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The Weekend in Cheap

Huge street fairs, a pirate festival, free wizard punk rock shows and more! Funcheap’s five favorite fun free things to do (June 17-19)
By - posted 6/12/2011 No Comment

This weekend in San Francisco features a bunch of wizard rockers, comic book classes as well as a series of Father’s Day weekend fairs where festival-goers can dress up as pirates, feast on pasta or watch the Picklewater Circus perform for free.

Here’s our picks for our favorite five things to do this weekend – June 17-19, 2011.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Wizard Punk Rock: “Harry and the Potters”
To celebrate the final installment of the Harry Potter movie franchise, the San Francisco Public Library will host a free concert by punk rockers Harry and the Potters as part of their nationwide Ride the Lightning tour. In addition to being the creators of the “wizard rock” genre, Harry and the Potters are well-known in fan circles for their literacy activism and elaborate on-stage performances, which feature the band members acting as Harry in matching Hogwarts uniforms. 
San Francisco Main Public Library (Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., SF) | Friday, June 17 | 4-5p | FREE

> See all events for Friday, June 17, 2011

Saturday, June 18, 2011

2011 Northern California Pirate Festival 2011
Spend the Father’s Day weekend at a swashbuckling celebration of all things “Arghh” at the Vallejo waterfront with a weekend full of pirate-themed bands, dance troupes and comedy acts. A free two-day fair, the Northern California Pirate Festival also feature childrens’ entertainment, “brawling” and swordfighting areas as well as sea-worthy swag and snacks.
– Vallejo Ferry Terminal (289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo) | Sat & Sun, June 18-19 | 10a-6p | FREE

Comic Book Making Class 101
Fancy yourself the next Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman? Then come in for local artist and author Cara Goldstein’s 90-minute Graphic Novel Workshop for Adults at the San Francisco Library’s Noe Valley branch. Goldstein will be teaching about character development, movement, expression, storyboarding, inking and coloring, so that by the end, participants will have the beginnings of their very own comic books.
– San Francisco Library, Noe Valley Branch (451 Jersey St.) | Saturday, June 18 | 3-4:30p | FREE, but RSVP required

57th Annual North Beach Festival
Treat Papa to some pasta at the 57th annual North Beach Festival centered around the historic neighborhood’s popular Washington Square Park. Considered one of the nation’s first original outdoor festivals, this year’s celebration is set to be filled with over 125 arts and crafts booths, three entertainment stages, Italian street painting, childrens’ entertainment, beverage gardens, gourmet food booths and the traditional blessing of the animals..
Washington Square Park (Columbus & Union) | Sat & Sun, June 18-19 | 10a-6p | FREE

> See all events for Saturday, June 18, 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Free Circus Festival
End the weekend on a funny note with a festival filled with clowns, jugglers, contortionists and more. Part of Jewels on the Square, a series of outdoor performances held in Union Square, the Picklewater Circus Festival returns for its fourth year and will feature the likes of Circus Finelli, Circus Bella and local student performers who will showcase their talents for a free, two-hour show in the heart of the city’s shopping district.
– Union Square Park (333 Post St.) | Sunday, June 19 | 2-4p | FREE

> See all events for Sunday, June 19, 2011

What about the week ahead? Just because it’s no longer the weekend doesn’t mean the fun ends.
Monday, June 20
Top Chef and tailgate throwdowns, a broke-ass party, SF Giants autographs
Tuesday, June 21$1 family movies, free national park entrance, Summer Solstice Celebration
Wednesday, June 22Gypsy-pirate pop, tour new BART cars, The Princess Bride outside
Thursday June 23 90s dance party in the park, outdoor film festival, Peter Murphy live & free

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