Friday, Oct. 9: Lyrics Born at the New Parish. The East Bay hip-hop veteran headlines a special, jazz-inflected show in Oakland, featuring Galactic’s Robert Mercurio, Ben Ellman and Corey Henry (all of whom were instrumental in the production of LB’s Real People); DJ Shortkut, and special guests from the Jazz Mafia, like tireless musician-about-town Adam Theis. $20; details here.
Saturday, Oct. 10: Wing Wings Chicken Wing Eating Contest at SoMa StrEat Food Park. Not like you really need an excuse to partake in — or just gawk at — this annual celebration of America’s favorite appetizer, but all funds raised at this glorious, gluttonous gathering will go to the arts education non-profit Precita Eyes. Participants are asked to raise $150 as an entry fee, but it’s free to attend, and you can count on food galore, live painting and music, kids’ activities, and a raffle from local businesses. Details here.
Saturday, Oct. 10: Ocean Beach Music and Art Festival. The Outer Sunset doesn’t get enough love among SF’s newest residents — but for locals, that’s just fine: it keeps the rents (almost, kinda) reasonable, and makes (free!) festivals like this one totally manageable in size and attendance. That said this is a killer lineup, with Destroyer, Down Dirty Shake, Travis Hayes and others taking over six stages. Also featured: multiple beer gardens, more food vendors than a person could ever need, a mobile petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, and a chance to stroll leisurely up and down Noriega in the sunshine. Did we mention it’s free? Details here.
Sunday, Oct. 11: Aliens at the New Parkway (Bechdel Test Movie Night). This excellent series focusing on films that feature at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man also affords movie-goers the opportunity to take in one of the best sci-fi flicks of the last 50 years. There’s also the opportunity to learn a thing or two, if you stay for a post-film discussion with local artist and educator Cheryl Dunye. Need a primer on the Bechdel Test before you go? Read KQED Arts’ Sarah Hotchkiss in discussion with Dunye over here. $10; details here.
Sunday, Oct. 11: 1st Annual Gilman Reunion and Block Party. If you’ve ever set foot inside Berkeley’s legendary punk club 924 Gilman, you know it’s so much more than a music venue. And if you haven’t? Well, no time like the present. This free event opens the space to the public, with a tour, presentations from DIY artists, musicians, food, and tables from local friend organizations like AK Press. Like all things Gilman, this one’s all-ages, to boot. Details here.
Sunday, Oct. 11 – Monday, Oct. 12: Breaking a Monster at the Mill Valley Film Festival. There’s a seriously overwhelming slate of cinema at the Mill Valley Film Festival, but for months we’ve had our eye on this little documentary about a Brooklyn metal trio, Unlocking the Truth, who garnered international hype before they hit age 14. Bring a kid who dreams of rock stardom for a sneak peek at the possibilities (and pitfalls) of attaining fame at the same time as, uh, puberty. $15; details here.