Out of the [Womb]
Out of the [Womb]
A new local bookshop, pro wrestling enters the gallery, and the return of a diva
I wouldn’t say I’m proud of how much time I’ve spent studying at Barnes and Noble. High school friends Anna, Sarah, and I would dedicate hours tackling Physics and Calculus problem sets at the in-house Starbucks and dabbling in school gossip. Our level of productivity was put on trial when another friend joined and got so fed up with our periodic giggling that she peaced out within 30 minutes to ‘actually do her homework’. While I look back fondly on B&N and calculating if the limit did in fact exist, I’ve become partial the coziness and curation of local bookstores, and I’m clearly not alone.
Come visit my favorite little neighborhood alley, participate in local poetry, and meet some local pro wrestlers and a diva in the making to boot.
Womb House Books: Docile Book Talk
Category: Literary
Date: Thursday, September 19th @ 6:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Womb House Books (East Bay)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Womb House Books sprung from digital origins into recent physical reality. Founded as an Etsy shop dedicated to feminist literature, Womb House Books counts actress Emma Roberts amongst its fans and opened its doors in Temescal Alley just a few months ago. Since then, founder Jessica Ferri has been facilitating low pressure book clubs, book talks, and a sense of community in my favorite area to grab a matcha, artistic birthday cards, and even a lil vintage.
Join book author and fellow Texan Hyeseung Song along with writer Margaret Juhae Lee as they dive into the raw realities of mental health and self-worth as a first generation immigrant. And share my relief that the other d-word-that-must-not-be-named didn’t make it to the cover.
Opening Reception: Packing and Cracking—The Art of (and Response to) Gerrymandering
Category: Art
Date: Tuesday, September 17th @ 7pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation (SF)
Price Range: $15
Why I Care: Meme dopamine may seem like the only way to keep from crying in this political landscape, but Saint Joseph’s presents an alternative form of civic digestion. The exhibition tackles gerrymandering, a term originating from a 19th century political cartoon critiquing Governor Elbridge Gerry’s controversial district map resembling a salamander. The works push the audience to engage with the material world as proof that the arts can help combat political tomfoolery one stitch at a time. Because boy is there a lot of tomfoolery.
Gavin Turek: Diva of the People
Category: Music
Date: Wednesday, September 25th @ 8pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Brick & Mortar Music Hall (SF)
Price Range: $20 (plus fees if online)
Why I Care: Divas give us iconic slaps, demand the singular spotlight, and damn can they nail an outfit reveal. We love them in spite (as a result?) of their drama because they’ve got the vocal chords and hustler energy to back it up. Gavin Turek brings the necessary high notes, sparkles, and spirit to crown herself Diva of the People, which is also the title of her latest album.
And as I attended her last concert a mere 12 hours after my cake batter debacle, I can attest to her infectious enthusiasm brightening anyone’s day.
Chef's Night Market
Category: Culinary
Date: Saturday, September 21st @ 4:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Calicraft Brewing Company (East Bay)
Price Range: Free to attend
Why I Care: For those mourning the loss of vegan giant Lion Dance Cafe, go East, young reader. Calicraft is a Walnut Creek brewery hosting chefs and artisans galore for a night market that includes a book signing, demos, and culinary goodies en masse. The James Beard nominees behind restaurant Lion Dance will be in attendance, along with Chef Tu David Phu, whose cookbook has been called “a love letter to Oakland”.
Keep the culinary festivities going at Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, also happening that weekend, just a quick 15 min drive away.
Richmond Art Center Sunset Social
Category: Art
Date: Friday, September 20th @ 5pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Richmond Art Center (East Bay)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Richmond Art Center is bidding adieu to that winter we call summer with a community evening of artists, DJs, and that’s right, the stars of Oasis Pro Wrestling. The center came from unorthodox beginnings, so why wouldn’t its community night add a little spice. Founder Hazel Salmi used to bike around the area offering free art lessons to all those interested, and those lessons eventually took root to form what we now know as Richmond Art Center. So let’s celebrate that community spirit!
And if you have a few too many cocktails, maybe avoid picking fights with the folks in spandex.
Lunada Literary Lounge
Category: Literary
Date: Tuesday, September 17th @ 7pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Galería de la Raza (SF)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: I am not a poet, and I surely do know it. Which is why I’m directing you to the artists of Lunada Literary Lounge, a bilingual evening dedicated to the spoken word in all its forms, from music to poetry to story telling. Galería de la Raza is a community-centered space with a historic influence on the 1970’s Chicano art movement, putting this event squarely in line with its mission to foster local artists and community.
Not quite ready to grab that open mic? Consider RSVPing for the Community Healing Writers Workshop on Friday, Sept 20th so you’re ready for the October lounge.
BFF.fm 11th Birthday Gala
Category: Music
Date: Thursday, September 19th @ 7pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Secret Alley: BFF.fm Studios (SF)
Price Range: $25
Why I Care: I appreciate a gala as much as the next arts supporter, but when the ticket price causes a mini heart attack, I remember my love will, in fact, cost a thing. Local radio station BFF.fm (= Best Frequencies Forever) is throwing a gala in true community fashion with tickets starting at just $25. After a decade online, the station nabbed the only available FM frequency in the Bay last year and has been jamming night and day to the beats of their 115 volunteer DJs, including friend and event cheerleader Christa.
Plus you’ll get to hang out with all the cool kids at Secret Alley on a school night, which is pretty compelling for those of us that considered a Barnes & Noble problem set session socializing.
Next Drop: Thursday, September 26th