October is a busy month in SF. Here's all the fun stuff going down this weekend.
The city transforms during Fleet Week, as men and women in uniform flood our streets and liven up our waterfront watering holes. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ spectacular aerial shows are the pinnacle events in a week jammed with amazing presentations, including the parade of ships and Bark at the Park, where military and civilian K-9 units take over Duboce Park to strut their stuff. Check the web site for a complete schedule of events.
Stellar stand-up and former SNL writer John Mulaney bounced back from his failed Fox sitcom like a true boss, recording a widely beloved special aptly named The Comeback Kid. Now after a surprise stint as a Broadway darling with his and Nick Kroll’s two-man show, Oh, Hello, the kid is back on the road with a nearly-sold out tour — lucky for you, a second late show was added to Wednesday’s calendar at Davies Symphony Hall.
Union Street Harvest Wine Walk
You’ll never make it to Sonoma in those shoes, but no worries, Union Street is but a short stroll away. Now in its 7th year, the Annual Union Street Harvest Wine Walk takes you on a tour through this posh northside nabe, with restaurants and merchants on Union between Gough and Fillmore opening their doors to sippers and noshers alike. Watch your budget in this tony part of town; odds are high you’ll be amped for some retail therapy after a couple glasses of the good stuff.
After Hours: Night at the O Club
One more reason to dip up to the Presidio this week, the historic Presidio Officers’ Club is getting in on the after-hours networking trend with its own happy hour scene. Take the opportunity to explore the gorgeous property during the magic hour while crafting some botanic-inspired art projects and tippling on herb-infused cocktails and Fort Point beer. Head to the dancefloor to make connections with like-minded social animals and linger by the fire once the sun sets. Just be sure to R.S.V.P. for this free event!
Photograph: Cynthia E. Wood, Courtesy Litquake
Litquake Festival Opening Night
Literary luminaries repping all genres will gather this week to celebrate the 18th birthday of the San Francisco born-and-bred Litquake festival. Quirky and cozy Cafe Du Nord plays host to this cheeky opening night gala with drink specials aplenty and a chance to mingle with some of the 650 participating writers while you plan your Litquake week.
Gifted to the city by the late, great Warren Hellman and held in a corner of Golden Gate Park that now bears his name, the free three-day music fest returns this fall with an eye-crossing number of acts. Plot your schedule to catch legends like Lucinda Williams, Cheap Trick, Randy Newman and Emmylou Harris alongside more Millennial-friendly fare including First Aid Kit, Conor Oberst and Brandi Carlile. Food vendors will be on-hand to keep you nourished, but note that the event is strictly BYOB.
The crackling aura surrounding Father John Misty extends beyond his past life as a Fleet Foxes member under his given name, J. Tillman. As a solo artist, his 2012 Sub Pop debut, Fear Fun, featured soaring, soulful folk-rock spiked with energy and cleverness. Since then, he's released the lauded I Love You, Honeybear, stolen a crystal from Moon Juice, and strung together songs of beautiful despair on Pure Comedy.
Photograph: Courtesy Presidio Picnic
It’s the last Presidio Picnic of the season and if you don’t have friends with a boat or a Bay-adjacent rooftop patio, the Presidio’s Main Parade Ground is the next best place to set up and catch all of the Fleet Week action. Spread out your best blanket and warm up your lawn games arm for a day full of al fresco fun and specials from your favorite food trucks, including the Grilled Cheez Guy and Nopalito.
Once an anonymous singer-songwriter, Abel Tesfaye (a.k.a. The Weeknd) is now the one of the biggest artists in pop music—a Starboy, if you will—who is able to flesh out his hazy, nihilistic slow jams with contributions from the likes of Daft Punk and Kendrick Lamar. See the Grammy winner perform along with support from Gucci Mane and Nav.