On the Cheap listings are compiled by Paula Connelly. Submit items for the listings at listings@sfbg.com.
WEDNESDAY 1
People in Plazas Various locations, SF; www.peopleinplazas.org. Shows begin at Noon all week, all shows are free. Check out one of the many free concerts in plazas on or surrounding Market street, including Rose Los Santos playing Peruvian music at 525 Market Plaza, SF on Wed/1, Ritmojito playing salsa at Embarcadero Center 3, SF on Thurs/2, Fromagique playing traditional jazz at 101 California Plaza, SF on Fri/3, Steven Espaniola playing Hawaiian music at Rincon Courtyard, SF on Tues/7, and many more.
"Shanghai’s Green Giant" USF Main Campus, Fromm Hall, 330 Parker, SF; (415) 422-6828. 5:45pm, free. Learn about the ongoing construction of the Shanghai Tower, or "The Shanghai Dragon", designed by the San Francisco based design firm, Gensler. Architect Steve Weindel will discuss the crafting of the 121-story, environmentally conscious structure that will be a "vertical city," with eight separate neighborhoods stacked on top on one another. The building is slated for completion in 2014 and will be the tallest building in China. Reservation recommended.
THURSDAY 2
"Everyday" 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna, SF; (415) 974-1719. 5pm, free. Attend the opening of this new exhibit showcasing new works by California tattoo artists Shawn Barber, Mike Giant, Mike Davis, Henry Lewis, Daniel Albrigo, and more. Gain insight into the artistic commitment and subculture lifestyle of these artists with displays of tattoo designs, photos, and more that demonstrate shop culture.
"Families, Death Row, and Animation" SOMArts, 934 Brannan, SF; www.somarts.org. 6:30pm, free. Attend this screening of an untitled animated documentary by local artists Dee Hibert-Jones and Nomi Talisman that tells the stories of three families whose loved ones faced a trial for a capital crime, are on death row, or have been executed. The film is in conjuction with the current exhibit, "What Cannot Be Taken Away," a series of collaborative paintings with Evan Bissell and youth in with parents in the legal justice system.
"Over Normal" Fifty24SF Gallery, 218 Fillmore, SF; (415) 312-4120. 7:30pm, free. Attend this opening of this solo exhibition show by Stanley Donwood, inspired billboards in Los Angeles and their use of seven basic colors to attract viewers’ attention in a primal way and the parallel between those colors and the use of words that play on our insecurities in spam emails. Donwood also created a 12 page newspaper and sound installation called "The Overnormaliser" to accompany the exhibit.
Walking Tour of the Ferry Building Meet at the foot of the stairs, Main Entrance, Ferry Building, 101 Embarcadero, SF; www.sfcityguides.org. Noon, free. Join tour guide Patricia Coyle for an hour-long walk through one of San Francisco’s most renowned landmarks and learn about the rise, tragic fall, and rebirth of the building, filled with tales of ferries, freeways, and earthquakes.
SATURDAY 4
Shakespeare in the Park Presidio Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, 34 Graham, SF; www.sfshakes.org. Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 2:30pm; free. Pack a picnic and enjoy some free professional theater in the Presidio with a performance of William Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona with some added 1960’s go-go flair. Director Kenneth Kelleher presents this classic story about a friend who dumps his girl to steal the other’s, causing cross-dressing, misbehaving, and other antics.
SUNDAY 5
BAY AREA
Enkutatash Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, 2151 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berk; (510) 681-5652. 11am-7pm, free. Celebrate Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year Festival, a celebration of new life, fresh starts, and Ethiopian culture featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine, clothing vendors, visual arts, handcrafts, live dance and music performances, and children’s activities.
MONDAY 6
Free Fishing Day Lakes and piers all over the Bay Area, visit www.dfg.ca.gov. All day, free. The Department of Fish and Game is inviting all Californians to fish at any freshwater lake without a fishing license. It’s a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Nearby lakes and piers that won’t require a sport fishing license include Lake Merced, Pier 7, Fort Baker Pier, Alameda, Temescal Lake, and more.
TUESDAY 7
"Extreme Animals Sit Down" Southern Exposure, 3030 20th St., SF; (415) 863-2141. 8:30pm, free. Extreme Animals, Jacob Ciocci and David Wightman, present a mash-up of live music, video, staged theatrics, and global meltdowns that delves into the world of tween culture and the current obsession with staying young.
BAY AREA
American Taliban Books Inc. Berkeley, 1760 4th St., Berk.; (510) 525-7777. 7pm, free. Author and founder of the Daily Kos, Markos Moulitsas, will read and discuss his new book that compares the policies and tactics of the Republican Party to those of Islamic radicals, finding many similarities. Moutlitsas calls on the media, progressives, and elected officials to confront the radical right in their jihadist tactics.