Café du Nord will be the setting for a showcase of three talented local rock bands tonight: Raised By Robots, The Aimless Never Miss, and The Paper Sons. The Paper Sons, four extremely talented guys from the Bay Area, are known for their real alternative-rock sound (a bit of a throw back to the early 90's but somehow still very current). We got a chance to talk to Tom McCullough (pictured second to the left), the lead-singer of the band, about all of his favorite things and most important, his favorite spots in San Francisco. McCullough is the newest addition to this rock quartet. When we first introduced The Papersons to you, we mentioned that their EP was "arriving soon." Well, it has and it's good; very good. more ›

Free bike light giveaway today only. more ›

-- Carmen Jones: Based off of Georges Bizet's famous French opera Carmen, the adaptation was made into a successful Broadway musical, and then a '50s film staring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and Pearl Bailey. Now, see it again on stage right here in SF. The curtain goes up tonight at the African-American Art & Culture Complex (762 Fulton); $15. more ›

Leaving a label and starting a new one (with her new husband), Charlotte Martin finally has the musical freedom she has craved. Since her last release, On Your Shore (2004), Martin left RCA Records and created Dinosaur Fight Records with co-producer and husband, Ken Andrews. With this newfound freedom Martin has released two EP's, Darkest Hours and Veins and her latest full-length album, Stromata. Critics have lauded her latest efforts saying, "Stromata follows adventurous suit...reveling... more ›

True story from a crowded J-Church this morning. We were sitting quietly, a little zoned out, holding the 20 oz. cup of coffee that we'd obtained at our neighborhood cafe with both of our hands, which had become rather cold from time outside. Yes, we had a lid on it. The J-Church, particularly when it's on the streets heading from Dolores Park up to Market St., is a little herky-jerky. One well-known hazard faced by regular MUNI riders (whether bus or street car): you take a risk if you stand or try to move in advance of the vehicle actually coming to a complete stop. Chances are good you might take a dive if you try it. Hasn't this happened to most of us at one time or another? more ›

at 3 p.m. Also, Alyssa Milano will be hawking her baseball-themed jewelry around 1 p.m. Oh, Alyssa Milano, we really hoped you'd stay with Carl Pavano. $22 at the Moscone Center West (4th and Howard, across from the Metreon). more ›

Still plenty of shows for the Frameline , SF Improv, and the Hole in the Head festivals.... more ›

Complimentary cocktails from 7-8pm, with the film starting at 7:30pm. $8 at the door, 444 Jessie St. more ›

Geek out! At Ask a Scientist SF, a monthly lecture slash happy hour with a guest speaker on some sciencey topic. This month's meet-up touches on everything you ever wanted to know about terra incognita, Antarctica, with Kurt Cuffey, a UC Berkeley professor of geography. Get there by 7pm to snag a beer and a seat. Axis Cafe, 1208 Eighth St., SF. more ›

Let's Dance! more ›

Self-described as a print magazine of meat culture, Meatpaper celebrates the launch of Issue Zero at Sugarlump coffee lounge tonight in the Mission. Tastings and demonstrations by local restaurants and meat companies like Incanto and Prather Ranch serve up festivities (non-carne nosh will be available for the veggie crowd); drinks will be provided by Trumer Pilsner , Sonnema VodkaHerb and others, along with a gallery of meat-inspired art to feast your eyes on. Adding to the festivities, there will be demonstrations by . A suggested donation of $5-$15 encourages the production of future issues (and future tasty launch parties). Drop by sometime between 7 and 10 at the Sugarlump coffee lounge, 2862 24th Street (between Bryant and Florida). more ›

. How considerate of Universal to spray paint a symbol of the unholy on the sidewalks! We can only hope that they had the good sense not to place one near the Open Bible Church. Because that would be HIGHLARIOUS. more ›

We'll admit it -- we've been watching a lot of movies this week, and our reading has fallen by the wayside. However, our blissfully empty weekend is almost within reach, which means a trip to one of our local independent bookstores, as well as to the library to pick up our online reserves. Right now, all we want to do is lie in bed with the pets and a good book or three, so the weekend cannot come soon enough. more ›