The first week of February brings plenty of ways to celebrate community with Lunar New Year and Black History Month events.
Sip something fantastic at Viridian's Red Envelope pop-up, fill your home with fresh flowers and fruits at the Chinatown Flower Market, meet women from the original Black Panther Party at Cal Academy's NightLife, and vote for your fav at the 2nd Annual Shrimp and Grits Taste Off.
Have a good one!
Get the scent of “Magnificent Magnolias” at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. Now (through March) is prime time for seeing the magical magenta blossoms at their most fabulous; open daily, 7:30am to 5pm. // SF Botanical Gardens, 1199 9th Ave. (Golden Gate Park); details on instagram.com
Catch the last of SF Sketchfest shows this week. Lineup highlights for the final days include Fake Ted Talks (Adam Savage, Amy Schneider, and others), The Fast and The Furious: Musical Parody, The Red Room Orchestra play the "Harold and Maude" Soundtrack, and more; through Sunday. // Lineup and tickets at sfsketchfest.com
If you’re single, mix and mingle at Temescal Brewing. Singles night tickets include your first pint—and you're gonna need it: There will be a matchmaker onsite and professional photographer to take your dating app profile pic to the next level; Tuesday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm. // Temescal Brewing, 4115 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com
Love Disney and dogs and cats? Do some zoomies over to the SFSPCA pop-up celebrating the Walt Disney Family Museum’s new pet-centric exhibition. If you decide to adopt a furry friend during your visit, you’ll receive a free pair of tickets to the museum; through March 3rd. // SFSPCA Adoption Center, 250 Florida St. (Mission); details at sfspca.org
Enter the Year of the Wood Dragon at the Red Envelope pop-up in Oakland. The always-impressive pop-up opens this week and will include a new menu of cocktails, yummy food, 60-foot silk dragons, and of course immaculate vibes; Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm to late. // Viridian, 2216 Broadway (Oakland); details at redenvelopepopup.com
BYO mat for an intermediate warm vinyasa yoga class inside the Conservatory of Flowers; Thursday, 5:30pm to 6:30pm. // Conservatory of Flowers, 100 John F Kennedy Dr. (Golden Gate Park); tickets at gggp.my.salesforce-sites.com
Kick off Black History Month at NightLife: Black Thursday. The after-hours event will celebrate Black joy with music by Lady Ryan, conversations with women from the original Black Panther Party, a Black-owned business marketplace, and much more; Thursday at 6pm. // California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park); tickets at calacademy.org
Yas, Kween! One-half of everyone’s fav Broad City duo, Ilana Glazer, is bringing her live show to SF; Thursday at 8pm. // The Masonic, 1111 California St. (Nob Hill); tickets at livenation.com
Think you know the difference between a good shrimp and grits and a great one? Cast your vote at the 2nd Annual Shrimp and Grits Taste-Off. This Black History Month celebration will showcase the skills of some of Oakland’s most talented chefs; Friday, 6pm to 9pm. // Town Fare, 1000 Oak St. (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com
Take to the bay for a floating screening of Leprechaun. The one-of-a-kind cinematic experience also includes popcorn and all the NA hot beverages your heart desires (plus cocktails for purchase); Friday at 6pm. // Pier 43 (Fisherman’s Wharf); tickets at redandwhite.com
Hear, see, smell, taste, and feel a truly synesthetic work of art. The San Francisco Symphony has collaborated with Cartier to present a multi-sensory production of Alexander Scriabin’s tone poem Prometheus, The Poem of Fire. This one-of-a-kind presentation combines music, lights, and scent cues by Cartier for an immersive concert experience. Also on the program: Béla Bartók’s bloodthirsty fairy tale Duke Bluebeard’s Castle; March 1–3. // Tickets are available now at sfsymphony.org.
Thank you to our partners at SF Symphony.
Martini Madness returns to Sonoma! On Friday, Sonoma Valley’s restaurants, hotels, and bars will bring their unique twist to the classic drink and you’ll get to try them all and vote for your fav. Plus, small bites and discounts at local restaurants to keep you fueled; Friday, 5pm to 7pm. // The Lodge at Sonoma, 1325 Broadway (Sonoma); tickets at eventbrite.com
Find strength in community at a Lunar New Year x Black History Month Celebration. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Malonga Arts Residence Association, has pulled together a day spotlighting performers that celebrate arts and culture in Oakland, vendors and community resources, kids activities, and more; Saturday, 11am to 4pm. // Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. (Oakland); details at oacc.cc
Think your dog’s got the cutest ears in town? Prove it at the Westin St. Francis Dog Show. Prizes will be awarded in four categories: cutest ears, best manners, coolest trick, and most lookalike to Francis the Dog. Plus, there will be a dog photographer, trainer, groomer, and personalized doggo lattes; Saturday, 11am to 2pm. // The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. (Union Square); tickets at eventbrite.com
Fill your home with fresh flowers, fruits, and candies to begin the new lunar year at the Flower Market Fair; Saturday, 10am to 6pm and Sunday, 9am to 6pm. // Chinatown San Francisco; details at chineseparade.com
Snag tickets to the highly anticipated return of the James Beard Taste America Event. Taste your way through some of the Bay’s hottest restaurants including Bombera, Lion Dance Cafe, Birch & Rye, Hilda and Jesse, Horn Barbecue, and many more; Sunday at 5:30pm. // Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, 757 Market St. (SoMa); tickets at squadup.com
Shop goods from local artists, designers, printmakers, and other vendors at an extra special edition of Sucka Flea. The indoor/outdoor market will also feature live music, a full bar, and food vendors; Sunday, 2pm to 8pm. // El Rio, 3158 Mission St. (Mission); details at suckaflea.com
