events

Events listings are compiled by Sarah Han. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

wednesday 12

Around town

'Noodle Magazine Launch Party' San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market; www.sfcenter.org. 7:30-10:30pm, $5-10. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

Open house Parent's Place, 1710 Scott; 359-2455. 7-9pm, free. At this Parent's Place open house event, meet the staff, tour the premises, and learn more about its services for LGBT families.

Authors

Bruce Bellingham Monticello Inn, 127 Ellis; 394-0661. 5:30pm. The author reads from his book, Bellingham by the Bay.

Xaviera Hollander Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author discusses her memoir, Child No More.

Leslie Scalapino City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus; 362-8193. 7pm. The author reads from and discusses Defoe.

Brady Udall A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. The author discusses The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint.

Jess Wells Jon Sims Center for the Arts, 1519 Mission; 554-0402. 8pm, $5-10. The author discusses her seminal novel Aftershocks and other works. Part of the National Queer Arts Festival. Bay Area

Hyla Cass, M.D. Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 644-0861. 7:30pm. The author discusses and signs Natural Highs.

Russell Rowland Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author reads from his first novel, In Open Spaces.

Colson Whitehead Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The author discusses his most recent novel, John Henry Days. thursday 13
Around town

Artist talk by Keba Konte African American Art and Culture Complex, Buriel Clay Theater, 762 Fulton; 922-2049. 6:30-9:30pm, free. Mixed media artist Keba Konte speaks.

'Heat' Phoenix Hotel, courtyard, 601 Eddy; 357-4086. 6:30-10pm, $35-55. The Contemporary Extension of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art presents this party featuring Caribbean cocktails and appetizers, Cuban beats, fire dancers, and visual art.

'Redefining Environmentalism: An Evening with Paul Hawken' Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 345-7575. 7pm, $17. Paul Hawken discusses the environmental movement in the 21st century.

Transgender rights movement discussion New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission; 864-1278. 6:15pm, $6.50 donation. Queer activist Amy Gray discusses the transgender right movement in celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion; dinner is included with donation. Benefits

"Hats Off' Grand Café, 501 Geary; 522-3535. 11:30am, $45. Critter Lovers at Work and the San Francisco SPCA presents this event featuring a luncheon, a fashion show with hats by the Hat Generation and jewelry by Coreen Cordova, and an appearance by Jan Wahl, to benefit the S.F. SPCA's Cinderella Fund. Bay Area

Benefit screening of Cuban films Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby, Berk; (510) 549-2210. 7pm, $8-15 donation. This screening of the films Alarcón and Our House in Havana benefits the Berkeley-Cuba Sister City Association. Authors

John Beckman Books, Inc., 2251 Chestnut; 931-3633. 7:30pm. The author reads from and signs his book The Winter Zoo.

Dennis Cooper Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm. The author discusses My Loose Thread.

Marian Keyes Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 896-1606. 12:30pm. The author discusses and signs Angels.

Rudy Rucker Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author reads and signs his new novel, Spaceland. Bay Area

Stephen L. Carter Marcus Books, 659 14th St, Oakl; (510) 652-2344. 12:30pm. The author discusses The Emperor of Ocean Park.

Xaviera Hollander Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author discusses her memoir, Child No More.

Joel Kovel Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author discusses The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or the End of the World?

Judith Levine Cody's Books, 1730 Fourth St, Berk; (510) 559-9500. 7pm. See 8 Days a Week, page 54. friday 14
Around town

'Fifth Annual Marlon Riggs Achievement Awards' Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster; www.californiablackprides.org. 7pm-midnight, free. This event honors local members of the black LGBT community for their work. Authors

Paul Collins Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author reads and signs English as She Is Spoke.

James Earl Hardy Alexander Book Co., 50 Second St; 495-2992. 12:30pm. The author discusses and signs Love the One You're With.

Gary Snyder, Tom Killion A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7:30pm. Poet Gary Snyder and artist Tom Killion discuss their book, The High Sierra of California. Bay Area

Alton Brown Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 7:30pm. The chef discusses his cookbook, I'm Just Here for the Food.

James Earl Hardy Barnes and Noble, 98 Broadway, Oakl; (510) 272-0120. 7:30pm. The author discusses and signs Love the One You're With.

Oscar Hijuelos Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author reads from A Simple Habana Melody.

Dave Sterry Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 644-0861. 7:30pm. The author discusses Chicken. saturday 15
Around town

'A Global Peace and Love Day Celebration' Civic Center Plaza, Larkin at Grove; 971-3573, 381-2644. noon-6pm, free. The Sacred Dance Society and the Global Peace Foundation cosponsor this event featuring live music, DJs, drum circles, art exhibits, sacred prayers, speakers, and more.

'The Precious Cheese North Beach Festival' 1200-1500 blocks of Grant, 1500 block of Stockton, 500 block of Green, and Washington Square Park; www.sfnorthbeach.com 10am-6pm, free. Precious Cheese sponsors the 48th annual North Beach Festival, featuring a pizza-tossing exhibition, cooking demonstrations, children's entertainment, musical performances, a blessing of the animals, and more. Through Sun/16.

'Whatddya DO?' Boys and Girls Club, 450 Guerrero; 552-2674. 10am-4pm, free. Do-It-Herself Collective presents an alternative career day for young women.

Bay Area

'Best Buck in the Bay' Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd (enter on Monterey Hwy, Gate D), San Jose; (415) 561-9228, www.bayarearodeo.com. 9am-6pm, $15. Also Sun/16. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

'Fifth Annual It's Natural Conference' Sexual Minority Alliance of Alameda County (SMAAC) Youth Center, 1738 Telegraph, Berk; www.californiablackprides.org. 7:30am-4:30pm, free. This conference for people in the black LGBT community features workshops and author readings.

Mannequin sale Mannequin Madness, 430 Orange, Suite B, Oakl; (510) 444-0650. 10am-7pm. The mannequin store offers all types of used mannequins for sale and rent; today, buy one at regular price and get a second for half off.

Benefits

Benefit show El Rio, 3158 Mission; 282-3325. 3-8:30pm, $5-10 sliding scale. This benefit for Sister Rise Up!, 2Queer Pictures, and Hellagetto Productions features live DJs, poetry, auctions, raffles, and more.

'Foundation' Studio Z, 314 11th St; 252-7666. 7pm-4am, $7-15. This benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation features performances by DJs Dave Coleman, Sensei, Ellen Ferrato, and Michael Anthony; live improv theatre; and a fashion show.

Authors

S. Torriano Berry Delancey Street Discussion Room, 600 Embarcadero; (510) 652-2344. 1pm. The filmmaker and Howard University professor discusses and signs copies of his book, The 50 Most Influential Black Films.

The Traveling Steinbeckians Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. Authors and members of the Traveling Steinbeckians Jane Parks-McKay, Audry Lynch, Bill Baldwin, Carol Wood, and John Hooper read from works by and about John Steinbeck.

sunday 16

Around town

'My Queer Prom' 26 Mix, 3024 Mission; 282-5378. 7pm-2am, $10. Prominent members of San Francisco's drag community present this queer dance event featuring a prom king and queen contest, musical performances and appearances by the Woodyz, Pepper Spray and Precious Moments, Kennedy, Peggy L'eggs, Tinkle, and others.

'The Precious Cheese North Beach Festival' 1200-1500 blocks of Grant, 1500 block of Stockton, 500 block of Green, and Washington Square Park; www.sfnorthbeach.com 10am-6pm, free. See Sat/15.

Bay Area

'Best Buck in the Bay' Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd (enter on Monterey Hwy, Gate D), San Jose; (415) 561-9228, www.bayarearodeo.com. 9am-6pm, $15. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

'Food Is the Earth's Way of Love' Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St, Oakl; (510) 451-5818. noon. Joy Moore presents a lecture on healthy eating and living.

Oakland Zoo volunteer orientation Oakland Zoo, PeopleSoft Center for Science and Conservation, 9777 Golf Link Rd, Oakl; (510) 632-9525, ext 141. noon. Learn how to volunteer at the Oakland Zoo at this orientation.

Benefits

'Native Lesbian Writers: A Presentation' San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, Fourth fl; 777-5500. 2pm, $15-20. Poet Chrystos leads a discussion about Native American lesbian writers and activists. Part of the National Queer Arts Festival.

'Sol to Soul' Fly Bar and Restaurant, 762 Divisadero; 750-1060. 4-8pm, $5. Jazz guitarist David Goldman, bluegrass band the Fine Tuners, Tuvan throat singer Seth Augustus, and singer Anna Porter perform to benefit the Rural Health Education Alliance.

Bay Area

'Suigetsukan Restoration Clinic' Suigetsukan, 1051 Fifth Ave, Studio C, Oakl; (510) 452-3941. 9am-7pm, call for price. Suigetsukan, a nonprofit martial arts collective, hosts a restoration clinic featuring massage therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other health professionals to raise funds for a new dojo.

Authors

Allan Hunt Badiner Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The editor of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics speaks.

Shierry Nicholsen Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College, Oakl; (510) 653-9965. 2pm. The author discusses The Love of Nature and the End of the World: The Unspoken Dimensions of Environmental Concern.

monday 17

Benefits

Tobias Wolff Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 345-7575. 7pm, $33. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

Authors

Will Ferguson Booksmith, 1644 Haight; 863-8688. 7pm. The author discusses Happiness.

Tracy Grant Stacey's Bookstore, 581 Market; 896-1606. 12:30pm. The author discusses and signs Daughter of the Game.

Oscar Hijuelos Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon; 392-4400. 8pm, $18. The author discusses his work with Michael Krasny.

John McEnroe Borders Books and Music, 400 Post; 399-1633. 12:30pm. The author and tennis icon signs and discusses You Cannot Be Serious.

Jeffrey Meyers Veterans Building, San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum, 401 Van Ness, Fourth fl; 255-4800. 6pm, $5. The author discusses his new book, Inherited Risk: Errol and Sean Flynn in Hollywood and Vietnam.

Bay Area

Dorothy Bryant, Susan-Jane Harrison Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm, $2 donation. Susan-Jane Harrison presents a trial reading from Dorothy Bryant's dramatic piece about Denise Levertov.

Yann Martel Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author reads from his novel, Life of Pi.

tuesday 18

Around town

'Stern Grove Festival Kids' Day' Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Ave and Sloat; 292-2162. 11am-2pm. This program for children ages 6 to 10 features performances by Youth Speaks, Bay Area Scores, Traci Bartlow, and others.

'Talking to Your Kids about Sexual Orientation' Parent's Place, 1710 Scott; 395-2455. 5-6:30pm, $20. Pnina Tobin, MPA, leads this discussion group for LGBT parents.

Bay Area

'Tuesday Tea Party' Downs Memorial United Methodist Church, 6026 Idaho, Oakl; (510) 839-5877. 6-8:30pm, donations accepted. People's NonViolent Response Coalition sponsors this peace movement event featuring speaker Cynthia Stateman. Benefits

'New Works/New Voices' Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia; 626-2787. 8pm, $5-15. See 8 Days a Week, page 54. Authors

James D. Houston Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm. The author discusses Snow Mountain Passage.

Laura Glenn Louis Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 486-0698. 7:30pm. The author reads from Talking in the Dark.

Jeffrey Meyers Barnes and Noble, 98 Broadway, Oakl; (510) 272-0120. 7:30pm. The author discusses and signs Inherited Risk.