, the documentary we saw at the Roda Theatre in Berkeley on Sunday for the SF Jewish Film Festival, was billed as a "wry and hilarious" examination by filmmaker Duki Dror as he follows kids on their daily journeys to and from school. "Dror has the same wondrous gift of bittersweet nostalgia that cartoonists Charles M. Schulz and Lynda Barry have," said the catalog description. To that we say: are you smoking crack? more ›

Who woulda thought. . . . we weren’t the only ones not completely immersed in isolation with the final Harry Potter book this weekend... although we did see a couple books neatly tucked under the seats at the Castro Theater on Saturday at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. If you weren’t there, well, then you missed out on a couple of good romantic comedies and one hilarious kiss-off -- and not the kind of kiss-off you might think we’re talking about. more ›

The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) is the first and only Jewish film festival in the world. At least that's what the President of the SFJFF said at the Castro Theatre last night when he introduced the opening night movie, . This is the kind of thing that makes us so proud to live here. Suck it, New York! We'd give our left nut for one morsel of your pastrami (extra juicy with a side of half sours please) but we have a Jewish Film Festival! more ›

-- Joan Osbourne: She's famous (or just known for) her one-hit confection "One of Us," but her first effort was an overall amazing album. At least as far as the Liz Phairian ouvre goes, we think. She performs with Victoria George at 8 p.m. at Slim's, 333 11th St. (at Folsom); $26. more ›

How can it be? So many great film festivals all over town! This week, you've got the Jewish Film Festival coming up at the Castro, and this Saturday, the Slant Film Festival at the 4 Star (Clement and 23rd). more ›

Yay, more film festivals! We love it. Next up: the SF Jewish Film Festival, which runs from July 19 to July 26 (with some additional screenings around the area through August 6). more ›

It's Bay Area National Dance Week! Dance studios across the city are dramatically flinging open their doors for free events all week. The one that jumped out at us for tonight is a free introduction to fire hoop dancing at the Temple of Poi. There's a 6:15 class and a 8:00 class, and the Temple is located at 953 Mission, Suite 11. Check out that YouTube clip of the Temple of Poi founder hula-hooping away! If that's not your thing, though, there's plenty of other free dance events tonight too, including samba lessons, tango lessons, and belly dancing lessons. Get that swerve on. more ›

at the Castro Theatre on Saturday said, "welcome to our high class shvitz." The bubbie sitting in front of us turned around and asked, "do you know what a shvitz is?" more ›

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Saturday: The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's Tour de Fat runs from 11-5 today at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park. The event is described as "Two parts bike rodeo and one part circus", and is free, free free. more ›

When you assume, you make an ass out of you and Wednesday. Tonight: As part of its year-long partnership with the Yerba Buena Center, the SF Jewish Film Festival is screening the Oscar-nominated documentary "The Ritchie Boys," about young German Jews who fled to the US and were recruited into anti-Nazi psy-ops. Film starts at 7:30 and a surviving Ritchie Boy will be speaking after the screening. Thursday: Words not hands! Learn more about nonviolent communication techniques at an introductory seminar at SF State. Class starts at 7, and it's $0-35 sliding scale. and Friday: As part of the 2006 Queer Arts Festival, the Raw Dance troupe is performing at 69 Belcher (between 14th St., Duboce, Church, and Sanchez). The program is called "Per-Verses," and presents an exploration of porn, erotica, and intimacy through dance. Adult audiences only (our favorite!). more ›

Wednesday, please pack your knives and go. Tonight: We're keeping it bipartisan for once! You can stop by the Democratic County Central Committee monthly meeting at the State Building at 455 Golden Gate (between Polk and Larkin) at 7:00 p.m., or the SF Republican women's dinner at MacArthur Park at 607 Front Street, 6 p.m. We presume they'll both be discussing how they're going to defeat each other. The DCCC meeting is free; the Republicans are charging $25 (non-members) for admission to hear a speaker who is TBD. Thursday: Korean pansori, or storytelling opera, tonight at 7 pm at the Asian Art Museum! Check out these sound clips for a preview. Korean composer ChanHae Lee will be performing the music live. $5 members, $10 non-. and Friday: In commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Jewish Film Festival, the Yerba Buena Center in conjunction with the Holocaust Center of Northern California, is screening the documentary "Rene and I," about the lives of twins temporarily separated by the Holocaust, and who both survived both Mengele and "a Jewish henchman of Al Capone." Huh! Filmmaker Gina Angelone will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. 7:30 p.m., $7. more ›

It wasn't that long ago that everyone we know was doing everything they could to avoid pregnancy, but as we approach our 35th birthday (what, did we mention that already?) we're noticing that some members of our social circle are at the point where they're having to do more than just "try" to conceive. more ›

. From the press materials: more ›

A review of "Campfire," showing at the Jewish Film Festival. It won best picture in Israel, but we thought it could have been a lot better. But then, we feel that way about U.S. best picture winners, too. more ›

First off, we just found out via Craiglist about a wharehouse party tonight featuring The Wildlife, barbarasteele, Joel Gion's The Dilettantes and Six Eye Columbia. They tell us to "Bring some champagne and come and dance." Sounds like a fine time! 9pm at 58 Natoma, $5 at the door. more ›

26 years ago there wasn't a single Film Festival celebrating the Jewish experience -- 25 years later, there are hundreds of them! As with so many things, San Francisco's was one of the first, bringing audiences a great mix of International Jewish cinema. more ›