Free all-day for everyone. From noon until 7:30pm, YBCA invites people to learn more about contemporary art with an open house festival of exciting events & exhibitions that highlight the last Big Idea of the season—Identity Shifts. Enjoy visual art, comedy, music, performances, hands-on workshops, exhibition tours, film screenings and food & drink. (more…)

The “Free Palestine Peace and Solidarity Festival” is day of resistance music, youth and cultural programs, nakba tents, art and artists in rememberance of the 60th anniversary of Israel.  Meet survivors from 1948, while listening to Palestinian and Native American elders recount their experiences. Childcare will be provided on-site. Live music forom DAM, featuring Abeer–Palestinian Hip-Hop crew from Lid. Special performances by: Boots Riley (pictured), NaR, Mamaz, Kiwi, Politikal Heat, Rithmatik & Patriarch, and DJ Emancipacion - with MC’s: Noura Erakat and Maysoon Ziyad. (more…)

Direct from Venezuela! With a repertoire that covers the coastal country’s history from its pre-Hispanic and African roots to today’s popular rhythms and dance forms, Los Vasallos del Sol delivers a high-energy performance with contagious beats that will have you jump to your feet and dance!

The Bay Area’s dynamic Venezuelan Music Project, led by Jackie Rago, combines indigenous-Venezuelan, West African and Spanish-European influences. Please visit the Venezuelan Music Project’s website for more information.

Since 1991, the Slackers have been the kings of the New York City ska revival scene. Their mix of ska, rocksteady, reggae, soul, swing, garage rock, and jazz will get you dancing in Amoeba’s aisles!

Over 30,000 are expected for this annual music festival and fireworks show which takes place at Pier 30/32 (just south of the Bay Bridge). The 2008 ‘KFOG KaBoom!’ features live music from legendary East LA rockers Los Lobos, the bittersweet but groovy post-grunge rockers Collective Soul, and impressive 12-string guitar player and pop songwriter Matt Nathanson. There’s lots of food & drink stalls, and tons of events for families. It’s all capped off at 9pm with the state’s biggest fireworks display over the SF Bay exploding synchronized to music broadcast on KFOG (104.5 FM), so bring a radio. Is seven-and-a-half tons of explosives enough for you? (more…)

The SF Folk Music Club Presents Hootenanny Night, a Free Monthly Show Every 2nd Sat 7-10:30. This month features Jump-In - a four person acoustic band playing folk and popular music from the 40’s to the 90’s, with a preference to the 60’s folk era. Like the name suggests, we encourage the audience to jump in and join us in singing familiar folk songs. Their show is a cross between a concert and a sing-along led with expert instrumentals and multi-part harmony vocals. (more…)

On this moderately strenuous hike, you’ll hear about (and view) some of the ships that were wrecked upon the Golden Gate’s rocky cliffs, just north of 48th and Point Lobos avenues. Meet Docent Rich Harned at the USS San Francisco Memorial parking lot on El Camino del Mar. Reservations required. Please call (415) 561-4323.

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…)

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

Bring Mom in for a free coffee drink of her choice…she can now have a non-fat beverage and surf the internet

Live Jazz: Uptime Jazz Quartet - May 11, 6pm - free @ Cafe Royale, 800 Post St. @ Leavenworth, San Francisco

“August West” performs songs of the Grateful Dead. Some of us have been playing Dead tunes together for 30 years. We nail the classic Dead sound of the late ’70s. Join us and dance all night - No Cover Charge

http://myspace.com/grantandgreensf

San Francisco’s the Dodos combine savage rock percussion with folk-inspired melodies in a truly unexpected way. Their second full-length album Visiter breathes a breath of fresh air into the well-trodden path of folk rock. GIFT WITH PURCHASE: Buy a copy of the Dodos’ Visiter and get a limited edition commemorative poster. Available at Amoeba SF only and while supplies last.

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

Join us for an “Opening Gala” to celebrate the launch of San Francisco Cocktail Week, sponsored by the Museum of the American Cocktail. Returning to where he launched his career, honoree Tony Abou-Ganim, creator of the legendary Cable Car cocktail will be tending bar and wowing the crowd with his renowned talents. Upon arrival guests will be greeted with a complimentary cocktail. The Starlight Room is on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel and has amazing city views. Source: sf.myopenbar.com

One of my favorite new local bands is Geographer. They’ve been featured on both NPR and KALX, have received glowing coverage from Performer Magazine, the Bay Bridged and the SF Chronicle says “…Simple, sweet melodies…” and we agree. Tender vocals, nice driving beats and unassuming lyrical hooks that drew us in. For $5 at the Red Devil Lounge, we say check them out. Performing with Indian Valley Line : $5/$5/8pm

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

So we missed Cinco de Mayo–sue us. But here at The Onion, we are all about Catorce de Mayo! Yes, we are gathering at Elixir to bring you the finest in beer on tap. Don’t miss this celebration opportunity–Viva de Onion (more…)

Come exploring the art and inner workings of Area 2881, studio to Carl Pisaturo. Learn about reliable electrics and electric nervous systems and the mysteries of led pusling strobe lights. Explore the processing and properties of materials like 2 part urethane polymers, belts, shafts and ball bearings, silicone elastomers and miniature, wire rope. Source: SF Weekly