COMING UP THIS WEEK:

“Twelve Pianos” at Fern Alley Sidewalk Cinema
Come watch the film “Twelve Pianos” about Sunset Piano, which evolved into Flower Piano (see more about that below!). It documents artist Mauro ffortissimo, and his band of piano-lovers (including the filmmaker, Dean Mermell) who pushed and pulled pianos into the most unlikely places to find inspiration and commune with music, the city, and nature. Mermell and ffortissimo will be there for Q&A and to treat the audience to a short performance on spinet piano post-screening. An after party will be hosted by the Lower Polk Neighbors at Lush Lounge immediately after the event. Note: anyone who remembers / misses the “Defenestration” art building South of Market should see this film. It has an intimate role in the creative mayhem.
WED, JUL 10, 6:30pm; Fern Alley and Polk, SF; Free

Liminal Dreaming: Exploring Consciousness at the Edges of Sleep
Author Jennifer Dumpert will discuss her new book about the phenomenon of liminal dreaming with writer Erik Davis. Learn more about the state between wakefulness and sleep as you stir in the morning and how it has been used to solve problems and spark creativity.
WED JUL 10, 6:30pm; Mechanics Institute Library, San Francisco. $15

Sunset Piano and San Francisco Botanical Garden Present Flower Piano- Fifth Year Anniversary
Five years ago, the artists Mermell and ffortissimo (see above!) as Sunset Piano joined forces with the San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG) to offer the public a uniquely interactive experience of music in nature, placing twelve pianos in some of the Garden’s most beautiful locations and inviting anyone to come and play their own unique tune. The annual twelve-day-long Flower Piano has evolved into one of the Bay Area’s most highly anticipated musical events of the summer. In celebration of its fifth year at the Garden, everyone is invited to play and listen for just the price of regular Garden admission. The twelve pianos are tucked away in the many flower-filled gardens within SFBG’s 55 acres and are available to the public to play each day July 11-22 from 9am – 6pm, except during select performances.
THU, JUL 11 – MON JUL 15, various times; San Francisco Botanical Garden, SF; Free to SF residents with proof of residency; non-residents: $9 Adult; Kids $6 (or less by age, see SFBG website for details)

Oddball Films 25th Anniversary
Oddball Films is the home of much unusual, rare, weird, and intriguing footage. Celebrate 25 years at the historic Balboa Theatre with talks, screenings, and live musical accompaniment.
THU JUL 11, 8:00PM; Balboa Theatre, San Francisco; $20

Masters of Escape: True Tales of Crime, Passion, and Murder
Join author Paul Drexler for a rousing discussion of six desperate California criminals who thrilled the populace with their daring but ultimately paid the price. On the run, alone, outnumbered; masters of escape arouse our sympathy and admiration, despite their violent crimes. Come on down to get the tea first hand.
FRI JUL 12, 12- 2pm, The Mechanics Institute, San Francisco; Free

Dark Garden 30th Anniversary Rummage Sale & VIP Pre-Sale
30 years of Dark Garden, and a rummage sale?! As they said, the curviest event of the year is here! Check out their famous Annual Rummage Sale, for your chance to purchase both new and gently used items. Entry to the Rummage Sale will once more be coordinated via ticketed groups on a timed entry system, as to reduce wait times for this popular event.
FRI JUL 12-SUN JUL 14 Dark Garden Corsetry, San Francisco; $0- $100.00

Author Talk: Chris Carlsson: Bicycling Commons
You know when you’re in the zone, and your people are there, and there’s almost no longer a need for words? Drawing from his forthcoming published article “A Bicycling Commons: A Saga of Autonomy, Imagination and Enclosure,” Chris Carlsson will give a talk on his notion of “Bicycle Commons,” which he defines as “a shared state of mind and a shared state of experiences” between cyclists. Carlsson contextualizes this concept in the rise and fall of Critical Mass, San Francisco’s monthly communal bike ride.
SAT JUL 13, 4-5pm; San Francisco Public Library; Noe Valley Branch- Free

Writers With Drinks
Writers With Drinks- this should be fun! Expect erotica combined with literature, stand-up comedy with science fiction, and poetry with essays. You’ll also find a good dose of mystery, romance, memoir, rants and who knows what. This month’s writers include Gabby Rivera, Helen Phillips, Sarah Gailey, Troy Jollimore, Grace Lavery, and Natasha Dennerstein. Follow the link to learn more about them and their work. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Charlie Jane Anders MCs and vamps.
SAT JUL 13, 7:30pm – 9:30pm, doors open at 7. The Make Out Room, San Francisco; $5 to $20, no-one turned away.

Live Tattooing at The Asian Art Museum
One part cultural immersion, one part voyeur — guest tattoo artists get out their needles to demonstrate their skills. Spend the afternoon watching tattoo virtuosi, Taki Kitamura, Horitomo, Mary Joy Scott and Colin Stevens as they inscribe original designs — inspired by works in the museum’s collection — on live models using electric and hand-engraving techniques.
SAT JUL 13, 1- 4pm; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; Free with museum general admission

John Law with Julia Solis and Ron English
Come check out notoroious cacophonist John Law’s gallery retrospective of his work as an artist and prankster highlighting decades as an intersection point for machine art, secret explorations, public pranks, and desert festivals. John is local but two conversation partners have flown cross country for this rare sitdown: urban explorer Julia Solis and artist Ron English. Solis and Law come into the light to discuss the shadowy world of urban exploration and tales of their various (mis) adventures exploring worldwide over the last 25 years. World-renowned artist Ron English and Law will discuss the dangers of perpetrating “illegal” art.
TUES JUL 16, 7pm Pro Arts Gallery & Commons, Oakland; $8

Free Oakland Summer Walking Tours | Uptown & Secret Rooftop Gardens
I love brushing up on local history, and learning about architecture. If you do too, check out this walking tour of the Uptown District with an emphasis on Art Deco. Tour includes the Paramount Theatre, Historic Sweet’s Ballroom, the Fox Theater and the Kaiser Center roof garden with views of Lake Merritt.
WED JUL 17, 2019 – 10:00 am | Paramount Theatre 2025 Broadway, Oakland, CA; FREE, but Reservations recommended.

Big Screen Science- Fast Five
GEAR UP FOR THE SCIENCE BEHIND A CAR HEIST MEGA-JAM. Join Anglerfish co-editor Kishore Hari (@sciencequiche) and Jeffrey Silverman (@J_M_Silverman) to discuss the almost complete disregard for physics after the movie. They’ll get into how nitrous engines work, how big of a vault a Dodge Charger can fling around behind it, and which FAST & FURIOUS member is the best driver. Remember, the most important thing is science, not family.
WED JUL 17- 6:30pm – Alamo Drafthouse Cinema San Francisco; $12.75