Along with temperate weather, a surf-friendly beach, and nearby state parks for days, San Francisco is also home to a breathtaking diversity of cultural events. Between our fair city’s world-class museums, restaurants, bars, art galleries, music scene, festivals, and clubs, between all that is weird and quirky and purely San Franciscan, there’s something going down, somewhere, every single day of the year. What’s an engaged culture hound to do? First step: Check out our newly launched Flavorpill social discovery engine, where you can create and share events with friends, follow our carefully curated editors’ picks, and connect with other people who have similar interests as you. Below, you’ll find Flavorpill’s top picks for this week. Just a little bit of help as you set out into this beautiful wide world of SF’s happenings. Monday, April 8
PERFORMING ARTS: The Moth StorySLAM: Busted Got something the whole world needs to hear? Get ready for the Moth’s second-ever open mic night in San Francisco. Whether you’re an aspiring Scheherezade or just a public radio podcast junkie, you may have heard the story behind this phenomenally popular storytelling series: after leaving behind his native Georgia, best-selling novelist George Dawes Green sought to bring the porch-lit yarn-spinning panache of his homeland to the clubs and cabarets of New York City. Flash forward 16 years or so, and the Moth open mic has spread across the globe and finally arrived in San Francisco. Legend has it that last month’s event sold out in just eight minutes, so would-be raconteurs and listeners should snap up tickets ASAP. — Meg Hurtado
Tuesday, April 9
PERFORMING ARTS: The Starry Plough Open Mic For 35 years, the Starry Plough has poured perfect pints of Guinness and served as a mainstay in the East Bay arts scene, hosting events seven nights a week that range from a raucous weekly Irish Céilí to the nationally renowned Berkeley Poetry Slam. And for 15 years now, Tuesday nights at the Starry Plough have been reserved for an open mic that is generally considered to be the best open mic in the Bay Area. Arrive at 7:30pm to sign up to perform, or just trickle in during the evening to sit back and enjoy the show (if you can find a seat; open mic nights tend to be standing room only). You’ll be treated to musicians you’ve never heard of that you may never hear again, up-and-comers whom you recognize from the neighborhood coffeeshop, local singer-songwriters reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Gillian Welch, an ever-changing lineup of acts that remind you week after week of the breathtaking depth of homegrown talent to be found if you’re looking. — Bonnie Chan
Wednesday, April 10
Thursday, April 11
Friday, April 12
PARTY: Opulent Temple’s 4th Annual White Party This is going to be a bomb-ass party, as Opulent Temple parties always are. Wear all white and show up early for the pop-up dinner, new to this year’s schedule. You’ll find the best in electronic sound entertainment and mind-expanding art, all to prep for Opulent Temple’s always generous donation to the massive fun spot that is Burning Man’s Black Rock City. — Joshua Wyatt
FASHION/STYLE: 8th Annual Discarded to Divine Fashion Showcase
Saturday, April 13
GETAWAY: Saguaro Desert Weekender feat. A Club Called Rhonda Flavorpill and Windows are teaming up with The Saguaro for The Saguaro Desert Weekender pool series during Coachella. Join us on Saturday 4.13 at the Saguaro for a pool party hosted by A Club Called Rhonda. RSVP to join the fun! More info at TheSaguaroDesertWeekender.com. Weekend hotel rooms are available at TheSaguaro.com. — Leah Taylor
FILM: The San Francisco Underground Short Film Festival
Sunday, April 14
GETAWAY: Saguaro Desert Weekender feat. IAMSOUND
Ongoing
PARTY: Friday Nights @ OMCA Off the Grid brings a fleet of food on wheels to the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) every Friday night. Along with sipping some local brew around the Koi Pond, you can also expect a weekly Makers & Tasters series featuring local brewers, coffee roasters, and farmers; live music; interactive activities with local artists and makers; a night market atmosphere; and extended OMCA hours ’til 9 pm with half-price admission. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to take in OMCA’s breathtaking new exhibit, Summoning Ghosts: The Art of Hung Liu. And for even bigger adventures, work a stop at OMCA into an Oakland Art Murmur/First Friday night. — Bonnie Chan