In February 2013, music fests, indie film, art, flash-mob dancing for a good cause, Purim and some creative fundraisers (no boring banquets or keynote speakers!) will keep you busy. And that's not counting the many Valentine's Day events or Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake) celebrations in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
SF Sketchfest
Through Feb. 10
The comedy festival includes tributes to Animal House, Twilight, and Children’s Hospital, comedy for kids, and appearances by Janeane Garofalo, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Fred Willard, Greg Proops, Will Franken and many others.
At various venues in San Francisco. Ticket prices vary.
San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival
Feb. 7-17
This extravaganza of wide-ranging Americana music includes concerts, dances, workshops and children's shows around the Bay Area. Performers include David Bromberg, Bill Evans, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Casey Dreissen, The Bee Eaters, David Thom Band with Don Rigsby, The Stairwell Sisters, and The Brothers Comatose.
At various San Francisco and Bay Area clubs. Ticket prices vary.
SF IndieFest
Feb. 7-21
The SF Independent Film Festival is as famous for its parties (themed on The Big Lebowski, the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, and roller disco) as its flicks (indie and international). The fest turns 15 this year with films themed on coming-of-age (e.g., opening night film The We and the I by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)) and films from the 1970s to the future.
At the Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., San Francisco, and other Bay Area venues. Ticket prices vary.
Doomed Valentines Show
Feb. 8 & 9, at 7:30 pm
The show of embarrassing confessionals reaches its annual climax this month—love, after all, is responsible for some of the best, worst, oddest and most awkward moments of our lives. Brave, grown adults take the stage to reveal their most mortifying, true love stories. Plus contests, improv hip hop from The Freeze, and post-show DJs.
Feb. 8: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., San Francisco 94103; tickets $14, 21. Feb. 9: The Uptown, 1928 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley 94612; tickets $15, 20.
Be Mine Adopt-a-thon
Feb. 8-10
The SPCA waives adoption fees all weekend. Friday’s “Cats, Tats & Cocktails” party (4:30-9 pm) offers an open bar, on-site tattooing for $40, and a tattoo auction (the winning bidders on eBay choose what to tattoo on the skins of two stalwart SPCA employees). On the weekend are free seminars on cat and dog behavior, prizes, a puppy kissing booth and a bake sale.
At San Francisco SPCA, 201 Alabama St., San Francisco 94103. Free.
One Billion Rising
Feb. 14, at 4-6 pm
One in three women on Earth--that’s 1 billion women--will be raped or beaten in her life. Mayor Ed Lee, district attorney George Gascón, Board of Supervisors president David Chiu, and women leaders in San Francisco are part of a flash-mob-like event in about 190 countries to protest violence against women. Get up and join the dancing while DJs spin. Wear red and black to show your solidarity
At San Francisco City Hall steps, Polk Street between McAllister & Grove streets. Free.
California International Antiquarian Book Fair
Feb. 15-17
More than 220 booksellers from around the U.S. and the globe display their books, manuscripts, maps, prints, photographs and other printed materials. With this year’s focus on Asian books and artifacts, there’ll be seminars about and an exhibit of 8th to 20th-century East Asian imprints and documents from UC-Berkeley. Also includes free appraisals of books and discussions about collecting.
At the Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St., San Francisco 94103. Tickets $15, 25.
Forward On Climate
Feb. 17, at 1-3 pm
In D.C., as the Sierra Club, 350.org, Van Jones, Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other activists stage what they hope to be the largest climate rally in U.S. history, solidarity demonstrations will happen in San Francisco and other cities. The rallies are to urge President Obama to fight climate change and to reject a proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline that would run through Nebraska and the Midwest to Canada. Environmentalists say tar sands oil is a “dirty” fuel, and burning it would hike greenhouse gas emissions. The San Francisco march will encircle the State Department office.
At One Market Plaza, 1 Market St., San Francisco 94105. Free.
Local Motion with Little Green Cyclo
Feb. 19, at 6-8 pm
Tonight only, W San Francisco teams up with Vietnamese street food truck Little Green Cyclo to serve appetizers and a family-style, multi-course meal that includes duck spring rolls, pandan waffle with crispy chicken and garlic noodles with Dungeness crab. It’s the latest in a series of one-night-only dinner parties thrown by the W’s executive chef and various food trucks.
At the W San Francisco, 181 Third St., San Francisco. Tickets $40; optional cocktail pairings $25. Seating is limited.
Terracotta Warriors Opening Party
Feb. 21, at 7-11 pm
For the launch of the blockbuster exhibit of “China’s Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor's Legacy, artist collective CHERYL leads “turf war antics” and a dance rumble with DJs, the Extra Action Marching Band, drinks and photo booths.
At the Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco 94102. Tickets $15, 18.
Kronos: Listen Local
Feb. 21 & 22, at 8 pm
San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet celebrates its hometown by performing music by four SF-based composers, including two world premieres by Pamela Z and Nathaniel Stookey.
At Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., San Francisco 94103. Tickets $20-35.
Pancakes and Booze Art Show
Feb. 22 & 23, at 8 pm-1 am
Peruse the works of 75 underground and emerging Bay Area artists and chomp on hot-off-the-griddle pancakes. Entertainment includes a photo booth, body painting and audio-visual performances.
At Gallery & Bar 4N5, 863 Mission St., San Francisco. Ages 21+. Admission $5.
Megillah 3.0
Feb. 23, at 7-11 pm
A multimedia Purim party with comedy sketches by Killing My Lobster, videos, songs, animation, live music and dancing to a DJ.
At Intersection for the Arts, 925 Mission Street, #109, San Francisco. Ages 21+. Tickets $20.
Purim Unmasked: An Off-Street Festival
Feb. 24, at 11 am-2 pm
Celebrate the Jewish holiday based on the tale of heroine queen Esther’s prevailing over villain Haman, which entails fun and feasts, masquerades, and gift-giving. There will be stories, capoeira and steel drum performances, hamantaschen and other food, a book fair, mask-making and kids’ activities.
At the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St., San Francisco 94118. Admission free; bring canned food for the San Francisco Food Bank.
Boas, Bowties & Bubbly
Feb. 24
It’s the Roaring ‘20s and the start of Hollywood's Golden Age at this glamorous fundraiser that includes the Academy Awards shown on large screens, fine food and wine, entertainment and dancing. Proceeds benefit Bay Area HIV/AIDS services organizations.
At Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison St., San Francisco 94105. Tickets $250, 750.
Noise Pop
Feb. 26-March 3
Everything indie--music, film, art and culture—in one festival, which in its 21-year-history has had performers like Yo La Tengo, Sleater-Kinney and Death Cab for Cutie. This year’s lineup includes Toro Y Moi, Starfucker, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, The Fresh& Onlys. Art shows, films, talks and performances by designers, musicians, filmmakers and artists, DIY workshops, a local designer fair, and happy hours, too.
At various San Francisco venues. Ticket prices vary.
