Overwhelmed by this awful world we're living in and needing some cultural distraction and social time? Look no further than this week's agenda of fun stuff to spend your spare time doing, from a Star Trek-themed dance party, to an intensive pottery class, to a Kylie Minogue drag tribute.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29

TRIVIA NIGHT WITH STREET FOOD: We've talked before about all the pub trivia nights that happen on Tuesday around town, but there's only one that happens outdoors surrounded by food trucks. That would be every Tuesday in the "barn" at the SoMa StrEat Food Park, and you can see tonight's topics (for all SIX rounds of trivia) here. Prizes include rounds of drinks from the bar, and other stuff. SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th Street, 7 p.m., free

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30

CHEESE, CHARCUTERIE, & BEER: Join expert hosts Waldemar Albrecht and Vanessa Chang in a two-hour tasting class devoted to cheese and meat with an emphasis on craft beer pairings. Classes at the Cheese School may not be cheap, but they'll get you nice and tipsy and fill you with delicious cheese and charcuterie. The Cheese School of San Francisco, 2124 Folsom Street at 17th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $85

SERIOUS SIX-WEEK POTTERY CLASS: Fans of Mel Rice Ceramica, which has a retail shop on Valencia, may want to check out this class being offered at Rice's Outer Richmond studio. It's a six-week intensive (missed classes can be made up) that includes 15 pounds of clay, glazes, firings, and three hours a week of studio time outside of class. If you're ready to get serious about a pottery hobby, you can start here. Mel Rice Studio Ceramica, 6138 Geary Boulevard bet. 25th and 26th Ave, Wednesday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. starting 8/30. $325

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31

EMOTIONAL ARCADE 'GAME SHOW': As part of the adults-only "After Dark" series at the Exploratorium, you can check out the legendary Tactile Dome after a cocktail or two, or you can head to the Bernard and Barbro Osher West Gallery for this "experiential filming party" with Emotional Arcade. It's a "high-tech interactive installation disguised as a game show built around a deceptively simple question: 'How do you feel?'" Intrigued? Exploratorium, Pier 15, 8 p.m. (museum doors at 6 p.m.), $15 admission

STAR TREK ANNIVERSARY CLUB NIGHT: This week's edition of long-running 80s music night Class Of '84 at Cat Club celebrates the 51st anniversary of Star Trek and the 30th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation — and yes, Star Trek costuming is highly encouraged. Music will be provided by DJ's Dangerous Dan(440 Castro) and DJ Low Life (New Wave City), spinning "underground dark 80's" in the back room, and DJ's Damon (Club Gossip) and Mr Washington (YA Mamma's Basement) playing pop and rock in the front room. 1190 Folsom Street at 8th, 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., $7 (free before 9:30)

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

ART OPENING: Friday marks the official unveiling, with proper lighting, of Julie Mehretu's grand, monumental dual painting that has been hanging since last week in the Third Street atrium at SFMOMA. The two canvases, which measure 27 feet by 32 feet each, were commissioned specifically for the space and mark the largest works of art ever to hang at the museum. Titled HOWL eon (I,II), they took as their initial inspiration the grand landscape painting of the West in the 19th Century. Mehretu will also be doing an artist talk on September 14, but that is sold out. SFMOMA, Third Street entrance, 151 Third Street, free and open to the public

COMIC-CON: It may not be as big as the original in San Diego, but SF Comic-Con comes but once a year to the Moscone Center — and Day One, Friday, is the cheapest at $30 for one-day admission. Sean Astin and Ray Park will be signing autographs Friday, and then there's a bevy of other celebrity guests coming the other two days, including the Princess Bride's Cary Elwes, and Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols. Moscone Center West, Friday through Sunday, Tickets $30 to $80

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

FREE OUTDOOR 'GOONIES' SCREENING: In Mission Bay's answer to the SoMa StrEat Food Park, a.k.a. Spark Social SF, all are welcome to this family-friendly free movie night, sponsored by UberEats, with proceeds going to benefit UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. You're encouraged to bring blankets, but no dogs, chairs, or outside food or drink are allowed, and there's a ticketed early entry thing for the movie itself, if you register at the above link ahead of time, granting you first dibs on the Astroturf. Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Boulevard North, 6:15 p.m., free

PRINCE AND MICHAEL TRIBUTE PARTY: Every first Saturday it's "The Prince and Michael Experience" at Madrone Art Bar, and that would be a night of music entirely by the Purple One and the King of Pop by DJ Dave Paul. They may not be with us anymore, but we can let them live on by singing along. Madrone Art Bar, 500 Divisadero at Fell, 8 p.m., $5

KYLIE MINOGUE DRAG TRIBUTE: Kylie fans will be out in force, assuming they're not at Burning Man, at this Mother tribute to the great Australian diva and gay icon. Hostess Heklina will be joined by the likes of Miss Rahni, Sugah Betes, Trangela Lansbury, Carnie Asada, Laundra Tyme, and more. Oasis, 298 11th Street, 10 p.m., $10

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

PEPPER TASTING: Over at CUESA's Jack London Square farmers' market in Oakland, they're doing a seasonal tasting of varieties of peppers in the CUESA classroom. Enjoy free samples as well as pepper recipes. Palm Plaza at Embarcadero West and Webster Street, Oakland, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., free

PRE-LABOR DAY DANCE PARTY: Local cult legends, the DJ collective known as Honey Soundsystem, are back for their second-to-last SF party of the year this weekend, giving people a reason to dance on this holiday weekend Sunday. They're taking over both Audio and Bergerac downstairs, with different DJs in each, and this is definitely where the party monsters not at Burning Man (or just arriving back and still ready to party) will be heading. Audio, 316 11th Street, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., $15 in advance