COMING UP THIS WEEK:

San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim in Conversation
The City of San Francisco’s planning director speaking at a Mission bar—that’s access, people! The “history and future of San Francisco’s city landscape” is the topic, so head to Manny’s tonight and add your voice!
WED OCT 2, 7:30pm Manny’s, Mission SF; $10

Storytelling and the Memory Keepers – Shaping SF, Free Public Talk
Shaping San Francisco convenes a panel of event and media producers who specialize in amplifying under-heard voices to diversify local histories and our cultural memory with an eye toward themes which are essential to our future like climate change. Don’t forget Shaping SF’s online archive has media from dozens of vital locally-themed past events (and soon this one, if you miss it).
WED OCT 2, 7:30pm 518 Valencia St, Mission SF; Free

Remembering a Police Riot: The Castro Sweep of 1989
In October 1989, 200 SF police invaded the Castro district for 3+ hours, responding violently to a peaceful ACT UP protest and virtually locking down thousands in their homes and businesses. Three decades later the GLBT Historical Society keeps the facts of the Castro Sweep alive with a panel of veteran activists discussing the event, its aftermath, and the evolution of relations between SFPD and the LGBTQ community that’s happened since.
THU OCT 3, 7pm GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th St. (in the Castro) SF; $5

Sharktoberfest NightLife at Cal Academy
Something SF does well is cross streams between museums & socializing. Cal Academy’s NightLife events were one of the first to serve up night at the museum plus a cocktail, and, worth remembering, it’s still always a great night out in a beautiful, world class science museum. You get special thematic content (Shark experts!) with access to the best of the daytime museum (e.g. Aquarium, Rainforest, and Planetarium). Also food & drinkies. Do plan ahead: tix are cheaper early and some features require extra passes or reservations.
THU OCT 3, 7pm; Cal Academy; Golden Gate Park, SF; $17.75 and up

November 2019 Voters Guide launch – SF League of Pissed Off Voters
San Francisco’s League of Pissed Off Voters is in its 16th year. So, officially a sullen teenager. Perfect time to get their advice on November’s ballot. Quoth The League: Kids are welcome, food is available, the tater tots are delicious…
FRI OCT 4, 7pm; Thee Parkside; Potrero Hill, SF; Free (donations appreciated)

Drag Queen Bingo at the Tenderloin Museum
All that science, history, and politics is fun and all; but sometimes you wanna get back to basics with a Drag Queen Bingo Friday night. Hosted by drag pioneer Olivia Hart: supporting the Tenderloin Museum’s 2019-2020 public arts program about the pioneering drag queen performers at the legendary Aunt Charlie’s.
FRI OCT 4, 6pm; Tenderloin Museum; 398 Eddy St, SF; Pay to play for fabulous prizes!

Illuminating Dark Matter – Mt Tam Astronomy Nights
The nonprofit Friends of Mt Tam have enabled these nights for over 3 decades with the help of San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. This week there’s a lecture about dark matter, the stuff that comprises 80% of the universe. After that, as usual, there’s a “star party” with a laser tour of naked-eye objects plus guided telescope viewing with the aforementioned amateur astronomers. It’s free. but you need print a free parking pass / register your car on the website. State parks have rules, you see.
SAT OCT 5, 7pm; Mt Tamalpais Ampitheater; Mill Valley; Free (print parking pass!)

Forbidden Island 14th Annual Parking Lot Sale
Time again for Alameda’s classic tiki bar’s annual two-day one-of-a-kind flea market with sellers of select stuff including vintage clothing, all manner of Tiki gear & collectibles, exotic art, handmade jewelry, and cocktail stuff. Tiki tunes will spin! All that and a taco truck!
SAT-SUN OCT 5-6, 2-7pm; Forbidden Island; Alameda; $5 at door or $20 advance ‘Skip the LIne’ tix

SF Mime Troupe 60th Anniversary Benefit Celebration at Presidio Theatre
The SFMT are this city’s legendary political theatre company. Not the quiet type of mimes, these left-sided activists have satirized every US president since Eisenhower. Their season consists of free shows performed in Bay Area parks throughout the summer. Every year they debut fresh satirical entertainment that takes precise aim at contemporary hypocrisies. Which keeps them busy. This celebration is a best-of, all-star night with past & present SFMT members and special guests like Maria Muldaur, Diane Amos, Will Durst, Richard Montoya, and Josh Kornbluth. Their “epic retrospective” fundraiser is a one-night residence in the newly reopened 1930s-era Presidio Theatre. Fancy digs for political parody.
MON OCT 7, 7:30 PM; Presidio Theatre; 99 Moraga Ave, Presidio SF; $60

Odd Salon: Fear
Time again for Odd Salon’s strange-but-true stories from history, science, art and adventure; this month their presenters explore the theme of Fear. Six stories of terror and trepidation; anticipation, uncertain outcomes, and long walks alone in the dark… Why? Because “San Francisco deserves weird, independent events, and real world gatherings in this increasingly digital age.” True.
TUE OCT 8, 6:30 PM; Public Works, SF; $15 and up

Exploring BART history with Michael Healy—East Bay Yesterday podcast live
“Expect to hear stories of epic political battles, scandals, ‘ghost trains,’ and even a baby born on BART” with the author of BART: The Dramatic History of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System who was BART’s spokesman for 30+ years.
WED OCT 9, 6PM; Oakland Public Library; 125 14th St, Oakland; Free