This week’s Curator: Mikl-em of The Interval / Long Now.
Summer’s here and the time is right for piaaaanos in the gar-den & theeee-ter in the parrrrk! Two annual San Francisco traditions begin again this week. One in its 4th year and the other pushing 60. Both happen in parks, both are effectively free (if you’re an SF resident), and go on for days on end. The spirit and soul of San Francisco are alive (like the Monster’s bicentennial) even if they’re double mortgaged, a bit grumpy, and tragically tinged with southerly blowing debris from the start of fire season.
But NO, I won’t get bogged down in the petty facts of the case. It’s an unimpeachable truism that life and culture go on in a feisty city by the Bay; in spite of mayhem in the world. This week is all about enjoying the perennial bounty of San Francisco’s flora, fauna, and culture. Plus some weird Victorian shit.
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
Wednesday night live classical music in a bar: “Classical Workshop”
Here’s a remarkably civilized, somewhat contrarian way to spend the Fourth of July (or any Weds.) night: the Monroe in North Beach has live classical music starting at 9pm every humpday. I haven’t yet been, so the usual cautions apply, but reviews seem positive. I mean, it’s chamber music in a bar in North Beach–that sentence gets better as it goes along. And there’s no cover, so take the opportunity for a night out in one of our great neighborhoods. Let us know how it is?
July 4 – WED 9pm (every Weds) in North Beach, San Francisco; Free
SF Mime Troupe, season premiere: “Seeing Red: A Time-Traveling Musical”
The SF Mime Troupe is NOT silent white face stuff. It’s not. Okay? It’s alright, I understand your concern. What it is is genuine political theatre: it’s like a protest march sitting down with live music and slapstick comedy. If you already have 4th of July plans, don’t worry, they’re at Dolores Park again this weekend, and then stage free shows through September all over the greater Bay Area: Palo Alto, Mill Valley, Richmond, Oakland, even Sacramento. Most are outdoors, FREE in public parks. So when they pass the hat, thin your wallet if you can—knowing you’ll help a lots of others get a dose of comedy, outrage, maybe inspiration, who might not be able to afford it. SFMT started in 1959(!); each year they create a new show to satirize the hypocrisies d’annum. Hm, it may run long this year. You should know: the legendary Bill Graham was the Mime Troupe’s original manager; the first concert he promoted was a benefit to help secure the right to perform in parks.
July 4, 7, 8 – WED, SAT, SUN, 1:30pm start; Dolores Park (19th & Dolores), SF; Free, but kick in $20 or what you can to support the art! Ongoing various locations through September
Flower Piano at the San Francisco Botanical Garden
A recent San Francisco tradition that’s here to stay: for the fourth year running Golden Gate Park’s glorious Botanical Garden hosts a dozen pianos for 12 days enabling planned and spontaneous music to bloom. The next 2 weekends dozens of musicians will play simultaneous sets around the Garden’s 55 acres. Turn a corner on the garden path to find boogie woogie rocking the rhododendrons or an opera singer in the Redwood Grove. All musical tastes are served in these daytime weekend performances with solo piano and all kinds of combos. Local lights like Jill Tracy, Kitten on the Keys, Allison Lovejoy, and members of the SF Symphony play jazz, gospel, latin, ragtime, standards, tango… But there’s more: weekdays 9am-6pm the pianos are available for spontaneous tinkling by expert, amateur, and surprised botanists alike. Amazing things happen these days, too. Same admission throughout: free for residents, $8 for out-of-towners to help the music and garden grow. Also special evening events (more on that below)
July 5–16 – (starts THU) 9am-6pm daily; weekend concerts 11am-5pm, SF Botanical Garden; Free to SF residents or $8. Site has all the details.
Golden Gate Audubon Field Trips around the Bay Area
Birder curious? Who isn’t. The local Audubon society is newbie friendly and explores the wilds both far afield (Lassen Volcanic National Park) and close to home (Fort Mason, Lake Merritt, etc). From two-hour walks to weekend camping trips, the fringe benefits are many and probably obvious, not least is watching people watching birds is fascinating people-watching. Challenges (aka more fringe benefits) include getting up early and being quiet.
July 6, 8, 13… mornings (typically 8:30 — 11:30 a.m.) Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley; Golden Gate Park, San Francisco… check site for more dates and details
Film showing: Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon (at Theatre of Yugen)
A special showing of Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1950 film Rashomon, considered by many one of the best films of all time. This is the last of a series of Kurosawa film showings they’ve done (doh! I missed them all, too). Film preceded by Theatre of Yugen’s founder discussing her experience directing the script live. Note: Theatre of Yugen are now in their 40th year in San Francisco!
July 7 – SAT 6 to 9pm at Theatre of Yugen at NOHspace in the Mission, SF; $5 at door or advance
Hannu Rajaniemi at The Interval: The Spirit Singularity
Disclaimer: I’m producing this event; so of course I think it’s awesome. Noted SciFi author Rajaniemi’s new novel takes place in a late Victorian era where Russia and England compete to control the afterlife. Weirdly there’s a basis in fact to this: a spiritual realm obsession gripped the upper echelons of British and Russian society in the early industrial age. He’ll talk about that history and compare it to today’s fascination with AIs and immortality. The Interval is Long Now’s bar, cafe and venue. Our talks are great and so are our cocktails. #JustSaying
July 10 – TUE 6:30pm doors talk at 7:30; The Interval, Fort Mason, SF; $25 (only a few tickets left)
Odd Salon: ECCENTRIC
Tales of unconventional acts and peculiar people, bold non-conformists, daring individualists, and delightful weirdos. Lively history, frequently raised glasses, in-jokes you can catch up with quickly (SCIENCE!), these are a few of the joys of the twice monthly Odd Salon series. Co-produced by Anglerfishery fellow Annetta Black who curated this week’s lineup of six speakers. Always recommended.
July 10 – TUE 6:30-10pm at Public Works SF, San Francisco; $15 ($25 to reserve a table)
NightGarden Piano: 3 nights only
Last year the Flower Piano added a single night time performance in the Gardens. It sold out like crazy and was lots of fun. So this year they’ve expanded it to 3 nights. It’s like the daytime version with some of the best performers showcased and amazing lighting added throughout the Garden plus cocktails and food trucks. This is an early ticket tip, because it may sell out.
July 12, 13 & 14 – THU-SAT 8-11pm, San Francisco Botanical Garden; $45 each night
Follow us on the other places: Facebook | Twitter
Get the weekly dispatch in your mailbox: Anglerfish email list
Suggest an upcoming event to the editors: Submit an event
Caveat Eventor: just because we mention an event here, does not mean it won’t be terrible. Anglerfish curators are looking for events that sound like fun to them – your mileage may vary.