Get ready for a great week.
Cal Academy is headed to space, new dining options abound, and the weekend is full of festivals.
Sean Penn's got a new book out—go hear him talk it up.(Eric Ray Davidson, courtesy of Commonwealth Club)
Monday, April 9: An Evening With Sean Penn
When: 5:30pm check in, 6:30pm program begins
Where: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), sfwmpac.org
Why: See Academy Award winner Sean Penn in discussion with novelist Barry Eisler to discuss his debut book, Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff. The story of a modern American entrepreneur-slash-assassin blends satirical thriller with political commentary. // Tickets ($55) include a copy of the book and are available at commonwealthclub.org.
Tuesday, April 10: A Thousand Thoughts
When: 7pm
Where: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro), castrotheatre.com
Why: At this one-night event, Sam Green, a frequent performer at Pop-Up Magazine, will narrate a live documentary chronicling the world of the Kronos Quartet and the musical group performs. // Tickets ($30) are available at sffilm.org.
Tuesday, April 10: Dine Finely
When: 5:30pm to 11pm
Where: Avery, 1552 Fillmore St. (Western Addition), averysf.com
Why: RTB, the fine dining pop-up from Rodney Wages (Atelier Crenn, Saison, Benu, French Laundry), is transforming into its finalized concept, Avery. There'll be a new look and evolved menus focusing on modern american cuisine. Guests will be able to choose from three prix-fixe menus that'll change often and with the seasons, and drinks will be sake-centric.
Wednesday, April 11: Art + Coffee
When: 1pm
Where: Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St. (Civic Center), asianart.org
Why: You need a coffee break. Get caffeinated with Ethiopian pour-overs from SF Coffee Cruiser while you stimulate your creative mind at the Asian's bimonthly Village Artist Corner. Led local artist Barakah Aly lead you in the meditative art of yarn wrapping. // facebook.com
Wednesday, April 11: Happy Hour
When: 5:30pm to 7pm
Where: Lord Stanley, 2065 Polk St. (Nob Hill), lordstanleysf.com
Why: Join Lord Stanley for a bubbly drink and an appetizer a the restaurant's new happy hour. For just $15, you could enjoy a glass of Sottiss sparkling rose paired with trout blinis and locally foraged seaweed (options will rotate weekly).
Thursday, April 13: Space Out
When: 6pm
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr. (Golden Gate Park), calacademy.org
Why: Open your mind to the world of space travel and exploration and learn the latest on extraterrestrial life from astronomer Seth Shostak at Cal Academy's nightlife event ($12) this week.
Thursday, April 12: Mourad x Tablas Creek Wine Dinner
When: 6pm to 10pm
Where: Mourad, 140 New Montgomery St. #1 (SoMa)
Why: Join Mourad's wine director Tara Patrick for a special wine dinner on Thursday April 12th. Chef Mourad has curated a special menu of his classic dishes that will perfectly pair with Tablas Creek's iconic wines, like cod with peas lovage and white asparagus, sweet breads with young garlic, mushrooms and grenobloise, and lamb shoulder with lentils, bluefoot mushrooms, kale and flatbread. // Tickets ($260) are available at mouradsf.com.
Friday, April 15: Coffee Cupping
When: 3pm to 4pm
Where: Sightglass, 270 7th St. (SoMa)
Why: Learn to evaluate coffee and broaden your palate at Sightglass' training lab. They'll be lots of tasty coffee and good conversation. // RSVP at sightglasscoffee.com.
Friday, April 13: Sorrel Opens
When: 5pm to 10pm
Where: 3228 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights), sorrelrestaurant.com
Why: Sorrel, the pop-up by chef Alex Hong (Jean Georges, Quince), makes its brick-and-mortar debut in Presidio Heights. Californian-inspired fare will be available in both a la carte and tasting menu options; cocktails come complements of beverage director Samuel Bouge (Flour+Water, Central Kitchen).
Friday, April 13: SingleThread x Smyth x Willows Inn
When: 5pm to 10pm
Where: SingleThread Farm, 131 North St. (Healdsburg)
Why: Head to Healdsburg for a one-night only special collaborative dinner between SingleThread, Chicago's Smyth Restaurant, and Lummi Island's Willows Inn. The 11-course tasting menu will have alternating courses prepared by each chef, who will spend time at the SingleThread farm and conduct foraging trips to the coast to create a one-of-a-kind menu for the evening. // Tickets ($375) are available at exploretock.com.
Sat, April 14: Sip Cider All Day
When: 1pm to 5pm
Where: Civil War Parade Ground (Presidio)
Why: Cider Summit SF returns to the Presidio for its fifth year. This is the largest hard cider fest in the region, so expect nearly 200 sips from both international and local producers including Ace Cider, Cider Brothers, Golden State Cider, Tilted Shed Ciderworks, Sonoma Cider, and Two Rivers. Pair it with bites from the likes Slow Hand BBQ and Full Moon Crepes. // Tickets ($40 advance, $45 at the door, $50 for VIP) are available at cidersummitnw.com.
Saturday, April 14-15: All the Festivals
When: Multiple times
Where: Multiple locations
Why: It's time to party. This weekend brings the return of the beloved Cherry Blossom Festival, West Portal's 30th Annual Sidewalk Arts & Crafts Show, and Berkeley's Bouquet Market, stuffed with wares from local makers. Learn more in our guide to the best spring festivals and fairs.
Sunday, April 15: Italian Race Car Show
When: 11am to 6pm
Where: Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St. (Nob Hill)
Why: Head to the 28th annual California Mile to see historic Italian rides from the 1920s-1950s. Over 70 cars from a dozen states and overseas that could have qualified for Italy's thousand mile event that ran from 1927-1957 will arrive at the Fairmont. Meet the drivers and salute Italy's most famous open road race, the Mille Miglia. // californiamille.com
