. Free admission.
Beyond the Possible: 50 Years of Creating Radical Change in a Community Called Glide
April 10, at 6 pm
We all know what Glide is. But unless you’ve been in SF since the ‘60s, you may not know its back story, which is the subject of this discussion (and a new book) by Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. The couple talks about transforming Glide Memorial United Methodist Church into an icon that serves the poor and disenfranchised. Bevan Dufty, the city’s director of Housing Opportunity, Partnerships and Engagement, leads the conversation.
At the San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco 94102. Free.
Civic Art and Urban Change in San Francisco
April 11, at 12:30 pm
Susan Wels, author of the new book San Francisco: Arts for the City —Civic Art and Urban Change, 1932–2012, gives a lunchtime talk about the San Francisco Arts Commission’s impact on the city’s culture and art—e.g., in the creation of everything from Coit Tower to the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival.
At SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission St., San Francisco 94105. Admission: Free; $10.
West Portal Avenue Sidewalk Arts & Crafts Show
April 12-14, at 10 am-5 pm
Some 40 artists display their handmade ceramics, paintings, jewelry, decorative items and other creations.
On West Portal Ave. between 15th and Ulloa, San Francisco 94127. Free. Info: West Portal Avenue Association, (415) 566-3500.
Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
April 13-14 and 20-21
An annual celebration of Japanese and Japanese-American culture that includes taiko and dance performances, martial arts, ikebana and origami demos, live bands, food booths and the Cherry Blossom Queen competition. The finale is a parade April 21 starting from City Hall at 1 pm and ending at Post and Fillmore streets around 3 pm.
At Post and Buchanan streets, Japantown, San Francisco. Free.
The Exploratorium’s Opening Day
April 17, at 9 am-10 pm
The interactive science museum has settled into its new waterfront home, and for the expected opening-day crowds waiting to get in, it promises free “surprises and hands-on activities,” performances, and other “awesome moments” outdoors.
At the Exploratorium, Pier 15, San Francisco 94111.
Felt it. Feel it. Love it.
April 17, at 6-9 pm
Peace Industry Rugs opens its showroom of lambs’ wool rugs and other traditionally-crafted felt products made in Turkey. Furniture and ceramics designed by partnering artists are also on display.
At Peace Industry Rugs, 2235 Mission St., San Francisco 94110. Free but RSVP required.
Songkran Thai New Year Festival
April 21, at 10 am-6 pm
Celebrate Songkran (Thai New Year) by splashing other celebrants with water. Other activities: Kick-boxing demonstrations, a Miss Songkran pageant, live entertainment and Thai food, beer, crafts and products. Presented by the Thai Association of Northern California.
At San Salvador St. at South First St., San Jose. Free.
See next page for the SF International Film Festival and more April events.
