Get a glimpse into beautiful Persian traditions and the culture of the Iranian-American community in the US and dance your way into ‘1399’ by jumping over the bonfires for Persian New Year, Tuesday, March 16, 6-10pm at Durant and Shattuck in Berkeley.
Shake off the darkness of winter and welcome the lightness of spring, a Persian ritual passed down since ancient Zoroastrian times.  People jump over …

Rise up early and be among the first to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the annual Irish Bank St. Patrick’s Day block party. The festivities begin at 6am (yikes!!) with a live broadcast with No Name, Matty and Katie on the  Live 105 Morning Show until 10am.
Plus, rock out with live music by ace U2 tribute band Zoo Station (SF Weekly’s & SF Bay Guardian’s …

The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class scientific and cultural institution based in San Francisco. The Academy recently opened a new facility in Golden Gate Park, a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof.
Normally $24.95 for adults, visit the Academy for free, every Third Wednesday of the month …

The Irish Bank pub on Mark Lane in the Financial District hosts live traditional Irish music in the alley from 1 to 3:30pm with the rather pedestrian DJ Pat spinning tunes until midnight.
Cost: Free before 4pm (A representative from The Irish Bank confirmed for us that there’s a cover charge of $5 starting at 4pm)
Fancy waking up early with U2? Live 105 St. Patrick’s Day …

St. Patrick’s day revelers in Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco can get their cab rides home paid for throughout the night of March 17, 2010 as Alameda law firm Berg Injury Lawyers once again is sponsoring the “Safe and Sober Free Cab Ride Home” program for 2010.
Free Cab Rides Home for St. Patrick’s Day 2010
Begins: March 17, 2010 – 3pm
Ends: March 18, 2010 – …

Who cares is St. Patrick’s Day 2010 falls on a Wednesday – don’t tell that to the thousands of people who will congregate in the financial district after work as The Royal Exchange and Harringtons will shut down Front Street from Sacramento to California and throw a giant impromptu beer garden.
In addition to tons of beer being served and a frat-tastic crowd, enjoy live music …

“Crime fiction is almost like a product of capitalism. It’s about social inequality” –Ian Rankin Join four of the finest exponents of crime and noir as they discuss how fiction is not just a mirror to the seamier sides of life, but the proverbial hammer with which to shape it.
Speakers include:

Owen Hill is the author of two novels and many books of poetry. Of …

The NCAA and CBS is offering all 63 games (including those shown on KPIX Channel 5) of the 2010 March Madness NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament games for free and on demand in “HQ” (not quite “HD” but what do you except from free streaming video). Watch all the action from every round live. Plus, you will have access to on-demand highlights, buzzer beaters and detailed …

NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is held every Thursday night with discounted admission of just $12. Each week the Academy features: music, cutting-edge science, and food and cocktails, but with a completely new lineup of events each week.
March 18, 2010: Craft Night
Give yourself a creative workout with craft night. Featuring reusable materials from SCRAP SF, and learn how to make jewelry, fashion masks, …

Baby (nominated for seven Tony Awards) tells the story of three couples on a university campus as they deal with the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of this universal experience.
This new production by Ray of Light Theatre (who brought you Tommy and Rocky Horror Picture Show) starts March 19th, but you can attend a special funcheap preview night on March 18th
WHEN:
March 19 – April …

Borders in Union Square hosts an exclusive Midnight Release Party for the New Moon DVD which will be released tonight at midnight.
This event will be like a Harry Potter party, but for vampires – Party begins at 10pm with games, raffles, costume contests, prizes and more leading you up to the midnight countdown when the New Moon DVD goes on sale at 12:01am.
Event also features …

Join Atlas Obscura at The Bone Room for a show-and-tell tour with the owner and founder, Ron Cauble. Explore the wonders of Berkeley’s venerable natural history store with the man who knows it best. Hear behind-the scenes stories and get a chance to ask all those questions we know you have.

RSVP here: http://obscuraday-berkeley.eventbrite.com/
Cost: Free

Obscura Day is an international celebration of unusual places taking place …

If you’re struggling getting your taxes done for 2010, the Oakland Library will come to the rescue. Through April 15th, trained volunteers will offer free tax assistance at several of the branch libraries.
Some branches (like the Main Library) offer walk-in appointments, but call the library to confirm schedules and make an appointment. Be to arrive early and  bring copies of your previous year’s tax returns …

Tour aircraft inside and out, meet real life pilots, learn what it takes to become a pilot and enjoy free snacks as the Hayward Flight School is hosting their free Spring Welcome Event at the Hayward Airport.
In addition to airplane tours, the flight school will also give a short presentation about what it takes to become a pilot. And if you’re up for it, you …

On March 20, 2010 – the 7th anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq – there will be a massive march and rally in San Francisco at Civic Center Plaza (as well as in Washington D.C. and in Los Angeles) to demand the withdrawal of all U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan and Iraq. Expect a march, lots of signs, speeches and calls …

Join Atlas Obscura for an afternoon excursion to the amazing Musee Mecanique for an afternoon of creepy wind-up fortune tellers, prisoner-made toothpick automata, and naughty peep shows of yesteryear. Proprietor Dan Zelinsky will be on hand to tell stories and answer questions about the contraptions.
When all the quarters run out, we’ll head down to Aquatic Park for afternoon snacks on the terraces made of discarded …

Please join us for a reception at The Long Now Foundation Museum & Store from 5-7pm on March 20th for Atlas Obscura Day.
Several of the engineers and project staff working on the 10,000 Year Clock and Rosetta Project will be on hand to give explanations and demonstrations of artifacts in the Museum. We are walking distance from Musee Mecanique and our space in San Francisco …

Come meet the woman behind Tablehopper, Marcia Gagliardi, the weekly newsletter about everything foodie in the Bay Area. With her unique blend of enthusiasm, insider knowledge, and sass, Marcia bases her recommendations on the reason you’re going out, who you’re dining with, and how much money you have to burn.
Marcia will be discussing her brand new book, “The Tablehopper’s Guide to Dining and Drinking …

Experience the great films of Hollywood’s Golden Era in one of America’s finest Art Deco movie palace.
With over 3,000 seats and a meticulously-restored interior, the Paramount offers a true “Movie Palace” experience straight out of the 1930s – with period newsreels, cartoons, previews, live music from the Mighty Wurlitzer organ and the audience participation spinning wheel game of “Dec-O-Win.”
March 26th  Screening: “Captain Blood” …

Pretty Pretty (Look at You!) – Makeup sessions with Kegel Kater, Presented by RetroFit Vintage
In this makeup tutorial, Kegel applies intricate makeup for her role as whore/angel/lotus dancer in the Cockettes’ hit musical “Pearls Over Shanghai,” while discussing some key products and techniques.
Sign up for private makeup sessions, take advantage of special pricing on makeup and wigs, including Kryolan and Ben Nye products, and support …

First it was fried chicken, then pie then punch… now Omnivore Books in Noe Valley hosts something a little more visual with an Edible Art Contest. This one challenges you to create a dish that references art or literature (like Warhol’s Marilyn made with chocolate Smarties!).

Event is free to entrants; $5 to look, judge, and eat.
Thurs. April 1 • Edible Art Contest • 6-7 p.m.

Gordon Edgar, the cheese buyer for Rainbow Grocery, will come to Omnivore Books in Noe Valley and read from his new memoir, Cheesemonger, while we snack on cheese from Harley Farms Goat Dairy.

Dog Eared Books’ monthly musical/literary/scientific extravaganza and variety show returns with its April 2010 edition with Peter Orner, Passenger + Pilot, and a guarantee of surprises.
To be honest we don’t know what the hell is going to happen at this event, but with a promo photo of a steampunk Abe Lincoln wearing a jet pack it can’t ball all that bad, can it?

Throughout the 75th anniversary exhibitions at the SFMOMA, artists take up San Francisco’s cityscapes as subject and muse. This program of experimental films and videos from the late 1950s to the present offers evocative records of individual experiences of street life
These psychogeographic tours look at North Beach’s Broadway strip and the window reflections of a Beat poet protagonist. We examine the Mission’s storefronts for evidence …

The locally-run Dolores Park Movie Night (not to be confused with the much larger city-wide “Film Night in the Park” event) opens its 2010 season with free movies on the second Thursday of each month in Dolores Park. There’s no causes, no speeches. Just bring a friend, bring a dog, buy a couple of tamales and enjoy a neighborhood evening.

Date: Thursday, April 8, 2010 …