The 540 club, a fun dive bar in the richmond district is hosting a meet and greet for the independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader, his VP running mate Matt Gonzalez, and the legendary Jello Biafra this Sunday morning. Come on out and show your support, ask the burning questions you want to know face to face, or at least hear what they have to say. No Cover charge but they are accepting donations. Doors open at 9am (more…)

The Oakland Museum of California hosts a day of fun for “all” California families—with a special welcome to those with adopted, foster, mixed-race, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members. The event includes  live music from Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus Otto Voci ensemble, Magician Timothy James, a Martial arts demonstration by Destiny Arts, Gold panning and more. (more…)

Google’s legendary founding super-chef, Charlie Ayers, outlines everything one needs to know about the newest nutrition buzzword: brainfood. He outlines the basics on how the right foods can transform your mind and body, and then teaches you how to stock your kitchen with the healthiest foods available. Raw, organic, and fermented is Charlie’s mantra, which is reflected in more than 90 easy-to- prepare recipes, whether it’s a Kick-start Breakfast, a Power Lunch, or a Light, Bright Dinner. And, following the world-famous formula Charlie used at Google headquarters, the meals and snacks are designed to feed your brain exactly what it needs at different points throughout the workday. Source: Green Zebra

Meet Augusten Burroughs, bestselling author of Running with Scissors, as he discusses his new memoir, A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father, a quantum leap into untapped emotional terrain: the radical pendulum swing between love and hate, the unspeakably terrifying relationship between father and son. Please note that those who buy a book (for $25) will be first in line for this event. Those not buying a book will be seated last if there is still availability.

Ideolexicon Poetry Series: readings by Joseph Lease and Andy Nicholson, music from Philip White. May 12, 8pm - free @ Cafe Royale, 800 Post St. @ Leavenworth, San Francisco

Erick Lyle (formerly known as Iggy Scam) looks back at the past ten years of activism and guerilla art in San Francisco with his new book “On the Lower Frequencies: A Secret History of the City“. Come join Lyle and collaborators in a night of free vegan food, art, readings, and live punk rock music, featuring Zara Thustra, Sy Loady, Shotwell, Black Rainbow, and many more. Dinner at 6pm, Music at 9pm

Good Vibrations is proud to present Simone de Corday, as she signs and reads excerpts from her new book, “9 ½ Years Behind the Green Door: A Mitchell Brothers Stripper Remembers her Lover Artie Mitchell, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, and the Killing that Rocked San Francisco”.

In San Francisco in the 1980s, The Mitchell Brothers’ O’Farrell Theater had a mystique of romance and energy, sparked by its iconic patrons and radical owners. Corday divulges her first hand experiences at the place Hunter S. Thompson referred to as “the Carnegie Hall of public sex,” conveying its magnetism and revealing its backroom secrets. Corday captures that moment in time: one of grit and appetite, uninhibited sex and frustrated love, revolution and aspiration. Visit http://www.greendoorbook.com for a sneak peak.

On May 15th, San Francisco’s only outdoor – and mic-less – open mic celebrates its fifth year anniversary. For the past five years poets, musicians, MC’s, comedians and a wide variety of performing artists have taken over the southwest corner of 16th & Mission every Thursday night. The event starts at 9pm and continues until midnight

Join us for this special evening which will feature James Frey reading from his new novel “Bright Shiny Morning.” (he’s the author of  “A Million Little Pieces” who duped Oprah’s book club into thinking his book was truly autobiographical) The night will also feature special guests Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Stephen Elliott, pictures by Terry Richardson and a musical performance by 3rdrail. This event is free & open to the public - no tickets are required. event details

Let’s go Green in May. Meet Christie Matheson Of Green Chic, a guide for your thoughtful decisions in every day life, from food to beauty to wine, travel and home and Anne Vollen of Green Zebra, valuable coupons to dozens of green retailers in San Francisco. Both authors support The Reading Tree, a San Francisco based non-profit dedicated to supporting early literacy and healthy reading habits.

Poet David Hallstrom and old friends will gather to give this poet of exquisite observation his due. Music and anecdote will augment David’s poetry, which spans half a century, all the coast, and the continent itself.

Poet Dan Liberthson reads from his new book, The Pitch is On the Way: Poems from Baseball and Life.

A three-time Emmy Award-winner for his production design on Pee-wee’s Playhouse and the recipient of the 2000 Chrysler Award for Design Excellence, artist Gary Panter has drawn inspiration from diverse arenas over the past four decades. Closely associated with the underground comics and music scenes on both coasts, he is responsible for designing many record covers for Frank Zappa, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Residents. Plus, he is a musician too. Gary will be performing live and signing copies of his new book.