[Above] Remembering a time when it was (apparently) acceptable to dig up half of San Francisco in search of treasure, and a time when our newspapers instigated merry mayhem among the populace (we should do it again): The San Francisco Chronicle on the Emperor Norton Treasure Hunt
This week’s Curator: Annetta Black, curator of Odd Salon, evenings dedicated to strange but true stories from history, science, art, and adventure.
I’m a Bay Area native, a lover of our local history and overlooked stories, and here in search of our legacy of odd underground happenings, smart weird stuff, opportunities to learn something strange, and dangerous/explodey/high concept and/or delightfully lowbrow art.
This week: Beautiful books, our annual weekend’s worth of maker culture, a celebration of a half century of science, and a look at how we interpret the past through the objects we keep.
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
After Dark: Maker Faire Edition and Copper
The Exploratorium is kicking off the Maker’s Faire weekend with an evening of After Dark, featuring a sneak peek at makers and exhibits. At 8pm host Ron Hipschman and environmental scientist Seira Ashley Adams discuss the science and social history of copper.
MAY 17 – THURS. 6 –10 pm at the Exploratorium. Free for members, $17.95 advance, $19.95 at the door
Bookworks Art Books Show
Local book artists show off their bookbinding and print work creations at the The San Francisco Center for the Book, with cocktails and snacks.
MAY 18 – FRI. 5:30pm – 8:00pm. San Francisco Center for the Book. Free.
Maker Faire
Makers, artist and DIY fabrication artists descend on the San Mateo Fairgrounds once more – this time including some new things like a cosplay and prop making contest and a look at the excellent projects of the Magic Wheelchair folks.
MAY 18-20. 10am-6pm. San Mateo Fairgrounds. $20-85
Walking Tour: Rancho San Miguel Hilltopper
Shaping San Francisco hosts a hiking exploration of the hills at the center of the old pre-urban Rancho San Miguel, from Glen Canyon to the Islais Creek headwaters then to the top of Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, Mt. Olympus, and Corona Heights.
MAY 19 – SAT. Noon. Meet at Glen Park BART. $10
Radio Valencia fundraiser
Support independent radio in the Bay Area with a BBQ afternoon featuring DJ sets from Radio Valencia hosts and live music.
MAY 20 – SUN. Noon-6pm. Impact Hub, San Francisco.
Lawrence Hall of Science 50th Anniversary Open House
Celebrating half a century of science with a day of open access and free programming, including drop-in presentations at the Planetarium, hands-on science demonstrations, and chemistry-powered vehicles.
MAY 20 – SUN. 10am-5pm. Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley. Free
Flash Gordon: Live!
There are two weeks left of the stage version of the film Flash Gordan at The Exit Theater. Per Anglerfisher Mikl Em, expect great costumes and makeup (from the same production team who did a live Barbarella performance recently). Runs through May 26
MAY 18 & 19. 8pm. Exit Theater. $20
Big Screen Science at the Alamo: Raiders of the Lost Ark
How *does* the arc of the covenant melt faces? Join Anglerfisher Kishore Hari for a look at the unlikely science behind the classic Indiana Jones flick. Adam Savage is joining for more science commentary. Almost sold out! Jump on it!
MAY 21 – MON. 7pm. Alamo Drafthouse. $15.25
Simon Winchester at the Commonwealth Club
Journalist and author Simon Winchester discusses how perfectionism and precision impacted history, and his new book The Perfectionists, How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World.
MAY 21 – MON. 12:30pm. Commonwealth Club. $15-$55.
Odd Salon THEORY
This week our long time Fellow Lilia Gutnik is at the helm, bringing six speakers with stories ranging from ill-fated Arctic balloon adventures and fluctuations in the subatomic matter of the universe, beloved transportation conspiracies, questions of human contagion, the human guinea pigs of the 1904 Olympics, and a peek into the Earth’s secret insides.
MAY 22 – TUES. Doors at 6:30, talks at 7:30. Public Works. $15-$25.
“Overview: Earth and Civilization in the Macroscope” – Benjamin Grant Long Now Seminar
Presenting a look at the Earth from above, as seen in the aerial photographs featured in the Instagram project “Daily Overview”. Tickets are still available, but will definitely sell out.
MAY 22 – TUES. 7:30 pm. SF Jazz Center. Free for members, $25
Archives and Memory: New Ways of Making History
Shaping San Francisco explores questions of cultural memory through archives, and asks “How are archivists beginning to shape new ways of making history public?” Featuring film archivist and librarian Rick Prelinger, city archivist/librarian Susan Goldstein, and scholar Howard Besser.
MAY 23 – WED. 7:30-9:30. Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics. Free.
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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.