This week is marked by a remarkable eclecticism. The weekend offers a pleasant blend of the classic — an outdoor screening of an iconic movie musical — and the modern — an indie music festival in Mission Dolores Park. Later on throughout the week, nostalgia for a 1990s favorite collides with cutting-edge jazz music. The best part, you won’t have to travel far to discover your new favorite film or music group; every one of these events takes place in Berkeley or San Francisco.
Saturday, July 29: West Side Story – Free Outdoor Screening at BAMPFA
The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is bringing a free screening of the cinematic musical take on the story of Romeo and Juliet to a picnic blanket near you: “West Side Story” will be screening on the lawn outside the museum this Saturday. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, this cinematic marvel is sure to steal your heart. The event will begin with refreshments and a live musical performance by the All of Us trio at 7 p.m., and the screening will start at approximately 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss the chance to sing and dance along with Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer and Rita Moreno in this academy award-winning classic.
Saturday, July 29: Dolores Day Fest at Mission Dolores ParkT
This Saturday will see an all-day medley of indie rock bands performing live sets for free at the northern end of Dolores Park, beginning at noon with Lonely Dingo And The Living Bones, and through 8 p.m. with Adam and Cory. Other performers include Brian Dewar, Vincent Veliz, Allison Wonderband, Drew Kebbel, Brendan Getzell, Harlow’s Monkeys, Nalamora, Marissa Kay, Adam Balbo, Dreambeamer and Carlie Mari. Bring your inflatable hammocks, plaid blankets and picnic supplies to the park with one of the best views in the city for a day of free tunes and summer sunshine.
Sunday, July 30: DMP Music Festival
The DMP Takeover has organized its very first music festival, and it’s taking place right in San Francisco’s own SoMa StrEat Food Park. The event will be packed from 11 a.m to 7 p.m with plenty of action, including non-stop performances all evening from crowd-pleasers like resident Bay Area artists Too $hort and Mistah F.A.B. If that isn’t enough to draw a crowd, there will also be a special day party in the “All About the Baes” Tent — if you’re over the age of 18. Buy your tickets at the general admission price of $50 for access to an endless selection of entertainment.
Tuesday, August 1: Opening of The Color Factory in San Francisco
If you love brilliant hues and immersive art experiences, head on over to the opening of pop-up exhibit The Color Factory near Union Square in San Francisco. The approximately hour-long interactive exhibition features artwork by more than ten artists, including Jacob Dahlgren, Tosha Stimage and Carissa Potter. Graphic art, rainbow ribbons and vibrant light fill the two-floor space of The Color Factory, extending to its fluorescently-striped, candy shop-like exterior. Tickets are $32 for a scheduled time slot and must be purchased in advance here.
Wednesday, August 2: Rewind Wednesday; Space Jam on VHS at Balboa Theatre
If you haven’t seen “Space Jam,” where have you been since 1996? This cartoon sports comedy stars basketball legend Michael Jordan alongside Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, the Tasmanian Devil and Lola Bunny in a race to save the Looney Tunes from being kidnapped by evil aliens. The Balboa Theatre in San Francisco will be hosting a special VHS screening of the film at 7:30 p.m. on August 2. Before the film, television episodes of “Tiny Toon Adventures” from 1995 will also be screened. Tickets are $9 for children and seniors, and $12 for general admission.
Thursday, August 3: Sun Ra Arkestra at SFJAZZ
The Sun Ra Arkestra is an ensemble gathered in celebration of esteemed jazz Sun Ra. Their work, which will be performed at the SFJAZZ Center in the Miner Auditorium, exists on the forefront of the intersection between modern musical Afrofuturism and more traditional big-band jazz and swing styles. One of Sun Ra’s own frequent collaborators, alto saxophonist Marshall Allen, has led the group in its mission for a dozen years, and this concert promises to be an impressive homage to Sun Ra’s numerous achievements. The Thursday night 7:30 p.m showing is the first of the 4-night series, and tickets range in price from $25 to $50. If jazz brings out the dancer in you, you can purchase tickets specifically for the dance floor.