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WEDNESDAY 13
“History Speaks: Ken Yager and the History of Climbing” California Historical Society, 678 Mission, SF; www.californiahistoricalsociety.org. 6-8pm, $5. The president of the Yosemite Climbing Association discusses the history of rock climbing in the park, from its origins in the 1930s to the present.
THURSDAY 14
“Formosus” Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom, SF; www.redpoppyarthouse.org. 7:30pm, $7-10. Latino poetry reading event with Roger Santivañez, José Antonio Galloso, Arturo Dávila, and Adrián Arias.
“International LGBT Rights and LGBT Asylum Seekers” Commonwealth Club, 595 Market, Second flr, SF; www.commonwealthclub.org. 6pm, $7-20. Human rights and immigration attorney Rochelle A. Fortier leads a panel discussion on LGBT immigration rights and the challenges facing asylum seekers, with international activists from the Middle East and Africa.
Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell Granny Smith Room, Green Apple Books, 506 Clement, SF; www.greenapplebooks.com. 7pm, free. The authors read from Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner.
“Shoerageous” Creativity Explored, 3245 16th St, SF; www.creativityexplored.org. Opening reception 7-9pm, free. Exhibit runs through Oct 1. Creativity Explored’s artists take on footwear in their latest curated group exhibition.
Debra Tate Books Inc., 2275 Market, SF; www.booksinc.net. 7:30pm, free. The author and victims’ rights activist discusses Sharon Tate: Recollection, about her sister’s life and career. The book features an introduction by Sharon Tate’s husband, Roman Polanski.
FRIDAY 15
Sandman Ball Cat Club, 1190 Folsom, SF; www.facebook.com/dancingghosts. 9:30pm, $5-8. Darkwave party Dancing Ghosts pays tribute to Neil Gaiman and his fantasy tales with music, visuals, tarot readings, vendors, and more. Costumes encouraged (with prizes for the best Sandman-inspired outfits).
Rev. Josephinie Robertson Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission, SF; www.missionculturalcenter.org. 6pm, $5. The author shares her book The Miskitu Motherland at this fundraiser for Miskitu Nation, a Central American social movement working to stop illegal development in indigenous communities.
SATURDAY 16
Chinatown Music Festival Portsmouth Square, Kearny between Washington and Clay, SF: www.c-c-c.org. 11am-5pm, free. This year’s theme is “Without Walls,” and performers include composer-pianist Jon Jang, the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble, and rockers Queen Crescent, plus traditional Chinese music, a performance by installation artist Summer Lee, a screening of Shaolin Soccer (2001), and more.
Cotati Accordion Festival La Plaza Park, Cotati; www.cotatifest.org. 9:30am-8pm, $17 (both days, $25). Through Sun/17. The Sonoma County town hosts its 24th annual celebration of the squeezebox, with performances by the International Cavalcade of Stars with Italy’s Vincent Abbraciante, China’s Jinan Tian, Russia’s Trio Voronhezh, the US’s Dick Contino, and others. Plus: a polka tent, a zydeco dance party, an “accordion apocalypse stage,” food vendors, beer and wine, and more.
“Indelible Marks II: Broader Strokes” opening reception Faultline Artspace, 850 42nd Ave, Oakl; www.faultlineartspace.com. 7-11pm, free. Exhibit of contemporary calligraphy works and installations by artists Hunter de la Ghetto, Dusty Mauldin, Jasper Marino, Silencer, and Evan “ESK” Wilson.
SUNDAY 17
Amin Ghaziani Green Arcade, 1680 Market, SF; www.thegreenarcade.com. 6pm, free. The author and sociologist discusses There Goes the Gayborhood?, about why the rumors of the demise of “gay neighborhoods” (like the Castro) are premature.
MONDAY 18
Dan Coshnear Sausalito Public Library, Sausalito City Hall Building, 420 Litho, Sausalito; www.ci.sausalito.ca.us. 7pm, free. As part of the Sausalito Library Speaker Series, the North Bay author reads from his latest short-fiction collection, Occupy and Other Love Stories.
TUESDAY 19
“Honoring Our Hero: Remembering José Julio Sarria” SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, SF; https://rememberingjose.eventbrite.com. 6pm, $25. Openhouse and the SF LGBT Community Center celebrate the late, legendary empress of San Francisco, also a noted LGBT activist who was the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States. *