For those of you who still feel like getting out and about after the holiday, here are some suggestions for each day of the upcoming week.
Monday, July 8
With their French cafe music of swing jazz, waltzes, and musette, Bistro Moustache will transport you to a Parisian cafe and certainly get you in the mood for Bastille Day later in the week. 5–8 p.m. at Scopo Divino. Free admission.
Tuesday, July 9
The 45th Fraenkel Film Festival opens tonight with O Brother Where Art Thou? The festival will feature classics and recent releases, chosen by select visual artists who love cinema, with two films by each artist presented each night. Films range from Blade Runner to Casablanca to The Right Stuff and The Truman Show, with some shown in 35mm. Through July 20 at the Roxie. Tickets: $16
Wednesday, July 10
Time is fleeting to see this fabulous exhibition by renowned Vogue photographer Irving Penn. His oeuvre spans from fashion and celebrity portraits (including hippies and rock stars) to still lives and nudes, everyday workers, and even a series of cigarette butts, Penn’s social commentary on smoking. 9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m. through July 21 (closed Monday) at the de Young Museum. Tickets: $32.
Thursday, July 11
Jazz icon Herbie Hancock, in the business over 60 years, has been an integral part of every music scene, including as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, which pioneered a new groundbreaking jazz sound. Set an alarm to push that button: reservations open today at 2 p.m., with two more release dates through the month prior to Hancock’s Stern Grove Aug. 11 performance. Free admission, but “reservations are required for entry.” So there’s that.
The Schwabacher Summer Concert will feature artists of the Merola Opera’s esteemed training program, who will perform extended scenes from works by Donizetti, Gounod, Leoncavallo, Massenet, Puccini, and Richard Strauss, among others, accompanied by a full orchestra. Today at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Tickets from $10.
Friday, July 12
Vive la France! There’s no better place to celebrate Bastille Day than Bastille on Belden, the charming muse with its historic French ties and European-like quaintness (San Francisco wasn’t called the Paris of the West for no reason). Enjoy music, festive décor, and specials from the restaurants — and free berets! 4:30–9:30, free admission, mais respondez si’l vous plait ici.
Tonight’s the night for Sundown Cinema’s showing of Labyrinth in Glen Park. Get there early to find the best seating, grab some eats from the local food trucks, and enjoy the preshow entertainment. 6–10 p.m. Reserve here for a chance to win reserved seating, or just show up, because it’s David Bowie after all. Free admission.
How about Saturday in the park for 48th annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival? Take your pick from five stages of music offering styles and songs from sea shanties to waltzes to English Morris dances, ballads, harp music, jazz, the music of Joan Baez, and so much more. Noon–5 p.m. on the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park. Free admission.
If you’re down with all the outdoor festivals and gatherings, put the Pier Party at the Wharf on your list, featuring music of all kinds, bistro seating, a Pier Party bar, and everything else the wharf has to offer, like those cute little crab cocktails in paper cups and sourdough bread made right. 3–7 p.m. at Fisherman’s Wharf. Free admission.
Sunday, July 14
Feast on (unlimited!) fine food and drinks featuring fresh summer produce from the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market made by 48 beloved Bay Area restaurants and beverage purveyors at the Foodwise Summer Bash — and support local farms while doing so. 5:30–8 p.m. at the Ferry Building. Tickets from $125.
The San Francisco Mime Troupe, which reminds, “our work is political satire and anything but silent,” performs their new work, American Dreams — A New Musical: Was Democracy Just a Dream?, about a disillusioned former liberal who has just voted conservative, his horrified daughter, and other pressing issues like A.I., androids, and climate change. At 2 p.m. in Washington Square Park. Free admission (donations accepted).
Enjoy your week!
Updated: July 9, 2024, 3:48 p.m. to reflect venue correction for the Schwabacher Summer Concert.
