wednesday 18

Benefits

'Tribute to Joaquin Nin-Culmell' Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th St; (415) 621-8203, www.missiondolores.org. Noon, $1-10. Pianist Bill Quist performs composer Nin-Culmell's work as part of Mission Dolores's Café Concerts series. Proceeds benefit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

'Tune In, Turn On, Take Action' Film Arts Foundation, 145 Ninth St, Ste 101; www.filmarts.org. 7-9pm, $3-10. This panel discussion on "real activism for accountability in media" features Malkia Cyril (Youth Media Council), Andrea Buffa (CodePink), and Jeff Perlstein (Media Alliance).

thursday 19

Benefits

Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony Red Vic Movie House, 827 Valencia; 824-8384, www.idex.org. 6:30-9:15pm, $15-50. Catch the award-winning documentary at this screening to benefit the International Development Exchange.

'An Evening for Teaching and Social Justice' El Rio, 3158 Mission; 516-0338, www.t4sj.org. 5-9pm, donations accepted. Teachers 4 Social Justice hosts a fundraising dance party with music spun by DJ Rorschach.

'Mix '05' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission; 292-3400, www.apiwellness.org. 6:45-10pm, $50. This community awards gala is part of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events and benefits the Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center. Enjoy food, drinks, and performances.

'National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day' Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission; 292-3400, www.apiwellness.org. 5pm, free. The Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center hosts awareness activities featuring Greg Louganis, Amy Hill, Helen Zia, and others.

friday 20

Around town

'Lipstick Eleven Issue #3' Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; www.mtbs.com. 7:30pm, free. Writers Stephen Beachy, Dodie Bellamy, Sally Doyle, Susan Gevirtz, Kevin Killian, Laura Moriarty, Leslie Scalapino, and others read.

saturday 21

Around town

'Doggie Reunion Picnic in the Park' Dolores Park, Dolores at 19th St; 706-8191, www.milofoundation.org. Noon-4pm, free. Domestic animal sanctuary the Milo Foundation hosts this picnic for dogs and their owners, featuring live music, comedy, a pet psychic, and more.

'The Liberties Irish Music Festival and Street Fair' 22nd St at Guerrero; 235-2258, www.theliberties.com. 10am-6pm, free. Celebrate all things Irish with food, music, and performances by the Irish Dancing Academy.

'Magui Moro Music of the Philippines' Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission at Third St; 543-1718, www.ybgf.org. noon-1pm, free. The "Music in the Gardens 101 Series" features Islamic Magui music and dance performed by Teng Emba, Faisal Monal, Datuan Kalanduyan, and others.

'Spring Sample Sale' Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 Eighth St; 490-5863, www.sfdesigncenter.com. 10am-5pm, $6. The San Francisco Design Center presents a sample sale of clothing, jewelry, crafts, and more by more than 100 vendors. Through Sun/22.

'A Tribute to Hunter S. Thompson: Colleagues, Friends, and Fans' San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin; www.friendssfpl.org. 1pm, free. Those who knew and admired Thompson honor him.

West Coast Live Empire Plush Room, 940 Sutter; 664-9500, www.wcl.org. 9:30am-noon, $5-18. This week's live broadcast of the radio program features Nerissa Nields, Sony Holland, Tango #9, and Anne Lamott.

Benefits

'The Old Man and the Sea Art Exhibit and Auction' Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa; 621-7978, www.theatreofyugen.org. 9:30pm, free. Theatre of Yugen hosts a fundraising auction of items from its production of The Old Man and the Sea, as well as other works of art.

Bay Area

'Strawberry Tasting' Berkeley Farmers' Market, Center at MLK Jr. Way, Berk; (510) 548-3333, www.ecologycenter.org. 10am-3pm, free. Taste samples from a variety of local strawberry farms and catch a cooking demonstration by chef Michael Bauce.

Benefits

Bosom Buddies screening DVworkshops, 442 Shotwell; 810-5934, www.dvworkshops.com. 8pm-2am, $5-50. See 8 Days a Week.

Bay Area

'Girlstock 2005: Day One' Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento, Berk; girlstock@girlstock.com, www.girlstock.com. 2-10pm, $12 ($8 before 4pm). Rockers Von Iva and Shelley Doty headline a day of music, spoken word, and the opening of the "Forces of Life" exhibit by women and genderqueer artists. Proceeds benefit the Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel. Through Sun/22.

sunday 22

Around town

'Asian Heritage Street Celebration' Japan Center, Post at Fillmore; www.asianfairsf.com. 11am-6pm, free. Enjoy Asian food, music, and performances.

'Polish Festival' Golden Gate Park, County Fair Bldg, Ninth Ave at Lincoln; www.capolonia.com. 10am-5pm, free. The Polonia Foundation invites you to enjoy Polish folk dance, polka music, food, and crafts.

'Spring Sample Sale' Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 Eighth St; 490-5863, www.sfdesigncenter.com. 10am-4pm, $6. See Sat/21.

'Trans/Intersex/Genderqueer and Buddies Community Picnic' Dolores Park, Dolores and 19th St; hi@juliaserano.com. Noon-5pm, free. All are invited to pack a picnic and join this genderqueer community hangout in the park.

Benefits

'Apocalypse Right Now' CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission; www.counterpulse.org. 8pm, $10-20. Writer Kirk Read MCs an evening of drag performance by Bambi Lake, lit by Mimi Lok, and music by Reid Spice, Jeffrey Alphonsus Mooney, and Transition, and more. Proceeds benefit CounterPULSE.

'Dog Day on the Bay' California Hornblower, Pier 33, Bay at Embarcadero; www.hornblowerholidays.com, 788-8866. 11am-1pm, $85. The San Francisco SPCA invites dog owners to bring their furry friends to a shipboard champagne brunch with treats for canines. Proceeds benefit the SPCA.

Benefits

'Girlstock 2005: Day Two' White Horse Inn, 6551 Telegraph, Oakl; girlstock@girlstock.com, www.girlstock.com. 3pm-11pm, $8 ($5 before 4pm). DJs Page Hodel, Leslie Abraham, Olga T., and Eclat spin at this dance party. Proceeds benefit the Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel. See Sat/21.

tuesday 24

Benefits

'Viva Variety 47' ODC Theatre, 3153 17th St; 893-9834, www.vivavariety.org. 8pm, $15-20. Steve Murray hosts a variety show that features performances by Bill Cooper, Velocity Circus, Aundre the Wonderwoman, and the Diamond Daggers. The evening benefits the Immune Enhancement Project.