From electronic to blues and jazz, the neighborhood has no shortage of opportunities to catch live music this weekend. But before diving in, here's a recap of this week's local happenings.
First, neighbors near Lower Polk Street won't want to miss our roundup of large-scale projects that could transform the corridor — and shutter Hemlock Tavern — in the near future.
Also on the topic of change, we reported that Castle Club shut its Geary Street doors this summer, after nearly 18 years in the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, 300 banners urging drivers to slow down have been installed on streetlight poles on the city's highest-injury corridors, mainly located across SoMa and the Tenderloin.
And for those who'd like to see artists remain here in San Francisco, the city launched a new open-air art fair where community members can mix, mingle and buy affordable art from local talent.
Now that you're caught up, let's get this weekend started:
Friday, September 18th
In Front of Showdogs, 1020 Market St.
4-8
Host Description: "The Center for New Music will serve as host to a grand piano on San Francisco's Market Street, as part of the 2 BLOCKS OF ART event. C4NM members Jason Rosenberg, Van-Anh Nguyen, and Mohan Sundararaj will perform and invite passersby to play on the temporarily-installed instrument in front of Showdogs, at the intersection of Market Street and 6th Street."
Joe Louis Walker CD Release Show
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7:30 & 10pm
Host Description: "A Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner, Walker celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues. Looking back on his rich history, Walker shares, "I'd like to be known for the credibility of a lifetime of being true to my music and the blues. Sometimes I feel I've learned more from my failures, than from my success. But that's made me stronger and more adventurous. And helped me create my own style . I'd like to think that when someone puts on one of my records they would know from the first notes, 'That's Joe Louis Walker.'"
Mela Tandoori Kitchen, 536 Golden Gate Ave.
Host Description: "Come and hangout with us [Pakistan Association of San Francisco Bay Area] at Mela Tandoori Kitchen."
Saturday, September 19th
Music Production Workshop with Blue Bear School of Music
The Mix @ SFPL, 100 Larkin St.
3-4pm
Host Description: "Teens! Learn how to make music with mentors from Blue Bear School of Music. No previous experience necessary. Aspiring songwriters, singers, rappers interested in producing their own music will learn how to write lyrics, record vocals, make beats and music tracks with mentors from Blue Bear School of Music.
The Basement, 222 Hyde St.
7-10pm
Host Description: "Lyall Behrens records his debut album "Laugh City" at what use to be the legendary Black Hawk Night Club, where Miles Davis & Thelonious Monk recorded albums. Lyall Behrens honed his skills in bay area comedy clubs. He covers human foibles, race, social commentary, relationships, gender equality and pop culture with irreverent swag."
Karen Lovely Band CD Release Party
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7:30 & 10pm
$21
Host Description: "Known for her passionate, driven performances and always backed by stellar musicians, this powerhouse vocalist delivers a blistering mix of contemporary & old school blues. Lovely's standout performances have garnered awards, critical acclaim and standing ovations at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada and Europe."
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St.
7:30pm
$29
Host Description: "The sounds of Empire of the Sun create a vision that seems to come from an alternative reality - a post-apocalyptic psychedelic adventure... The Empire live show became known for its larger-than-life production featuring stunning visuals, dancing swordfish girls, cryo-bazookas and otherworldly special effects."
The Basement, 222 Hyde St.
9pm-2am
Host Description: “Being one of the last rave caves in the city, this is your invitation to an exclusive event where we go back to the roots of electronic music. Get ready to rave it up, and feel the electronic beats from a world-class Funktion One/Turbosound speaker system. With a group of talented DJs, this party will not be like anything else you’ve ever experienced.”
Sunday, September 20th
7th Annual Celebration of Korean Art & Culture
Asian Art Museum
11am-4pm
Host Description: “Celebrate the breadth of Korean and Korean American arts and culture at the Asian Art Museum’s 7th annual Korea Day. This beloved annual festival offers a variety of performances, gallery tours, arts and crafts activities, and food tastings inspired by traditional and contemporary Korean culture.”
Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St.
7pm
$21-$45
Host Description: "The band combines original songs in the New Orleans style with hits and obscurities from the Allen Toussaint and Dr. John songbooks, as well as performing favorites from Radiators, Nevilles and Dirty Dozen repertoire. "
Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason St.
7 & 9pm
$15
Host Description: "Keeping the tradition alive and sticking with the roots, The Kyle Rowland Blues Band dishes out a sauté of boisterous Chicago and swampy Texas blues with a pinch of West Coast swing. Danceable and listenable this show will have you wanting more with your toes tapping into the next morning. His playing exudes genuineness—as if he pains over each blues note from his harmonica, and deeply feels each lyric in his songbook. With a backing band of veteran musicians, The Kyle Rowland Blues Band brings freshness to the blues scene!"
