To celebrate Pride Month, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art will hold a free community day open to all Saturday, June 24.
A news release stated that people can enjoy seven gallery floors of art, including works by LGBTQ+ artists. Among the exhibitions currently on view are "Kinship: Photography and Connection;" "Frank Bowling: The New York Years 1966-1975;" "Wu Tsang: Of Whales;" "Corporeal;" and the brand new "Scrappy Chair Challenge."
SFMOMA is open that day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 151 Third Street. To reserve free tickets in advance, go to tickets.sfmoma.org. For more information about visiting the museum, go to sfmoma.org/visit.
People can also explore the intersections of art, activism, and queer identity on SFMOMA Stories at sfmoma.org/stories.
Pride NightLife at Academy of Sciences
Oaklash, a drag collective from Oakland, will headline Pride NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse drive in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, Thursday, June 22, beginning at 6 p.m.
A news release stated that the event is a celebration of love, acceptance, and the power of people being themselves.
Oaklash will bring its "jaw-dropping drag performances, stunning lewks, and legendary music that will have you on your feet," the release stated. "All hosted by Oaklash's board members and the House of Pack's own Lotus Boy and Vera."
Additionally, attendees can enjoy "Queer from Here," a powerful photography project by Lauren Tabak that explores modern queer identity through captivating portraits.
Local organizations will be on hand such as Bridge HIV, a San Francisco Department of Public Health office leading in HIV prevention, research, and education; ABO Comix, a collective of creators and activists working to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ prisoners through art; Fluid Cooperative Cafe, a trans and nonbinary-centered cafe and event space; and Rainbow World Fund, an all-volunteer LGBTQ humanitarian organization.
NightLife is 21 and over only, with valid physical ID required. Tickets are $27.95 and can be purchased here.
Alameda County elections commission
After a snafu last November that had the wrong candidate declared the winner in an Oakland school board race, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors has established an elections commission and county residents can now apply.
As the Bay Area Reporter previously reported, trans dad Nick Resnick had been declared the winner of the District 4 seat and even certified. But Alameda County Registrar of Voters Tim Dupuis disclosed December 28 that his office had not properly counted the ballots in the contest and three others decided by ranked choice.
While the error didn't affect the outcomes of any of the other races, it did result in Resnick incorrectly being declared the winner of his race. Nevertheless, Resnick was sworn into office in January.
In February, rather than continue to contest the results, Resnick resigned from his seat, and the true winner, Mike Hutchinson, was seated. He is now board president.
Resnick's being declared the winner and sworn into office means he will maintain the distinction of being the first transgender person to serve on a board overseeing a K-12 public school district in California.
The error by the registrar's office did not go over well with the supervisors, who then established the oversight commission.
Those interested in serving can submit an application here.
D8 town hall with city attorney Chiu
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu will be the featured speaker at a District 8 town hall Thursday, June 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez Street.
Joining Chui will be gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and leadership from the San Francisco Police Department's Park Station, which has jurisdiction over part of the district.
According to a flyer, Chiu will discuss his office's efforts to tackle public nuisances and code violations in neighborhoods; ensure accountability, public integrity and civil law enforcement; and champion workers, consumers, environmental justice, reproductive, and civil rights.
To sign up, click here.
Summer music series in Union Square
The free Union Square in Bloom Summer Music Series kicks off Saturday, July 8, in the famous San Francisco shopping district in an effort to bring visitors to the area that's been beset by store closures as the city works to recover its commercial centers after the COVID pandemic.
A news release stated that the concerts will take place every Saturday through mid-October from 1 to 4 p.m. Beginning in August, the series will also take place every third Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The outdoor concerts will celebrate legendary sounds and transform Union Square Plaza into a thriving hub of music and entertainment, the release stated. The lineup boasts a diverse range of talented artists, including local songwriters, solo musicians, up-and-coming stars, electronic dance music, dance DJ sets, jazz renditions, and Latin rhythms.
"The Union Square in Bloom Summer Music Series is here to take center stage," stated Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of Union Square Alliance. "The plaza and its surroundings hold a vital place in the city's history, representing a thriving hub of vitality."
She added that the concert series is in alignment with the goals of the alliance's strategic plan that defines Union Square's resurgence as part of the city's economic recovery.
Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, added that the city's public plazas and parks are places of connection.
"Dancing to live music in a historic public square is a spectacular way to spend a summer evening," he stated.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy food and beverages at the numerous local restaurants and bars surrounding the venue. Some concerts will also include food trucks and a beer garden, the release stated. Family-friendly activities will be highlighted that align with the blooming of the neighborhood and the musical themes of each concert.
The Union Square summer music series is a pilot supported by SF Live, a $2.5 million investment in San Francisco's live music and entertainment sector and was made possible by state funding secured by Chiu when he served in the Assembly, according to the release. It is a collaboration between the Union Square Alliance, Rec and Park, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
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