Featured Events in San Francisco in October 2024 (March Updated)

Ragnar Kjartansson’s beloved video installation The Visitors (2012) is back at SFMOMA. In this mesmerizing hour-long work projected across nine screens, viewers are transported once again to the serene setting of Rokeby in upstate New York as the Icelandic artist and his musician friends perform together in various rooms of this historic mansion.

Ragnar Kjartansson’s beloved video installation The Visitors (2012) is back at SFMOMA. In this mesmerizing hour-long work projected across nine screens, viewers are transported once again to the serene setting of Rokeby in upstate New York as the Icelandic artist and his musician friends perform together in various rooms of this historic mansion.

Ragnar Kjartansson’s beloved video installation The Visitors (2012) is back at SFMOMA. In this mesmerizing hour-long work projected across nine screens, viewers are transported once again to the serene setting of Rokeby in upstate New York as the Icelandic artist and his musician friends perform together in various rooms of this historic mansion.

Skateboarding has always been about more than tricks and competitions. It is a culture rooted in rebellion, creativity, style, and the pursuit of freedom. This exhibition, curated by Jeffrey Cheung and Gabriel Ramirez, founders of the skate collective Unity, celebrates the dreams and realities of queer, trans, BIPOC, and women skaters as well as the diverse communities that have shaped the sport, despite histories of hypermasculinity and exclusionary attitudes. Meet the pioneers who broke barriers, from the first women and queer skaters to go pro, to the underground movements that encouraged inclusivity and change in skateboarding. Through skateboards that represent queer and women skaters and artists, skate publications and zines, artworks, photographs, videos, and more, the works featured here explore how communities have fostered unity through a shared ethos of passion and determination. Just as skaters who, despite injuries and setbacks, persistently attempt a trick until they land it, Unity through Skateboarding encourages us to keep pushing for a more inclusive world, both on and off the board.

Skateboarding has always been about more than tricks and competitions. It is a culture rooted in rebellion, creativity, style, and the pursuit of freedom. This exhibition, curated by Jeffrey Cheung and Gabriel Ramirez, founders of the skate collective Unity, celebrates the dreams and realities of queer, trans, BIPOC, and women skaters as well as the diverse communities that have shaped the sport, despite histories of hypermasculinity and exclusionary attitudes. Meet the pioneers who broke barriers, from the first women and queer skaters to go pro, to the underground movements that encouraged inclusivity and change in skateboarding. Through skateboards that represent queer and women skaters and artists, skate publications and zines, artworks, photographs, videos, and more, the works featured here explore how communities have fostered unity through a shared ethos of passion and determination. Just as skaters who, despite injuries and setbacks, persistently attempt a trick until they land it, Unity through Skateboarding encourages us to keep pushing for a more inclusive world, both on and off the board.

Skateboarding has always been about more than tricks and competitions. It is a culture rooted in rebellion, creativity, style, and the pursuit of freedom. This exhibition, curated by Jeffrey Cheung and Gabriel Ramirez, founders of the skate collective Unity, celebrates the dreams and realities of queer, trans, BIPOC, and women skaters as well as the diverse communities that have shaped the sport, despite histories of hypermasculinity and exclusionary attitudes. Meet the pioneers who broke barriers, from the first women and queer skaters to go pro, to the underground movements that encouraged inclusivity and change in skateboarding. Through skateboards that represent queer and women skaters and artists, skate publications and zines, artworks, photographs, videos, and more, the works featured here explore how communities have fostered unity through a shared ethos of passion and determination. Just as skaters who, despite injuries and setbacks, persistently attempt a trick until they land it, Unity through Skateboarding encourages us to keep pushing for a more inclusive world, both on and off the board.

Explore a “narrative landscape” through pages from the janamsakhi (ਜਨਮਸਾਖੀ), or life story, of Guru Nanak (1469–1539). Incorporating styles found in traditional Indian miniatures, these works depict the guru’s meetings with various figures — from poet-saints like Kabir to kings and fantastical creatures — set against a shifting background of green fields, rolling hills, and streams full of fish. While underscoring Guru Nanak’s expansive work and influence, these images also reflect Sikhism’s quest to bridge ideological and religious divides.

Explore a “narrative landscape” through pages from the janamsakhi (ਜਨਮਸਾਖੀ), or life story, of Guru Nanak (1469–1539). Incorporating styles found in traditional Indian miniatures, these works depict the guru’s meetings with various figures — from poet-saints like Kabir to kings and fantastical creatures — set against a shifting background of green fields, rolling hills, and streams full of fish. While underscoring Guru Nanak’s expansive work and influence, these images also reflect Sikhism’s quest to bridge ideological and religious divides.

Photographer and bookmaker Dayanita Singh (b. 1961) is one of India’s most celebrated living artists; her series Myself Mona Ahmed chronicles a decades-long relationship with her friend Mona Ahmed. Offering multiple intimate glimpses into Mona’s life at home and in the city of Delhi, this poignant work reflects the pair’s extraordinary closeness and mutual respect, conveying an artist’s deep compassion for her photographic subject.

The artworks in this gallery showcase the deep desire among athletes (and artists) to participate in games that prove — to rivals and spectators, coaches and family members, and the participants themselves — that they are worthy of the task at hand. In the game, players discover that the hours spent practicing with heads bent, in a crouch, or cradling a ball, yield a grace and beauty that only surfaces when tested. And sometimes the sociopolitical context in which one performs makes it even harder. In this exhibition, the physical, mental, emotional, and political resilience required to play is made visible. When Indigenous, Black, or women athletes refuse to give up, especially when they were historically excluded, their presence in the contest changes it. They make the game wider, deeper, and more meaningful. They make a beautiful game even more beautiful.

Major international competitions where athletes compete as members of a national team are highly anticipated and widely watched media events. Such tournaments find participants facing their fiercest competitors, and often befriending them. Host cities invest in building state-of-the-art arenas, transportation, and hospitality to increase tourism. Nations finance research and development of performance sports gear, like the racing wheelchair and hydrofoil sailboat on view here, which in turn influence the sporting goods made available to the public. Given the global attention, many athletes take the opportunity to surface inequities they have encountered for broader perspectives and debate. In addition to showcasing the highest level of performance, international games spur innovations in design and urban planning, and significant discussions that influence broader social progress.

Major international competitions where athletes compete as members of a national team are highly anticipated and widely watched media events. Such tournaments find participants facing their fiercest competitors, and often befriending them. Host cities invest in building state-of-the-art arenas, transportation, and hospitality to increase tourism. Nations finance research and development of performance sports gear, like the racing wheelchair and hydrofoil sailboat on view here, which in turn influence the sporting goods made available to the public. Given the global attention, many athletes take the opportunity to surface inequities they have encountered for broader perspectives and debate. In addition to showcasing the highest level of performance, international games spur innovations in design and urban planning, and significant discussions that influence broader social progress.

Table Manners brings together tableware, flatware, and drinkware from the SFMOMA Architecture + Design collection spanning nearly 100 years. The exhibition celebrates the ways design has shaped our relationship to food, our bodies, and communities, and how dining can be a profound communal and cultural experience. From self-filling wine glasses and teapots made of tea, to crisp modernist spoons and flatware made from discarded CDs, Table Manners explores the performance of dining. The exhibition includes works by Virgil Abloh, Joe Colombo, Zaha Hadid, Roberto Lugo, and many more, accompanied by illustrations and textiles by Lucy Stark.

Table Manners brings together tableware, flatware, and drinkware from the SFMOMA Architecture + Design collection spanning nearly 100 years. The exhibition celebrates the ways design has shaped our relationship to food, our bodies, and communities, and how dining can be a profound communal and cultural experience. From self-filling wine glasses and teapots made of tea, to crisp modernist spoons and flatware made from discarded CDs, Table Manners explores the performance of dining. The exhibition includes works by Virgil Abloh, Joe Colombo, Zaha Hadid, Roberto Lugo, and many more, accompanied by illustrations and textiles by Lucy Stark.

Inspired by the aura of global fame and popularity in Hallyu! The Korean Wave, the Koret Korean Galleries currently highlight artworks that speak to the idea of celebrity in a variety of creative ways. A brief survey of celebrity artists — renowned figures in the Korean art scene — includes works in watercolor, photography, and sculpture by Kim Whanki, Lee Gapchul, and Paik Nam June, as well as an arresting abstract painting by Korean American artist SoHyun Bae.

Inspired by the aura of global fame and popularity in Hallyu! The Korean Wave, the Koret Korean Galleries currently highlight artworks that speak to the idea of celebrity in a variety of creative ways. A brief survey of celebrity artists — renowned figures in the Korean art scene — includes works in watercolor, photography, and sculpture by Kim Whanki, Lee Gapchul, and Paik Nam June, as well as an arresting abstract painting by Korean American artist SoHyun Bae.

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) is often dismissed as a sentimental painter of mothers and children, but she was in fact a pioneering modernist. Her paintings, pastels and prints are characterized by constant experimentation and variation. The only American to join the French Impressionists, Cassatt first exhibited with the group in 1879 at the invitation of Degas and quickly became a key member of the movement. In addition to depicting women at the opera, visiting friends and drinking tea, Cassatt created many images of "women's work" - knitting and needlepoint, bathing children and nursing babies. These images suggest parallels between art-making and nursing work. The exhibition calls attention to the artist's own creative process - how she used brushes, etching needles, crayon sticks and even her fingertips to create radical works of art under the guise of "feminine" subjects.

Don Toliver's "Psycho Tour" is set to hit San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on October 15, 2024. The venue is located at 99 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102. Fans can expect an electrifying performance from the talented artist as he takes the stage in one of the city's most iconic concert halls. Don't miss out on this unforgettable night of music and entertainment.

From jongleurs to 說書人 Pingshu artists, storytellers throughout history have played a critical role in elucidating key facets of the human experience, making sense of our past and navigating our present. The stories they tell reveal profound truths about our reality, the shaping of identity, and human behavior. Both personal and political, some stories have insidiously perpetuated segregation, racism and sexism, whilst others offer visions of equitable futures through imagining and building worlds anew. Stories are inherently spiritual phenomena, often perceived as having a touch of magic, with their ability to manifest substance, texture, characters, and worlds. There is the gift of space, time and knowledge in stories. The exhibition, Walking Stories, contemplates the storied nature of human behavior and how individuals may be perceived as embodied "walking stories". Carried within the storyteller, passed down through generations are countless stories shared, given, received, and exchanged. Far from being fixed, stories are fluid in essence, constantly evolving as they are expanded on, abbreviated, and adapted per circumstance, context and audience. As such, how do we carry, gift, receive, exchange stories? What is said and intentionally left unsaid? How might we tell the untold stories of those who do not have capacity or reveal that which is not yet uncovered? In what ways do stories shape human connection, cross-generationally, personally and collectively? Artists Alice Wu, Dohee Lee, Farhana Sobhan, Katie Quan, Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, Hana Luna Her, Manon Wada, Mia Nakano, Miko Lee, Related Tactics, Trần Châu Hà and Tsim Nuj Vang explore these questions in their multimedia practice and collaborative exhibition, Walking Stories. Ranging from interactive installations, video, performance, photography, zines to conceptual potluck, the artists interrogate prevailing stories and their ramifications and prioritize stories that cultivate interconnectedness, empathy and invested involvement in the world around us. As individual and collective ‘walking stories’, every story we create, creates us. After all, we are shaped by our shaping of the world, which is perpetually shaped again in turn.

Welcome to the Legends Muay Thai Championship! Join us at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center for a thrilling Muay Thai and PMT bouts. Don't miss out the opportunity to enjoy traditional Thai dance performances, DJ sets, and a variety of other entertainment. Indulge in delicious food, refreshing beverages, and explore retail offerings. Grab your tickets now! Door opens: PMT fights: Doors open at 11 am, with fights start at 12pm. Main fights: Doors open at 1pm, with fights start at 2 pm Please note: All tickets are nonrefundable on/after the event date. General Admission and VIP ticket holders will have access to the main ring fights. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within the designated area. No photography is allowed; contact the organizer for a permit if needed. Outside food is not permitted. Information Source: Legends Promotion | eventbrite

Catch the R/T Shuttle Bus from San Francisco to Levi's Stadium for the 49ers vs Cardinals game on October 6, 2024. Departing from Westwood at 2036 Lombard Street, San Francisco, this luxury shuttle service has been a preferred choice for major events since 1998. The bus will leave at 10:00 AM, providing a stress-free and convenient transportation option for football fans. Ticket prices range from $75 to $99, excluding the game ticket. Passengers can bring their snacks and beverages but are reminded not to use Styrofoam coolers. The shuttle will depart 30 minutes after the game's end, so it's essential to be on time. Book your seat now and enjoy a hassle-free journey to cheer on your team at Levi's Stadium.

San Francisco Fleet Week is an annual public event that honours the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces while advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian- and military-based Humanitarian Assistance personnel San Francisco Fleet Week is an annual public event that honours the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces while advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian- and military-based Humanitarian Assistance personnel. Information Source: United Airlines | expotobi

Michele Tracy Berger is the Eric and Jane Nord Family Professor in the Department of Religious Studies and director of the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University. She has a secondary appointment in the Department of English. Her short fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction has appeared in 100 Word Story, Apex Magazine, Glint Literary Journal, The Wild Word, Blood and Bourbon, FIYAH: Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction, Midnight and Indigo, Oracle: Fine Arts Review, Carolina Woman, Ms., and various anthologies. She is the 2019 winner of the Carl Brandon Kindred Award from the Carl Brandon Society for her story Doll Seed published in FIYAH: Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. In 2020, her science fiction novella, Reenu-You about a mysterious virus transmitted through a hair care product billed as a natural hair relaxer was published by Falstaff Books. The experiences of five unlikely heroines weave a speculative tale that explores race, gender, female friendship, the politics of beauty and corporate conspiracy. Much of her work explores psychological horror, especially through issues of race and gender. Dr. Berger’s books include Workable Sisterhood: The Political Journey of Stigmatized Women with HIV/AIDS (Princeton University Press, 2004), the co-edited collections Gaining Access: A Practical and Theoretical Guide for Qualitative Researchers (Altamira Press, 2003) and The Intersectional Approach: Transforming the Academy Through Race, Class and Gender (University of North Carolina Press, 2010) and the co-authored Transforming Scholarship: Why Women’s and Gender Studies Students Are Changing Themselves and the World (Routledge 2011, 2014, 2021). She is the author, most recently, of Black Women’s Health: Paths to Wellness for Mothers and Daughters (New York University Press, 2022), the first monograph to focus on the role of southern African American mothers and their adolescent daughters in shaping health practices. She is a sought-after public speaker and commentator. Her public scholarship has appeared in The Chronicle of Higher Ed, Ms. Magazine, The Feminist Wire and other media outlets. She is currently co-chair of the Ms. Scholars Board. For this event, Michele will be in conversation with Isis Asare. About Aunt Lute Books: Aunt Lute Books is an intersectional, feminist press dedicated to publishing literature by those who have been traditionally underrepresented in or excluded by the literary canon. Core to Aunt Lute’s mission is the belief that the written word is critical to understanding and relating to each other as humans.Through the sharing of stories, we strengthen ties across cultures and experiences, and at the same time honor the hurt, loss, and harm incurred through structural power imbalances, prejudiced and gendered systems, and ancestral trauma. We uplift these voices in order to build a more just future. About Medicine for Nightmares/Medicina para Pesadillas: “The bookstore is a portal and a space for connection,” says Alderete, a poet whose book, Baby Axolotls & Old Pochos, was published by Black Freighter Press in 2021. “It’s not just a bookstore. We hang, we kick it, we create, we sustain art, we remember cultura. For the Mission, that has been going on for years. The most obvious thing for a culture or group or movement is to teach the next generation, so it continues.” The shop on 24th Street was previously Alley Cat Bookstore & Gallery, which Kate Razo sold to Alderete and Khánh Cao last year. The pair collectively took over and remodeled the space within a whirlwind of two months (Nomadic Press founder J.K. Fowler was also pivotal in launching Medicine for Nightmares, but he is no longer involved). With backgrounds in visual art, poetry, and community advocacy, Khánh Cao and Alderete have extensive experience with small, local institutions: Alderete once owned a taco shop in the North Bay and was employed at City Lights Books, while Khánh Cao worked prior at City Lights and The Luggage Store art gallery. Information Source: Aunt Lute Books | eventbrite

Join us for a spectacular live performance featuring the dazzling wit, infectious enegry, and undeniable charisma of your favorite host, Delta Work. This is your chance to experience the magic of her VERY DELTA Podcast and YouTube Talkshow up close and personal. Bringing her unique blend of humor, glamour, and entertainment to the heart of the Bay Area. From captivating interviews to hilarious stories and maybe a couple surprise performances, this live show promises to be a whirlwind of excitement and creativity. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new to the experience that is... Very Delta, this is an event you won't want to miss. Grab your tickets now and get ready to laugh! Do you want to hear her go off? I think you want to hear her go off... Doors Open: 7:00p Show Start: 8:00p Live DJ Set by DJ Mixtress Feline (@mixtressfeline)Special Guest Apperances!Meet and Greet with Delta before the show! Information Source: Baby Shaques Productions | eventbrite

Join us for the all-ages exhibition unveiling and opening reception on Friday, October 11, 6–9 PM PST. As the world watches and responds to the genocide of the Palestinian people, this year’s exhibition theme, Bearing Witness: An Expression of Love, Solidarity, and Justice for the People of Palestine, reflects on the impact of this ongoing trauma on personal, national, and international levels. Participating artists center creation as resistance by mounting traditional and contemporary altar installations that honor, celebrate, and mourn those who have perished in Palestine. In alignment with the tradition of Día de Los Muertos, the exhibition also showcases personal altars dedicated to loved ones who have passed. This evening features curatorial remarks, Día de Los Muertos inspired artist market, and more. Tickets $15 Suggested donationFree for youth 16 and underNo one turned away for lack of funds at the doorExhibiting Artists 2AM, Adrian Arias, Alicia Cruz, Becca Rodriguez, Beth Benson and Virdell VonDella, Dania Cabello, David Tafolla, Jos Sances and MECA, La Familia Brown, Mary Jhun, Optimus Volts, Queer Ancestors Project: Resist, Ren Allathkani and Shaun Burner, Sen Mendez, Susana Aragón, Valeria Olguín and Alfredo Olguín Jr., Victor-Mario Zaballa, Yaffa AS, and Zedekiah Gonsalves–Schild Curators Rio Yañez, Bridgétt Rex Accessibility SOMArts is wheelchair accessible and in proximity to several nearby public transportation stops. SOMArts does not have automatic doors at its Main Entrance. Restrooms are ADA-accessible and low-scent cleaning products are used. For more detailed information regarding accessibility at SOMArts, contact info@somarts.org with any related requests, questions, or concerns. Information Source: SOMArts Cultural Center | eventbrite

Part of Litquake Writers Weekend Co-moderated by Lyn Patterson and Vincente Perez, this session considers Black poetics as a world-building phenomenon. In the lineage of Black poets like Henry Dumas and June Jordan, panelists Darius Simpson and Nefertiti Asanti write against the Human, write towards Black eco-poetics, and write as political education to form critical practices of viewing, listening, and being. Hear how they use poetry to dissect and analyze the worlds of white supremacy, settler-colonialism, and heteropatriarchy, charting a path towards alternative worlds and possibilities. FREE, $10–15 suggested donation Information Source: Litquake, San Francisco's Literary Festival | eventbrite

Lawrence - The Family Business Tour is set to take place at The Masonic in San Francisco on October 12, 2024. This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics of family businesses and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Located at 1111 California St, San Francisco, CA, 94108, the venue provides a conducive setting for attendees to engage in discussions and network with like-minded professionals. Don't miss this chance to delve into the complexities of family-owned enterprises and discover strategies for success in this specialized field.

Quakes fans, join us at the Gold Bar Whiskey for a fun day with the MLS Cup, Cristian Espinoza and Hernán López! Signings: Free signings from Cristian Espinoza and Hernán López. Get your favorite jersey, scarf or Gold Bar Whiskey bottle signed by the two stars.Limited Edition Quakes Whiskey: Pickup a bottle and celebrate the San Jose Earthquakes 50th Anniversary with a Limited Edition Whiskey Bottle.MLS Cup: Get your photo professionally taken with the MLS cup!Games: Give it your best shot with our Quakes Inflatable Soccer Challenge - fun for the whole family.Cocktails: Try locally distilled spirits and taste cocktail specialties made with the Official Whiskey Parter of San Jose Earthquakes.Food: Tons of food options will be available so make sure to come hungry!This is an all ages event - anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by an adult. Information Source: Gold Bar Whiskey | eventbrite

Part of Litquake Writers Weekend Moderator Tania Malik andpanelists Nina Schuyler, Grace Loh Prasad, and Carol LaHines will share a frank discussion about their experiences being traditionally published by small, independent presses. Following a reading, they will delve into the in’s and out’s of the small press publication process, as well as the cultural impact of smaller presses taking chances on voices that bigger presses find too risky or hard to classify. FREE, $10–15 suggested donation Information Source: Litquake, San Francisco's Literary Festival | eventbrite