Gallery Visits San Francisco

Contact Improvisational Dance at Mabuhay Gardens with Juliana Mendonca

6:30-8 PM contact improvisational class with Juliana Mendonca 8-11 PM open dancing continues: live musicians' jam and solarpunk riffs (words that reflect the future we wish for) Contact Improvisational Dance at Mabuhay Gardens is an ongoing series of classes and jams, led by multiple collaborators of themab.org. Juliana Mendonca opened the series with two Fluid Dance evenings, and she returns to lead this one. THE CLASS WITH JULIANA MENDONCA (6:30-8 PM) Fluid Dance is Juliana's somatic movement practice. It grew out of her water-based work, Aquatic Intelligence (formerly Liquidanza), and tonight she brings it onto the dance floor. Through breath, rhythm, weight-sharing, and contact improvisation, we explore fluidity, relational awareness, and embodied connection: how to move with ease, give and receive weight, and listen to each other through touch. You are invited to arrive exactly as you are, with your joy, your longing, your stillness, or your movement. Whatever lives within you is welcome. No experience needed. What to bring: Comfortable clothes you can roll, lean, and move in, and a water bottle. AT 8 PM: SOLARPUNK RIFFS OVER LIVE MUSIC At 8, the class opens into more than a contact jam. Darrell from Camp Contact will also help invite the contact improvisational dance community. Loke, of the funk jam band «As/Is», anchors the music. Loke is joined by a new circle of musicians for the night, and solarpunks riff freestyle over the groove with spoken, improvised visions of regenerative futures. The music answers the words, and dancers carry the contact practice into both. Dance, play, play an instrument, speak, or witness. Musicians are welcome to bring an instrument and sit in. What are SolarPunk riffs? Short, spoken, improvised visions of the futures we'd love to live in, riffed over live music. See a 15-minute uplink of Shared Origin, Mutual Futures from Mabuhay Gardens, originally broadcast live to 70 countries as part of the global ORIGIN festival. TEXTS FROM STEVE PAXTON, FOUNDER OF CONTACT IMPROVISATION These words are part of History Texts Back, a series where real words from history arrive as messages on your phone, as if they were meant for tonight: "a martial art, but without the martial... an art-cooperation." (1975) "Improvisation is a very difficult nut to crack because it can't really be defined. It deals with the future, maybe only the next second but the future. Its definition is in the result of it." (1986) "Maybe it isn't art... for a while. Maybe it has to exist for a while before people see the art of it or the art in it." (1986) "I'm talking about the democracy between two people. Did I, through energy and exchange between two people find out a secret that I could share with you? Yes, it's one that was already known." (1998) Contact improv, live music, and spoken word, improvised together in one room, isn't a familiar form yet. Maybe it isn't art for a while. Dancers, musicians, and solarpunk riffers will each be improvising and listening, with none of them leading: an art-cooperation, defined by whatever we make together that night. A note from Bobby: This is a gathering the week of my birthday in celebration at a favorite place - Mabuhay Gardens. I'm a San Francisco artist and community builder, and Artistic Director and Solarpunk in Residence at Mabuhay Gardens. My work comes from a belief that intuition, exuberant creativity, and authentic stretch goals can unlock phase shifts in people and in systems. I'm drawn to the unfinished task of protecting and growing the conditions where people can imagine a future fit for their future selves, in a more-than-human world. I do that by exploring everyday micro-utopias: preferred futures specific enough to be walked toward together. So for my birthday I wanted a room where everyone gets to be an improviser, and where we meet each other in the vignettes of micro-utopian kind. The building has long been a center for inspirationally positive deviance - it has hosted legends including Louis Armstrong, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Dead Kennedys, Iggy Pop, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, The Specials, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Herbie Hancock, REM, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Green Day, Soundgarden, George Lopez, Bad Religion, and Dave Chappelle. HOW TO ARRIVE Thursday, November 19 6:30-8:00 PM: The Waters Within, a contact improvisational dance class with Juliana Mendonca 8:00-11:00 PM: Solarpunk riffs over a live musicians' jam, open dancing, and Bobby's birthday celebration Mabuhay Gardens, 435 Broadway, San Francisco Suggested donation $20, pay what you want - any amount welcome, and no one turned away for lack of funds. Full listing with videos: https://luma.com/0zbutx52 Let's meet in the flow.

East Bay Sketchers at OMCA

Let's sketch at the Oakland Museum of California. 1000 Oak St. There are public gardens and views of Lake Merritt. There are covered areas in case of rain. Reminder from last event. Don't forget to bring your 8x10 artwork for the upcoming show. 11:00-1:00 Sketching 1:00- 1:30 Throw Down

Free event at Pier 70, Building 12. Market and festivities!

Building 12 is a complex of a bakery, padel courts, ceramic studios will be celebrating Nov 14. The festivities starts at 11,but we can start early for some outside sketching and coffee. Sounds like there will be a market.. fun! Eileen 415-305-0892

Fall Holiday Chocolate Salon 2026

The premier chocolate show on the West Coast brings the Annual San Francisco **Fall Holiday CHOCOLATE SALON**. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas. This is a smaller, seasonal version of the spring San Francisco International Chocolate Salon. Great for gifts, tastings, fun, and meetups. **SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY FAIR BUILDING AUDITORIUM** Curated chocolatiers and artisan culinary partners in the past have included Amano Artisan Chocolate, Socola Chocolatier, Z. Cioccolato, Kindred Cooks Caramels, Raphio Chocolate, Michael's Chocolates, The Cocoa Exchange, Mojo Bakes SF, Goufrais, Flying Noir, Dark Heart Chili Sauce, Farm Fresh to You, Tandem Chocolates, Gourmet Blends, The Good Chocolate, P.O.P. Candy Co., 3D Candies, All Star Dips, CocoTutti Chocolates, Formosa Chocolate, Alexander's Patisserie, Endorfin Food's chocolate, chocoMe, Welk Resorts, Renewal By Andersen, Kids Cooking for Life, and more. **ADVANCE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE HERE**\*\* (Advance Prices Change from Month to Month) [http://www.FallChocolateSalon.com](http://www.FallChocolateSalon.com) **IN SOME PREVIOUS YEARS THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT IN ADVANCE**

Annual Fort Mason Craft Friends Social

**RSVP via:** https://app.gistirl.com/event-details/w9fjjqcpWDl2rf44fDWa **Early Bird Discounts | More $ Later** Hello New Friends, This event is like no other - you'll meet at least 10 new friends here with our rotating 1-1 conversations! Come spend the afternoon surrounded by beautiful handmade goods, discovering independent makers alongside people who share your eye for art at the Renegade Craft Fair. We'll start with an hour of quick, app-paired chats to break the ice, and then we'll break into small groups to explore the bustling artisan pavilions together. We're going to kick things off by chatting one-on-one. The Gist IRL app takes the guesswork out of mingling by pairing you up, so you can easily figure out who shares your taste in ceramics, textiles, and independent art. Once the rounds wrap up, the real fun begins. You'll choose a few folks you really hit it off with, form a little squad, and walk through the Renegade Craft Fair to explore the artisan booths together. By the time the fair closes at 5pm, you'll have found some favorite new makers and shared the afternoon with people who love local design as much as you do. Whether this small group becomes your go-to crew for artisan markets and craft fairs, or you just head home with a unique souvenir and a great memory, it's going to be a wonderful Saturday. The Plan: - 3:00PM: Check-In. Follow the link to set up your quick profile on your phone. - 3:05PM - 4:25PM: One-on-One Rounds. The app pairs you for focused chats. Find out who shares your appreciation for independent makers, thoughtful design, and handcrafted goods. - 4:25PM+: Form Groups & head into the fair pavilion. Reconnect with your favorite matches, form groups of 3-5, and head into the fair pavilion to check out the booths together — your group leaves together today. Let's skip the usual routine of wandering the aisles solo and collecting business cards you never look at again, and instead actually explore the craft fair side-by-side with folks who might just become your regular crew for future craft fairs, makers markets, and design walks to explore together. Plus, if you want to swap notes on what you bought after the fair wraps up, you can easily stay in touch through the app without ever needing to hand out your phone number. I can't wait to discover some amazing local art with you all this afternoon. A few favorite spots nearby: The Interval at Long Now - Housed right inside Fort Mason, this conversational cafe and salon serves artisan coffee, fine teas, and light bites surrounded by kinetic clockwork and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Equator Coffees - Situated at Fort Mason's historic entrance gatehouse, this breezy cafe pairs specialty espresso drinks and fresh pastries with outdoor seating facing the bay. Dandelion Chocolate - Located a short stroll away on Chestnut Street, this inviting cafe specializes in bean-to-bar hot chocolates, specialty coffee, and decadent house-baked chocolate treats. Over the Moon Creamery - A neighborhood staple on Chestnut Street, this charming dessert shop is known for its small-batch ice cream scoops tucked into warm, freshly baked cookies. The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop - A scenic walk along the waterfront into Ghirardelli Square, this iconic spot offers plenty of seating to share classic hot fudge sundaes and thick shakes. **RSVP via:** https://app.gistirl.com/event-details/w9fjjqcpWDl2rf44fDWa **Early Bird Discounts | More $ Later**

Yosemite Fall Colors - Camping n Hiking

Camping and Hiking in the heart of Yosemite - Yosemite Valley. Limited spots available. Fall is one of my favorite times for visiting Yosemite and there are many reasons - * Fewer People * Cooler Hiking Weather * Beautiful Scenery For Photography * Clean Crisp Air * Peaceful campground and warm campfire on cool evenings 1. RSVP on this page doesn't count :) **If you are interested in joining, [RSVP here](https://www.meetup.com/last-minute-backpackers/events/317183020/) (at the link given below) and answer the questions** https://www.meetup.com/last-minute-backpackers/events/317183020/

SFMOMA Museum Day + Lunch in SoMa 🎨

📅 UPDATE: We moved this to Saturday, Nov 14 at 1 PM! Another conflict came up on my end, sorry for the shuffle again. If the new time doesn't work for you, no worries, just update your RSVP. Hope to see you there! Hey hey, let's spend a Saturday afternoon at SFMOMA together and then grab a late lunch in SoMa 🎨 SFMOMA has seven floors of modern and contemporary art, from big names like Frida Kahlo, Rothko, Warhol and Calder to photography, sculpture and huge installations. There's also an outdoor sculpture terrace and a living wall, so there's plenty to see even if you're not an "art person." It's a great low key way to meet people, since there's always something to talk about. We'll be doing general admission only, so no special exhibition tickets needed. How we'll meet up: 1\. RSVP here so I know who's coming 2\. Get a general admission ticket on sfmoma\.org or at the front desk when you arrive\. It's free for SFMOMA members and anyone 18 and under 3\. 1:00 PM meet at the main entrance on Third Street\. I'll post a pic of where I'm standing in the event chat 4\. Quick intros\, then we head in together 5\. Explore the floors for about an hour and a half\. Wander solo or stick with the group 6\. 2:45 PM regroup in the lobby\, then optional late lunch or coffee nearby in SoMa / Yerba Buena 🚇 Getting there: SFMOMA is at 151 Third St. Montgomery St BART is about a 5 minute walk. Parking in SoMa is pricey, so transit or carpooling is the move. Come solo or bring a friend, lots of people come to these on their own. See you there 👋

SF Adventure day: MOMA, Union Square Holiday windows then Evil Eye

Drink and Draw at Jupiter

Come draw, paint, or do whatever other art you're working on! Bring your own supplies. We're usually on the second floor -- look for all the people with sketchbooks and/or drawing tablets. In case you'd like to share your art or just stay in touch, we have a Discord server: [https://discord.gg/k7Vbwgm5ey](https://discord.gg/k7Vbwgm5ey)

"Shoot-n-Shoot" SF Edition

**California Dance Photography Workshop** **Hosted by Ashleigh Wilson and Alexandra FitzGibbon** **“Shoot-n-Shoot” San Francisco Edition** Ready to get your creative juices flowing? A unique opportunity to shoot dancers in a place unlike any dance or photo studio, we welcome our collaborators at The Hall, the newest swankiest Billiards Hall in San Francisco! This classy space has a mixture of natural light via large skylights, moody lighting near the bar, and fresh pool tables galore. Come shoot our dancers shooting pool while challenging your skill sets to work with different types of lighting. **Dance Models:** 1. Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, and former Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer ***Amanda Smith*** @theamandasmithh 2. SF Opera/Met Opera dancer ***Alex FitzGibbon*** (host and model) @alexballetina **When:** Saturday November 21st 10am-12:30pm **Where:** The Hall, 2565 Mission St, San Francisco (across the street from Alamo Drafthouse) **Ticket:** $135 **Spots:** limited to 12 persons \*early bird special $125 until 11/7 **What to expect:** * 2 professional ballet dancers * Time to shoot in groups and possible one on ones * Lots of space/variety to get creative with your shots * Mixture of natural light and moody bar lighting * A relaxed room of fellow photographers, an opportunity to network, share tips, learn from one another. \*AND you're welcome to hang around after the workshop- The Hall offers a brunch menu (full bar and kitchen in house) or grab a table for yourself to shoot some pool! * We will provide at least one light, stay tuned for more info leading up to the workshop! **What to bring:** * Your own gear: camera, lens that works with low light/capturing motion like a 35mm or 50mm, lights \*if you wish, extra/charged batteries and memory cards * Your creativity and openness to experiment/play **Our ask:** If photos are posted to the social media platforms please tag both @theHall and @thedancephotographyworkshop. We will do the same for you! :) **Our policy:** No commercial release forms please- our workshop is for portfolio, web, artistic and educational purposes only.

Drink & Draw 21+ In San Francisco Every 3rd Thursday! FREE to join!

Grab your art supplies and come join us for a community Drink & Draw at 540 Bar in San Francisco to join.21+ FREE TO JOIN (but please 2 drink boozy/not min to support our local only small businesses) All levels of skills are welcome! Every 3rd Thursdays 6-8pm 21+ RSVP to let me know you’re coming! These activities are free because we pay for them, please support by: Grabbing a beverage or few (boozy or not) to support the bar, who lets us use the space on the monthly! They’re a small business owned by a trio of Richmond neighbors 💕 This is a labor of love by me (Risa) Supplies and cost of running this event are out of pocket. If you liked the event and would like to donate please venmo @Risa-Culbertson much appreciated! I’ll keep this running for as long as i can! Follow us on IG @Risa_Iwasaki_Culbertson @540bar We’re small businesses/ local artists. Come hang!

Albany Bulb NJ Club Fall Meetup @ Albany Bulb, Albany CA

**It's the Albany Bulb quarterly meetup!** Come nature journal at the urban wilds of Albany Bulb. This bayside park has a wide variety of flora and fauna...native plants, birds in the estuary, trees, a small beach, views of the bay over to SF and Marin. Bring your own journaling supplies and spend the afternoon discovering the fascinating ecology of the Bulb while expanding, practicing, and sharing your nature journal skills. It's late Autumn, and the year is turning towards cozy season! Some plants are winding down while many native plants are waiting to kick up the bloom later in the season. The acacia buds are emerging and shorebirds are worth the trip. * Learn more about the Albany Bulb here: [www.albanybulb.org](https://www.albanybulb.org) * Free; Suggested $5-20 donation for the [Love the Bulb](https://www.albanybulb.org/) Meetup host: Kate Rutter **Weather note:** Rain is forecast for the weekend, but it looks to be light. **\*\* If it's raining heavily, we will cancel, so check your email before heading out. We will make the call by NOON on Sunday.\*\*** Bring plenty of water. Also, the Bulb is windy, so binder clips and wind jacket are needed. **Transit & Parking:** * Public Transit is available, but it’s a bit of a walk. Take AC Transit #72 to the San Pablo+Marin Ave stop. From there, walk \~1.1 miles West. This path includes some tricky road crossings, but it’s possible. * Please post on the Meetup group for carpools. * 2-hour parking is available in two lots along Buchannan Street, and is very limited. Come a little early to be sure to get a closer spot. **How to find us:** Meet at the bench at the roundabout and near the restroom at the start of the Albany Waterfront Trail. (If you come a little late, look for people sketching. :) Location Map: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/9GsK4V3e7sde7Ww2A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9GsK4V3e7sde7Ww2A) **Bring:** * Seasonally appropriate clothing / dress for variable (including WET or WINDY) weather. * Sunscreen and hat. * Waterbottle (no water is available onsite.) * Nature journaling supplies including binder clips * Snacks: maybe bring treats to share! * A sense of wonder and humor. * Anything else to make the day lovely for you: folding stool, magnifying loupe, umbrella, depending. ;) **Flow of the day:** * We'll gather for our opening circle at \*\*1pm\*\* and do short intros and a warm-up. Then we'll head out for journaling, either in small clusters, or solo, whichever you prefer. * We'll meet again at 3:30 for a final closing circle and connection time, then wrap. **Good to know:** * Open to all ages and ability levels. * Free, no registration is necessary (but it's nice if you RSVP on Eventbrite or Meetup. $ suggested donation to support the organizations that make this possible. * No potable water at the site. * Accessibility: mostly flat and accessible pathways; benches and seating. Some paths are unofficial, so don’t venture beyond your comfort zone. * Bathrooms are available onsite. * Cell coverage is moderate so plan accordingly. **Bring friends and family!**