Get ready to hit endless Bay Area festivals this week.
Rap along to G-Eazy and Future at Rolling Loud; drink wine at Sonoma's Valley Moon Vintage Festival; sway to Diana Krall at Monterey Jazz; and get kinky at Folsom Street.
Not in a festival mood? Crack up with Jon Lovett at the Castro Theater, taste more than 250 sakes on Sake Day, take a yoga class at Lorna Jane, get free burritos at Curry Up Now, savor plant-based goodness at new restaurant Wildseed, and get your morning buns in gear at Tartine's new Berkeley outpost.
Monday, September 23rd
Tartine takes the East Bay
7am to 3pm daily
Tartine Berkeley, 2600 Durant Ave. (Berkeley), tartinebakery.com
On the heels of its recent opening in the Inner Sunset, the Tartine team is clearly on a (morning) roll, this time setting up shop beneath sunny striped awnings near Cal campus in Berkeley. Stop by for the usual baked goods, lunch options, and coffee pours.
Beer Pairing Dinner
6:30pm
Comal, 2020 Shattuck Ave. (Berkeley), comalberkeley.com
Oakland's Ghost Town Brewing is sending its head brewer over to Comal for a special beer pairing dinner. Try some small batch beers alongside tasty salmon ceviche and al pastor tacos in the restaurant's private dining room. // Tickets ($75/person) can be found on Ticketfly.
Eat More Meatless
6pm to 9:30pm
18 Reasons, 3674 18th St. (Mission), 18reasons.org
Meatless Monday vibes abound at 18 Reasons' eggplant-centric cooking class. Learn to make walnut-stuffed eggplant, eggplant satay salad, eggplant parm pasta, and an eggplant take on the classic BLAT sandwich, then enjoy your family-style feast with good company and wine. // Tickets ($90; $80 for members) can be purchased on 18reasons.org.
Tuesday, September 24th
9th Annual San Francisco Green Film Festival
Various times and locations, through Sunday
Get educated about the latest issues facing us and our environment through some impactful films and discussions. // Find the program on greenfilmfest.org; tickets (prices vary) are available at agileticketing.net.
Lazy Bear Anniversary Dinner
7pm
Lazy Bear, 3416 19th St. (Mission), lazybearsf.com
Hard to believe it's been 10 years since Lazy Bear held its first-ever meal service. To celebrate, they're throwing it back with an old-school (read: cheaper!) tasting menu and some OGs chefs—think Dustin Falcon (Niku Steakhouse), Jordan Guevara (Nico), Val Cantu (Californios), among others—at the stoves. // Tickets ($125 and up) include the tasting menu and beverage pairing. The team will be awarding tickets through their email lottery system (aka how they did it back in 2009 when they were a popular pop-up). Sign up for their email list and cross your fingers you can score a pair.
New Veggie Hot Spot
Tuesday through Sunday, 5:30-10pm
Wildseed, 2000 Union St. (Cow Hollow), wildseedsf.com
In case you haven't heard the news, what once was Belga is no more. This restaurant has been turned over by the Back of House Restaurant Group to become their first plant-based restaurant. Veggie dishes include Harissa-Spiked Vegetable Chips, Mushroom Neatball Masala, Mexican Corn Cakes, Beet Poke, an Impossible Burger, Green Forest Flatbread, and Supergrain Paella for Two. The drinks will be made with herbs, homemade extracts, and shrubs. Seems like the perfect addition to this 'hood.
Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast
7:30pm
First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way (Berkeley), firstchurchberkeley.org
Jonathan Safran Foer (author of Everything Is Illuminated, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and Eating Animals) will be discussing the impacts of our food choices with chef and author Samin Nosrat of the popular Netflix series, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. // Tickets ($12) can be found on brownpapertickets.com.
Wednesday, September 25th
Mari Andrew on Creativity, Empathy, and Resiliency
7:30pm to 9:30 pm
Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), sfwmpac.org
Artist and TheNew York Times bestselling author Mari Andrew talks self-expression, grief, love, and more—and of course shares the stories behind her daily Instagram drawings, beloved by millions—with author and illustrator Nicole J. Georges. // Tickets ($25 and up) can be purchased on cityboxoffice.com.
Lovett or Leave It
8pm
Castro Theater, 429 Castro St. (Castro), castrotheatre.com
Join Obama's former scriptwriter and Pod Save America host, Jon Lovett, for an IRL version of his new podcast, Lovett or Leave it. During this live recording, Lovett and special guests will have you cracking up while they talk politics and weekly news. // Tickets ($85) can be purchased on san-francisco-theater.com.
Fried Chicken Fix
11am to 3pm, Monday through Friday
Flybird, 35 Kearny St. (Union Square), flybirdsf.com
From the crew behind Sababa comes Flybird, a new lunch spot serving tasty twists on fried chicken. Choose from one of six styles of fried chicken sandwiches with fixings like slaw, ranch, pickles, hummus, avocado, pickled veggies, shiso, black beans, and chipotle aioli. There are also salads, fries, and vegetarian versions of everything for non-meat eaters.
10 Years of San Francisco Public Press
6pm to 8:30pm
The Bindery, 1727 Haight St. (Upper Haight), booksmith.com
Celebrate 10 years of the San Francisco Public Press, a local noncommercial news nonprofit, and their new podcast, radio, and streaming initiative at The Bindery. Mix and mingle with the team and fans, snack on bites from the nearby Alembic, and enjoy a performance by Le Jazz Hot, with proceeds benefiting the Public Press. // Tickets ($75 dollars and up; $10 discount for members) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Thursday, September 26th
Mole and Mezcal
7pm to 10pm
Palm House, 2032 Union St. (Cow Hollow), palmhousesf.com
Join chef Esteban Gallardo for a four-course mole dinner, paired with mezcal cocktails and a mezcal flight selected by Fatima Hite-Igras, inside Palm House's tropical setting. While you munch, a guest speaker will give you the lowdown on the pairings. // Tickets ($55) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Free Indian Burritos
11am, for the first 100 guests
Curry Up Now food truck (and restaurants), 225 Bush St. (Financial District), curryupnow.com
Curry Up Now is celebrating its 10th anniversary with some free grub. The first 100 guests at each location—including the lunch food truck downtown—will get a free tikka masala burrito when they show the cashier the Curry Up Now app downloaded on their phone.
Spliff Dance Party
9pm to 2am
PublicWorks SF, 161 Erie St. (Mission), publicsf.com
Start your weekend early with a pro-cannabis dance party, aptly named Spliff. From the same crew who stated the Puff dance nights at PublicWorks, this party is hosted by DJ Dank with dance floor beats by DJ Robin Simmons and DJ Sergio Fedasz. The night will have nonstop performers, including Pina Busch, Maria Konner, Mama Dora, The Pristine Condition, SNJV, Llano River Blue, Sunshine, Tawdry Hepburn, Pleasure by Night, Gem N'Aye, and Brandylicious. // Tickets ($20) an be found on bigneon.com.
Friday, September 27th
The Soiled Dove
7:30pm to 11pm, through December 20th
The Soiled Dove, 1911 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland), thesoileddove.com
You may have caught this theatrical vaudeville pop-up dinner-and-a-show last year. If not, here's your chance;if so you know you want to see it again. Get ready for non-stop theater, songs, burlesque performances, aerial acts and contortionists under a the big top. // Tickets ($60 and up) can be purchase on tixr.com.
NightHowl
8:30pm to 12:30am
Presidio Hollow, Barnard Ave. (Presidio)
Party people and nature lovers unite at this annual evening affair held in the Presidio. Dance to live DJ sets under the stars; pop on silent disco headphones by the campfire to get the scoop on everything from coyotes to nature photography; munch on buffet bites and s'mores; get an astrology reading; gaze at galaxies far, far away with an SETI Institute astronomer; and more—with plenty of specialty drinks and craft brews on hand to keep you going. // Tickets ($85 and up) can be purchased on Eventbrite.
62nd Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
Through Sunday
Monterey County Fair & Event Center, 2004 Fairground Rd. (Monterey), montereycountyfair.com
If jazz is your thing, then you know Monterey Jazz is a must. This year's fest brings three days of nearly 130 performances; headliners include Diana Krall, Chris Botti, Snarky Puppy, and more. Take a break from the music with special photo exhibits, discussions, and films, if you need it. // Tickets ($45-$435) vary depending on number of days and seats purchased. Find tickets on montereyjazzfestival.org.
Live Fire Napa
6:30pm reception, 7:30pm dinner
Long Meadow Ranch, 738 Main St. (St. Helena), longmeadowranch.com
Catch the last massive feast of the summer at this St. Helena winery. The Long Meadow ranch team will be welcoming chef Howard Hanna, of the Rieger in Kansas City, MO; the Heritage Foods crew; and Alice Waters. The feast includes heritage ham, fig salad, roasted eggplant, lamb kitfo, smoked porchetta, goat sausage, sides and dessert. // Tickets ($170) include food and wine and can be purchased via longmeadowranch.com.
Valley Moon Vintage Festival
7pm to 10pm on Friday; 10am to 9pm on Saturday; 8am to 4pm on Sunday
Sonoma Plaza, 453 First Street East (Sonoma), sonomaplaza.com
Celebrate this year's harvest with a three-day Wine Country festival where you can stomp grapes, peruse art vendors, taste your way through local food, and, of course, drink copious amounts of wine. There will also be live bands throughout the weekend, a firefighter water fight, a parade, and even a special race. // Tickets ($25 and up) are available on valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.com.
Saturday, September 28th
Rolling Loud Music Festival
Noon till late, Saturday and Sunday
Oakland Coliseum, 7000 Coliseum Way (Oakland), coliseum.com
Hit the Coliseum for one last big summer festival featuring hip-hop acts Future, G-Eazy, Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Tyga, Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, and more. // Tickets ($199 and up for 2-day pass) are available on rollingloudba.frontgatetickets.com.Petaluma River Craft Beer Fest
1pm
Petaluma River Promenade, Water St. (Petaluma)
Spend your day along the river's edge, tasting your way through 23 great local craft beers and bites—plus live music to get your boogie on to. // Tickets ($50 online, $60 at the door) can be bought on petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org.
Wine Walk on the Waterfront
4pm to 8pm
Jack London Square, 472 Water St. (Oakland), jacklondonsquare.com
Embrace our Indian summer vibes with a wine tasting by the water. Over 20 local wineries will be pouring their best while you enjoy live music, food, and goods from various vendors. // Tickets ($40) are available on Eventbrite.
Sake Day
4pm to 8pm
Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post St. (Japantown), jdvhotels.com
Snag tix to this annual bash presented by True Sake, held honor of Japan's Sake Say on October 1. Talk sake with experts and makers and try over 250 imported sakes—including some only available in Japan—plus U.S. made craft sakes. // Tickets ($80) can purchased on Eventbrite.
Harvest Party
2pm to 5pm
Press Club, 20 Yerba Buena Ln. (SoMa), pressclubsf.com
Press Club is celebrating all things grapes with a wine tasting event. Hang out in the swanky lounge space while you sample vino from 11 wineries and nosh on cheese and charcuterie. A DJ will be spinning tunes during and after the party—the perfect excuse to stay after the event ends and keep your buzz going. // Tickets ($11 online, $30 at the door) are available on Eventbrite.
Sunday, September 29th
Rosé Déjeuner Brunch Series
10:30am to 2pm
Charmaine's, 45 McAllister St. (Civic Center), properhotel.com
Brunch never felt so posh and cool. At rooftop oasis, Charmaine's, go big with pours of Chateau Minuty 'M' Rosé and a spread of brunch dishes like avocado toast, a station for made-to-order croque madames, hand-scooped gelato and a dessert bar with brioche donuts, macarons and cream puffs in various shades of rosé. Of course, this wouldn't be a party without beats— expect a local DJ to spin tunes, too. // Tickets ($87) are available on Eventbrite.
Active Nation Day
Classes at 10:30am, 1pm and 4pm
Lorna Jane, 2090 Union St. (Cow Hollow), lornajane.com
Live your healthiest life and encourage others to get moving with Lorna Jane on Active Nation Day. Head to their San Francisco shop for a Core Power Yoga class, Zumba class with Varduhi Pellikka, and Pure Barre class—and pick up some stylish sweat gear while you're at it. // Event is free to attend; find details on facebook.com.
Folsom Street Fair
11am to 6pm
Folsom St. between 8th and 13th St. (SoMa)
It's the most wonderful time of the year for the BDSM, kink, and leather lovers who congregate annually at the Folsom Street Fair, held across thirteen SoMa blocks. Bust out your leather masks, chaps, and playsuits and peruse more than 200 exhibitor booths, demos, and musical acts including punk band L7 and local indie group Imperial Teen. Clothing optional. // Find event details and schedule on folsomstreetevents.org.
Margarita Garden
11am to 9pm Sundays, 4-9pm Tues through Thurs, 4-10pm Fri, 11am to 10pm Sat
Nido's Backyard, 104 Oak St. (Oakland), nidooakland.com
Popular Mexican restaurant Nido has opened up a secondary outdoor oasis, Nido's Backyard. The spot is beyond colorful, with a rainbow pathway leading to open-air shipping container enclaves with fabric awnings for a bit of shade. Order from a curated menu of tacos, tortas, sopes, gordotas, quesadillas, guacamole, and more. We suggest spending the afternoon with a marg in hand before this place blows up.
