events

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

wednesday 21

Around town

'Polka Hall of Fame Grand Opening' Escape from New York Pizza, 508 Castro; 468-5986. 10am, free. See 8 Days a Week.

'Team in Training' First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin; 625-1100. 6:30-8:30pm, free. Learn how you can walk or run a marathon to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at this informational meeting.

'The Truth about Exercise and Health!' Commonwealth Club of California, Club Office, 595 Market, second fl; 597-6712. 6pm, $15. Author Gina Kolata discusses America's obssession with diet and exercise fads.

Benefits

'A Night with the Stars' Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St; 677-8688. 5:30pm, $55. This talent show featuring performances by formerly homeless tenants who are now living in supportive housing sites benefits the Community Housing Partnership.

Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center fundraiser Bambuddha Lounge, 601 Eddy; 241-2545. 7-10pm, $50 donation. Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center presents this event featuring food, cocktails, and music.

'Wattstax' screening to benefit 2003 San Francisco Black Film Festival Galaxy Theater, 1285 Sutter; 771-9271, www.urbanevents.com, www.sfbff.org. 7pm (reception at 6pm), $15. See 8 Days a Week, page tk.

thursday 22

Benefits

Boys Hope Girls Hope fundraiser Fishbowl Bar and Grill, 1854 Divisadero; 775-3630. 5:30-8:30pm, $10 donation. This fundraising event features a live band and a chance to win box seat tickets to the Giants-As baseball game.

Authors

Matt Ridley Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18. The editor and author speaks in conversation with Roy Eisenhardt.

Tom Robbins Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. 7:30pm, free. The author discusses his new novel, Villa Incognito.

'Yellow Women Speak' New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission; 864-1278. 7pm, free. Writers Merle Woo, Nellie Wong, and Nancy Reiko Kato present a discussion about their experiences as Asian American activists.

friday 23

Around town

'Adam to Eve Transformations Grand Opening Party' AsiaSF, 201 Ninth St; 255-2742. 11pm, $5. Adam to Eve Transformations, an S.F. cross-dressing service, presents this party featuring DJs, a transgender fashion show, a makeover and photography corner, giveaways, and more.

Benefits

Brian Gore St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk; 293-3853. 8pm, $25. Steel-string acoustic guitar player Brian Gore performs to benefit the North of the Panhandle Neighborhood Association.

saturday 24

Around town

'Apex' Club Six, 60 Sixth St; 863-1221. 9pm-4am, $10. See 8 Days a Week.

'Carnaval San Francisco' Harrison between 16th and 22nd Sts; www.carnavalsf.com. 10am-6pm, free. This festival for the whole family features Latin American and Caribbean food, music, dance, arts, crafts, and more. Also Sun/25.

'From the Cradle to the Grave' Buriel Clay Theater, African-American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton; 292-5157, 922-2049. Noon-4pm, free. This pre-Memorial Day event commemorates victims of violence with spoken word and musical performances by Amani Bass, Cassandra Walton, Avotcja, Indigo, Big Ed Walton, Bobby Pickett, and others.

'A Midsummer's Night Dream' 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna; www.mysterygirlproductions. 8pm, $15. This fashion show event features a runway show by local designers, a sample sale by SiRA.O Designs, the Urge to Adorn, MWON, Haz-Hatz, Helena Koh Designs, and others; live music by Sutro and Greg Eversoul; free makeovers by Chanel; and more.

Bay Area

'Flavorful Festival' Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakl; (510) 452-2259. 10am-4pm, $6. Bring the kids to this two-day event featuring ice cream-related arts and crafts, theater performances, puppet shows, and more. Also Sun/25.

'Kitchen Sink 3 Launch Party' Liminal Gallery, 2000 Myrtle, Oakl; (510) 465-6009. 7pm-midnight, $7-20 sliding scale. Kitchen Sink magazine celebrates the release of its third issue with this party featuring musical performances by Deerhoof, Jamie Stewart, DJ Kitty; a fashion show by Oaktown Stitchdown; and artwork by Andrice Arp, Anya Liftig, Heather Johnson, Jesse Reklaw, Roberta Gregory, and others.

sunday 25

Around town

'Carnaval San Francisco' Parade 9:45am, 24th St and Bryant; festival 10am-6pm, Harrison between 16th and 22nd Sts; www.carnavalsf.com. Free. Today's Carnaval festivities include the Grand Parade, which features floats, dancers, musical performers, and more.

'Rosie's Tap Jam' Cannery, Courtyard Stage, 2801 Leavenworth; 771-3112, www.thecannery.com. 2-5pm, free. Rosie Radiator and the Rad Tap Team perform tap dance routines.

Bay Area

'California Music Awards' Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, San Pablo between International Dr and 15th St, Oakl; (510) 628-8490, www.californiamusicawards.com. 2-7pm, free. This music awards ceremony commemorates California musical talent and features live performances by various established and emerging acts.

'Flavorful Festival' Children's Fairyland, 699 Bellevue, Oakl; (510) 452-2259. 10am-4pm, $6. See Sat/24.

Benefits

Empower the Children benefit Community Miracles Center, 2269 Market; 621-5683. 2-8pm, $15. Roberta Donnay, Katharine Chase, Garrick Davis, Pollyanna Bush, Debra Knox, Jennifer Justice, Deborah Crooks, Ted Czuko and Co., Reba Hasko, and Peter Brown perform to benefit Empower the Children, an organization dedicated to building orphanages, medical centers, and more for physically challenged children in Calcutta, India.

'Q and A: Come Conversate with Ian MacKaye' San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St; 431-1180. 7pm, $3. Musician Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Dischord Records speaks; proceeds benefit Poor Magazine.

monday 26

Around town

'Lost Boat Ceremony' Aboard the USS Pampanito, Pier 45; 561-6662. 11am, free. Come aboard the USS Pampanito to commemorate World War II submarine veterans and their families at this Memorial Day event.

tuesday 27

Authors