Books, talks, movies, and plays are everywhere you look this week, so let's take in a healthy dose of culture, shall we?
TUESDAY, MAY 31
JEWISH SEX AND CINEMA: Peter L. Stein, a Peabody Award-winning documentarian and Senior Programmer of Frameline, the San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival, presents a talk about Jewish sexuality on film: "Sex, Jews, And Videotape." Neuroses, taboos, and more are his subject, and with the aid of aple clips, Stein plans to talk everything from Woody Allen to Transparent. A complimentary wine tasting precedes the event. JCCSF, 3200 California Street, 7 p.m., $27-37, members receive 10% off
PLAY ABOUT AGING: SFist gave a glowing review to the West Coast premiere of Sarah Ruhl's For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday, a "quirky, original, and redemptive enough [play] to stand out among contemporary theater." Directed by Les Waters. the show runs through July 3rd. Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley, 8 p.m., $17.50-$61
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1
CLASSIC 80's SCI-FI HORRORSHOW: Alamo Drafthouse presents the ex-Governator in Predator, an '80s sci-fi classic on (perhaps literal) steroids. The screening includes a display and giveaway of goodies from the National Entertainment Collectibles Assosciation. Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Theater, 2550 Mission Street, 10 p.m., $13.25
NEW THEATER: Join ACT on opening night of Chester Bailey, which runs through June 12. The play is the story of a medical patient who must retreat into his imagination in the wake of devastating injury and the doctor who must face ethical questions surrounding his treatment. Written by Emmy award-winner Joseph Dougherty, Chester Bailey is directed by Ron Lagomarsino and stars Dan Clegg and Academy Award nominee David Strathaim. ACT Strand Theater, 1127 Market Street, 7:30 p.m., $35-70
THURSDAY, JUNE 2
BISSAP BAOBOB PARTY: Beats and Bubbles, a new event series every first Thursday of the month, aims to pair bubbly booze with local DJs and music from everywhere. This is the second installment of the event, so be one of the cool kids and go before it gets too popular. Bissap Baobob Village, 3372-3386 19th Street, 8 p.m., $5 after 10 p.m.
NIGHT AT THE EXPLORATORIUM WITH WALKING SCULPTURES: The ethereal, ambulatory sculptures known as Strandbeests from Dutch artist Theo Jansen have descended on the Exploratorium, and this week the big kids can go have a look (and adult beverages) at Exploratorium After Dark, when the little ones are in bed. Lena Herzog, a documentary photographer who has taken up Jansen's work as a subject, will be there and chatting with Marina McDougall, Director of the Exploratorium’s Center for Art & Inquiry. Exploratorium, Pier 15, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., $15 general, $10 members
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
NEAL CASSADY LETTER AT CITY LIGHTS: The letter that inspired Jack Kerouac's on the road was discovered intact in Oakland in 2014, causing a stir among historians and scholars. Now, before it heads to auction on June 16th in New York at Christie's, take a peak at it in what's a very natural home for the document: City Lights Bookstore, in the poetry room. City Lights Books, 261 Columbus Avenue, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., free entry
RADIOHEAD COVERS: With A Moon Shaped Pool out, Radiohead is on many a mind once again, and bringing to life their beloved album Kid A for several nights are a group of tribute performers, each interpreting a different song in a different style. The Independent, 628 Divisadero, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:00 p.m. show, $30 advanced, $35 door
SATURDAY, JUNE 4
TRAILS AND WAYS SHOW: This Oakland band of former college commune roommates call themselves a guitar pop band, but that doesn't quite capture their glowingly warm and inviting sound. Check them out at the Swedish American Hall, where Noise Pop has them booked along with openers Hazel English and Jay Som. Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market Street, 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show, $16 advance, $18 door, all ages show
DOC FEST FILM: Sean Dunne, the documentary director of the incredible American Juggalo (about fans of the band Insane Clown Posse), presents CamGirlz, a look at the culture of online stripping and way more. This is just one of many documentary films to check out at Doc Fest, running June 2-16, and this particular picture is co-presented by the Center for Sex and Culture. The Roxie, 3117 16th Street, 12 p.m., $12
SUNDAY, JUNE 5
BOOK FEST: The Bay Area Book Festival (Saturday and Sunday) in downtown Berkeley is free and open to all, featuring 300 writers like Rebecca Solnit, Sherman Alexie, and Juan Felipe Herrera in events and talks. The Chronicle writes that this is the second year of the festival, which was a huge success last year, and says to expect a reprise of the very cool 50,000-book outdoor library slash art installation called Lacuna. Go ahead, grab a book — they're all free. The full schedule is here. Downtown Berkeley, multiple events and locations, tickets available for various events
BEER AND DOGS: Muttville Senior Dog Rescue teams up with Speakeasy Ales and Lagers to host a fundraiser and petting party at the brewery's tap room. Bring your own dog, if you want, and check out an expo from local vendors that cater to canines, or adopt a new pet on site. Get some barbecue and beer for yourself, while your at it, with $1 from every beer benefitting Muttville. Speakeasy Tap Room, 1195 Evans Avenue, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., free admission