COYOTE Calendar: August 13-August 19

Welcome to the COYOTE Calendar. Here are this week's handpicked events, just for you.

This weekend we have real animals at the San Mateo Reptile Expo, and more conceptual animals at the two-day Punk & Furry Mart at Oakland Secret. If you're curious about modern dance but don't know much about it (that's me!), I have on good authority that this weekend's FACT/SF Summer Dance Festival is going to be genuinely cool and that the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival is always amazing. The Women's Weekend Splash is happening at the Russian River, and if you're more of an inside kid check out innerspeak:r (a dance party) and/or MAGWest (a music and gaming fest). This weekend is also Oakland Pride, so you'll find a bunch of official and unofficial events related to that on this edition of the calendar. Last but not least, there’s a whole week of anti-Flock actions coming up; find one near you here.

This week we've also got butler drag, singing with plants, deadlifts, berry foraging, and two different fairy opportunities. We'll post new events each Wednesday. Go forth and enjoy!

• Lakeshore Strut 〰️ Shine your straps up and come through to Oakland Pride's first leather night ever. This is a little bar hopping situation, so you'll be moving from place to place throughout the night looking hot as hell. 〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ Starting at Heart and Dagger, Oakland 〰️ more info
• Queer Flirt Night: Oakland Pride Edition! 〰️ Or maybe you're in the market for a hottie to bring to pride but you waited until the last minute to find one. Never fear, my procrastinating pals, for there is a whole event designed for you. If a cutie catches your eye, you write a note and hand it to the event's Cupids who will dispense them like horny little angels (or devils, if that's what you're into). 〰️ 8pm-12am 〰️ Friends and Family, Oakland 〰️ $15-20 〰️ more info
• DVAN Bay Area Meet-up 〰️ Calling all Vietnamese creatives in the Bay Area — this community meetup is for you. Join fellow artists and makers for a casual evening where you can connect and talk art, music, writing and more. 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Lore, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan: The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special Launch 〰️ I will confess that I had no idea that there were new editions of The Baby-Sitters Club being made, but they are! This one is a graphic novel from two icons of the genre: Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters and Guts) and Gale Galligan (Freestyle and Fresh Start). Listen to them talk about what it's like to work together to create a new entry into such an iconic franchise. 〰️ 4-6pm 〰️ Spangenberg Theatre, Palo Alto 〰️ $27 (includes a copy of the book and a signed bookplate) 〰️ more info
• Catch Feelings at the Ballers Game 〰️ Are you looking for a Sporty Spice? Do you want to be someone's Sporty Spice? Bring your glove and your scorecard to the Ballers Game and sit in the Free Agents section to meet up with cuties and make a little mini pennant, put on by That Art Party. 〰️ 6:35pm 〰️ Raimondi Park, Oakland 〰️ $22.41 (buy a ticket for the 3rd base GA section) 〰️ more info
• Meet the Author: Maggie Tokuda-Hall - President of Authors Against Book Bans 〰️ It’s not a secret that COYOTE is a fan of Maggie Tokuda-Hall. (In fact, I was so excited about this event I accidentally put it on the calendar last month.) Not only is she the creator of incredibly delightful pigeon paintings, she’s also an author, and the former president of Authors Against Book Bans, an organization working tirelessly to protect writers and readers from fascist interference across the country. This event will be focused on that work, why it matters, and how you can get involved. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ Oakland Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Hybrid Drag Show: Oakland Pride Ice Cream Social 〰️ Kick off Oakland Pride with an extremely Oakland coded event: a cannabis-themed drag show at a dispensary. There will be performances from Starlight Erotica, Artorious Cade, Rosa Robada, Enbeguiling, Oliver Garden, and more, along with food, art, drinks and more. Tuck, tuck, pass my friends. 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Root'd in the 510, Oakland 〰️ $23.68 〰️ more info

• Stinky's Art Walk 〰️ I'm very sad that Stinky's Cheese Shop brick-and-mortar setup didn't work out on Georgia St. Come to this week's Art Walk for one final chance to get some grilled cheese from these extremely lovely people who make great food. 〰️ Stinky's Cheese Shop, Vallejo 〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ FREE but bring money for grilled cheese 〰️ more info
• Sapphic Fantasy: Galaxia de la cultura 〰️ This is an entry into the oontz oontz files: for babes who want hard dance, techno, trance and more and who would maybe love to turn into a cyborg while they're at it. This event is specifically for sapphic folks, so be cool and find your own thing if that's not you. 〰️ 9pm-3am 〰️ secret location, SF 〰️ $13.80 〰️ more info
• Children's Fairyland for Grownups 〰️ Once a year, you can enter Children's Fairyland without a child, and that time is upon us. Wander the park with adults and adult beverages, dance to DJs, listen to live performances, see a puppet show, and enjoy the whimsey without having to be nice to children. Last year when I went to this there were tons of people dressed up as fairies or in costumes generally, so put on your wings if you've got them. And while you're there, be sure to say hi to the dandelions for me. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Children's Fairyland, Oakland 〰️ $31.80 〰️ more info
• Oaklash Pride Block Party 〰️ Celebrate the queer community of Oakland at this block party, featuring food, art, DJs, drag, and other queer and trans performances put on by Oaklash. This festival is for all ages, and there will be ASL Interpretations for all the performances. 〰️ 5pm 〰️ 10pm 〰️ Northlake Oakland 〰️ Oakland 〰️ $10 NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• Singing With the Plants: Cacao as Muse 〰️ The "singing" in this event title is literal — you will be singing with cacao, one of the weirdest, coolest looking plants around. Come create music with one another, and with your giant seed pod. No singing experience necessary. The plant won't judge you and neither will I. 〰️ 6:30-9pm 〰️ Berkeley Herbal Center 〰️ Berkeley 〰️ FREE but donations requested 〰️ more info
• String & Shadow Puppet Theater 〰️ I've said it before (as has ORB) and I'll say it again: It's hot puppet summer. Bring a chair and blanket and buckle up for this brand new production of "Night at the Grand Opera," which is described as a "frenzied romp" featuring "love triangles, converging revolutionary plots, art-loving flies and disaffected vermin." 〰️ 6:30-8:30pm 〰️ Jean Sweeney Open Space Park, Alameda 〰️ $10 kids $20 adults NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• Musical Legacies of the African Diaspora 〰️ "What happens to musical traditions as they travel through history? Why do some remain rooted in sacred communities while others are transformed into global sounds?" Authors Eva Silot Bravo (Cuban Fusion: The Transnational Cuban Alternative Music Scene) and Umi Vaughan (Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music) will tackle these questions as they relate to Cuba and Brazil respectively, and discuss how music can look both forwards and backwards, while grounding musicians and listeners in the now. 〰️ 7-9pm 〰️ Clio's, Oakland 〰️ $10 〰️ more info
• Now/Now 〰️ Close out your Friday and open up your weekend with some sweat at this dance party that is unabashedly horny. "If you're still pent up after Dore or your Summer fling is simmering on the backburner, BRING THEM IN." Get sticky, dance responsibly, happy pride bbs. 〰️ 10pm-1am 〰️ There/There, Oakland 〰️ $5-15 NOTAFLOF* for Black trans folks 〰️ https:〰️www.instagram.com/p/DbJniQty9Og/
• Jenny Yang's Good Egg 〰️ Have you ever been shopping for fish sauce and thought "man I could go for some jokes right now?" If so (and, well, even if not) you're in luck, because Jenny Yang is doing a series of standup shows inside immigrant grocery stores. Bring your shopping cart and your diaspora feels. 〰️ 9:30pm 〰️ Seafood City, Daly City 〰️ regular tickets sold out, VIP still available $100 〰️ more info

• Trans Takeover at the Yuba River 〰️ Head up to the river for a day of trans joy, weightlessness, and a glory hole along the Yuba River. If you're lucky, you'll see some Perseid meteors! Wear sunscreen, bring snacks and water, and respect the river. This requires about a mile-long hike to get to the river meetup point. 〰️ all day 〰️ Yuba River 〰️ more info
• Get Bent Summer Slam 〰️ How strong are you? Want to find out for a good cause? Enter this fun, supportive lifting event to raise money for the Get Bent Friends program that provides training for Oakland youth. Or just come and cheer people on as they see how strong they really are. 〰️ 11am 〰️ Get Bent, Oakland 〰️ FREE if you just want to watch, $100 donation if you want to compete 〰️ more info
• Build Your Own Synth 〰️ If you want to make your oontz oontz artisanally, at home, Ina Garten style, you've got to have your own synth. Thankfully, the good people at Dogbotic (the minds behind the instrument petting zoo) are here to help you build one. Learn how to make an analogue synthesizer and take home your creation. 〰️ 12-4pm 〰️ The Planetarium, Richmond 〰️ $62.20 〰️ more info
• Mourning Pages 〰️ This event introduced a new term to me: "journalcore." Witness a show that features paper cutting, view-finders, stencils, banners, bibliographies, archives, the internet, and more. Bring your grief if you've got it; this is the place to share. 〰️ 3pm 〰️ The Fourth Wall Gallery, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Clowns & Queers Lake Day 〰️ The clowns really need to up their game if they want to compete with the puppet resurgence happening right now. Thankfully, they are. Get your sillies on with fellow clowns. BYON (bring your own nose). 〰️ 5pm 〰️ Lake Merritt, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Mushi Mushi 〰️ Paintings and sculptures by over 45 artists at this show, along with live screenprinting. The theme for this is mushrooms, which is good because I've been remiss in putting mushroom events on the calendar recently (the puppets ate them all). 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Hellvella Art, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Thee Queer Dance Party 〰️ A good old-fashioned pride dance party here, for the girls, the gays, and the theys, put on by some of Oakland's favorite DJs. 〰️ 9pm 〰️ Golden Ratio, Oakland 〰️ $0-$23.18 〰️ more info
• SCRAP new home grand opening 〰️ After 50 years of operation, saving art supplies and making them accessible to people, SCRAP has managed to purchase a building to secure their future in the city. Celebrate their new, long-lasting location with a little opening party. 〰️ 10am-6pm 〰️ Scrap SF, San Francisco 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Berry foraging and guided discussion 〰️ This event is specifically targeted for tech folks whose jobs are making them question their sanity and hearts. "As the tech landscape rapidly shifts, Hard Reset wants to bring you an event where we could chat about the overlap between tech, labor, and what it means to build community outside of the office — all while connecting with nature." Learn about berry foraging, and talk about how to unionize your workplace and resist the evil influences of your labor. 〰️ 10am-1pm 〰️ Presidio Main Lawn, SF 〰️ $15 〰️ more info
• Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival: Meet the Artists Panel 〰️ Deaf artists are flying in from all over the world for the Bay Area International Deaf Festival, and along with seeing them dance, you can also hear them speak about their stories, culture, victories, struggles, and identities. Plus, for language nerds, this event will feature a diversity of Sign Languages, including (but not limited to!) American, Botswana, Colombian, and Turkish. 〰️ 12-2pm 〰️ Disability Cultural Center, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Garden of Friendship Event 〰️ Three words: Butler Drag Troupe. I really don't think you should need anything more, to be honest, but fine: this Butler Drag Troupe is putting on a Butler Cafe (!!) speed friending event. Drinks, games, a photo booth, and, let me just repeat, a BUTLER DRAG TROUPE. 〰️ 1-3:30pm 〰️ Mountain View Odd Fellows, Mountain View 〰️ $12 〰️ more info
• Stories from the Margins 〰️ Come learn about the Lumad Indigenous peoples of the Philippines at this presentation featuring short lectures, storytelling, song and dance demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The Lumad have a long and fascinating history of activism and challenging colonialism that I'm reading all about for the first time as I research this calendar entry! 〰️ 2-4:30pm 〰️ SFPL Main Library 〰️ FREE, please register 〰️ more info
• Foggy Summer Art Market & Zine-Making Party 〰️ A good, old fashioned summer art market here, featuring art for sale, a zine making party, and an artist mixer. Shop extra with the knowledge that 100% of the proceeds go to mutual aid in support of families in Gaza. 〰️ 4-8pm 〰️ Moth Belly Gallery, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• GLOSS: A PUNK ROCK DRAG SHOW 〰️ Translucent and Lola Lewd host this raucous, punk rock drag show that is full of incredible performers going full punk princess. Wear pink and black, bring your friends, and be ready to rock. 〰️ 10pm 〰️ 〰️ El Rio, SF 〰️ $17.85 〰️ more info
• Coyote Point Summer Fest 〰️ How could we resist a Coyote Point event? Unfortunately there are unlikely to be coyotes at this, but there will be giant kites, trackless train rides, booths full of crafts, face painting, food, community resources, and more. Bring the family and awoooooo it up. 〰️ 12-4pm 〰️ Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Birding for Beginners 〰️ Learn how to spy on birds like a professional bird voyeur and meet fellow bird paparazzi at this event with Peninsula Open Space Trust and Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance. Great for beginners who want to learn and experienced birders who want to guide them in the ways of the peeping. 〰️ 9:30am-12:30pm 〰️ Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, Morgan Hill 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• Let's Paws: A Benefit for the Sulala Animal Rescue in Gaza 〰️ Gather with fellow animal lovers for this event to raise money for the only animal welfare organization operating in Gaza. Start with a vegan breakfast, learn to make origami animals and vegan pet treats, and enjoy a pet costume contest. Then folks will hear directly from Saeed Al Err, founder of Sulala Animal Rescue, in a live feed from Gaza. 100% of funds raised go directly to Sulala. 〰️ 9am-12pm 〰️ Berkeley Animal Rights Center 〰️ $35-75 suggested donation, NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• Oakland Pride Festival 〰️ We can't let SF have all the pride fun, so come through to the Town's version of queer joy and celebration. Four stages of entertainment, over 300 exhibitors, food, community, and joy. This year's theme is “Celebrating Pride, Power, and People,” and aims to honor "Oakland’s legacy of activism and the strength of a community that continues to organize, uplift, and celebrate one another in the face of ongoing challenges." 〰️ 10am 〰️ Frank H Ogawa Plaza, Oakland 〰️ $17+ 〰️ more info
• Frolic Free: Black Fae Day Meetup at Oakland Pride 〰️ If Fairyland for grownups wasn't enough fairy dress up for you, here's another opportunity to dress up in your best fae drip. Come through and meet fellow Black folks who love the fantastical. 〰️ 3-4:30pm 〰️ Frank H Ogawa Plaza, Oakland 〰️ more info
• Generations of Pride 〰️ If the messy drinking popper party scene isn't your scene, but you still want to be a part of pride, here's one for you. "A brand-new, sober, intergenerational space connected to the greater festival, Generations of Pride brings together our youth, families, adults, and elders to celebrate how far we’ve come as a community—and the brighter, more inclusive future we’re building together." 〰️ 12pm 〰️ Frank H Ogawa Plaza, Oakland 〰️ $23 〰️ more info
• T Party 〰️ A super sweet mini backyard music festival highlighting local trans musicians! Come listen to local acts and support both the organizers and bands and local mutual aid (they're splitting the proceeds between those two groups 50/50). There will be food and drink and excellent vibes. 〰️ 1-9pm 〰️ secret location, Oakland 〰️ $25-$75 suggested donation, NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• August Garden Party 〰️ There's nothing better than a chill day in the garden, and Fig Leaf is one of the better ones in the East Bay. Come relax, bring a book, meet a friend, and have a chill day with food by Ciocia and refreshments. 〰️ 11am-3pm 〰️ Fig Leaf Gardens, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Black Men's Chess League One Year Anniversary 〰️ For the past year, the Black Men's Chess League has been putting on events all over the Bay Area, and now you can come celebrate that work with them. This is open to beginners and chess sharks alike, so come through if you've ever been curious about pawns and rooks. 〰️ 2-8pm 〰️ Prescott Market, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Soulovely Prom The Future 〰️ The kids are just back to school, but it's never too early for a themed prom. This year's theme is Futuristic Formal, whatever that might meant to you: spaceship dinner party, cosmic alien royalty, interdimensional queens — it's your choice. "Bring your chosen family, your wildest dreams, and your most iconic fit. We’re creating the future we always deserved!" 〰️ 3:30-8:30pm 〰️ 7th West, Oakland 〰️ $17-44 sliding scale 〰️ more info
• Got Notes? 〰️ Take a peek behind the theatrical curtain, and watch actors read drafts of plays and screenplays they're working on. Then, you'll get to give your own notes on how you felt about the piece to help the writers with their revisions. 〰️ 11am-12pm 〰️ The Writer's Grotto, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• Bingo Night 〰️ Listen, there's not a lot happening on Mondays. But you can spice up the beginning of your week with a little bingo! If you miss this one, never fear, this happens every Monday. 〰️ 7-9pm 〰️ Brewsters Beer Garden, Petaluma 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• Modern Alchemy: Building New Elements 〰️ You probably learned about the Periodic Table at some point in school. But did you know that they're constantly adding elements to it? It's kind of like a reverse Pluto situation, those pesky scientists always up to something. And now you can hear from someone who is very literally inventing new elements like some kind of sci-fi hero/villain: Dr. Jacklyn Gates the leader of the Heavy Element Group in the Nuclear Science Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 〰️ 7-8:30pm 〰️ Hopmonk Tavern, Novato 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• When We Win: FREE JOAN LITTLE 〰️ The When We Win political education film series continues with this screening of Free Joan Little by Yoruba Richen, which is also the Bay Area premier of the film. The documentary explores the 1975 case of Joan Little, who became the first woman to be acquitted after using deadly force to defend herself from sexual assault. Proceeds from the screening go to the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. 〰️ 7:30-9:30pm 〰️ La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley 〰️ $17.30+, NOTAFLOF, free for La Peña members 〰️ more info
• Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic 〰️ If you need help navigating the forms for a name and gender marker change, this is for you. Folks from The Transgender District will be on hand to help you out, and you can immediately receive a new or updated library card that reflects your name. 〰️ 3-6pm 〰️ SFPL Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Protecting the unseen 〰️ How do you protect something you can't see? Emperor penguins breed in the pitch black Antarctic winter out on the sea ice, making them extremely difficult to study and protect. Scientist Daniel Zitterbart talks about how to combine long-term field observations, electronic tagging, animal-borne sensors, robotics, and satellite data together to keep an eye on these freaky, extremely tough birds. 〰️ 11am-12pm 〰️ Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• Wood Street Documentary Screening 〰️ If you missed the other screenings of Wood Street, you're in luck — they're bringing the film to Vallejo for a showing. This documentary follows a year in the life of the residents of Oakland's largest unhoused encampment as they face eviction and the destruction of their community. Following the film, you'll hear from folks in that community and local Vallejo unhoused organizers and advocates. 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ Autonomous Gallery, Vallejo 〰️ Vallejo 〰️ FREE, but RSVP required, and donations requested if you can 〰️ more info
• History of Greek Wine 〰️ It's time for some Bacchussmaxxing! Come learn about ancient Greek winemaking traditions and how they've impacted modern wine. This edition of the series is about the South-Central and Peninsula regions of Greece known for "strikingly savory, textured whites aged in all manner of vessels (amphora, barrel, inox), and mineral-rich, herb-spiked reds, with small, multi-generational wineries hyper-focused on the regions’ native varieties." 〰️ 5:30-7:30pm 〰️ Solano Cellars, Berkeley 〰️ $60 〰️ more info
• The Mystical & Bountiful Farallon Islands 〰️ The Farallon Islands sound like they're made up by some fantasy writer, but in fact they are real. This small archipelago is just 30 miles west of San Francisco and full of magic and mystery. Come learn about the half million birds who breed there, the seals and sea lions, the unique species, and the human history of this very real place. 〰️ 6-7pm 〰️ San Mateo Public Library 〰️ FREE but RSVP required 〰️ more info

You can see all of COYOTE's past calendar picks here. If you have an event you'd like to see on a future COYOTE Calendar, email us at calendar@coyotemedia.org. If you attended and enjoyed any of these events, we'd love to hear about it in the comments!

*NOTAFLOF = No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds