Sure, the middle of this week (Wednesday) will be hot and gorgeous, but by the weekend you'll be back in your layers and possibly even looking to cower indoors. With all that in mind, here are some cultural and not-so-cultural things to occupy yourself with in the coming days.
TUESDAY, APRIL 5
PARTY WITH RABBITS: You know those giant rabbits they just installed outside City Hall? Well, there's a big public party tonight to welcome them, which will include beer and wine concessions and food trucks, and music from DJ Gary Paradise. And because the weather's pretty nice, it should be busy... and 8.4K people are "interested" on Facebook, with 2,400 saying they're going. Civic Center Plaza, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FOOD MEMOIR READING, WITH WINE: Writer and food blogger Jessica Fechtor (of Sweet Amandine) writes in her book Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals that Brought Me Home of the harrowing experience of suffering a brain aneurysm at 28, and the healing power of cooking during her recovery. This event is the paperback launch of the book, which came out last year, and will include wine and dessert. Book Passage, Ferry Building, 6 p.m. Free
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6
PARTY AT THE EXPLORATORIUM: It's time for the science-meets-fun museum's annual spring gala fundraiser, and while the dinner is sold out, you can head on down for the after-party starting at 8:30 p.m., which will include nighttime access to all the hands-on exhibits, top-shelf cocktails at multiple open bars, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts, as well as a dancefloor DJ'd (?) by an outfit called Tainted Love-The Best of the '80s. Exploratorium, Pier 15 near Embarcadero and Green, 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets $100, or $75 for Lab members.
HAMLET ROULETTE: Berkeley's Shotgun Players are doing a pretty daring and insane new production of Hamlet in which twelve actors share the stage, and all of them learn every part in the play, all 4,000 lines, and each night the audience will draw out of a hat and each performer will get assigned their part for the evening. It's already started previews, and it sounds like it's working (review to come), but yeah, imagine drawing Hamlet for the first time and having five minutes to take a deep breath and start. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley. 8 p.m. $18
THURSDAY, APRIL 7
FLOWERS IMITATING ART: The deYoung Museum's annual week-long exhibit of elaborate flower arrangements inspired by pieces in the permanent collection, which comes with a society gala (which happened Monday night), this year has the added bonus of flowers inspired by the fashions of Oscar de la Renta as well. In total, 125 local floral designers are participating. And this week, both Wednesday and Thursday evening, there are members-only viewing hours of the exhibit which, because flowers fade quickly, will only be up for six days. deYoung Museum, Golden Gate Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Regular admission: $10, memberships starting at $99.
GIRLS' NIGHT WITH 'BRIDESMAIDS,' AND CHAMPAGNE: This week they're doing a quote-along Bridesmaids movie night at Alamo Drafthouse with champagne, but without puppy party favors. It's unclear if your ticket gets you just the one glass, or if you can pop a Xanax and get real sloppy with a few glasses like Kristin Wiig on that plane. Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission, 2550 Mission Street, 7 p.m. $13
FRIDAY, APRIL 8
FILM FESTIVAL OPENING: If you want to escape the city during some predicted rain on Friday you could head up to Tiburon for the annual Tiburon International Film Festival, which kicks off with screenings of A Rising Tide starring Tim Daly and Hunter Parrish, and The Lure, about a couple of party girls in 1980's Warsaw. Playhouse Theater, 40 Main Street, Tiburon, 7:30 p.m. $12
EXPERIMENTAL OPERA: A new production at SF Opera's Opera Lab, Svadba-Wedding is a one-hour, a capella opera about a Serbian bride-to-be and her friends preparing for her wedding day, with a score by Ana Sokolović that's described by Opera News as "compelling and beautifully transparent." Also, your ticket comes with an after-party with champagne and Tout Sweet patisserie confections, and you can enjoy drinks during the performance. Taube Atrium Theater, Veterans Building, Fourth Floor, 401 Van Ness Avenue, 8 p.m. $75
SATURDAY, APRIL 9
GALA LGBT FUNDRAISER: The annual Soirée benefiting the SF LGBT Center this year features food and entertainment curated by local drag queen Juanita More, with proceeds going to help the ongoing work and upcoming renovation of the Center at Market and Octavia. More says this year's gala will include "a bit of the ridiculous, fun, caucus and plenty of fierceness!" Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street, 8:30 p.m. $95. Tickets here.
FOOTBALL + DANCE: A new theater piece at SF Playhouse, Colossal, combines dance, a drum corps, and the world of football to tell the story of Mike, a former University of Texas football player struggling to move forward in the wake of a catastrophic spinal injury. Playwright Andrew Hinderaker, a UT alum, set out to write an "unproduceable play," which since its premiere in 2014 has become his most produced piece. SF Playhouse, 450 Post Street, 8 p.m. $25-$60
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
SUNDAY STREETS IN THE MISSION: The first Sunday Streets street party of the season is here, with Valencia closed to vehicle traffic from McCoppin all the way to 26th Street. Bring a bike, or some rollerskates, and head to this family-friendly event which tends to feature live musicians all along the street, and a good excuse to wander the neighborhood without dodging traffic. Valencia Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DIGITAL AUDIO EQUIPMENT SWAP: During Sunday Streets, the good folks at Digital Fix are hosting a Synth Swap, which is just like it sounds, only it's not just for old synthesizers. As they put it, "Looking to trade that drum machine for a sampler? Have an old Casio laying around the closet? Stop by during Mission Sunday Streets to hang out and pick up some gear!" They just ask that you email here if you've got something you want to trade. Digitial Fix, 820 Valencia Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
