COOL HAPPENINGS ~ rad / unique / authentic ~ Bay Area

An extensive, diverse (arts & culture) events-list of : engaging community gatherings, empowering social events, interactive workshops, fun art parties, DIY happenings, and radical art-activism. (inclusively under $30-free, updated weekly)
* Submit an event below (end of list) *

• listed by richie rhombus

<<< NOVEMBER >>>

WENSDAY
11/13-24 : SF 27th Anniversary San Francisco Transgender Film Festival The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival (SFTFF) celebrates 27 years of innovative, experimental, and outside-the-box films by transgender and gender-nonconforming filmmakers. ($17)

FRIDAY
11/15 : SF , Sundown Full Moon Water Ritual @ sundown - check time "Join us at Sundown. Each month, participants can connect and ritualize themselves with the waters of their home. This monthly act will be facilitated by artists and culture bearers from Bayview and around the Bay Area. (Free)[11/15 : SF, 6-9pm] 415 Zine Shindig
SAVE THE DATE! We’re mixing things up at Madrone Art Bar! Come party with us & meet the artists you admire from 415 ZINE issues!
Check out Madrone’s special 20th anniversary art show while at the Shindig! Unleash your creativity with a collaborative art project while savoring local beers from Original Pattern! (Free)[11/15 : Oakland 7-9] Beatnik Nite “Hold on to your berets, Beatnik Nite is coming to town! Join us at the Rock Paper Scissors gallery on Friday, November 15th, for a night of the written (and spoken) word. We’ll have poetry, prose, coffee, cigarettes (outside, duhh), bongos, and vibes.Beatnik attire and masks encouraged! Please respect each other and the spaceSATURDAY
11/16 : Treasure Island 2pm
[Presentation on The Ramaytush Ohlone: Original Peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula] “Join us on November 16th for a presentation by Gregg Castro, Culture Director of the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone. The Ramaytush Ohlone inhabited the area that includes San Francisco and the Peninsula. His presentation will provide insight into issues regarding cultural preservation, protection, education and traditional practice.” (free)11/16, SF , 1-3pm]
Community Discussion — Post-Election: A Call to Action
“Join the discussion on the election results, unfolding events, and most importantly, how we can come together and organize to defend our rights. The best antidote to election anxiety is collective discussion and action! “ ($3-5 donation)SUNDAY
11/17: SF The Moth: Story Slam Open Mic Competition The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…REUNION: Prepare a five-minute story about coming together. Rekindling old connections, finding familiar faces, or avoiding your old high school nemesis. Reuniting with a long-lost pet, your long distance BFF at the airport, or the remote that was buried in the couch cushions. Step into the realm of nostalgia, where memories, people, and places are lost and found. Reunited, and it feels so good. ($17.50)WENSDAY
[11/20 Berkeley, 2-2:50am] (Pop up Family Dance
Come shake it up with us in the park, library or Luna’s studio! Join our FREE family creative dance classes for all ages and spark your weekends with joyful movement! Limited to 30 participants, RSVP required. (Free)[11/20: Oakland ,7-9pm] Kinky People of Color Happy Hour (Oakland) "This is the monthly meetup for Kinky People of Color Bay Area, Hosted by JohnSmile, Adonis, and TinyKittenLia. Bring your joy and experience. Let's connect, check in, talk about topics of sex-positivity and kink, and growing in the POC community. This event is open to all experience levels, and the level of your involvement is entirely up to you. Be easy on yourself too, and take a moment to step away and breathe if you need to. This is held in a public space, and allies are welcome to this mixer event." *Happy Hour Rules
You must read and agree to these happy hour/meetup rules, which you can read here: fetlife.com/groups/144564/group_posts/12502094 (free)[11/20 : SF , 4:30] SF Fix-it clinics are events where everyone is welcome to bring a broken item to learn how to repair it. We host a toy making workshop every Wednesday and will be hosting a fixt it clinic on November 20th for all broken toys: mechanical toys, games missing pieces, electronics, plushies... We have tools (3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons) that can be used for repair. Our toys experts will explain how the toy may be repaired, and you will work with your child on fixing it. This is a great learning opportunity for the whole family. Each child may bring one toy to fix. Children should be accompanied by an adult. All ages. (free)THURSDAY
11/21 : Oakland Scrap Babies a Queer Craft Club (The event is free and open to all LGBTQ)11/21 : Oakland, 7-10 ] Bonobo Network Presents: Ignite After Dark Sixteen speakers give 5 minute talks on sex, relationships, and other tremendously adult topics. ($28)[11/21 : Oakland ; 7pm] Oakland to All Mini-Ball: Fashion, Runway and Vogue Competition Ballroom culture blends voguing performance and runway competition, and carries a legacy in the LGBTQ+ community beginning in the 1920s. This event features a panel discussion featuring Bay Area legends and a deluxe ball. Four categories inspired by the news media industry will be interpreted through a ballroom lens. Only one person can win per category and take home the trophy and the bragging rights. ($10)SATURDAY
[11/23 : East Bay] Strike Debt Bay Area Book Group: Breaking Together, by Jem Bendell Strike Debt Bay Area hosts this non-technical book group discussion monthly on new and radical economic thinking. (free)[11/23 : Oakland 1:30-3:30] Heat Embossing "Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll carve and create you own raised design. In this 2 hour workshop you'll learn about drawing and cutting out your design in linoleum block, then transferring your image from the linoleum to a paper surface using embossing powder and a heat gun. At the end of the class you'll go home with your own uniquely designed image and lino block stamp."[11/23 , SF 4-10pm ] Bay Area Rising Listening Party "Bay Area Rising is a community-based organization that hosts intimate listening parties in unique spaces around San Francisco. We strive to build a community, safe space, and stage to promote rising independent artists around the bay. With every new show, we team up with local businesses and artists, so that as we grow, the community grows with us. For this show, we will transform the historic Palace Hotel into an interactive stage where rising artists, designers, and performers from the Bay Area and across the country unite to celebrate artistic expression."
(Cost: $30 with code PALACE112324 )[11/23 : Berkeley ] Common ground screening and potluck “Transition Berkeley and the East Bay Permaculture Guild invite you to attend a Movie & Potluck event to watch and discuss the film "Common Ground," which profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.” ($5)SUNDAY
[11/24 : Oakland, 1-3] Make Ink from Plants Learn to make botanical ink for drawing, painting and printmaking. We’ll start by learning about the basic science on pigments in plants and some history on how different plants have been cultivated for color in art-making. Next, we’ll use botanical materials found and grown locally to make primarily water-based inks using similar methods to natural dyeing. Take home one ink to use and the knowledge to make more. ($28.50)11/24 : Oakland, 7pm] Invisible World , poetry and hiphop showcase 1st Half: Poetry and Hip Hop performances Intermission (Food ) 2nd Half: Open Mic ($15)[11/24 : Berkeley 6-10] Queer Jazz Jam
“Come to our inaugural Queer Jazz Jam. We aim to create a space that is welcoming to all skill levels and instruments to collaborate and create music together. A piano is provided, bring your own horn, or just come and listen and support!” ($15)THURSDAY
[11/28 SF, 4:15 am] Alcatraz’s Indigenous Peoples’ Sunrise Ceremony (2024) Alcatraz Island | Alcatraz Island, 94133 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco The Indigenous Peoples’ Day sunrise gathering are organized by the International Indian Treaty Council commemorating the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes.
(event is free , ferry is $15.50)FRIDAY
[11/29, Berkeley, 10am] Shellnound to Shellmound prayer walk This year’s annual Shellmound 2 Shellmound Prayer walk will honor the legacy of beloved warrior Wounded Knee De’Ocampo who transitioned on October 7th 2024.
Wounded Knee was known for showing up for the people, being a water protector and for being a part of The Longest Walk that began in 1978, starting from the Bay Area to Washington D.C.
Wounded Knee was also monumental in the movements to protect sacred sites, one of those sites being Sogorea Te’, which is now known as Glen Cove in Vallejo. (Free)SATURDAY
[11/30 : SF, 6pm] Raining Chainsaw's Art Factory "November 30th at Raining Chainsaws, starting at 6pm, join us for another Art Factory! We'll have stations and supplies to make homemade variations on lots of holiday traditions. It's an excuse to absorb a bit of the genuine seasonal warmth many of us are in need of, and exercise our own creativity. Let's get weird with it!" ($10)

<<< DECEMBER >>>

THURSDAY
12/5-7 : SF Sa Ating Ninuno (To Our Ancestors) & Border / Line خط التماس (performance)
Border / Line is a zajal-infused theatrical journey by Halim and Jess, unfolding in three chapters that traverse the landscapes of Lebanese village life, migration, and cultural hybridization. This immersive play intertwines narratives of identity, tradition, and modernity, using a dynamic ribbon as a central motif to represent the fluidity of borders. It challenges and redefines concepts of purity and arrival, wondering about cultural fusion and the evolution of identity as a form of weaving rather than bridging, engaging audiences in an interactive, somatic re-narrativization of migration and Lebanese culture specifically and Arab culture more generally. ($30 , NOTAFLOF)WENSDAY
[12 /11 - Oakland, CA -@ Grand Opening]
A People's History of American Music
A new lecture / film / slideshow that attempts to tell the entire history of North American music in ninety minutes guiding you through this whirlwind presentation of archival film, sound clips and images.[12/11 : Berkeley, 6:30] Year Anniversary of Open Mic Nights at Lumen Labs! “We are celebrating the 1-Year Anniversary of Open Mic Nights at Lumen Labs! Join us for a magical evening featuring a very special performance to close out the night & wrap up an incredible year! ~ : Join us for celebratory snacks & good conversation, while we get the show started! Performances: 6:45 - 9:00pm Special Guest Performance "Maritte (from Echomarine band) ": 9:05 – 9:30pm!” (free)[12/11 Berkeley, 2-2:50am] (Pop up Family Dance
Come shake it up with us in the park, library or Luna’s studio! Join our FREE family creative dance classes for all ages and spark your weekends with joyful movement! Limited to 30 participants, RSVP required. (Free)THURSDAY
[12 /12 - SF, CA -@ 4star Theater]
A People's History of American Music
A new lecture / film / slideshow that attempts to tell the entire history of North American music in ninety minutes guiding you through this whirlwind presentation of archival film, sound clips and images.SUNDAY
12/15 Berkeley, 10-10:50am] (Pop up Family Dance
Come shake it up with us in the park, library or Luna’s studio! Join our FREE family creative dance classes for all ages and spark your weekends with joyful movement! Limited to 30 participants, RSVP required. (Free)12/15 : SF] The Ballad of Mrs. Claus Mrs. Claus is coming to San Francisco. The Unsung Society proudly presents “The Ballad of Mrs. Claus” on Sunday December 15 at 8p at Raining Chainsaws. We all know Santa’s story, but what about Mrs. Claus? We don’t even know her first name! Join us for this exclusive one night only holiday show featuring a variety of artists showcasing original pieces inspired by the untold story of Mrs. Claus. Stay tuned for ticket info and the announcement of this year’s new cohort.

<<< WEEKLY >>>

MON-NIGHTS
[ SF] Circuit hacking Monday, @ noisebridge (free)[ SF] Gettin Knit:Knitting Nights Get together on with some very talented and creative knitters. If you can knit (or crochet hooker) or if you want to learn come on by and enjoy the company of like minded folk.[ Oakland, 7:30 ] Women and non-binary coding night @ The Sudo room at Omni Commons (free)[ Oakland, 7-11pm ] [Live west coast blues] The big vic, no cover @ Elis Mile high club - 3629 Martin Luther King Jr Way[Berkeley ,7:00 PM – 9:00 PM] Group harmony singing "from The Sacred Harp songbook, every Monday 7-9pm. Free, all welcome, no experience required, loaner songbooks available. The songs are from the Protestant hymnary but this event has no religious affiliation."TUES-NIGHTS
[Oakland, 7:30 ] Hardware Hacking Tuesdays @ The Sudo room at Omni Commons (free)[ SF ] SF Writers Workshop drop-in workshop: (free)[SF ] Contact improv jam at Counter Pulse(5$)WEN-FRI
(11:30am to 5pm), and Sat. (11:00am to 3pm)
The Solano Human project
Can you save humanity from AI while strolling on Solano. It's a city-walk / outdoor-escape-room / alternate-reality-game adventure ($13)WENSDAYS
[Oakland 1-3 ] Creative Reuse- workshops making and creating together in a supportive and creative community. (free)[Oakland, 5:30-6:30PM] Qi Gong[Oakland, 5:30-7PM]
Chinese Calligraphy & Painting[ Oakland ] Improv Jam, Come together and play. Improv warm ups and scenes. Anyone is welcome to participate (free)[Wednes-morning/Satur-morning : SF ] Garden for the Environment Come volunteer at Garden for the Environment and get your hands dirty! Help keep the garden healthy and thriving and learn to garden.THURS-NIGHTS
[ Berkeley ] Contact improv jam at The Finnish Hall] (7$, NOTAFLOF)Thursdays : Oakland, 1-2 Advanced Tai Chi with Sifu William DereThursdays : Oakland , 10:45- 11:45 Wu Style Tai Chi[ Oakland ]THURSDAY NIGHT
PANTHER PROWL free, family-friendly event every Thursday night at the DeFremery Park basketball courts from 6pm to 9pm. It's an official Oakland Parks & Rec program where the community comes together to skate in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. There is a rotation of live DJs from the community providing the music and snacks and drinks are provided by members of the community to share with all at no cost.FRI-NIGHTS
[Oakland, 5:30-9:30] DAYS LIKE THIS, A community dance party in Oakland bringing joy. @ Lake Merritt Pergola (free)[Fri-nights, Satur-nights, Sun-nights SF] Infinite Wrench, The Neofuturists Ensemble write and perform thirty original plays in sixty minutes. ($20)[Fridays, Saturdays : SF] visit the David Ireland house ($20, NOTAFLOF[Fr-nights: SF, 5:30-7pm] Bollywood Nights at Downtown Rooftop Park: Learn fun, choreographed moves. all-levels Bollywood dance to eclectic music from India while providing an empowering cultural experience. free and open to the public. @ Main Plaza 425 missionSATURDAYS
[Berkeley, 4-5pm] Inspiration for Perspiration free dancingOakland , 8:30am free Tai chi[Berkeley, 10a-5pm] Aftel Archive of Curious Scents Museum of scents ($25 entree)Saturdays : Oakland 1-2 Senkotirossingke stick Filipino martial artsSaturdays : Oakland, 8:30-10AM
Morning Tai Chi[Saturdays/Sundays : Berkeley, 11a-6pm] Tilden Park Steam Trains Rideable small locomotives, through redwood forests, tunnels, and miniature towns $3.50[(almost every Sat. ; SF) Land, Villains, and Revolutionaries walking toursSUN-NIGHTS
Sun-nights 4-6pm until Clown And Improv Drop In Series Embrace your primal nonsense with clowning. In this eight week drop-in series, Dana Merwin and April Garro introduce basic principles of clown — physicality, emotional expression, audience engagement — to make you a more dynamic improviser and more joyful human.

<<< MONTHLY >>>

[3rd Mondays :SF] Monthly all-ages Queer Bowling event! Come and bowl for free while enjoying bites from local food pop ups, discounted drinks, DJs, and drag ($10)[ First Thurs-nights : SF ] First Thursday Art Walk explore Downtown and Tenderloin galleries.(2nd Tuesdays: SF] San Francisco Botanical Garden’s Free Day[Last Thursdays : Oakland] Out of Focus TV presents AV Club @ Shapeshifters Cinema A/V Club is a chill hang for folks who want to meet and share film/video/sound/music projects in progress, or recently completed projects—open screening-style. Bring something to show, or just come to watch some cool work, meet some new people and join in conversation.[First Fridays : Oakland. Art murmur in Oakland, Art gallery openings, art booths, street dance, food vendors.
First Fridays : Northbeach SF Art night art night, galleries, music, street art[2nd Fridays: East bay, 7:30pm] East Bay Bike Party! location (tba) (free)[2nd Fridays: SF, 6-9pm] SF’s Lowrider Cruise of the Mission (Every 2nd Friday) Check out the Bay’s polished and decked out lowriders cruising Down Mission Street 20th and Mission[1st Saturdays : SF ] [4/6: SF 12pm] MAPP Mission Arts Performance Project MAPP is a familia, a community and a series of arts, music and activist events encompassing several venues as well as public spaces, street corners, bart stations, cafes, bars, taquerias, homes all over La Mission.[2nd Saturdays ][8-10:30pm : Oakland], Bay Area Micro Fusion (dance) Micro Fusion Fundamentals and Lessons. ($0-25)[2nd Sundays: Oakland 1:30-4:30] Mixed-Media collage workshop with Rock Paper Scissors artists, at Oakland Main Library 125 14th street.[4th Sundays, SF] ShadowLight artists in residence at Red Poppy Art House. It is a Free Monthly program with hands-on workshop activities for families on the fourth Sunday of each month.[4th Sundays: Oakland] Rollin with the Homos (rolling skating and drag)[Last Sunday : Kensington] : Beatles Thingy : Beatles Karaoke with live accompaniment @ Kensington Circus Pub, Kensington. *Also Happens first Tuesday of the month @ Rite Spot, 17th & Folsom 7:30-9:30, FREE

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<<< WHAT IS THE COOL HAPPENINGS? >>>Cool happenings lists things under $30 or free, as to be accessible to diverse people. The list hopes to share local culture, mix different groups together, and provide special things to do for people seeking creative activities.The lists prioritizes rad/unique/authentic and is curated by a kind of intuitive magic, and for its considered social value. To get your event listed, submit below. Thank you**********************************************

< SUBMIT YOUR EVENT >

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< TESTIMONIES >

"The Cool Happening calendar is the in-the-know guide for intimate, quirky, thoughtful events as well as ridiculous parties and larger gatherings outside the mainstream. If you are feeling out of the Loop, Cool-Happenings will loop you back in! It will keep you well-connected with the Bay-Area's sweetest underground and art scenes :)" - Fur Ry (Schemer/Instigator/Sentimentalist)"I love Cool Happenings because it reminds me of how varied and wonderful adventures in The Bay can be. Thank you for your curated list of fun things" - Katy Atchison (Artist & Journalist for Broke-Ass Stuart)"Cool Happenings' events list keeps expanding in depth and complexity. It's definitely the place I go first when mapping out the vastness of the Bay Area performance scene." - Jett Rink"When friends ask me how to plug into the Bay Area underground arts scene, I send them the link to Cool Happenings; it's a great shortcut to learn about our vibrant community." -Dvo"I love how Cool Happenings makes it so easy to find creative and unique events, and I'm excited to explore them each month. It's an amazing way to be in touch with the art happening in our community. I feel like it's a gift in my mail box each month" - Idalia Ramos ( dancer/performer/visual artist)