March 26, 2003

events

Events listings are compiled by Sarah Han. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

wednesday 26

Benefits

'Out of the Ether' fundraiser Venue 9, 252 Ninth St; 986-4382. 7:30pm, $10. Filmmaker Kerry Laitala screens various works, with a live performance by the Punk Rock Orchestra. Proceeds help finish Laitala's experimental film, Out of the Ether, scheduled to screen at the upcoming San Francisco International Film Festival.

Authors

Alice Walker A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. Wed, 7pm. Free. The author discusses Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth, her new poetry collection.

thursday 27

Around town

'Make Art Happen or DIY Trying' Spanganga, 3376 19th St; www.spanganga.org. 6:30pm, $5. Sean Kelly, Mary Alice Fry, and other local arts fixtures discuss how to open and run your own art space.

Benefits

Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan benefit Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakl; (510) 273-4681. 8pm, $8-80. Charming Hostess, 20 Minute Loop, Faun Fables, and Jou Jou perform at this musical benefit.

friday 28

Around town

'Writing to End the War' Writers Center of Marin, 1323 Fourth St, San Rafael; (415) 456-1825. Fri, 7pm. $5. The Writers Center of Marin hosts a reading by the Veterans' Writing Group, led by author Maxine Hong Kingston.

Benefits

'Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal benefit' Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market; 861-5016, www.ticketweb.com. 9pm, $8-10. On the Speakers, Black Cat Music, and Psychokinetics perform at this benefit for the periodical.

'Petchitecture 2003' San Francisco Design Center, Galleria, 101 Henry Adams; 677-8688. 7-10pm, $45 (leashed dogs free). Pets Are Wonderful Support benefits from this annual party, featuring a display of fanciful pet beds, houses, and accessories.

'Sixth Annual Anarchist Café' 225 Potrero; subversivesoundz@yahoo.com. 6pm-midnight, $5-15 (no one turned away for lack of funds). The Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair, the Prisoners Literature Project, and the Poor News Network benefit from this annual gathering, featuring music, speakers, spoken word, and poetry.

Bay Area

'Life, Music, and the Pursuit of Happiness' Marin Civic Auditorium, 3501 Civic Center, San Rafael; (415) 499-6800, 457-1296, www.rexfoundation.org. 8pm, $40-100. The Rex Foundation – the Grateful Dead-founded nonprofit aimed at supporting creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education – hosts a benefit concert with Bruce Hornsby, Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman and DJ Logic, and Mickey Hart and friends.

Authors

'The Kid Koala Book Tour' Butterfly, 1710 Mission; 864-5575, www.futureprimitivesound.com. 5:30 and 9pm, $50 (reservations required). See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

saturday 29

Around town

'Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair' San Francisco County Fair Bldg, Golden Gate Park near Ninth Ave at Lincoln; 431-8355. Sat, 10am-6pm. Free. See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

Benefits

'Arcadia: Artists Celebrate Trees' SomArts Gallery, 934 Brannan; 355-9988. Noon-5pm, free. Through Sun/30. Friends of the Urban Forest benefits from this exhibition and silent auction of works inspired by trees. The organization also hosts a benefit party (see Mon/31).

'A Hot Night in Havana' Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery; 1-800-753-3071. 6:30pm-1am, $75-250. Pathways Home Health, Hospice, and Continuous Care celebrate their 25th anniversary with a Cuban-themed gala benefit.

Bay Area

'Ignite: The Crucible Strikes a New Light' The Crucible, 1260 Seventh St, Oakl; (510) 444-0919, www.thecrucible.org. Sat, 6pm. $20-50. This two-part event features "Spark the Evening," a benefit reception with food and a pyrotechnic performance, followed by "Illuminate the Night," a party with more performances, music, and fire-themed entertainment.

Authors

Anthony Arnove City Lights, 261 Columbus; 362-8193. 7pm, free. The author discusses Iraq under Siege: The Deadly Impact of Sanctions and War.

'An Eye for an Eye Makes the Whole World Blind' Modern Times, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm, free. Clive Matson, Allen Cohen, Gail Ford, Opal Palmer Adisa, and other poets read from this anthology.

sunday 30

Around town

'Carnaval King and Queen Competition' Roccapulco Supper Club, 3140 Mission; 920-0125. 7pm, $5. Contestants battle it out to see who will reign at the 25th annual Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade in May.

'Central Freeway Demolition Celebration' Market at Octavia (beneath freeway overpass); 431-8102. 1-5pm, free. See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

'Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Parade and Festival' Parade, 11am, from Second and Market Sts to Civic Center; festival, 1pm, Civic Center, Seventh St. at Market. Free. The labor hero is honored with a parade down Market Street and a festival featuring entertainment and speakers.

Benefits

'Arcadia: Artists Celebrate Trees' SomArts Gallery, 934 Brannan; 355-9988. Noon-5pm, free. See Sat/29.

monday 31

Benefits

'Arcadia: Artists Celebrate Trees' gala benefit SomArts Gallery, 934 Brannan; 355-9988. 6-9pm, $125. Friends of the Urban Forest benefits from this gala party, featuring live music with the San Francisco Feetwarmers Jazz Band.

tuesday 1

Around town