San Francisco is 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. Check out our Flavorpill social discovery engine, where you can create and share events with friends, and follow our carefully curated editors’ picks. 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.
Tuesday, May 7
FILM: SFIFF Live & Onstage: Waxworks (1924) With Mike Patton
Wednesday, May 8
FILM: SFIFF Live & Onstage: A Conversation with Richard Linklater We hate to think about this year’s 56th annual SF International Film Festival drawing to a close, but on the bright side, what better way to close it out than with a discussion of one of the best and longest-running film series? Sorry, Star Wars, we’re talking about Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), and now, the highly anticipated Before Midnight, which screens the following night. Linklater focuses on those of his movies starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, but he may stray into his other territory as well: the much-loved Dazed and Confused (1993) or Waking Life (2001), for example. — Nora Oppenheim
Thursday, May 9
CITY GEM: Bike to Work Day 2013 For Bay Area bike commuters, nothing bonds newbies and old sweaty dogs quicker than a long list of gripes: BART restrictions, Titanic-sized pot holes, and the gauntlet of misplaced road rage that is Market Street being not the least of worries. There is a pride in conquering such barriers and arriving to work on time, alive, and somewhat presentable. And to make sure that that keeps happening, the SF Bicycle Coalition is ever-present like a pack of moms with orange wedges at halftime. This year’s Bike to Work Day features 26 Energizer Stations with snacks, bike mechanics, and free tote bags full of goodies — just the kind of pat on the back you need to keep you in the commuting game for the rest of the year. — Emma Rae Lierley
FILM: SFIFF Closing Night: Before Midnight
Friday, May 10
PERFORMING ARTS: Peaches Christ presents The Rocky Horror Show 40th Anniversary Concert Tribute The Rocky Horror Picture Show is something akin to a religious holiday, but we in the Bay Area get the added bonus of having some of the best drag queens around. Peaches Christ graces us with her hosting presence (and what a presence it is!) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cult classic movie with a live concert and stage show. As if that weren’t treat enough, Patricia Quinn (the original Magenta) will be on hand to perform and answer questions, both from Peaches Christ and the audience. And don’t forget your fishnets and leather! What Rocky Horror tribute would be complete without a costume contest? — Nora Oppenheim
Saturday, May 11
FESTIVAL: Oakland Internet Cat Video Festival The Internet. What was heralded at its inception as either the undoing of the modern world or the single greatest advancement toward a truly free, democratic, and open “marketplace of ideas” has mostly produced a lot of amateur porn and cat videos. It is beyond the scope of this writeup to make a case for the glory that is the cat video (and frankly, unnecessary. Has there ever been anything more universally loved?). All of which is to say that the Oakland Internet Cat Video Festival is coming to the Great Wall of Oakland. A celebration of cats, art, and technology, the CatVidFest promises “cativities,” the Save a Kitten music stage, Internet cat videos projected onto the Great Wall, and your feline friend (a leash or a carrier are recommended), all to benefit East Bay SPCA. So pussyfoot your way on down on Caturday, May 11! — Emma Rae Lierley
PERFORMING ARTS: 17th Annual Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam Grand Slam Finals
FILM: Mother’s Day with Mommie Dearest (1981)
Sunday, May 12
FESTIVAL: Patchwork Show Nicole Stevenson was in school for creative writing when she picked up a paintbrush and ended up selling out her very first art show. The experience prompted her to move to LA and try her hand at being a full-time artist. Her auspicious career began with selling paintings on the boardwalk at Venice Beach. But like any good success story, Nicole ultimately launched Random Nicole, a popular clothing line; got featured in dozens of art shows and publications; and, in 2006, founded the biannual Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival with her aunt Delilah Snell, a boutique owner from Santa Ana. The SoCal-based Patchwork Show returns to Oakland for the second time this Mother’s Day, featuring over 100 artisans and crafters selling their wares. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mom), your own wallet, and your indie-homemade DIY wish list. — Bonnie Chan
WORKSHOP/CLASS: Wanderlust Yoga in the City
Ongoing
CITY GEM: SFMade Week Factory Tours If you’re one of those San Franciscans who gets a tingle every time you see the word “artisan” (or better yet, “artesan”!), you’ll be giddy over the SFMade Week Factory Tours happening May 6-12. Featuring local superstars, these factory tours give you a chance to get up close and personal with your favorite local food and craft fetishes: think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory minus the terrifying undertones. Take your pick of tours of Anchor Brewing Company, Woodcut Maps, Timbuk2, Mission Bicycles, and more — no golden ticket required. — Meg Hurtado