Summer will be here before we know it, and now's the time to start filling up your calendar with the Bay Area's best art, music, and design events coming down the pipeline. From al fresco jazz to a renegade craft fair, here are the seven can't-miss arts events this summer.
It seems that almost everyone in San Francisco has a friend, an acquaintance, or a significant other involved in "design." But what makes the Bay Area such an amazing place for design firms? Take a studio tour or enjoy an event (with that design counterpart of yours), and explore SF Design Week to find out the secret to what makes SF and its surrounding areas so unique for this art form. June 4th-June 12th. San Francisco to Silicon Valley. Sign up for their newsletter for more info.
The DIY craft community has been around since your grandmother's knitting circle first started, but it has evolved into something much more contemporary over the years. Here's where the Renegade Craft Fair steps in—the annual event connects independent makers with those interested in purchasing their handmade goods. Find that unique map of the SF neighborhoods you've always wanted, or a pair of earrings made from recycled skateboards...the options are endless. Free. July 17th-19th: 10am-5pm Fri, 11am-6pm Sat/Sun. Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason.
The classic romantic-comedy entwined with true heartbreak is always better when performed live. Join the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival this summer as they tell the tale of "A pair of star-cross'd lovers," with their production of Romeo and Juliet. They will be stopping in Pleasanton, Cupertino, Redwood City, and two SF locations. Check out the schedule for detailed times. Free. June-August. Multiple Bay Area Locations.
The Fillmore district is known for its musical history and indellible cultural stamp on this city. Join the Fillmore Jazz Festival this year and experience some of the best jazz the city has to offer. This year's festival focuses on celebrating the power of women expressed through music. Free. July 4th-5th: 10am-6pm. Fillmore Street between Jackson and Eddy.
The San Francisco Frozen Film Festival was founded in 2006 and is dedicated to creating avenues for indepedent filmmakers, young artists, and filmmakers from underserved communities to come together and exhibit their work to the widest possible audience. The festival screens films ranging from short skate and surf videos to climate change documentaries, ensuring that no voice is left unheard. Ticket prices to come. July 17-20. The Roxie Theater: 3117 16th Street @ Valencia.
First Fridays Art Crawl in North Beach
The best square-shaped slice in SF, the beat generation's roots, and the Barbary Coast's business ventures all call North Beach home. The First Fridays Art Crawl aims to celebrate the culture of SF's "Little Italy" and connect more people to the area's vibrant gallery scene. All North Beach art merchants are encouraged to open their doors for the crawl, so grab a slice at Golden Boy and stroll through the diverse collections. Free. First Fridays Every Month: 6-9pm. North Beach, San Francisco.
Downtown SF is home to many galleries that the majority of commuters don't know exist, given that they're closed when worker bees exit the city each night. On the third Thursday of every month, galleries and museums, in association with the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, will extend their hours throughout the neighborhood and offer low-cost guest events. Free-$5. Third Thursdays of each month: 7-10pm. Yerba Buena Neighborhood.
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