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Culture

22 fun things to do this week, from a caviar gala to a rooftop circus

Which events are worth checking out this week? We'll help you choose.

A lively group of performers in colorful costumes and hats pose energetically in front of a cityscape, with some playing musical instruments.
Catch Circus Bella at the Hayes Valley Carnival or Salesforce Park. | Source: Emil Alex

Outgoers is a weekly column published in partnership with the event newsletter of the same name founded by Josh Constine. Each week, Outgoers texts readers a list of San Francisco events and activities worthy of their time. The Standard features those events, plus a few extra, every week. Sign up for Outgoers by clicking this link on your phone (a third-party service).

Unstaged Mid-Market block party 

Interactive art experiences, including plein air painting, dot Market between 5th and 6th for this all-ages event, along with DJs, dance contests, and drinks for sale.

Website
Unstaged
Date and time
Thursday, July 17, 4 to 7 p.m. 
Address
Event map

‘Rooftop Radio’ at SFMOMA

The museum’s art-covered roof patio hosts DJ sets courtesy of Seattle station KEXP, and seven floors of galleries are open if your ears need a break. Limited tickets are sold on-site.

A lively group of people at an outdoor event are smiling, cheering, and holding drinks, with a woman in a white jacket raising her hands in excitement.
Source: Adam Jacobs/SFMoMa
Website
SFMOMA
Date and time
Thursday, July 27, 6 p.m.

Fridays on Front Street

Noise Pop curates a lineup of live music at this new entertainment district where you can drink in the streets, check out food pop-ups, play beer-pong, and watch the Giants on a big screen.

People on street.
Source: Downtown SF Partnership
Date and time
Friday, July 18, 4 to 10 p.m. 

Fort Mason Center night market

If you can brave the long lines, this waterfront market features dozens of food vendors, more than 100 craft booths curated by West Coast Craft, DJs, a full bar, and lovely sunset views.

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Date and time
Friday, July 18, 4 p.m.

Minted downtown party

This weekly block party at Mint Plaza features local favorite J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science playing jazz house.

Website
Minted
Date and time
Friday, July 18, 5 to 9 p.m. 
Address
Mint Plaza

Cello & Chill cat cafe concert

Snuggle up with dozens of adoptable cats at KitTea while cellist Susanna Porte plays classical and modern music. The $40 ticket includes a drink.

Date and time
Friday, July 18, 7 to 8 p.m. 

Presidio pop-up roller disco 

A historic building will transform into a temporary roller disco playing hits by Michael Jackson and Prince.

Date and time
Friday, July 18, 8 to 11 p.m. 

Danny Tenaglia extended set

The house music legend headlines this “As You Like It” party with an all-night set, joined by David Harness and a second room of local selectors.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Friday, July 18, 9 p.m.

Texture Summit rave 

This SF crew curates a lineup of hypnotic house and tech DJs headlined by Mari.Te and Lis Sarroca in a steamy secret location.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Friday, July 18, 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

114th Hayes Valley Carnival 

Celebrate SF’s cutest walking street with Circus Bella shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., plus carnival games, prizes, and space to relax on Patricia’s Green at this free block party.

A group of performers in colorful costumes joyfully pose in front of a red circus tent with streamers flying above them, under a clear blue sky.
Source: Emil Alex
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 12 to 4 p.m.

Parks4All Brewfest

Twenty local breweries pour unlimited tastings alongside live music, food trucks, and lawn games at this benefit for the Parks Conservancy in the Presidio.

Two women walk dogs at a lively outdoor event. People sit on blankets, tents are in the background, and there's a cheerful, bustling atmosphere.
Source: Kelly Sullivan/Parks Conservancy
Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 12 to 4 p.m.

Chet Faker daytime set 

The electronic crooner plays an intimate DJ set under Audio’s skylight, with the Funktion-One sound system.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 1 p.m.

San Francisco Story Fest

Catch a night of live journalism, music, and storytelling featuring reporters from The Standard, including Culture Editor Emily Dreyfuss, as well as KQED, Mother Jones, and Muni Diaries, for fans of the old Pop-Up Magazine.

Woman speaking at a theatre.
Source: StoryFest
Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 7 p.m.

National Caviar Day party 

The “This ain’t our first roe-deo” Western gala will feature 40 pounds of caviar, plus bands, elevated hors d’oeuvres, and lasso performances at the gorgeous Saint Joseph’s Arts Society.

Three women are joyfully dancing in a vibrant room with purple lighting, surrounded by other people. One holds a drink, while another has her arm raised.
Source: The Caviar Co.
Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 7 to 10 p.m.

Do You Like Tiekno? rave

Detroit Burning Man techno crew red.it.be throws a pre-playa warehouse party bathed in its signature red lights, with hypnotic sets at high BPMs from Fait Accompli, tsurantino, Tomio Ueda, and Clarity.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Recoherence rave

This inclusive underground party features NYC’s Evelyn and cmd_ctrl shaking up a secret warehouse ’til sunrise with pounding techno and a custom light system.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, July 19, 10 p.m.

Sunday Streets in the Mission

A mile of Valencia Street goes car-free with live music, games, dancing, and family fun on SF’s hippest thoroughfare that’s now approved for outdoor drinking.

Two kids play street soccer, with others walking nearby. A boy in a white shirt chases the ball, while a boy in a black jersey watches. There's a mini goal ahead.
Source: Sunday Street SF
Date and time
Sunday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Circus Bella at Salesforce Park

Acrobats, aerialists, clowns, and a band bring old-school circus energy to two free shows at Salesforce Park’s rooftop amphitheater.

Date and time
Sunday, July 20, 1 and 3 p.m.

Girl Talk and Chromeo at Stern Grove

The master of frenetic remixes and glam funk rockers play the redwood forest in the Sunset. (Chromeo plays a pre-party at Space 550.) Last-minute tickets are available Saturday.

Date and time
Sunday, July 20, 1 p.m.

Falkor’s 12th Birthday

Part performance art, part celebrity-dog birthday party, Falkor returns to Gray Area for a meet-and-greet and party alongside mind-bending DJs. The pooch will somehow perform an experimental noise set.
 

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Sunday July 20, 3 p.m.

Nudie Nubie’s burlesque finals

The Bay Area’s funniest and fiercest amateur burlesque stars strip for the crown in this cheeky showdown hosted by RedBone.

Website
Tickets
Date and time
Sunday, July 20, 7 to 9 p.m.

Pizza, Bagel & Beer Festival

Tickets sell out fast, so we’re giving you an early heads-up that Tony of Tony’s Pizza is hosting two blocks of unlimited slices, bagels, beer tastings, and live music in the heart of North Beach to raise money for local charities.

People are at a pizza event, with chefs and attendees posing by pizza displays. One person is tossing dough, demonstrating a pizza-making skill.
Source: SFIAC Foundation
Website
Tickets
Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 16, 12 p.m.

Josh Constine can be reached at outgoers@sfstandard.com