It's been another active week in North Beach and the surrounding neighborhoods. New steps to keep cable car riders and operators safe have been introduced, a downed tree disrupted the Wednesday morning commute and some unlikely tourist heroes thwarted a car theft on Lombard. On the food front, there's a new Specialty's and a sliders and whiskey joint coming to the Financial District to look forward to.
Looking towards next week, the third annual Salesian Beer & Food Fest fundraiser goes down next Friday (680 Filbert St.) while the new Hue Lounge and Nightclub (447 Broadway) officially opens next Saturday. Neighbors can get a sneak peek of Hue from 5–9pm tomorrow, via a community open house at the newly renovated space.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy this weekend. As you'll see below, this Saturday brings both the inaugural Off Broadway Summer Fest and the annual Festa Coloniale Italiana festival just off Washington Square Park. If that's not enough, there's a music festival in Chinatown and a craft spirits carnival over at Fort Mason. Did we mention it'll be 80 degrees as well?
Saturday, August 15th
Bicycle Science: Listen to an Exploratorium educator discuss cycle science, in addition to skill-building activities and bike routes around the area. The class begins at 10:30am and is open only to museum members. (Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green St.)
Bimbo's 365: SF-based cover band outfit The Peelers will open for Foreverland, a 14-piece Tribute to Michael Jackson, beginning at 8pm. (1025 Columbus Ave.)
Chinatown Music Festival: The sixth annual music festival is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chinese Culture Center this year. The festival is free and open to the public, including line, swing and Mongolian dance performances with an emphasis on Chinese culture and traditions. The event kicks off at 11am at Portsmouth Square. (733 Kearny St.)
Cobb's Comedy Club: Saturday Night Live comedian Jay Pharoah will perform sets at 7:30pm and 9:45pm. (915 Columbus Ave.)
Cotsirilos Trio: The jazz trio performs at Rose Pistola at 9pm. (532 Columbus Ave.)
Craft Spirits Carnival: Ft. Mason will host the "world's largest tasting room for hand-crafted spirits" this weekend between 2-5pm. Along with Polynesian dancers and other entertainment, the carnival will feature over 150 premium spirits from around the world for sampling and purchase, including dozens from the California Artisanal Distillers Guild. (2 Marina Blvd.)
Festa Coloniale Italiana: Billed as the "only strictly Italian festival in San Francisco", the eighth annual Festa Coloniale Italiana, sponsored by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, runs from 9:30am-6:30pm 1630 Stockton St. This year's event will include a slate of Italian singers and performers, a pizza toss with Tony Gemignani of Tony's Pizza Napoletana and plenty of vendors showcasing everything from Italian food and wine to Vespa scooters.
Fiddle Music of Ireland: Experience traditional Irish music led by National Park Rangers and learn about its importance to maritime history and culture aboard the Balclutha, from 1-2pm. (2905 Hyde St.)
Looking Back on the Bay: Included with the price of admission to the Exploratorium, hear stories from shipmen and swimmers on their unique perspectives of the SF Bay, including a showing of the time-lapse short film Life by the Tide, starting at 1pm.
North Beach Immigrant Diet: Learn about anti-aging and healthy lifestyles techniques from nutritionist Vernadette Festa at the North Beach Library at 1pm. (850 Columbus Ave.)
Off Broadway Summer Pop Up: Sponsored by the Top of Broadway Community Benefit District, this free event is designed to reintroduce traditional North Beach to locals, featuring more than 100 local artists, makers and designers along with games for kids and a beer garden. The event runs from runs from noon–6pm, along Kearny Street south of Broadway and around the corner on Pacific Avenue. Check out additional Hoodline coverage of this new event here.
Paddington Film: Need another family-friendly event this weekend? The North Beach Library will show Paddington for free—complete with free popcorn—beginning at 3pm.
Punch Line Comedy Club: MADtv vet Matt Braunger performs sets at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. (444 Battery St.)
Seven Minutes in Purgatory: A new twist on the comedy show: comedians perform their sets directly to a camera, without the benefit of an audience reaction. The 8pm show will feature comedians from across California: Ian Abramson, Megan Koester, Kaseem Bentley, Mary Van Note, Natasha Muse, Matt Lieb, Jane Harrison and Land Smith. (124 Columbus Ave.)
Shantytown: The SF rock/blues/funk outfit plays to the Saturday night crowd at Tupelo, starting at 9:30pm. (1337 Grant Ave.)
Superbad: The SF-based four-piece cover band hits the stage at Maggie McGarry's, beginning at 10pm.
(1353 Grant Ave.)
Sunday, August 16th
Cobb's Comedy Club: The Office alum Mike E. Winfield performs at 7:30pm.
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, with Special Guest John Santos: The 17-piece big band returns for their 5:30pm Sunday-night shift at Doc's Lab, along with a Grammy-nominated percussionist.
Mal Sharpe's Big Money in Jazz: The SF-native's jazz outfit performs every Sunday (2:30pm & 5:30pm) at the Fior d' Italia. (2237 Mason St.)
Patrick Wolff: The NYC native saxophonist and bandleader performs at Rose Pistola at 8pm.
Punch Line Comedy Club: The SF Comedy Showcase, featuring up-and-coming SF comedians, returns for its weekly 8pm performance.
Ship Chat with Exploration Vessel Nautilus: Live from Deep California: At the Exploratorium, join a live chat with scientists and educators on board the Exploration Vessel Nautilus as it explores the ecosystem off the coasts of California and Canada.
Did we miss anything going on this weekend? Let us know in the comments.
