I hope everyone has had a good week, and we’re all always looking toward the end of any week so we can get out and about and enjoy what our city has to offer. Read on for my picks.
Thursday, June 5
It’s first Thursday so time for Downtown Hoedown at the Front Street Entertainment Zone. Don your cowboy boots and have fun with line dancing, live bluegrass and country music, a mechanical bull, and more. Free; RSVP here for a discount on a specialty cocktail.
Friday, June 6
Opera Parallèle’s new adaptation of their acclaimed opera Harvey Milk Reimagined is now playing. The opera follows Milk’s life from a New York Jewish boy during World War I to the martyred, outspoken community human and civil rights leader. Through Saturday. Tickets from $50.
Saturday, June 7
Looking for a forever furry friend to complete your family? Today is for you: It’s California Adopt a Pet Day, and all adoption fees will be waived at S.F. Animal Care and Control, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, and the S.F. SPCA. Check out who’s available online or just go window shopping — all the rescues are in within walking distance of each other. Free!
The 2025 Pink Triangle Commemoration and Lighting Ceremony will include lots of speakers, including Mayor Lurie, Senator Scott Weiner, Donna Sachet, several supervisors, and others. Tammy Sandhu, His Majesty’s Consul General of Great Britain will deliver a talk on the history of the pink triangle. Free.
Tickets are going fast for the Cheese Plus 20th Anniversary Artisan Food Festival Block Party Celebration. (That has to be the longest event title ever.) The beloved Russian Hill outpost will spill out into the street with all its delicious cheeses, charcuterie, and other tasty specialties. Free.
Enjoy an afternoon of music, community and fun at the seventh annual S.F. Porchfest with over a dozen concerts in the Mission on porches, stoops, and parklets. This sounds like so much fun. Free.
Sunday, June 8
The Golden Gate Park Band will present A Juneteenth program celebrating Black American music including works of Joplin, William Grant Still, Katahj Copley, Ayatey Shabazz, and Ray Charles. Free.
Monday, June 9
The California Academy of Sciences is truly a San Francisco treasure, and I just discovered it’s open 365 days a year. Check out Unseen Oceans where you can hop in a deep-sea bubble-like submersible and an interactive game and navigate around seamounts and make all kinds of fun discoveries. Through Sept. 7. Tickets from $39.
Tuesday, June 10
Photography buffs will want to visit SF Camera Works‘ annual juried exhibition, FORECAST 25 featuring artists who have challenged traditional photography methods in exploring themes of impermanence, Black memory, and more. Through Aug. 16. Free.
Wednesday, June 11
Tonight’s full moon will be a strawberry one, only termed that because it’s June when strawberries come in season, not because it will be pink (darn), but it will likely be a glowy amber. John Jardine Goss over at earthsky.org says this will be the “lowest full moon in decades.” There’s also a sundown Monthly Full Moon Water Ritual at India Basin Waterfront Park curated by Artist-in-Residence Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen. Free.
Enjoy your free time whatever you decide to do, just be sure you get out and about. Got events? Let me know: lynette@thevoicesf.org
