The sun is out after what feels like months of non-stop rain, and this is why you live in California sunny, relatively temperate days in January and February while the rest of the nation, except Hawaii and Florida, suffers. So get out of the house for god's sake. You only live once and liberal alarmists have probably already told you nine times on Facebook today that you might not survive much longer under the current regime.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
FREE RICKSHAW SHOW (WITH NOT-FREE BEER): It looks like Anchor Brewing is sponsoring a free concert at the Rickshaw tonight. It's Oakland's afro-soul quartet Bells Atlas, with openers Xiomara and Astronauts Etc. There's also $1 off Anchor Steam all night, and did I mention it's free? Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, 7:30 p.m., free
ART SALON: CounterPulse is doing monthly salons they called Matchbox in which they pair two artists from different disciplines to present and lead discussion on each others' work, and this week the featured artists are performance artist Mica Sigourney (a.k.a drag queen VivvyAnne ForeverMore) and digital media artists and CODAME founder Jordan Gray. With your attendance you can also expect free food and drinks. CounterPulse, 80 Turk Street, 6 to 8 p.m., free
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
'FUN HOME' PREVIEW: The Curran reopens to the public this week, following a major two-year renovation, with its inaugural production, the 2015 Tony winner for Best Musical, Fun Home, based on Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir. Opening night is Thursday, but there are still seats available for Wednesday's preview, and even that upper balcony provides a lovely view. The Curran, 445 Geary Street between Mason and Taylor, 8 p.m., $29 to $99
COMEDY COMPETITION: The Comedy Chop Championship happens Wednesday at the Purple Onion (at Kells) featuring the best work of six local comedians who have already won previous Comedy Chop nights, and three elimination rounds. It's pretty low stakes (prize money: $20), but you know, it'll still probably be fun. The 2016 champions who'll be battling it out are Alyssa Westerland, Walker Glenn, Alex Love, Jeff Dean, Cole Chapman and Andrew Orolfo. The Purple Onion at Kells, 530 Jackson Street, 7 p.m., $5
THURSDAY, JANUARY 26
DRAG ROCK PARODY MUSICAL: Back at Oasis for a second run following its premiere last spring is Above and Beyond the Valley of the Ultra-Showgirls, starring resident drag parody artiste D'Arcy Drollinger. As the title suggests, this is a campy sendup of girl groups and rock musicals starring a Jem and the Holograms-style three-piece girl band with 80s flair, and you can see SFist's review of the first run here, and see their video for "Thunderpussy" above. Oasis, 298 11th Street, 8 p.m., $25
GOTH NIGHT: Were you obsessed with The Smiths and Siouxsie when you were in 10th grade? You know we have a Goth Night in town, right? Relive your high school years, whether or not those occurred in the 80's, at Cat Club's Class of '84 downtrodden dance night. And this week the back room features guest DJ Wastemaster of Green Recordings. 1190 Folsom Street near 8th, free before 9:30, $7 after
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
MOVIE AT THE WHARF: As part of their ongoing 39th anniversary celebrations, Pier 39 is hosting an outdoor movie night, a screening of 1979's Escape From Alcatraz starring Clint Eastwood, within view of Alcatraz. They recommend "grabbing your blankets," obviously, and you can print some coupons here for discounts at various Pier 39 vendors that night. Carousel Stage at the end of Pier 39, 6 p.m., free
'SILENCE OF THE LAMBS' PARODY MUSICAL: Silence! The Musical opens this week at the Victoria, featuring a book by Tony-winning [title of show] scribe Hunter Bell, and music and lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan. The decade-old parody musical, rife with pop-culture references, features "a singing chorus of floppy eared lambs" who serve as narrators, and Hannibal Lecter singing "about the life he’d like to lead outside his stone prison walls." The show broke some records the New York Fringe Festival in 2005, and the Daily News had it in their Top 10 shows of the year. And if you can't make it Friday, it will be playing Thursday to Saturday for at least four weeks. Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street, 8 p.m., $45, tickets here.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
CHEAP WINE AND SAUSAGE PARTY: It's Tank 18's fourth anniversary, and they're doing a big "sustainable bottling" event to celebrate which this month features Syrah for $7.99 a bottle but only if you bring your own empty, washed out wine bottle which they fill, cork, and label for you (or it's $9.99 if you don't bring a bottle). And there won't be some old food truck catering the party this time, it will be chef Paul Canales of Oakland's Duende serving up Basque pork and lamb sausages and porchetta sandwiches, for purchase. Tank 18, 1345 Howard Street at Dore, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free
ITALIAN-AMERICAN COOKING CLASS: Viola Buitoni, who is a direct descendant of the famed Buitoni pasta family, hails from Perugia but went to college in New York and later relocated to SF. On Saturday she'll be showing off her kitchen talents and teaching newbs the art of spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmigiana, as well as making Caesar salad from scratch. And yes, dinner is included, with wine. 18 Reasons, 3674 18th Street, 6 to 10 p.m., $95
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
MURAL ARTIST BOOK SIGNING, WITH DRINKS: We told you about the Trick Dog Mural Project, which goes with their new menu. And that menu is a book, and it's available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting local muralist, and on Sunday the artists will be on hand to sign copies. Trick Dog, 3010 20th Street, 3 to 5 p.m., free
SALSA DANCING AND MORE: Big new SoMa spot Calle 11 which we told you about last month is open now, and Sundays are "Tropical Sundays," featuring no cover, and DJ JAES ONE spinning Top 40, hip-hop, reggaeton, salsa, bachata and more, as well as happy hour specials. Calle 11, 11th and Folsom, 5 p.m., free
