Praise the lord, the sun came out. And if you haven't simply lined up a series of deck-cocktail or park-beer-and-wine gatherings every evening this week, below we bring you a few more culturally enriching or just more extremely social options to consider.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
RETRO A CAPELLA: Bay Area-based a cappella quartet The Jeanettes specialize in "retro hits from iconic artists like the Shirelles, the Marvelettes, the Chordettes, and the Chiffons." If you dig on harmonies from the 50's and 60's, you will dig this. Added bonus: it's free. PianoFight, 144 Taylor Street, 9:30 p.m., free
CLASSIC WEREWOLF CINEMA: It's Terror Tuesday at Alamo Drafthouse and this week that means The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf., the 1985 follow-up to The Howling. It stars horror movie vet Christopher Lee alongside Sybil Danning as a werewolf queen, battling in Transylvania to stop werewolves from taking over the world. And if that's not enough, "there's a werewolf menage-a-trois and an exploding dwarf." Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission, 2550 Mission Street, 10:45 p.m., $6
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
'TRANSPARENT' SNEAK PEEK: We mentioned it yesterday, but I'm mentioning it again. Because Amazon and the producers of multi-Emmy-winning show Transparent are debuting the first episode (or two?) of the show at the Castro two days ahead of its online premiere, and there's a Q&A with a couple of cast members afterwards. Also, staff writer and trans torch singer Our Lady J will be there. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, 7:30 p.m., $25
KARAOKE WITH A DRAG QUEEN: This week marks the launch of Castro Karaoke at the Midnight Sun, the newest karaoke party in the 'hood, hosted by Au Jus, and allegedly featuring singing bartenders. Midnight Sun, 4067 18th Street, 9 p.m., free
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
LEARN ABOUT THE FOREST WHILST DRINKING: The Academy of Sciences brings you Forest NightLife this week, featuring a tree-climbing demo, a talk about the future of the Sierras, and an interactive talk with US Forest Service personnel all about the life of the forest, fire modeling bark beetles, and more. As always, food and drink are available, and you can wander the aquarium, but the planetarium is unfortunately closed right now for a remodel. California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., $15
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
WHISKEY TRADE SHOW: It's the 10th annual edition of Whiskeyfest SF on Friday, the whiskey, bourbon, and scotch makers' trade show and convention, which is open to the public with a three-hour grand tasting event to which you should probably bring along a snack, and water is provided. In addition to seminars by whiskey experts and distillers, some 350 whiskeys from around the world will be getting poured, including limited-edition aged stuff you'll probably never find in a store, or want to pay for in real life think Pappy Van Winkle 23-year, Glenfiddich 26-year, etc. See the full list of pours here. Marriott Marquis, 780 Mission Street, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., regular admission $275, tickets here.
ITALIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC: The SF Symphony this week does a three-day showcase of Italian music, featuring the work of Verdi, Donizetti, Berio, and Marcello. Much of the music is vocal, and also featured will be Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble The Swingles, and tenor Michael Fabiano. The program runs Thursday to Saturday, but there are some discount Friday tickets here. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue. 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, various prices
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
HOUSEBOAT TOUR: Ever wonder what the floating houses/houseboats of Sausalito look like up close and inside? Now's your chance. Organizers say the five-hour tour will be "smaller and more intimate than ever before" and will feature work by local artists. Gate 6 Road, Sausalito, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $50
BBQ AND CHEAP WINE: SoMa's Tank 18 is doing another of their sustainable bottling events this weekend wherein if you bring washed out empty wine bottles, they'll fill them with Syrah and recork them for you for $7.99. Two more dollars and you can buy it already bottled. As always, there'll be tons of wine fans day-drinking on premises, but this time, instead of a food truck, the Tank 18 team will be barbecuing tri-tip, lamb, and pork sausages, served with some salads too. (No outside food allowed!) Tank 18, 1345 Howard Street at Dore, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
DOLLY PARTON LIVE: The great Dolly Parton is coming to the Bay Area this weekend, and you can catch her at Shoreline Amphitheater which is better than if she were coming to Hardly Strictly again the following weekend, because the last time you could barely get anywhere near the stage unless you camped out at 7 a.m. And check out this awesome a capella version of "Jolene" that she did with Pentatonix. Shoreline Amphitheater, 8 p.m., $25 lawn seats here
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
GARGANTUAN FETISH FAIR: If you're new and you haven't seen Folsom Street Fair, you probably should, because all prudishness must be shocked right out of you once and for all. It's not just for kinky men, I swear but tolerant of fetishes you must be. I should recommend going on the earlier side, as the street does get uncomfortably crowded and it definitely will this year with 80-degree weather predicted. Also, this year's main stage entertainment features YACHT and Dragonette. Folsom Street from 8th to 13th Street, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., suggested donation
FUNDRAISER FOR ITALIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS: The town of Amatrice and the region surrounding it was devastated by the August 24th earthquake there. Join multiple SF Italian restaurants in this fundraising lunch, including Locanda, Delfina, Acquerello, Rose Pistola, and Zero Zero, and plenty of Negronis, vino, antipasti, and of course, pasta all'Amatriciana. 54 Mint, 16 Mint Plaza, noon to 8 p.m., $75
