Arts and CultureNews

Best Bay Area Events 7/29-8/18

Updated: Aug 20, 2025 07:17
The Bay's best newsletter for underground events & news

Kick Off GD60 with A Grateful Gathering!!


Join Value Culture this Thursday 4pm-9pm on Yerba Buena Lane for A Grateful Gathering — a free, all ages, outdoor celebration to kick off GD60 in San Francisco! Enjoy live art, a live band, a VW Bus Photo Booth, tie-dye, and more as we eat, drink, and celebrate in the first-ever entertainment zone on the lane. RSVP today!


Scarlet Begonias
 by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor

It’s Jerry Garcia’s birthday week! If you didn’t get tickets to the show in Golden Gate Park, there’s plenty of other celebrations going on around the Bay Area. Sport that tie-dye and cheers to 60 years of the Grateful Dead. Here’s what I’m else looking forward to the week of 7/29 and beyond.


Our Merch

25% off the SF Beer Passport!


Get 25% off the SF Beer Passport when you use the code “BAS25”! This Beer Passport is amazing; you get28 two-for-one beer coupons at 28 awesome bars. It honestly doesn’t get much better than that. Get your passport right here.

Our Giveaways

Win a Pair of Tix to see Mt. Joy at The Greek Theatre


Mt. Joy is bringing their ‘Hope We Have Fun’ Tour to the Greek Theatre Berkeley on Saturday, August 23!! Don’t miss it. Tickets are going fast. New album OUT NOW! Enter here for a chance to win a pair of tix!


Win a Pair of Tix to see My Morning Jacket at The Greek Theatre


MY MORNING JACKET “is” ON TOUR! Berkeley – see you at the Greek Theatre on Friday, August 22 to celebrate the release of our new album. Tickets going fas, so buy yours here or enter here for a chance to win a pair of tix.


Our Partners’ Events

Downtown Hoedown on Front St.
8/7 | Front St. | Front St. between California & Sacramento St, SF | 4 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

Giddy up and get down with line dancing, live bluegrass and country music, a mechanical bull, a giant disco bison, great bars and more surprises! It’s city-scene meets country-scene a the Downtown Hoedown. Live music and variety show by Black Banjo Reclamation Project. Free Line Dancing Lessons with Lower Haight Line Dancing. Country-Western Fashion Extravaganza from Mario Benton. Live Band Country Karaoke with No Clue. RSVP today!


Empanada Showdown
8/5 | The Commons at KQED | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $24.38

From Chile to Argentina to the Philippines, empanadas are a staple; but how did each region come up with their own version? Discover the various forms of empanadas with three locally rooted Bay Area chefs and taste their comforting creations as you learn how different cultures make their own deliciously filled concoction of vegetables, spices, proteins and flour. Get your tickets here.

Love Fest SF
8/2 | Tenderloin | Larkin Street between Eddy & O’Farrell, SF | 11 a.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Love Fest SF is a FREE block‑festival happening Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 11AM-6 PM. Music and art fill Larkin Street in the Tenderloin’s Little Saigon with 4 pop up stages featuring DJs from Opulent Temple, The Faight Collective, SF Vibe and more, powered by non profits Value Culture and the Tenderloin Merchants Association. RSVP here.


Wake Naked, Kinda Good Band, Riff Mama
7/30 | Brick & Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $21.86, All ages

Wake Naked is a genre-bending alternative rock band from Berkeley, CA. With raw vocals, tight rhythms, and sweeping, emotional dynamics, their sound blends grunge-era tones with modern psychedelia. Known for their electrifying live energy and honest songwriting, Wake Naked brings both edge and heart to every performance. Get your tickets here.




Listen to This Week’s Spotify Playlist

Listen to this week’s playlist so you can sample upcoming bands and comedians listed in this newsletter.

This Week’s Events 7/29-8/4

Tuesday 7/29

Dropkick Murphys + Bad Religion

7/29 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 6 p.m. Doors | $78.15

Dropkick Murphys proudly remain Boston’s rock ‘n’ roll underdogs turned champions. Since 1996, the boys have created the kind of music that’s meant to be chanted at last call, in packed arenas, and during the fourth quarter, third period, or ninth inning of a comeback rally. 

Ramirez
7/29 | August Hall | 420 Mason St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $34.61, 5+

San Francisco-born rapper RAMIREZ, co-founder of the influential underground label G*59 Records, is bringing his explosive energy and raw lyricism to the stage. Known for his gritty flows, phonk-heavy beats, and hauntingly introspective bars, blending West Coast swagger with Southern rap nostalgia, RAMIREZ delivers high-intensity live performances that tap into fan-favorite tracks from across his acclaimed catalog.


Wednesday 7/30

Fumi Abe

7/30-8/2 | Punch Line San Francisco | 444 Battery St, SF | 8 p.m. | $29+, 18+

Fumi Abe is a Japanese American stand-up comedian/writer based in Los Angeles who was named Vulture’s Comedians You Should and Will Know in 2023 and was part of the 2023 Just for Laughs New Faces. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Dropout’s Smarty Pants, and has written for The Late Late Show with James Corden, NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”.


BYO BOOKS – The Books Not Bans Happy Hour!
7/30 | ANINA | 482 Hayes St, SF | 7 p.m. | Free

Join a whole lot of queer-friendly lit people who support BNB sending LGBTQIA+ books to community groups in conservative areas throughout the U.S. for free. Books can be life affirming, and reading them, acts of power. Be with people who love books and celebrate their impact! Socialize with others or read by yourself—come with books you love and adore, or books you have yet to indulge in. We love to share the love! 

Gogol Bordello
7/30 | Mountain Winery | 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga | 7:30 p.m. | $54.01+

Gogol Bordello has spent over a decade electrifying audiences the world over with its internationally acclaimed gypsy-punk sound. As innovators and leaders of the Gypsy Punk genre, the group’s supercharged music is based on a gypsy two-step rhythm, and is augmented by styles picked up along the way including metal, rap, flamenco, roots reggae, Italian spaghetti, Western twang and dub.


Thursday 7/31

Jane Wickline & Liva Pierce Present: DUKES

7/31 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $38.13, 21+

Original sketches, songs, and special guests…. it’s something completely new. Jane Wickline & Liva Pierce (DUKES) are a sketch comedy duo based in Brooklyn, NY. Jane joined the cast of SNL for the 50th season and has had many of her Weekend Update bits go viral already. Liva has performed stand-up, improv, and sketch all over the country and recently made their off-Broadway debut as a part of Ars Nova’s ANT Fest. After training at The Second City in Chicago, Liva moved to New York and the pair founded DUKES!

Keyshia Cole
7/31 | Oakland Arena | 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland | 7 p.m. | $42.42+

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Keyshia Cole began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer before ultimately signing with A&M Records. Dubbed by critics as the “Princess of Hip-Hop Soul”, Cole is best known for her soulful voice. 

State of Play
7/31-8/3 | ODC Theater | 3153 17th St, SF | 6 p.m. | $80-$300

State of Play invites you to join the creative process, presenting premieres and works in progress by dance artists from the Bay Area and across the US who push the limits of experimentation, risk, and curiosity. Bringing audiences and artists closer together, State of Play centers the art of art-making and its constant: play.

Pompeii
7/31-8/17 | Storek – A NPU Venue | 155 9th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $44.52+, 18+

Step into Detour’s latest immersive production, Pompeii, where multiple floors pulse with Fosse-inspired choreography, drag, and theater. In here, life is beautiful—but catastrophe is ever near.

Friday 8/1

GD60 After-Party: Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash w/ Playing The Dead + special guests

8/1 | O’Reilly’s Pub | 1840 Haight St, SF | 11 p.m. | $27.37, 21+

Join us on Friday, August 1st… Jerry Garcia’s birthday, for a psychedelic after-party blowoutright in the heart of Haight-Ashbury where it all began. Featuring a full two live sets from the beloved San Francisco tribute band Playing The Dead + Special Guests, keeping the spirit alive with all your favorite Jerry and Dead classics, deep cuts, and cosmic jams.

Alonzo Bodden
8/1 & 8/2 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $32.05+, 18+

Towering over the crowd at 6-foot-4, comedian Alonzo Bodden is big guy — and he’s got a huge sense of humor to match. Bodden is an astoundingly keen comic who incorporates current events, politics, pop culture, and social issues into his routine with a perfect blend of insight and humor. 

DARK LEATHER: Circus Variety Show + Party
8/1-8/2 | Fluid510 | 1544 Broadway, Oakland | 8 p.m. Doors | $33.85-$289.95

Blending aesthetic elements of goth, rock, punk, metal & k!nk, we invite you to step into our world where the cultures fuse. Please come dressed to impress in your fiercest leather looks. We welcome you to the world of Dark Leather with opening ambient entertainment, themed vendors, and visual art. The main show features aerial acrobatic performances by our in-house troupe, The Dragonettes, as well as performers from Ruckus + Rumpus Revival, Flux Vertical Theater, DAM Circus, Hubba Hubba Revue & Fou Fou HA! Stay after the show to enjoy the night market of local artisan crafts, dance music and opportunities to interact with your companions. The night features dancy beats by Dark Veteranø.

An Evening with Francis Ford Coppola and Megalopolis Screening
8/1 | Palace of Fine Arts | 3601 Lyon St, SF | 6 p.m. Doors | $146.05+

Legendary director, Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Outsiders) is bringing his monumental 2024 film, MEGALOPOLIS, to select cities across the country. This exclusive event offers a rare chance to experience the film as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen, surrounded by a live audience. Following the screening, Coppola will lead an interactive conversation about the future of humanity, along with a live audience Q&A. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see MEGALOPOLIS —not currently available on streaming—and engage with the iconic director live.

Nikko Presents: City Lights & Secrets
8/1 | Feinstein’s at the Nikko | 222 Mason St, SF | 6 p.m. | $23.18, 21+

Step into the heart of the city for an evening of true stories inspired by San Francisco’s magic—its midnight musings, unexpected moments, and the secrets hidden in plain sight. From MUNI misadventures to late-night revelations, City Lights & Secrets invites bold voices to the mic to share unforgettable tales of urban life, love, and serendipity.

Saturday 8/2

Less Than Jake
8/2 | The Regency Ballroom | 1300 Van Ness Ave, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $49.75-$71.65

From sweaty club shows to uproarious festival dates, LESS THAN JAKE’S deeds are best measured in the smiles they’ve generated for life-long fans and new listeners alike. “Uncharted”, the ska-punkers’ brand new 7 song EP should help keep those smiles tattooed on the faces of their fans. The new material is stacked with loud guitars, booming bass, thunderous drums, those distinct vocal harmonies, and the one-two punch of the trombone and sax. These seven tracks see the band conquering new musical territory, while holding true to the classic LESS THAN JAKE sound.

Jerry Day
8/2 | Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre | 40 John F Shelley Dr, SF | 11 a.m. | Free


Friends of Jerry Garcia Amphitheater present the 23rd Annual Jerry Day, San Francisco’s civic and cultural celebration of native son and one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, founding member of The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in San Francisco’s Excelsior District. Marking several significant anniversaries – the 60th anniversary of the founding of The Grateful Dead, the 30th anniversary of Garcia’s death and the 20th anniversary of the naming of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater – this free event draws new and long-time fans to celebrate the musician’s artistry and his indelible legacy. Featured performers include Melvin Seals and JGB, with fiddle player Mads Tolling, and Stu Allen & Mars Hotel.

The Princess Bride—Film with Live Orchestra
8/2 & 8/3 | Davies Symphony Hall | 201 Van Ness Ave, SF | 3 p.m. | $99+

Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles! Experience one of the most beloved films of all time as never before with the SF Symphony performing the entire musical score of this fairy tale adventure live-to-picture!

BBQ Without Borders: Toward a Greener Future
8/2 | Oakland Museum of California | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | 3 p.m. | $85+

BBQ Without Borders is a day to show unity, cultivating a space where immigrants can celebrate their culture’s positive additions to our society. Immigrants have long contributed valuable sustainable practices, from eco-friendly farming to a deep respect for nature, helping us “cook up” a more sustainable future. This year, three talented chefs will join us as we create safe spaces to talk about challenging topics in a more digestible manner.

Taste of Jack London 2025
8/2 | BLOC15 | 252 2nd St, Oakland | 12 p.m. | $35-$85

This revamped version of our beloved Jack London Brewing District Block Party—now in its fourth year—features a fresh new location and an exciting new twist: unlimited tastings from top local restaurants alongside incredible beer. Choose a beer tasting ticket, a food tasting ticket—or go all in with both—and enjoy an unforgettable day in the heart of Jack London.

Melissa Etheridge + Indigo Girls
8/2 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 6 p.m. Doors | $64.75+

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singers for more than two decades. Across four decades, Indigo Girls continue to blaze the trail for generations of Queer artists in the mainstream. The Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray began their career in clubs and bars around their native Atlanta, GA amidst a blossoming alternative music scene. 

Ben Schwartz & Friends
8/2 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 6 p.m. Doors | $71.75-$92.65

Ben Schwartz brings some of his friends on stage to create a totally improvised show. Nothing is prepared beforehand, every word is made up on the spot, creating a unique comedy experience for every city.

Oakland ART-Beat: Celebrating Big Art and Playa Magic in the Bay
8/2 | Temple of the Heart | 1020 22nd Ave, Oakland | 6 p.m. | $33+

Six Burning Man Art Projects are coming together to celebrate big art and playa magic in the Bay! Join local builders, dreamers, and wild hearts whose creations shape the playa and inspire the world. Celebrate the magic we wield when people pitch in together!

Napa Free Folk Festival
8/2 | Native Sons of the Golden West Hall | 937 Coombs St, Napa | 2 p.m. | Free

The NSGW Hall is a hidden gem of the Napa community and they are throwing open their doors for a festival like no other. Totally free, all contained in a historic building with an amazing amount of variety from great local bands. Attendees can travel from stage to stage hearing everything from blues to a choir doing sea shanties.



Sunday 8/3

Beyond the Fence Playa Bound Trunk Show

8/3 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free w/ RSVP

We’re back for our 17th annual celebration of creativity, community, and next-level fashion! Join us as we showcase the best independent designers bringing you the most playa-worthy styles—whether you’re prepping for the dust or just dressing to express.

Wiz Khalifa – Good Vibes Only Tour: Smokers Edition
8/3 | Toyota Pavilion at Concord | 2000 Kirker Pass Rd, Concord | 6:30 p.m. | $30+

Wiz Khalifa is on tour and brought some friends! Lineup: Wiz, Dom Kennedy, Earl Sweatshirt, Curren$y, Ab-Soul, Chevy Woods, Fedd the God, and DJ Bonics.

Dead Polish w/ The Polish Ambassador
8/3 | Public Works | 161 Erie St, SF | 10 p.m. | $31.67+, 21+

After three days of cosmic jams with Dead & Co in Golden Gate Park, the journey doesn’t end at sundown. On Sunday, August 3rd, The Polish Ambassador touches down at Public Works with a special “Dead Polish” set — a one-night-only fusion of Grateful Dead vibes and TPA’s signature funk-infused, bass-laced soundscapes.

Monday 8/4

Motown on Mondays

8/4 | Madrone Art Bar | 500 Divisadero St, SF | 7 p.m. | $12.51, 21+

It’s only Monday if you treat it like one! DJ Gordo Cabeza and weekly guests play originals, exclusive remixes and close relatives of your favorite Motown songs. The most talked about night in town!

Frente Cumbiero
8/4 | Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $27.72, All ages

With a long and successful career, FRENTE CUMBIERO has become one of the biggest representatives in the exploration of cumbia’s sonic identity in Latin America. Headed by Colombian songwriter and producer Mario Galeano Toro (also founding member of Ondatrópica and Los Pirañas), Frente Cumbiero is recognized as a spearhead of Colombia’s new cumbia movement.





The Week of 8/5-8/11

Tuesday 8/5

The Lumineers

8/5 | Chase Center | 1 Warriors Way, SF | 7 p.m. | $92.50

The upcoming tour celebrates the arrival of The Lumineers’ hugely anticipated new album, Automatic. After twenty years of musical partnership, Automatic finds Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites traveling new sonic and thematic terrain with their most raw and personal collection thus far. Both men, now dads, fully embraced the life-altering, unromantic challenges and rewards of family life. 

maye
8/5 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 8 p.m. | $29.38

Blending Latin American musical traditions with an indie sensibility, maye’s intimate vocals and casual poetry echo the timeless romance of boleros, effortlessly swaying between New Wave, Caribbean rhythms, and everything that bumps in between.

Laney Jones and the Spirits
8/5 | Brick & Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $21.86

Laney Jones and the Spirits have big f*cking heart. It’s undeniable watching Jones, who usually performs on her gnarly 1960s Sears Roebuck Silvertone guitar with her life and musical partner (Brian Dowd) holding the heartbeat on the drums. They’re “everything that’s good about rock and roll” says GRAMMY-winning icon Lucinda Williams.


Wednesday 8/6

Nine Inch Nails – Peel It Back Tour 2025

8/6 | Oakland Arena | 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. | $58.91+

The Peel It Back Tour is an ongoing concert tour by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, consisting of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and joined by longtime touring members Robin Finck, Alessandro Cortini, and Ilan Rubin. 

The Moth StorySLAM – CHILDISH
8/6 | The Freight | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 6 p.m. Doors | $20

Tonight’s theme is… CHILDISH: Prepare a five-minute story about feeling young. Ditching second period or calling out “sick” from work. Middle school crushes or puppy love that had you feeling 16 again. Chasing ice cream trucks, building pillow forts, and losing stuffed animals. Whether it’s temper tantrums, tattle tales, or tumultuous inner-toddlers…it’s time to grow up. Tag! (no take backs times infinity).

Los Train Wreck’s All Star Jam
8/6 | El Rio | 3158 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. | Free

Come out and listen to local heros jam! Or sign up to jam yourself! Every first Wednesday in the front room!



Thursday 8/7

Ezra Furman

8/7 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $31.96

Ezra Furman is a boundary-breaking artist whose fearless creativity and emotional honesty have made her one of the most compelling voices in modern music. Blending punk energy, heartfelt lyricism and genre-defying innovation, Furman’s work is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Fcukers
8/7 | Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $37.25

Fronted by the energetic and enigmatic Shanny Wise (previously of The Shacks) and backed by producer/night life DJ Jackson Walker Lewis. Fcukers have discovered their own new frequency where a history of playing together and in other projects has led them to syncing on a singular vision built around 90s/00s house music, tasteful trip hop, big beat, indie rock and everything in between.

NightLife: BAIDDF Pre-Party
8/7 | California Academy of Sciences | 55 Music Concourse Dr, SF | 6 p.m. | $25, 21+

Kick off this year’s Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival with a celebration at NightLife featuring live dance performances and more. 

Ben Folds & A Piano Tour
8/7 | The Guild Theatre | 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | 8 p.m. | $110+

The Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter-composer has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records.


Friday 8/8

Outside Lands 2025
8/8-8/10 | Golden Gate Park | 501 Stanyan St, SF | 11 a.m. | $235+

Don’t miss Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, Hozier, John Summit, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Glass Animals, Vampire Weekend, Doechii, Gracie Abrams, Jamie xx & more in Golden Gate Park! 


Eureka Sound
8/8 | Brentwood Emporium | 561 1st St, Brentwood | 7 p.m. | $50 for Meet & Greet / $15 GA

My brother’s band!!! Based out of Southern California, the group’s sound consists of luscious harmonic compositions combined with the syncopated, heavy rhythms of roots reggae. The band’s name “Eureka Sound” takes on the meaning of finding spiritual enlightenment and epiphany through conscious music. 

Jillith Fair – Loving Jill Sobule
8/8 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 8 p.m. | $25, 21+

A celebration of Jill’s life benefiting the It Was A Good Life Foundation feat. Julie Wolf & Vicki Randle plus very special guests.

Paul Reiser
8/8 & 8/9 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $43.80+, 18+

As a seasoned actor, writer, musician, and stand-up comedian, Paul Reiser continues to add to his list of accomplishments. In addition to co-creating and starring in the critically acclaimed NBC series, “Mad About You,” his successes also include his most recent book, Familyhood, the long-awaited follow-up to Babyhood and Couplehood, his first book, which sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on The New York Times bestseller list.

MINTED SF
8/8 | Mint Plaza | 1 Mint Plz, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

MINTED SF is San Francisco’s new Friday night Happy Hour experience – a free, all-ages celebration of music, food, and community lighting up Downtown San Francisco’s historic Mint Plaza all Summer long.

Chinatown Night Market
8/8 | Chinatown | Grant Ave & Sacramento St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free, All ages

Join us the 2nd Friday of the month (May through October) for the Chinatown Night Market. This event helps support local businesses and and restore San Francisco’s Chinatown as a premiere nightlife destination. Join us to ensure that this community keeps thriving for generations to come!


Saturday 8/9

Submerged w/ WonkyWilla
8/9 | Public Works | 161 Erie St, SF | 9:30 p.m. | $20-$37, 21+


Join us for Submerged, an immersive night of forward-thinking bass music curated by Same Same But Different and Public Works. Headlined by the innovative WonkyWilla, this event brings together boundary-pushing artists for a deep dive into underground sound. Come experience the pulse beneath the surface.

32nd Annual Pistahan Parade & Festival
8/9 & 8/10 | Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens | Mission St. between 3rd & 4th St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free, All ages

The 32nd annual Pistahan is the region’s premiere showcase of Filipino and Filipino-American arts and culture, with pavilions and stages presenting both traditional and contemporary music, dance, art, crafts, cuisine and artifacts. 


311
8/9 | The Mountain Winery | 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga | 7 p.m. | $78.78+

311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by five friends. 31 years later, they’re still rocking together. Widely regarded as one of the most entertaining & dynamic live bands in the U.S., 311 mixes rock, rap, reggae, and funk into their own unique, hybrid sound.

Summer Daze Festival
8/9 | North Beach | Grant Ave between Vallejo & Filbert, SF | 3 p.m. | Free, All ages

The North Beach Business Association is excited to announce the North Beach Night Market series! Featuring the participation of local restaurants, art vendors, gift shops, entertainment, games, and much more.

Community Art Market
8/9 | Heron Arts | 7 Heron St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Celebrate local art at the Community Art Market, a one day, pop up marketplace featuring 20+ artists, ceramicists, jewelry artisans and more! The vendors will be selling small to medium pieces of art at accessible prices; this is the perfect opportunity if you are looking to start or add to your art collection.

Endless Summer Market
8/9 | Maker’s Row | 1919 Fourth St, Berkeley | 11 a.m. | Free, All ages

Celebrate the season’s sunny finale at the Endless Summer Market! Join us for a vibrant day filled with live music, local makers, and a festive atmosphere that’s family- and pet-friendly. 


Sunday 8/10

BRIMS, BEATS & STOGIES

8/10 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 2 p.m. | $55.62+, 21+

Join us at the iconic MIDWAYSF Terrace in San Francisco, CA, for an unforgettable evening celebrating our shared love of cigars. This must-attend event will showcase special guests from various industries, including cigars, music, acting, sports, and politics. Prepare for fantastic performances from our special guest DJs and artists!

Jerry’s Middle Finger
8/10 | Cornerstone | 2367 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 8 p.m. | $29.50-$35

It’s no longer a secret that California-based Jerry’s Middle Finger (JMF) delivers the best Jerry Garcia Band tribute experience in the world – performing and celebrating the music of JGB with unparalleled sound and energy.

Brian Copeland’s THE WAITING PERIOD
8/10 | The Marsh – Berkeley | 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley | 12 p.m. | $0-$100

This show is an unrelenting look at a ten-day period in Copeland’s life—the mandatory ten-day waiting period before he could lay his hands on the newly purchased gun with which he planned to take his own life. Even in the midst of this tragedy, however, his wonderful sense of the comedy of life does not desert him. Copeland hopes this very personal, and ultimately redemptive, story will reach people who struggle with depression—often called the last stigmatized disease—as well as their families and loved ones.

Fiesta en el Parque
8/10 | Presidio Tunnel Tops | 210 Lincoln Blvd, SF | 1 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

Join us at Presidio Tunnel Tops for a family-friendly celebration of Latin culture, dance, music, and community, all with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Move to the rhythm with Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia dance classes led by the talented team from Santos Lopez & Amanda Marquez Productions, and don’t miss the energy of interactive Zumba sessions!



Monday 8/11

TEARS & GEARZ, Bentley Robles, Zee Machine, LEXXE
8/11 | Cafe du Nord | 2174 Market St, SF | 8 p.m. | $22.65, 21+


TEARS & GEARZ is what happens when two of indie pop’s boldest voices stop flirting with a good idea and finally go for it. Real-life best friends Bentley Robles and ZEE MACHINE first teamed up on their viral hit “See Me Naked,” a certified gay anthem that sparked drag performances around the world and cemented their shared knack for big, campy bangers with undeniable hooks.

Mirthquake: Monday Live Comedy in the Richmond
8/11 | The Abbey Tavern | 4100 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | Free, 21+

Featuring a hand picked rotating cast of top comedians from the Bay Area and beyond with credits like HBO, Netflix, Late Night, and more, Mirthquake offers a night of non-stop laughter that will leave you feeling uplifted and refreshed. Hosted by the hilarious trio of Ben Kolina (Doug Loves Movies podcast, SF Sketchfest), Andrew Holmgren (VICELAND, SF Weekly best comedian winner), and Jesse Hett (Cobb’s Comedy Club, Punch Line Comedy Club), each show promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience.





The Week of 8/12-8/18

Tuesday 8/12

Simple Plan

8/12 | Bill Graham Civic Auditorium | 99 Grove St, SF | 5:30 p.m. Doors | $79.25

For more than two decades, Simple Plan has been one of the most culturally and commercially successful bands in rock.  Their multi-platinum 2002 debut album, “No Pads, No Helmets Just Balls”, cemented their legacy as pop-punk legends. 

Ferry Building & Ferry Plaza Market Food Tour
8/12 | Ferry Building | 1 Ferry Building, SF | 10 a.m. | $95

Join award-winning food & wine tour company Edible Excursions for a guided walking tour through one of San Francisco’s most beloved landmarks. Led by a local food industry expert, you’ll get insider access to the best bites from world-renowned artisans, all while learning about the city’s vibrant food culture and rich history. Every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday.

Reel San Francisco Stories – A History of Film In SF
8/12 | Manny’s | 3092 16th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $18.54

Part of our Illustrated SF History series with Christopher Pollock. Uncover the storied history of Film in the Bay!



Wednesday 8/13

Counting Crows
8/13 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 5:30 p.m. Doors | $64.75+


For more than two decades, the GRAMMY and Academy Award-nominated rock band Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock & roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, August and Everything After, the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and is revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands.

Kyle Mooney
8/13 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 6 p.m. Doors | $47.92, 21+

Kyle M (known to the world as former SNL cast member, comedian, actor, writer, and director Kyle Mooney) is a San Diego-born musician who writes, performs, and produces all of his songs. His debut album, The Real Me, is a singular artistic vision unbound by genre – you’ll find rock, country, dance, R&B, and more.

Jeopardy! Interactive
8/13 | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema | 2550 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. | $16.99

This all-new interactive experience takes the Jeopardy! format you know and creates a fast-paced interactive intellectual competition against your fellow Alamo Theater patrons. Compete in real time, win fun prizes and see how you stack up on the leaderboard! You’ll play on your phone directly from your comfortable Alamo Drafthouse seat answering Clues written by the Jeopardy! team.

Thursday 8/14

Family Fun with Viva Parks

8/14 | Kelley Park | 1300 Senter Rd, San Jose | 6 p.m. | Free, All ages

Get ready for a fun-filled evening under the stars with Viva Parks! KQED will be on-site with a cool resource table to help get kids pumped up and prepared for an awesome new school year! Bring the whole family out for Family Movie Night, where kids can play, parents can relax and everyone can enjoy the magic of a movie together. The featured movie will be How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.

Valencia LIVE!
8/14 | Valencia St | Valencia Street between 16th & 19th St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

The street party is going down on Valencia St between 16th and 19th Streets with 3 stages of live music and family friendly activities up and down the block PLUS don’t miss out on all of the free fun inside and specials from local eateries and bars throughout the neighborhood. RSVP (for FREE) for specials at local brick and mortars and giveaways on the street.

Mya Byrne + Wonderland Rejects
8/14 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 7 p.m. Doors | $13.95, 21+

Mya Byrne is a celebrated Americana singer-songwriter and firecracker guitarist, combining influences from countrypolitan to glam-pop, blues, and ghostly incantations into a singular voice and vision. Like a crackling backyard fire outside of a city at dusk, stars on one side of the sky and light pollution on the other, Mya’s music is in the pocket of traditional country and Americana yet firmly rooted in the modern world.


Friday 8/15

STRFKR

8/15 | Fox Theater | 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 7 p.m. Doors | $50.60-$118.80

The band’s energetic, danceable pop has assumed many forms since they first emerged in 2007, always reliably delivering unshakeable melodies and larger-than-life anthems infused with intellectually challenging lyrics. 

Sina Bathaie
8/15 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | $49.98+

Originally from Iran, Sina Bathaie is a Multi-instrumentalist, Producer and Composer who is known for his unique style of playing traditional instruments such as the oud and ukulele and bringing an eastern touch to his electronic music. 

The Laugh Session – Live at Music City SF – Comedy
8/15 | Music City San Francisco | 1355 Bush St, SF | 7 & 8:30 p.m. | $10-$15

Get ready for a night of hilarity with The Laugh Session, showcasing some of the hottest rising stars on the Bay Area comedy scene, including performers who’ve appeared at major nightclubs, comedy festivals and throughout the US. Prepare to rock and LOL!

Zach Bryan w/ Kings of Leon
8/15 | Golden Gate Park Polo Fields | 1232 John F Kennedy Dr, SF | 1:30 p.m. Doors | $199.70+, All ages


Join us for an epic day of music at the Golden Gate Park Polo Field! Get ready to rock out with Zach Bryan plus special guests Kings of Leon, Turnpike Troubadours, and Noeline Hofmann. Don’t miss out on this incredible lineup in the heart of San Francisco. 

Yachtley Crew
8/15 | The Regency Ballroom | 1300 Van Ness Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $48.72-$82.45

Yachtley Crew are a seven-piece SoCal band who burst onto the club scene in 2017, selling out countless local venues before starting a nationwide Yacht Rock craze and being noticed by the legendary Jimmy Buffett, who signed them to his own Mailboat label prior to their new deal with Earache/Universal Records.

Castro Night Market
8/15 | Castro District | 18th & Castro St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

The Castro Night Market features local food vendors, merchants, and live entertainment on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Saturday 8/16

San Francisco Pizza, Bagel, and Beer Festival

8/16 | San Francisco Italian Athletic Club | 1630 Stockton St, SF | 12 p.m. | $90.49+, All ages

Tony Gemignani, 13-time World Pizza Champion and legendary restaurateur, in collaboration with the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation, is thrilled to announce the return of San Francisco’s Pizza, Bagel & Beer Festival in 2025. The third annual event will take place on Saturday, August 16 in San Francisco’s storied Italian neighborhood of North Beach, bringing together over 65 local pizzerias, bagelries, and breweries for a lively afternoon of food and community. 


Welcome to the Future: San Francisco Street Photography by C Kemp
8/16 | Wave Collective | 663 Haight St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

“Through my photography, I strive to capture the essence of a time and place—moments that reflect the atmosphere, culture, and fleeting details of the present. This series, shot in San Francisco between 2023 and 2025, offers a visual narrative of contemporary life in the city. While San Francisco has a storied past, my focus is on the present—the right now: images that define this current moment.” – C Kemp

Fresh Glass Uncorked: Wine Tasting and Conversation
8/16 | The Commons at KQED | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 2 p.m. | $91.77

Join us for a live edition of Fresh Glass, the Emmy Award–winning series that celebrates flavor, culture and entrepreneurship. Host Cassandra Schaeg will maestro the conversation with special guests. Enjoy an evening of wine tastings, delicious Soul Box Supper Club bites, and rich conversations from the Bay Area’s most prominent wine industry figures.

Rhythm & Roots- Reggae Dance Party
8/16 | The Great Northern | 119 Utah St, SF | 7 p.m. | $13.63-$21.87, 21+

Get ready vibes, REGGAE tunes at The Great Northern – it’s gonna be a night to remember with DJ SEP, Christafari, Guidance, & Ay Que Linda.

Bass Brunch
8/16 | Public Works | 161 Erie St, SF | 1 p.m. | $31.67+, 21+

Bass Brunch is a vibrant, homegrown, HiFi production focused, underground extravaganza sure to inspire maximum fun in the sun! Complete with chicken & waffles, Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas, community art/performance, curated music, and brunch inspired decor, it’s going to be a cheeky day party for the ages!

Salesforce Park Rooftop Rhythms
8/16 | Salesforce Park | 425 Mission St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP, All ages

Salesforce Park Rooftop Rhythms with Jazz Mafia, Michael Michael Motorcycle, Magic School Busk, and Grass Zeppelin. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy live music magic in the sun.

Sunday 8/17

Rainbow Grocery 50th Anniversary Block Party
8/17 | Rainbow Grocery Co-Op | 1745 Folsom St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free, All ages


Rainbow Grocery Cooperative celebrates 50 years of being in business in August 2025! This is all thanks to our amazing community’s support. We are throwing a party as a thank-you to the community and our customers. There will be live music, food, giveaways, vendors, art stations for kids, games, and more.


Hubba Hubba Revue: Flux Vertical Theatre
8/17 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $15-$40, 18+

San Francisco’s world-famous burlesque & variety show welcomes the top talent superstars of the Bay Area’s premiere pole dance studio! Get your Seats now & join us in the main room at DNA Lounge!

Spotlight Sundays: Rituals of Care Celebration with Artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong, Cut Fruit Collective, and Teaphile
8/17 | Oakland Museum of California | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | 1 p.m. | Free, All ages

This month, Spotlight Sundays welcomes guests to join artist Chelsea Ryoko Wong. Wong’s colorful paintings amplify the diversity of her Asian heritage and the vibrant family histories of the AAPI women depicted in them. Under her playful mural, titled Calling Home, this lively event will explore rituals of community care with Wong and OMCA’s community partners Cut Fruit Collective and Teaphile. 

Men I Trust
8/17 | Frost Amphitheater | 351 Lausen St, Stanford | 6:30 p.m. | $59.06, All ages

With smooth, chin-bouncing rhythms & bass lines, warm guitars and alluringly subdued vocals, longevity – in all its forms – is an underlying theme in their craft. At its most spacious, listening to Men I Trust feels like you’re gliding on a never-ending wave; at its tightest, they still provide pockets of time to catch your breath.


Monday 8/18

Hickoids

8/18 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 7 p.m. Doors | $20, 21+

Hickoids are a Central Texas band that trace their roots to the early 80s Austin punk scene. From their cowpunk beginnings the band has morphed into something that contemporary listeners will recognize as “roadhouse punk.” The band combines a flair for showmanship, a never lost irreverent attitude and musical adeptness that allows them to fold a lot of different Southern American roots styles into a sound that is uniquely their own.

Avara
8/18 | Cafe du Nord | 2174 Market St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $27.27, 21+

Avara is an Indian-American singer, producer, and storyteller weaving R&B, soul, and experimental pop into something entirely her own. Her music feels like late-night conversations—intimate, cinematic, and achingly real.

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Broke-Ass Stuart - Editor In Cheap

Broke-Ass Stuart - Editor In Cheap

Stuart Schuffman, aka Broke-Ass Stuart, is a travel writer, poet, TV host, activist, and general shit-stirrer. His website BrokeAssStuart.com is one of the most influential arts & culture sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and his freelance writing has been featured in Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveler, The Bold Italic, Geek.com and too many other outlets to remember. His weekly column, Broke-Ass City, appears every other Thursday in the San Francisco Examiner. Stuart’s writing has been translated into four languages. In 2011 Stuart created and hosted the travel show Young, Broke, and Beautiful on IFC and in 2015 he ran for Mayor of San Francisco and got nearly 20k votes.

He's been called "an Underground legend": SF Chronicle, "an SF cult hero":SF Bay Guardian, and "the chief of cheap": Time Out New York.