North Beach Week: Wharf Fest, Moby Dick Marathon Reading, SF Open Studios, More

North Beach Week: Wharf Fest, Moby Dick Marathon Reading, SF Open Studios, MorePhoto: Ashlelgh Nushawg/Flickr
Mike Pinzuti
Published on October 23, 2015

Let's take a look back at the week that was around North Beach.

Several area have closed, including Alla Prima Lingerie at 1420 Grant Ave., Chicken Pollo at 362 Columbus Ave. and Urban Sidewalk at 218 Columbus Ave. On the flip side, other establishments are getting ready to open their doors, including Le Chat Rouge, the French bakery at 1314 Grant Ave., which is confident its opening day is right around the corner.

Of particular note is the not-yet-opened business Terrific Street (1534 Grant Ave.) which created a mini firestorm with its window display featuring "canned parrots". One local resident described it as "the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in North Beach in the 25 years I've lived here, sparking plenty of debate.

The new Sam Wo hosted a ribbon cutting on Wednesday as it opened its new digs at 713 Clay St. Rev. Norman Fong, nightclub owner and SF Entertainment Commission member Steven Lee and founding executive director of Chinatown Community Development Center Gordon Chin all spoke at the event, while Central Station Capt. David Lazar and Deputy Chief Garret Tom were also in attendance. 

The Sacramento Bee recently focused in on Schein & Schein, the antique map store at 1435 Grant Ave., noting that "... even in this era when digital trumps analog in all things, there apparently is still interest in poring over the physical and tactile details of streets and landmarks, either still around or long since plowed under."

The Telegraph Hill coyote—which we've covered before—was caught on video this week "strolling" near tourists and locals. Though apparently harmless, park officials reiterated their recommendation to keep dogs on leash in the area.

On the rarely quiet housing development front, the Sierra Club's San Francisco group has been pulled into the debate over housing projects at 8 Washington condo project on the Embarcadero—as well as the SoMa developments at 75 Howard and 160 Folsom—with pro-development activists looking to elect more like-minded individuals to the Sierra Club's local chapters and executive committees.

The Port of San Francisco hosted a Waterfront Vision Workshop this week for community members to share ideas on the future of Port development. The group will meet again on November 17th, and will againbe open to the public.

A 59-year-old man was left with life-threatening injuries early Monday after he was assaulted by two others outside of King of Thai Noodle House (1268 Grant Ave.) near the corner of Grant and Vallejo. No suspects have been detained. Local residents have said the area, including the neighboring Fresno Street alley, have seen "ongoing issues with drug dealing, fights, people camping out, gunfire, muggings and assaults on that particular block."

Several publications noted that the latest episode of Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain rolled through town last weekend. Eater SF has a nice breakdown of where the celebrity chef hung out during his stay, which included a meal at Coi (373 Broadway) and grabbing a beer at the recently-bankrupt Sinbads (141 The Embarcadero).

Bimbo's 365 Club (1025 Columbus Ave.) is hosting Taste San Francisco tonight, one of ten national events organized by the James Beard Foundation. The event starts at 5:30pm and tickets will get you a taste of food prepared by Suzette Gresham, Chris Marchino, Rocky Maselli, Craig Stoll and Staffan Terje. Down the road at 7:30pm, the Beat Museum (540 Broadway) is hosting a reading of Great Weather for Media's latest anthology Before Passing, which includes poetry and short fiction from all around the world.

And now, on to your weekend events:

Saturday, October 24th

Bikes to Books: Enjoy a 7.1 mile tour of the city by tracking where notable literary minds spent their time while in San Francisco. While the ride starts on Jack London Street in South Park, it ends outside City Lights (261 Columbus Ave.) and includes quite a few stops in the area. The ride is free; more information can be found at burritojustice.com.

Bobbie Webb & Smooth Blues: The Bay Area saxophonist will perform a free show along the Bay at Pier 23 starting at 8pm. (Pier 23, Embarcadero)

Bobby Slayton: The "Pitbull of Comedy" from New York will perform two sets at the Punch Line Comedy Club, 7:30pm & 9:30pm. (444 Battery St.)

Cinema Arts Celebrates Food Day: Join this Exploratorium event and view a series of short documentaries and animations to help celebrate Food Day, a nationwide push "inspiring Americans to change their diets and food policies." The film Food for Thought , Food for Life will be shown at 11am and a 30-minute slate of short films will be shown at 2pm. (Pier 15 at Green Street)

Joe Cohen: The local saxophonist, who has appeared with notable performers like Bobby McFerrin, KRS-One and the Digital Underground, will play Rose Pistola starting at 9pm. (532 Columbus Ave.)

Mary Lynn Rajskub: The actress and comedian—perhaps best known for her role on Fox's 24—will perform sets at Cobb's Comedy Club, 7:30pm & 9:45pm. 

Moby Dick Marathon Reading: Taking place from Saturday at noon until Sunday at noon, the marathon will feature more than 100 readers and performers who bring the Herman Melville classic to life along with food trucks and a beer and coffee stand. The event is free and you can sign up to read a chapter or two on the event website. (Ft Mason Firehouse, 2 Marina Blvd.)

SF Open Studios: The oldest and largest open studio program in the country rolls though North Beach and the Ft. Mason area this weekend. You can RSVP to win art-centric prizes or use this custom Google Map to explore participating open studios. Check the group's flier for all the weekend's information and activities.

The UnOriginals: The Concord-based cover band returns to Maggie McGarry's stage beginning at 10pm. (1353 Grant Ave.)

The Sunrunners: The SF-based rock 'n' roll group will headline the evening at Doc's Lab with special opening by the SF pop band The Y Axes. Doors open at 8pm. (124 Columbus Ave.)  

Tony Perez and Second Hand Smoke: The R&B/Funk four piece will entertain the crowds at Tupelo from 9:30pm - 1am. (1337 Grant Ave.)

Wharf Fest: The annual event returns from 11am–5pm for its third year in a row at Fisherman's Wharf, featuring artists, artisans, music, and the popular chowder cook-off. Check out our coverage of the event for more information.

Sunday, October 25th

Chuy Gomez and For The People Comedy: Cobb's Comedy Club presents the Hot 105.7's DJ's show The Funny Drop—a show with top comedians, musical guests, and local artists—at 7:30pm., featuring a guest appearance by Frankie Quinones and music by DJ Sol Wright.

Full Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Join Exploratorium staff scientists as they explain all the things science fiction has predicted and a handful of things they got wrong. Shows being at 1pm and 3pm.  

The Texas Ramblers: Some "foot stompin' country music" is headed your way courtesy of Pier 23. The free show starts at 5pm.

Electric Squeezebox Orchestra: The 17-piece big band welcomes guest conductor Rob Ewing to their Sunday show at Doc's Lab, beginning at 5:30pm.

SF Comedy Showcase: The showcase of up-and-coming SF comedians returns for its weekly 8pm performance at the Punch Line Comedy Club. 

The Love Gangsters: The five-man funk group ends the weekend festivities at Tupelo starting at 9pm. 

The Quaadudes: The SF-based cover band plays Maggie McGarry's in the afternoon, from 4pm-8pm. 

Tumbledown House: This "gritty saloon jazz" outfit will perform at Rose Pistola starting at 8pm. 

Did we miss anything good? Let us know in the comments, and enjoy your weekend!