On the Cheap listings are compiled by Guardian staff. Submit items for the listings at listings@sfbg.com. For further information on how to submit items for the listings, see Selector.
WEDNESDAY 7
David Gilbert Book Passage, 1 Ferry Bldg, SF; www.bookpassage.com. 6pm, free. The author of & Sons discusses his work with fellow author Adam Johnson (The Orphan Master’s Son).
THURSDAY 8
“Contemporary Historians at the Presidio: Edward P. Von der Porten” Presidio Main Post, 135 Fisher Loop, SF; www.presidio.gov. 7-9pm, free. The maritime expert presents an illustrated talk on “Mysteries from the Lost Galleon: The Manila Galleon San Filipe, 1573-1576,” about how the ship was lost and later discovered, wrecked off the coast of Baja California.
Gary Kamiya Booksmith, 1644 Haight, SF; www.booksmith.com. 7:30pm, free. The author and Salon co-founder launches his new book, described as “a love letter to San Francisco” and titled, appropriately enough, Cool Grey City of Love.
Victoria Sweet BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal, SF; (415) 564-8080. 7pm, free. The author reads from God’s Hotel, about her experiences with “slow” medicine while working at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Michael Walker Books Inc., 2275 Market, SF; www.booksinc.net. 7:30pm, free. The bestselling author (Laurel Canyon) presents his latest rock ‘n’ roll history tome, What You Want Is in the Limo: On the Road with Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, and the Who in 1973, the Year the Sixties Died and the Modern Rock Star Was Born.
SATURDAY 10
Bay Area Free Book Exchange 10520 San Pablo, El Cerrito; www.bayareafreebookexchange.com. Every Sat and Sun, 9am-6pm. Free. Yep, you read that right: it’s a free bookstore, with an inventory hovering around 10,000 books — all ripe for the taking. The joint also gladly accepts donations, too, so free up some space for your new acquisitions by donating volumes you’ve already read.
Burlingame ArtzFest Howard Ave, Burlingame; www.burlingamechamber.org. Through Sun/11. 10am-6pm, free. Fifteen minutes south of SF, the city of Burlingame hosts a weekend of live music, art, food booths, kid-friendly activities, and more.
Marcus Ewert Fisher Children’s Center, 100 Larkin, SF; www.ourfamily.org. Noon-2pm, free (advance registration required as space is limited; visit website to sign up). Our Family Coalition hosts this reading by the author of 10,000 Dresses, a book for kids about a transgender child searching for acceptance.
“One Happening Square Mile: Treasure Island Today” Building One lobby, Treasure Island; www.treasureislandmuseum.org. 10:30am, free. Mirian Saez, director of island operations, Treasure Island Development Authority, gives a lecture on the island’s current attractions. Sure, you know about the music festival and the flea market, but there are also wineries, art studios, a job-training center, and more.
“Origami-Palooza” East Japan Center Mall, 1737 Post, SF; www.sfjapantown.org. 1-5pm, free. It’s the first-ever Origami-Palooza, and it’s a riot of paper-foldin’. Stop by to see an exhibit of work by pros, learn some how-to tips from resident experts, enter the Paper Air Plane Challenge (1:30pm, Japantown Peace Plaza), and fold some cranes for the World Tree of Hope in City Hall with Rainbow World Fun.
SUNDAY 11
“A Fair to Remember” Jack Kerouac Alley (near 255 Columbus), SF; www.afairtoremembersf.com. Noon-6pm, free. Visit this petite and well-edited street fair to peruse jewelry, prints, soap, photographs, and other goods made by local artists.
Alexis E. Fajardo Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission, SF; www.cartoonart.org. 1-3pm, free. The cartoonist closes out his Small Press Spotlight at the museum — featuring an exhibit of art from his latest book, Kid Beowulf and the Rise of El Cid — with a book-signing and free sketches.
Rob Sheffield Book Passage, 1 Ferry Bldg, SF; www.bookpassage.com. 4pm, free. The author and music journalist reads from his new memoir, Turn Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love and Karaoke. *