On the Cheap listings are compiled by Paula Connelly. Submit items for the listings at listings@sfbg.com.
WEDNESDAY 6
Bawdy Storytelling Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission, SF; www.litquake.org. 7pm, $10. Hear real people sharing their bona fide sexual exploits in ten minutes or less. Storytellers are an eclectic mix of authors, poets, comedians, actors, and regular people, including Tim Barsky, Stephen Elliot, Johnny Funcheap, Jow Klocek, Joe Kukura, and Morgan.
THURSDAY 7
"Fierce" Visual Aid Gallery, Suite 905, 57 Post, SF; (415) 777-8242. 5:30pm, free. This exhibition comments on the horror of the AIDS pandemic by showing work by two artists whose lives were cut short by AIDS. Featuring John B. Davis’ (1964-1992) photographs based on images of his own body titled, "Fearless Gaze," and two Sylvain Klaus’ (1959-1996) mixed media paintings from the series titled, "Mourning Wall." Hosted by Visual Aid, a non-profit that helps support artists living with life-threatening diseases.
National Cemetery Walk San Francisco National Cemetery, 1 Lincoln, SF; (415) 561-4323. 10am, free. Learn about the interesting lives of the people buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery, including a Union spy, an Indian scout, Buffalo Soldiers, and 28,000 U.S. Servicemen and Servicewomen, 35 of whom received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Call to make a reservation.
FRIDAY 8
Day of the Dead Exhibition SOMArts, 934 Brannan, SF; (415) 552-1770. 6pm, free. The father and son curatorial team of Rene Yañez and Rio Yañez, with assistance from architect Nick Gomez, challenge artists to use their creative visions to look at personal loss, as well as local and global issues. This year, over 70 artists will create installations about contemporary issues. Through November 2, the Day of the Dead.
SATURDAY 9
"Art Publishing Now" Southern Exposure, 3030 20th St., SF; (415) 863-2141. Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 11am-6pm; free. This two-day event is dedicated to the investigation and showcasing of art publishing practices in the Bay Area including a summit on Saturday featuring a panel discussion with leading creators of print, online, and experimental publications, and an art publishing fair on Sunday that will showcase upcoming projects.
Four Short Docs San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin, SF; (415) 557-4400. 11am, free. Attend this screening of four short documentaries from the National Geographic All Roads Film Festival, including Owners of the Water: Conflict and Collaboration over Rivers, Daughters of the Revolution, Earth Day in Attawapiskat, and Weaving the Wisdom.
Lit Crawl Various venues along the Valencia Street Corridor in the Mission District, SF; www.litquake.org. Phase I 6pm-7pm, Phase II 7:15pm-8:15pm, Phase III 8:30pm-9:30pm; free. Get your fill of literary entertainment at galleries and bars across the Mission, where each phase offers crawlers a choice of attending readings happening simultaneously at over a dozen venues. With best-selling authors, poets, professors, bawdy story-tellers, amateurs, and professionals, it’ll be tough to choose three.
"Loneliest Species on Earth" Presidio Native Plant Nursery, 1244 Appleton, SF; www.wildequity.org. 10am; free, RSVP required. Hear the story of the last wild Presidio Manzanita plant, learn how the last one was discovered, and learn about the efforts biologists are taking to germinate the Manzanita’s seeds in order to continue the lineage. Part of the Golden Gate National Park Endangered Species Big Year series.
Nude Peace Day East side of Baker Beach, Presidio, SF; www.fkkfreebodyculture.com. Noon, free. Following the 2010 Nude Beach Olympics, join other Free Body Culture enthusiasts for a day of body paint, no tan lines, and community in the name of freedom and peace. Adults of all genders and orientations welcome.
BAY AREA
Oaktoberfest Fruitvale at MacArthur, Oakl.; (510) 839-3100. 11am-6pm, free. Walk around the sunny East Bay and try beer from over 20 local craft breweries, including Pyramid, Lagunitas, 21st Amendment, Triple Rock, Pacific Coast, Drake’s Brewing Company, and more. Featuring live music bringing the traditional sounds of Munich to Oakland, street food, including traditional German dishes, an eco fair, and more.
SUNDAY 10
Social Justice with Claudette Colvin San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin, SF; (415) 557-4400. 1:30pm, free. Attend this social justice event featuring a conversation between Enid Lee and Civil Rights legend Claudette Colvin, who refused to give up her seat to a white person on a Montgomery bus in 1955 and was the star witness in the federal case Browder v. Gayle, which desegregated the Montgomery buses. Also featuring a performance piece by Awele Makeba and a performance by poet, activist, and spoken word artist Bryonn Bain.
BAY AREA
Say No to Torture Revolution Books, 2425 Channing, Berk.; (510) 848-1196. 7 p.m., $5-$10 sliding scale. In honor of anti-torture week hear authors discuss their work and findings on the topic of torture. Featuring investigative journalist Justine Sharrock, author of Tortured: When Good Soldiers Do Bad Things, and journalist and historian Andy Worthington, author of The Guantánamo Files.
TUESDAY 12
Left in the Dark City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, SF; (415) 362-8193. 7pm, free. Authors R.A. McBride and Julie Lindow celebrate twentieth century movie theatres and movie going in this book titled, Left in the Dark: Portraits of San Francisco Movie Theatres, a collection of personal essays and fine art photographs that casts the theatres as characters within the city’s cultural landscape.