COYOTE Calendar: October 8-October 14

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

LitQuake officially kicks off tomorrow so give yourself time to look at the full schedule and plan your strategy (and say a prayer for the book people in your life). This weekend is the Shared Sky Festival at Chabot and you can go see some stars at the SF State Observatory all month. UC Berkeley is having a Symposium on Trans Negativity, Oakland Style is happening across the city, and Alameda is hosting both the Goblin Faire and a big used book sale. My favorite tattoo shop (Thorns) is doing three whole days of discounted flash, KlezCalYidFest is happening at the Finnish Hall, Flour + Water is doing a fundraiser featuring mozzarella-stuffed crust pizza, and the Clio's group read of Dante's Inferno begins in case you don't have enough hell in your life already.

This week we've also got polyamorous condors, cardboard costumes, sapphic vampires, and more. We'll post new events each Wednesday. Go forth and enjoy!

• Exploring Indigenous Worldviews through Traditional Foodways 〰️ I don't put a lot of online events on the calendar (the point is to get you to leave your house) but in honor of Indigenous People's Day I wanted to include this one: a talk on what Dr. Enrique Salmón calls "Kincentricity," defined as "a deeply embedded Indigenous worldview where all living beings—plants, people, and animals—share the same breath, relating as “kin” in an extended ecological family." This session dives into what that framing means for food. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ ONLINE 〰️ $11-22 〰️ more info
• Carrying 〰️ She’s serving. She’s eating. She’s… coming to Pegasus." Samantha Josephs's debut novel Carrying was recently longlisted for a First Novel Prize, and you can celebrate with her and special guest Marley Gotterer. Be ready for horror, jokes, and more. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Pegasus Books, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Cycads, Wild Black Peppers, and Amazonian roots: the role of plant specialized chemistry at three different scales 〰️ A couple of years ago I got really, really interested in cycads — a kind of plant that is both sold in Walmart and can live to be a thousand years old. So while this talk seems a bit brain melting and probably above my level I'm still going to put it on here because these plants are absurdly cool and extremely toxic! Learn about how "chemical ecology is being transformed by higher-resolution instrumentation and novel machine-learning approaches for data processing and analysis, scientists have ventured into larger-scale studies (geographically, environmentally, and phylogenetically)." If someone offers you a sample to chew on, decline! Danger! 〰️ 12:30-1:30pm 〰️ UC Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Touch Me Not 〰️ Some of the best art comes out of student exhibitions, and this is a hill I will die on. See work made and juried by Stanford students at this opening reception for "Touch Me Not," or swing by the gallery any time during the week until the show closes on December 4th. 〰️ 4-6pm 〰️ Stanford Art Gallery 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Money in San Francisco politics: Who’s spending big on the election? 〰️ We all know that there is a fuck load of money being poured into politics. But whose money, and where exactly is it going in our local races? At this event, Joe Rivano Barros of Mission Local will present research on who is spending millions on San Francisco ballot propositions, and why. After the talk, stick around for a panel discussion on money in politics more generally with Darius Kemp of California Common Cause and Patrick Ford of the San Francisco Ethics Commission. 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Internet Archive, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Hammer Presents National Geographic Live: CHASING MONARCHS 〰️ Did you know that humans are gluing tiny little sensors to Monarch butterfly bellies to track them? Mind-blowing stuff! And now you can see National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo's gorgeous photos and videos tracking the butterflies and documenting the lengths that conservationists and citizen scientists are going to try and save them from catastrophic threats. 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ Hammer Theater Center, San Jose 〰️ $41-61 〰️ more info

• Forbidden Stories: ‘The Deportation Project’ and keeping journalists’ stories alive 〰️ In a world where journalism is consistently under attack by both the federal government and private industry, collaborative investigative projects are all the more important. At this talk, hear how UC Berkeley Journalism was involved in the Forbidden Stories project, coordinating the work of 72 journalists across 26 news organizations in 15 countries focused on the illegal and brutal deportations being carried out by the United States. 〰️ 3pm 〰️ UC Berkeley, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Harvest Fest 〰️ It's early fall harvest time at the Berkeley Student Farms so put your overalls on and get ready to de-grain corn, pick pumpkins and marigolds, and munch on some snacks as you go. Wear sunscreen and bring water while you go see what these students are up to. 〰️ 3-6pm 〰️ Oxford Tract, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Osha Neumann: Is Hope Necessary? 〰️ I've been reading a lot recently about the case for Afro-pessimism (which is not the same as trendy online nihilism), and so am quite interested in the question posed here by radical, writer, and artist Osha Neumann about whether hope is necessary to the work. Is hope a discipline (a la the oft quoted Mariame Kaba piece) that we should build into our work? How do we avoid hopewashing? When is hope an unreasonable ask? "Join us in conversation with Osha to talk about contemporary struggles for a free life." 〰️ 6:30-8:30pm 〰️ Parapraxis Books, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Valkyries vs Aces Semifinal Watch Parties 〰️ Put your V's up baby! The Valkyries are into the semi-finals so it's time to find a bar to chant "for the gays!" at. There are a bunch of watch parties popping up including: Prescott Market (Oakland), Rikki's (SF), probably Field Work (Santa Rosa), or your local sports bar. Anywhere can be a watch party if you're watching and partying! If you need to catch up on the season, check out Marisa Ingemi's Valkyries Beat newsletter. 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ all over the Bay Area
• Der Goylem: A Yiddish Puppet Spectacle 〰️ Yiddish protest puppets with Klezmer music put on by trans and queer Jews of the East Bay? Absolutely yes. I actually saw this show when they put it on in August and it was such a joy. I laughed! I cried! I danced! I was freaked out by the puppets! In a good way! Where else can you chant "fuck the police" to Klezmer with puppets? Highly recommend. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 7pm 〰️ 〰️ The Finnish Hall, Berkeley 〰️ $18-36 for just the show, $60-120 for the whole festival 〰️ more info

• Golden Gate Storm Open Tryouts 〰️ Think you have what it takes to play with the big dogs? Come try out for the Golden Gate Storm, and compete for a roster spot on the Bay Area's new women's tackle football team. All experience levels are welcome, but come ready to show what you can do. 〰️ 9am-12pm 〰️ location shared after registration 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Foraging hues: creating watercolor paints from nature 〰️ Pull up invasive plants and turn them into natural watercolor pigments! Weeding just got even more fun. In this class you'll learn how to extract pigment, bind paint, and manipulate the colors you get out so you can create beautiful art with nefarious nature. (I know invasives aren't nefarious; please don't yell at me ecology people, I simply love alliteration.) 〰️ 10am-1pm 〰️ Slide Ranch, Muir Beach 〰️ $85 〰️ more info
• Capturing Star Trails with a Smartphone 〰️ You don't need a giant fancy camera to capture images of the stars! Come to this session and learn from astrophotographer and teacher Nico Carver how to use your smartphone to take pictures of star trails. 〰️ 1-2pm 〰️ Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland 〰️ $24 〰️ more info
• Aging in Anarchy 〰️ Anarchy is often portrayed as a movement full of idealistic young people who will surely grow up and age out when they get a 401k, but that is not the case! (Also who is getting 401k's these days???) What does intergenerational anarchy look like? Is it even possible? What can young and old anarchists learn from one another? Come discuss with anarchists of all ages. 〰️ 2-4pm 〰️ Mosswood Amphitheater, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Weaving Small 〰️ "There’s a sacred kind of remembering that lives in the hands." Come learn the basics of weaving, and create a small offering for your alter made of local hand-dyed wool. You'll get familiar with a weaving loom, shuttles, beaters, and more (all materials provided). You'll also get a zine to help remember and carry on what you learn. If you can't make this one, there's another on October 17th. 〰️ 2-4:30pm 〰️ Berkeley Herbal Center 〰️ $90-135 sliding scale 〰️ more info
• Visibility Drawing Community Art Show 〰️ Check out this retrospective featuring work created at Visibility Drawing, centering and celebrating trans figure models. Over 25 artists will be on display here, along with a DJ, tarot readings, a photobooth, snacks, and more. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 2-10pm 〰️ Colorspace Arts, El Cerrito 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• I see every wave — Artists in Conversation @ Berkeley Art Center 〰️ The question that prompted this show has really stuck with me since I first read it: “When you look out at the water, do you just see...water? Or do you see every wave?” There is no right answer here, but it feels like an interesting Rorschach test for how people see the world. In this show, artists engage with questions of "mindfulness, close reading, caring gesture, and the importance of noticing the play of light and surface across our surroundings in nature." At this talk, curator Aay Preston-Myint will be in conversation with some of the artists. 〰️ 3-5pm 〰️ Berkeley Art Center 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Tune-Yards + Foxtails Brigade + Gabby La La - Live on the Waterfront 〰️ An old-fashioned good time, featuring some local icons. Tickets for this are selling fast so it might sell out before Saturday. Get yours now if you want to go. 〰️ 6-11pm 〰️ Point San Pablo Harbor, Richmond 〰️ $44.52 〰️ more info
• Still Here Fest 〰️ Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with a Two-Spirit IndigeQueer cultural showcase, performances, tattoos, food, fashion, and an arts market. Hear music by Bobby Sanchez, Diogañhdih, Palomx, Monte, Hot Crush, see drag from PissE Sissy, get down to beat by DJ Brown Angel, and just generally have a good time. Masks will be strongly encouraged and provided. 〰️ 6-10pm 〰️ Oakstop, Oakland 〰️ Sliding Scale $1-1000 with a suggestion of $15. 〰️ more info
• Oakland Roots final game at the Coliseum 〰️ This is your last chance to see the Oakland Roots play at the Coliseum. They're taking on San Antonio, and this season is a dud for them but maybe you're trying to rack up as many "last time X team plays in the Coliseum" points? At halftime they're doing a fashion show featuring vintage and upcycled looks created by students from across the Bay Area, including Oakland Technical High School, Oakland School of the Arts and California College of the Arts. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Oakland Coliseum 〰️ $100 for 4 tickets plus parking 〰️ more info
• ImReady Conference 〰️ If you're an ANHPI woman or gender-expansive culture shifters, this conference is all for you. This is the 8th year of the ImReady conference, and you can expect connections, talks, art, martial arts, flower arrangements, acupuncture, and more. 〰️ 9am-4:30pm 〰️ Oakland Asian Cultural Center 〰️ $60-93 sliding scale 〰️ more info
• Indigenous Peoples Day PowWow & Indian Market 〰️ Celebrate 534 years of resistance with food, craft, a gourd dance, a round dance, and more. This is the 34th year of this celebration in Berkeley, which is 29 more years than the United States government has recognized the day formally. 〰️ 10am-6pm 〰️ MLK Civic Center Park, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Twilight Market 〰️ I confess that I have never seen Twilight, but I just read the plot summaries for all the movies on Wikipedia and y'all those sound really fucked up?! Wear your vampy vintage, put your sparkle on, rip off your shirt and howl at the moon at this themed market that will also feature a an "emotional support cactus plant sale." 〰️ 11am-5pm 〰️ 1911 Telegraph Ave, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Golden State Pie Contest 〰️ How good is your pie? Mine's not very good but my pie eating is excellent. If you're a proud pie pro, bring your best to this contest and see how you stack up against San Francisco's best bakers (both amateur and professional). Should I enter Jagger Pie? 〰️ 1-4pm 〰️ Potrero Hill, San Francisco 〰️ $23.18 〰️ more info
• Spicy Soiree from No Immigrants No Spice 〰️ You really do have to admire commitment to a bit, and few have taken a joke further than No Immigrants No Spice, who turned a Trevor Noah joke into a full blown campaign and series of fundraisers. Come eat tasty food at this celebration of "people, stories, and flavors that immigration brings to our communities." 〰️ 6-10pm 〰️ Merkado, SF 〰️ $15 for just the evening, $140 for dinner 〰️ more info
• An Evening with Hieroglyphics 〰️ Egyptologists hold your horses — this is not what you think. Unless you're into hip-hop, in which case come on down. You can bring your magnifying glass and your attraction to basically every character from The Mummy and celebrate the new album from the Hieroglyphics crew. (Full of some real bangers.) 〰️ 8-11pm 〰️ June's Pizza, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Cars—Computers on Wheels 〰️ I'm not sure that it's actually reassuring to have someone describe a car as a "computer on wheels," but here we are. Today's cars are, indeed, big computers (even the not "autonomous" ones). Learn about how sensors, software, displays and, sigh, yes, AI, is changing the future of cars. 〰️ 10am 〰️ Computer History Museum, Mountain View 〰️ $21.50 (includes museum admission) 〰️ more info
• Groovy Tye-Dye 〰️ I'm telling you that natural dying is the new hot thing, and now you can make something for your grooviest friend (or self) with vegetable pigments! This is for the littles (ages 7-10), and they'll learn how to create vegetable dyes from scratch and then how to tye-dye with them. Bring a white piece of clothing to dye. 〰️ 10-11:30am 〰️ Emma Prusch Park, San Jose 〰️ $38 SJ residents, $42 non-residents 〰️ more info

• Seize The Time: A Fashion Experience 〰️ Next week is the 60th Anniversary of the Black Panther Party, and there will be a bunch of things on the calendar to celebrate. Get in the mood for that with this fashion presentation honoring the anniversary, and stick around for a live mural painting, photo exhibition, live DJ sets and more. 〰️ 2pm 〰️ Motherboard One, Oakland 〰️ $13.64+ 〰️ more info
• Artsy Black People Presents: "Harlem Nights" 〰️ Bring your creative juices and get ready to create based on a live model dressed to the nines in the flapper style. No instruction at this one, just a space for Black artists and enthusiasts of all levels "to come together, create, and connect in a supportive and inspiring space." There will be some supplies available, but bring you own as well if you've got some. 〰️ 1-4pm 〰️ Night Heron, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Spades & Munch 〰️ Finally learn to play spades, or show off your skills at this afternoon of cards and good fun. Come at 1pm if you want to learn in a chill, no-judgement environment (visual aids will be provided) or enter the tournament with your partner and see how far you can go. 〰️ 1-5pm 〰️ There/There, Oakland 〰️ FREE but donations welcome 〰️ more info
• Lesbians Are Elsewhere 〰️ It’s impossible to list all the good stuff at LitQuake so please just go look at the whole schedule, but I couldn't resist putting this event on because the title is both a promise and a threat. The lesbian call is coming from inside the lesbian house. Plus the event itself looks really cool — a reading in response to material from the Oakland-based F.A.G. Archive (For All Gaze Archive) featuring Elena Gross, Jaelynn Walls, and Sloane Holzer. 〰️ 2-4pm 〰️ Clio's Books, Oakland 〰️ FREE, $10-15 suggested donation 〰️ more info
• LAMA FEST 2026 〰️ This is one of those spots where in a couple of years you're going to get to say "oh yeah I saw them at the LAMA Shack before they got big." Rock up for a full day of local music featuring bands you already love and bands you're about to discover. Plus, a Hip Hop For Change Youth Showcase and other surprises. 〰️ 2-10pm 〰️ The LAMA Shack, Oakland 〰️ $42.75 〰️ more info
• Open Test Kitchen Birthday Party 〰️ Come through and celebrate two years of Open Test kitchen with a panel discussion, vendor market, crafts, a DJ, and more. This space puts on so many great events, pop-ups, community gatherings and more and deserves all the love and support. 〰️ 11am-3pm 〰️ Open Test Kitchen, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Kimchi Making Workshop with Aruna Lee 〰️ Kimchi is the kind of food that is great when it's hot or cold, and we're entering into Bay Area fall which means you never know which one you're going to get. Prepare yourself either way with this talk by Aruna Lee, creator of the business, Volcano Kimchi, who will also do a cooking demo showing you how to make fruit kimchi. 〰️ 2pm 〰️ Asian Art Museum 〰️ San Francisco 〰️ $20 〰️ more info
• Bitch Talk Podcast 13th Anniversary Party 〰️ Support your local podcast baddies who have been doing the work for 13 (!!) years! "Bitch Talk is what happens when Grace and Frankie meet Salt-N-Pepa." There are over 900 episodes, so if you haven't heard one yet there is plenty to choose from (including episodes featuring icons like adrienne maree brown, Daveed Digs, and Ruby Ibarra). And if you're already a fan, come party with Erin and Angela and local ‘80s band REWINDER. 〰️ 4-8pm 〰️ Rock Bar, SF 〰️ FREE but donate if you can 〰️ more info

• As always, fuck Christopher Columbus.
• Santa Clara University Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026 〰️ A full day of events, from dawn to sunset, celebrating tradition, community, and the future. The day features in person events (including a dawn gathering, ÓTTÓY RÓOTE HUŠÍŠTAK), a community brunch, a symposium full of speakers, and a keynote presentation on environmental advocacy, and Indigenous climate action. 〰️ 6:30am-5:30pm 〰️ Santa Clara University 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Alcatraz Sunrise Ceremony 〰️ This one is for Indigenous/Native identifying UC Berkeley students only, so if that's you listen up: Gather at sunrise to make a trip out to Alcatraz and "honor Indigenous resilience, resistance, and culture." 〰️ 3:30-10am 〰️ Cafe Strada, Berkeley 〰️ FREE (RSVP required) 〰️ more info
• Sunrise Gathering 〰️ If you are not an Indigenous/Native identifying UC Berkeley student, you can still make a sunrise trip out to Alcatraz for this commemoration of the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes. There might be some walk-up tickets available day of, but I recommend buying in advance on this one. 〰️ multiple departure times, 4:15-5:15am 〰️ Pier 33, SF 〰️ $12 〰️ more info
• San Francisco Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration 〰️ Celebrate the vast, diverse, and absurdly talented community of Indigenous artists including Jeremy Dutcher (no but seriously please listen to this), Lyla June (and this), and The Neighborhood Kids (and this). 〰️ 12-4pm 〰️ Yerba Buena Gardens, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• The Rise of Vampires 〰️ Did you know that in 1872 (25 years before Bram Stoker wrote Dracula) an author named Joseph Sheridan le Fanu wrote a novella called Carmilla featuring a sapphic vampire? You'll know all that and more if you attend this talk all about the lesser-known vampires of literature by Professor Sara Hackenberg. Suck the blood from this topic and feed your undead self with inspiration for your next haunting (or just some good fun facts for your Halloween party). 〰️ 6:30-8:30pm 〰️ The Dairy at the Presidio Sports Basement, SF 〰️ $14.77 〰️ more info

• Crafty Crows: Costume Fabrication with Cardboard 〰️ It's costume season, and instead of waiting until the day before Halloween to try and throw something together, why not think ahead and come craft with your community? This one is focused on using cardboard to make shapes and costumes with heft. Build yourself a train, or a tetris block, or a cool monster head. Lots of supplies provided here or bring your own. Kids welcome and there's a play area for them! 〰️ 5-8pm 〰️ Arlene Francis Center, Santa Rosa 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Craft Night | Miniature Models 〰️ There are a few things I'm not allowed to get into, because I know that they will take over my life if I do. Collecting salt and pepper shakers, pickling, remixing music. Miniatures is also on that list. If you see me try to attend this event, please intervene. I cannot get into miniatures! But maybe you can? All supplies provided for this one, so just come and get down with making little things. 〰️ 6:30-9pm 〰️ Hummingbird House, SF 〰️ $60 〰️ more info
• Frank’s Floor Show: A Good Ships Cabaret 〰️ This one isn't your average Rocky Horror situation — they're not going to be showing the film, but instead offering up a night of cabaret, theater, and surprises all inspired by our favorite Transylvanian freaks. All proceeds go to Good Ships and their search for a dedicated theater space. 〰️ 7pm-12am 〰️ Ireland's 32, SF 〰️ $10-20, sliding scale 〰️ more info
• The Science of Nuclear Winter: What We Know and What We Don't Know about the Consequences of a Nuclear War 〰️ Want to really up your anxiety about nuclear war? This one's for you. Now, you can be even more informed when you panic about the potential for global destruction and really understand just how many people might die and how. Expand your horizons out from the immediate destruction of the bombs and fallout and infuse your nightmares with what a nuclear winter might look like. Fun! 〰️ 3:30-5pm 〰️ Stanford University 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• It Takes Three to Tango: Cooperative Breeding in California Condors 〰️ [UPDATE: This talk appears to have been replaced by a different talk about California Condors that is not about their throuples. I guess you could go see that one too!] In the Bay Area, even the condors are involved in complicated polycules. This is not a joke, this is truly a thing that happens in California Condor populations, where it's extremely common to see three adults raising chicks in one nest. Come see this talk by wildlife biologist Danaé Mouton about what scientists do and don't know about the polyamorous condors. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• The Lesbian Lounge 〰️ This one is simple: Black lesbians come hang out with other Black lesbians. Music and DJs on site, good vibes all around. 〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ Obelisco, Oakland 〰️ FREE but buy a drink or something 〰️ more info
• Critical Tea Theory: Gongfu Tea & Gongfu Uncles 〰️ Have you heard the phrase "Chinamaxxing?" or seen TikToks of extremely-not-Chinese people talking about being "in their China era?" What the fuck is going on with that? Here interdisciplinary artist and critical theorist Kelsey Chen tackles some of those questions through an experimental lecture and tea service "to consider Chinamaxxing as an expression of the search for alternative epistemologies and the disillusionment with failing American institutions, thinking alongside tea as a central figure in the story of the complicated role that China has been enlisted to play historically and in this contemporary moment in Western political critique." 〰️ 6:30-9pm 〰️ tiat, SF 〰️ $10-40 〰️ more info
• From the Ground Up: The Founders Reimagining Local News 〰️ Our very own Soleil Ho will be at this, in conversation with other local indie media folks like Tiny News Collective executive director Amy Kovac-Ashley, News Relay Network co-founder Daphne Magnawa, and News Futures lead steward Darryl Holliday. They'll talk about how to build and sustain small but mighty newsrooms and why they matter at this moment of chaos and fascism. 〰️ 6-8pm 〰️ Warfield Commons, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Festival of Monsters: The Quatermass Experiment 〰️ Did you know that UC Santa Cruz has a Center for Monster Studies!? (That sound you hear is every person who's ever known me scrambling to unplug my computer before I can apply to college again.) Watch this British 1955 sci-fi horror classic tv-serial (not to be confused with the film, released under the title The Quatermass Xperiment), introduced by "monster maven" Dr. H. Marshall Leicester. 〰️ 7:30pm 〰️ The 418 Project, Santa Cruz 〰️ $12.51 in advance, $15 at the door 〰️ 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!