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SF’s First-Ever “I Love Tenderloin Week” 2023

40+ venues & organizations are participating for this week-long celebration of the Tenderloin neighborhood running April 30th – May 6, 2023 w/ mostly free events.
By - posted 4/30/2023 No Comment

I Love Tenderloin Week is the culmination of a grassroots groundswell from community partners who are producing a week-long Spring celebration of the neighborhood running April 30th – May 6, 2023  with 40+ venues and neighborhood organizations joining forces to create 18 different events – most of which are free.

A coalition of Tenderloin residents and organizations have been planning an engaging week of community building that will showcase this diverse and eclectic neighborhood via live performances from local talent, its rich restaurant and bar scene, spotlighting small businesses and cultural destinations, and community action.

The event will be underwritten primarily by the international law firm Foley & Lardner LLP as part of a longstanding partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.

I Love Tenderloin Week 2023 (ILTW)

April 30-May 6, 2023
All Events Below are Free unless noted below

Sunday, April 30th

  • TL Beautification Day, TLCBD; 9am-2pm – FREE – TL Beautification Event hosted by the Tenderloin Community Benefit District.  This day will feature a neighborhood clean-up, planting, graffiti abatement, and mural repainting.  We’ll then close the day out with a celebration and appreciation! Email for info Cyntia@tlcbd.org for info
  • Grand Opening, Healing Well; 2pm-4pm– FREE – Please join The Healing WELL for the Grand Opening of our beautiful and spacious home at 374 Ellis Street on Sunday afternoon, April 30, from 1:00 – 4:00. Come by and experience our welcoming space, appreciate a community art display, and enjoy a short program (from 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm).  Light refreshments and drinks will be served.  Email kcurran@healingwellsf.org.

Monday, May 1st

  • Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, TL Clubhouse Fundraiser inside CityScape (Hilton Hotel) from 5pm-8pm, email mvuong@kidsclub.org for more information – FREE – Enjoy a beautiful view among great people and friends.  No program, no schedule, just vibes and good times.  And for every Tender Hearts Cocktail you buy, money will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs San Francisco in an effort to send as many kids to Camp Mendocino!
  • La Cocina Trivia Night, La Cocina Marketplace from 6pm-8pm; email Monica@lacocinasf.org for more info – FREE

Tuesday, May 2nd

  • Family Movie Night, De Marillac Academy from 4:30-6:30, email laura_ramirez@demarillac.org for more info – FREE
  • Market Street Movie Marquees: Neon Nirvana – Tuesday May 2, 2023 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Tenderloin Museum | 398 Eddy St. SF, CA 94102 – Free (or $10 suggested donation) w/ registration via Eventbrite – Time travel with SF Neon & Jim Van Buskirk to experience the elaborate neon movie marquees that once saturated Market Street near San Francisco’s Tenderloin.
  • Dinner & A Show: The Invisible Class Documentary (catered by La Cocina)– 6-8p – $10 (includes dinner) – La Cocina Marketplace, 332 Golden Gate Ave – Join St. Anthony’s Young Professionals Council at La Cocina for a screening of Together Films’ documentary, The Invisible Class, and delicious eats. Your ticket includes dinner from one of La Cocina’s vendors as well as the documentary screening! About the movie: The Invisible Class explores what it truly means to be homeless in  America, challenging stereotypes and examining the systemic causes of mass homelessness in the wealthiest nation in the world. From coast to  coast the film is a day in the life of homelessness across America.

Wednesday, 3rd

  • Tenderloin Movies Viewing Event, Cutting Ball Theater from 4:30-6:30, email cathryn@cuttingball.com for more info – FREE
  • Weekly Game Night at La Cocina, Fluid Coop/TLCBD from 3pm-7pm, email Cyntia@tlcbd.org for more info – FREE – Join Fluid Coop SF and TLCBD in an evening of board games and community building at Fluid’s Game Night! Board Games will be provided but feel free to bring your favorite games! Happening Wednesday, May 3rd from 3 pm – 5 pm, at 332 Golden Gate Ave.

Thursday, May 4th

  • Tenderloin Monthly Art Walk, Moth Belly Gallery from 6-10, email mothbellygallery@gmail.com for more info – FREE
  • TenderMic at La Cocina, Fluid Coop SF & TLCBD from 5-8, email Monica@lacocinasf.org for more info – FREE – Fluid Coop SF, TLCBD, and bring you a special one-off TenderMic, the “I love the Tenderloin because” edition! We invite local artists, performers, and the people of the Tenderloin to showcase their love for the TL. This event is entirely free, for more information on how to sign up for the open mic visit Fluid Coop’s Instagram @WeAreFluidSF.
  • Doris Fish Does Club 181 – Book Talk & Panel Discussion with Craig Seligman, Silvano Nova, Phillip R. Ford, & Janice Sukaitis – Thursday May 4, 2023 | 6-7:30pm at the Tenderloin Museum | 398 Eddy St. SF, CA 94102 – Free (or $10 suggested donation) w/ registration via Eventbrite – Celebrate the publication of Craig Seligman’s new book, Who Does That Bitch Think She Is? Doris Fish and the Rise of Drag, at the Tenderloin Museum with a reading and discussion about that legendary queen’s “Sluts-a-Go-Go” era performances and the 1980s scene at the archetypal TL nightclub, the Club 181.
  • Exhaustion Arroyo movie showing, Cutting Ball Theater at 6pm, email cathryn@cuttingball.com for more info – Sliding Scale Tickets – $15–$100

Friday, May 5th

  • Tenderloin Spring Family Fest, Salvation Army Kroc Center from 4-6, email Gregory.Meneses@usw.salvationarmy.org for more info – FREE – Tenderloin Spring Family Festival is a free family event that will be held on Friday, May 5th from 4pm – 6pm at the Salvation Army Kroc Center of San Francisco in support of I Love Tenderloin week w/ Games, Activities, Prizes, Food, Refreshments, Community Resources and will feature a Free Giveaway of Children’s Books and Clothing for Woman and Children
  • Tenderloin Walking Tours, Code Tenderloin at 12 and 2, email tina@codetenderloin.org to sign up – FREE
  • Cinco de Mayo at the Marketplace – 11AM-2:30PM, Friday 05/05/23 – Best Person to contact/email: Monica Barboza, monica@lacocinasf.org Come eat and dance at the La Cocina Marketplace this Cinco de Mayo, where we will be serving food and drink specials along with a local DJ to enjoy all day – Cost: Unknown
  • Exhaustion Arroyo movie showing, Cutting Ball Theater at 6pm, email cathryn@cuttingball.com for more info – Sliding Scale Tickets – $15–$100

Saturday, May 6th

  • Exhaustion Arroyo movie showing, Cutting Ball Theater at 6pm, email cathryn@cuttingball.com for more info – Sliding Scale Tickets – $15–100