Whether you choose to attend concerts all around the Bay, compete in a nerdier version of the Winter Olympics or marvel at gravity-defying aerial stunts, this week’s picks have got you covered.
Monday, Feb. 19 | Noise Pop Music and Arts Festival
All this week, the Noise Pop Festival is poised to bring the best indie music to venues across San Francisco and the East Bay. The festival’s lineup is as sound as its venues — you can catch Tune Yards at the legendary Fox Theatre and Parquet Courts at the Fillmore, among the festival’s many other shows. With the festival running until Sunday, music fanatics have much to look forward to with this year’s offerings.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 | The Emporium Olympics in San Francisco
Ever watched the Winter Olympics and thought, “What if it was more nerdy?” Catch the second week of Emporium SF’s Winter Games every night at 7 p.m. until its closing ceremony on Sunday. Compete in free single-day tournaments of pool, foosball and air hockey, or battle for the highest score in a variety of arcade video games — encompassing all the classics, such as “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong.” On Tuesday night, fight to to be the best at “Killer Queen Arcade” — who needs the real Olympics, after all?
Wednesday, Feb. 21 | Black History Month Freedom Quilt Craft in Portola District, SF
As part of its “More than a Month” programming, the San Francisco Public Library’s Portola Meeting Room will be hosting Portola district artist Charles Dabo. Dabo will instruct a workshop on how to make a freedom quilt out of paper, inspired by the sewn freedom quilts of the Alabama “Freedom Quilting Sewing Cooperative.” The Freedom Quilting Bee was founded during the Civil Rights Movement by Black women, who then transformed it into a movement that characterized the American art scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Come to learn more about an important and oft-overlooked part of American history, and perhaps even leave with a memento of your own.
Thursday, Feb. 22 | Premiere of ‘Annihilation’
“Annihilation” is the latest sci-fi thriller from Alex Garland, writer-director of the sleek, cerebral “Ex Machina.” In this film, Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez and Tessa Thompson unite to form the most badass ensemble in recent memory — they’re scientists tasked with exploring an environmental disaster zone, where we can only assume monsters await. Oh, and the internet’s favorite boyfriend, Oscar Isaac, is in it too. Ultimately, the creative team and premise behind “Annihilation” make it one of the year’s most anticipated films.
Saturday, Feb. 24 | ‘Borderline’ at Zellerbach Hall
Soon, Elphaba won’t be the only one defying gravity. On Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., Cal Performances will present “Borderline,” a gravity-defying dance extravaganza from dancers Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez. The show promises to explore themes of freedom and constraint through the choreography of six dancers, each attached to an aerial rigging system that allows them to soar across the Zellerbach Hall stage. The gorgeous visuals suggested by the show’s premise suggest that the price of admission will be well worth it.
