Welcome to the COYOTE Calendar. Here are this week's hand picked events, just for you. We're entering Pride month and I will be real with you all: I'm already overwhelmed! (This is very funny, and also not that far from the truth.) If you have an event you want to see in the COYOTE Calendar, please email me so I can make sure not to miss it.
This weekend,Bay Area Bookfest kicks off and it's absolutely jam packed. We'll have a more detailed guide to our picks on that front soon.SJ MADE Fest is back for another weekend of local excellence, andCalifornia Dirt is doing a pop-up of beautiful handmade art and jewelry all weekend. If you're a wine lover definitely check outWine Fare SF. For the punks, Black Dahlia is putting onPunklandia at 924 Gilman and the lineup is sick. We're also really interested inOrdinary People, which is on for two nights at the Dresher Ensemble Studio, and inENGAGE! Art, Blackness and the Universe which is three days full of incredible programming at Museum of the African Diaspora. Plus, there are still a couple of tickets left for both the Free Key Forever and theQueer Choir Spring Showcase shows, you lucky dogs.
This week we also have several queer proms, air quality, space balloons, miso, water fights, and more (so much more, this one is a big calendar, I'm sorry and also not sorry at all it will almost certainly happen again). We'll post new events each Wednesday. Go forth and enjoy!
Introduction to Comparative Ethnic Studies 〰️ Why should fancy commercial authors get all the book events? Come hear from the authors of the new anthology Introduction to Comparative Ethnic Studies: Decolonial Love, Knowledge, and Revolution. Bonus: margaritas and delicious snacks. 〰️ 5:30-7:30pm 〰️ Bombera, Oakland 〰️ FREE but space is limited so please register 〰️more info
West Oakland Air Monitoring Launch Project 〰️ For the last 18 months folks at the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project have been monitoring the air quality in their neighborhood. Come through and see a presentation of those results (which are actually hopeful!) and how you can get involved in environmental monitoring. Dinner is included! 〰️ 5:30-7pm 〰️ Brix Factory Brewing, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Author Talk: Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Homeownership in America 〰️ Bernadette Atuahene — property law scholar and professor at the USC Gould School of Law — has a book out that traces the stories of two grandfathers (one Black, one white) who arrived in Detroit at the turn of the century. Through their stories, readers see exactly how racist policies systemically widen the racial wealth gap and break families. In her talk, Professor Atuahene will cover the parallels between Detroit and Oakland, and talk about how we can repair and atone for these injustices. Masks encouraged and provided. 〰️ 6-7pm 〰️ Oakland Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
The Art of Midlife 3: Snatched — Angela Garbes & Manjula Martin on Fashion 〰️ I am in awe of people with good fashion sense at any age, and also a huge fan of both Garbes and Martin (check out this conversation between them about writing, clothes, and moreover at Scratch). Listen to them talk about what we're really talking about when we talk about pants. And: "What if getting dressed is one of the places where midlife liberation shows up first?" 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Local Economy 〰️ $10 suggested donation 〰️more info
From Past to Future: Stewarding Our Wetlands Together 〰️ Our shared future relies on learning how to understand, support, and live beside the natural world. In Petaluma, that means connecting with the Petaluma River watershed. Hear from folks working across the watershed about "how today’s efforts — grounded in restoration science, Indigenous knowledge, and community action — are helping to build a more resilient future." 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ Petaluma Historical Library & Museum 〰️ FREE (RSVP appreciated) 〰️more info
Miso Making & Tasting Class 〰️ Thebean contentwill continue until morale improves, and thus we are here with another bean-based offering: miso making! Learn how to make koji, taste some experiments, and create some of your own. Take home some handmade miso to impress your guests (oryour eponymous pets) with. 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Shared Cultures Kitchen, SF 〰️ $140 〰️more info
How to Write for Current: A Workshop Series 〰️ Do you have a story about labor and the Bay Area? Learn from the good folks at Bay Area Current about how to pitch stories and come back for the next two sessions (June 25 and July 23) to get intel on how to report and write pieces. Journalism should be for and by everyone, and this is a great way to get started. 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ 1610 Harrison Street, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
George Floyd Uprising Anniversary Party 〰️ May 25 marked six years since George Floyd was murdered by the Minneapolis police, and people rose up around the country to protest. So much has changed since then, and yet so much remains the same. "Join others in a space honest about the necessity of militancy and the honoring of our martyrs." All ages welcome, and there will be free dinner while it lasts. 〰️ 7-10pm 〰️ Hasta Muerte Coffee, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Ms. Smith Album Release Party 〰️ If the rest of MS.SMITH's new album is likethis promo track, you're in for an oontz oontz treat. Come celebrate her debut self-titled album under this new creative identity, full of "heavy dancefloor beats, melodic ambient tales, and percussive vocal elements weave a path through the hard work it takes to wrench oneself from stagnation and step into the light." 〰️ 9pm-1am 〰️ Thee Stork Club, Oakland 〰️ $11.34+ NOTAFLOF* 〰️more info
Wood Street Commons Block Party & Resource Fair 〰️ Come celebrate the Wood Street folks with live music, great food, art making, a raffle, haircuts, and all sorts of resources on offer. You can also sign up to volunteer still! 〰️ 1pm-4pm 〰️ 2103 San Pablo Ave, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
Youth on the Mic 〰️ Calling the youths! This one's for you: a beginner-friendly writing workshop that helps folks ages 16-26 get those words down and get on the mic. If you're really good, you can headline for cash prizes! If you miss this one, there are two more this summer: June 26 and July 31. 〰️ 4-6pm 〰️ Town Youth Club, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Tenderloin Mardi Gras 〰️ Bust out the beads for the first ever Mardi Gras in the Tenderloin! (Surely there is already a drag king called King Cake Baby, right?) Join the parade behind Twilight Brass Band and march on down to 835 Larkin Street for a live performance of the acclaimed Compton's Cafeteria Riot Play. Then, party on. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 〰️ 5:30-7:30pm 〰️ Tenderloin Museum, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
OUT|出|Museum Grand Opening 〰️ The folks behind the OUT|出|Museum have been working on getting this spot up and running for years now, and it's finally happening — the world’s first Chinese queer museum! Celebrate the grand opening, and check outtheir broader calendar because they have a lot going on in the next two months. 〰️ 5-8pm 〰️ OUT|出|Museum, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Oakland Ballers Pride Night 〰️ Baseball iscanonically gay I will take no questions at this time thank you. Come to pride night and see the Ballers take on the RedPocket Mobiles (yes that isactually the team's name, no I don't like it either) and catch performances from baseball men but more importantly DJ Shellheart, Virginia Please, Mia Jómor, the Oakland Gay Men's Choir, and more. I'll be the one yelling "KISS!" every time two players get near each other. 〰️ 6:35pm 〰️ Raimondi Park, Oakland 〰️ $22.41+ 〰️more info
Free Concert for HEAL Palestine 〰️ A concert for a good cause, raising money for HEAL Palestine, an organization dedicated to rapid, urgent relief and support for families in Palestine who continue to struggle in the face of an ongoing genocide of their people. Featuring Sinister Moments, Safaa, Sophia Prise, Leo the Wizard, Maq Steez, and Drew Dub. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ San Jose Peace & Justice Center 〰️ FREE (but donate if you can) 〰️more info
Doubledown Closing Celebration 〰️ After three years in the neighborhood, Doubledown is closing. Roll through to celebrate, eat pizza, vibe to some jams, and say thanks to a rad local skate shop. 〰️ 7-10pm 〰️ Doubledown Shop 〰️ San Francisco 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Queer Prom: Down the Rabbit Hole (Ages 16-24) 〰️ Did you know that Bill the Lizard, who appears in Alice in Wonderland, also appears as a thug in perhaps my favorite Disney movie of all time The Great Mouse Detective? These are the incredible things you learn by reading this calendar! Anyway, this is an Alice-themed prom and you probably won't dress up as Bill the Lizard but hey, maybe consider it? More importantly, there will be food, a photo booth, drag performances and more. 〰️ 7-10pm 〰️ SF LGBT Center 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Estrellitas 〰️ You know a party is gonna be good when you have to call a phone number to get the location. This one is for the rave baddies, you know who you are. There will be DJs, vendors, artists, and so, so many hotties. 〰️ 9pm-3am 〰️ Oakland 〰️ $15-20 〰️more info
Intertribal Dance Gathering: Dancing Is Our Medicine 2026 〰️ The Native American Health Center is putting on a gathering that both indigenous communities and the greater public to the Presidio "for a day of dance, music, screen printing and more." 〰️ 11am-4pm 〰️ Presidio Tunnel Tops, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Lakeshore Spring Festival 〰️ Airhorn noises! A new festival! Join fellow lake lovers to celebrate the lovely Lakeshore District with DJs food, craft cocktails, artisans, family fun, dancing, and more. Bring the whole family, and enjoy. 〰️ 11am-7pm 〰️ Lake Merritt, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Spring Into Pride 〰️ Lemonade and seed bombs, a match made in heaven. Make cute local seed pods, get down with a DJ set, and sip on some lemonade. Plus, 25% of all sales will go directly to a beloved local organizer who is currently recovering from a heart transplant. 〰️ 11am-2pm 〰️ 372 24th Street Oakland, Oakland 〰️ $8-10 for lemonade 〰️more info
Queer Prom 〰️ Yes, another queer prom! You can never have too many queer proms. It's in the Bible. Look it up. This one is hosted by the baddies at Queer Con Leche, and features Afro Latin music and Latinx queer community. Plus, if you're a May birthday baby, DM them to get in free and get cupcakes! 〰️ 12pm 〰️ 😷COVID SAFE, masks required 〰️ Open Test Kitchen, Oakland 〰️ $12.51+ 〰️more info
Audiobook Walk 〰️ Calling all audiobook sickos, this one is for you. Join fellow book listeners at a meetup and walk around Golden Gate Park while you listen to whatever book you're in the middle of — whether it's steamy sexy romance, or the history of cod. Nobody can judge you. 〰️ 12pm 〰️ Green Apple Books on the Park, SF 〰️ FREE (please register) 〰️more info
Trans Rights and Fuck ICE Benefit Show 〰️ I don't put a ton of Sacramento events on the calendar, but I will make an exception for such a righteous shindig: food, music, vendors, and more gathering to raise money for direct mutual aid. All ages welcome. 〰️ 3:30-10pm 〰️ Flower First Art Market, Sacramento 〰️ $10 minimum donation 〰️more info
ICE OUT San Jose 〰️ The news cycle may have largely moved on, but ICE is still here and the federal governmentrecently purchased land in Gilroy that they plan to develop into a "detention center." Join your fellow citizens to make clear that the Bay Area will not stand for that. 〰️ 3pm 〰️ Mexican Heritage Plaza, San Jose 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Beyond Trend Runway Show 〰️ Apparently this is a fashion forward calendar! Another stylish event here: the annual celebration of beautiful wearable art made and modeled by Creative Growth artists. If you're a fancypants person you can get VIP tickets which includes a special dinner by 20 leading Bay Area chefs and a performance by Fantastic Negrito. 〰️ 4pm 〰️ Creative Growth Art Center, Oakland 〰️ $250 〰️more info
TIDAL MIRROR 〰️ Come worship at the altar of Queer and Trans Futurism. "Through interactive installations, live soundscapes, and prompts anchored in water — a medium for confronting and reimagining the self — we invite participants to engage with their reflections literally (in fountains, distorted mirrors) and metaphorically (through collective visioning)." Note: this event includes kink-based performance elements. If that's not your vibe, keep it moving. 〰️ 5-10pm 〰️ Spire the Church, Oakland 〰️ $20-85 NOTAFLOF* for QTBIPOC 〰️more info
Tender Riots 〰️ "For when pretending everything is fine stops working." The premise of this one is simple: no phones, just dance. 〰️ 6-10pm 〰️ 7th West, Oakland 〰️ $25+ 〰️more info
High Altitudes for High Energies: Chasing Solar Flares by Balloon 〰️ In case you didn't have enough to worry about, did you know that there is weather in space? And that solar flares can impact satellites, astronauts, and us down here on Earth? It's important enough that being able to predict space weather is a big deal, and apparently one way to track solar flares involves “high altitude balloon missions.” Come hear Meredith Wieber explain what all this means because let's be real I don't actually know. 〰️ 7:30-8pm 〰️ Houge Park, San Jose 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
Mt. Sutro Geology & Paleo Tour 〰️ Beneath Mt. Sutro is a wonderland of "ancient island arcs, lost marine basins, and more!" No this is not a History channel "ALIENS" situation, this is all actually true. Learn all about it with an expert, and wow your friends at your next party with tales of California's ancient "assembly from microcontinents and island arcs rafting across the Pacific Basin over the last 400 million years." 〰️ 10am-12pm 〰️ The Aldea Center on Mount Sutro, SF 〰️ $25-$75 〰️more info
MIST 〰️ As George Washington said: rave early, rave often. And here, from the mist, emerges a rave for you to rave your raviest until you can, alas, rave no more. 〰️ 10pm-dawn 〰️ secret location, Oakland 〰️ $20 NOTAFLOF 〰️more info
St. Patrick's Cup Finals 〰️ Do you love Ireland and/or obscure sports? If so, this one is for you. Come see the The San Francisco Gaelic Athletic Association put on Irish athletic staples hurling (the oldest ball sport in the world) and Gaelic football (sort of a mix of soccer, basketball, and rugby?). This is the finals, so you'll be seeing the best of the best at work even if you have no idea what the rules are. 〰️ 9:30am-5:45pm 〰️ GAA Fields, SF 〰️ $10 (cash) 〰️more info
Gunner: A Celebration of Life 〰️ Long liveGunner, an otter who was found in a swimming pool and was cared for by a local dog (😭) before finding his way to CuriOddyssey. Join staff and visitors for a day long tribute to this delightful little guy. "He often liked to “high-five” our youngest visitors through the glass, sucked his tail to lull himself to sleep, and enjoyed showing off his playful swimming skills in his pond." Gunner forever. 〰️ 10am-5pm 〰️ CuriOdyssey, San Mateo 〰️ $30 〰️more info
Queer Ecology 〰️ Take a walk around Sutro Mountain and see examples of queer ecology in the wild — places where interactions between flora and fauna subvert and resist some of the human imposed ideas around sex, behavior, dominance, and more. 〰️ 10am-12pm 〰️ The Aldea Center on Mount Sutro, SF 〰️ $25-$75 〰️more info
The Cheeseboard & MUA 〰️ Iconic worker-owned collective The Cheese Board Collective is holding a fundraiser for Mujeres Unidas y Activas, offering lunch pizza, salad, soft serve, and cookies until they sell out. Plus, live music from Cascada de Flores. 〰️ 11:30am-2:30pm 〰️ Cheese Board Collective Pizza, Berkeley 〰️ FREE but bring money for food, obviously 〰️more info
Berkeley Vintage Market 〰️ Do you have your pride outfits figured out? Do some last minute shopping to get ready for a month of queer joy and resistance, whatever that means to you (steel toed boots? pleasers? you do you) at this market. 〰️ 11am-5pm 〰️ 905 Parker Street, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
En El Séptimo Día 〰️ The World Cup is coming (and boy do I have complicated feelings about that!) and if you're itching to get your soccer fix before the games begin, check out this screening of En El Séptimo Día — a film that follows a group of Mexican immigrants in Brooklyn who find community playing soccer. Along with the film, there will be raffles and information on how to support East Bay immigrant communities. 〰️ 12:30pm 〰️ The New Parkway, Oakland 〰️ $10 〰️more info
Rock & Rolls 〰️ We love a pun event title! Eat sushi rolls while listening to some local icons (including Ruby Ibarra, DJ Umami, and DJ JP Breganza). Plus: chef demos, a 1,000 Lumpia Drop, gallery tours, art activities, and more. 〰️ 12pm 〰️ Asian Art Museum, SF 〰️ $30 〰️more info
‘Wood Street’ Bay Area Premiere 〰️ Remember when I told you this would sell out? It has. There might still be tickets at the door if you show up though, so I'm keeping it on here just in case you want to take the chance. Go see the premier of this incredible documentary featuring the community at Wood Street, their fight to stay, and the toll that evictions take on our unhoused neighbors. (If you want to get special heads up for upcoming hot events that will likely sell out, become a paying subscriber and you'll get access to our Buy Tickets Now feature each week.) 〰️ 1pm 〰️ Roxie Theater, SF 〰️ $20 〰️more info
The Kids Are Alright Fundraiser 〰️ The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp has sadly lost some of its funding amidst the Great Terribleness, so now is a good time to go see some girls play music for a good cause. Come rock with the kids, who are, against all fucking odds, alright. 〰️ 4pm 〰️ 924 Gilman, Berkeley 〰️ $5-25 tickets at the door only 〰️more info
DJs for Dyke March 〰️ An unreal lineup of DJs here for this benefit show raising funds for SF Dyke March. Featuring DJ Lady Ryan, DJ Black, Downtown Donna, Young Ella Baker, Junkyard and more! 100% of the proceeds benefit the Dyke March. 〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ White Horse Inn, Oakland 〰️ $20-50 sliding scale 〰️more info
BAWS Pleasure4Ever 〰️ Bay Area Workers Support is one of the only peer-led groups of its kind and they need our help staying afloat. Help them kick off their Save BAWS Campaign on one of the most important days of the year: International Whores’ Day! There will be drag bingo, bar games, a pop-up strip club, a spanking booth, hair, tattoos, esthetics, boudoir shoots, sex worker oral histories, and more. You won't want to miss it — and even if you can't make it, consider throwing some cash their way. 〰️ 5-10pm 〰️ The Stud, SF 〰️ sliding scale donation 〰️more info
Mixtape for Palestine Show 〰️ In 2024, promoter Jessie Woletz aka Seaweed Sway invited Bay Area artists to contribute to a comp that quickly raised more than $15,000 for the Middle East Children’s Alliance. Two years later, hear those songs and more live at this all-star lineup of local folk, rock, and indie artists, including Handmade Moments, Madeline Tasquin, Aviva La Fey, and Magic in the Other ft. Ezra Lipp. 〰️ 7-11pm 〰️ The Ivy Room, Albany 〰️ sliding scale $25+, all proceeds to United for Dignity Alliance and Artists Unite for Palestine 〰️ more info
OTHERWORD ENSEMBLE + ZELE 〰️ There is someone credited in this ensemble for "bird calls," so you know this is the real deal. This record and performance was inspired by stories of the Siberian Jay, or the "kuukkeli" as it’s known in Finland, who is said to be the being who carries human souls into the afterlife. 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ The Finnish Hall, Berkeley 〰️ $14.64+ 〰️more info
Bustié, Edgar and Skoto 〰️ Here are some phrases used to describe this lineup: "queer anarcho body music," "industrial/acid big beat," and "darkwave cumbia eurotrash sleaze." Yes, please, and thank you. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Eli's Mile High Club, Oakland 〰️ $10-15 〰️more info
Pride BBQ & Water Fight 〰️ Kick off Pride month with hot dogs, water sports, and other fun and games! The weather is supposed to be good, so bring your flip flops and a good attitude about potentially getting pelted with water balloons. 〰️ 5:30-7:30pm 〰️ Dorotea Park, Rohnert Park 〰️ FREE, but please RSVP 〰️more info
Petaluma Short Film Showcase 〰️ A whole hour of locally made short films, focused on underrepresented communities and made by artists in Petaluma. This includes the premiere of a film called How to Eat an Elephant, and I can find no information about what this film is about so you'll have to go to find out if it's literal or figurative or, somehow, both. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Polly Klaas Community Center, Petaluma 〰️ $10 〰️more info
Sad Snack, Friendship Games, Foolish Relics 〰️ I've said this before, but one of the coolest things about doing the calendar (aside from feeling ALL POWERFUL) is getting to discover bands I didn't otherwise know about. Sad Snack is one of those, and has been on my gym rotation now for a few weeks. See them with Friendship Games and Foolish Relics. Ska now & forever. 〰️ 8pm 〰️ Bottom of the Hill, SF 〰️ $13 in advance $15 at the door 〰️more info
Off the Clock: A BIPOC Professional Networking Mixer 〰️ "Ready to clock out and catch a vibe?" Join BIPOC folks to rant about Slack, shared fridges, back-to-office policies, and other things that professionals talk about (can you tell that I do not know what these things are?). All donations go to SF Black Pride 2026! 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ The Academy, SF 〰️ $10 suggested donation (not a ton of tickets left to this one so grab them now if you're interested) 〰️more info
Rewilding San Francisco 〰️ What would it mean to "rewild" San Francisco? Imagine, for everyawful AI billboard, a tree? OK, I guess the plan is to start with currently public open spaces. But you're on notice, billboards. I'm coming for you. In the meantime, come to this talk and learn about "current stewardship work and strategies for helping nature thrive in San Francisco so that San Franciscans can thrive in nature." 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ 518 Valencia, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️more info
You can see all of COYOTE's past calendar pickshere. 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!
Reo Eveleth is an award-winning reporter and writer who has covered everything from fake tumbleweed farms to million-dollar baccarat heists. Their work has been nominated for a Peabody, an Emmy, and an Eisner Award.
