Afro-punk screening

Wednesday, Jan. 14, focusing on four punk African American youths, such as recently deceased Matt Davis of Ten Grand, James Spooner's award-winning documentary, Afro-punk: The "Rock and Roll Nigger" Experience, investigates the politics of being black in the DIY, hardcore punk scene. A discussion follows the screening. 8 p.m., New College of California, 776 Valencia, S.F. $3-$5 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 437-3427.

Meeting at S.F. General

Wednesday, Jan. 14, come to this neighborhood meeting to talk about potential locations for San Francisco General Hospital's new trauma center. The site currently under consideration, on Potrero Avenue, and another in Mission Bay are under discussion. Afterward, a discussion of city plans to build a hospital helipad take place. 6-8 p.m., Community Health Network, 2789 25th St., Rooms 2001-03, S.F. (415) 206-5784, www.dph.sf.ca.us/SFGHRebuild.

Author event

Thursday, Jan. 15, Global Exchange authors Kevin Danaher and Jason Mark discuss the corporate accountability movement and their latest book, Insurrection: Citizen Challenges to Corporate Power (Routledge Press). Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck, Berk., (415) 558-9490.

Celebrate MLK and peace

Thursday, Jan. 15, the War Resisters League West holds its third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration. This year's event focuses on King's promotion of peaceful resolution with a reading of his historic anti-Vietnam War speech, "A Time to Break the Silence." Local artists also perform. 7-9:30 p.m., Kitchen, 225 Potrero, S.F. $5-$15 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 282-6580, wrlwest@riseup.net.

Ghobadi screening

Thursday, Jan. 15, as part of an ongoing film series, antiwar and antiracism group International ANSWER screens A Time for Drunken Horses, Bahman Ghobadi's highly realistic 2000 film depicting orphaned and poverty-stricken Kurdish children who work in low-wage jobs under appallingly poor conditions around the Iran-Iraq border. 8 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5 suggested donation. (415) 824-3890.

Stop retail chain spread

Thursday, Jan. 15, show up before the San Francisco Planning Commission hearing to voice opposition to Urban Outfitters' for a spot on Haight Street. Picket outside City Hall (on the Polk Street side) an hour before the meeting. Gather 12:30 p.m., meeting 1:30 p.m., City Hall, Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 558-6422.

MLK vigil

Friday, Jan. 16, the Peoples' NonViolent Response Coalition holds a vigil against war in front of the Oakland Federal Building. Elected officials and community leaders continuously read from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famed speech "A Time to Break the Silence." This is part of the United for Peace and Justice actions occurring around the MLK Jr. holiday. Noon to sundown, Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay, Oakl. (510) 839-5877.

Rebuild the Lincoln Theatre

Friday, Jan. 16, local artists throw a benefit, Confusion Presents Civilized Fun, to raise funds for the rebuilding of West Oakland's recently demolished Lincoln Theatre. Bands, DJs, and a half-pipe skateboard ramp provide entertainment. 8 p.m., Orange Peel Studios, 1640-42 Seventh St., Oakl. (510) 981-5200, www.rebuildthelincolntheatre.nstemp.org.

Screenings for Indymedia

Friday, Jan. 16, benefiting Bay Area Indymedia is a screening of three films: Samuel Nesbitt's Untitled, about Iraq in the months leading up to the recent invasion; "Workers of Argentina," by the Argentina Indymedia Center; and "Lord of the Rings: Twin Towers," which isn't about the adventures of elves and hobbits of Middle-Earth but about the Bush administration's response to the Sept. 11 attacks. 8 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (415) 824-3890.

Thanks, from Matt

Friday, Jan. 16, though he lost the race, he's still having art parties. Matt Gonzalez and friends hold this event to express thanks for all the campaign help and to ensure that mass progressive energy continues to flow. Gonzalez talks about what we can do next. Matmos and other local artists perform, and there are door prizes. 8 p.m., StudioZ.tv, 314 11th St., S.F. Free. (415) 595-7830.

Self-defense training

Saturday, Jan. 17, learn to fend off attackers at this self-defense "RAPE Safe" training course sponsored by Image West. 1-4 p.m., Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, 178 Valencia. S.F. $10 donation. (415) 552-4777.

Joking jokers event

Sunday, Jan. 18, Comedian-author Al Franken, New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, and author Kevin Phillips make funny political analyses in a Global Exchange- and KPFA-sponsored event titled "Unraveling the Lying Liars of the Great American Dynasty." Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! moderates. 7 p.m., Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston, Berk. $15. (415) 392-4400 (tickets), (415) 255-7296, ext. 253 (information).

Kucinich convergence

Sunday, Jan. 18, attend a fundraiser for Democratic Party presidential candidate hopeful Dennis J. Kucinich. The event includes live music, fire artists, a short talk about conscious politics, and a possible video conference or phone-in from the candidate who won't accept donations from corporations. 6-11 p.m., StudioZ.tv, 314 11th St., S.F. $15-$25 sliding scale. (415) 252-7666.

Youths celebrate MLK

Monday, Jan. 19, teen slam champions Youth Speaks present the seventh annual "Bringing the Noise for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." to celebrate King's commitment to critical social dialogue and peace. 7:30 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, S.F. $4-$10. Tickets: (415) 978-ARTS, www.yerbabuenaarts.org. Information: (415) 255-9035, www.youthspeaks.org.

Common assets forum

Tuesday, Jan. 20, discuss your vision for use of public air, water, and land with locally based national advocacy group Common Assets. Moderated by former Sierra Club president and current San Francisco Public Utilities commissioner Adam Werbach, the forum also includes Sup. Chris Daly and Tomales Bay Institute cofounder Jonathan Rowe. 7 p.m., SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan, S.F. $5-$10 suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 241-2515.