The first weekend of the new year is, so far at least, a quiet and recuperative one for the Upper Haight. However, things are going to speed up as the year gets going.
First off, you should know that on Thursday, January 8th, the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council will convene its first meeting of the new year. The main topic of discussion will be the progress and funding for the proposed Panhandle Park improvements, which include repaving the pedestrian path and improving irrigation, plus additional ideas such as more bike racks, improved lighting and more. The meeting will be held this Thursday, January 8, at 7pm at the Park Branch Library.
If you need a laugh before then, Milk Bar will be hosting It's Just Two Minutes, a "three round improvised stand-up comedy game-show that couldn't exist without you, the audience," according to the event listing. "Nine comics take turns improvising stand-up sets based on one or two word prompts presented to them as they individually take the stage." The event runs from 8pm-10pm on Tuesday, January 6th.
If you need still more comedy in your life, look out for another comedy night at Milk on Monday starting at 8pm, and the monthly live comedy showcase A Very Cheap Laugh coming up at Second Act on January 15th.
Upcoming in the arts and sciences, there are events afoot in Golden Gate Park. (Note: If you'd like to stay up-to-date on events going on in Golden Gate Park and its environs, don't forget to look out for our new Inner Sunset coverage. Here's the latest weekend's roundup.)
If your New Year's resolution involved visiting your local museums more often, you'll want to mark your calendars for two upcoming exhibitions opening at the de Young:
Janet Delaney: South of Market opens January 17th, and features color photography of SoMa from the 1970s and 1980s. Tickets for non-members are $10 (general admission). Sunday, January 17th at 2pm there will also be a discussion and presentation with Janet Delaney.
Embodiments: Masterworks of African Figurative Sculpture opens in the textile gallery upstairs (tickets $10) on January 31st. Running for six months, the exhibition highlights the variety of human forms in African art.
Happy New Year, Upper Haighters!
