The landlocked city of Munich has fostered the most unexpected of traditions: urban surfing. The Eisbach river never has a chance to catch its breath, with surfers lined up day and night to ride the waves nestled into the city center. As a viewer, the sight is absolutely hypnotic. As a surfer, I can only imagine the euphoria that comes with catching a wave on the commute home. But considering my only adult surfing attempt involved lessons with a group of 7-year olds, I’ll be playing the role of observer for the foreseeable future.
Find yourself out West for a surf film festival, in the Redwoods for jazz, and on both sides of the Bay Bridge for artists talks in the one and only month of San Francisco summer.
Ocean Beach Surf Film Festival
Category: Film & Music
Date: Sunday, September 15th @ 10am (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Balboa Theater (SF)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: I’ve never felt more Californian than when recommending a surf film festival for my Bay Area newsletter. The festival runs all weekend long with a Sunday wrap-up of musical performances by “local rock surf legends”, screenings of local filmmaker shorts, and episodes of the surfing series Weird Waves. Plus, the Balboa holds a special place in my heart for making my big screen dreams of Jurassic Park come true.
Need a film fix tonight? Check out Eno’s last showing at the Roxie (shoutout to Tom E for the flag).
Artist Talk & Reception: Idolatrada
Category: Art
Date: Friday, September 6th @ 5pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Johansson Projects (East Bay)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Find peace in the heart of First Fridays at Johansson Projects. The gallery will host a reception for their exhibition Idolatrada: Of Spirits and Saints, featuring artists Anna Fidler and Iván Carmona. Puerto Rican culture and spirituality are core tenets of the works, with a vibrancy that shines through the “energy-infused paintings” and sculptures on display.
Too sleepy for a Friday hang? Check out Minnesota Street Project on the 7th for not one but two exhibition openings.
Exhibition Opening | In Plain Sight: Jewish Arts and Lives in the Muslim World
Category: Art
Date: Thursday, September 5th @ 5:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: The Magnes Collection of Jewish Life and Art (East Bay)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: As one of the first Jewish museums in the US, the Magnes Collection has focused on the preservation and research of Jewish cultural objects since its inception. The exhibition highlights the interconnectedness of Judaism and the Muslim world, with Islamic art scholar Dr. Adamjee curating the exhibition with the Magnes Curator Dr. Spagnolo.
Still skeptical? I’ll leave you with this: “Middle Eastern refreshments.” However, if you skew towards fermented bevvies, the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s free community night also takes place tonight and includes a kombucha happy hour.
Bandcamp Meet Up: Discodelic Records
Category: Music
Date: Saturday, September 14th @ 6pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Discodelic (SF)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Bandcamp continues to reinvent itself in the aftermath of company turbulence. This inaugural community event will take place at Discodelic, a space dedicated to Latin American and Caribbean vinyl in the heart of the Mission. The evening’s DJs will be pulling deep cuts of Latin Soul & Funk, Cumbia, and Reggae, plus Discodelic will have food and drinks to pre-empt any hanger outbursts.
Who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to finally build that record collection too.
Waverly Block Party
Category: Literary & Music & Art
Date: Friday, September 13th @ 5:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: On Waverly (SF)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Sisters Cynthia and Jennifer Huie founded On Waverly with a clear mission: creating a space to celebrate and exalt makers of AAPI heritage. They deliver on that mission week after week with goodies galore and curated events that build community in the heart of America's oldest Chinatown. The block party kickoff will include music, art, and good vibes; and if your joints don’t work quite like they used to, there will be “chill seating” for cozy enjoyment.
Antsy about a Friday the 13th outing? Check out the Art Walk at Fort Mason on the 6th.
Concerts In the Redwood Grove: Murmur Garden
Category: Music
Date: Tuesday, September 10th @ 6pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Redwood Grove Amphitheatre (East Bay)
Price Range: $38
Why I Care: Redwoods are otherworldly. They have a magnificence and gravitas that make you want to go full FernGully forest fairy and leave those Slack notifications behind. So being whisked away with live music in the heart of a Redwood Grove is as mythical as it gets. The concert series goes into October, but this event is one of only two that haven’t sold out yet, so hop to it.
Artist Talk: The Pursuit of Perfection
Category: Art
Date: Saturday, September 14th @ 2pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Jessica Silverman Gallery (SF)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Need an antidote to Burning Man withdrawal? Artist Beth Fishman is serving intertwined color, texture, and an exploration of human consciousness through her pharmaceutically-inspired works. Curator Susie Kantor will lead the artist in conversation about her creative approach and in turn guide the audience in reflecting on the role of art in examining the altered self. No playa bike required.
Next Drop: Monday, September 16th