Film
SF Silent Film Festival
This summer's Silent Film Fest takes an exciting turn with the world premiere of The Last Edition, one of few surviving films by Emory Johnson about none other than the San Francisco Chronicle. The film's shot in and around the Chronicle building and features chases throughout the city, plus a riveting fire and rescue climax. Get the behind-the-scenes story from film preservationist Rob Byrne and historian David Kiehn at the California Historical Society discussion on Tuesday before screening the premiere at the Castro on Sunday. Other Silent Film Fest highlights include The First Born, The Patsy, Kings of (Silent) Comedy, and Safety Last!.
When: Film discussion at 6:30 p.m., Tues. 7/16; Film Festival Thurs. 7/18–Sun. 7/21
Where: California Historical Society, 678 Mission St. and Castro Theater, 429 Castro St.

Music
Tommy Igoe Big Band
World renowned drummer and bandleader Tommy Igoe takes up a weekly residence with his Birdland Big Band at Yoshi's after seven years of weekly gigs at NYC's legendary Birdland Jazz Club. This, on the heels of his new Bay Area recording studio. If you're a jazz fan, make haste and get thee to Yoshi's for one of these shows.
When: 8 p.m., Tues. 7/16
Where: Yoshi's, 1330 Fillmore St.

Discussion
Judith Butler: Dance Discourse Project #16
Expect the unexpected at this discussion with renowned theorist Judith Butler. Listen to this brilliant mind explore contemporary performance within the context of her extensive work on gender, queer studies, and ethics. The RSVP list to this free event is full, but get there early for the chance at a handful of spots available at the door.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thurs. 7/18
Where: CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission St.

Dance
Post: Ballet's Four Plays
The company's fourth home season features the world premiere of Field the Present Shifts, a collaborative piece between choreographer Robert Dekkers and Bay Area architect Robert Gilson. The piece examines the space between objects, zeroing in on the relationships between individual and community, and dancers are asked to make real-time choices during the show that will guide the direction of the performance.
When: 8 p.m., Thurs. 7/18 and Fri. 7/19
Where: YBCA's Lam Research Theater, 700 Howard St.

Lit
Gabriel Roth and Lit Tease
Former SF journalist Gabriel Roth will talk about his latest coming-of-age novel The Unknowns, which was just called a "sparkling debut novel" by The New York Times, at this week's Litquake Epicenter event. The following night, head out for a fundraising preview for October's Lit Crawl event, complete with a special performance by Conspiracy of Beards.
When: 7 p.m., Thurs. 7/18 and 8 p.m., Fri. 7/19
Where: Hotel Rex, 526 Sutter St. and Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St.

Music
David Byrne and St. Vincent
David Byrne and St. Vincent—two unlikely bedfellows—have an inexplicable charisma on and off the stage. Last year's collaborative tour and album Love This Giant earned the duo rave reviews from sources as varied as Time, Spin, and The Hollywood Reporter. This week, you have two chances to catch them live—either at The Mountain Winery or The Fox.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sat. 7/20 and 8 p.m., Sun. 7/21
Where: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd., Saratoga and The Fox, 1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland

Music
Red Baraat
This Sunday, Brooklyn's bhangra-meets-funk band Red Baraat will have Stern Grove goers getting their groove on.
When: 2 p.m., Sun. 7/21
Where: Stern Grove, 19th Ave. and Sloat Blvd.

Art
Summer Open House
Come hungry for lunch at the Headlands' Mess Hall, and awaken from your food coma with the works in progress and special performances at this summer's open house.
When: 12 - 5 p.m., Sun. 7/21
Where: Headlands Center for the Arts