What can you learn from a painting? What can you give with your laughter, insight, observance and patronage? Find out at any of this week's arts events.
THURSDAY 16
Carla Rachel Sameth @ SF Main Library
The lesbian Jewish author of reads from and discusses her memoir, One Day on the Gold Line. 6pm. LGBTQIA Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org
Claire Rudy Foster @ Booksmith
The author of Shine of the Ever, a queer and trans collection of stories, reads from and discusses their work. 7pm. 1644 Haight St. www.booksmith.com
Classic and New Films @ Castro Theatre
Jan 16, 7:30pm: SF Sketchfest presents Judge John Hodgman live. Jan 17, 7pm: Christian Hellion Glover with his slideshow, What Is It? 7pm. Jan 18, 1pm: The Journey of Natty Gann 35th Anniversary, and (4:20) Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw gets a snarky live commentary. Jan 19, 12pm: SpongeBob SquarePants 20th Anniversary. 3pm: Airplane! 40th Anniversary. Jan 19, 8pm: SF Sketchfest Tribute to Sandra Bernhard, in conversation with Peaches Christ, and The King of Comedy screening. Jan 20 (3pm, 5:30, 8:30) Harriet. Jan 21 & 22 (5pm, 8pm) Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. Jan 23: A Woman is a Woman (7pm) & Pierrot Le Fou (8:40): $8-$16. 429 Castro St. http://www.castrotheatre.com
Events @ Manny's
Jan 16., 6:30pm: The Politics of a Bridge: Director of the Golden Gate Bridge Denis Mulligan. 17, 6pm: Civic Trivia Night. 19, 4pm ($5): Human Rights in Central America. And at 6pm: Bringing Transformation to Citizen Activism. 20, 6pm: MLK Jr. Day. 21, 5:30pm ($5): Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health with Adrian Shanker. 21, 6:30pm ($5-$54): State Controller Betty Yee. 22, 5:30pm ($5-$54): SF new District Attorney Chesa Boudin. 22, 7pm ($6): Queer Sex Ed 101. 23, 5:30pm ($50-$1500): Holly Mitchell for LA County Supervisor. 23, 6:30pm ($5-$10: SF Trangender District cofounders Honey Mahogany, Aria and Janetta. 3092 16th St. www.welcometomannys.com
Divine Women, Divine Wisdom @ BAM/PFA
Exhibit of Tibetan art depicting women as holy entities. Thru May 24. Also, Hinges: Sakaki Hyakusen and the Birth of Nanga Painting (thru Feb 2); Sylvia Fein: Matrix 275 (thru Mar. 1); Art Wall: Edie Fake (thru June 21); and Lands of Promise and Peril: Geographies of California (thru April 26). Film screenings, too. 2155 Center St., Berkeley. www.bampfa.org
Performance, Protest & Politics @ GLBT History Museum
Performance, Protest & Politics: Gilbert Baker's Art, an exhibit of the works and ephemera by and about the creator of the Rainbow Flag. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Sach @ Strut
Screening of Sanjeev Chahal's documentary about his intersecting worlds of drag and Indian identity, plus a discussion with Mama Celeste. 7pm. 470 Castro St. www.snjv.co www.strutsf.org
Sharon McNight @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
The cabaret legend performs at the upscale nightclub. $45-$65 ($20 food/drink min.). 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com
Sketchfest Comedy Festival @ Multiple Venues
19th annual festival of comedy, cinema and more, with dozens of celebrity actors, comics, directors and musicians, including Tony Shaloub, Molly Shannon, Busy Philipps, Sandra Bernhard, Kevin Nealon, Crispin Glover, Robert Klein, Eugene Mirman, Brian Regan, Phoebe Robinson, and The Monkees with Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz; Maria Bamford, Macaulay Culkin, Margaret Cho, Tony Hale, Rachel Dratch, Fred Armisen, Patton Oswalt, Phoebe Robinson, Kristen Schaal, Doug Benson, Michael Ian Black and many more; thru Jan. 26. Free-$150. www.sfsketchfest.com
Survival Architecture @ Museum of Craft & Design
Survival Architecture and the Art of Resilience and Linda Gass: And Then This Happened..., fabric maps and multimedia; both thru May 3. 2569 3rd St. www.sfmcd.org
FRIDAY 17
Groundhog Day the Musical @ SF Playhouse
Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin's musical adaptation of the surreal-comic Bill Murray film about a weatherman who gets stuck repeating the same day. $35-$125. Thru Jan 18. 450 Post St. www.sfplayhouse.org
Hamilton @ Orpheum Theater
The hugely popular hiphop history musical about Alexander Hamilton. $75-$400. Thru May 31. 1192 Market St. www.hamilton.broadwaysf.com
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child @ Curran Theater
The West Coast premiere of the acclaimed two-part play about Harry Potter's son, and his time-traveling misadventures at Hogwarts Academy, includes amazing special effects in the transformed Curran Theater. Same-day and subsequent night tickets available. $59-$300. Thru July 12. 445 Geary St. www.harrypottertheplay.com https://sfcurran.com/
Older and Out @ North Berkeley Senior Center
Weekly group discussion about problems for elders in the LGBT community. 3:15pm. 1901 Hearst Ave., Berkeley. www.pacificcenter.org
Orfe & Andy Karl @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
The Tony-nominated Broadway couple (Saturday Night Fever, Rocky, Legally Blonde) perform songs from their new album, Legally Bound, plus favorite show tunes. $70-$90 ($20 food/drink min.). 8pm. Also Jan. 18. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com
Rashaad Newsome: To Be Real @ Fort Mason
Opening reception (7pm-10pm) for the artist's stunning exhibit of collage, sculptures and interactive A.I. blends queer diva iconography, robotic and African American imagery to question concepts of identity. Wed-Sun 11am-5pm, thru Feb. 23. Main gallery, Pier 2, 2 Marina Blvd. www.fortmason.org/event/newsome/ Other multimedia works also on exhibit at Museum of the rnAfrican Diaspora thru March 1: www.moadsf.org
Red Room Orchestra @ The Chapel
Concert of the music from the film Boogie Nights. $40 9pm. Jan 18: music of the films Wild at Heart and Twin Peaks. 777 Valencia St. www.redroomorchestra.com www.thechapelsf.com
Snap! @ Arc Gallery
Bay Area Juried Exhibition and 'off-the-wall' sale. 7pm-9pm. 1246 Folsom St. www.arc-sf.com
You'll Catch Flies @ New Conservatory Theatre Center
The world premiere of Ryan Fogarty's biting comedy about a group of gay friends and their familial and familiar revelations at a party. Wed pre-show with cocktails, 6:30pm-7:30pm. $25-$55. Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm; thru Feb 23. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.org
SATURDAY 18
Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum
Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World (extended thru Feb. 17), and other exhibits of animation art by the prolific studio's artists. 104 Montgomery St, The Presidio. $5-$25. 10am-6pm. Closed Tue. http://wdfmuseum.org/
The Batman Armory @ Cartoon Art Museum
Artwork, Batman props and costumes on display, thru Feb. 16. Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics, thru March 1. Gemma Correll's witty cartoons in the Emerging Artist Showcase, thru March 29. Free/$10. 11am-5pm daily; closed Wed. 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org
Dance Hack 2020 @ CounterPulse
Kinetech Arts's mini-fest of dancers and techies spontaneously collaborating on electricfied movement and light pieces. $10-$20. 10am-9pm. Also Jan 19 6pm. 80 Turk St. www.counterpulse.org
Jeremy Jordan @ Herbst Theatre
Music director and host Seth Rudetsy welcomes the TV star and Tony-nominated Broadway singer-actor, who talks about his life, and sings with his knockout flair; partial proceeds benefit Sandy Hook Promise, Project Open Hand and SF Gay Men's Chorus. $50-$150. 5pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. www.cityboxoffice.com
Kaleidoscope @ Exploratorium
Artist Karina Smigla-Bobinski's exhibit of interactive swirling electronic colors panels; thru Jan 20. Also, Cells to Self, an exhibit with amazing displays showing how single cells in the human body work, portraits engineered from DNA and more (talks, hands-on workshops and nightlife events). $10-$30. Pier 15 at Embarcadero. www.exploratorium.edu
LGBTQ Histories from the WWII Home Front @ Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center, Richmond
Park indoor exhibit that showcases the lives of historic LGBT people. Open daily 10am-5pm. 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000, Richmond. www.nps.gov/rori/index.htm
Other Cinema @ ATA Gallery
Weekly screenings of wacky, unusual, short, documentary and animated films; free books, vinyl, VHS and wine. $7. 8:30pm. 992 Valencia St. www.othercinema.com
Shin Lim @ Golden Gate Theatre
The 'sleight of hand' magician performs his lavish show; Colin Cloud opens. $72-$215. 2pm & 7:30pm. 1 Taylor St. www.shnsf.com
Skate Night @ Church on 8 Wheels
Wheeled fun at the former Sacred Heart Church-turned disco roller skate party space, hosted by John D. Miles, the "Godfather of Skate," including Saturday's Black Rock night (Burning Man garb encouraged). 7pm-10pm. Sat afternoon sessions 1pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm. $10. Kids 12 and under $5. Skate rentals $5. 554 Fillmore St at Fell. www.churchof8wheels.com
Soft Power @ SF MOMA
Soft Power, a new exhibit of 20 artists, 12 countries, 58 new works; Jan 19 & 26 (2pm) participating artists Jason Moran performs piano concerts. Also, Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983; Jan. 18, 1pm: conversation with Tarika Lewis, the first woman to join the Black Panthers, and award-winning poet and educator, Tureeda Mikell. Also, The Chronicles of San Francisco, photo-muralist JR's interactive community giant group portrait; Don't! Photography and the Art of Mistakes; Far Out: Suits, Habs, and Labs for Outer Space; other exhibits of Modern art. Free/$25. Fri-Tue 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm. 151 3rd St. www.sfmoma.org
They Called Us Enemy @ Cartoon Art Museum
Opening day of the new exhibit of Harmony Becker's artwork for the graphic novel written by actor-activist George Takei, about his family's U.S. internment in a concentration camp during WWII. Free-$10. Thru May 17 (closed Wed). 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org
SUNDAY 19
Ecstatic Dance @ Sacred Heart Church
Weekly group freeform dance with a spiritual flavor at the former church-turned event space. $15. 9am-12pm. Also Wed. and Fridays in Oakland and Fairfax. 554 Fillmore St. www.ecstaticdance.org
Exclusion @ Presidio Officers Club
Exhibit documenting the Presidio's Japanese-American incarceration during World War II; other exhibits show the history of the former military base and the SF peninsula. Also, Andy Goldsworthy's fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibit three-mile walking tour. Free, Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; extended thru June 2020. 50 Maraga Ave. www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/
Lost at Sea @ Asian Art Museum
Recovered Art From Shipwrecks, a new exhibit of antiquities discovered in oceans (thru Mar. 22); also, Chang Dai-chien (thru April 26), contemporary works by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, Kim Heecheon and Liu Jianhua; and exhibits of historic sculptures, prints and antiquities. Sunday caf� specialties from $7-$16. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. www.asianart.org
Loving Janis @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
Concert tribute to Janis Joplin, with vocalist Kyra Gordon and special guest Mimi Fox. $35-$50 ($20 food/drink min.). 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man @ Oakland Museum
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, an exhibit of amazing large artworks; thru Feb 16. Free/$15. 1000 Oak St. www.museumca.org
Queer Tango @ Finnish Hall, Berkeley
Same-sex partner tango dancing, including lessons for newbies, food and drinks. $5-$10. 3:30pm-6:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. www.finnishhall.org
Rashaad Newsome @ MOAD
Exhibit of the artist's brilliant collages that blend queer and Black iconography. (Other works also on exhibit at Fort Mason thru Feb. 23. Main gallery, Pier 2, 2 Marina Blvd.) Also, Black is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite, prints by the Harlem Renaissance photographer of the 1950s and '60s; Also, Don't Shoot: An Opus of the Opulence of Blackness, and Baye Fall: Roots in Spirituality, Fashion and Resistance. All thru Mar. 1. $5-$10. 685 Mission St. www.moadsf.org
Sandra Bernhard @ Castro Theatre
SF Sketchfest's tribute to actor-comic-singer Sandra Bernhard, in conversation with Peaches Christ, and a screening of The King of Comedy. $25-$45. 8pm. 429 Castro st. www.castrotheatre.com www.sfsketchfest.com
Sprightly @ SF Public Library
Weekly hangout for LGBTQ youth, with crafts, snacks and activities. 12:30pm-2:30pm. James C. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org
Various Exhibits @ de Young Museum
Exhibits of Modern and historic art, including embroidery, Maori portraits and installations. Free/$28. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.famsf.org
MONDAY 20Andy Goldsworthy @ PresidioEnjoy a fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibit and three-mile walking tour. Free, extended thru June. 50 Maraga Ave. www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/
Fiberful @ NIAD Art Center, RichmondExhibits of art by visiting professionals, and art made by developmentally disabled people; new exhibits include Fiberful, a fabric sculpture group exhibit, Tippy Toes: Terry Hoff, and Right Here, Right Now, Richmond. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. 551 23rd St., Richmond. (510) 620-0290. www.niadart.org
Gallery of Illustrious Queers @ SF Main LibraryPhotographer Jordan Reznick's LGBT portrait photo exhibit; extended thru Feb. 20. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org
Victor Wooten @ Yoshi's OaklandThe five-time Grammy winning bassist and cofounder of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones performs with his new band. $29. 8pm & 10pm. Also Jan 21, 8pm & 10pm. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. www.yoshis.com
William Blake in Color @ William Blake Gallery
Exhibit of classic plates in the new gallery of historic art by the 18th- and 19th-century poet and illustrator. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Sat 11am-5pm. 49 Geary St. #205. www.williamblakegallery.com
TUESDAY 21
Eric McCracken @ StrutrnMe, Myself and My Dirty Mind, the artist's exhibit of surrealist erotic gay art; thru Jan. 470 Castro St. www.strutsf.org
Exhibits @ Tenderloin Museum
Multimedia exhibit about the historic Tenderloin district. 398 Eddy St. http://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/
Floral Exhibits @ SF Botanical Garden
Visit the lush gardens with displays of trees, flowers and shrubs from around the world, including the annual Magnolia bloom. Monthly plant sales, plus art exhibits and gift shop; free entry with SF proof of residency. $5-$10 for others. 7:30am-closing. 9th Ave at Lincoln Way. https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/
Expedition Reef @ California Academy of Sciences
Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Skin, a multi-species hands-on exhibit; Deep Reefs, Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, and more. $20-$35. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org
Remarkable WWII Rosie @ Jewett Gallery, SF Main Library
Painter Carol Witten's exhibit of portraits of women factory workers during World War II; thru Jan. 26. 100 Larkin St, lower level. www.sfpl.org
Richard Caldwell Brewer @ Lost Art Salon
Exhibit of works by the late gay artist (1923-2014). Also, Cappi and Michael Insinna. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. 245 South Van Ness Ave., #303. https://lostartsalon.com/
Roz Chast, Patricia Marx @ First Congregational Church of Oakland
The celebrated comic artist and writer discuss and sign copies of their new book, You Can Only Yell at Me for One Thing at a Time: Rules for Couples. $20. 7pm. 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. www.booksmith.com
WEDNESDAY 22
Alex Prestia @ Eros
Wistful Edificials, the local artist's exhibit of SF people and architecture, at the sex club; thru March. 2051 Market St. www.a1205x.com www.erossf.com
Exhibits @ Chabot Space & Science Museum, Oakland
Space, science and planetary exhibits, including planetarium shows and the Observatory; special nighttime events like meteor shower shows. Free-$18. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. www.chabotspace.org
Illuminate SF @ Citywide
40+ installations of light art sculptures in and outside buildings by more than 30 local artists. Free; walking tour info at www.illuminatesf.com
James Tissot @ Legion of Honor
James Tissot: Fashion & Faith (thru Feb 9); other beautiful exhibits of classical and modern art. Free/$30. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. www.legionofhonor.famsf.org
Naked Men's Sketch @ Eros
Get naked and take turns modeling at the sex club's popular weekly event. Donations/no entrance fee. 7pm-9pm (Open Christmas 12pm-9pm). 2051 Market St. www.erossf.com
THURSDAY 23
Bohemian Rhapsody? @ GLBT History Museum
Archiving Czech Queer History, a discussion and slideshow with art historian Ladislav Zikmund-Lende. 7pm. Also, Performance, Protest & Politics: Gilbert Baker's Art, an exhibit of the works and ephemera by and about the creator of the Rainbow Flag. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org
Lady Bunny @ Oasis
Oh, no, she's back! New York's biggest wig owner and Wigstock founder performs her Pig in a Wig show, full of raunchy jokes, bad lip-synching and politically incorrect hilarity. $27-$50. 7pm. Also Jan 24. 298 11th St. www.sfoasis.com
Mimi's Suitcase @ Noh Space
Ana Bayaat's riveting award-winning solo show brings the Iranian revolution to life in four languages (with English supertitles). $20-$30. Jan 23 & 24, 8pm. Jan 25 2pm & 7pm. 2840 Mariposa St. www.anabayat.com
Plant Exhibits @ Conservatory of Flowers
Artfully arranged plant and floral exhibits; special evening events and parties, including Night Bloom evening events, 5pm-11pm. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.conservatoryofflowers.org
Recoding CripTech @ SOMArts
Opening reception for a group exhibition of multimedia depictions of disabled people reimagined technologies and prosthetic tools; curated by Vanessa Chang and Lindsey D. Felt. 6pm-9pm. 934 Brannan St. Thru Feb 25. www.somarts.org
Various Events @ Oakland LGBTQ Center
Social events and meetings at the new LGBTQ center include film screenings and workshops, including Bruthas Rising, trans men of color meetings, 4th Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Film screenings, 4th Saturdays, 7:30pm. Game nights, Fridays 7:30pm-11pm. Vogue sessions, first Saturdays. 3207 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland. https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/
Various Exhibits @ Treasure Island Museum
Collections of historic Golden Gate Exposition photos and memorabilia, military ephemera and more. Building One, Treasure Island, One Avenue of the Palms. www.treasureislandmuseum.org
William Gibson @ Public Works
The bestselling 'cyberpunk' author presents Agency, his latest futuristic novel, $20-$53. 7pm. 161 Erie St. https://agency.bpt.me/
To add your arts or nightlife event to listings, email [email protected]