We were super-excited when we got the chance to talk with Alex Ross, the New Yorker's resident classical music critic (and blogger). Ross's writing has profoundly affected the way we think about music and music writing in all its genres and forms, and his twin enthusiasm for new classical music of the 21st century along with his deep love of the profoundly musical Icelandic pixie that is Björk always liven up our weekly periodicals reading......

Get that gigantic backpack and sleeping bag and trek on over to Cody's Books on Fourth Street, as Tony and Maureen Wheeler, the founders of Lonely Planet, read from their new books, Unlikely Destinations (the story of Lonely Planet) and Bad Lands (Tony's trips to dangerous countries). If you can't make tonight's reading (7 p.m.), they're in town through Friday, reading at Get Lost in SF tomorrow night and Book Passage in Corte Madera on......

As part of the National Queer Arts Festival, graphic artist and memoirist Alison Bechdel is speaking at Michelle Tea's Radar Reading Series at the SF Public Library tonight! We've been huge fans of Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For for, like 10 years now (we're latecomers -- she's been drawing the strip since 1987), and her first graphic novel, Fun Home, about her relationship with her closeted gay father totally blew our mind with......

Dude, she was shot at Jonestown! it doesn't matter she didn't win her race for Lieutenant Governor. Former State Senator Jackie Speier speaks at the Commonwealth Club tonight about the book she co-authored, This Is Not The Life I Ordered, which tells not only her story, but the story of three of her friends as well. $18, reception at 6, reading at 7, at 595 Market 2nd Fl. (x 2nd). Other events: --The Stars and......

Monday nights are the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra Big Band nights at North Beach mainstay Jazz at Pearl's. They play the classic jazz orchestra works (Ellington, Mingus) and also some hard bop. Two shows (one at 8, one at 10), $15 + 2-drink minimum, 256 Columbus (x Pacific). Other events: --Salsa and swing dance lessons at Julie's Supper Club, with burlesque performers on the hour. 8-11 p.m., $6 after 8 p.m. (half hour lesson), $10 by......

The SFIFF is winding down - only two more days to cram in as much international film as you can! Or are you ready for a quick breather before diving back in? Then take a night off and head out to one of these happenin' events. Not exactly a face-off (these guys play for the same league), but bound to be just as interesting. Marion Nestle and Michael Pollan give a talk tonight on food......

SFist Mary Ladd/Jalapeno Girl contributing. We’ve got our things-to-be-thankful-for list ready. Easy peasy! One item shines a bit brighter than others. That would be hanging out with author/chef/TV personality Tony "Cast Iron Stomach" Bourdain after his City Arts & Lectures sold out ($19 a ticket) conversation with Isabel Duffy on Monday night. Some of the meatiest tidbits/quotes Tony offered while chatting with Ms. Duffy? --He couldn’t get over how sweet, nice, and great the US......

Saturday: Box magazine is having their Issue 3 (Fetish) launch party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Oakland's Golden Bull (412 14th Street). They're promising us DJs, drink specials, giveaways, and more. Sunday: We're hitting Project Artaud Theatre 450 Florida St at 17th) for AcroSports City Circus's new acrobatic spectacle, the Metropolis-inspired 2106 Shows are Fridays at 7p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. until April 30. Monday: We're plumb out. What are......

Meetup madness! Tonight at the House of Shields, indie publishers, zinesters, filmmakers, podcasters, airwave pirates and the like will descend upon the House of Shields at 7pm for the Webzine 2005 Drinkup! -- this isn't the official Webzine event (that's in September), but it's a chance to meet the organizers, pitch panels, come up with workshop ideas and, of course, drink lots of $2 PBRs (there will be some birthdays celebrated as well). SFist......

Way back in the day, we were fairly convinced that the Smashing Pumpkins were going to be the new Led Zeppelin. They were tripped out, looked great in velvet, and frickin’ rocked. In fact, we still occasionally put on our old casette of “Gish” and do some serious head-banging. We thought “Siamese Dreams” was cool if a bit over-done and thought “Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” was mighty impressive if a bit too long.......

Softball article on Maureen Dowd....