UNION DESIGN FAIR, SUNDAY, HAYES VALLEY

Lovely Hayes Valley Park is the spot to be for the Union Design Fair, this Sunday, May 31, from 11:00 am 'til 6 pm.

Check out 130 carefully chosen designers of all sorts of clothing, accessories, textiles, paper goods. FREE to look; great neighborhood to hang out in for an afternoon -- and who knows, if you bring your credit card and a wad of cash you'll probably go home with some new duds.

TOUR DE FROMAGE, SATURDAY 11 AM

Cycling to eat cheese!? Yep, you got that right. The French have been doing it for years -- you've seen those quaint foreign films with the guy with the loaf of bread in his bicycle basket ambling through the countryside. Well where do you think he was going? Duh! He was cycling to find him a big 'ol hunk of Roquefort.

Tomorrow at 11 am, you can do the same. Meet up on your 'cycle at the Panhandle statue at Fell and Baker streets for a FREE 15-mile, "moderately difficult" group bike ride to some of the best local cheese shops for tastings throughout the City. Destinations (with map) will be revealed at the start of the ride. Vive le cheese!

Click here for more deets.

FREE PRIDE KICKOFF PARTY AT SAN FRANCISCO LGBT CENTER, TOMORROW

Get your Pride (back) on. Yeah, it was a tough week with that upheld Prop 8 b*tch slap from the Supremes, but like someone said somewhere back in the day, when life gives you a lemon, make meringue -- or something like that.

Get your groove back tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, with some FREE music and giveaways from those hot and hunky deejays from Energy 92.7 at the San Francisco Pride Kickoff at the LGBT Center, noon 'til 4 pm, 1800 Market St.

Food, info booths and fun (when did gay peeps not know how to have a party?) -- FYI: the FREE Barefoot wine and bubbly will be poured on the 4th Floor in the Comcast Chill Lounge!

Did we mention it's FREE. Yep, I think we did.

FREE KING KHAN CONCERT TONIGHT AT AMOEBA MUSIC

Like this video? Then check out the FREE in-store concert at 5:30 tonight! Amoeba Music lets King Khan & the Shrines, a 10-piece soul inferno take the center store stage and blow the roof off da joint.

Amoeba Music
1855 Haight St.
5:30 pm, FREE

In addition to the youthful King Khan on lead vocals, the line-up includes 60-year-old Chicago-born Ron Streeter (the live-percussionist of Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, and many other Soul-Legends), a horn section consisting of Simon Wojan (member of Kranky Records recording artists Cloudland Canyon), Ben Ra (Germany's John Coltrane), and famous French rockabilly saxophonist Big Fred Rollercoaster.

THE RICH ARE DIFFERENT

Simon Rich, SNL comedy writer and son of New York Times op-ed columnist Frank Rich, proves that good humor runs in the family. Simon gives a FREE reading from his book, "Free Range Chickens" tonight at 7 pm at Books Inc., at Opera Plaza (601 Van Ness @ Golden Gate).

Click here for more deets.

CHICKEN & WAFFLES AT LITTLE SKILLET

'Nuff said.

Little Skillet
@ Club 330 Ritch
Now serving lunch -- and still serving late night
M-F, 11am - 2pm; after 2 am
360 Ritch (btwn Brannan and Townsend)
415-777-2777

CAFES OF SAN FRANCISCO - FREE WINE AND CHOCOLATES AND BOOK SIGNING TONIGHT

The Rigolo Cafe is the cafe of choice tonight from 6:00 pm 'til 8:30 pm for Taste TV's book signing mixed with FREE red wine and chocolate madeleines.

The 3rd edition of the Cafes of San Francisco is now on the stands. Get your copy and come enjoy the complimentary wine and chocolate, as well as special prices on the Rigolo Cafe menu.

The Rigolo Cafe is located at 3465 California St. in the Laurel Village shopping shopping center.

NIGHTLY SPECIALS AT CAFE FLORE

We /heart/ Cafe Flore, the heart and soul of the Castro, even though we're never there in time to snag an outdoor table and look fabulous. Still, looking fabulous and being in the right place at the right time are almost the same thing. And, Cafe Flore's got nightly specials that give you a reason to continue to strive for fabulousity while ensuring you are in the right place at the right time -- all the time.

Nightly specials are aptly named Micro Mondays, Margarita Tuesdays, Wino Wednesdays, Pizza Pub Thursdays ($2 gourmet pizzas), Shag Party Fridays (hey, we don't make this stuff up!), Sex-in-the-City Saturdays ($3 Cosmos) and Sangria and Sake Sundays.

Open every day from 6 am to 2 am, serving delish food from 8 am 'til 10 at night. Full bar. Instant gift certificates you can email to a friend and say, "Hey, Meet me at Cafe Flore for a drink or three!"

IT'S A FILM, FILM, FILM FEST CITY

It soon might be a reality. There might actually be more film festivals in San Francisco than there are weeks to dedicate to them. In fact, this may be happening already with an overlap in two film fests -- the Roxie's Film Noir "I Wake Up Dreaming: The Haunted World of the B Film Noir" and the Greek Film Festival at the Delancey Screening Room (600 Brannan St.).

The Roxie fest runs through May 28 with daily double features for just $10. Dude -- that's two old films that aren't even on DVD for less than the price of one new one that's not only available everywhere, you've already got the promotional plastic sippy cup from Mickey D's to go with it.

The Greek flicks kick off tonight and run through May 24. On most nights, $15 gets you a short and a feature of some rare treats, including a screening on Friday, May 22 of the original version of Nikos Koundouros’ 1958 masterpiece "Oi Paranomoi" (The Outlaws) – which was banned for years due to government censorship.

Meanwhile -- we know not everybody out there can love old celluloid and foreign films, so we've got a special treat to reward you for reading this far. FREE movie passes for the first scream-a-thon of the summer, "Drag Me to Hell" are available from the SF Examiner. Send them an email to moviepromo@SFExaminer.com with "Drag Me to Hell" in the subject line before noon on Tuesday, May 19. Passes are for tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 19.

PARK CHALET WEEKEND BBQ

Did you know The Park Chalet, located in San Francisco's world famous Golden Gate Park, just steps from Queen Wilhelmina's Windmill and the fabulous Dutch Tulip Garden, has a BBQ grill going every Saturday and Sunday in our so-called spring and summer months?

Neither did we. But it's true. From 10 am - 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays they're cooking burgers and hotdogs and bratwursts; ahi tuna sandos and corn on the cob -- something for everybody. FREE music kicks in around 2 pm 'til 5 pm.

Ssssh! This will be a well needed secret spot this Sunday, especially after the Bay to Breakers.

DIVISADERO STREET SUPER SIDEWALK SALE

We've got a feeling there's going to be some good deals at this one. Divisadero Street merchants and neighbors from Haight to McAllister will line the corridor with great discounts from 11 am to 5 pm today, Saturday, May 16.

This is a neighborhood association announcement and no extra link, but we can give you a map. Click here. And we do know of some great joints in this 'hood, like CC Ryder, The Other Shop and the Mojo Bicycle Cafe, just to name a few.

RED ELVISES TONIGHT AT SLIM'S - $15

Here's how last.fm describes the Red Elvises:

Arriving from Siberia just moments ago, Red Elvises are taking North America by storm. Blending good old rock ‘n’ roll with ethnic music from their homeland, these post fab-four developed the ideal music for beer guzzling and dancing ‘til you drop. Strong musical influences include Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla, Chuck Berry, Spice Girls and speeches by Comrade Fidel Castro.

They're playing tonight at Slim's, doors 8 pm, opening act Igor. Tickets just $15 and still available. Now that we're talking to Cuba again, ask yourself, how much longer can the Red Elvises get away with this communist schtick? See you at Slim's!

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE BAR OPENS TODAY ON SFMOMA ROOFTOP

It's official, Blue Bottle Coffee opens its coffee bar today on the SFMOMA rooftop. Now there is truly a reward for working your way to the top of the Museum of Modern Art, and/or appropriate sustenance to revive you after you've waited in line forever to see the latest must-see exhibit.

For hours and more deets about the SFMOMA location, click here.

DISPOSABLE FILM FEST BIKE-IN MOVIE SCREENING

The Disposable Film Fest presents the first-ever Bike-In Film Screening tonight, May 13 at 8 pm, in the parking lot across the street from the Good Hotel (7th St. @ Minna).

FREE!

Ok, ok -- so what's a bike-in film screening you may ask? It's like a drive-in, but with bikes, instead of cars. So, bring your bike, or a blanket or cushion to sit on and your radio (so you can listen in) and check it out.

After the film screening, everyone's invited to move indoors to the Good Hotel for an awesome after-party hosted by the SF Bay Guardian. Complete deets are here.

BAY TO BREAKERS ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY

Um...yeah, now that it's all corporate and everything, we need to call it the ING Bay to Breakers 12K, and only modest drinking will be allowed in the streets. But that shouldn't stop the athletic crowd looking for an early morning fun run through the most magnificent city in the world this Sunday, May 17.

Walkers welcome, too. Costumes optional. Hey, clothes are optional. In our younger days we were known to gather at the start line and toss tortillas with the best of 'em. And, we still think the B2B is one of the best ways to see the city by foot, with say 100,000 other elite athletes, beer-bellied joggers, part-time jocks, weekend freaks and more.

It's the ING Bay to Breakers 12K, Sunday May 17 -- and you can click here for more info and to register online today.

LIVE DEAD ON KFOG AFTER 4 PM

Jazz not your thing? Then click on KFOG (104.5 FM) for a live Dead private concert set in the KFOG studio, starting sometime after 4 pm this afternoon.

Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and Warren Haynes live and intimate. And, if you like what you hear, tickets are still available for the Thursday night, May 14 concert at the Shoreline. Click here for deets.

Meanwhile, if a Charlie Parker jam session is more your speed, click here -- and scroll down to the post below for live, FREE jazz goin' on in Glen Park 'til 9 pm tonight.

11-HOUR CHARLIE PARKER JAM SESSION IN GLEN PARK

Right now -- it's happening at Bird & Beckett Books and Records, 653 Chenery (@ Diamond).

From 10 am today until 9 pm tonight, the Charlie Parker Jazz Jam will be going on all day.

Stop in. It's FREE. All Bird, All Day, your donations are greatly appreciated and will go to benefit the bookstore.

10TH ANNUAL HOW WEIRD STREET FAIRE

It's the 10th annual How Weird Street Faire

Sunday May 10th
from Noon to 7pm
Centered at Howard and 2nd Sts.
37° 47' 12.4" N. x 122° 23'53.7" W.
San Francisco, Earth

Ten blocks of FREE art and celebration, and ten stages of FREE music. Plus performances and colorful costumes, vendors from around the world, food and drinks, and much more!

The How Weird Street Faire is an experiment in creating peace, bringing together a wide range of eclectic styles and communities.

Come join the fun! All ages welcome. This year -- purchase a MAGIC STICKER when you enter the faire ($10, or $5 if you're in costume). The MAGIC STICKER gives you discounts and specials throughout the faire: including $1 off each drink, discounts at vendors and local merchants, $2 off each after party. Most importantly, this donation helps keep the faire going and will make it possible for the 11th Annual ow Weird Street Faire to take place next year.

THE POWER OF STRIKES - BLUE PLATE SPECIAL

Do you think there are things more meaningful in life than where to get the best view of the KFOG Kaboom! Fireworks tonight?

Well, there are. Like tonight's International Workers' Holiday Celebration "The Power of Strikes".

Come see two documentary videos about the militancy of the U.S. labor movement during the Great Depression, “Labor on the March” and “We Called It a Work Holiday,” followed by commentary from Toni Mendicino, clerical union activist at UC Berkeley, and a representative from the University Professional & Technical Employees union.

Donations of $3 to $5 are welcome at the door -- but here's the best part -- $9 gets you a Blue Plate Special Meatloaf and Mashed Potato dinner!

6 pm dinner, 7-9:30 pm films and discussion
New Valencia Hall
625 Larkin St., Suite 202

Sponsored by the Freedom Socialist Party. Work exchanges available for low income and unemployed. Everyone welcome!

ZOCALO PUBLIC SQUARE PRESENTS: WHAT COMES AFTER NEWSPAPERS?

You've got to RSVP for this one, but it's FREE and you get FREE wine and beer, too.

Zocalo Public Square Presents: What Comes After Newspapers?

Thursday, May 7, 2009, 7:30 pm
Fort Mason Center
Golden Gate Room at the Conference Center, Building A

Moderated by David Folkenflik, media correspondent, National Public Radio

From town tabloids to major metropolitan dailies, newspapers seem to be in their last throes. The availability of free and instant news online, the high profit margins demanded by media conglomerates, and the steep declines in advertising revenue have hit newspapers hard. They have been forced to lay off employees, trim their pages, close print operations or shut down completely. Will a new model or medium rise to do what newspapers have aimed to do for over a century — pursue accuracy and objectivity, doggedly investigate stories, act as a check on power, embody a community’s conversation with itself, and write a first draft of history? Or will the demise of newspapers mean a radical shift in what we know and how we know it? Zócalo hosts a panel — including former Washington Post managing editor Steve Coll, Slate founder Michael Kinsley, and former San Francisco Chronicle executive vice president and editor Phil Bronstein — to discuss the decline of print media and the future of journalism.

Remember to RSVP.

CINCO DE WHARF-O, LAUGH WITH FISHERMAN'S WHARF, NOT AT IT - FREE

Castagnola's is the place to be tonight at 7:00 for Cinco de Wharf-O, FREE live comedy.

When's the last time you laughed with Fisherman's Wharf, not at it?

Tonight's non-stop line-up of laughter includes: Brian King, Bill B. Blackburn, Candy Churilla, Jeff Reitman, Sam Davidoff, Robb McCulloch, Scotch Wichmann, Sean Stryker, Shawn Robbins, Toby Muresianu, Tom Smith and KayDee Kersten. Click here to see the Facebook page.

If you have only ever frequented Fisherman's Wharf in dark glasses with your out-of-town relatives, Castagnola's is located at 286 Jefferson @ Jones, 94133. Map it, baby.

OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOK AMNESTY

Ok, you've partied hard this weekend and you want to turn over a new leaf for a day and half before Cinco de Mayo rolls around. What better way to pull yourself up out of the gutter and to feel good about life again than to return those way overdue library books (and maybe some CDs and DVDs, too). You know, those books and things that became so embarrassingly late to return you stopped reading altogether rather than encounter the library police.

Here's the deal: From today through May 16 (yep, you've got almost 2 weeks to work your nerve up if you need to), return those long overdue materials, no questions asked. The fines will be waived on the materials you return and you'll be restored to a member of the San Francisco Public Library in good standing.

FREE COUNTRY SUNDAYS AT THEE PARKSIDE

Thee Parkside's FREE Country Sundays at 4 pm today. All ages. Country music -- this week's guests are 77 El Deora -- a five-piece all-country Americana band.

$5 for the BBQ. Gotta have BBQ with yer twang thang.

EL RIO'S CHICHARRONES, SATURDAY AT 3PM

Ok so, it's Saturday, it's gonna rain. You've got $11. You can

a) go to the movies

or

b) go to El Rio's Chicharrones party, starting at 3 pm. $1 gets you in the door. The other $10 is for unlimited all you can drink Miller beer, deejays, and free food/BBQ.

This is not a multiple choice kind of thing.

That's because the $10 goes to an LGBTQ Latino non-profit group - Pride at Work.

Rosa la Rumorosa, Carsanova and guests spin pop clasico y chido from both sides of the border. Dancing, dancing and more dancing, drinking and food. A little rain? So what. You won't melt. Vamonos!

FREE WARHOL PARTY AT DE YOUNG TONIGHT

The closing weeks of the De Young's Warhol Live exhibit are upon us. Don't miss out.

Want to do more than just see this exhibit? Want to pretend it's 1966 and dance through it? Then come to the De Young tonight, Friday, May 1, from 6 'til 8:45 pm for the San Francisco Bay Guardian's tArt: A Party for Andy Warhol -- it's FREE, and includes:

A dazzling celebration of the Pop Art icon's music-influenced work, featuring local artists, rare screenings, and healthy serving of hard rock candy, darlings!

Live performance by
THEE OH SEES

Special screening of rare Warhol related films Visions Of Warhol, provided by
MICROCINEMA DVD and RE:VOIR

Music by
DJ CAROLYN KEDDY

Art displays by local artists
AMIE LEEKING ("Edie Revisited") and
JENNY WEHRT ("Movers, Shakers, and Earthquakers")

Best public transit: MUNI Metro K/L/M/T to Forest Hill Station, then 44 O'Shaughnessy toward Inner Richmond; 5 Fulton or 21 Hayes to 8th Avenue.