Start your engines: A two-day chocolate extravaganza brings lots of sweet bites to Ghirardelli Square and Zeitgeist celebrates its 40th year in business with a weekend-long party.
THURSDAY
Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema opening night
Egalitarian and entirely unique, the Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema spotlights flicks made by neighborhood artists. This season kicks off with a formal reception featuring a live performance by Melody Yan and Barry Despenza, awards presentation and previews of a few of the scheduled films. Get out there and get inspired.
Haim
Four years after the release of their debut album, Days Are Gone, the Haim sisters are still the same leather jacket-wearing, ‘80s-worshipping, stage-quipping badasses that we've come to adore. So what if their latest album, Something to Tell You, is essentially more of the same? The bass faces, hereditary harmonies and hopelessly romantic pop songs that landed the trio on tour with Taylor Swift are still intact, and if you're lucky, you'll get to hear them turn a Shania Twain song into a soft-rock jam.
FRIDAY
The Little Mermaid Sing Along
Sing alongs are back at the Castro, and you won’t want to miss crooning along with the imminently memorable classics of The Little Mermaid. Costumes are encouraged, as is putting yeast on your popcorn, as is going on and kissing the girl. Get there in time to grab a great seat — these events are typically packed — and to catch that famous Wurlitzer organ.
The Growlers
The Growlers are one of a growing number of California bands playing modern psychedelic music informed by their locale but minus the whiff of L.A. cheese, favoring instead the West Coast’s hippie-dippy looseness. At its best, the group evokes a smoking late-’60s beach party. They’re celebrating a successful summer tour with a four-night-stand at the Independent, playing tunes from their latest, City Club.
Zeitgeist Legacy Party Weekend
While other bars bite the dust, Zeitgeist not only packs in a full house seemingly every day of the week, but also just scooped up an enviable Legacy Status thanks to its rich role in the city’s nightlife (and day drinking) scene. To celebrate its 40th year in business, the gang will be partying all weekend long. Come out for live music, an art fair and Sunday’s domino tournament.
SF Opera Ball
Mingle with the city’s glitterati on the red carpet and get your dose of high-culture at the San Francisco Opera Ball, featuring a performance of Puccini’s spectacular Turandot. Enjoy pre-show cocktails and a sumptuous dinner — or if you can’t spring for the pricey tickets, linger outside to ogle our San Francisco celebs and socialites bringing their fashion A-game to this annual event.
SATURDAY
Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival
Benefitting the very worthy Project Open Hand, the two-day chocolate extravaganza promises lots of sweet bites from more than 50 vendors, cooking demos, a silent auction and new and improved Chocolate Lounge featuring wineries, breweries and craft spirit makers. You won’t want to miss the Earthquake Sundae eating competition either, as six contestants race to finish the famous eight scoop behemoth.
Green Apple Books 50th Anniversary Party
One of the city’s finest literary establishments is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a weekend-long blow out at their flagship store in the Inner Richmond. In the Amazon era, its longevity speaks volumes about the love this ‘hood has for the little shop. Swing by to support local business and enjoy free beer and coffee, giveaways and a generous 10 percent discount storewide.
Mary J. Blige
If eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards weren’t enough, 2016 saw Blige return with her chicest effort yet: a full-length R&B wonder titled Strength of a Woman. The “Family Affair” and “No More Drama” singer-songwriter has been touring almost every year since 1997, but if you’ve never caught her live, there’s no better place than the glam Paramount Theatre this week.