The Bay Area's shelter-in-place order has brought countless events usually held as in-person gatherings online. 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 San Francisco online event calendar for Monday, August 17. Make sure you are ready to vote in November, join a book club or tune in to a virtual open mic night.

Getting Ready to Vote in November

This virtual event presented by the SF Department of Elections will help you make sure you’re registered to vote, and fill you in on what's happening this fall with mail-in ballots and polling places. Do you have other questions about what's on the November ballot? Come get answers and more during this session.

When: Monday, August 17, 1 p.m.

How to join: Via Community Living Campaign

Price: Free

Democratic National Convention Day 1: Bernie, Michelle Obama, Amy Kobluchar

Then, watch the Democratic National Convention together with Mission-based community space Manny's. 

The event will officially kick off a race to win the White House and determine who controls the House and Senate. Although we still can’t partake in physical watch parties that were once a staple of Manny's, this will be an opportunity to watch and experience the convention together as a community.

Guest speakers on the first day include Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama. 

When: Monday, August 17, 5 p.m.

How to join: Via Eventbrite

Price: Free

Book Club: Citizen by Claudia Rankine

Later, join a Social Justice Book Club focusing on antiracism, exploring systemic racism and inequity. This session will feature a discussion of “Citizen,” a collection of essays by Claudia Rankine, featuring poetry and images that expose the racial tensions in 21st-century life.

When: Monday, August 17, 7 p.m.

How to join: Via Zoom

Price: Free

Drop-In Story Club: Cul-de-sac by Edith Pearlman

Tune in as the Jewish Community Library presents “Cul-de-Sac,” from Edith Pearlman’s 2015 collection, “Honeydew.” The story focuses on four middle-aged women attempting to avoid an insufferable chatterbox of a neighbor. Their efforts to elude said neighbor reveal perceptive insights.

Local author Jim Van Buskirk will lead the discussion.

When: Monday, August 17, 7 p.m.

How to join: RSVP online

Price: Free

QuaranSING Riptide Monday Night Virtual Open Mic

Finally, join Outer Sunset bar The Riptide for a community open mic night. While in-person gatherings aren't possible yet, that doesn't mean that neighbors can't come together for a sing-along. You can either listen as others sing or perform your favorite song from your living room yourself.

When: Monday, August 17, 7:30 p.m.

How to join: Via Zoom (sign up to sing)

Price: Free