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WEDNESDAY 5
Bikes to Books beer and map social Bender’s Bar and Grill, 806 S. Van Ness, SF; www.burritojustice.com. 7-9pm, free. Gather to talk lit history, maps, and urban cycling with like-minded folks.
David Grand City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, SF; www.citylights.com. 7pm, free. The author reads from Mount Terminus. Also reading: Wesley Stace, author of Wonderkid.
“Twelve Brief Moments: Reading and Publication Launch’ Southern Exposure, 3030 20th St, SF; www.soex.org. 7pm, free. Culminating event of a year-long series of readings by artist Michael Swaine, who performed a short text-based work every month from February 2013 through this event.
THURSDAY 6
“A Curious Menagerie” Creativity Explored Gallery, 3245 16th St, SF; www.creativityexplored.org. Opening reception 7-9pm, free. Exhibit runs through April 16. Over two dozen Creativity Explored artists interpret various members of the animal kingdom, both real and imaginary, in this new gallery show.
“Shipwreck: Wind in the Willows” Booksmith, 1644 Haight, SF; www.booksmith.com. 7:30pm, $10. Six writers “destroy” one great book and character using their literary skills and creative imaginations. This month’s participants include Alan Leggit, Sean Keane, Alitzah Oros, Christopher Steffen, Kate Santos, and one more TBD.
“Urban Air Night Market” SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th St, SF; www.urbanairmarket.com. 5-10pm, free. Ongoing every Thursday. It’s not just food trucks anymore: Urban Air Market brings its array of independent designers, artists, and other vendors for a weekly event at the park.
FRIDAY 7
Anchee Min Books Inc., 1344 Park, Alameda; www.booksinc.net. 7pm, free. The best-selling author (Red Azalea) reads from her long-awaited memoir sequel, The Cooked Seed.
“Quiet Lightning with San Francisco Center for the Book” San Francisco Center for the Book, 375 Rhode Island, SF; www.quietlightning.org. 7:30pm, $7-10. Celebrate the release of a “live literary mixtape,” the latest issue of Sparkle + Blink.
“What Do the Women Say: A Celebration of International Women’s Day” La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; www.goldenthread.org. 8pm, $15. Golden Thread’s annual celebration of International Women’s Day features an eclectic array of Middle Eastern female artists, including filmmaker Maryam Keshavarz, comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh, author Ayesha Mattu, and others.
SATURDAY 8
“Babylon Salon” Cantina SF, 580 Sutter, SF; www.babylonsalon.com. 6:30pm, free. With readings by Daniel Alarcon, Katie Crouch, Robin Sloan, Melissa Stein, and Molly Antopol.
“Benefest 2014: Subterranean Arthouse’s Fifth Anniversary Party” Subterranean Arthouse, 2179 Bancroft, Berk; www.subterraneanarthouse.org. 6-11pm, $20-100. The nonprofit, volunteer-run arts venue presents a fundraising night of live music, plus a visual art exhibit and a silent auction.
“In Love and Struggle: A Celebration of International Women’s Day” La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; www.lapena.org. 7:30pm, $10-15. Hip-hop and spoken word performance, plus a dance party, to benefit Berkeley Copwatch.
“Pretty in Ink: North American Women Cartoonists 1896-2013” San Francisco Main Library, Fourth Flr, 100 Larkin, SF; www.sfpl.org. Exhibit runs through June 5. Photos, letters, comic books, artwork, and more highlight this exhibition showcasing female cartoonists past and present.
“World Naked Bike Ride: San Francisco Southern Hemisphere Edition” Justin Herman Plaza, One Market, SF; facebook.com/wnbrsf. 11am, free. Back for its fifth year, this “as bare as you dare” ride propels packs of naked or nearly-naked cyclists through Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero, and other popular spots to draw attention to the dangers of global dependency on oil. Don’t forget the SPF!
SUNDAY 9
Philip B. Choi Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University, Berk; www.asiabookcenter.com. 3pm, free. The architect and Chinese American studies pioneer discusses San Francisco Chinatown: A Guide to Its History and Architecture.
MONDAY 10
Julian Hoffman Booksmith, 1644 Haight, SF; www.booksmith.com. 7:30pm, free. The author reads from Being at Home in a Beckoning World.
TUESDAY 11
Clifford Chase Magnet, 4122 18th St, SF; www.booksinc.net. 7:30pm, free. The author of Winkie reads from his new memoir, The Tooth Fairy: Parents, Lovers, and Other Wayward Deities.
D. Foy City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, SF; www.citylights.com. 7pm, free. The author reads from his new novel, Made To Break.
Shaham Mufti Booksmith, 1644 Haight, SF; www.booksmith.com. 7:30pm, free. The author discusses The Faithful Scribe: A Story of Islam, Pakistan, Family, and War.
“Edith Wharton at Home: Life at the Mount” Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, Golden Gate Park, SF; deyoung.famsf.org. 7:15-9pm, $15. American Decorative Arts Forum of Northern California presents this talk about Edith Wharton and her “autobiographical house” by Richard Guy Wilson. *