The Bay Area's shelter-in-place order has brought countless events usually held as in-person gatherings online. This week, we're aiming to support local businesses in San Francisco and Oakland by highlighting five of these events each day.
Got a suggestion for an online event based in SF or Oakland? Email our events reporter, Teresa Hammerl.
Here's your SF events calendar for Thursday, April 2. You can join an online art walk, a virtual science party and an ecstatic dance session — all from the comfort of your couch while sheltering in place.
Q&A with SFMTA director Jeffrey Tumlin
With revenues dropping amid the shelter-in-place, a lot of locals are concerned about Muni's future. This lunchtime Q&A with the SFMTA's top dog, Jeffrey Tumlin, is an opportunity to hear and discuss proposals related to Muni fares and service, as well bike projects, pedestrian infrastructure, taxis, parking, street improvements and more. Share your ideas and let the city agency know your priorities for the 2021-2022 SFMTA budget.
When: Thursday, April 2, 11:30 a.m.
How to join: Via SFMTA's website
Price: Free
First Thursday Art Walk goes online
The Lower Polk and Tenderloin's First Thursday Art Walk is switching to an online format due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Join creatives who will be live streaming their art-making process from their homes, including live painting, live music or a "letterpress 101" session.
When: Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m.
How to join: Via the art walk's website
Price: Free
Social(ist) distancing with Jackie Fielder
After March's runoff election, democratic socialist and SF Public Bank Coalition leader Jackie Fielder is set to challenge Scott Wiener for SF's State Senate seat in the fall. Tonight, she's hosting a digital hangout where voters can discuss issues affecting them, or just share their experiences of the COVID-19 crisis. ("Stuck inside? Kinda bored? Feeling anxious about the virus? So am I," she writes.)
When: Thursday, April 2, 6 p.m.
How to join: Via Hovercast
Price: Free
Virtual ecstatic dance with DJ Gabriel Francisco
Party in your living room with DJ Gabriel Francisco, who has played sets in Europe, Thailand, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. He's hosting an ecstatic dance session and party on Zoom, with the goal of "sonic support for the soul, binding past, releasing present and moving the future!"
When: Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.
How to join: Via Zoom
Price: Donation-based; Venmo (@gabriel-francisco-2) or Paypal ([email protected])
NightLife & Friends
This week, the California Academy of Sciences' NightLife event is going online. Learn to mix yourself a cocktail with long-time NightLife mixologist Shane McKnight, then get a crash course in shark science with Sharktoberfest regular Vicky Vásquez and astronomy with planetarium presenter Josh Roberts.
Artist and illustrator Nigel Sussman will teach guests to draw in real-time, as DJ King Most deconstructs one of his remixes. Finally, take a moment for self-care during a short guided meditation led by WITHIN.
When: Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m.
How to join: Via YouTube (reminders available)
Price: Free
Midday break
Need a virtual pick-me-up between now and this evening? Watch SF Zoo penguins Glide, Spartacus and Foster explore the shuttered zoo or take a look at some goats having a snack.
