COYOTE Calendar: July 9-July 15

Welcome to the COYOTE Calendar. Here are this week’s hand-picked events, just for you.

Team COYOTE was off last week and I absconded to the woods with my dog to escape the terror of the big bright booms, but I’m really hoping some of you went to the Shrek Rave. Post Pride we’re back to a more reasonable number of events in the newsletter (the last one I sent out had nearly 70, which melted my poor little brain). This weekend the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus has several shows on where they’re singing music from Bay Area artists like Pointer Sisters, Santana, and Journey; Neck of the Woods is putting on Sinister Sounds Fest; and there are some county fairs in the surrounding region to be munched through.

This week we’ve also got coal (anti), guillotines (pro), Flock (anti), speed dating (pro), book bans (anti), t4t pinball (pro), and more.  We’ll post new events each Wednesday. Go forth and enjoy!

• Birding the Panama Rainforest 〰️ Not everybody can hop on a plane and pop over to Panama to see the country’s incredible birds. But now you can do the next best thing: see a slideshow from someone who did just that. Dave Yeamans offers an "armchair travelers" presentation documenting his recent ten-day excursion into the gorgeous forests of Panama and all the bird friends he made along the way. 〰️ 1:30pm 〰️ Civic Center Library, Livermore 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Housing is Health 〰️ "Families across Vallejo are carrying the weight of asthma, stress, mold, and heat. Let’s break down how this is connected to unsafe housing and environmental conditions." Come meet the Vallejo Housing Justice Coalition, and discuss what’s going wrong for folks in Vallejo and how to organize for change. 〰️ 5:30pm 〰️ JFK Library, Vallejo 〰️ FREE; call or text VHJC (707) 646‑9150 to RSVP 〰️ more info
• ABACÁ x Breadbelly 〰️ When COYOTE’s resident food critic Soleil sends me a food event with the note "oh fuuuuq," you know it’s going to be good. This dinner honors the people and vibrant flavors of Mindanao, Philippines (site of a recent earthquake) and "is an opportunity to celebrate community, craftsmanship, and the resilience of Mindanao."〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ Abacá, SF 〰️ $153 〰️ more info
• IndigeQueer Healing Drum Circle 〰️ In a beautiful act of generosity, all are welcome at this drum circle that centers IndigeQueer & QTBIPOC healing. Bring either tobacco or some other medicine from your tradition and chairs or a blanket to sit on, and come ready to connect, understand, and expand our relations to one another. 〰️ 6-8:30pm 〰️ Oakland 〰️ $5-20 suggested donation 〰️ more info
• Peralta Student Art Show Opening Reception 〰️ Here’s something I learned from taking a lot of art classes at Laney College: There is better art happening at community colleges than in a lot of fancy schmancy galleries. Trust me on this! Seeing artists starting to really develop their voice and practice is an incredible honor, and you can support current Peralta students by checking out this show. I’ll be there for sure. 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Werkshack Gallery, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Meet the Author: Jeff Chang, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America 〰️ Everybody thinks they know Bruce Lee, but reading Chang’s book made me realize that I only had a tiny sliver of the picture of a complicated and multi-layered man. Come hear Chang talk about the man behind the legend, his forgotten nuances, and the ways in which he shaped Asian American culture. Masks are encouraged and will be provided. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ Oakland Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Strings Attached: Sapphic Speed Dating 〰️ "For the wlw, the art hoes, the crafty queers, and the artsy enbies." If you missed this one last time because it sold out hella fast (remember, you can get early looks at events we know are going to sell out by becoming a paying member at COYOTE) you’re in luck for this one — there are still a few tickets left. Go fall in love, babies! 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Donkey & Goat Winery, Berkeley 〰️ $22+ 〰️ more info
• Godless: a new cabaret show by Rotimi Agbabiaka 〰️ I genuinely believe that Rotimi Agbabiaka is one of the Bay Areas greatest performers, full stop. The man is a genius! Go see this show, which "blends Broadway, pop, and jazz standards with Greek, African, and contemporary mythology. Godless is a journey through a glittering world of gossiping gods, fabulous muses, and mischievous mortals, all in search of their divine destiny." I promise you’ll be blown away. 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ Presidio Theatre, SF 〰️ $55 〰️ more info

• Bitchfits, Bombshell, Hillbomb, Spork, S.H.E.D. and Scrrrratched 〰️ Get your riotgrrrl on with a lineup of killer local bands doing the thing. Good old-fashioned punk to heal the soul. 〰️ 5pm 〰️ Lanesplitter, Oakland 〰️ $10 NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• The True Cost of Coal 〰️ As Oakland residents continue to battle against allowing coal to move through West Oakland, you can learn more about the precise ways in which the extraction and use of this fuel is particularly nasty, even in ways you probably don’t even realize. 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Junior Center of Arts and Science, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Rope Lab: Rainbowtied Pride 〰️ Pride continues as long as you believe, Virginia. This is "a laid-back event focused on rope play." They’ll offer the space, hardpoints, mood lighting, and music; you’re responsible for bringing your own bondage supplies. Most people will come with plans and partners, so this one isn’t a good fit for pickup play. 〰️ 8-11:30pm 〰️ Little Boxes Theater, SF 〰️ $28-39 〰️ more info
• Sugar Worker Solidarity 〰️ Rock up and support ILWU C&H sugar refinery workers as they fight to protect overtime pay, healthcare benefits, and more. There will be a raffle, "strong drinks" and "for one lucky partygoer, a very sweet coronation" but ngl I don’t know what that means. 〰️ 8:30pm 〰️ Tamarack, Oakland 〰️ FREE (but bring money to donate) 〰️ more info
• Ride the Night: 7/11 〰️ Take a nighttime bike tour of the glorious 24-hour meccas that are the Bay Area’s 7-Elevens. This one isn’t for beginners (in their words: "mechanical and navigational self sufficiency required") but is super welcoming. Plus: slurpees. 〰️ 10pm 〰️ Check Instagram for location updates 〰️ FREE (bring money for slurpees) 〰️ more info

• Our Freedom Festival 〰️ Celebrate the joys of liberation, justice and more with music, dance, yoga, poetry, art, and more. Over 25 performers are lined up, plus interactive workshops and just overall good vibes. Forget America 250 (barf); this is the kind of freedom celebration that matters. 〰️ 10am-9pm 〰️ First Congregational Church of Oakland 〰️ $35+ 〰️ more info
• Goth Day at Manic Pixie Dream Market 〰️ I have been neglecting the goths again recently, which I know because I was recently tormented by a very beautiful raven who kept saying "calendar" "calendar" "calendar." Here then is my offering: the manic pixie dream goths amongst you, rise up and take your rightful throne atop the most unique and special girlies of them all. 〰️ 11am-5pm 〰️ 1911 Telegraph Ave, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Temescal Street Fair 〰️ It’s peak street fair season and Temescal is getting in on it. Three stages of music, food, cocktails, a children’s play area, a vendor market, all the stuff you want out of a good summer stroll. 〰️ 11am-7pm 〰️ Temescal District, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Feral Winemaking Class 〰️ If you’ve ever been curious about winemaking but your vibes are more chaos gremlin than fancy Napa wine fairy, boy do I have good news for you. This is the first of a three part hands-on course to teach you how to forage, process, ferment, and bottle your very own wine. You can take just this first class, but they recommend doing all three to really get the whole picture and be able to make your own wine in the future. 〰️ 11am-9pm 〰️ Bridge Storage Arts and Events, Richmond 〰️ $100 for just one day, $275 for all three sessions 〰️ more info
• Know Your Rights Training 〰️ Curious about how best to watch cops at protests, keep an eye on ICE, and prepare for potential arrest? Sadly these are crucial skills these days, and this free workshop will keep you prepared and ready to help your community. 〰️ 11am 〰️ Grassroots House, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Inner Outer Zine Release Party 〰️ I see zine event, I put zine event on calendar. It’s that simple. Celebrate the release of the first ever Inner Outer Zine! This one is all about parks. Zines forever. 〰️ 12-3pm 〰️ Golden Gate Park, SF 〰️ FREE (but bring money to buy a zine!) 〰️ more info
• Make Do & Mend - Community Mending Circle 〰️ Learning to mend is a quietly radical way of resisting the horrors and insisting that things can, in fact, be fixed. Artist Ariana Martinez-Cruz leads this community event that will teach you hand sewing skills to fix and extend the lives of your favorite pieces of clothing. Sewing kits provided until they run out, and they’ll be doing demos in English and Spanish. 〰️ 12-4pm 〰️ 683 Florida Street, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• CIL’s Disability & Trans/Queer Pride 〰️ "At a time when disabled, transgender, and queer communities continue to fight for visibility, access, safety, and belonging, this event creates space to celebrate identity, culture, resistance, and community care together." Join community members for performances, vendors, makeup, quilt-making, an "adaptive micromobility showcase," food, drinks and more. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks are required and provided 〰️ 1-4pm 〰️ Center For Independent Living, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Community Convenience 〰️ Pride only stops if you want it to, so head out once again this weekend to this bbq kiki "for the BIPOC gays, faes, they/thems, and fems." Come make new friends, connect with folks, and chow down. Bring something you’d like to grill and records you want to play! There will be slushies! 〰️ 1-6pm 〰️ Lloyd’s Records, Oakland 〰️ $5-20 suggested donation 〰️ more info
• Punk Swap Meet 〰️ The best thing to do with your well-loved stuff is to find a new person to love it. Bring your goods and get ready to barter and trade here (or sell, if you really must, but follow the rules on that in the event description). This is a true swap, so don’t show up and dump shit like it’s a donation box! Be cool, be punk, have fun. 〰️ 2-5pm 〰️ Moss Oak Commons, Arcata 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• 20th Anniversary of El Rio’s Dolly Parton Hoot! 〰️ Did you know that Dolly Parton used to own a little house in Solvang? That has nothing to do with this event; just a fun fact! But if you already knew that, you’re probably going to want to check out this long-running tribute to the one and only Queen of Country. 〰️ 3-8pm 〰️ El Rio, SF 〰️ $10 NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• Hot Lava (B52’s Tribute) + Flippy Floppy (Talking Heads Tribute) 〰️ No one asked me about my dad band opinions, so I’m going to weigh in here and say that at the truest dad band is a tribute band. Come see this duo of bands as they keep the Idahos private, the lobsters rocking, and the houses burning. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Retro Junkie, Walnut Creek 〰️ $24 〰️ more info
• Summer Night Market 〰️ Who doesn’t love a good night market? And one at a nursery? Come on! (Almost as good as a greenhouse rave.) There will be music, food, artists, activities, and more. Celebrate the summer solstice in style. 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Planting Justice Nursery & Farm Store, El Sobrante 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• History of Drawbridge at the EEC 〰️ From the 1880’s through the mid-1970’s a tiny community called Drawbridge lived in the middle of the South Bay marshes. Come learn about the town, what it was like living there, and why the last person left 50 years ago. Afterwards you can take a ~3.2-mile round trip walk to the viewpoint to see some buildings left over from the town. Bring sunscreen and water! 〰️ 9:30-10:30am 〰️ Don Edwards Refuge Headquarters & Visitors Center, Fremont 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Bay Area Hoya’s 6th BAHNiversary Celebration 〰️ Have I told you about my hoya problem? It’s an addiction. I’m not going to tell you how many I have because you’ll ban me from attending this event and acquiring more. Hoyas are so cool though! Come learn about them, show off and trade your coolest specimens, and bring home a new plant buddy. 〰️ 11am-2pm 〰️ San Mateo Garden Center 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Community Dye Day with Fresh Indigo 〰️ Drop in and learn about the wondrous power of indigo. Bring pre-mordanted material to dye (I had to look that up too) and experiment with colors, techniques, and processes. This event uses indigo harvested from their garden, so supplies could run out. Get there early if you want to make sure to get a chance to dye something. 〰️ 11am-3pm 〰️ Makeshift Studio, Oakland 〰️ $15-30 NOTAFLOF 〰️ more info
• Zines on B Reading 〰️ Artists and zine makers Alexis Amayo-Hassan, Caspian Walters, Maira M., Martina Vargas, and Kavya Jolly will be reading from their work at this cute little zine meetup and event. Once again: zines forever! 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 1-3pm 〰️ Books on B, Hayward 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Queer Fem Russian River Day 〰️ Join a group of queer femme baddies as they float and splash along the Russian River. A way to reconnect and vibe outdoors away from it all. 〰️ Russian River, Guerneville 〰️ FREE (DM on Instagram to get access and join) 〰️ more info
• Under Pressure 〰️ The Queer Ancestors Project presents a new show featuring their 2026 cohort of artists and print makers. Come see the incredible work on display, and get your own t-shirt printed with your favorite design for free. 〰️ 1-4pm 〰️ SOMArts Cultural Center, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Musikang Kalipay: A Rondalla Concert with the Iskwelahang Pilipino 〰️ A real two-for-one situation on this event: starting with a concert version of a musical based on a beloved children’s book (written by an Oakland based author!), and ending with a celebration of traditional and popular music from five decades of Philippine folk music. 〰️ 1-4pm 〰️ Oakland Asian Cultural Center 〰️ FREE but please register 〰️ more info
• tilt4tilt: a t4t pinball meetup 〰️ I’m calling it now: pinball is going to have a moment soon. Join trans and non-binary people of all stripes at this event that features social time, pick-up pinball games, and potentially some demos. This isn’t a tournament, but if you beat the organizers you win a trinket. Let’s ball? (Do they say that in pinball? Probably not. Sorry.) 〰️ 3-5pm 〰️ Beeryland, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Sewing Social 〰️ If you’re a sewist looking to show off your work and bond over the love of the stitch, come hang out with The New Adults and other crafty folks and get some of your coolest stuff photographed by a pro. No supplies provided at this one so bring your own. 〰️ 4:30-6:30 〰️ Kinfolx, Oakland 〰️ $12 (suggested) 〰️ more info
• Summer Zine Making 〰️ Yes this is the third zine event on this week’s calendar! What about it? Join community members in making a collaborative zine focused on ideas of summer and positive changes. Supplies provided, masks requested. 〰️ 5-7:30pm 〰️ SoFa Pocket Park, San Jose 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• The Elements of Mutual Aid: Water 〰️ View a documentary film featuring mutual aid collectives in Oakland, Detroit, and Los Angeles that "focuses on how healing from the traumas of colonization and capitalism allows us to come back into mutual relationships with each other and ourselves." This is the third episode in a series but I think you can still come and watch without being too out of the loop. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Spire the Church, Oakland 〰️ $5-20 NOTAFLOF* 〰️ more info
• Have A Good Season and Field Rush 〰️ Here’s a fun fact about me: I’m from New Jersey. People who meet me and then find out about this often go "oohhhhhhhh yeah that tracks." Anyway, Have a Good Season is a really fun Jersey indie rock band that I’m excited for you all to check out. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Black & Brown, San Jose 〰️ $15 NOTAFLOF* 〰️ more info

• Meet the Author: Maggie Tokuda-Hall 〰️ It’s not a secret that COYOTE is a fan of Maggie Tokuda-Hall. 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
• Queer Choir Community Sing 〰️ If you’ve ever been curious what being part of a choir might actually be like, here’s a chance to join in — low pressure, low-commitment, accessible to all levels, and specifically centering queer and trans people and their loved ones. No music or choir experience necessary; just come willing to learn and have a good time. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Montclair Presbyterian Church, Oakland 〰️ $0-$25 NOTAFLOF* 〰️ more info
• Streetlight Manifesto The Presence of the Past Tour 〰️ Okay so I know that I said here that I really try to feature artists, musicians, performers, and creators who are from the Bay Area rather than those coming into town from elsewhere. However, Streetlight Manifesto was the most important band in my life for about a decade and so there’s no chance I’m leaving them off this calendar, sorry. Ska now and forever, baby. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Regency Ballroom, SF 〰️ $51-82 〰️ more info

• What the Flock Teach-In 〰️ At this point you’ve probably heard people talking about Flock (probably angrily) but maybe you’re not actually sure... what it is? This teach-in will get you fully up to speed on this terrible surveillance network, how it’s being used, and how to get involved in opposing it. 〰️ 3:30-4:30pm 〰️ Santa Rosa City Hall 〰️ more info
• They Friend Nonbinary Meetup 〰️ Celebrate International Nonbinary People’s Day (a day I just learned about!) by meeting up with a whole bunch of potential new friends! No programming here, just come and hang out. 〰️ 5:30-8:30pm 〰️ Temescal Brewing, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Club Guillotine 〰️ I actually have a ticket to this but can’t go due to an unexpected and unpleasant family task I must complete, so I am begging you all to go and tell me how it was! A dance party with a "a Guillotine Stage Show complete with beheadings, puppets, sing alongs, performances, and SO MUCH BLOOD." I’m so sad to miss it. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Ivy Room, Albany 〰️ $28.37 〰️ more info
• Antifascist Histories, Current Scenes of Struggle 〰️ Come see journalist James Stout and essayist Edith Mirante, talk about their books — Against the State: Anarchists and Comrades at War in Spain, Myanmar, and Rojava and Where the Mithuns Are: Essays on War, Art and Beasts respectively. Both projects look at conflict zones, antifascism, and the everyday people trying to do the right thing on the ground. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Clio’s, Oakland 〰️ $10-27 sliding scale 〰️ more info
• Wood Street Oakland Premiere 〰️ UPDATE: SOLD OUT. After a successful SF showing, Wood Street comes home to Oakland to premier the film in the city it was made. If you missed the SF premier, definitely come to this one to get a chance to see this important look at the realities of housing, policing, and community in the Bay Area right now. But don't worry! You can catch the film at Grand Lake Theatre on Wednesday. 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ New Parkway, Oakland 〰️ $15 〰️ more info

• Fruity Hot Ferments: Lacto-Fermented Hot Sauce Talk & Tasting 〰️ Got a bunch of extra fruits laying around? Did you get overzealous with the "pick your own" bucket and now you have 20 pounds of cherries or peaches? Feel like if you have to make another pie you might hurl yourself out a window? Don’t worry! There’s a solution: hot sauce. Come learn how to make hot sauce out of extra fruits, and taste some exciting examples. 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Local Economy, Oakland 〰️ $22 〰️ more info
• Anarchy in the Haight Ashbury 〰️ Bound Together Bookstore turns 50 this year, which is an incredible feat for any institution and extra special for a completely volunteer anarchist bookstore. Come hear a panel of old and new members talk about the history of the place, its relationship with the neighborhood, and how this has (and continues) to work against all odds. 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ Counterculture Museum, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ 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