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

'Got Rights? Drugs, Security and the Future of Freedom in America' San Francisco Medical Society, 1409 Sutter; 921-4987. 5-7pm, free. Panelists discuss constitutional and civil liberties violations by the Justice Department, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and other agencies.

Arthur Mitchell San Francisco Performing Arts Library, Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness; 255-4800, www.sfpalm.org. 7pm. The New York City Ballet dancer speaks about his work.

'Reallywired' New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom; 626-5416. 8pm, $3-5. This open mic-style event for Net artists features Kenneth Hung and Scott Snibbe and hosts Desirée Holman and Richard Rinhart.

Cornel West Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18.50. See 8 Days a Week.

thursday 22

Around town

'Raise a Ruckus for Reproductive Rights: Next Stop Washington D.C.!' Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission; 864-1278. Dinner 6:15pm ($6.50), program 7pm (free). Radical Women presents a commemorative meeting in celebration of Roe v. Wade.

'Spider Secrets of the San Francisco Bay Region' Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way; 554-9600. 7:30pm, free. Arachnophiles are invited to learn more about local spiders from arachnologist Charles Griswold.

friday 23
Benefits

'In a Light This Beautiful' Women's Building, 3543 18th St; 642-9099. 7:30pm, $10-100 sliding scale. This community fundraiser to help artist and activist Uchechi Kalu features performances by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Aya de León, Shailja Patel, Lady Wonders, Luciano Chessa, and Kalu and an auction of art by Githiji Mbire and Kamau Patten.

Bay Area

Kucinich benefit concert First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison, Oakl; (415) 927-3055. 8pm, $25-75. This benefit for Democratic presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich features performances by Greg Brown, Linda Tillery, Terry Garthwaite, and Nina Gerber.

saturday 24
Around town

'Antique Faire in the Park' SF County Fair Building (Hall of Flowers), Golden Gate Park, Ninth Ave and Lincoln Way; 465-2475, www.antiquefairinthepark.com. 10:30am-5pm, $3-8. This antique fair features furniture, costumes, jewelry, collectibles, and more.

'2004 Lunar New Year Community Celebration' City Hall, Rotunda, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl; 554-7461. Noon-3pm. Sup. Fiona Ma hosts City Hall's Lunar New Year celebration featuring cultural performances, information booths, food, and more.

Bay Area

Naked Souls Artist Alliance event Oakland Box Theater, 1923 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 595-3208. 7pm, $10-25. Herstories Project presents this fundraiser featuring music, poetry, storytelling, and comedy performances; food and drink; dancing; an auction and raffle; and more.

'Veg 101: Compassionate Living Workshop' Berkeley Public Library, Main Meeting Room, third fl, 2090 Kittredge, Berk; www.generationv.org/veg101. 10:30am-5pm, free. Bay Area Vegetarians, East Bay Animal Advocates, Freedom for Animals, and Small Planet present this workshop on the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

Benefits

'Art Sex Gender and Race: The Drag King Revolution!' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Screening Room, 701 Mission; 978-ARTS. 7-9pm, $15. Swordfish Productions and Ann P. Meredith present this event featuring a panel and public forum about drag king culture and issues with art historians, performance artists, and fine artists; a display of artworks; and Ann P. Meredith's film Strap 'Em Down! The World of Drag Kings.

'Defending the Sacred' Women's Building, 3543 18th St; 248-5010, www.greenaction.org. 7pm, $10-50 sliding scale. This benefit for Greenaction features the premiere of a documentary by Tamara Turner, a performance by Floyd Red Crow Westerman, and more.

'Sheba's Caravan' Off-Market Studio, 965 Mission; 225-5532. 8pm, $25. This fundraiser for Project Sheba includes performances by Linda Tillery, Eva Franko, Arisika Razak, Liz Williams, and Maura McCarley Torkildson; a silent auction; and more.

monday 26
Around town

'Ask a Scientist' Bazaar Cafe, 5927 California; 831-5620. 7-9pm, free. The science lecture series continues tonight with NASA's Chris McKay discussing the possibility of life on Mars.

Benefits

'Sanchez Celebrates' Reception: Tangerine Restaurant, 3499 16th St, 6:30pm; event: Sanchez Elementary School, 325 Sanchez; 621-2934, 7:30pm, $25-50. Help Sanchez Elementary School raise funds to save its Primary Intervention Program while having a ball at this event featuring gourmet foods, jazz, children's artwork, and more.

tuesday 27

Around town

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization educational seminar Hyatt Fisherman's Wharf, 555 North Point; 1-800-221-2141. 6-8pm. Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization presents an educational seminar about treatments and clinical trials.

Authors

Samina Ali A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7pm, free. See 8 Days a Week.

Benefits