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Up A Creek Without A [Paddle]
Canoes, Pride, Juneteenth, and a little bit of vinyl
Don’t check if I’m interested in an art fair unless you’re ready to commit to said art fair. My friend Ross knew the drill, so when he asked if I’d attend Santa Fe Indian Market, it was less a matter of if and more-so of how. The pure depth, breadth, and artistry of the indigenous community at what some have called the world’s greatest art fair is why, year after year, I’m grateful to friends Emma & Hannah (& Hannah’s mom; thanks Mrs. Y!) for hosting us in New Mexico. Plus, it doesn’t hurt I’ve come back with a few dope hats.
Celebrate indigenous artists right here in the Bay, along with Pride, Juneteenth, and Habibi Funk.
Eyoomkuuka’ro Kokomaar (We Paddle Together)
Category: Art (Party) + Family Friendly
Date: Saturday, June 15th @ 10am (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Aquatic Cove
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Artist L. Frank Manriquez is a champion of indigenous and two-spirit (roughly parallel to LGBTQ) culture. She’s organized Eyoomkuuka’ro Kokomaar to venerate the art of the traditional ti’aat plank canoe and bring community, both indigenous and beyond, together as part of the National Queer Arts Festival. The celebration will include food, music, dancing, kites, and learning materials for all ages on indigenous communities and cultural revitalization.
So release your inner child, and let's go fly a kite at the cove this Pride Month.
Opening Reception: California Gold
Category: Art
Date: Thursday, June 20th @ 5pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Berggruen Gallery
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Of course I’m going to write about an exhibition rah-rah-ing the arts of California; that’s what we’re all here for! And Berggruen Gallery is just the place for it. With over half a century under its belt, Berggruen has evangelized Bay Area artists as a taste maker of cake makers, ocean lovers, and metal heads. And considering Berggruen Sr. was one of the most respected and early collectors of Picasso, I’d say the family can pick ‘em.
Queer Women of Color Film Festival: Waves of Love
Category: Film
Date: Saturday, June 15th @ 7pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Presidio Theatre
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: This free film festival is all about the beauty of queer love, and who doesn’t love love? Waves of Love is a compilation of short films, anywhere from 4 to 14 minutes, and as such presents a full palette of stories that explore what makes our butterflies flutter and hearts skip a beat. The larger festival will present a total of 44 films and includes a filmmakers panel lead by the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project’s founding director.
And according to film festival math, since the ticket is free, you can spend twice as much on popcorn.
Habibi Funk Vinyl Listening Party
Category: Music
Date: Saturday, June 15th @ 8pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: couchdate
Price Range: $16.75
Why I Care: Even the name brings a smile to my face. Habibi Funk has become more than a record label; it’s a global phenomenon. couchdate (
+ co) is having a vinyl listening party (yes, that’s totally a thing) as part of their mission to create playful spaces, especially for people of color. Egyptian darling Najat Al Saghira will take the metaphorical stage as the event’s vinyl star, but stay late for an afterparty powered by cocktails, NA bevvies, and snacks that smax.Looking to make that couch date a party of one? Check out one of Habibi Funk’s many Spotify playlists from the comfort of your own home.
Creative Growth 50th Birthday Bash & Beyond Trend Runway Show
Category: Art & Fashion (Party)
Date: Saturday, June 22nd @ 11am (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Creative Growth Art Center
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Because birthdays are the best! SFMoMA fêted Creative Growth earlier this year to honor five decades of supporting artists with developmental disabilities. The party continues in Oakland with a live catwalk, artist stalls, community partner booths, and even a post-show pop-up to purchase the runway lewks.
Also, there will be cake. I don’t know how many other ways to spell out how much I love cake.
Mizrahi Film Night: “May God Be With You”
Category: Film
Date: Thursday, June 13th @ 6:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Urban Adamah
Price Range: $15-36 (sliding scale)
Why I Care: Urban Adamah is a Berkeley kibbutz of sorts, with its focus on food and nature anchored in Jewish culture. Their Mizrahi film series spotlights Jewish community with roots in the Arab world and the complexities that can accompany that identity. May God Be With You documents the diasporic experience of Mizrahi Jews from Tunisia and Algeria as director Cléo Cohen untangles her own family experience. In parallel to Bye Bye Tiberias, the story weaves between French, English, and Arabic as a daughter looks to understand the whys and hows of what one designates as home.
Juneteenth Outdoor Screening & Block Party
Category: Film & Party
Date: Wednesday, June 19th @ 7pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Castro Street (between Market & 18th St)
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: Just typing out “Old Town Road” has gotten the song stuck in my head again, but that’s worth it to highlight this Juneteenth Block Party featuring a Lil Nas X screening. Frameline48’s inaugural event, supported by community partners MoAD and Jonathan Carver Moore, will uplift the Castro and wider queer community through drag, music, and film. Lil Nas X’s musical documentary will wrap up the evening, but if you want to keep the party going, boogie through the various other Juneteenth celebrations on offer this holiday.
Next Drop: Monday, June 24th