Sourcing clarity in the fog of ideas. Lighting your way to ideas.
In-person and across the Bay.
The Bay's intellectual scene is rich, varied, and hard to find.
Burnoff brings it into view. Expand your horizon.
A two-day conference bringing together AI experts and builders for keynotes, production case studies, and workshops on deploying and scaling AI agents in real-world applications. Hosted at The Midway in San Francisco.
A two-day research symposium showcasing collaborative work by 9 faculty pairs—one from Stanford Medicine and one from a partner historically Black university. Attendees will learn about the Stanford Medicine-HBCU Faculty Fellows program and engage directly with investigators from both institutions exploring cutting-edge medical research.
How can we cultivate wonder and awe in children's daily lives? Join the Greater Good Science Center for a talk exploring Jim Henson's vision of 'Wowsabout' — bringing moments of amazement and curiosity to childhood development. The event examines the psychology of wonder and its role in learning and well-being.
A full day of learning and dialogue on health services research, spanning data utilization, AI applications, health policy, and emerging challenges. The symposium features keynote remarks, six breakout sessions covering Medicare/Medicaid data, generative AI in HSR, rural health opportunities, bioethics, state-level policy innovation, and advocacy collaboration; lightning talks; a closing plenary; and a resource fair with information on training programs, research collaboratives, and data sources. Hosted by UCSF Health Services Research at UCSF.
Part of Human+Tech Week, a multi-day conference exploring the intersection of technology and human wellbeing. This session, presented by the IEEE Global AIS Flourishing Initiative, examines how artificial intelligence can be designed and deployed to support human flourishing. The event brings together technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the governance, design principles, and societal implications of AI systems. Free and open to the public at Embarcadero Center, San Francisco.
How should AI fit into everyday decisions? This interactive workshop, part of Human+Tech Week, uses grocery shopping as a case study to explore human-AI collaboration under real constraints like time, budget, and attention. Drawing on customer research from Albertsons, participants will break down decision steps and determine what AI should automate, support, or leave to humans—examining where AI meaningfully helps and where it creates friction. Led by Bernice Wong, Monique Escamilla, and Nitya Iyengar of Albertsons, attendees will develop a practical framework for designing human-AI collaboration, including role definition, boundary-setting, and trust-building in AI-supported experiences.
Mikael Mazur, Member of Technical Staff at Nokia Bell Labs, presents recent advances in long-reach distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) over submarine telecommunications cables. DAS converts fiber optics into distributed strain sensors for seismic and oceanographic monitoring. Mazur will discuss how his team overcame the fundamental reach limitation (previously 50–80 km) by utilizing monitoring couplers, enabling sensing over entire cable lengths. A prototype on the California–Hawaii cable (4,400 km) with 44,000 sensor points detected the M8.8 Kamchatka earthquake and tracked the resulting tsunami in real time—the first high-resolution deep-ocean seismic arrivals via fiber optic sensing.
Expert discussion of the Iran-Israel conflict and regional aftermath with Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former FBI counterterrorism analyst. Levitt directs the Institute's Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence and teaches at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service and Pepperdine's School of Public Policy. He is author of *Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon's Party of God* and *Hamas: Politics, Charity and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad*.
A talk on using large language models as program synthesizers to generate symbolic world models for games. Rather than direct prompting, LLMs receive game descriptions and example trajectories to output executable Python-based models. The approach bridges natural language rules with symbolic reasoning, enabling Monte Carlo Tree Search and reinforcement learning to play games more effectively while handling imperfect information. Wolfgang Lehrach presents recent work on LLM-based game model synthesis at Stanford's HAI (Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence) seminar.
A lecture on Ahmad Faris al-Shidyaq, a 19th-century Ottoman intellectual who shaped modern Arabic language and orthography. A.J. Naddaff (Comparative Literature, Stanford) examines al-Shidyaq's linguistic innovations and their role in Ottoman modernization and Arab cultural politics. Pre-circulated reading available to RSVP attendees.
Political scientist Alex Bolton (Emory University) presents research on congressional politics and legislative behavior to the Research Workshop in American Politics, an ongoing UC Berkeley faculty and graduate student seminar on contemporary American political institutions, behavior, and policy.
A research seminar on designing satellite navigation infrastructure for the Moon to support the coming decade of commercial and national lunar missions. Keidai Iiyama, Ph.D. candidate in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University, presents algorithmic and systems foundations for a 'Lunar GPS'—covering orbit determination, time synchronization without surface stations, coordinate and time frames, and leveraging terrestrial GNSS signals for precise lunar satellite positioning. He will also discuss extensions to Mars navigation and emerging applications like precise timing for low-frequency radio astronomy on the lunar farside.
Dr. Ella Faktorovich, an ophthalmologist specializing in refractive and laser eye surgery, discusses advances in cataract and custom lens implant surgery for people 40 and older. The talk covers how modern minimally invasive procedures restore near and distance vision, improve independence and quality of life, and which patients benefit most from these techniques.
A screening of the documentary *Wired for Connection*, which explores the biology of social bonding and the health impacts of isolation and loneliness across the human lifespan, featuring primate research and neuroscience. Following the film, Dr. Matthew Pantell and Dr. Ashwin Kotwal of UCSF will discuss emerging science on human connection and field audience questions. The film premieres on PBS and KQED 9 on June 1.
Financial planner and founder of Your Rich Auntie™ Robin Patin explores the financial and logistical challenges of aging without traditional family support. She covers practical frameworks for securing autonomy in later life, including establishing financial power of attorney, selecting a successor trustee, and building self-sufficiency. Part of SAVvy Day, a national initiative spotlighting solo agers.
Human+Tech Week is a multi-day conference exploring how individuals and teams thrive with AI integration. This session focuses on AI Personas — a framework developed through research on team collaboration in AI-native environments — and invites participants to discover their own AI Persona to strengthen leadership and performance. The program draws on testing across 30+ client organizations since 2024 and is part of a broader AI IQ Program designed to help teams navigate rapid AI integration.
Snorkel AI Reading Group explores frontier developments in AI research. Carter Wendelken of Google DeepMind presents two recent ICLR papers: 'AutoHarness: Improving LLM Agents by Automatically Synthesizing a Code Harness' and 'Code World Models for General Game Playing.' A recurring community forum combining technical discussion with casual connection over drinks.
A session at Human+Tech Week exploring how AI-supported conflict resolution can normalize real-time repair in organizations. Jill Nagle, founder of Mendful, will demonstrate the platform's 'fast-slow' conflict resolution model, then participants will experience the repair process in small groups and reflect on how to integrate it into organizational culture. Designed for organizational consultants, founders, and anyone seeking practical conflict skills for work and personal life.
An interactive workshop exploring how human cognitive systems experience strain under continuous AI-accelerated workload. The session examines fragmented attention, decision fatigue, and recovery challenges in high-performance teams, then introduces a 15-minute embodied Focus Protocol — a sensorimotor sequence designed to reset attention and clarity. Participants experience a live demonstration, reflect on attention regulation under load, and learn how cognitive reset methods can support AI-native organizations. Attendees leave with a portable protocol for recovering focus during cognitively intense work. Part of Human+Tech Week in San Francisco.
SPUR's 45th annual Good Government Awards ceremony honors outstanding public servants in San Francisco city agencies for leadership and meaningful impact on the community. The event celebrates career government managers driving change across city departments.
An exploration of how technology companies shape everyday urban life and spatial formations across Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. Katja Schwaller, urban ethnographer and Public Knowledge Fellow at Stanford, discusses her research on digital capitalism's built environment and her edited volume *Technopolis*, examining Big Tech's role in urban struggles. In conversation with Charles Petersen, Harold Hohbach historian at Silicon Valley Archives, whose expertise spans Silicon Valley history and U.S. political economy from the Gilded Age onward.
Professor Chang-Tai Hsieh of the University of Chicago examines Taiwan's economic vulnerabilities as the global center of semiconductor and AI hardware manufacturing. He discusses how Taiwan's Central Bank has maintained an undervalued exchange rate to boost exports—a policy now threatened by Taiwan's surging trade surplus (20% of GDP in 2025, projected to reach 35%). Hsieh analyzes the risks posed by Taiwan's life insurance industry holding massive US Treasury bonds that face collapse when the Taiwan dollar appreciates. A 2026 Dr. Sam-Chung Hsieh Memorial Lecture at Stanford University Libraries.
Professor Irina Reyfman (Columbia University) examines Leo Tolstoy's engagement with pre-nineteenth-century Russian history, analyzing thirty-three drafts of an unfinished prose project about Peter the Great's era from the 1870s. Reyfman interprets Tolstoy's approach to historical fiction and situates his work within his broader critique of progressivist theories of history and historical causation.
Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman astronaut and former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, discusses leadership, innovation, and her career spanning space exploration and optical systems engineering. With degrees in physics and electrical engineering from Stanford and three patents to her name, Ochoa brings perspective on becoming a disruptor in science and space. Part of Stanford's Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders series.
A 60-minute interactive workshop introducing the HEARTH Model, a proprietary leadership framework for tech-integrated teams. Participants explore why technology adoption has outpaced leadership readiness, examine ethical and engagement challenges in real scenarios, and practice how HEARTH reframes leadership behaviors in technology-enabled environments. Designed to spark insight and self-recognition for deeper leadership capability development. Hosted by Human+Tech Week.
A talk on entrepreneurship in biomedical device design with Stewart Kume, COO and founding partner of Cinch Innovations. Hosted by Santa Clara University's School of Engineering and BMES (Biomedical Engineering Society), the event explores the intersection of engineering innovation and business development in the medical device sector.
Willy Vlautin returns to Orinda Books to celebrate the release of his latest novel, *The Left and the Lucky*. Known for his thoughtful, gripping portrayals of those living on the economic margins, Vlautin reads from and discusses his new work.
EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn and Adam Savage examine the civil liberties implications of AI-powered surveillance, exploring the recent dispute between Anthropic and the Trump administration over guardrails restricting Claude's use for mass monitoring. They discuss where regulatory lines should be drawn in the AI era and who should decide them.
A structured convening exploring how to center relational capacity development—rather than individual optimization—at the intersection of spirituality, AI, and technology design. Addressing loneliness and institutional trust collapse, the event asks: what would we build if we took seriously both developmental science and contemplative traditions, which show that human development naturally deepens toward greater relational capacity? The evening features lightning talks framing the landscape, facilitated breakout groups across builders, practitioners, funders, researchers, and wisdom keepers, and working sessions designed to produce real inputs. Part of Human+Tech Week (May 11–15, San Francisco). $20.
Author Stephanie Fairyington discusses her memoir *Ugly: A Letter to My Daughter*, exploring queer motherhood, identity, vulnerability, and the interrogation of societal beauty standards through her personal narrative. A conversation centered on how Fairyington examines the pressures and expectations placed on women and mothers, particularly within queer communities, and her reflective approach to challenging conventional notions of beauty and self-worth.
Lightning talks on agentic code and autonomous program synthesis from leading AI researchers. Features Hao Wang (UC Berkeley) and others working at the frontier of code generation and multi-step reasoning in AI systems.
An AI meetup bringing together enthusiasts and professionals to discuss deploying AI workflows in production environments. Speakers and topics will focus on latest advancements in applied AI systems.
Ignite Marquee: SF #19 is a high-energy evening of 17 rapid-fire talks at San Francisco's Brava Theatre. Each speaker has exactly 5 minutes and 20 auto-advancing slides to present bold ideas across diverse topics—from operatic voice and origami to startup strategy, self-expression, and VFX. Speakers include Alison Tarwater, Stephanie Cowan, Jeremiah Owyang, Bisi Obateru, Gayle Karen Young, Dalyte Kodzis, Sammy Wegent, and others. A showcase of creativity, insight, and fast-paced storytelling.
How does wealth reshape the human mind and behavior? Research-based talk exploring how money alters thought processes, empathy, and moral judgment—drawing from psychology, epidemiology, and ancient wisdom. Daniel E. Martin, associate professor of management at CSU East Bay and director of Corporate Compassion Education at Stanford University's Center for Compassion, Altruism Research and Education, examines why wealth so often reduces compassion, how inequality erodes trust and moral concern at scale, and whether compassion can be trained in leaders and institutions to measurably change behavior. Using experimental evidence and insights from Plato, Aristotle, Buddha, and other philosophers, Martin explores how thinking about money increases self-focus and reduces empathy—effects that ripple from individuals into organizations and societies.
A panel conversation on voting rights and the conditions necessary for free and fair elections, featuring Natalie Adona, Jesse Mainardi, and Dora Rose in dialogue with moderator Scott Shafer. Hosted by the Mechanics' Institute, a trusted civic institution.
A hands-on workshop exploring ethics and governance through observation of nonhuman creatures, inspired by medieval bestiaries. Led by artist and experimental philosopher Jonathon Keats, author of *A Field Guide to More-Than-Human Governance*, participants will reflect on the lifeways of animals, plants, and fungi they know personally and create small hand-crafted books illustrating what one creature teaches about human ethics and practice. Using arts-and-crafts and scrap materials, attendees derive governance lessons from the more-than-human world.
Author Nada Rothbart reads from her work Together We Rise. Hosted at Readers Books in Mendocino County.
Prof. Richard Sutton, ACM Turing Award winner and pioneering AI researcher, presents the Oak Architecture—a vision for achieving superintelligence through experience-based learning. Sutton's work on reinforcement learning has fundamentally shaped modern AI; this lecture outlines his latest thinking on scaling learning systems toward superintelligent systems grounded in empirical experience rather than predetermined knowledge.
A conversation with New York Times bestselling author Gary Shteyngart about Soviet and post-Soviet life in his fiction, centered on his newest novel *Vera, or Faith*—a darkly funny examination of a family fragmenting in a rapidly changing country. Shteyngart is also the author of the National Book Critics Circle Award finalist *Super Sad True Love Story*. Moderated by Molly Antopol, Assistant Professor of English at Stanford. Book signing to follow.
Chef Julien Royer of three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore discusses his philosophy of terroir-driven fine dining and French culinary heritage with Dominique Crenn, three-Michelin-starred chef at Atelier Crenn in San Francisco. A free public conversation at Omnivore Books on Food, the Bay Area's independent bookstore devoted to culinary culture.
Bay Area author and librarian Portia Elan discusses her debut novel *Homebound*, a genre-spanning work weaving together 1983 coming-of-age fiction, science fiction, and philosophical exploration of human connection across time. The novel follows a nineteen-year-old who completes a video game left by her deceased uncle, unaware it will shape lives across centuries. Elan explores themes of loneliness, collaboration, and humanity's capacity for love.
Explore how people-pleasing, perfectionism, and overcompensation patterns limit authenticity and intimacy in relationships and sex lives. Darshana Avila, a somatic practitioner and host of the *Deeper With Darshana* podcast, examines the roots of these behaviors and how they manifest in the body, offering reflection, humor, and embodied exercises to shift toward greater pleasure, power, and purpose. Her work has been featured on *Sex, Love & Goop*, *The Guardian*, and *The New Yorker*. Includes Q&A and socializing. Adults 18+ recommended for explicit content; all ages welcome.
A town hall with U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate in California's 2026 gubernatorial primary. The discussion covers housing, the economy, technology, climate, immigration, and California's relationship with the Trump administration. Hosted by KQED's Political Breakdown in an intimate onstage format with a live studio audience; the event will be recorded for broadcast on KQED 9, KQED 88.5 FM, and as a Political Breakdown podcast special.
A screening of Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 1978 masterpiece about Elvira, a transgender woman navigating rejection and desperation in her final days. The film is a meditation on loneliness, identity, and human connection. Presented by BAMPFA.
A candidate forum for California State Assembly District 12, featuring candidates discussing their vision for the district and addressing community questions on local priorities and state-level issues. Hosted by the Point Reyes Station Village Association and the Inverness Association.
Author and cultural critic Lindy West discusses her new memoir *Adult Braces: Driving Myself Sane*, chronicling her journey through depression, marriage struggles, and self-discovery following the success of *Shrill*. West examines her emotional reckoning with fame, identity, and the gap between her public persona and private self with characteristic candor and humor.
Artist Janani Balasubramanian and scientist Dr. Natalie Gosnell explore their book *Art-Science Undisciplined: A Playbook for Transformative Collaboration*, examining how creative partnerships across disciplinary boundaries generate new insights into complex problems. The event celebrates art and science as a method for innovation, offering concrete strategies for building transformative collaborations between traditionally separate fields.
A reading from poet Amaud Jamaul Johnson, author of Imperial Liquor (2020), Darktown Follies (2013), and Red Summer (2006). Johnson's work appears regularly in The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Southern Review, and he has received the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, a Pushcart Prize, and fellowships from MacDowell, Bread Loaf, and Cave Canem. He is the Arthur M. and Fanny M. Dole Professor of English at Pomona College. Part of Stanford's Lane Lecture Series.
A candidate forum on California's June primary race for Lieutenant Governor, focusing on the office's power over education, housing, and economic policy. Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton and current Special Advisor to Governor Newsom for Economic Mobility, discusses his platform for guaranteed income, affordable housing, and accessible education. Moderated by Nancy Tung, Chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party. Part of Manny's series featuring the leading Lieutenant Governor candidates.
A candidate forum on California's June primary featuring Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton and current Special Advisor to Governor Newsom on Economic Mobility, discussing his campaign for lieutenant governor. Topics include education access, affordable housing, guaranteed income programs, and economic policy. Part of Manny's series with the top three lieutenant governor candidates.
What is happening in Iran right now, and how did we get here? Professor Stephen Zunes (University of San Francisco) connects the history of U.S.-Iran relations to present-day Middle East policy and the Iranian freedom struggle. As one of the few American academics allowed into Iran since 2017, Zunes draws on direct experience to explore civil resistance movements, U.S. interference, and what Iranians are experiencing now. Part 2 of a three-part series on U.S.-Iran conflict, hosted at Manny's with pay-what-you-can admission.
Human+Tech Week is a multi-day conference exploring the intersection of human flourishing and technology. This session examines organizational flourishing through the lens of metabolism, coherence, and artificial intelligence — how organizations can maintain vitality, alignment, and adaptive capacity in an AI-driven world. Part of a broader program of keynotes, panels, and workshops on technology's role in human and institutional wellbeing.
Free health fair hosted by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco in partnership with Sutter Health's CPMC Kanbar Cardiac Care Center. Attendees can access free screenings for cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure, learn self-testing techniques from nurse educators and cardiac rehabilitation experts, participate in mindfulness coloring, and engage with voter outreach from the SF Department of Elections ahead of the June 2026 primary.
Human+Tech Week is a multi-day conference exploring how technology shapes society and what steps are needed to build a more equitable digital future. The program features keynotes, expert panels, and workshops on topics including AI governance, digital rights, innovation ethics, and technology's role in addressing social challenges. Open to the public and designed for technologists, policymakers, educators, and engaged citizens seeking to understand and influence the direction of technological development.
A neuroscience seminar featuring Silvana Konermann, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of Arc Institute and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Stanford University. Konermann is a leading researcher in gene therapy and CRISPR technology. The talk is hosted by Andrew Yang, PhD at Gladstone Institutes and is free and open to researchers and the broader neuroscience community.
How can open, agent-driven research infrastructure ensure that scientific results remain reproducible in an age of AI-assisted discovery? François Lanusse explores the development of systems designed to preserve scientific rigor and transparency as AI agents become integral to research workflows.
Aaron Newman, PhD (Stanford) presents on the molecular and spatial determinants of developmental states in cancer, exploring how cancer cells acquire and maintain distinct developmental programs through molecular and spatial mechanisms. Part of Stanford's SCI Cancer Biology and Cancer Stem Cell Talks series.
Historian Yair Mintzker (National Jewish Book Award winner) discusses his book *I, Wandering Jew*, which traces the mythical figure of the Wandering Jew from its origins through five centuries of European history and into the present moment. A Stanford University event featuring lunch, at Building 360.
This talk explores the mechanics of fluid-driven frictional ruptures, including frictional weakening, dilation, and permeability changes, with applications to hydraulic stimulation of geothermal reservoirs, fault stability, landslides, and glacier mechanics. Brice Lecampion, Associate Professor and head of the Geo-Energy Lab at EPFL, will present a dilatant hydro-shearing model applied to the Basel-1 well stimulation case, discussing rupture propagation behavior under varying rock properties and injection protocols, and addressing uncertainties in horizontal stress and frictional properties.
Michael Greenstone, Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics at the University of Chicago and founding director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, discusses global environmental policy and the energy challenge. His research on balancing inexpensive, reliable energy with public health and climate mitigation has shaped U.S. policy, including quadrupling the government's estimate of climate damages and influencing pollution markets in India.
What does it mean to produce knowledge from positions of structural exclusion? Odette Casamayor-Cisneros (University of Pennsylvania) explores how Afro-Latin American and Afro-Caribbean women transform the "demonic ground" into generative sites of knowledge production. Drawing on literary studies, visual art, performance, and Afro-diasporic philosophy, she proposes epistemological marronage as a framework for understanding contemporary Black cultural production—a radical disengagement from Eurocentric systems of thought. Casamayor-Cisneros shows how archival absence, ancestral memory, and lived experience contest epistemic authority and reconfigure what it means to be human in ways that are diasporic, relational, and open-ended.
SCU's inaugural Queer Scholarship Conference brings together LGBTQ+ scholars, students, and community members to share research, present student work, and explore queer studies. Hosted by Santa Clara University's Bronco community, the evening celebrates queer scholarship and fosters connection across the Bay Area.
Human+Tech Week is a multi-day conference exploring the intersection of technology and society. This session, 'Reviewing the Thread Through HTW: Integration and Reciprocity,' examines how emerging technologies can be designed and deployed with human flourishing and social reciprocity at the center. The event brings together technologists, researchers, policymakers, and civic leaders to discuss frameworks for responsible innovation and equitable tech governance.
How can public and private financial flows be mobilized to address the climate crisis? Kelsey Alford-Jones examines international initiatives to promote emissions reduction and climate resilience, exploring the mechanisms, incentives, and challenges of scaling climate finance. Part of UC Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group Colloquium Series.
A panel discussion on how transformations in American news media—the rise of digital platforms, the decline of traditional outlets, and the emergence of 'news deserts'—have reshaped local politics, government accountability, and electoral campaigns. Panelists will explore regional disparities in news coverage, journalists' evolving responsibilities, and media innovations. Hosted by the Hoover Institution Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at Stanford University.
A monthly Death Café hosted by end-of-life doula Christine Comaford at Book Passage in Corte Madera. This intimate, gently moderated community gathering explores death, dying, grief, and the sacredness of mortality in a supportive, non-judgmental space. Each session centers on a new theme related to end-of-life care. Free, RSVP requested; tea and cookies served.
How did San Francisco's growth depend on the remote redwood forests of Northern California? Urban planner and historian James Michael Buckley explores the regional networks—of capital, labor, and extraction—that connected the metropolis to the forest, showing how a sprawling industrial system transformed both landscape and city. Buckley holds degrees in urban planning and architecture from UC Berkeley and has taught at Berkeley, MIT, and the University of Oregon.
MS in Applied Economics students from the University of San Francisco present capstone research projects showcasing applied economic analysis using real-world data and advanced methodologies. The event offers the public and prospective students an opportunity to engage with current economic research and analytical work. Light refreshments provided.
Dr. Ingrid Brioso Rieumont (Dartmouth College) explores slavery as a metaphysical and material formation extending beyond individual lives. Through two meditations—on the enslaver's and enslaved person's bodies—she examines temporal and economic dimensions of slavery in nineteenth-century Brazil and Cuba, from gradual emancipation debates and the 1871 Free Womb Law to the remains of the illegally enslaved. Drawing on *The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas* by Machado de Assis and *Cecilia Valdés* by Cirilo Villaverde, she analyzes how literary form exposes the edges where legal and economic regimes fail. Part of the materia lecture series.
A lecture on ecclesiology and the modern church by Dr. Mary Ann Hinsdale, Associate Professor Emerita of Theology at Boston College. The Carmody Lecture, named for Denise Carmody, a pioneer in female leadership and creative scholarship at Santa Clara University, explores ideals of church structure and practice in contemporary context.
Aging as a solvable problem: exploring the ethics, economics, and emerging science of redesigning the human lifespan with Raiany Romanni-Klein, CEO of the Florens Institute and author of *Redesigning Aging: The Ethics and Economics of Human Longevity* (forthcoming, Harvard University Press). Romanni-Klein holds the world's first PhD on the Ethics and Economics of Human Longevity, supervised by George Church, Oded Galor, and Steven Pinker. The evening includes a 6–7 pm talk and Q&A with breakout discussions, framed as a Foresight Institute salon under Chatham House Rule.
The Bannan Forum presents the annual Carmody Lecture, honoring pioneering female scholarship at Santa Clara University. Dr. Mary Ann Hinsdale, Associate Professor Emerita of Theology at Boston College, explores theological perspectives on the church's evolution and ideals in 'An Ideal Church: 2.0.' Held at de Saisset Museum on the Santa Clara campus.
An evening exploring technology in service of human flourishing through guided thermal rituals and community experience. The program includes a founders talk with Anne Cannady and Jon Stein on Fourth Spaces and social wellness; guided contrast therapy with Eric Guarino on heat, cold, and nervous system resilience; a sauna aufguss ceremony with Sarah Koh; and a reflection with Kali Fields Williams, author of Renewable You, on leading from renewal. Held at Alchemy Springs' outdoor sauna garden featuring a 40-person communal sauna, cold plunges, fire pit, and thermal benches. Limited capacity.
A panel celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, featuring Filipinx and Filipinx-American professionals advancing health and wellbeing across the Bay Area. Panelists will discuss the role of culture in career exploration and strategies for sustaining careers through mental health and self-care. Free, with in-person attendance at UCSF Mt. Zion campus encouraged; light refreshments provided. Hosted by the United Filipinx Association at UCSF.
Adrian Woolfson explores how synthetic biology and artificial intelligence are transforming life into programmable engineering material. His talk examines what it means to author life itself and the profound implications for humanity's future as we gain the ability to redesign living systems. Woolfson is a physician, neuroscientist, and author investigating the intersection of biology, technology, and ethics.
Margaret Juhae Lee discusses her memoir Starry Field, an investigative account of her grandfather Lee Chul Ha, a Korean student revolutionary imprisoned in 1929 for protesting Japanese imperialism. Through oral history, archival research, and interviews with her grandmother, Lee explores how family histories shape identity and whether we can separate ourselves from our family's past. A former literary editor at The Nation, Lee will focus on her grandmother's interviews and offer practical guidance on interviewing elders to uncover family stories. Part book talk, part oral history workshop.
Journalist Simone Stolzoff examines how we navigate uncertainty and the limits of human knowledge in an increasingly complex world. Drawing on Rumsfeld's framework of known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, Stolzoff explores what it means to live with doubt when change feels constant and futures feel fragile.
When news cycles move faster than we can process, how do we understand what actually matters for our lives? This event explores the deliberate political strategy of "flooding the zone"—overwhelming the public with information to prevent sustained attention on consequential issues—and what it means for democracy. Hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California, a trusted civic institution.
A conversation on caregiving, interdependence, and community across generations. Authors and activists Courtney Martin (Learning in Public, Making Sandwiches) and Mia Birdsong (How We Show Up, Freedom's Revival) explore how midlife adults navigate caring for aging parents and children simultaneously, and how to build communities where no one is left stranded. They discuss expanding circles of care and collective liberation.
Human+Tech Week is a multi-day symposium exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and human-centered dialogue. 'Presence at the Threshold: Dialogical Leadership in the Age of AI' examines how organizations and leaders can navigate technological transformation while maintaining meaningful human connection and ethical practice. The event brings together technologists, organizational leaders, and thinkers to discuss adaptive leadership approaches in an AI-driven world. Free and open to the public at 1453 Mission St, San Francisco.
Bestselling author Jeanine Cummins reads from and discusses her new novel Speak to Me of Home, a multigenerational family story exploring home, displacement, and belonging across generations.
A highly experiential workshop exploring what human capacities become essential for leaders navigating AI-driven change, uncertainty, and pressure. Using approaches from positive psychology, leadership coaching, mindfulness, and developmental theory, participants will work on real challenges they're facing, reconnect with their leadership vision, practice staying grounded under stress, and surface invisible patterns holding them back. Facilitated by The Commons SF as part of Human+Tech Week 2026 (May 11–15, San Francisco).
Music journalist Barry Walters discusses his book tracing how LGBTQ artists and audiences shaped music from 1970s underground dancefloors to global charts. In conversation with Marke Bieschke (48 Hills), Walters reflects on 40 years documenting the intersection of mainstream and LGBTQ culture. DJ Danniboi will mix dance classics throughout the evening to celebrate the book release.
A monthly book club for romance readers at Mill Valley Public Library discussing works across the genre—from historical to paranormal, enemies-to-lovers to forbidden romance, sweet to spicy. This month the group discusses One & Only by Maurene Goo. Free and open to all; meets the second Thursday of each month.
Ulrike Ottinger's experimental film examines media manipulation and power through a surreal, darkly comic lens. Delphine Seyrig stars as Dr. Mabuse, an unscrupulous press conglomerate president scheming for world domination, exploring corruption and the role of media in society.
Dr. Lerone A. Martin, MLK Jr. Centennial Professor at Stanford and Faculty Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute, discusses his biography *Young King*, which examines Martin Luther King Jr.'s formative years in the Jim Crow South—his emotional development, teenage interests, and early preaching—and how these formative experiences shaped his later activism and vision for racial justice.
Bay Area poet, playwright, and Nez Perce scholar Beth Piatote reads from her new poetry collection Distant Water and discusses her poetic practice and craft. The event takes place Thursday, May 14 at 7pm at Pegasus Books Downtown.
Harriet Clark, winner of The Paris Review's 2023 Plimpton Prize, discusses her debut novel *The Hill*, which follows a woman visiting her mother serving a life sentence for a bank robbery committed as a young radical. In conversation with journalist Lauren Markham (The New Yorker, The Atlantic), Clark explores how incarceration and immigration shape families and childhood, and art's role in reflecting and transforming these realities.
An author event featuring Tracy Clark-Flory in conversation with Savala Nolan. Book title and specific topics will be announced. Hosted at Green Apple Books in San Francisco.
A peer learning workshop on motivational interviewing, a client-centered psychotherapeutic approach that draws out a person's own motivation for change rather than imposing solutions. Participants will watch sample session videos and practice key techniques—reflection and evoking change talk—through structured dyad exercises and roleplay. Led by Justin (peer facilitator), using materials from published texts and publicly available educational videos. No clinical training or mental health credentials required; this is conversational skills practice for anyone interested in supporting others more effectively.
A science-backed exploration of how breath regulates the nervous system. Char Lacsina examines the physiology of breathing, the vagus nerve, and CO₂ tolerance, then leads a guided breathwork exercise to demonstrate how shifting breath patterns can move the body from threat mode into a more open, flexible state. The talk blends neuroscience with embodied practice, asking what becomes possible when the body feels safe. A distinctive format: attendees are asked to power off phones during the event (7–9 PM) to foster full presence and in-person conversation.
Meet author Willy Vlautin to discuss his new novel *The Left and the Lucky*. Free event with first-come, first-served seating at Bookshop West Portal in San Francisco.
Award-winning children's book authors and illustrators Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen discuss their picture books, including Caldecott-winning titles and the animated series Shape Island. They explore how picture books achieve absurdity, emotional depth, and literary sophistication through their creative practice and newsletter.
San Francisco's downtown vacancy crisis and AI boom raise urgent questions about the future of work and the city's economic resilience. What jobs will emerge as tech transforms the labor market and unions push back against corporate and municipal pressures? A frank discussion on workforce recovery across tech, healthcare, civil service, and construction with Sujata Srivastava (SPUR chief policy officer), Jonathan Weber (journalist and author of *City on the Edge*), and Alex Lash (editor of The Frisc).
Poet and author Eleni Sikelianos launches her book Memory Rehearsal in conversation with Matthew Zapruder, poet and editor. The event takes place at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.
A lecture exploring Michel Foucault's *History of Madness*, his foundational work on how Western societies constructed and institutionalized madness. The talk examines Foucault's analysis of power, knowledge, and the role of institutions in defining sanity and mental illness, with implications for understanding modern psychiatry, criminal justice, and social control.
Legal History in Times of Crisis is Stanford's eighth annual one-day conference examining how law and history illuminate present crises—whether of democracy, technology, rule of law, capitalism, ecology, or climate. Scholars will explore past crises across time periods and geographies, focusing on political, economic, and environmental turning points: periods of instability and violence, inequalities in crisis distribution, institutional vulnerabilities, and the utility of history itself during breakdown. The conference closes with a keynote by Aziz Rana (Boston College Law School) on "History and Nostalgia under Constitutional Breakdown." Hosted by the Stanford Center for Law and History and Stanford History Department.
An open-space unconference gathering 200+ women working in, alongside, and thinking critically about AI. Rather than keynotes or panels, participants surface urgent conversations: power dynamics, ethical friction, burnout, leadership pathways, and what human thriving means in practice. Convened by Kaliya and Tracey as part of Human+Tech Week. No technical degree required — the event welcomes technical expertise, lived experience, cultural knowledge, and strategic perspective. Friday, May 15 at Mabuhay Gardens, San Francisco.
On the eve of the Declaration of Independence's 250th anniversary, the Stanford Constitutional Law Center convenes eight prominent scholars, historians, and jurists across the ideological spectrum to explore what new insights can be offered about the Declaration today. Through lectures and conversations, participants will examine the document's history, meaning, and continuing significance for American constitutional thought.
A full-day launch conference on U.S. national security strategy in the Indo-Pacific, examining China policy, China-Russia alignment, and regional competition. Hosted by Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute and CISAC (Center for International Security and Cooperation), the event convenes senior policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to connect rigorous academic research with urgent policy challenges. Keynote conversations and panel discussions.
TETHICON is Stanford's annual one-day conference on technology's influence on society, featuring keynotes, research panels, and student presentations on AI ethics, policy, privacy, and creativity. Keynote speaker Chloé Bakalar, AI Ethics Lead at OpenAI and former chief ethicist at Meta, will discuss how ethics research translates into industry practice. Students will present original research on AI policy, algorithmic bias, surveillance, clinical AI, and digital governance. Panels include tech ethics researchers from Bay Area academic institutions. Open to students, faculty, and industry professionals.
A four-month book group led by Luisa Smith exploring crime fiction from around the world. Each month features a different country's crime novel, uncovering universal themes in the genre and distinctive cultural approaches to mystery storytelling.
Michael Gerli, Commonwealth Professor of Hispanic Studies emeritus at UVa and visiting at Stanford, examines how *Don Quixote* dramatizes the creation, reproduction, and reception of books, staging a profound engagement with reading, glossing, and textual interpretation. Gerli argues that philology's attempt to recover original readings and correct textual transmission proves unproductive when confronted with Cervantes's deliberate textual variations and contradictions in the first European novel—a work where textual truth remains inherently unstable for readers, narrators, and the lectomaniacal protagonist alike.
ABC News chief international correspondent Martha Raddatz discusses her book 'The Hero Next Door,' drawing on her decades reporting from war zones to explore stories of service members and veterans whose courage and resilience have shaped American life. Raddatz illuminates the uncommon character of those who have faced daunting odds, offering a window into often-overlooked American heroes.
A lecture on Polish communists of Jewish origin and their political trajectories from the interwar period through post-war Stalinism and the 1968 March events. Dr. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska-Moskalewicz of the Institute of Political Studies (Polish Academy of Sciences) draws on archival sources to examine prominent figures including sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, historian Bronisław Baczko, and economist Włodzimierz Brus, exploring how historical forces shaped ethnic, cultural, and political identity while challenging stereotypes about this significant group.
A seminar on the metabolic mechanisms underlying sleep disruption in Alzheimer's disease, part of Stanford's William C. Dement Seminar Series. Dr. Shannon Macauley, Associate Professor of Physiology at the University of Kentucky and Adjunct Associate Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine, will discuss recent research on how metabolic dysfunction contributes to sleep pathology in neurodegeneration. Hosted by Stanford's Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.
A discussion of democratic erosion in Peru through the lens of 'democratic hollowing'—a form of democratic decay driven not by concentrated authoritarian power but by institutional fragmentation, weak parties, and governance paralysis. Since 2016, Peru has cycled through eight presidents amid severe political instability and institutional conflict. Alberto Vergara, professor of political science at Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, joins moderator Alberto Díaz-Cayeros (Freeman Spogli Institute, Stanford) to explore how democracies can weaken even without a single dominant leader, and what institutional reforms might restore democratic renewal.
A talk on trait-based theory for understanding ocean biodiversity and species distribution. Curtis Deutsch presents a general model for predicting how physiological traits in marine organisms adapt to environmental conditions globally, linking species richness patterns across latitude and depth to ocean climate conditions. The work provides a framework for inferring trait evolution in past Earth climates.
The 20th Annual Art History Symposium convenes scholars and educators to present research, discuss emerging trends in art historical study, and engage in substantive disciplinary conversation. The day-long event features presentations on contemporary approaches to visual culture and art history methodology. Open to students, faculty, and the general public interested in the field. Hosted by Santa Clara University's Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building.
An evening at Red Bay Coffee's Oakland roastery combining live soundscapes with professional coffee cupping tastings. Learn the sensory evaluation techniques used to score coffee like fine wine while exploring the industrial warehouse space. Includes a complimentary caffeinated beverage.
California College of the Arts presents its 2026 graduation exhibitions, showcasing the work of graduating students across art, architecture, design, and writing. Meet the students and engage their work. The exhibitions reflect the college's mission to cultivate innovation, creative practice, and social and environmental responsibility in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A talk on caste-critical histories of music and musicians in modern South India. Drawing on vernacular print archives, Davesh Soneji (Chair of South Asia Studies, Stanford) explores how service-caste and Dalit musicians were historically erased from accounts of 'classical' South Indian music—a domain falsely presented as a nationalist Brahminical invention. He traces the acoustic and haptic knowledge of non-elite musicians across Tamil musical texts, plantation performance during indentured labor, and 1930s Adi Dravidar activism, reframing 'historical acoustemology' to center marginalized musicians as producers of sound-as-knowledge.
A three-part series exploring inclusion and acceptance in sports, co-presented by Pride House SF and Commonwealth Club World Affairs. Using the 2024 global soccer event and Bay Area representation as a backdrop, each program convenes local experts around a designated theme. The first program features leaders on and off the field who are changing sports and acceptance.
A screening of the 1981 classic film On Golden Pond followed by facilitated discussion with Lara Gabrielle. Part of the Mechanics' Institute film series, which combines cinema appreciation with community conversation.
UC Berkeley MFA graduates from the class of 2026 discuss their artistic work in conversation with exhibition curators Omar Farah and Tausif Noor. Part of BAMPFA's fifty-sixth annual MFA exhibition, this public conversation brings emerging artists and curatorial expertise together to explore contemporary creative practices and the ideas shaping the next generation of Bay Area artists.
A three-part series exploring LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation in sports, organized by Pride House SF and Commonwealth Club World Affairs. The programs convene local leaders and athletes around themes of celebration, acceptance, and visibility, anchored by this summer's global soccer event and Bay Area athletes on the world stage. First program features leaders on and off the field driving change in sports culture and acceptance.
A four-session seminar exploring tragedy across cultures through close reading and film. Led by Victoria Kahn and Alan Tansman, professors of English and East Asian Languages at UC Berkeley, the course compares Western tragedies—Sophocles' *Oedipus the King* and Shakespeare's *King Lear*—with Noh drama, Edo-period Japanese domestic tragedies, Masahiro Shinoda's *Double Suicides*, and Natsume Sôseki's *Kokoro*. Sessions run May 9, 15, 23, and 30. $10 per session at Clio's Books.
Diana Joseph, PhD entrepreneur and learning scientist, joins co-authors Dan Toma and Esther Gons to discuss *Open Innovation Works*, a practical guide to executing open innovation strategies for large organizations. The event combines a reading with a hands-on mini-workshop exploring how to leverage external ecosystems—startups, universities, and industry partners—for impactful change. Attendees will learn the book's collaborative design frameworks and practical methods for building effective cross-organizational partnerships.
East Bay author Nick Greene discusses his new book *How to Watch Soccer*, offering a fresh perspective on understanding and appreciating the sport through critical and cultural analysis. Greene explores how to transform the way readers experience soccer, moving beyond surface-level appreciation to deeper engagement with the game's cultural and aesthetic dimensions.
Celebrated American poet Eleni Sikelianos discusses her moving family memoir about a pioneering ancestor navigating identity and belonging across generations. Sikelianos, author of multiple acclaimed collections and the editor of Aufgabe literary journal, explores memory, family narrative, and cultural inheritance through her characteristic poetic lens.
A hands-on beginner-friendly workshop series on analog electronic circuit theory at The Commons SF. The instructor will assess participants' existing knowledge to tailor the course appropriately. Free and open to all.
A workshop exploring women witnesses in Christian history from Mary Magdalene to contemporary figures, including saints, theologians, activists, and spiritual writers. Led by Dr. Melissa Broome Ursin, Executive Director of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University, the session covers Catholic and ecumenical voices across time periods with reflection and discussion designed to deepen faith and empower spiritual life today.
Stanford Medicine's free community health day featuring expert talks on heart health, nutrition, and wellness led by Stanford physicians and researchers. The program includes medical screenings, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on wellness activities designed for community members of all backgrounds. A mix of lectures and interactive experiences spanning cardiology, nutrition science, and preventive health.
A series of free spring nature walks on Mount Sutro exploring ecology, geology, and movement. Sessions include watershed discovery, sound and moss observation, foraging wild edibles, wildflower-making, paleontology and geology tours, seed collection, eco-grief and ritual, and queer ecology. Walks blend natural science, contemplative practice, and community gathering at The Aldea Center on Mount Sutro, part of UCSF's outdoor programming.
A forward-thinking discussion exploring the intersection of AI models, systems, ethics, law, business, and art. Brings together diverse thinkers for a lively Saturday morning debate on artificial intelligence and its implications across technical, legal, ethical, and creative domains.
Threads of Comfort is a mixed-media art exhibition exploring grief, loss, and the comfort we seek in times of need. Artist Marla Pederson uses colors and fabrics to give voice to unspoken emotional experiences, addressing a universal yet culturally taboo subject. Join the artist reception in the Dance Palace Lobby Art Gallery.
An artist reception for Marla Pederson's 'Threads of Comfort,' a mixed media series exploring grief through color and fabric. The work addresses the universal experience of loss and the gap between what we need to hear and what we're able to express, creating space for conversations around mourning and comfort in a culture that often taboos grief.
Award-winning playwright and author Lynne Kaufman discusses her novel The Oxford Affair in conversation with author Nina Schuyler. This intimate author conversation explores Kaufman's literary themes and creative work.
Stanford-trained sociologist Tari K. Vickery explores the psychological and emotional dimensions of financial decision-making in her new book *The Emotional Side of Money: A Roadmap to Financial Wellness*. The talk examines how emotions shape our relationship with money and offers practical pathways toward greater financial wellness, bridging behavioral psychology and personal finance.
A screening of 'Chocolate Babies' and 'T Blockers' with filmmakers Stephen Winter and Alice Maio Mackay in conversation. Both films explore queer and trans resistance to institutional and social constraint, examining what survival and autonomy mean for marginalized communities. Part of YBCA's New Queer Cinema x Trans New Weird series.
Michael Coffino, author of *The Great Train Heist*, examines his critique of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) system in conversation with Paul McHugh, former San Francisco Chronicle columnist. They assess SMART's financial performance, operational results, and structural failures, exploring Coffino's argument that the project has fallen short of its objectives while imposing substantial costs on taxpayers. A discussion of regional infrastructure accountability and transit policy in the North Bay.
Our Hitler is an experimental film that uses stylized tableaux and back projections to explore the founding of modern Germany through references to German history and mythology. Described by Susan Sontag as 'one of the great works of art of the 20th Century,' the film offers a visually and conceptually complex meditation on historical narrative and artistic representation.
A monthly writing club at Manny's bar where writers of all levels and genres gather to share work, discuss craft, and build community. Open to anyone interested in the practice of writing.
A celebration of Vanessa Hua's newest novel, Coyoteland, set in an affluent suburb east of Berkeley. The gripping tale explores privilege and community in the bucolic hills of the Bay Area. Hua is a celebrated local author known for her sharp observations of life in California and beyond.
Shankar Vedantam, Stanford alum and host of the NPR podcast Hidden Brain, brings a decade of behavioral science insights to the stage in a live performance exploring the hidden patterns that shape human behavior. The program covers strategies for regaining control during overwhelming moments and rethinking approaches to setbacks. The event includes a live Q&A with Vedantam and a chance to connect with a community of curious attendees. At Stanford's Dinkelspiel Auditorium.
Poets Eleni Sikelianos and Cole Swensen read from their newly published collections, *Memory Rehearsals* and *Veer*. A free, open community event at Point Reyes Books.
Ellen Burstyn joins contributor Rayne O'Brian and moderator Luisa Smith to discuss Poetry Says It Better: Poems to Help You Wake Up, exploring how poetry can illuminate and inspire personal awakening. A ticketed event at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
A screening of the documentary Finding Lucinda followed by live music performance and discussion celebrating legendary musician Lucinda Williams' early life, creative spark, and lasting influence. The event blends documentary screening with live performance, offering music lovers an exploration of Williams' artistic journey and legacy. Hosted by Dance Palace at Church Space.
A guzheng performance featuring Malina Mei playing the ancient Chinese zither. Part of the Asian Art Museum's drop-in programming of art-making activities, storytelling, and performances.
A craft-making celebration tied to SFMOMA's Matisse exhibition. Attendees design and create hats with teaching artists from SCRAP and make papel picado-style paper flowers with artist Irma Ortiz. Wear your favorite hat from home and join the creative community gathering.
Author and entomologist Krystle Hickman discusses her field guide to California's native bee species in conversation with Catherine Chang. The event combines a book talk with a hands-on bioblitz—a citizen science activity where participants identify and document native bees in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Learn about pollinator diversity and contribute to ecological monitoring.
A celebration of crime fiction from Norcal Sisters in Crime, a writers' organization dedicated to mystery and thriller authors. Three authors—Ana Manwaring, Lisa Towles, and T.E. MacArthur—will read from and discuss their work. Free event at Book Passage Corte Madera.
An afternoon retrospective on the legacy of Sasha and Ann Shulgin, pioneers in psychedelic chemistry and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Two panels will explore historical, scientific, and archival perspectives on their work and community. Panelists include Dr. David Presti (UC Berkeley neuroscience), Dr. Benjamin Breen (UC Santa Cruz history), Maria Mangini (scholar and co-founder of The Chalice), Earth and Fire Erowid (Erowid Center co-founders and archivists), and Alysiana Carter (GTU PhD student in psychedelic phenomenology). Hosted by author Erik Davis.
A screening of *Earthseed: A People's Journey of Radical Hospitality* by filmmaker Fox Nakai, followed by a collective presentation with People's Kitchen Collective and Understory. Rooted in Octavia E. Butler's *Parable* series and the Black Panther Party's legacy, the film documents an Earth Seed pilgrimage through five California regions, showcasing stories of survival and resilience through food culture and ancestral wisdom. Features discussant Emory Douglas.
A panel conversation on creative courage featuring artists and creatives discussing their artistic journeys, the risks they took, how their tastes evolved, and the people who inspired them. Moderated by Katie Hintz-Zambrano, founder and editor of MOTHER magazine and founder of In Good Company. Tiered pricing from free to $30.
A screening of prizewinning films and videos from UC Berkeley's Eisner Prize competition, the university's highest award for creative media making. Student filmmakers present their work at BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive).
Bestselling authors Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung discuss their new thriller The Last Mandarin in a live conversation. Attendees receive a special Indie Edition with exclusive cover design and bonus content.
A World Bee Day celebration at the San Francisco Botanical Garden exploring bee ecology, importance, and conservation. Details on speakers and programming to be announced.
Jean Gordon Kocienda presents her historical novel about Japanese poet Yosano Akiko (1878–1942), the first to translate Tale of Genji into modern Japanese. The evening features curated traditional Japanese calligraphy, a live nagauta musical performance by shamisen expert Kineya Sahoshō and singer Saeko Araki, a live calligraphy demonstration by 8th-Dan expert Goyō Morimoto, followed by Kocienda's reading and book signing.
A celebration of James Dalessandro's two acclaimed books: *1906: A Novel*, the bestseller whose earthquake research prompted San Francisco's Board of Supervisors to revise the official 1906 death count from 478 to 3,000+, and *Citizen Jane: The True Story of One Woman's Heroic Struggle to Catch a Killer*. Dalessandro's work made international news, earning appearances on CNN, NBC, and NPR. He is also author of the documentary *The Damnedest, Finest Ruins*, streaming on KQED/PBS with narration by Ken Burns collaborator Peter Coyote.
Kate Weiner and Kailea Loften discuss their book *Compassion in Crisis: Building Disaster-Resilient Communities* (Heyday Books), examining how communities can prepare for and respond to disasters with compassion and collective action. The authors explore practical strategies for building resilience while centering human care and social bonds in crisis preparation and response. Presented in partnership with Mesa Refuge.
Kate Weiner and Kailea Loften discuss their book Compassion in Crisis, exploring strategies for strengthening community preparedness and response to climate and disaster challenges. The authors examine how communities can build resilience in the face of environmental and crisis threats.
A screening of Wim Wenders's melancholy 1984 road movie Paris, Texas, written by Sam Shepard with a score by Ry Cooder. The film follows an amnesiac drifter and his young son as they journey across the American West in search of the boy's mother, exploring themes of loss, memory, and redemption.
Joseph Tseng presents songs from his album *Shanghai: An American Story*, exploring identity, family, and belonging through a mix of acoustic performances, storytelling, and unreleased tracks. The project examines what it means to be hyphenated-American—addressing the question 'Where are you really from?' and exploring what is lost and gained through cultural connection or disconnection from ancestral homelands.
Bestselling authors Mac Barnett and Jon Scieszka discuss the craft of storytelling, narrative techniques, and the creative process in conversation centered on Barnett's new book *Make Believe: On Telling Stories*. Two masters of children's literature and narrative innovation explore how stories are built and the ideas behind their own acclaimed work.
Lena Dunham, creator of HBO's Girls and author of the memoir Famesick, discusses her rise to fame, personal challenges, and how the spotlight has affected her relationships and health. Journalist Michael Lewis moderates the conversation.
A multi-day conference and exhibition on data center infrastructure, featuring sessions on AI applications, energy efficiency, and security. The event attracts engineers, operators, and enterprise leaders working in data infrastructure and cloud computing. Held at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.
A seminar on why land surfaces are becoming drier as the atmosphere warms—a counterintuitive climate puzzle with major consequences for droughts, wildfires, and extreme heat. L. Ruby Leung, Battelle Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and chief scientist of the Department of Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model, will explore the drivers of land drying, the role of soil moisture, methods for reconciling conflicting humidity data across observations and models, and why projecting future extremes remains challenging. Leung is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and fellow of the American Meteorological Society, AAAS, and American Geophysical Union. First event in the new Climate Horizons speaker series.
Sociologist Katie Gaddini discusses her ethnographic study of how right-wing Christian women have become a powerful political force. Drawing on years of field research, Gaddini profiles activists across grassroots networks, conservative institutions, and national politics—from college idealists and anti-feminist leaders to Black conservatives, social media influencers, suburban activists, and "Mama-Bears" organizing at state capitols. The book examines how these women mobilize faith, gender, and political strategy to shape American conservatism.
How should society adapt as AI automates cognitive labor? Arvind Narayanan argues that AI's true bottlenecks lie downstream of raw capability, with impacts unfolding gradually over decades. He describes efforts to measure diffusion-relevant technical properties beyond benchmarks—open-world evaluations on messy real-world tasks and AI reliability as distinct from capability—and identifies gaps in current diffusion understanding. Narayanan proposes a two-track approach: developing situational awareness of the ongoing transformation while theorizing a future where cognitive labor is largely automated, enabling anticipation of what labor will remain scarce, which institutions may break, and what new social, ethical, and political challenges will emerge.
A public lecture on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and fragile peace following 2025 White House agreements. Olesya Vartanyan, conflict analyst and PhD student at George Mason University's Carter School, draws on 15+ years of on-the-ground research in the South Caucasus and work with the International Crisis Group and Carnegie Endowment to analyze the negotiation process, current challenges, and dynamics in Nagorno-Karabakh.
A lecture on the future of water featuring Joaquin Esquivel. The event addresses critical water policy, infrastructure, and management challenges facing the Bay Area and California.
Dr. Kurt Schab (Santa Clara University) explains the physics fundamentals underlying modern RF electronics and time-varying electromagnetic materials. Learn how contemporary antenna design works—the physics inside your phone—and discover creative material applications that enable advanced capabilities in wireless technology and beyond.
A conversation on Black politics and American democracy featuring three leading scholars examining the diversity of political views and experiences within Black communities. Katherine Tate (Brown University), professor and author of *Gendered Pluralism* and *Black Faces in the Mirror*; Corey D. Fields (sociologist, Northwestern Ph.D.); and Hakeem Jefferson discuss how Black politics shapes democratic possibilities in the U.S. Presented by Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.
A lecture examining alternative republican movements eclipsed during the American Revolution and colonial conquest, including forms of British, American, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indigenous American republicanism. Prof. Priya Satia, Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History at Stanford and author of *Time's Monster*, *Empire of Guns*, and *Spies in Arabia*, explores how erasure of these ideas has fueled myths about the exclusively European origins of freedom and its individualistic character.
Ryan Chin, Managing Director of Stanford's Precourt Institute for Energy Sustainable Mobility Center, speaks on sustainable mobility as part of Stanford's flagship Energy Seminar—a nearly 20-year-old program bringing diverse perspectives from academics, entrepreneurs, utilities, and nonprofits. Open to the public in-person, via livestream, and as recordings.
A screening of the documentary *Keys Bags Names Words* with panel discussion on hope and aging in dementia, marking GBHI's 10th anniversary. The film reframes dementia narratives from fear to action through profiles of people living with dementia and their care partners, alongside perspectives from doctors, musicians, artists, scientists, and policy experts. Panelists include Claire Day (Alzheimer's Association), Cynthia Stone (director), Helen Medsger (dementia caregiver advocate), and Caroline Prioleau (GBHI), moderated by Laura María Calderón Cuevas.
Monthly discussion group at Manny's exploring environmental issues from local urban resilience to global climate policy. Open to curious participants interested in debating urgent ecological challenges and climate action.
A weekly creative writing workshop led by MFA-trained instructor Tanya Žilinskas, focusing on craft elements like setting, point of view, dialogue, and tension through excerpts from published works. Participants engage in generative writing exercises and receive feedback from the instructor and peers. Open to writers of all levels at Mill Valley Public Library.
Josh Tyrangiel, writer at The Atlantic, discusses his book *AI for Good*, exploring pragmatic applications of artificial intelligence across government services, medicine, and education. Rather than debating AI utopianism or existential risk, Tyrangiel examines a quiet movement of pragmatists—teachers, doctors, bureaucrats, citizens—using AI to amplify human judgment and solve tangible challenges like vaccine distribution and patient outcomes. In conversation with Ashlee Vance.
Costume historian Coleen Scott explores how a century of American burlesque reveals the politics of women's bodies, tracing how censorship battles, nudity laws, and shifting cultural norms shaped what performers could show and hide onstage. Scott examines how costume pieces like pasties became symbols of resistance and autonomy, and will display historical examples to illustrate the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind these garments. Scott is author of *The Costumes of Burlesque* (2019) and *The Costumes of Hollywood* (2025), both published by Routledge, and heads the Costume Technology and Makeup programs at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Chef and writer Zahra Tangorra discusses her memoir *Extra Sauce: The Good, the Bad, and the Onions*, chronicling her path to founding the cult-favorite Italian American popup Zaza Lazagna and the Brooklyn restaurant Brucie. In conversation with Liz Prueitt, cofounder of San Francisco's Tartine Bakery and James Beard Award–winning pastry chef. Free event at Omnivore Books on Food.
An intimate archival exploration of Bay Area lesbian economic networks and radical care from 1970-1995, organized by the GLBT Historical Society. Participants will examine collections including Women's Yellow Pages, Old Wives' Tale bookstore records, BayBrick Inn performer archives, and Women's Press Project materials documenting lesbian-run businesses, cultural venues, and feminist visual organizing. Limited to 12 people; first-time archive visitors especially welcome. Free, RSVP required.
How did NASA land humans on the Moon with 1960s technology? Brandon R. Brown, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of San Francisco, draws on firsthand interviews with Apollo engineers to explore the daunting challenges—rocket design, reentry, lunar surface unknowns—and creative solutions that made the impossible possible. As NASA's Artemis program aims to return to the Moon, the hard-won lessons of Apollo continue to shape future space exploration.
An evening of live jazz music and storytelling exploring the history and cultural significance of jazz greats like Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. Musicians and speakers share performances and narratives centered on these influential figures. Held at Pegasus Books on Solano Avenue in Berkeley.
Author Daniel Louis Wyche discusses his book exploring how ethical self-change relates to political transformation through five twentieth-century thinkers: Pierre Hadot, Georges Friedmann, Michel Foucault, Martin Luther King Jr., and Audre Lorde. The conversation with Clio's founder Timothy Don examines how individual moral practices can spur collective political action and efface distinctions between caring for oneself, others, and the community.
UCLA law professor and founder of the Center for Intersectional Justice Kimberlé W. Crenshaw discusses her memoir *Backtalker: An American Memoir*. The event explores her intellectual journey and the groundbreaking framework of intersectionality—how overlapping systems of discrimination shape experiences of marginalized communities—and its transformative impact on contemporary civil rights discourse and social justice movements.
A town hall featuring Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, a top polling candidate in California's 2026 gubernatorial primary, hosted by KQED's Political Breakdown. Bianco will address major issues including housing, the economy, technology, climate, immigration, and the state's relationship with the Trump administration, in an intimate onstage conversation guided by live audience questions.
Patrick Cottrell discusses his novel 9th Ave in conversation with writers Rita Bullwinkel and R.O. Kwon at Green Apple Books. The event centers on Cottrell's literary work through dialogue with fellow authors.
City Lights Bookstore and Alice James Books celebrate the publication of Veer, a new poetry collection by Cole Swensen. The in-person event at City Lights includes a reading and conversation.
A free public seminar featuring Cheryl Woods Giscombe, PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on a health science topic. Part of UCSF's Coffee & Science Seminar series, designed to bring research and community dialogue together in an informal setting.
How do different approaches to prison design reflect competing visions of justice and social equity? Mohammad Chaichian of Santa Clara University's Sociology department examines intersecting social and spatial justice paradigms through a comparative lens, contrasting maximum-security prison management and architecture in the United States with Norway's approach. The talk explores how prison design embodies—or challenges—principles of rehabilitation, punishment, and human dignity.
New modeling indicates a 50% probability of a pandemic occurring within the next 25 years with mortality similar to or worse than COVID-19. This panel-driven symposium features authors of the Disease Control Priorities (DCP-4) volume on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Speakers include epidemiologist Nita Madhav, UC Berkeley's Stefano Bertozzi, Stanford's Erin Bendavid and Michele Barry, UCSF's Dean Jamison and Mike Reid, UC Davis's Shuchi Anand and Angel Desai, and UC Berkeley's Charles Whittaker. Keynote reflections from Mamphele Ramphele and Ashish Jha. Reception follows. Co-sponsored by Bay Area Global Health Alliance, Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, and UC Davis Center for Global Health.
A lecture on superconductivity and magnetism in rhombohedral graphite, where flat electronic bands and tunable Berry curvature enable competing magnetic and superconducting states. Andrea Young, Worster Professor of Experimental Physics at UC Santa Barbara, will discuss how scanning nanoscale magnetometry reveals the origins of unconventional superconductivity and correlated electron phenomena in crystalline graphite allotropes—systems notable for their high reproducibility and structural simplicity.
A screening of films from Let This Be a Symphony, a collaborative video advocacy campaign that de-stigmatizes Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include filmmaker Michelle Memran (moderator), Bruce Miller (UCSF Neurology, GBHI Founding Director), Susan Schneider Williams (artist and care partner advocate), and Virginia Sturm (UCSF, John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation Endowed Professor). The event marks the 10th anniversary of UCSF's Global Brain Health Institute and explores how lived experience and collaboration advance brain health advocacy.
Morehshin Allahyari explores re-figuration as a decolonial practice: re-reading the past to reimagine futures that challenge Western technological dominance. Drawing on projects like *She Who Sees the Unknown* and *Speculations on Capture*, alongside a film-in-progress, she centers circular time and plural futures as tools against systemic violence embedded in technology. Allahyari is an Iranian-Kurdish artist and assistant professor of Digital Media Art at Stanford University whose practice weaves 3D simulation, video, sculpture, and digital fabrication with archival research and counternarrative storytelling focused on MENA contexts and the lasting influence of Western technological colonialism.
Missing middle housing—smaller-scale, multi-family residential forms—is increasingly permitted across the Bay Area but rarely built. A panel explores policy, construction, regulation, and financing barriers preventing development, and discusses tools to incentivize smaller-scale multi-family homes over single-family housing. Hosted by SPUR Urban Center.
An undergraduate research symposium hosted by Stanford's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Department of Geophysics, where student researchers present findings in geology, geophysics, and planetary science. The event showcases current research directions and student scholarship across earth and planetary sciences.
An evening exploring contemporary farming through fiction and lived experience. Jennifer Acker, author of the novel Surrender, discusses a woman who leaves her NYC career to revive her family's goat farm. She's joined by Andy Naja-Riese, CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin, and Tamara Hicks, owner of Toluma Farms and author of Feasts on the Farm. Together they examine how tradition and innovation intersect in Bay Area farming today.
Nanoparticles are materials so small they operate under quantum mechanics—and they're enabling breakthroughs in biomedical imaging and solar energy. Graduate researcher Marcello Garbo, conducting research at San Francisco State University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Molecular Foundry, will explain the chemistry behind these ultra-tiny particles and how scientists engineer them to capture and emit light for applications like tumor detection and next-generation solar panels. Q&A follows the lecture. Drinks and food available.
Elisa Sunga, creator of Cake Picnic and cofounder of Bucket List Bake Club, celebrates baking as a vehicle for gathering and community. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Food Network, Eater, and other major outlets. Join her for a discussion of her book *Cake Picnic: Recipes for the Love of Cake & Friends*, exploring how butter, sugar, and flour become reasons to connect. In conversation with Dominick Miller-Luna.
A beginner-friendly hands-on workshop on TouchDesigner, the visual programming platform for generative art. Learn to navigate the interface, set up node networks, work with operator families, and create your first generative artwork. Led by Andrew Butcher, a computational artist and current artist in residence at California College of the Arts. Hosted by tiat, a nonprofit space for creative technologists in Union Square.
An intergenerational conversation with Janet Daijogo, a Japanese American incarcerated at Topaz, Utah from age five to eight during World War II, alongside her daughters and grandchildren. They share childhood memories and reflect on how the experience shaped identity, cultural heritage, and family resilience, anchored in discussion of George Takei's graphic novel *They Called Us Enemy*. The dialogue explores memory, belonging, and the lasting impact of historical trauma across generations.
Kailea Rose Loften and Kate Rose Weiner discuss their book on how communities can build disaster resilience through compassion-centered approaches. The authors explore practical frameworks for disaster preparedness, community organizing, and mutual aid in the face of climate change and other crises.
Emmy Award-winning technology journalist Joanna Stern presents findings from her year-long experiment integrating AI systems into daily life, documented in *I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything*. She shares candid results from hands-on tests including deploying Claude to run a vending machine, testing humanoid robots for household tasks, and embedding AI into work and family decisions. Stern explores what succeeded, what failed humorously, and what her experiences reveal about AI's trajectory and what it means to remain human as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life.
Eva Des Lauriers launches her young adult novel *I'm Gonna Get You Back*, a second-chance love story exploring small-town scandals, friendship fallouts, and explosive secrets. The event takes place at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore.
Ayelet Waldman discusses her latest work. Waldman is the author of the memoir *A Really Good Day*, the novels *Love and Treasure* and *Red Hook Road*, and the essay collection *Bad Mother*. She brings her distinctive voice—spanning personal narrative, literary fiction, and cultural criticism—to this event at Bookshop West Portal.
A conversation between historian Samuel Huneke and writer-curator Elena Gross exploring *I Will Not Abandon You*, a decade-long archival study of queer and trans life under Nazi rule. The book traces hidden resistance—from lesbian activist balls in wartime Berlin to concentration camps—revealing how queer women survived and resisted fascism in solidarity with one another. Huneke, associate professor of history at George Mason University and author of *States of Liberation*, argues this solidarity offers an alternative model for contemporary progressive politics. Gross, an independent curator based in Oakland, co-edited the Lambda Award-winning anthology *OutWrite: The Speeches that Shaped LGBTQ Literary Culture*.
How do astronomers map the invisible universe? This talk explores gravitational lensing—the bending of light around massive structures—and how AI algorithms help unlock its secrets. Learn how these techniques reveal dark matter, distant galaxies, and the fundamental structure of the cosmos. Big Brain SF is a popular science lecture series hosted at The New Parkway Theater.
Paper geometry explores folding and bending sheets of paper to create mathematical objects in space. Richard Schwartz, Chancellor's Professor of Mathematics at Brown University, will survey results and unsolved problems in the field, including his work on the shortest paper strip needed to make a Möbius band and the minimum number of folds required for an origami donut surface. Schwartz's research spans geometry, topology, dynamics, and computing; he has addressed the International Congress of Mathematicians twice and authored illustrated mathematics books including *Really Big Numbers*.
A conversation on 50 years of Mother Jones magazine, the independent investigative news outlet founded in 1976, exploring its origins, the Trump administration's threats to press freedom, and nonprofit news as a sustainable model. Featuring Adam Hochschild, co-founder of Mother Jones and author of *American Midnight*; Monika Bauerlein, CEO of the Center for Investigative Reporting; and Jamil Smith, award-winning journalist and Guardian columnist. All three teach at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.
A historical examination of the Ottoman–German propaganda campaign against the British Empire during World War I, exploring how it sought to mobilize Muslim opinion and challenge imperial authority through pamphlets, leaflets, and newspapers from 1914–1918. Speaker: Ceren Uçan, Assistant Professor of History at Dokuz Eylül University and Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Stanford, whose research focuses on the Ottoman and British Empires, World War I, propaganda, and public opinion formation.
A book group exploring contemporary works in translation, fostering discussion of global literature and diverse perspectives through shared reading. Hosted at the Mechanics' Institute.
Sha Sajadieh, lead of Stanford HAI's AI Index, presents the 2026 AI Index Report—a comprehensive annual study of artificial intelligence trends. The presentation synthesizes data on AI breakthroughs, technical performance, ethics, economic impact, policy shifts, education trends, and public opinion, synthesizing research and development intelligence for executives, policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
A guided walking tour of Montgomery Street and Telegraph Hill led by Kevin Souza, exploring modernist architecture and urban design that shaped central San Francisco. The tour examines how these neighborhoods embody modernist principles and cultural history through their built environment. Hosted by Mechanics' Institute.
Ben Fernando, Frederick Reines Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory, discusses how seismic data from open-source networks can track re-entering space debris and characterize their trajectories, speeds, and fragmentation patterns as they disintegrate in the atmosphere. He will present methods to turn these findings into an operational pipeline for rapid response to debris fall events. Fernando is on the Science Teams for multiple NASA missions including InSight, Dragonfly, VIPER, and Curiosity.
A free, student-led workshop at UCSF's Patient & Family Cancer Support Center for women and women-identifying individuals affected by breast and gynecologic cancer. Participants engage in hands-on art projects and intentional mindful movement to foster self-acceptance, confidence, and emotional resilience through creative and contemplative practice.
A guest lecture on Sylvia Wynter's intellectual legacy, part of a series honoring the political, creative, and theoretical contributions of the former Stanford faculty member and critical theorist. Umniya Najaer, Chancellor's Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Colorado Boulder and incoming Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies and African and African American Studies, presents 'Sylvia Wynter and Black Study: Experiments in Transscalarity.' Najaer, a poet, essayist, and Black Studies scholar, is completing a monograph on Wynter's work and exploring how Wynter's scholarship activates human consciousness and opposes systems of dehumanization.
A two-session hands-on workshop with Kim Nash on American Mah Jongg, covering the game's history from 19th-century China to 1920s America, tiles, terminology, and National Mah Jongg League rules. Participants will learn to play competitively by the final session.
Maria C. Carrillo, Chief Science Officer at the Alzheimer's Association, discusses current treatment and prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease, including recently approved therapies and the World Wide FINGERS network for dementia risk reduction. The lecture, hosted by UCSF's Memory and Aging Center, marks the 10th anniversary of the Global Brain Health Institute and includes a poster session and art exhibit from community participants.
An annual meeting of the US-Asia Technology Management Center featuring updates on the center's research, education, and outreach programs. Keynote speaker Prof. Reinhold Dauskardt (Ruth G. and William K. Bowes Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford) will discuss materials science innovation over the past and next centuries. Dr. Richard Dasher, US-ATMC Director, will review the center's accomplishments and 2026–27 plans. US-ATMC Visiting Scholars will present research findings.
Jake Miller, founder of Fellow (a coffee equipment company now operating in 50 countries), discusses his path from Stanford's d.school Launchpad course to building a global product brand. Part of Stanford's Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders series, which brings founders and industry figures to discuss what it takes to become a disruptor.
A screening of the 2025 Chinese feature film *As the Water Flows* (翠湖), directed by Bian Zhuo, followed by a moderated Q&A with the filmmaker and Professor Ban Wang (Stanford, East Asian Languages and Cultures). The film examines how rapid urbanization and social stratification have reshaped family life across three generations in contemporary Kunming. Winner of Best Film at the Shanghai International Film Festival's Asian New Talent category.
A conversation with Pooja Rangan and Brett Story on their forthcoming book examining how documentary film has become complicit in carceral worldbuilding. Drawing on film theory and abolitionist critique, they trace how documentary's logics—individual culpability, punitive consequence, transactional access, cathartic resolution—have normalized mass incarceration as common sense, particularly in the true-crime boom and streaming era. They'll examine how carceral access is framed as ethical good and how feminist demands for narrative catharsis through punishment reinforce state violence, arguing documentary is a crucial battleground for abolitionist struggle. Rangan is Professor of English and Film and Media Studies at Amherst College; Story is an Emmy-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted filmmaker.
An AAPI Heritage Month panel exploring the origins, evolution, and real-world impact of ethnic studies beyond the classroom. Born from student movements demanding representation and dignity, ethnic studies functions as a movement for visibility, voice, and power—shaping cultural narratives, business practices, and community formation. Hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California.
Amanda Rizkalla reads from and discusses her debut novel Hungered, a lyrical exploration of homelessness and economic insecurity through the eyes of a twelve-year-old living with her family in their car. Rizkalla is a recent Steinbeck Fellow and Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellow. Free and open to the public.
A fireside chat on distributional AGI safety, frontier policy, strategy, and AI ethics with Sébastien Krier, Frontier Policy Development Lead at Google DeepMind. Krier previously served as Senior Technology Policy Researcher at Stanford's Cyber Policy Centre and Head of Regulation at the UK Government's Office for Artificial Intelligence, bringing expertise at the intersection of technology, law, and economics. The evening includes drinks and socializing, followed by a structured talk with Q&A and breakout discussions, then further mingling.
Willie Alexander III performs live music among the works in the exhibition "Diedrick Brackens: gather tender night" at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, offering an integrated experience of music and visual art in conversation.
Journalist Joanna Stern examines the gap between AI hype and reality, exploring what artificial intelligence can and cannot realistically deliver for health, education, business, and decision-making. A critical analysis of AI's actual societal impact and limitations.
Rebecca Rosenberg presents her biography *License to Thrill: Lily Bollinger*, exploring the life of the legendary Champagne heiress and businesswoman who revolutionized the wine industry. A conversation about ambition, empire, and women's power in 20th-century France and beyond.
A reading series featuring acclaimed novelist David James Keaton, Santa Clara University professor, alongside faculty from the Creative Writing Program. The event celebrates contemporary fiction and the craft of writing in a university setting.
A fireside chat with San Francisco Supervisor Danny Sauter (District 3), moderated by Mission Local editor Joe Eskenazi, covering local policy and governance issues affecting the Mission District and broader city concerns.
A facilitated discussion of thought experiments in philosophy and ethics. This May 20 meeting focuses on eugenics and genetic intervention — whether some genetic modifications may be permissible or morally required. The group explores philosophical questions through imaginary scenarios, drawing on Julian Baggini's *The Pig that Wants to Be Eaten* and Stanford's encyclopedia entry on eugenics. Past topics have ranged from personal identity (teleportation), consciousness, free will, animal ethics, and metaethics. Intimate, participatory format with ~30 regular attendees.
Investigative reporter Jeanne Carstensen discusses her decade-long investigation into the October 2015 Lesvos shipwreck that killed hundreds during Europe's refugee crisis. The narrative spans twenty-four hours of the disaster, from refugees' departures to Greek islanders' rescue efforts, examining both ordinary heroism and government failures to address forced migration. Conversation led by author Nina Schuyler.
Erica Pool discusses her book *The Judgment Trap: Why We Judge, How It Hurts Us, and How to Break Free*, exploring the psychological roots of judgment, its impact on relationships and wellbeing, and practical strategies for cultivating compassion and reducing self-criticism.
A talk on redwood conservation and climate adaptation. Hosted by Big Brain SF, a Bay Area science and culture event series.
Wesley Brown celebrates the release of his novel Looking for Frank Wills in conversation with Tonya M. Foster. The event is free to attend at Green Apple Books' 9th Ave location in San Francisco.
A celebration honoring Clare Cooper Marcus and the publication of her posthumous memoir, *Groundbreaking*. Cooper Marcus was a pioneering environmental psychologist and landscape architect whose work explored the connections between built environments and human wellbeing. The event gathers to commemorate her life and legacy at Mrs. Dalloway's Literary & Garden Arts.
Author Karen Nelson discusses her novel *The Last Summer at Feather River*, a coming-of-age suspense story about a woman returning to her family's closed youth camp a decade after an accident, uncovering hidden family secrets. Nelson, author of *The Sunken Town* and co-founder of Writing By Writers, is in conversation with fellow author Pam Houston. Free event at Kepler's Books.
Celebrated author, screenwriter, and journalist Howard Rodman joins friends to discuss the reprint of two classic titles: Destiny Express and The Great Eastern. An evening of readings and conversation at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.
Two Stanford faculty research seminars on mechanisms of cellular regeneration and aging. Sean M. Wu, MD PhD examines how fetal hearts achieve regenerative capacity lost in adulthood; Kang Shen, MD PhD investigates cellular stress responses underlying age-related neuronal decline. Held at Munzer Auditorium.
A panel discussion on affordable housing in San Francisco, co-hosted by SPUR and the Council of Community Housing Organizations as part of Affordable Housing Month. The event explores current conditions, challenges, and policy solutions affecting affordable housing availability and access in the city.
Victor Tsai presents research on predicting ice sheet behavior using simple physical models that can be constrained with present-day data and applied to future climate scenarios. Rather than relying on empirical relations that may fail under novel conditions, or struggling with the parameter constraints of detailed physics-based models, Tsai discusses a middle-ground approach focusing on how water modulates ice sheet speeds. The seminar draws on his recent work in the Journal of Glaciology on subglacial water pressure and basal sliding dynamics.
Join cookbook author and creator Erin O'Brien for a lunch event celebrating *Dig In!*, her collection of over 100 easy, delicious, and stress-free recipes. The $145 ticket includes a copy of the book and lunch at A16, the acclaimed restaurant in San Francisco's Marina District.
Karen Benjamin Guzzo, Director of the Carolina Population Center and Professor of Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill, examines U.S. birth rate trends and political responses to low fertility. Drawing on demographic research, she assesses what drives declining birth rates, evaluates policy proposals, and argues that pronatalist rhetoric often obscures efforts to reinforce hierarchies based on gender, race, ethnicity, ability, religion, and nativity. She concludes with evidence-based suggestions for addressing population structure challenges.
Emily Grubert, associate professor of sustainable energy policy at Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs, discusses how to center justice and community priorities in decarbonizing U.S. energy infrastructure. Drawing on civil engineering and environmental sociology, she explores life cycle impacts of future energy systems and how multicriteria policy analysis can better incorporate community voices into equitable infrastructure planning.
A UCSF symposium bringing together scientists and physicians to reimagine women's brain health through basic discovery and clinical innovation, leveraging AI and emerging technologies. The program features three research sessions on ovarian biology and aging, X chromosome mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease, and pain and immunity in neurologic disease, with keynote by Dena Dubal, faculty talks, moderated discussions, interactive audience participation, and a poster session on sex differences in neuroscience.
Solomon Hsiang of Stanford's Global Policy Lab presents on The Aerial History Project, an international effort to restore, digitize, and computationally analyze 1.7 million aerial photographs collected by the United Kingdom across 65 countries from 1946 onward. Using machine learning, researchers transform this vast image archive into structured geographic data to study human development trajectories in Africa and the Caribbean during the 20th century. A talk weaving digital humanities, technical methodology, and colonial-era archival material. Part of the David Rumsey Map Center's 10th anniversary programming.
Philip H. Gordon, Payne Lecturer at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation and former National Security Adviser to the Vice President, examines whether the post-WWII liberal world order can and should be preserved. He argues that despite historical injustices, the past 80 years represent humanity's most stable and prosperous period, and that enlightened U.S. leadership grounded in rules, values, and institutions remains essential to sustaining this system.
A discussion on NATO's Eastern flank, deterrence, and transatlantic security with Ambassador of Estonia to the U.S. Kristjan Prikk and former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. Drawing on firsthand experience from the Baltic states, speakers explore how great-power competition affects modern deterrence, military readiness, cyber defense, and societal resilience. Topics include lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, small-state defense strategies, and NATO credibility. Moderated by Rose Gottemoeller, William J. Perry Lecturer at Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute and former NATO Deputy Secretary General.
A panel on the role of humanities scholars in times of crisis, exploring how intellectual work connects to contemporary urgent issues including social justice, climate change, and technology. Featuring Amanda Joyce Hall (UC Santa Barbara), specialist in global anti-apartheid and Black internationalism; Jesuseyi Osundeko (Stanford PhD Candidate), African diaspora literature; and Timothy Pantoja (Stanford African American Studies). Moderated by Roland Greene, Director of the Stanford Humanities Center.
How can Silicon Valley strengthen its innovation ecosystem through deeper engagement with Japan? Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of Stanford's US-Asia Technology Management Center, delivers a keynote on Japanese innovation, followed by a panel discussion featuring Ray Hatoyama (Sozo Ventures), Emiko Higashi (Industrial Structure Council, Japanese METI), and Allen Miner (SunBridge Corp). The discussion covers distinctive features of Japan's innovation landscape, sectors of particular strength for potential partnerships, and strategies for overcoming cross-cultural business challenges. Held in memoriam of John Thomas, co-founder of the Japan-U.S. Innovation Awards Program.
Michael Berman of Brandeis University traces the history of compassionate giving in Rissho Kosei-kai, a Japanese new religion founded in 1938, to explore how compassion becomes altruism and selfless action. He examines how postwar Japanese religious categorization bound certain groups to giving practices while producing secular society, arguing this history is critical to understanding governance, alienation, and religious resistance to categorization.
A panel examining homelessness and housing inequality as democratic imperatives, exploring zoning, racial segregation, poverty's legal roots, and health impacts. Featuring Margot Kushel, director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at UCSF, and Michael Lens of UCLA's Urban Planning and Public Policy program. The discussion considers policy reforms and strategies for advancing political agency and justice.
Award-winning author Jan M. Flynn discusses her middle grade fantasy novel Griffin Speaker, about a twelve-year-old orphan who bonds with a wild griffin and challenges her society's rigid hierarchy. Flynn, a former teacher, is in conversation with Emmy-nominated producer and author Kiyash Monsef.
Maggie Cao examines whale ivory as a colonial archive, exploring how this material—carved by whalemen and Indigenous Fijians—reveals competing temporalities and cross-cultural maritime encounters. Drawing on Western, Indigenous, and non-human timekeeping, Cao rethinks how material culture mediates globalization, science, and economics. Cao is the David G. Frey Associate Professor of art history at UNC-Chapel Hill and author of *The End of Landscape in Nineteenth-Century America* and *Painting US Empire: Nineteenth-Century Art and Its Legacies*.
Daniel Snelson (English, UCLA) discusses his new book *The Little Database: A Poetics of Media Formats*, exploring how personal data collections function as dynamic forums for investigating politics, aesthetics, and meaning amid technological change. Snelson presents inventive methods for creative interpretation of ordinary cultural data repositories, drawing parallels to little magazines of the historical avant-gardes. Mark Algee-Hewitt (English, Stanford) responds. A Methods Café event hosted by Stanford's Department of English.
A talk and book signing with Deepanjana Klein and Arno Klein on their three-decade documentation of Ellora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India. Their new book examines the 34 rock-cut Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples through the lens of iconography, patronage, cultural exchange, and artistic production. Featuring over 200 photographs, ground plans, and rare 19th-century archival materials alongside essays from five contributing authors, the work offers nuanced insight into one of the world's largest and most artistically significant cave temple complexes.
A public forum at Manny's exploring the fairness debates underlying San Francisco's most divisive civic disputes—Lowell High School admissions, homeless housing policy, traffic safety, business development, and diversity initiatives. The event examines why these debates unravel and offers perspectives on moving forward on contentious issues.
A talk on the current state of artificial intelligence in 2026 and future trajectories of the field. Hosted by Bond AI at Berkeley Public Library's North Branch.
How did design shape the culture and products of Silicon Valley before it became a formal discipline? This talk traces the quiet force of design from the early days of Hewlett-Packard through the emergence of design as a recognized practice and profession in the tech industry, exploring how aesthetic and interaction choices defined the region's technological identity.
An evening celebrating photographer and filmmaker Larry Sultan's new collection Water Over Thunder: Selected Writings, featuring previously unpublished documents, contact sheets, journal entries, and essays. Invited guests—filmmakers, writers, and Sultan's colleagues—will read from his writings and reflect on his practice, with screenings from his curated "Five Favorite Films" and video from Pictures from Home.
Monthly sci-fi and fantasy book club at Mill Valley Public Library discussing *The Raven Scholar* by Antonio Hodgson. Meets third Thursday of each month; open to all readers interested in speculative fiction, with accessible formats including audiobook and large print available.
An open mic night hosted by Marin County Poet Laureate Francesca Bell, author of Bright Stain and What Small Sound. Attendees bring up to three minutes of their own work to share in a supportive atmosphere with light refreshments. Sign up at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pride started as a protest against police violence and state persecution. Fifty years later, it became a marketing opportunity for banks, tech companies, and beer brands. But as our community faces renewed attacks, many corporations have retreated from their rainbow embrace. What does it mean when liberation becomes a marketing strategy? Moderator Shawn Sprockett (Unspeakable Vice) joins Suzanne Ford (SF Pride), Elizabeth Hudy (The Peach Fuzz), Laura Thomas (San Francisco AIDS Foundation), and Joe Hawkins (Oakland LGBTQ Community Center) to trace the tension between assimilation and resistance that has defined queer politics since the 1970s, and ask whether corporate retreat is a crisis or an opportunity.
An exploration of the coffee industry's economic structure and its historical and contemporary connections to Black culture in the Bay Area. Part of Big Brain SF's speaker series at Alta Vina.
Nobel Prize–winning economist Alvin E. Roth (Stanford University) discusses his book Moral Economics, reframing intractable policy controversies—from abortion and contraception to marijuana legalization and organ donation—as market design problems. Roth argues that prudent market design can balance individual rights with protection for the vulnerable, offering a practical framework for resolving hard policy debates.
A panel discussion examining content moderation practices at major social media platforms and their impact on political speech and activism. The event explores tensions between platform governance and freedom of expression through recent cases of censorship, including removal of content related to ICE raids and Palestinian voices. How do platform policies shape what speech is amplified or suppressed?
Acclaimed local author Ayelet Waldman presents her richly drawn novel of love and subterfuge set in nineteenth-century England. A Perfect Hand is an endlessly amusing exploration of desire and deception in Victorian society. At Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore in San Francisco.
Sports journalist and author Mark Purdy discusses his book *Sweet Thursday*, a history of the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty. Purdy, a longtime 49ers beat writer, traces the team's rise to five Super Bowl victories and explores the legendary players and moments that defined one of the NFL's most successful franchises. Hosted by Orinda Books at Lafayette Library.
José Andrés, Michelin-starred chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, discusses his model of humanitarian response that activates local restaurants and communities during global crises, combining aid with economic dignity. He reflects on feeding millions and his new book *Spain My Way*. Hosted by City Arts & Lectures at Sydney Goldstein Theater, San Francisco.
Chef and humanitarian José Andrés discusses his new book *Spain My Way*. Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, has fed tens of millions across dozens of crises by activating local restaurants and cooks on the ground—a model that puts money into affected communities while preserving dignity. With two Michelin stars and 40 restaurants worldwide, he brings both culinary expertise and Nobel Peace Prize–nominated humanitarian vision to questions of food, community, and aid.
Barry Gifford, award-winning author and screenwriter, discusses his new collection bringing together all Uncle Buck stories—pieces from the early 2000s alongside new work written in 2024–2025. A celebration of irrepressible tales at City Lights Bookstore.
Tamika Thompson, journalist and speculative fiction author, discusses her novel The Curse of Hester Gardens, which weaves haunted house tropes with social realism to explore gun violence and survival in a public housing project in Medford, Michigan. Thompson is in conversation with poet and CCA MFA Audrey T. Williams. Free event at Books Inc. Alameda.
A mini conference on generative AI and machine learning technologies applied to production workflows and business systems. Speakers include technologists, researchers, and industry practitioners discussing AI research, technical implementation, product architecture, and real-world deployment challenges across industries. Hosted by Bond AI in May 2026 in San Francisco.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Understanding Critical Determinants of Prostate Cancer Lineage Plasticity. Speaker: Joshi Alumkal, MD, whose laboratory studies how tumors adapt and change in response to treatment, with focus on identifying therapies to target lethal prostate cancer progression and conducting innovative clinical trials to validate novel therapeutic agents. Hosted by the Benioff Initiative for Prostate Cancer Research.
A conversation about David Haskell's *How Flowers Made Our World*, exploring how flowering plants shaped human civilization, ecology, and culture. Haskell, a biologist and nature writer known for his close observation of the natural world, joins Susan Grelock Yusem for an in-depth discussion of the book's themes.
A close reading of contemporary sculptor Young Joon Kwak's *Spartan Ruin* series, examining how the work reorients our understanding of the athletic body away from classical figuration toward the kinesthetic and sensory histories embedded in sculptural form. Ava Shirazi, assistant professor of Classics at Haverford College and founding director of the::sense::archive, explores how Kwak's work invites viewers to feel rather than merely see the layered histories of sporting bodies.
A two-day international symposium exploring how the brain processes music, the role of acoustics and space in performance, and emerging research at the intersection of sound science and musical practice. Organized by CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics) at Stanford, the event features keynotes and panels with leading neuroscientists, acousticians, and musicians investigating the cognitive and physical dimensions of music and sound. May 22–23 at Stanford University.
How do sinking marine snow particles regulate Earth's climate? Colleen Durkin explores the ocean's biological carbon pump — the process by which organic matter sinks from the surface ocean to feed deep-sea ecosystems while transporting carbon away from the atmosphere. She'll explain how underwater imaging systems reveal the biological mechanisms controlling carbon export and improve our models of ocean carbon cycling in the face of climate change. Hosted at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station.
Two performance artists engage in an unscripted improvisational performance exploring identity, connection, and creative emergence. Meeting without prior knowledge or expectation, the encounter itself becomes the artwork. Hosted at BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive).
A conversation with Cornel West, author, scholar, and activist, on truth, justice, radical hope, and the soul of democracy. West, an independent 2024 presidential candidate, is known for his critiques of politics, race, and justice. His publications include *Race Matters*, *Democracy Matters*, and the recently co-authored *Truth Matters* (with Robert George), which fosters discourse on contemporary social issues.
Azikiwee 'Z' Anderson, founder of Rize Up Bakery, discusses his journey from pandemic-era home baker to San Francisco microbakery owner. Anderson's artisan sourdough business emerged as both a craft pursuit and a response to social unrest, creating representation and opportunity for Black bakers in a historically underrepresented space. The event explores the intersection of craft, entrepreneurship, and social mission.
A reception honoring Bay Area educators for their role in civic engagement and community building. Hosted by Creating Citizens in partnership with the Commonwealth Club, the event celebrates teachers as mentors and stewards of youth while offering early access to fall 2026 programming.
Author Aaron Carnes discusses his book *In Defense of Ska*, a definitive guide to musician Mike Park and his iconic indie label Asian Man Records. The conversation with guitarist Mike Huguenor (founding member of Hard Girls and Shinobu) spans the label's early releases by breakout artists like Less Than Jake and Alkaline Trio, exploring how Park overcame racism as a Korean American to become an international underground inspiration and DIY music icon.
A hands-on nature journaling workshop in Gerstle Park led by naturalist and environmental educator Ayesha Ercelawn and Jessie Rountree, Marin Resilience Manager at Greenbelt Alliance. Learn to pay closer attention to the natural world through creative observation and sketching—no artistic skills required. The session invites participants to slow down, attune to their surroundings, and strengthen memory of what they observe. Instruction, paper, and drawing materials provided. Recommended for ages 12+ with adult supervision; free and open to all.
A four-session seminar led by Victoria Kahn and Alan Tansman (UC Berkeley professors of English and Japanese literature) exploring tragedy across cultures. The seminar compares Greek tragedy, Shakespeare's King Lear, Noh drama, Edo-period domestic tragedies, and Sôseki's Kokoro, with film screenings and close readings of primary texts. Sessions held at Clio's Books over four Saturdays and one Friday in May.
Opening celebration of the 53rd annual art exhibition from the Bolinas-Stinson School District, presented at the Bolinas Museum. This year's theme, 'Across Mediums, Beyond Meaning,' showcases student work across diverse artistic forms and approaches.
A beginner-friendly hands-on workshop on fixing flat tires and patching inner tubes, led by Bike East Bay. Learn basic bike maintenance skills and strategies to avoid flats. Demo wheels and supplies provided, or bring your own bike and flat tire to practice with. No prior experience necessary.
A Salon Day at MoAD celebrating emerging artist Jasmine Ross and her solo exhibition *Beauty Plus*. From 1–2 PM, an intimate panel conversation on Black-owned beauty supply and the evolution of today's beauty industry, moderated by Cornelia Stokes (SFMOMA/MoAD) and featuring Ross and Jamaya Monroe of e.l.f. Cosmetics. From 2–4 PM, hands-on shade matching with e.l.f. makeup artists offering personalized guidance on undertones and complexion products. All participants receive curated goodie bags valued at $200+ from CREDO Beauty, e.l.f., Sweet July, Rare Beauty, PATTERN Beauty, and Good Weather Skin.
A practical introduction to AI chatbot fundamentals led by Bridget Burke, Principal Investigator with 30+ years of technology experience including CIO and CTO roles. The class covers text generation, document summarization, image and video creation, and multimodal capabilities, with applications to brainstorming, task automation, data analysis, creative writing, and artwork generation.
Learn how plants promote health and stimulate the body's natural healing process in this hands-on workshop, facilitated by educator and writer Ashlin Randolph. Explore herbalism through the lens of Black cultural traditions and memory. Part of the African American Museum and Library at Oakland's Festival of Knowledge series.
A hands-on indigo dyeing workshop for adults. Participants will dye cloth napkins using natural indigo in this messy, tactile craft session. Wear clothes you don't mind staining. Registration required; spaces are limited.
A roundtable discussion exploring chocolate's history, science, culture, and sensory experience. Participants bring chocolate to share—a favorite bar, rare cacao sample, nostalgic confection, or something to learn more about—and engage in guided conversation about what chocolate is, why it resonates with us, its nutritional benefits, and its place in human history and contemporary culture. Led by David Upchurch, a chocolatier with 15 years of professional experience in chocolate production and pastry. Space is limited; advance reservation required.
Local bestselling author Adam Mansbach celebrates the latest installment in his profane, #1 New York Times bestselling series, *Go the F*ck to College*. The irreverent picture-book author reads and discusses the book's satirical take on college life and coming-of-age.
Free community day celebrating the opening of Matisse's Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal and the new presentation Reimagined: The Fisher Collection. Hear directly from Bay Area collectors about the treasures they've spent a lifetime acquiring, then enjoy performances by drag performers and San Francisco icons from the House of MORE!, led by collector and icon Juanita MORE!. Free museum admission and timed entry tickets available on-site.
Jeff Chang, cultural writer and organizer, and Rochelle H. Kwan of Chinatown Records discuss how Asian American artists and communities have shaped hip hop and popular music. The talk examines the cultural impact and evolution of Asian Americans within hip hop, exploring their influence on and experience within the broader popular music landscape.
A hands-on fermentation workshop where participants learn pickling techniques and preserve seasonal California vegetables. Led by Julez Ferments, the session covers seasonal produce selection and preservation methods. All materials provided; participants craft their own jar of pickles to take home. Free; held at Mill Valley Public Library.
A book talk on *Nasty Work*, Ericka Hart's exploration of how inherited social beliefs about sexuality hinder pleasure, particularly for marginalized communities. Hart examines attraction, consent, and the history of sexual oppression across race, gender, sexuality, and ability, offering a liberatory framework for accessible pleasure. Blending research with personal narrative, the event challenges conventional sex ed and reveals how dismantling oppressive myths can serve as a tool for liberation. Hosted at Marcus Books, San Francisco.
A meditative botanical drawing workshop led by artist Hannah Hirsekorn, who works in ink on paper and skin and runs Oology Tattoo. Participants will bring their own art supplies while Hannah provides items to draw and offers low-key instruction on observing and rendering flora and fauna as a practice of deep looking and environmental conservation. Chill, participatory gathering with drinks and snacks. Max 20 attendees.
A History of Medical Marketing: Snake Oil, Drugs, & More explores how American medicine became a marketing powerhouse. Speaker Patrick Kelly, a science writer and educator with 150,000 YouTube subscribers, traces the contentious history from colonial apothecary ads and snake oil grifters to the modern era of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. Why is the US one of only two countries allowing prescription drug ads on TV and social media? What should patients really know? The talk examines regulatory battles and the recurring tension between transparency and corporate interests.
When does San Francisco government actually work? This SPUR Urban Center program examines three complex, high-stakes transformation efforts where the city navigated organizational change and delivered measurable results for residents—pushing back on the persistent narrative that SF can't get things done. The discussion focuses on change management lessons from real municipal successes.
When does San Francisco government actually succeed? This program examines three complex, high-stakes transformation efforts where the City navigated organizational change and delivered measurable results for residents — pushing back on the persistent narrative that SF can't get things done. Hosted by SPUR Urban Center.
How does AI shape children's cognitive and social development? Assistant Professor Ying Xu of Harvard Graduate School of Education examines how children interact with and learn from AI systems, including AI companions, and discusses emerging evidence on generative AI's effects on curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The talk concludes with how social science researchers can ensure AI is developed safely and beneficially for children.
Jordan Starck examines how diversity discourse can paradoxically perpetuate racial inequality, in conversation with Hakeem Jefferson. Drawing on social psychology, education, law, and organizational science, Starck reveals how White Americans' interests become institutionalized through diversity decision-making, and how dominant-group primacy shapes even frameworks intended to challenge systemic disadvantage.
Andrew Bell, Senior Research Scholar at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation, presents empirical evidence on whether international law and ethical norms meaningfully protect civilians in armed conflict. Drawing on combatant surveys, interviews, and U.S. Army prosecution data, Bell analyzes operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to assess how legal and ethical training influences combatant behavior on the battlefield.
David Holloway, Raymond A. Spruance Professor of International History at Stanford, discusses his international history of nuclear weapons from the discovery of fission in 1938 through Gorbachev's 1988 UN speech. The talk examines the nuclear arms race, crises, peace movements, military strategy, arms control treaties, and Cold War diplomacy across multiple national perspectives, exploring lessons for today's world order.
Victor Ching, Founder and CEO of Miso, discusses scaling one of Korea's largest home services platforms to over 1.5 million households and $1.5 billion in transaction volume. He'll cover Miso's origin story, fundraising journey, operational challenges, and the key decisions that enabled rapid growth in the on-demand home services market. Ching will also share perspectives on the Korean startup ecosystem and global expansion opportunities. Moderated by Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center.
An evening combining keynotes and hands-on workshops on agentic and embodied AI in robotics, mobility, infrastructure, and urban technology. Organized by TechEquity Ai, the event brings together AI leaders, developers, and early-career professionals to discuss public benefit, safety, and responsible scaling, with live demonstrations and technical workshops (laptop required). Free with RSVP at Snowflake Silicon Valley AI Hub in Menlo Park.
Theo Baker, George Polk Award–winning journalist, discusses his debut book *How to Rule the World*, which investigates research misconduct allegations that led to Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne's resignation. Rob Reich, McGregor-Girand Professor of Social Ethics of Science and Technology at Stanford, joins Baker to examine how elite institutions cultivate future leaders while incentivizing corner-cutting, and the symbiosis between Stanford and Silicon Valley.
Journalist and author Helen Benedict discusses her new book The Soldier's House in conversation with Katherine Seligman. Benedict's work explores the lives and experiences of military personnel and their families. Hosted by Book Passage at the Ferry Building Store.
An artist talk exploring the cultural phenomenon of custom-built cyberdecks—cute, single-purpose computers that have become TikTok trends and symbols of digital autonomy. Whisper, a Los Angeles-based artist whose practice centers living differently with technology through poetry, performance, software, and hardware, discusses her *Cyberdeck Diary*: an examination of three unique devices (an open-source sound computer, an archive terminal, and a decade-old laptop) and what they reveal about contemporary yearnings for individualized computing and reimagined collective digital rituals. Whisper stewards Secret Server Club and co-founded New Art City Virtual Art Space.
How do depression, mania, and mood swings influence creativity? Sheri L. Johnson, distinguished professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and director of the CALM (Cal Mania) Program, explores what modern science reveals about the link between moods and creative output. Drawing on hundreds of experimental studies, Johnson discusses how happiness at modest levels can foster creativity while negative moods may interfere with it. She'll examine mania in the lives of creative figures like Byron, Van Gogh, and Woolf, present findings from a Swedish population study connecting bipolar disorder to higher creativity, and discuss whether medications for bipolar disorder help or hinder creative ability.
Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle outdoors writer and editor, draws on four decades of experience to share survival tales and discoveries from California's wild places. He discusses the waterfalls, campsites, and adventure spots featured in his bestselling guidebooks, including *Moon's California Camping* and *52 Weekend Adventures in Northern California*, offering insights for outdoor enthusiasts across the region.
A lecture by Amory Lovins, Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, on technological and policy pathways to eliminate fossil fuels from aviation. The seminar combines climate science with practical engineering to accelerate the transition to clean energy in transportation, exploring both decarbonization solutions and policy frameworks.
Isaak Freeman of Capable presents on brain emulation — the current state of whole-brain mapping and simulation from simple organisms to humans. A structured salon discussion under Chatham House Rule with drinks, Q&A, breakout conversations, and networking. Foresight Institute hosts AI Nodes offering grants and local compute for AI for Science and Safety projects.
What does it take to build a food and beverage brand, and what makes retailers bet on emerging labels? Celia and Joe Catalino of Of All Places (Solano Ave) and Sophie Mosgrove of Superette Market (Sacramento) discuss sourcing decisions, brand selection, and what separates promising bets from failures. Hosted by Margarita Florez Vasconcelos (Showoff) and Marisa Sanchez-Dunning (If Only Creative), this conversation explores origin stories and the entrepreneurs who took chances on new brands. Q&A and refreshments follow.
A lecture on the neuroscience of social connection and its effects on health, happiness, and longevity. Dr. Ben Rein, Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation and author of *Why Brains Need Friends*, will explore how the brain processes social interactions, why loneliness is harmful, and how meaningful relationships rewire us for resilience and well-being. Drawing from cutting-edge research and his 20+ peer-reviewed papers on social neuroscience, Rein will explain the mechanisms linking relationships to brain health and longevity. Hosted at a North Beach bar with drinks and food available.
A monthly book club for readers of noir and hard-boiled detective fiction, this gathering discusses Gray Dawn by Walter Mosley, the latest Easy Rawlins mystery set in 1970s Los Angeles. Members pair bold, full-bodied wines with conversation about the novel's themes.
Chef and restaurateur Nichole Accettola discusses her new cookbook *Scandinavian Everyday*, exploring the vibrant, simple meals and culinary traditions of Northern Europe. Accettola, who has worked as a chef in Denmark and the US and owns San Francisco's beloved Kantine restaurant, shares insights into modern interpretations of classic Scandinavian dishes. In conversation with Becky Duffett, a food writer and editor whose work has appeared in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, The New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Debut author Caro Claire Burke discusses her novel Yesteryear. Burke joins Bookshop West Portal for a reading and conversation about her first book. Hosted at the Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco.
Isaac Fitzgerald celebrates his book *American Rambler* in conversation with accomplished authors and editors Mac Barnett, Daniel Handler, and Jon Scieszka. This intimate literary event brings multiple voices together to discuss Fitzgerald's work, offering readers insight into the book's themes and the author's creative process alongside three prominent figures in contemporary publishing.
A monthly book club at Mill Valley Public Library exploring contemporary and classical works in translation. This month's discussion focuses on Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez, a collection of short stories. The club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month and welcomes all readers. Accessible formats including audiobook and large print are available.
Alicia Jo Rabins discusses her memoir exploring a secular Jewish childhood, feminist songwriting, ancient teachings, and the search for personal meaning. The author shares her journey across identity, spirituality, and creative practice at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore.
Caro Burke, author of the debut novel *Yesteryear*, discusses her new book. Hosted by Bookshop West Portal at the Irish Cultural Center.
How did Martin Luther King Jr.'s youth shape his later activism and moral vision? Historian Lerone A. Martin, Faculty Director of the Martin Luther King Institute at Stanford University, explores the emotional and formative dimensions of MLK's early life—his confusion about his future, his teenage missteps, and his path to becoming a civil rights leader and Nobel Laureate. In conversation with KALW news editor Sunni Khalid, a veteran journalist with decades of experience in print, radio, television, and international reporting.
A book talk on Geoffrey Cain's *Steve Jobs in Exile*, exploring how Steve Jobs built NeXT after leaving Apple in 1985, faced the company's near collapse, and fundamentally rethought his approach to leadership and product design—insights that later shaped modern Apple and early web development. Features conversations with NeXT figures Dan'l Lewin, Avie Tevanian, and Bud Tribble, who lived this history firsthand. Hosted by Computer History Museum.
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan discusses his investigation into documented injustices at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, drawing on firsthand research to examine American accountability and detainee rights. In conversation with Philip Kearney, Colangelo-Bryan explores the human and legal toll of indefinite detention and systemic violations at the facility. A timely examination of civil liberties, government power, and the pursuit of justice in the War on Terror era.
Stanford's 2nd Education Data Science Conference examines how data science and generative AI are reshaping K–12 and higher education. The two-day program brings educators, researchers, and policymakers to explore research–practice partnerships, LLMs with multimodal data, scaling and reproducibility, and critical questions around fairness, bias, privacy, and global equity in educational technology. Free and open to the public.
Tim Meyers, English professor at Santa Clara University, examines ChatGPT and AI writing tools' implications for teaching writing. The talk explores practical pedagogical approaches to addressing generative AI in writing instruction classrooms.
How can Los Angeles address its housing, mobility, and climate crises through integrated urban planning? Lindsay Sturman, co-founder of the Livable Communities Initiative, discusses strategies for reimagining the city's infrastructure and land use. Hosted by SPUR Urban Center.
A seminar examining AI's role in U.S.–China strategic competition and nuclear deterrence, featuring scholar Eyck Freymann. The talk explores how AI capabilities in cyber operations, sensing, ballistic missile defense, and intelligence interact with nuclear weapons and semiconductor interdependence to shape strategic stability. Freymann analyzes both new deterrence tools and destabilizing threats AI introduces to command-and-control systems and strategic decision-making.
Frank Dikötter, author of *Red Dawn Over China*, discusses his archival-based history of the Chinese Communist Party's unlikely rise to power. Drawing on newly available Soviet documents and Chinese sources, Dikötter challenges the popular narrative of grassroots revolution, revealing how Moscow's financial and military support, Japanese occupation, and Soviet intervention in Manchuria proved decisive to the Party's 1949 victory. A major reinterpretation of twentieth-century history and its global consequences.
Frank Dikötter explores the surprising history of the Chinese Communist Party's rise to power in *Red Dawn Over China*. Drawing on archival evidence, Dikötter reveals how the Party's 1921 founding under Soviet guidance led to years of internal destruction, and how Japanese occupation and Soviet military intervention ultimately enabled their 1949 victory—a pivotal moment that reshaped global history. Dikötter is the author of numerous acclaimed histories of modern China.
A lecture on RNA-targeted therapies for neurodegenerative disease, focusing on antisense oligonucleotide approaches for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tim Miller, MD, PhD, David Clayson Professor of Neurology and Vice Chair of Research at Washington University School of Medicine, will discuss the clinical presentation of ALS, mechanisms of action and delivery considerations for antisense therapeutics, and their application to SOD1 genetic ALS. Includes a poster viewing session preceding the lecture.
A public forum on U.S.–South Korean security cooperation, dual-use technology, and defense strategy in the context of emerging regional threats. Hosted by Asia Society Northern California in partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco.
A screening of *A Matter of Conscience: Sanctuary in the 1980s to the Present* with documentary filmmaker Theo Rigby, featuring excerpts from two of his films exploring the Sanctuary Movement—a form of resistance that emerged in the 1980s when the U.S. rejected asylum claims of those fleeing U.S.-backed wars in Central America. The event includes remarks by Karen Musalo (CGRS), Ming Hsu Chen, Jose Artiga, and Pastor Drew Paton, and takes place during the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. Hosted by UC Law SF's Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, RICE Center, and the Law & Society Association.
A History of Mythical Cures explores America's long tradition of marketing false medical remedies—from 19th-century water cures and rest cures to traveling medicine shows and modern wellness trends—and how these practices exploited vulnerable communities and reinforced eugenic, racist, and sexist ideologies. Vivian Delchamps Wolf, assistant professor of English at Dominican University of California and scholar of disability studies, feminist studies, and race studies, traces how women's disability literature of the 19th century challenged these narratives and drove social change. Drawing on her forthcoming book *Resisting Diagnosis*, she'll examine how disability advocates today challenge cure-centered rhetoric and offer an alternative vision centered on care rather than fixing bodies.
Theo Baker, the youngest-ever George Polk Award recipient, discusses his groundbreaking investigative reporting as a Stanford Daily freshman that uncovered accusations against Stanford's president, ultimately leading to her resignation. Baker explores this case study in how student journalism can hold powerful institutions accountable—a timely conversation on media power and institutional transparency.
Three debut authors discuss their first novels: Kate Crane on investigative memoir, Portia Elan on a genre-bending adventure spanning 600 years within a video game, and Eric Scot Tryon on grief and unexpected relationships. Each shares behind-the-scenes insights into how ideas evolve into finished books, with audience Q&A. Book Society has partnered with Broc Cellars on a house wine for the occasion.
Co-curators Caro De Robertis and Tina Valentin Aguirre lead a guided tour of the exhibition 'Conjuring Power: Roots & Futures of Queer & Trans Movements' at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The curators contextualize artworks and historical materials to explore how past queer and trans activism informs contemporary organizing and future possibilities.
Author Cynthia Tarr reads from her novel Tuesdays in Amsterdam at Readers Books, an independent bookshop in Sonoma County.
A conversation about the role of architecture in housing, examining how design shapes value and the built environment. Part of Design Bay Area's Year of Design Celebration. Speaker and moderator details to be confirmed.
Caro Claire Burke celebrates her debut novel *Yesteryear*, a GMA Book Club Pick, exploring themes of authenticity, privilege, and survival. The novel follows a social media influencer who awakens in 1855 and must navigate pioneer life while questioning whether her predicament is real or an elaborate hoax. A literary event at Book Passage Corte Madera.
A 2-hour generative writing workshop exploring weather as a framework for understanding real and imaginary worlds and shaping narrative. Led by Shruti Swamy, author of *A House Is a Body* and *The Archer*, and Susanna Kwan, author of *Awake in the Floating City* (winner of the Asian Pacific American Award for Literature). Participants will connect with their internal creative landscape through fearless and joyful exploration. All levels welcome.
California's 2026 elections will be the most expensive in recent history — and the money reveals who holds power. Emily Dreyfuss of Pacific Standard Time podcast sits down with The Standard's Emily Shugerman (wealth and power reporter) and Hannah Wiley (politics editor) to dissect the mega-donors, PACs, and power brokers shaping the governor's race, Nancy Pelosi's succession fight, and the billionaire wealth tax ballot measure. Understand the influence quietly determining what appears on your ballot and how you might vote.
ATypI 2026 Stanford is an international conference celebrating typography and font design, hosted at Stanford as part of Design Bay Area's Year of Design Celebration. The multi-day event features inspiring speakers from around the world discussing contemporary and historical approaches to typeface design, visual communication, and the role of typography in culture. The conference brings together designers, type professionals, and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of aesthetics, technology, and craft.
Bestselling author Soman Chainani discusses his new book Young World, exploring its themes and vision as both a literary work and call to action. Chainani engages with readers about the book's relevance to contemporary issues and shares insight into his artistic vision.
A supernatural romcom for teens featuring academic rivalry, afterlife limbo, and irresistible romance. Gwenyth Reitz reads from and discusses her young adult debut at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore.
Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, visual artist, curator, and cultural anthropologist, explores how artmaking—particularly papermaking and immersive installations—enables reflection on memory, identity, loss, and symbolic healing. Drawing on her ethnographic research and curatorial work with artworks created by Japanese artists incarcerated in internment camps during World War II, she examines how artistic practice preserves cultural memory, bears witness to injustice, and sustains resilience across generations. The talk moves between ethnography, material practice, and poetic inquiry to show how art gives form to invisible histories.
Cookbook author and New York Times bestselling author Adeena Sussman discusses her new book Zariz, featuring 100 accessible Israeli-inspired recipes with no more than 12 ingredients, minimal equipment, and bold flavor. Sussman shares her philosophy of uncomplicated cooking and stories from her life near Tel Aviv's Carmel Market.
Lyrics & Dirges is a monthly poetry reading series at Pegasus Books Downtown featuring prominent, emerging, and beginning poets and writers. Each month brings a new lineup of readers sharing contemporary work across diverse voices and styles. The series spotlights various forms of writing and literary expression.
Poet Paige Lewis reads from her poetry collection 9th Ave at Green Apple Books, San Francisco's independent bookstore. This is a live author reading open to the public.
A facilitated salon exploring plausible better futures through the lens of the Protopian Prize, a 2026 fiction contest. The evening brainstorms two tracks: Public AI (ethical development, public benefit, collective ownership) and Democratic Futures (institutional innovation, public autonomy, combating disinformation). Attendees work popcorn-style on seed prompts, build a shared mind map in small groups, then reconvene to draft insights for the EA Forum. Open to writers, thinkers, and anyone interested in rigorous conversations about what "better" requires. Hosted by Effective Altruism San Francisco at Mox.
Paige Lewis celebrates their debut novel Canon in conversation with acclaimed author Karen Russell. Two writers discuss Lewis's work in an intimate literary event. Free and open to the public.
Two UC Berkeley Science Envoys present short talks on cutting-edge research at HopMonk Tavern. Caroline Hasler, a geophysicist, explains how radioactive decay in microscopic crystals is used to determine the age of geological formations. The researchers will answer audience questions, making modern science accessible to curious generalists.
An evening celebrating Affordable Housing Month with Laura Foote, co-founder of the YIMBY movement and Executive Director of YIMBY Action, and Sam Moss, Executive Director of Mission Housing Development Corporation. The two discuss their work advancing pro-housing policy and preserving affordable housing in San Francisco and beyond. Laura has mobilized tens of thousands of advocates and shaped policy agendas to elect over 130 pro-housing officials; Sam leads Mission Housing's efforts to develop and preserve over 1,000 affordable units across the city. Hosted at Manny's, a community-centered venue offering free tickets on request.
An evening celebrating Affordable Housing Month with Sam Moss and Laura Foote, two influential housing advocates working to address the Bay Area's housing crisis through efforts toward abundant and affordable housing. The conversation explores their work and how they support each other's efforts in the housing space. Hosted at Manny's café.
An evening celebrating Affordable Housing Month with Sam Moss and Laura Foote, two influential figures in Bay Area housing policy and affordable housing advocacy. The couple discusses their collaborative efforts to address the region's housing crisis through policy and community work, sharing insights into their partnership and approach to increasing housing abundance and affordability. Hosted at Manny's Cafe.
A conversation with Laura Foote, co-founder and Executive Director of YIMBY Action, and Sam Moss, Executive Director of Mission Housing Development Corporation, on solving the Bay Area housing crisis. Foote has mobilized tens of thousands of advocates and shaped pro-housing policy across the country; Moss oversees development of over 1,000 affordable housing units in San Francisco. They'll discuss their complementary work advancing abundant, equitable housing and supporting each other's efforts. Part of Affordable Housing Month.
A conversation with Laura Foote, co-founder and Executive Director of YIMBY Action, and Sam Moss, Executive Director of Mission Housing Development Corporation, two leading figures shaping Bay Area housing policy and practice. Foote has mobilized tens of thousands of advocates and helped elect over 130 pro-housing officials; Moss leads Mission Housing's development of more than 1,000 affordable units across San Francisco. They discuss their complementary work on abundant, equitable, and sustainable housing solutions. Pay-what-you-can model; free tickets available on request.
Three short Nerd Nite talks on Japanese cocktail history, the death of fun, and what attorneys do for kicks. Bart Bernhardt, bartender at The Interval at Long Now, traces how Commodore Perry's forced opening of Japan — plus gunboat diplomacy, jazz, and women — shaped Japanese cocktail culture and now influences American bartending, told through the story of the 1924 Line cocktail. Arthur Jackson V, a Bay Area artist working as bartender, painter, DJ, and poet, riffs on whether anyone knows how to have fun anymore. And employment attorney Julia Rose McCoy uses Dungeons & Dragons as a metaphor to demystify arbitration agreements, interacting with police, and securing legal help. Music by DJ Zaynub.
Jeremy Lent explores his book *Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for All*, arguing that deep systemic transformation grounded in ecological principles is necessary to address climate emergency, inequality, and existential threats. Lent presents a vision for civilizational change centered on human flourishing and regenerative relationships with the living world.
A three-day convening exploring Blackness as infinite and cosmically rich through art, science, and identity. Keynote speaker Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, theoretical cosmologist at University of New Hampshire, engages with artists Michi Meko, Oasa DuVerney, and Rodney Ewing in dialogue, interactive activations, and exhibition tours. Features scholars, curators, and scientists examining intersections of art, science, and Black identity, inspired by the exhibition *Unbound: Art, Blackness & the Universe*. Co-presented by Museum of the African Diaspora, California College of the Arts, and UC Berkeley's Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. May 28–30 at MoAD, San Francisco.
A seminar on seasonal variations in glacier flow, using Hubbard Glacier in Alaska as a case study. Speaker Martin Truffer explores how seasonal changes in basal friction and terminus position drive ice discharge in tidewater and outlet glaciers, with implications for sea level rise. The presentation examines a natural experiment in how glaciers respond to external forcings, focusing on the curious double-peaked seasonal cycle observed at Sit' Tlein (Hubbard Glacier).
The 5th annual Rosenkranz Global Health Policy Symposium convenes global health leaders to explore the current landscape and future directions for international health policy. The program opens with a panel of leading experts followed by a keynote conversation between Dr. Chelsea Clinton and Secretary Condoleezza Rice on pressing global health challenges and policy priorities. May 28, 2026, at Stanford University.
A lecture on global environmental policy featuring Nick Ryan from Stanford University's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. Held at Stanford's Y2E2 Building.
Chris Mi, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at San Diego State University and Director of the US DOE-funded GATE Center for Electric Drive Transportation, discusses cutting-edge research in electric and hybrid vehicle technology, power electronics, and grid integration. The seminar covers vehicle electrification pathways and sustainable transportation systems.
How does domestic political polarization undermine democracies in international relations? Rachel Myrick, Associate Professor of Political Science at Duke University, draws on cross-national research, public opinion data, and interviews with policymakers to argue that extreme polarization erodes democracies' ability to maintain stable foreign policy, credibly signal intentions to adversaries, and honor commitments to allies—ultimately weakening U.S. reliability and credibility globally.
A conversation on lessons from Israel's recent intelligence challenges with Yossi Melman, one of Israel's leading investigative reporters and author of the New York Times bestseller *Spies Against Armageddon*. Drawing on decades of reporting on Mossad, Shin Bet, and Military Intelligence, Melman explores failures, adaptations, and ongoing dilemmas facing Israel's security establishment in the wake of the Gaza war, confrontation with Iran, and conflict in Lebanon. Led by Or Rabinowitz and introduced by Amichai Magen, with Q&A. Hosted by the Jan Koum Israel Studies Program at Stanford's Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.
Dr. Gary Steinberg (Stanford) traces a 25-year journey from preclinical discovery to clinical translation in stem cell therapy for stroke treatment. The talk explores how scientific breakthroughs become clinical practice, featuring patient perspectives and mechanisms of therapeutic action. Moderated Q&A with Dr. Nora Hutchinson (UCSF Medicine). Part of UCSF's Getting to Patients seminar series on translational science and real-world patient impact.
A public book talk with Professor Yii-Jan Lin exploring themes of immigration and apocalyptic narrative. The event takes place at Stanford University's Humanities Center and is open to the public.
An after-hours reception honoring artist Blake Cedric, who created the 2026 poster artwork for Juanita MORE!'s annual Pride Party. Attendees will explore the GLBT Historical Society's exhibitions, meet the artist, and support the organization—this year's beneficiary of Juanita's fundraiser. Wine provided by Brown Estate Vineyards. Space is limited; RSVP required.
Author Diane Les Becquets discusses her novel Where the Water Meets the Sky in conversation with Nate Boesch. The event takes place at Book Passage in San Francisco's Ferry Building.
A peer-critique writers' group facilitated by author Michael Coffino at Mill Valley Public Library. Participants share works in progress (under 1,500 words) to receive written and verbal feedback from fellow writers. Free and open to writers of all levels seeking constructive feedback and community.
A fantastical performance merging drag, music, artificial intelligence, and experimental video art exploring the ethics and aesthetics of AI in a techno-futuristic world. Artist Jake Elwes and performer The Public Universal Friend (The PUF) use comedic and interactive storytelling to demystify deepfakes, explore AI's ethical problems, and imagine reclaiming exploitative technologies. Elwes is a conceptual artist and researcher whose work exploring machine learning systems has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Ars Electronica, and ZKM Karlsruhe. Tiered pricing from free to $30.
Bernadette Atuahene, property law scholar and professor at USC Gould School of Law, discusses her book *Plundered: How Racist Policies Undermine Homeownership in America*. Using the stories of two grandfathers—one white, one Black—who arrived in Detroit at the turn of the twentieth century, Atuahene reveals how racist policies have weakened Black families, widened the racial wealth gap, and extracted profit from pain. She'll explore parallels to Oakland's history of displacement and gentrification, and discuss prescriptions and reparations for these injustices. Her work, supported by a National Science Foundation award, examines racialized property tax administration and land stolen from people in the African Diaspora.
Jeremy Lent discusses his new book Ecocivilization, exploring frameworks for building economic and social systems aligned with ecological limits. The talk examines how to restructure civilization toward sustainability and equity.
An artful exploration of Petaluma's wetlands combining environmental science and creative practice. Hosted by Point Blue Conservation Science, a leading wetlands and bird research organization, the event examines the ecological and aesthetic dimensions of local coastal wetland ecosystems. Presented in partnership with Petaluma Museum.
A lecture on the visual legacy of *Communication Arts* magazine and its role in shaping Silicon Valley design culture before the digital era. Patrick Coyne explores how print publications established enduring design principles that contrast with today's algorithmic feeds and digital aesthetics.
A curator-led highlights tour of Jeremy Frey: Woven, the first solo museum exhibition of the MacArthur Award-winning artist renowned for innovations in basketry. The exhibition features over 30 works spanning early point baskets and urchin forms to monumental multicolored vases with porcupine quillwork, video, prints, and large-scale woven sculpture. Veronica Roberts, John and Jill Freidenrich Director of Cantor Arts Center, leads the tour. Free and open to the public; advance registration recommended.
Join author Whitney Marston Pierce for a hands-on evening built directly from her book *Pretend to Be Fancy: The Art of Faking It*. Learn practical hosting and entertaining skills—from cocktail making and cheese pairing to wine tasting and etiquette—without needing a trust fund. This workshop-style event includes a welcome cocktail, food, wine tasting, and a take-home item. No experience required.
Four Northern California fiction authors read from and discuss their recent novels: Ellen Barker (*Nothing North of Delmar*), exploring post-college urban realities and landlord dynamics; Meg Donohue (*The Memory Gardener*), investigating memory and gardens; Portia Elan (*Homebound*), a centuries-spanning adventure; and Victoria Tatum (*More Than Any River*), blending Chinatown and Depression-era themes. The evening includes Q&A, a reception, and book signing.
A literary discussion on the enduring art of the short story, featuring authors Lori Ostlund and Anita Felicelli in conversation about why short fiction remains vital in contemporary literature and culture.
A book launch and conversation on *When Home Is a Photograph: Blackness & Belonging in the World*, examining how Black activists and artists—including Marcus Garvey, James Van Der Zee, Eslanda Goode Robeson, and Kathleen Neal Cleaver—used photography to construct home and express political and personal identity across the African diaspora. Featuring Leigh Raiford, Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at UC Berkeley, in conversation with artist Sadie Barnette and curator Key Jo Lee. Reception and book signing to follow.
A talk on earthquake science and seismic risk in the Bay Area. Big Brain SF hosts talks at local venues on scientific topics of broad interest. Hosted at Donkey & Goat Winery with drinks available.
Dr. Deepika Chopra, clinical psychologist and founder of Things Are Looking Up®, discusses her debut *The Power of Real Optimism*, which reframes optimism as a learnable skill grounded in resilience science, emotional psychology, and neuroscience rather than mere mindset. Drawing on a decade of research and clinical practice, Chopra presents evidence-based tools including visualization, narrative reframing, and her signature "self-worth work" for navigating uncertainty without losing authenticity. In conversation with Schuyler Hudak, Editor-in-Chief of the San Francisco Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette. Book signing follows.
Environmental writer Jennie Durant discusses her investigation into how industrial farming threatens America's bee populations and ecosystems. The event explores the science behind pollinator decline and its implications for food production and biodiversity.
A book talk celebrating Dr. Deepika Chopra's debut *The Power of Real Optimism*, which reframes optimism as a science-backed skill and psychological muscle rooted in resilience, emotional well-being, and cognitive psychology. Chopra, a clinical health psychologist and founder of Things Are Looking Up®, draws on over a decade of research to offer practical tools including evidence-based visualization, narrative reframing, and her signature "self-worth work." She will be in conversation with Schuyler Hudak, Editor-in-Chief of the San Francisco Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette. The event includes a book signing. Tickets ($36.19) include a copy of the book.
Dr. Deepika Chopra, a behavioral scientist and health psychologist, discusses her debut *The Power of Real Optimism*, a science-backed guide to resilience and emotional well-being. Rather than dismissing optimism as mere positive thinking, Chopra reframes it as a psychological skill grounded in cognitive psychology, resilience research, and evidence-based practices—including visualization, narrative reframing, and self-worth work. She shares practical tools for navigating uncertainty without losing authenticity. In conversation with Schuyler Hudak Prionas, Editor-in-Chief of the San Francisco Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette. Ticketed; includes a copy of the book.
Peter Richardson, former professor of California Culture, discusses his book *Brand New Beat: The Wild Rise of Rolling Stone Magazine*, tracing the iconic publication's origins and impact on music journalism and counterculture. In conversation with Laura Lewers.
A monthly book club hosted by Mill Valley Public Library exploring current socio-cultural issues through close reading of fiction and nonfiction. This month focuses on Bill Moyers' *Moyers on America*, examining themes of civic engagement and social change. Open to all passionate readers seeking to effect change in society.
An entertaining introduction to how San Francisco's local politics work and the historical forces that shaped the city. Joel Engardio uses visuals and narrative storytelling to help newcomers and longtime residents understand the city's political landscape and its many shades of Democratic blue. Hosted by Abundant San Francisco.
Boots Riley discusses his new film *I Love Boosters* in conversation with KQED's Forum program. The filmmaker, known for sharp political insight and surreal storytelling, explores the ideas behind the film, his creative process, and the cultural questions that drive his work. A live taping hosted in Forum's signature smart, curious style, blending film, politics, art, and social commentary.
Filmmaker, musician, and activist Boots Riley discusses his new satirical crime comedy *I Love Boosters* in conversation with KQED's Alexis Madrigal. Riley explores the film's creative vision, political ideas, and cultural questions, drawing from his distinctive practice spanning hip-hop, cinema, and grassroots activism.
A joint symposium hosted by UCSF's Quantitative Biosciences Institute and the University of Alberta exploring connections between infectious diseases and neuro-inflammation through atomic structure and computational modeling. Speakers and researchers will discuss how structural biology and advanced modeling techniques inform diagnosis and treatment of neuro-inflammatory conditions, with an emphasis on building collaborative relationships between scientists working in neuroimmunology and translational medicine.
A screening of short surf films by Bay Area filmmakers, hosted by City Surf Project at the Balboa Theatre. Directors and stars participate in a Q&A following the screenings. Proceeds support City Surf Project's mission to introduce Bay Area youth to surfing and the natural world.
Andrew Weissmann, former FBI counsel and Trump investigation prosecutor, discusses his book *Liar's Kingdom*, which examines false claims and conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election and their corrosive effects on democratic institutions. Drawing on insider experience, Weissmann explores how misinformation spreads through networks and political systems, and why fact-based discourse remains essential to sustaining democracy.
A fireside chat with Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party and a leading pro-democracy voice, on the country's political crisis, constitutional reform, and geopolitical challenges. Limjaroenrat will discuss developments since the contested 2023 election, the military's enduring influence, economic inequality, and Thailand's role navigating U.S.-China tensions, Myanmar's crisis, and ASEAN stability. Currently a Visiting Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, Limjaroenrat holds degrees from Harvard Kennedy School and MIT Sloan and appears on the TIME 100 Next list. Lunch provided.
Constitutional law scholar Alejandro Madrazo examines Mexico's democratic crisis, focusing on the September 2024 constitutional amendments that dismantled the Federal Judiciary and removed limits on military action. Drawing on his experience litigating landmark public-interest cases before Mexico's Supreme Court, Madrazo explores the tensions between popular sovereignty and limited government, connecting Mexico's institutional breakdown to universal questions about the fragility of democratic institutions and constitutional rule of law.
Renée Dreyfus and Lisa Pieraccini explore recent archaeological discoveries and scholarship on Etruscan civilization (9th–1st centuries B.C.), including advances in language translation and the culture's profound contributions to Roman architecture, art, and engineering. The speakers draw on artistic objects from tombs, temples, and homes to illuminate this influential pre-Roman culture and its lasting impact on the classical world.
Student journalist and author Theo Baker discusses his investigation into Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne, whose research misconduct spanning two decades led to the president's resignation. Baker examines Stanford's culture of excess, its role as a pipeline to startup wealth, and his experience as a freshman pursuing accountability against powerful institutional forces.
An intimate salon theatre evening combining Shabbat dinner with live performance of L'Chaim, America!, featuring professional actors performing first-person narratives exploring Jewish life in contemporary America. Created by The Braid, a pioneering Jewish story company, for America's 250th birthday, the production brings diverse voices examining identity, belonging, and hope. The evening begins with community gathering around the Shabbat table, followed by original stories reflecting the richness of American Jewish experience.
A studio visit and presentation at Field Architecture led by best-selling author Diane Dorrans Saeks, featuring architect Jess Field and Bernard Trainor of Ground Studio. Participants will hear from the architects about their work and design practice.
Walter Mosley, one of today's most acclaimed writers, discusses his latest novel exploring the lives of Black characters and one remarkable family. The work examines the inner worlds of those whose voices are rarely centered—the neurodivergent, the incarcerated, and immigrants bearing trauma—characters whose stories expand how we see the world.
Bestselling graphic novelist Maia Kobabe and coauthor Lucky Srikumar celebrate their new graphic novel Opting Out, which explores themes of labor, economics, and personal choice through Kobabe's distinctive visual storytelling. Event at Copperfields Books in Santa Rosa.
A young adult historical novel set in Van, Ottoman Armenia during April-May 1915, exploring the Armenian genocide through the eyes of young characters. Described by Kirkus as 'heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and painfully timely.' Author N.T. McQueen reads from and discusses the novel at Mrs. Dalloway's bookshop.
A two-session generative workshop exploring narrative structures beyond Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. Vanitha Sankaran guides participants through storytelling traditions from Africa, Asia, and beyond, examining how different cultures structure their stories and how these frameworks can enhance your own writing. Sessions include opportunities to share work, discuss, and discover alternatives to Western-based narrative templates. Led by Sankaran, author of *The Secret Talesman* and *The Crooked Bough*.
Three acclaimed contemporary poets read from their recent collections. Cole Swensen presents Veer, Forrest Gander reads from Mojave Ghost, and Gillian Conoley shares work from Notes from the Passenger. A celebration of contemporary American poetry at Book Passage Corte Madera.
A four-session seminar exploring cross-cultural conceptions of tragedy through close reading and film. Led by Victoria Kahn and Alan Tansman, UC Berkeley professors of English and East Asian Languages, the course compares Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, Japanese Noh drama, and twentieth-century literature, screening Masahiro Shinoda's 1969 film Double Suicides. Sessions run May 9–30 at Clio's Books, San Francisco.
Christian Robinson, acclaimed author and illustrator, discusses his new children's book Dad at Marcus Books. Robinson will share stories about his creative process and engage with the community. A book purchase is required to participate in the signing line.
Bestselling author Thrity Umrigar discusses her new novel Missing Sam in conversation with moderator Luisa Smith. A literary event at Book Passage in Corte Madera exploring Umrigar's suspenseful fiction.
Noname Book Club, a Black-owned worker cooperative, hosts monthly gatherings connecting community members inside and outside carceral facilities through radical literature. Each session uplifts two books by Black, Indigenous, and people of color authors, centering political education as essential to collective liberation. All programming is free and designed to ensure equitable access to educational materials for racialized and colonized communities.
Don Sainte-Johnn, San Francisco's last Top 40 disc jockey and Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame inductee, discusses his memoir spanning four decades in radio across major U.S. markets. He reflects on how Top 40 radio shaped cities and culture, the industry's rapid transformations, and his experiences with race, opportunity, and resilience in broadcasting during radio's golden era of live, local programming.
Environmental writer Jennie Durant discusses her debut book Bitter Honey: Big Ag's Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save Them, examining how industrial agriculture threatens bee populations and exploring efforts to protect them. A compassionately written exploration of a critical environmental and policy issue.
John Freeman and Greg Sarris discuss their new books published by Heyday Books. Freeman and Sarris explore contemporary California literature and the state's evolving literary landscape in this dual author conversation.
Bestselling author Kevin Wilson reads from and discusses his new novel Run for the Hills, a family story about an unexpected cross-country road trip that challenges what the protagonist knows about identity and belonging. Wilson explores themes of connection and chosen family through deadpan wit and emotional depth. Hosted at Kepler's Books.
A concert by the Stanford Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Grammy-nominated pianist Murray Low. The ensemble performs classic and modern salsa, timba, samba reggae, bossa nova, rumba jazz, free jazz, and gospel. One of the premier academic performing groups in the genre, Stanford's ensemble has established the university as a vital West Coast center for Afro-Latin jazz.
The 2026 Bay Area Book Festival celebrates regional literary culture with readings, panels, and conversations featuring Bay Area authors and publishers across genres. Held at the David Brower Center near Downtown Berkeley BART on Sunday, May 31st, and hosted by Pegasus Books.
The Bay Area Book Festival, now in its 12th year, is a cultural celebration and critical gathering space where activists, authors, and audiences unite around urgent social issues and uplift marginalized voices. Hosted by Oakland Public Library.
Create your own landscape painting inspired by Henri Matisse's bold use of unconventional color in nature scenes. This free drop-in workshop, designed and led by educators from SCRAP (a San Francisco creative reuse center founded in 1976), uses donated and reclaimed materials to make art accessible to everyone. Participants will transform everyday objects into take-home art projects while learning about sustainable art practices and environmental awareness.
Author Jeremy David Engels discusses his book *On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World*, exploring how mindfulness and interconnectedness can strengthen democratic engagement and help heal political division. Engels examines the philosophical and practical intersections between contemplative practice and civic participation, arguing that a more mindful approach to democracy offers a path toward restoring trust and dialogue across ideological divides.
Author Luke Goebel reads from and discusses his new satirical novel *Kill Dick*, named one of Lit Hub and Playboy's Most Anticipated Books of 2026. Goebel is an acclaimed author of *Fourteen Stories and None of Them Are Yours* and co-writer of the films *Causeway* and *Eileen*. He is a recipient of the Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Prize and Joan Scott Memorial Fiction Award.
Journalist and ocean activist David Helvarg discusses his new book on kelp forest ecology, history, and conservation challenges. The talk explores the science and imperiled future of these critical coastal ecosystems and the environmental advocacy required to protect them.
A full-day Stanford conference exploring the ethics and implications of agentic AI. Featuring keynotes, panels, and fireside chats with leading voices in philosophy and computer science, the event examines what it means for AI systems to be agents, their potential risks, and how human identity and agency are redefined in a world shared with artificial agents. Speakers include Michael Bratman (Stanford philosophy), Yoav Shoham and Yejin Choi (Stanford computer science), Subbarao Kambhampati (Arizona State), Rob Reich (Stanford ethics), and James Manyika (Google & Alphabet Research).
A docent talk from Berkeley Rep providing educational context about the play Lunchbox, covering the production, themes, and artistic choices behind the work.
Stanford's second annual symposium explores artificial intelligence's role in physician training and clinical practice. The program features keynote speaker Laurah Turner (University of Cincinnati), panels on AI's implications for medical education, lightning talks on real classroom and clinical implementations, a debate on ambient scribes for learners, and forward-looking conversation on future directions. Open to researchers, educators, and clinicians interested in the intersection of AI and medical education.
A multi-day conference examining how civil society actors—nonprofits, activists, community organizations, and philanthropists—shape and advance sustainability initiatives. The program explores the intersection of grassroots organizing, institutional change, environmental policy, and social innovation. Hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Business.
A flagship seminar from Stanford's Precourt Institute for Energy featuring Sunya Norman, SVP of Impact at Salesforce, discussing energy perspectives across academia, entrepreneurship, utilities, nonprofits, and industry. Open to the public in-person, via livestream, or on-demand video.
A free, informal gathering at Manny's where participants engage in bibliomancy—a divination practice using randomly selected book passages. Open to curious people of all experience levels seeking to unplug and explore this contemplative book-based practice.
Jason Green presents his memoir *Too Precious to Lose*, exploring his rural Maryland family's untold history, the merger of three churches—one Black, two white—and how community became salvation. Green, a former Obama White House Counsel and community organizer, discusses how radical embrace of solidarity shaped his work in economic justice and his documentary *Finding Fellowship*. An evening of storytelling about truth, justice, and rooted community organizing at Manny's.
An evening exploring spiritual themes in Bob Dylan's work with Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff, scholar of Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Arnoff weaves live musical performance with insights on faith, doubt, revelation, and moral responsibility through the lens of sacred text and prophetic imagination. The ensemble includes Arnoff on vocals, Fred Ross-Perry on guitar, Dan Feiszli on bass, and Mike Spinrad on drums and percussion.
Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, scholar and daughter of comedian Richard Pryor, discusses her memoir exploring the N-word's complex history and her personal relationship to it. The book weaves family memoir with broader questions about race, language, and power in America, examining how her father helped popularize the word while Pryor herself has studied language's role in shaping culture and identity. A candid reckoning with heritage, artistic legacy, and linguistic politics.
A panel discussion on how AI-powered tools are reshaping creative workflows and where human creativity remains essential. Panelists include Evgenia Piskun, an Adobe Ambassador and AI artist helping creatives integrate AI into their practice; Ted Chin, a digital surrealist known for dreamy Photoshop composites and work with Apple and Grammy; and Yiying Lu, an award-winning creative leader who designed the Twitter Fail Whale and Unicode emojis, and serves as an Adobe Global Creative Ambassador. The conversation explores the intersection of technology, craft, and human instinct in contemporary design.
A symposium examining AI's role in biomedicine and the requirements for responsible deployment in clinical practice. Speakers include Bob Wachter, Chair of Medicine at UCSF, and Nate Gross, VP of Health at OpenAI, exploring how AI can advance discovery, support clinicians, and improve patient outcomes. The symposium brings together leaders in science, medicine, technology, and policy to discuss critical intersections between innovation and healthcare ethics.
David Gate, PhD, Director of the Abrams Research Center on Neurogenomics at Northwestern University, presents research on genomic approaches to understanding mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease. A free seminar hosted by Andrew Yang, PhD at the Gladstone Institutes.
An immersive exploration of decorative artistry and architectural surfaces with renowned artist Caroline Lizarraga. Known for richly layered finishes and detailed approaches to interior design, Lizarraga will demonstrate how texture, tone, and movement transform the built environment through live demonstration and conversation. Set within a curated installation of architectural elements, the event invites architects and designers to experience the dialogue between raw material and applied artistry, gaining insight into Lizarraga's Old World techniques—where pigment meets stone and surfaces become expressive, tactile works of art.
How are housing providers navigating current funding and political conditions? This program examines the housing continuum — from prevention through permanent supportive housing — and explores operational best practices for delivering quality services on the ground. Hosted by SPUR Urban Center, a trusted civic institution focused on urban policy and planning.
A symposium exploring how AI is accelerating drug discovery and the pharmaceutical lifecycle. Speakers include Chris Boerner (CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb), Kimberly Powell (VP Healthcare, NVIDIA), and Aviv Regev (Head of Research, Genentech), alongside industry and research leaders discussing AI-driven pharmaceutical innovation and practical applications in biotech. Afternoon sessions feature facilitated conversations on emerging technologies reshaping the life sciences industry.
How are Japanese startups leveraging AI to transform media and content creation? This panel explores emerging trends in the creator economy, AI-powered storytelling and design, and Japan's role in the global tech ecosystem. Speakers include Shiho Watabe, Chairperson of Shibuya Startups KK, moderated by Dr. Richard Dasher, Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford. Part of the Entrepreneurship in Asian High-Tech Industries spring series.
A talk on why architectural restraint, convention, and clarity often outlast novelty. Sunwoo Kim, Director of Design at Butler Armsden Architects, draws from architectural theory (Vitruvius to Venturi), his book *Common Architecture*, and BAA's residential projects across Northern California to explore how the most enduring homes are rooted in deep understanding of place, type, and design logic. Kim walks through the firm's design process—from abstract ideas to diagrams to buildings—showing how regulating lines, courtyard plans, and thoughtful detail make a house feel inevitable rather than arbitrary. For architects, designers, and anyone curious about why some spaces feel genuinely right. A copy of *Common Architecture* is included with each ticket.
How should robots look, move, and behave as they enter homes, hospitals, and public spaces? This session explores emerging design languages of human-robot interaction and asks whether robots must mimic humans or machines, or whether new forms can evolve. Design leaders at IDEO and special guests from robotics design examine how design shapes trust, relationship-building, and the cultural contexts in which robots operate.
Author J.P. Lacrampe reads from and discusses his debut novel *Valet*, a speculative fiction about a helper robot and his ward on an adventure to save their family company. Drawing inspiration from Wodehouse's *Jeeves and Wooster*, the novel blends whimsy, humor, and heart for fans of Kevin Wilson and Andrew Sean Greer.
A talk on why designers should see founding as a natural extension of their craft. The speaker argues that designers already possess vision and taste—the core strengths needed to build companies—and that AI and accessible business knowledge have removed traditional barriers. Aimed at designers considering entrepreneurship, the talk frames founding as an act of design: shaping product, narrative, culture, and company.
Eric Ries, creator of The Lean Startup and founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, discusses his new book Incorruptible with Kim Scott. Ries argues that corporate corruption stems from structural design flaws in ownership, incentives, and decision-making systems rather than individual moral failure, offering a blueprint for organizations that can grow while preserving their mission and values.
Dr. Christopher G. Choukalas discusses his memoir Even the Darkest Night, exploring his personal journey navigating paternal depression and the path toward healing and hope. A candid conversation about mental health, fatherhood, and recovery.
A hands-on workshop introducing Career as a Brand System™, a framework for designing your professional narrative, positioning, and visibility. Participants will work through four core components—defining what you stand for, articulating your value, creating tangible representations of your thinking, and distributing your work strategically. Originally developed across mobility, hardware, and consumer technology and recently taught at Fremont Tech Week, this session treats career development with the same intentionality as product or brand design. Each attendee will leave with a working draft of their own positioning and a clear next step for application. Designed for designers, builders, and operators navigating transitions, growth, or new directions.
A conversation and live performance with Deke Sharon, widely regarded as the 'father of contemporary a cappella' and music director for the Pitch Perfect film franchise and NBC's 'The Sing-Off.' Sharon discusses how he brought a cappella from college quads into the mainstream, sparking a 21st-century resurgence of the genre, featuring Pacific Edge Voices.
A workshop on research-based approaches to making and strengthening friendships in an age of loneliness. Led by Tony Shen, who has coached hundreds of Bay Area residents through his Friendship Lab and teaches at UC Berkeley and Stanford Continuing Studies. The session combines evidence-based findings, techniques, group discussions, and exercises in a supportive environment designed to help attendees broaden their friend networks and deepen their understanding of friendship.
Danish Kurani, a Harvard-trained architect and urban designer named one of the world's Most Innovative Architects by Fast Company, discusses his book *The Space That Makes Us*, which explores how design shapes human experience and well-being. Drawing on research in psychology, sociology, and evolutionary biology, Kurani introduces Baaham—a design philosophy (from the Urdu word meaning "in tandem") offering seven core principles for creating spaces that improve health, deepen relationships, and enhance fulfillment at any scale, from bedrooms to city blocks. The book combines his twenty years of global design practice—from schools and homes to community centers across four continents—with practical strategies for redesigning our suboptimal world.
A conversation on the 2015 Greek shipwreck that killed hundreds and the systems behind it. Journalist Jeanne Carstensen, author of the PEN/Galbraith Prize finalist *A Greek Tragedy*, reconstructs this catastrophic day with precision, exploring how border policy, war, and climate change force migration—and how decisions about who is rescued or turned away are not accidents but outcomes. She speaks with Lauren Markham, author of *The Far Away Brothers* and *A Map of Future Ruins*, a migration and climate writer who teaches at USF. Together they examine what it means to witness displacement as pattern, not crisis.
A multi-session conference exploring frontiers of health AI and responsible innovation in clinical practice. The AIMI Symposium Series includes the main AIMI Symposium, AIMI Pediatric Symposium, and an Academic × Industry Summit spanning research translation, implementation, and policy. Accepted abstracts will be presented as posters with select speakers giving lightning talks. Convenes researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders from Stanford University and beyond. Early June at Stanford University's Li Ka Shing Center.
Michael Quesenbury, a designer and craftsman with 30 years in luxury construction, discusses his practice of creating bespoke, vintage-style surfboards and paddleboards that blend high design with hand-crafted techniques. Drawing inspiration from California surf culture and legendary coach builders, Quesenbury explores how functional objects become experiences through reclaimed materials, sacred geometry, and purposeful imperfection. His work has been featured on NBC's California Live and Fox Sports, and has won multiple awards including the 2024 Award of Excellence at the Artistry in Wood Exhibition.
A hands-on cooking seminar designed for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Learn to prepare low-effort, nourishing plant-based dishes that support energy and wellness during and after treatment. Led by registered dietitian nutritionists Greta Macaire, MA, RD, CSO, and Claire Mogelvang, RD, IFNCP, the workshop combines practical nutrition guidance with simple, delicious recipes you can take home. Hosted by UCSF Cancer Center Nutrition.
Juan Sebastian Gomez Cannon (Stanford HAI/SDS) explores human-centered music emotion recognition, arguing that emotional responses emerge from interactions between musical structure, listener background, and cultural context rather than fixed signal properties. He addresses methodological challenges in constructing ground truth, inter-annotator disagreement, and ethical concerns about emotion recognition systems in political contexts.
A 40-minute presentation on creativity as a practice rooted in cultural multiplicity and curiosity. Drawing on her upbringing between Beijing and the Bay Area, Sonya reframes the 'in-between space' of dual cultures not as a liability but as a creative methodology—one centered on observation, translation, and presence rather than expertise. Through personal storytelling and reflections on cross-cultural identity and interdisciplinary work, she explores how not knowing, curiosity, and moving between worlds can fuel creative momentum. Part of SF Design Week.
An evening exploring design's role in shaping the Bay Area as a center of innovation and human connection. Panelists from the Eames Institute, Love Good Color + Project Color Corps, and design strategy backgrounds discuss how design influences the way we live, build, and belong—addressing questions of civic imagination, sustainability, neurodiversity, and cultural change. Moderated by Dawn Zidonis, CEO of Design Bay Area.
A hands-on nature journaling workshop combining indoor instruction with outdoor practice. Participants learn techniques for drawing and writing in response to the natural world, then venture outdoors to sketch, write, and observe in a supportive group setting. The workshop builds skills in noticing detail, presence, and capturing memories of place through words and images. No prior art or journaling experience required; all materials provided. Takes place at Stanford University.
Author Phil Canalin discusses his young adult novel about Kelsey Chinn and her freshman basketball teammates rebuilding their season after COVID-19 and coaching challenges. Drawing on his passion for basketball, fiction, and Alameda roots, Canalin explores how these athletes pursue an improbable path to varsity competition through DIY training and unexpected opportunity. A free event at Books Inc.
Colección Estudio, a Mexico City–based design studio founded by Andrés Cacho, Manuel López, and Daniel Martínez, traces their journey building a global practice rooted in Mexican cultural legacy, material experimentation, and collaboration with artisans. The talk explores how the studio evolved from producing limited-edition furniture to launching Punto 3, a mentorship platform supporting emerging designers through knowledge exchange and collaborative production. The designers discuss what it means to build a cross-border practice with deep local roots, and how mentorship and craft become tools for collective growth in the design community.
An immersive celebration of contemporary Korean design spanning product design, branding, mobility, consumer technology, and cultural experience. The event opens with a panel discussion featuring Soh Kim (Executive Director, Stanford Center for Innovation and Design Research), Yoon-Jee Choi (Curator, Asian Art Museum), and Sung Bai and Ippei Matsumoto (industrial designers at Google), exploring Korean design's evolving role in global creative industries, cultural identity, and cross-cultural collaboration. Participating design agencies present their philosophy and key works through short presentations. The exhibition features installations, material explorations, and interactive media showcasing Korea's dynamic design landscape. Co-presented by the Asian Art Museum, Stanford Center for Innovation and Design Research, and Korea Institute of Design Promotion.
An opening party and exhibition exploring how designers across automotive, fashion, industrial design, and architecture are integrating AI into their creative process. Real objects and renders are on display alongside the work that produced them. Visitors can explore at their own pace, get hands-on at demo stations, watch live fabrication, take on prompted design challenges, and experience a curated installation of work from designers around the world. The gallery runs through June 11th.
A conversation about creative interior design using sustainable and regenerative materials, featuring Marblis Primitives—a biodesign lab developing biocalcite stone surfaces engineered for ecosystem repair—and Studio Anand Sheth, a multidisciplinary architecture and design practice led by architect Anand Sheth. Part of Design Bay Area's Year of Design celebration.
A lecture exploring Martin Luther King Jr.'s early life and formative years, examining the personal, familial, and intellectual influences that shaped his philosophical outlook and approach to activism. The event traces how his youth laid the foundation for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. Hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California.
A fireside chat with San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood (District 5), moderated by Mission Local editor Joe Eskenazi. Mahmood discusses local policy and governance issues affecting the Mission District and broader San Francisco.
Rose Gottemoeller, former NATO Deputy Secretary General, discusses U.S.-Russia relations and NATO expansion in the post-Cold War era. The talk examines Russian perspectives on U.S. policy during the Soviet breakup and the strategic tensions surrounding NATO's eastward expansion.
Entrepreneur and author Eric Ries explores his book *Incorruptible*, examining how organizational culture and leadership decisions determine whether companies maintain their values or succumb to corruption and decline. In conversation with Alex Komoroske, Ries analyzes the factors separating great, enduring companies from those that lose their way—a critical inquiry into corporate ethics and institutional resilience.
How can food-centered design reshape cities and communities? Landscape architects Christian Douglas and Christian Macke of Christian Douglas Design explore food at every scale—from master-planned communities and rooftop farms to hospitality spaces and home gardens. Drawing on Douglas's research and practice, they examine how food infrastructure can be woven into the built environment as a design principle. Part of San Francisco Design Week.
An evening exploring the enduring spirit of innovation, creativity, and optimism that has shaped San Francisco, part of Design Bay Area's Year of Design celebration. The event brings together designers, creatives, and innovators to reflect on the Bay Area's design legacy and its role in the region's cultural and economic landscape.
Matt Fogelson discusses his memoir *Restrung: Fatherhood in a Different Key*, exploring fatherhood and parenting through a personal lens. Fogelson joins in conversation with Jeff Symonds. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. Hosted by Oakland Public Library's Rockridge Branch.
An interactive Life Design workshop exploring how design thinking, behavioral science, and positive psychology can help navigate career and life transitions. Prof. Dr. Sebastian Kernbach, Professor for Creativity at the University of St. Gallen and affiliated with Stellenbosch and Stanford, leads participants through practical tools and a hands-on mini-zine exercise, culminating in a tangible personal artifact. Based on his book *Design Your Future* (Cambridge University Press), the evening blends short keynote, interactive workshop, and informal conversation with DJ music and mingling.
Rasheed Newson celebrates the release of his novel *There's Only One Sin in Hollywood*. Free to attend.
A book launch for Rasheed Newson's novel *There's Only One Sin in Hollywood*, featuring Newson in conversation with K.M. Soehnlein. Free to attend.
Billy Eichner discusses his audio memoir Billy on Billy in conversation with Tony Bravo, Arts & Culture columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. The evening explores Eichner's career, creative journey, and personal reflections.
A celebration of poet and novelist Fanny Howe's final volume, *This Poor Book*, featuring reminiscences and poems honoring her legacy. Speakers include Daniel Handler (author of *Why We Broke Up* and creator of *A Series of Unfortunate Events*), Linda Norton (author of *Cloud of Witnesses: Essays, Poems, Collages*), and Katie Peterson, UC Davis professor of English and author of *Fog and Smoke*. Explore Howe's influence on contemporary writers and artists across genres.
A Pritzker Family Lecture featuring Tony and Emmy Award–winning comedian and writer Alex Edelman, known for his acclaimed solo show *Just for Us*. Edelman blends incisive humor with deeply personal storytelling on identity, belonging, and Jewish life. The evening includes a stand-up performance followed by an onstage conversation exploring his creative process, influences, and artistic vision.
Snowflake Dev Day is a hands-on developer conference for engineers exploring generative AI and data engineering within Snowflake's platform and the broader open source ecosystem. Sessions cover practical applications of generative AI, data infrastructure patterns, and modern data stack tooling. Attendees interact directly with emerging technologies and hear from speakers in AI and data engineering. Held at Moscone Center, San Francisco.
Explore how the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco design their exhibitions and galleries. The FAMSF Design Studio team — graphic and exhibition designers — will walk through their process from concept to completion, sharing recent work from both the de Young and Legion of Honor. The afternoon begins with an in-depth talk in Koret Auditorium followed by Q&A, then attendees have time to explore the museum. Ticket includes de Young admission, untimed entry to Monet and Venice, and same-day General Admission at Legion of Honor.
The 6th International Meeting of the Ignacio Ellacuría Study Colloquium examines the role of Jesuit universities in addressing contemporary political, cultural, and economic challenges. Guided by the principle of 'Faith that Does Justice,' the gathering brings together scholars from Latin America, the US, and Europe for critical dialogue on institutional responsibility in higher education and social change. Hosted by Santa Clara University.
The 6th International Meeting of the Ignacio Ellacuría Study Colloquium brings together scholars from Latin America, the US, and Europe to examine the role of Jesuit universities in addressing contemporary political, cultural, and economic challenges. Named after the Salvadoran Jesuit philosopher and theologian assassinated in 1989, the colloquium explores how faith-based institutions advance justice, integrate religious values with rigorous scholarship, and exercise intellectual leadership in response to urgent social realities. Hosted at Santa Clara University, a Jesuit institution in Silicon Valley.
Steven Roecker presents results from a 37-day hybrid seismic experiment at Kīlauea volcano's summit, which deployed over 1,800 seismometers and 396 vibroseis sources to generate 15 million seismic arrivals. Travel-time tomography and gravity inversion produced sub-kilometer-resolution 3D models of subsurface velocity and density within the upper 3-4 km, revealing two principal magma storage regions beneath Halema'uma'u and the south caldera, with implications for understanding magma transport to the volcano's rift zones.
A seminar featuring Anne Brunet, PhD, a leading researcher speaking on biological research or medicine. Part of Stanford University's ReMS (Research in Medical Science) seminar series, open to the Stanford community and public. Held at Munzer Auditorium on campus.
Rachel Wetts, Acacia Assistant Professor of Sociology at Brown University, explores how climate change discourse has become intertwined with class identity and educational credentials in American political life. Drawing on time-series data and statistical mediation analysis, Wetts argues that Americans' climate attitudes have grown increasingly correlated with class identities over time, driven by divergence between highly educated Democrats and lower-education Republicans—with broader implications for political polarization across policy domains.
Two intimate conversations featuring San Francisco cultural leaders discussing their professional paths and legacies. Conversation 1 (1:30–2:30 PM) brings together Primo Orpilla (Studio O+A), Kirk Michael Harper/The Selecter (DJ and venue founder), and John Quintos (Cento Coffee) to talk shop about shaping the city through sound, space, and community, hosted by Annabelle Udo-O'Malley. Conversation 2 (3:00–3:30 PM) features Orpilla, Gene Sandoval (ZGF Architects), and Everett Katigbak discussing design innovation and origin stories, hosted by Lisa Boquiren.
A 2.5-hour hands-on creative workshop for designers exploring their creative identity and purpose. Facilitators Elysa Fenenbock (Stanford d.school) and Lynn Casey (futurist, Shine Scout founder) guide participants through futures thinking, play science, and tarot archetypes to clarify their creative signal. Using hands-on making, participants surface stories they've been carrying and leave with both physical artifacts and a sharper sense of what they want to build. All materials provided; light refreshments included.
How can brands, spaces, and experiences hold competing demands—premium yet accessible, rigorous yet playful, consistent yet evolving—without fracturing? This hybrid session brings together an architect, a physician-founder, and a product innovation leader working across fertility clinics, mixed-use developments, and consumer electronics to explore designing with contradiction rather than eliminating it. Part 1 is a moderated conversation on where brands fail under competing audiences and how different disciplines design for complexity. Part 2 is a guided working session where participants map productive tensions within their own organizations and develop a practical framework for holding multitudes coherently.
How is AI transforming design and 3D parametric CAD, and what does that mean for designers and the physical world? The discussion explores fundamental questions: what it means to design, the designer's evolving role, and whether AI will deliver personalized original products or flood the market with low-quality objects. Hosted by Mike Kuniavsky and Slate Werner, with a show-and-tell component — bring AI + CAD tools, projects, agents, and workflows to share.
A curatorial walk through an exhibition at Pier 70 exploring San Francisco's shipbuilding past and the human condition through maritime art. Featuring work by three local Bay Area artists—Lawrence Ferlinghetti (who maintained a studio at Hunters Point Shipyard for 40 years), Suzy Barnard, and Stacey Carter—alongside curated selections from Ferlinghetti's personal library and artifacts from the Port of San Francisco and Bethlehem Shipyard Museum. Led by curator Sarah Stangle (3RD ST Creative Artery), artist Stacey Carter, and Chris Buck (archivist of Ferlinghetti's library). Also explores the 3RD ST Creative Artery project mapping artistic renaissance along San Francisco's Third Street corridor.
How is San Francisco implementing the seven strategic interventions from SPUR's 'Small and Mighty' report to revitalize the city's small business sector? Learn about collaborative policy reforms and funding initiatives designed to support downtown businesses in 2024. Hosted by SPUR Urban Center, a trusted civic institution.
How is music designed across sonic, visual, spatial, and commercial dimensions? A panel explores collaboration across disciplines in building sustainable music careers and cohesive creative worlds. Speakers include Heather Wolters, Sr. Director of Streaming and Sales at MNRK Music Group; Eboné Marie, entertainment agent and producer; Avi Vinocur, Bay Area singer-songwriter and co-frontman of Goodnight, Texas; moderated by musician Raed Asi. Part of SF Design Week.
A conversation on how technological innovation in architectural design and fabrication creates new possibilities for architecture rooted in place. Speakers explore the poetics of Bay Area locality—wooden grain, eroded coastlines, fog, and bay currents—and how advanced manufacturing, computational design, and robotic fabrication encode local narratives and environmental sensitivities into built form. Moderated by Alexey Dubov (BuildTech VC, Mighty Buildings), with Andrei Hakhovich (Gradient Matter, computational design and material research) and Elena Dendiberia (Studio AHEAD, hyper-local NorCal material practice).
A conversation exploring Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks & Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora, which uses recipes and culinary traditions as an entry point into the larger histories of colonialism, empire, and diaspora that shaped the Caribbean. The event examines how food and drink carry the complex legacies of sugar, slavery, and cultural resilience.
An exploration of Mark Twain as journalist, humorist, husband, and Bay Area literary icon, presented by Ben Griffin and Lynne Kaufman at the Mechanics' Institute.
Dr. Rima Vesely-Flad explores Buddhist philosophy and social liberation through Audre Lorde and James Baldwin, drawing on her book *The Fire Inside*. The conversation examines Buddhist principles—suffering, impermanence, karma, anger, compassion—and their connection to justice, organizing, art, and embodiment.
A screening of newly processed Andy Warhol films from the 1960s, previously unseen by the public. Katie Trainor, film collections manager at MoMA, and Greg Pierce, former director of film and video at the Andy Warhol Museum, will present rare footage recovered from 80 unprocessed film rolls shot during the Factory era—including raw material from Sleep, Kiss, Batman Dracula, and Couch, plus five unseen screen tests of Factory regulars and footage from a 1964 Frank Stella gallery opening. Also featured: five rolls shot by Factory cinematographer Danny Williams capturing Edie Sedgwick, the Velvet Underground, and Warhol himself.
Imperfect Circles is a discussion group exploring philosophical, scientific, and religious theories alongside psychological insights into human life. The group engages with fundamental explanatory concepts underlying human civilizations—ideas that shape our pursuit of happiness and self-understanding. Open to anyone interested in serious intellectual engagement with deep questions about existence and society.
A reading and discussion of *SAFAR: Finding Home, History, and Culture through Punjabi Food in the American West*, Madhushree Ghosh's culinary narrative memoir exploring South Asian immigration, identity, and belonging through Punjabi food traditions. Ghosh is an award-winning author whose essays on food, immigration, and social justice have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, and other publications. She founded KhabaarCo, a global literary salon and supper club that uses food as a lens for activism and community building.
A celebration of Julián Delgado Lopera's novel *Pretend You're Dead and I Carry You* with an in-conversation featuring Honey Mahogany, Grace Towers, Kochina Rude, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, and Maryam Rostami. The event marks Delgado Lopera's Bay Area return and brings together a diverse roster of writers and artists to discuss his new work.
A celebration of drag as art, resistance, and radical imagination at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The program explores drag performance as a form of artistic expression, political resistance, and creative freedom, examining drag's role in queer culture, community building, and social transformation.
A reading and conversation celebrating Pir Zia Inayat Khan's new book *Tears from the Mother of the Sun*, featuring artwork by Amruta Patil. The work chronicles legends revealing connections between ancient cultures and spiritual lineages, blending myth and history. Following the reading, healer and intuitive Nilufar Maryam Hasnaa will lead a discussion on the book's themes of shared history, stewardship, and the heart's importance. The evening concludes with a short meditation guided by the spiritual figures invoked in the text. Signed copies available for purchase.
A day-long symposium exploring how AI accelerates progress across the full spectrum of translational science—from discovery and clinical evaluation to implementation and community impact. Speakers include Chuck Friedman (University of Michigan), Tina Hernandez-Boussard (Stanford Health Informatics), Brian Hie (Stanford Chemical Engineering), Erin Holve (PCORI), and Sara Rudman (Santa Clara County Public Health). Part of Stanford Health AI Week, held June 5, 2026 at Stanford Hospital.
A public participatory art event exploring identity through collaborative storytelling. Participants write, draw, cut shapes, attach images, and alter pages of a human-scale accordion book with interconnected layers. The experience invites mark-making, musical notation, and creative intervention across the work, which will be documented, scanned, and compiled into a hand-bound limited edition publication. Hosted at Salesforce Park Barebottle Beer Garden on Friday, June 5th, 2–8 p.m.
Monthly discussion of major AI headlines and their real-world implications led by AI expert Bridget Burke. Sessions break down breakthroughs, controversies, and emerging trends into accessible pieces, exploring what's happening, why it matters, and how it might affect daily life. Designed to encourage critical thinking on rapidly evolving technologies and their societal impact.
An introduction to route setting—the craft of designing artificial climbing experiences—led by experts from Touchstone Climbing. Participants will explore how route setters use plastic, fiberglass, and wooden elements to create 3D puzzles that challenge both body and mind across a range of abilities. Through hands-on exploration, discover design principles for accessibility, iterative making, and embodied problem-solving. Open to designers and anyone curious about how movement, material, and human diversity shape the things we make. Waiver required; advance completion encouraged.
Members of Mechanics' Institute vote on films to screen together, followed by group discussion. A casual social gathering centered on cinema and community conversation.
Daniel Lavery, New York Times bestselling author and former Dear Prudence columnist at Slate, discusses his new novel *Meeting New People*, which explores friendship, aging, and resilience. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Co-presented with East Bay Booksellers.
Authors Amelia Davis and Joel Selvin discuss their new deluxe photographic retrospective *The Beatles by Jim Marshall: Live at Candles*, featuring iconic images of The Beatles captured by legendary photographer Jim Marshall during live performances. They explore Marshall's pioneering approach to music photography and the historical context of The Beatles' most electrifying moments.
Monthly informal salon-style discussion at Manny's for civic engagement on current political news and policy. Participants gather to discuss contemporary issues in a casual, accessible setting.
A three-hour hands-on sewing workshop exploring identity and sustainability through patch design and fabric mending. Led by Nicole Shen, a maker focused on giving new life to old materials, the session begins with pattern design basics and sewing machine fundamentals, then moves into guided individual and small-group creation. Participants bring a meaningful piece of clothing or fabric—or start with a provided tote bag—and leave with a completed patch reflecting the many parts of themselves. Set in Cafe Alma's cozy creative space with sustainably sourced materials available, the workshop welcomes all skill levels and emphasizes intentional making and community connection. No experience necessary.
An open studio event in Sausalito's historic Marinship, where visitors can meet working artists, explore their studios, and learn about their creative processes. Featured artists include textile artists Simon Ungless & Jody Niederkohr (custom printmaking and felting), stone sculptor Jael LaFemina, ceramic and glass artist Susan McKinney, multimedia artist Jean Bolte (40-year filmmaking background), and FX artist Michael Lynch (former ILM). The Marin Ceramic Cooperative will also present six member artists working in functional and sculptural clay.
Bestselling author and environmental journalist Miriam Horn discusses her biography of George B. Schaller, the pioneering wildlife biologist and conservationist who spent his career documenting endangered species and ecosystems across the globe. Horn explores Schaller's remarkable life of scientific discovery and conservation advocacy, bringing to life one of the most influential figures in modern wildlife biology.
An immersive hands-on workshop exploring traditional handblock printing with textile designer Seema Krish and her team. Participants will learn the history and technique of the craft, then create their own hand-printed tote bag using Seema's collection of wood blocks.
A celebration of Ama Ofosua Lieb's debut YA novel *Goldenborn*. Lieb discusses her work in conversation with Aimee Phan at Book Passage Corte Madera.
A rare public tour of Case Study House #26, Northern California's only example of the legendary Case Study House program. Built in 1962, this San Rafael mid-century modern home exemplifies the program's revolutionary approach to innovative materials, spatial design, and indoor-outdoor living. Recently featured on PBS, the meticulously preserved house has influenced contemporary architecture for over 60 years. Part of SF Design Week programming.
A retrospective opening event for Maren Hassinger: Living Moving Growing featuring tributes from artists, curators, and art historians including Linda Goode Bryant, Ava Hassinger, Kellie Jones, Leslie King-Hammond, Senga Nengudi, and Lowery Stokes Sims, celebrating Hassinger's career and legacy. The evening concludes with Hassinger leading a hands-on newspaper twisting workshop titled Wrenching News.
Author Ama Ofosua Lieb celebrates her debut YA novel Goldenborn, a story about a girl on a mission and a god with a deal. Meet the author at Book Passage Corte Madera.
A collaborative comics workshop at BAMPFA's Art Lab led by multimedia artist Karo Yagjian and independent comic artist Scott Longo (Sonatina Comics). Participants work in small groups to create short free-form comics using a 'call and response' style, building wacky storylines with collage and drawing materials. Designed to break through creative blocks and embrace experimental, playful creation.
An educational workshop on artificial intelligence, privacy, and cybersecurity led by AI expert Bridget Burke. Participants will learn how AI can protect or expose personal data, identify online scams, and implement practical strategies to secure their digital footprint using both AI tools and proven non-tech approaches. Free and open to the public.
Award-winning scholar Terence Keel discusses *The Coroner's Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence*, which examines how death records obscure the true toll of police violence and what these silences reveal about racial inequality in American public health and criminal justice.
A rare public tour of Case Study House #26, Northern California's only example of the legendary Case Study House program. Built in 1962 and recently featured on PBS, this San Rafael mid-century modern masterpiece showcases innovative approaches to space, materials, and indoor-outdoor living that continue to influence contemporary architecture. Visitors will walk through meticulously preserved spaces that have appeared in numerous architecture and design publications, experiencing firsthand the revolutionary design principles that defined American postwar residential architecture.
A live collaborative animation challenge where five local artists animate in real-time, each given 5 minutes to respond to a random prompt before passing their work to the next animator. After three rounds, the resulting animations are stitched together into a single collaborative piece, set to music, and screened for the audience. Hosted by Motion Collabs and Mograph Club (San Francisco's local motion design community), with swag, snacks, and drinks provided. Open to spectators and participants.
Author Ayelet Waldman reads from and discusses her new novel A Perfect Hand, a richly drawn story of love and subterfuge between a lady's maid and her lover set in nineteenth-century England. Hosted at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Author Élan Les Vies celebrates the release of his debut thriller novel The Lemon Twist. The novel follows protagonist Iris Sailor through a psychological suspense narrative steeped in 80s nostalgia, blending atmospheric storytelling with contemporary thriller sensibilities.
Women in Design SF's third annual showcase at SF Design Week features works from women, nonbinary, and gender-expansive designers across the Bay Area. The exhibition explores the multifaceted identities and perspectives that shape each designer's practice. A Designer Q&A at 7pm offers insight into creative processes and artistic thinking, followed by an open exhibit and networking with light refreshments. The evening combines inspiration, reflection, and community building for design professionals and enthusiasts.
Elaine Petrocelli, co-owner of Book Passage, celebrates 50 years in independent bookselling in conversation with Lisa Kay Solomon. A memoir conversation marking five decades of life as a bookstore owner in the Bay Area.
Free gallery admission for the opening weekend of 'Maren Hassinger: Living Moving Growing,' an exhibition of work by the acclaimed artist known for site-specific installations and kinetic sculpture. At BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive).
An introductory workshop on genograms—a tool for mapping kinship structures and intergenerational patterns—led by Juliana Willars. Participants will learn how genograms illuminate attachment patterns, coping responses, and trauma that often operate outside conscious awareness. The session emphasizes psychotherapy and psychedelic integration support, offering pathways for reflection, ancestral healing, and meaning-making. The workshop prioritizes participant autonomy and safety, with grounding practices and resourcing woven throughout. Attendees are invited to bring notebooks and colored writing instruments to create their own genograms.
Author Theo Baker discusses his memoir exploring power dynamics and leadership through his personal experiences at Stanford University. The event examines how institutional power shapes individual trajectories and decision-making.
Chefs Nelson German and Andréa Lawson Gray discuss their new cocktail recipe book featuring Caribbean drinks and bites from the Afro-Latino diaspora. The event includes a food demo and book signing at Book Passage San Francisco.
A free, all-ages day rave at the Asian Art Museum celebrating LGBTQ+ joy and community with DJ Chico Chi, a queer and nonbinary transmasc producer. Part of San Francisco's 56th Annual Pride Celebration, this family-friendly First Sunday event gathers the LGBTQ+ community in a historic museum setting.
A two-hour hands-on workshop with humor writer Jenny Jedeikin on finding your authentically funny voice through personal narrative. Participants will complete writing exercises to develop comedic essays rooted in time and place, learning humor writing fundamentals while creating layered material.
A curator-led tour of the exhibition Maren Hassinger: Living Moving Growing with Omar Jason Farah, Curatorial Assistant at BAMPFA. The tour traces Hassinger's artistic practice across material experiments in sculpture, her engagement with movement and performance, and her work with moving image.
An interactive installation exploring who owns the data generated by brain-reading technology. Participants wear EEG headsets that translate their neural activity into real-time environmental changes, creating a shared experience of possible futures shaped by different answers to data ownership and consent. Presented by The Noetic Commons, artist-researchers Chrissy Charlton and Tyler Grimes (Critical Media Practices, CU Boulder), the installation asks: what does it feel like to live inside each future, and which version would you choose to inhabit? Free, at California College of the Arts.
Jacob Anthony Rose reads from and discusses his memoir Stillness and Survival: A Life Between Trauma, Glitter, and the Echo of My Own Voice, exploring themes of trauma, identity, and resilience. Hosted at Book Passage in the San Francisco Ferry Building.
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy examines the erosion of shared civic life and social bonds in contemporary America, exploring what it will take to rebuild meaningful connection across ideological divides. Murphy, author of *Crisis of the Common Good*, discusses how fractured communities and broken institutions have weakened the ties that bind Americans together and charts a path toward restoring common purpose in polarized times.
Walter Riley, legendary civil rights activist and criminal defense lawyer, discusses his new book *Civil Rights and Structural Attacks*, co-authored with Oakland organizer Jesse Strauss. Riley organized voter registration and sit-ins in the Jim Crow South as a CORE Field Secretary, later led San Francisco State's ethnic studies movement, and has practiced civil rights law since the 1980s. This conversation—with Strauss and *East Bay Yesterday* host Liam O'Donoghue—spans eighty years of lessons from the Black freedom struggle, labor movements, and internationalism. Books available for purchase and signing.
A facilitated conversation about mortality, meaning, and what it means to live fully. Participants are invited to share reflections, questions, and stories about death in a relaxed, non-judgmental setting. Led by Rabbi Batshir Torchio, a ritual and spiritual practitioner and Senior Jewish Educator at JCCSF, and Donna Edwards Neumark, PhD, RN, an end-of-life doula and former oncology nurse. All are welcome; coffee, tea, and light refreshments provided.
A two-session workshop with instructor Laurel Hilton on transforming family history into compelling narrative. Participants learn to treat ancestors and relatives as characters, moving from genealogical research to written memoir or family vignettes.
A lecture by Mariah Nielson, curator and design historian, on her father JB Blunk, a pioneering American artist who worked with raw, salvaged materials inspired by nature and his home in Inverness, CA. Nielson will discuss her research on Blunk's practice, her own artistic work, and the creation of Blunk Space, a gallery dedicated to expanding his legacy through contemporary artists. The evening includes Q&A, light refreshments, and casual conversation.
A screening of a deconstructed Humanscale ergonomic chair installation by designer Elijah Ezralow, inspired by Niels Diffrient's iconic work. The installation suspends chair components in an exploded view, revealing the relationship between design, geometry, and human anatomy. Ezralow explores Diffrient's design process and lesser-known works through previously uncovered research and source material, showing how his approach revolutionized ergonomic design aesthetics. Open viewing with informal Q&A follows the talk; food and beverages provided.
Explore the Arctic's rapid transformation as climate change and geopolitical competition reshape one of Earth's most remote regions. The event examines environmental degradation—declining sea ice, wildfires, and thawing permafrost—alongside growing international interest in Arctic waterways and contested geopolitical space.
A community forum examining the November 29, 2025 shooting at a birthday party in Stockton that killed four people, including three children. The event asks what society owes the next generation in the face of intersecting crises of poverty, gang culture, and systemic neglect. Hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California, a trusted civic institution.
A hands-on workshop exploring how AI is reshaping the role of designer in real time. Elizabeth Glenewinkel and Justin Rheinfrank pose provocations on the future of design practice, then facilitate small-group design sprints where participants create archetypes for the future designer: What will they study? What skills matter? What agents will they build or answer to? Participants debate, surface hidden assumptions in current practice, and reflect on what emerging designer profiles reveal about where the industry is heading. Led by Justin Rheinfrank, Principal Architect of UI/UX at Slack and educator at UC Berkeley's Jacobs Institute, and Elizabeth Glenewinkel, design educator and research leader.
An author event with Matt Haig at Green Apple Books. The specific book or focus of discussion will be announced. Check Green Apple Books' website for updates.
International bestselling author Matt Haig discusses his new novel *The Midnight Train*, a time-traveling story exploring regret, possibility, and second chances. The novel follows Wilbur boarding a mysterious train that allows him to revisit pivotal moments from his past. Haig reads from and discusses the book in conversation with the audience.
Jennifer Newens, cookbook editor and author of *Monday Night Mocktails* and *Wednesday Night Wine-Down*, discusses her new book *Thursday Night Tiki Lounge*, a collection of 52 inspired tropical cocktail recipes featuring fresh juices, spiced syrups, rums, and other spirits. From classic Mai Tais and Zombies to lesser-known gems like Doctor Funk and original California creations, Newens demonstrates how to expand your cocktail repertoire with easy-to-make tropical drinks. A free event at Omnivore Books on Food.
An annual San José State University forum on economic analysis and forecasting at local, state, and national levels. Panelists share insights to help attendees make informed business decisions. The audience includes Bay Area small and mid-size business representatives and SJSU community members. Free and open to the public.
When design tools are widely accessible and visual polish is commonplace, what separates products people return to from those they forget? This talk explores how teams can design for meaningful differentiation beyond aesthetics — examining the gap between imitation and genuine design value. Part of SF Design Week.
A celebration of the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children's Book Special Collection at the Mechanics' Institute Library, tracing the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in children's literature from *Heather Has Two Mommies* to contemporary stories about diverse family structures. The event welcomes this new archival collection and explores how children's books have documented and shaped cultural attitudes toward LGBT families over decades.
An evening celebrating San Francisco's bag design heritage, featuring a panel discussion with local designers, a community show-and-tell of favorite bags, and networking with Bay Area design enthusiasts. The event runs 4:00–7:30 PM at Peak Design HQ, with doors opening at 4:00 PM for beverages, panel discussion and Q&A at 5:00 PM, and an open-house reception with appetizers at 6:00 PM.
Jason Smith and Halle Van De Hey of City ID discuss the design and development of San Francisco International Airport's wayfinding system—the visual and directional infrastructure guiding 54 million annual passengers. Learn how a global design consultancy collaborates with clients and stakeholders to make complex decisions that enhance guest experience and support airport operations. Drinks and light snacks provided.
An evening conversation on creative partnerships between design studios and artists with disabilities. Erica Tanov, founder of the Berkeley-based eponymous lifestyle brand, joins Creative Growth Executive Director Sunny A. Smith and Lead Facilitator Amy Keefer to discuss over a decade of collaboration. Creative Growth, an Oakland arts organization serving artists with developmental disabilities, has partnered with designers and brands including Tanov, 6397, Clare V., and Levi's, placing artwork—paintings, ceramics, textiles—into commercial collections while maintaining artist agency. The conversation explores partnership origins, outcomes, and future directions, followed by Q&A. The Atelier will feature Creative Growth artwork on view and available for purchase, with light refreshments.
Explore career adaptability and build your own Career Prototype in this interactive workshop. Hear from design founders Jeanette Numbers (Nova) and Nichole Rouillac (level) on navigating career change, then work through four core exercises: Technical BOM (skills and hidden talents), Value Mapping (identifying your why), ROI—Return on Identity (monetizable strengths), and designing one immediate field test to launch. Led by Jackie Cunningham, NEXT Innovation Scholar. Includes A/B panel discussion, hands-on prototype building, and field-testing session with drinks and light snacks. Leave with a tangible career prototype to iterate on.
A hands-on exploration of wearable robotics for kids and adults led by Skip. Participants build their own wearable inventions while learning about motors, circuits, sensors, and AI, then experience MO/GO—a powered exoskeleton developed by Skip in partnership with Arc'teryx. The evening includes rotating stations for design and tech learning, a product experience for adults, and a show-and-tell finale. All ages welcome.
A hands-on workshop on fermenting vegetables at home, exploring the art and science of fermentation through practice and simple recipes. Participants will learn the principles of fermentation, walk through several techniques, and make sauerkraut together to build confidence and skills for home fermentation. Part of Stanford's Springtime in the Garden series at the O'Donohue Family Educational Farm on campus.
A celebration of humorist David Sedaris and his new essay collection, *The Land and Its People: Essays*, in which he reflects on what it means to be a foreigner, a brother, and a lifelong friend. Publishers Weekly calls these essays "among the best of his career." An unforgettable and lively author event at Book Passage.
Two veteran San Francisco political reporters, Joe Eskenazi (Mission Local) and Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez (SF Standard), discuss the results of the June primary election and what they mean for November's races and ballot measures. A wide-ranging conversation with local journalists deeply embedded in Bay Area politics.
An intimate salon exploring the creative self through facilitated dialogue. Jalen Salazar, former Partner at McKinsey Design and creative leader at LUNAR Design, guides participants through small-group conversations designed to reveal the undercurrents shaping individual creative practice. The evening moves beyond what creators produce to examine where creativity originates—inviting participants to identify meaningful actions that ground and elevate their work. Limited to 20 participants. Light snacks served.
A conversation on progressive activism and movement building with organizer and author Yotam Marom discussing his debut *For Louder Days: Reaching Beyond a Politics of Powerlessness*—a lyrical manifesto for more honest, strategic, and loving approaches to social change. Marom shares stories and lessons from his life as a Brooklyn-based organizer and facilitator. The event features acclaimed organizer and strategist Malkia Devich-Cyril in conversation, poetry by Lu Aya of the Peace Poets, and a Q&A with the audience. Hosted at Oakland Public Library — Main Library.
Book Society's monthly book club discusses *Carnality* by Lina Wolff, a darkly comic novel about a Swedish writer in Madrid who encounters a mysterious man and descends into a strange underworld of shadowy media and existential bargains. The facilitated discussion explores the novel's blend of storytelling, morality, and the search for meaning. Wine service included.
A co-created gallery and art-trading happy hour hosted by Coqtail Hour, a Bay Area pop-up creative community. Guests arrive with hand-made art—sketches, poems, ceramics, photographs, collages—which form a living gallery. Facilitated small-group conversations surface the stories behind each piece, followed by a trading floor where guests swap artworks and make new connections. The evening closes with a social hour. Hosted by Sama Srinivas and Jacqueline Vu, co-founders of Coqtail Hour, at FLAX Art & Design.
Book Society's monthly book club discusses Carnality by Lina Wolff, a darkly comic novel about a Swedish writer on a creative stipend in Madrid who encounters a mysterious man with an unbelievable story that spirals into a strange underworld of shadowy media and existential bargains. The evening features facilitated conversation over wine.
Lerone A. Martin, director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, discusses his biography Young King, exploring MLK's formative years before he became a global icon. Drawing on extensive research, Martin reveals how King's youth—his emotional life, confusion about direction, devotion to fashion and dating—shaped the preacher and activist who would lead the civil rights movement and reshape the nation.
A screening of Morocco (1930), the Marlene Dietrich classic newly entered the public domain, featuring a pre-show discussion on the film's legacy and a post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Denah Johnston. Dress in glamour and step into a night celebrating cinema history at the Internet Archive.
Bestselling author and Booker Prize finalist Ruth Ozeki discusses her new short story collection The Typing Lady, exploring lives at threshold moments—childhood, desire, reinvention, and old age. The eleven stories examine faded ideals, evolving identities, and life's compromises, woven with the tactile ephemera of writing: typewriters, letters, manuscripts, and disappearing ink.
Millie Abecassis discusses her debut novel *The Color of Time*, a science-fantasy reimagining of Charles Perrault's "Peau d'Âne" that blends sapphic romance with political intrigue across galaxies. The story follows Princess Cyrelle as she escapes an incestuous demand from her brother, the king, and must navigate survival, rebellion, and the question of what it means to be true to herself. Abecassis is a French-American author, founder of the pitch event #SmallPitch, and co-founder of the Small Spec Book Awards.
An exploration of synthetic biology — the science of creating new capabilities with life — and its applications to supporting human exploration beyond Earth. The talk examines how synthetic biology can address challenges of sustaining human life in space and establishing settlements on the Moon and Mars, covering agriculture, pharmaceuticals, nanotechnology, and life-support systems.
Lior Torenberg celebrates her debut novel in conversation with literary interlocutor Susannah Emerson. The author discusses her fiction in an intimate free book talk at Green Apple Books' 9th Avenue location.
Ben Rhodes, former Obama speechwriter, and Jelani Cobb, acclaimed historian and New Yorker staff writer, discuss Rhodes's new book examining 15 pivotal American speeches that define competing visions of national identity. They unpack the history, context, and reverberations of speeches grappling with who belongs and what democracy demands—exploring how rhetoric has shaped American political discourse and cultural consciousness.
A 90-minute hands-on workshop exploring how to design intelligent AI systems from concept to working prototype. Participants work in small groups through three activities—Enact (bodystorm a scenario), Author (write behavioral rules), and Deploy (test the agent live in Agent Studio)—designing and testing a working AI agent together with no coding required. Led by TJ McLeish, faculty in the MDes Interaction Design program at California College of the Arts, and graduate students from his Prototyping with AI studio. Attendees receive a shareable QR code linking to their completed AI system.
As AI evolves, human skills like judgment, creativity, and clarity of intent become more critical. This discussion explores how designers are becoming 'AI fluent,' treating AI models as strategic partners to shape tone and character with the same precision once reserved for grid systems. While AI can generate countless variations, human taste remains essential to ensure final products never miss the mark.
Evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad examines "suicidal empathy"—a cultural phenomenon where society elevates victimhood as a virtue and abandons proportional punishment in the name of compassion. He argues this worldview has pathological consequences for Western institutions and social cohesion, exploring psychological and cultural roots and effects on law, policy, and civic life.
A candid talk with Gamma's Head of Design and an AI-native designer on how the team ships prototypes using Claude Code. They'll walk through the skills they've written, connectors they rely on, gathering context before design, real prompting loops, and how design, engineering, and product collaborate when the prototype becomes the spec. Practical focus on Monday-morning workflows, with Q&A.
Award-winning chef and culinary educator Cara Mangini discusses her IACP Award-winning cookbook *The Vegetable Eater: The New Playbook for Vegetarian Cooking*, exploring her culinary journey and approach to vegetable-focused cooking. The evening includes an intimate conversation with Mangini and a hands-on demo covering knife skills and essential vegetable prep techniques. Hosted by the Cookbook Lovers Club in collaboration with food stylist Bebe Carminito at Book Society.
Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor, examines how American identity has been shaped through 15 pivotal political speeches across U.S. history. In *All We Say: The Battle for American Identity*, Rhodes traces the contested rhetoric of political leaders and explores what these foundational speeches reveal about competing visions of who America is and what it stands for.
A science-backed panel on how design decisions and built environments shape physical and mental health. Jennifer Downing, founder of Mokume Design Studio, discusses wellness-driven design strategies including circadian rhythm-responsive environments, biophilic design, and community-focused spaces with Dr. Hemalee Patel, DO, a triple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. The evening includes welcome beverages and bites followed by a 60-minute panel and Q&A.
A conversation between acclaimed interior designer Noz Nozawa and Flexform San Francisco owner Gregory Herman exploring how design functions as a lens for understanding personal identity. Nozawa reflects on growing up in an American context while maintaining connection to Japanese ancestry, examining how principles of restraint, craft, material sensitivity, and discipline can be interpreted and integrated. The discussion considers how cultural influences—from Japanese tradition to Italian craftsmanship—inform creative practice through observation and personal meaning.
A candid evening exploring how AI is reshaping design practice at Gamma. The Head of Design and an AI-native designer will discuss how their team now ships prototypes using Claude Code, walking through the workflows, skills, and challenges involved in building with generative AI. This talk is for designers, product managers, and anyone curious about how AI tools are changing creative work.
Hillary Sterling, four-time James Beard–nominated executive chef of Ci Siamo, discusses her debut cookbook *Ammazza!*, which chronicles her culinary journey from training under Bobby Flay and at Michelin-starred A Voce to developing her distinctive approach to seasonal, live-fire Italian cooking. Sterling shares insights into the regionality and traditions of Italian cuisine, the unifying power of food, and the intentionality behind her thoughtfully prepared dishes.
What role should robots play in society? This discussion explores how designers and engineers can shape robotic technologies—from surgical systems and autonomous vehicles to AI-driven software and personal companions—within frameworks of human engagement, interaction, and emotion rather than dystopian or utopian extremes. Participants will define and question the boundaries between tool and agent, examining how robots are advancing across industries and what it means for human work and relationships. Hosted by PA Consulting during SF Design Week.
A conversation on environmental history and wildlife conservation centered on Miriam Horn's biography of legendary field biologist George B. Schaller, whose seventy-year career studying mountain gorillas, tigers, pandas, and snow leopards transformed human understanding of animal behavior and endangered species protection. Horn, a bestselling author and environmental journalist, discusses the deeper arc of her work—from political activism in *Rebels in White Gloves* to climate futures in *Earth: The Sequel* to ecosystem interdependence in *Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman*—tracing how humans learn to live responsibly within larger systems. In conversation with anthropologist Cari Borja. Copies available for purchase.
A screening of Jean Renoir's *The Rules of the Game* (1939) with introduction and post-screening discussion by David Thomson, noted film critic and historian and author of *A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies*. Renoir's masterpiece, made on the eve of World War II, transforms a country-house gathering into a tragicomic study of polite society on the brink of collapse.
Jonathan Weber, former editor-in-chief of The San Francisco Standard and The Industry Standard, discusses *City on the Edge*, a history of San Francisco's transformation into a global tech capital from the 1990s to present. Drawing on 200 interviews with mayors, CEOs, activists, investors, and artists, Weber weaves together the internet's rise, political figures like Newsom and Harris, Burning Man, and the city's homelessness and housing crises. In conversation with John Markoff, technology reporter for the New York Times and Stanford HAI fellow.
A highlights tour of 'Animal, Vegetable, nor Mineral: Works by Miljohn Ruperto,' the first large-scale solo exhibition of the Manila-born, Los Angeles-based artist at the Cantor Arts Center. Led by Maggie Dethloff, Assistant Curator of Photography and New Media, the tour explores Ruperto's interdisciplinary practice spanning photography, video, animation, and generative AI — examining how humans understand their place in the world through digitally-created botanical specimens, immersive VR landscapes, and works that unsettle our assumptions about nature. Free and open to the public.
A half-day public conference examining essential topics at the intersection of India and global affairs. Hosted by Asia Society Northern California, a leading nonprofit focused on promoting mutual understanding between Asia and the Americas through cultural exchange, policy dialogue, and educational programming.
The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock stands at 85 seconds to midnight—the closest to catastrophe since 1947. Bebo White, a retired computational physicist from SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford, examines four major existential threats: nuclear conflict, climate change, biological threats, and advanced AI. White explores how these risks intersect and reinforce each other, then discusses practical solutions including arms control negotiations, climate policy, public health infrastructure, and AI governance to reduce global dangers.
Explore the craft of hand-printed textiles at Cloth Edition Printshop. Textile designer Anne Kirk and printer Ryan Harrison discuss traditional screen printing techniques, how designers collaborate with master craftspeople, and the distinctive qualities of hand-printed versus digital textile design. Attendees will see traditional screen printing in action and participate in hands-on printing with the team.
A discussion and live demonstration of Jennifer Newens' *Monday Night Mocktails*, a collection of 52 alcohol-free cocktails designed for unwinding on weeknights. Newens will be joined by Oakland Public Library Librarian Tyler Gilmore for conversation about the book, followed by a hands-on demonstration of mocktail mixing and shaking techniques. Attendees will sample drinks during the event. Registration required due to limited mocktail supplies.
Author Pam Troy discusses her novel The Newcomers: The Chronicles of Touperdu at the Mechanics' Institute, a historic San Francisco institution dedicated to public intellectual engagement. This is a trusted venue for public intellectual programming.
Author James Ellroy discusses his new novel *Red Sheet*, the latest in his celebrated hard-boiled crime fiction and historical narratives. Ellroy is known for his unflinching exploration of Los Angeles crime and American history through densely plotted, stylistically distinctive novels. A rare opportunity to hear directly from one of crime fiction's most distinctive voices about his craft and new work.
Vizcom opens its makerspace to showcase how designers in automotive, fashion, lighting, and architecture are integrating AI into their creative workflows. The exhibition features real objects and digital renders demonstrating design-to-production techniques.
Ben Rhodes examines the centuries-long debate over American identity and belonging, tracing constitutional compromises, the Civil War, migration patterns, and contemporary reform movements. Rhodes, former deputy national security advisor and author of *The World as It Is*, offers a timely exploration of who gets to define what it means to be American.
A talk by Yoko Kumano and Kayoko Akabori, founders of Oakland's Umami Mart, on their illustrated guide *Everyday Sake*. The authors explore sake beyond sushi pairings—its aromatic complexity, food-pairing versatility, and drinkability. Kumano and Akabori started as childhood friends writing a food blog from Tokyo and New York in 2007, then opened their Oakland shop in 2012, which now centers on sake education through classes and memberships. Featured in *The New York Times*, Wirecutter, and *New York* magazine.
Ashton Politanoff reads from his literary work at Green Apple Books. Politanoff is a frequent contributor to Noon with work published in Southwest Review, Conjunctions, NY Tyrant, and Egress.
Oakland author Vincent Chu discusses his debut novel *Nice Places*, about a tech worker who quits his job to travel the world but ends up stranded in San Francisco's Panhandle, where he accidentally becomes an Instagram success through fabricated travel photos. The novel explores corporate burnout, authenticity, and the absurdity of curated travel. Chu is in conversation with fellow Oakland author Tomas Moniz, whose own novels *Big Familia* and *All Friends Are Necessary* have won major literary awards. Both writers examine existential discomfort, the gap between intention and reality, and what it means to seek meaning through escape.
Podcaster and comedian Brooke Averick celebrates her debut novel *Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It*, a romantic comedy following a thirty-year-old woman navigating intimacy anxiety through a checklist of romantic prospects. The event features a moderated conversation with Averick followed by audience Q&A. Tickets include a signed copy of the novel. Hosted by Kepler's Literary Foundation.
Ashton Politanoff reads from and discusses his novel Dad Had a Bad Day with author Rita Bullwinkel in conversation. A free public book talk at Green Apple Books' 9th Avenue location in San Francisco.
Emmy-nominated actress and activist Laverne Cox discusses her debut memoir Transcendent, exploring her journey through trauma, gender identity, transition, and healing. Cox rose to prominence through Orange Is the New Black and has become a leading voice advocating for queer and transgender rights.
Leila Abdul-Rauf, sound artist and composer, presents an evening exploring the architecture of shadow through cinematic sound worlds that delve into the psyche. The program spans her catalogue from improvisational ambient textures to rhythmic, vocally-driven recent work. Free admission; hosted by CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics) at Stanford University.
Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and geopolitical analyst, addresses the Bay Area Council's annual Silicon Valley Summit. The event convenes regional business leaders, policymakers, and civic figures to discuss major challenges and opportunities facing the Bay Area economy, technology sector, and geopolitical landscape, with emphasis on the intersection of global affairs, American innovation, and regional prosperity.
New York Times bestselling author Lisa See discusses her novel Daughters of the Sun and Moon, which follows three Chinese women navigating survival and resilience in post-Civil War Los Angeles. The ticketed literary luncheon includes a copy of the book and lunch.
A hands-on workshop exploring how generative AI can augment and accelerate the design thinking process. Participants work in small groups applying AI to ideation, synthesis, and concept development through guided exercises, learning how AI can generate ideas and surface patterns while understanding its limitations. Designed for designers, product managers, and anyone curious about integrating AI into creative work—no technical experience required.
A salon-style gathering celebrating women building San Francisco's creative community across design, education, fashion, tech, and craft. The 2-hour event includes mingling, a moderated panel with open dialogue, and discussion of institutional loss in the local creative ecosystem. Hosted by SF Design Week at Marigold SF.
How do EdTech companies stay attuned to Gen Z's rapidly evolving culture, tools, and learning needs? Quizlet's Design and User Research Team shares structural practices for continuous user engagement—from daily Discord communities to co-design sessions—keeping them embedded in 18–24-year-olds' lives beyond project kickoff. Joined by two design and user research leaders across the EdTech industry for a conversation on designing for a generation in constant motion.
An illustrated presentation and moderated conversation with designer Erica Tanov on thirty-five years of work across fashion, textiles, and interiors. Hosted at her historic Berkeley studio, the evening explores creative collaboration, natural inspiration, fabric and textile design, wallpaper and architectural tiles, antique collecting, and the role of artists in shaping interior design. Moderated by Diane Dorrans Saeks, bestselling author of twenty-six design books including *Parisian by Design* and *Jean-Louis Deniot Interiors*.
A members' choice film screening at the Mechanics' Institute, where films are selected by community vote. The event includes fresh popcorn and discussion, but no named expert facilitator or speaker.
An evening celebrating Bay Area culture through photography and visual art at Goodfellas Pizzeria in North Beach. Three local photographers showcase imagery reflecting the neighborhood's communities and everyday life, alongside original painted works by artist Rus. Part of SF Design Week's 'Multitudes' theme. Pizza and drinks available for purchase. Open to all, no design background required.
Licensed psychotherapist and author Lisa Olivera discusses her new book on processing grief, loss, and emotional healing. Drawing on clinical insight and lived experience, Olivera explores how we tend to unresolved pain and find meaning in incomplete healing—offering practical wisdom for anyone navigating loss and seeking to move forward without closure.
A hometown launch celebration for Andrew Sean Greer's novel *Villa Coco*. The event takes place at The Peacock Lounge with music and socializing. Greer is the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of *Less* and *Less Is Lost*.
Illustrator and conservationist Liam O'Brien celebrates his book *Butterflies of the Bay Area*, a gorgeous illustrated guide to local butterfly species. O'Brien combines artistic skill with environmental expertise to create a work that appeals to both naturalists and art lovers. Hosted at Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa.
Illustrator and conservationist Liam O'Brien celebrates his book *Butterflies of the Bay Area*, a gorgeous illustrated guide to local butterfly species. O'Brien combines scientific observation with artistry to explore the region's diverse butterfly fauna and their habitats. At Copperfield's Books in Santa Rosa.
James Ellroy reads from and discusses Red Sheet, his latest novel set in October 1962 Los Angeles during the Cuban Missile Crisis aftermath. The book follows corrupt LAPD detective Freddy Otash investigating a murder entangled with Nixon, Robert Kennedy, and LA's power brokers. Ellroy offers a darkly comedic take on the Red Scare era and mid-century Los Angeles politics.
Oakland-based author Cynthia Gómez reads from and discusses her new book Muñeca. Gómez is also the author of The Nightmare Box. The event takes place at Pegasus Books Downtown.
Alaa Al-Barkawi, Iraqi American writer and co-runner of QuillersSWAA, discusses her debut novel In the Country I Love in conversation with local author Kiana Krystle. The novel follows two Iraqi American best friends navigating family secrets and trauma in the wake of a devastating crime, exploring Shia Muslim life in the US, generational trauma, racism, Islamophobia, and the legacy of the Iraq War.
An evening of live storytelling featuring award-winning Bay Area journalists, comedians, filmmakers, dancers, and musicians from KQED, KALW, SF Gate, and local arts. Performers share narratives exploring San Francisco's character through reinvention, resistance, and radical imagination—spanning true crime, comedy, politics, and poetry.
A monthly intimate discussion at Manny's exploring how to cultivate art appreciation in personal and civic life. Participatory salon format for art enthusiasts and curious people.
Bill Smoot discusses his memoir San Quentin Exodus in conversation with Kate Isenberg, exploring his experiences and insights related to incarceration and prison life. A timely conversation on criminal justice and personal redemption.
A guided walking tour through San Francisco Chinatown exploring how Chinese immigrants fought discriminatory laws and reshaped the U.S. Constitution. Participants examine landmark cases like Yick Wo v. Hopkins and United States v. Wong Kim Ark by visiting historical sites with archival photos, revealing legal battles that established equal protection and birthright citizenship rights.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer celebrates his new novel Villa Coco, a sun-soaked literary work exploring themes of life, love, friendship, and Italian living. This is an ideal event for readers seeking the anticipated book of summer 2026.
Dusty Baker discusses his memoir *Crossroads: A Memoir in Baseball and Life*, exploring his career in baseball and reflections on life beyond the game. Baker is joined in conversation by John Miller at Book Passage's Ferry Building location.
A free community mending workshop at Mill Valley Public Library where participants bring clothing items to repair—buttons, hems, patches, darning—and work together to give beloved clothes a second life. Open to all experience levels, attendees can bring their own supplies or use the library's free materials. Led by a librarian craftsperson, the event emphasizes peer learning and mutual support.
A conversation celebrating Ashton Politanoff's novel *Dad Had a Bad Day*, with literary figure Emily Bell. Hosted at Book Passage Corte Madera.
Musician and novelist David Baerwald discusses his debut novel *The Fire Agent* with anthropologist Cari Borja. The novel reconstructs the life of Ernst Baerwald, the author's grandfather—a German Jew who became a covert operative for IG Farben, trained with samurai masters in Tokyo, and navigated espionage, fascism, and refugee crises across twentieth-century Europe and Asia. Baerwald spent seven years piecing together Ernst's fragmented story from salvaged boxes containing spy equipment, photographs, and diaries. The conversation explores inherited narratives, the ethics of storytelling, and the disruptive power of unearthing family secrets that reshape the present.
Joan Lunden, former ABC News anchor and television personality, discusses her memoir Joan: Life Beyond the Script in conversation with Isabel Pinner. Lunden reflects on her career in broadcast journalism and her life beyond the camera.
Dusty Baker discusses his memoir *Crossroads*, chronicling his journey from a nineteen-year-old signing with the Braves in 1968 through mentorship by Hank Aaron, Orlando Cepeda, and Willie Mays, to becoming a premier hitter and eventually a championship-winning manager. The book explores Baker's baseball career alongside his deeper interests in music, wine, and philosophy—revealing a curious thinker shaped by success, struggle, faith, and perseverance. Baker will share hard-earned wisdom and reflections on a life that transcends the game itself.
A kickoff presentation for a summer series on digital independence and privacy. Explores how consumer technology became surveillance-based and subscription-dependent, and how individuals and communities can reclaim privacy and security. No prior tech expertise required. Subsequent workshops will dive deeper into practical strategies. Free, hosted by Mill Valley Public Library.
Dual author event featuring Carly Schwartz discussing her memoir *I'll Try Anything Twice: Misadventures of a Self-Medicated Life* and Juliet Izon presenting her novel *The Encore: A Novel*. An intimate bookshop conversation with both writers about their work.
Greg Sarris, acclaimed Native American storyteller, discusses his first novel in 28 years, *The Last Human Bear*—an epic narrative weaving curses, love, independence, and healing. Sarris returns to fiction after nearly three decades with a work Kirkus has called singularly talented, marking a major literary event in contemporary Native American fiction.
Databricks Data + AI Summit 2026 is the world's largest data, analytics, and AI conference, featuring 800+ sessions, keynotes, and training across June 15–18 in San Francisco (with virtual attendance options). The summit brings together thousands of peers—data engineers, AI researchers, and industry leaders—to explore cutting-edge developments in data infrastructure, machine learning, and generative AI. Featured speakers include Ali Ghodsi (Databricks co-founder and CEO), Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO), and leading researchers and open-source contributors from the data and AI community.
James Mullane explores the definitive history of I. Magnin & Co., one of San Francisco's most iconic department stores, examining its cultural significance, business legacy, and role in the city's commercial and social landscape. Hosted by the Mechanics' Institute.
A lecture on the first volume of the Oxford History of the United States, exploring North America from 1000 to 1680 CE. The discussion centers Indigenous, European, and African experiences in shaping the continent, from Norse exploration through the colonial period and early resistance movements.
Monthly intimate discussion forum at Manny's on urgent environmental issues, from local urban resilience to global climate policy. A salon-style gathering for engaged conversation on environmental action and advocacy.
Tiffany Tsao celebrates her new novel *But Won't I Miss Me*, a speculative fiction work set in an alternate reality where pregnancy grants women exceptional powers. The story follows a new mother who uncovers terrifying truths about herself and life in this philosophical and propulsive tale of a woman and mother in crisis.
Tiffany Tsao discusses her new novel *But Won't I Miss Me* in conversation with Marthine Satris. A well-structured and deeply compelling exploration of identity and selfhood, the novel examines what we risk losing when we transform ourselves. Tsao is the author of *The Majestic Soul* and *Vicious Females*. Hosted at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Award-winning San Diego chef and culinary anthropologist Claudette Zepeda discusses *Cooking the Borderlands*, drawing on 20+ years in restaurant kitchens and extensive travels throughout Mexico to explore indigenous ingredients and cross-cultural expressions of cuisine. Zepeda, founder of Chispa Hospitality and recent U.S. representative at the Taittinger Champagne Prix Culinaire, brings fearless expertise in regional Mexican food and the stories of the border to her latest work.
Horror author CJ Leede discusses her award-winning novel Headlights, a psychological thriller about an FBI agent confronting a serial killer in the Colorado wilderness, blending crime fiction with supernatural horror. She appears in conversation with Hugo Award-winning author Sarah Gailey. Admission includes a copy of the book.
Live jazz performance and discussion at Pegasus Books exploring the history and artistry of jazz legends including Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. Musicians and storytellers perform and discuss the genre's cultural significance. Pre-registration required.
Fashion designer and podcast host Bella Freud explores how fashion connects to memory, desire, and identity in conversation with acclaimed novelist Rachel Kushner. Freud uses fashion as a lens to examine self-consciousness and personal identity, while Kushner offers her perspective on this creative practice. Hosted by City Arts & Lectures.
How do urban planning and architectural design shape housing policy and community approval? Lindsay Sturman, co-founder of the Livable Communities Initiative, and Christopher S. Elmendorf, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law, explore the relationship between housing aesthetics, livability, and the political economy of housing development.
A hands-on workshop on redesigning academic assignments using generative AI. Participants bring an existing assignment and apply Bloom's Taxonomy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to adapt it with AI tools. The session also covers AI-assisted rubric generation. Hosted at Santa Clara University.
Corey Rosen, host of NPR's The Moth and author of A Story for Everything, discusses the art and practice of meaningful storytelling in everyday life. He shares storytelling frameworks and explores how narratives shape relationships, careers, and communities.
A discussion on superhuman governance and AI judgment for high-stakes decisions with Ozzie Gooen, founder and Executive Director of the Quantified Uncertainty Research Institute (QURI). As AI systems approach human performance on consequential judgment, Gooen explores how they might be deployed responsibly in critical decisions—from AI deployment policy to major government policy and institutional strategy at leading labs and foundations. The talk situates this agenda within 'defensive acceleration': using better AI to harden civilization against emerging risks. Part of Foresight Institute's AI Nodes salon series, held under Chatham House Rule.
What is the real-world impact of progressive media organizations reshaping Democratic strategy? Join leaders from two influential groups: Josh Miller-Lewis, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of More Perfect Union (Bernie Sanders's 2020 campaign communications director, whose organization has garnered 2 billion YouTube views and won multiple Emmy and Webby awards), and Heather Kinlaw Lofthouse, Executive Director of Inequality Media (founded by economist and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich). They'll discuss how their organizations compete with corporate media, the tension between populist and centrist messaging within the Democratic Party, and their long-term vision for progressive communication.
A hands-on workshop on reclaiming digital independence from surveillance, tracking, and intrusive advertising. Participants will learn practical first steps to protect personal information and attention online, including blocking trackers, removing ads, and other accessible techniques. Attendees receive a written guide and access to a class recording. Level 1 in an ongoing series for beginners.
Veteran San Francisco journalist Jonathan Weber examines how the city's transformation into a global technology capital created structural pressures that nearly engineered its collapse. Weber explores the interconnected social and policy challenges facing San Francisco, offering a deep-dive into the forces reshaping the city's character and future. A trusted Commonwealth Club presentation on the intersection of tech industry growth, urban policy, and civic resilience.
An author event featuring Deb Olin Unferth in conversation with Rita Bullwinkel. The two writers discuss Unferth's work in an intimate setting at Green Apple Books, San Francisco's independent bookstore.
Dave Eggers, author and McSweeney's founder, discusses his novel Contrapposto in conversation. Tickets include a signed copy of the book.
Zayd Ayers Dohrn, criminal justice researcher and organizer, discusses his book examining how young people—particularly from marginalized communities—are constructed as threats by the criminal legal system. The talk explores criminalization and youth justice in America.
A book group exploring contemporary works in translation. Discover global perspectives and voices through literature translated into English. Hosted at the Mechanics' Institute.
Rob Mintz, chief curator at the Asian Art Museum, explores the imaginative use of space in Chiharu Shiota's work *Two Home Countries*, a exhibition about dual national identity currently on view at the museum's Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang Pavilion. Shiota is a Japanese–German artist whose practice engages themes of belonging and home through immersive installations.
A Pride kick-off evening celebrating queer Black and Brown musicians and artists at KQED. The night features a Vogue and Tone workshop rooted in ballroom history, an intimate Q&A with performers including Drebae, Hugo De La Lune, Sonic, and King Isis, a live showcase, and community networking.
RamDev Dale Borglum discusses his book 'How to Live So You Can Die Without Fear' in conversation with Taj Inayat. An exploration of how to live meaningfully and approach mortality with less fear.
The final event in a three-part series on U.S.-Iran relations and nuclear security. Scott Sagan, Co-Director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford and nuclear nonproliferation expert, examines the present-day decisions and future trajectory of the U.S.-Iran conflict. Topics include nuclear policy, military actions, and the strategic objectives of both nations. This concluding installment synthesizes the historical and contemporary dimensions of the conflict explored in earlier sessions. Held at Manny's Cafe with pay-what-you-can tickets.
Artist Lisa Solomon discusses her new book *Art Craft Color: Brighten Your Life with Projects in Every Color of the Rainbow*, a guide to creative projects across the color spectrum. Solomon shares techniques and inspiration for bringing color and creativity into everyday life.
An exploration of Shakespeare's Margaret of Anjou—the character with the most lines of any female Shakespearean character—tracing her evolution from Elizabethan stage to contemporary performance. Authors Charles O'Malley, a Yale-trained dramaturg, and Scott W. Stern, historian and author of *The Trials of Nina McCall*, examine how successive generations of actors, directors, and producers have recast Margaret to reflect their own era's anxieties about gender, power, and politics, from misogynist depictions to feminist reclamations. The book reveals how Shakespeare's plays function as living collaborations between text, performance, and history.
Nelson German, Top Chef alum and chef-owner of Oakland's alaMar Kitchen & Bar and San Francisco's Meski, joins James Beard Award–winning food writer Andréa Lawson Gray to discuss their new cookbook *Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks and Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora*. The book features over 40 cocktail recipes and 20 food recipes celebrating the bold flavors and vibrant culture of the Afro-Latino diaspora, blending Dominican heritage, African roots, and sustainable California ingredients.
An author event featuring Zinzi Clemmons at Green Apple Books. More details about the program will be announced soon.
A screening of Jean-Pierre Melville's *Le Samouraï* (1967) with introduction and post-screening discussion led by film critic and historian David Thomson, author of *A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies*. Thomson will explore Melville's stylized masterpiece as a fusion of 1940s American gangster cinema, 1960s French pop culture, and Japanese lone-warrior mythology.
Award-winning author Dave Eggers discusses *Contrapposto*, his novel tracing two artists' sixty-five-year friendship and creative partnership across the American prairie, art school, and the global art world. Eggers explores themes of artistic collaboration, romantic complexity, market forces, and whether idealistic artists can sustain their integrity while creating meaningful work. Free event at Kepler's Books.
An author talk and conversation featuring Zinzi Clemmons in conversation with Esmé Weijun Wang. Specific book details to be announced.
Learn the history and craft of garden tea from origins to modern variations, then create your own herbal blends to take home. Led by David Gardella, an educator and naturalist who coordinates nature and outdoor science education at the Helen Diller Preschool at JCCSF. Workshop supplies included.
A day of live interviews with major AI industry leaders exploring the latest developments in artificial intelligence and its business implications. Speakers include OpenAI co-founder and President Greg Brockman, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, Box CEO Aaron Levie, and others, with host Alex Kantrowitz (Big Technology Podcast) and journalist Lauren Goode (Wired) moderating conversations on stage at Commonwealth Club World Affairs.
An annual community gathering celebrating James Joyce's *Ulysses* and Bloomsday, the worldwide literary observance of the novel's 1904 Dublin setting. Hosted by Mechanics' Institute, a trusted San Francisco civic institution.
Stanford nutrition scientist Christopher Gardner presents three decades of evidence-based research to cut through contradictory nutrition claims in headlines and social media. The lecture clarifies what science actually says about nutrition, helping audiences make informed eating decisions.
Tatiana Chaterji, cultural worker and restorative justice facilitator, explores how restorative justice principles foster empathy, trust, and accountability in response to social unrest. Drawing on her work in classrooms, community centers, and prisons, she uses personal narrative and embodied practice to deepen conversations across differences and examine ways to cultivate humanizing relationships within extractive systems.
A hands-on workshop on digital privacy and security. Attendees bring their devices (laptops welcome) and work one-on-one with librarians to customize privacy settings, unsubscribe from unwanted services, choose secure browsers and extensions, and explore alternatives to major tech platforms. Designed as a companion to the Level 1 class, though all are welcome.
A public lecture on everyday restorative justice by Tatiana Chaterji, cultural worker and restorative justice facilitator. Exploring how restorative principles foster empathy, trust, and accountability amid social uncertainty, Chaterji draws on practices from classrooms, community centers, and prisons to discuss models of repair that create conditions for vulnerability and humanizing relationships—asking what it means to invite softness amid trauma and oppression.
Edwina Phillips discusses the second book in her Harlow Monroe series. What We Take follows Harlow as she navigates single motherhood, running a small business, and unexpected romantic complications when a stranger arrives demanding his house back. A free reading and conversation at Books Inc. Alameda.
New York Times bestselling author John Kenney discusses his darkly funny and heartfelt novel *I See You've Called In Dead*, now in paperback. The story follows obituary writer Bud Stanley, who has fallen into a funk after divorce and impending job loss. To learn how to live again, he attends the wakes and funerals of total strangers. The novel was featured on NPR's Books We Love of 2025 and has been praised for its satirical wit and emotional depth. Kenney is also author of *Love Poems for Married People*, *Talk to Me*, and *Truth in Advertising*, which won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. He is a longtime contributor to The New Yorker.
Claire Wadsworth and Nikki Hill discuss their cookbook and love story, *La Copine: New California Cooking from an Oasis in the Desert*. The authors opened their beloved desert restaurant in 2015 as a celebration of their relationship, and the book weaves recipes with memoir—from breakfasts with coffee and beignets to sun-soaked salads and simple sweets. Beyond culinary instruction, *La Copine* is a blueprint for building a life on one's own terms, rooted in the California queer scene and the surreal landscape of the desert. The recipes emphasize flexibility and inclusivity, adaptable for remote sourcing and plant-forward diets.
A monthly sci-fi and fantasy book club meeting via Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month. This session discusses Sarah Hall's novel Helm. The club explores speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and alternate reality literature; accessible formats including audiobooks and large print are available.
Hoangmai H. Pham discusses her memoir *Bridge from Saigon: A Viet-American Memoir of Family and Mind*, exploring family history, diaspora, and identity through the lens of Vietnamese-American experience. Presented by Diasporic Vietnamese American Network (DVAN).
Laurel Munson Boyers, the first female Wilderness Manager in Yosemite National Park, discusses her memoir about protecting the park's backcountry. The conversation celebrates women's leadership in environmental stewardship and public lands management.
Michael J. Coffino discusses his investigation into California's SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) project, examining how taxpayer funds were allocated and spent on the regional rail initiative. The author explores questions of transportation policy and fiscal accountability in the Bay Area's public spending.
AI expert Bridget Burke examines home-based AI devices—robot vacuums, smart speakers, wearable glasses—and the real tradeoffs between convenience and privacy. The talk explores what data these devices collect and how it may be used beyond consumer expectations, offering five actionable steps to protect your household without technical expertise.
A two-session mandala dot painting workshop with instructor Suzanne Gailey. Participants learn step-by-step techniques to create intricate patterns on cast stone using radiant colors, exploring concentric rings and spirals. No prior experience needed; all materials provided. The meditative practice blends ancient wisdom with modern artistic technique to relax the mind while igniting creativity.
Discover perennial vegetables—long-lived plants that return year after year with minimal effort. This presentation profiles delicious, hardy, sometimes drought-resistant varieties suited to Marin's climate and explores a 'plant-it-once' system that builds soil health and biodiversity. Learn how to grow productive, beautiful edibles that keep you in food year-round. Led by Keri Pon and Jenine Stilson, both UC Marin Master Gardeners with decades of experience in the Edibles Guild and local organic farming.
Technologist, investor, and writer James Wang discusses his book exploring how AI is reshaping society and what it means to navigate an artificially intelligent world. A masterclass on understanding AI's impact on human life and society.
Author and technologist Cory Doctorow examines AI hype, economic valuation, and labor dynamics in conversation about his book *The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI*. Doctorow argues that AI's $16 trillion projected value only makes sense if it displaces vast numbers of workers, and offers a framework for understanding AI as a tool shaped by economic incentives rather than inevitable disruption. He explores how we might build systems where technology works for people rather than forcing them into inhuman labor conditions.
A forum on the commercialization of quantum computing, exploring the gap between laboratory research and manufacturing at scale. Speakers from GlobalFoundries and the SRI-managed Quantum Economic Development Consortium discuss the current quantum ecosystem, manufacturing challenges and opportunities, and emerging applications beyond traditional computing. The event brings together industry leaders and researchers bridging quantum research and commercial production.
A neuroscience research seminar featuring Henne Holstege, PhD, hosted by Ryan Corces, PhD at UCSF. The specific research topic will be announced. Free and open to the public.
Susan Page explores Queen Elizabeth II's unprecedented 70-year reign and her behind-the-scenes role in shaping the U.S.-UK alliance across ten presidential administrations. From the Suez crisis to Brexit, the Queen witnessed pivotal moments in the transatlantic relationship while following Winston Churchill's counsel to maintain American closeness. Page reveals how Elizabeth wielded quiet diplomatic influence in one of the world's most crucial alliances.
Eric Ries explores what separates businesses that maintain their values from those that lose their way, examining how purpose drives sustainable growth and organizational integrity. Drawing on lessons from successful and failed companies, Ries—entrepreneur and author of *The Lean Startup* and *The Startup Way*—discusses the cultural and strategic factors that determine whether companies stay true to their founding principles or succumb to short-term pressures.
A pre-conference workshop exploring digital rights protections for libraries, archives, museums, and memory institutions. Led by Lila Bailey (Internet Archive) and Michael Menna (Stanford University), authors of the Statement on Digital Rights for Protecting Memory Institutions Online, the session addresses safeguarding essential archival and preservation activities in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Part of the RBMS (Rare Books & Manuscripts Section) Conference.
What drew so many Jewish artists to Abstract Expressionism? Artist and curator Loren Means explores this question through the work of Helen Frankenthaler, who pioneered the "Soak-Stain" painting technique, and examines how women artists like Lee Krasner and Elaine De Kooning are finally receiving recognition beyond their famous husbands' shadows. The discussion also covers Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, including Newman's provocative statement that "Aesthetics is for the artist as ornithology is for the birds." Means, an abstract-expressionist painter and former Education Director at Artisan's Gallery in Mill Valley, brings firsthand insight into this pivotal movement.
Former U.S. attorney and bestselling author Barbara McQuade examines the escalating threat of far-right politics to American democracy, presenting a roadmap for protection and reform. McQuade draws on her legal expertise and recent work to analyze how authoritarian movements operate within democratic systems and what institutional safeguards can counter them.
How did the early internet help shape transgender identity and activism? Scholar Avery Dame-Griff, CHM Book Prize winner, explores the digital origins of a movement that began long before today's social platforms. Drawing from his award-winning book *The Two Revolutions*, Dame-Griff reveals how early online spaces like bulletin boards and chat rooms became lifelines for people exploring gender beyond the limits of their offline worlds.
How did complex animal life suddenly flourish during the Cambrian Explosion 500 million years ago—Darwin's greatest puzzle for evolutionary theory? This talk explores what modern paleontology, genetics, and developmental biology have revealed about the origins of animal diversity and body-plans. Presented by Wonderfest, a Bay Area science speaker series.
A monthly book club hosted by Mill Valley Public Library exploring contemporary and classical world literature in translation. This month the group discusses Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, focusing on international literary perspectives and cultural diversity. Audiobook and large print formats available upon request.
Brooke Taylor discusses her debut book *Healing the Success Wound*, exploring the psychological dimensions of ambition and professional fulfillment. The event examines how perfectionism and productivity culture shape career satisfaction and offers frameworks for sustainable success. Taylor offers insights into breaking cycles of overwork and building more balanced, fulfilling careers.
Poet Zack Rogow reads from and discusses his new collection about seeking love and navigating aging, in conversation with Steven Winn of City Arts & Lectures. The poems explore physical and emotional transformation, loss, and the deepening connections that come with accumulated experience. Inspired by becoming single at 66, Rogow examines universal longings for passion and connection in later life.
Urban historian John King, longtime Chronicle architecture critic and author of books on Bay Area history, explores the history behind SFO Museums' exhibition 'Destination: San Francisco.' The talk examines how the city has been represented and imagined over time through the lens of the exhibition.
A reflection on American democracy and presidential leadership as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. President George W. Bush, historians, and First Ladies discuss themes of power, humility, and institutional governance, drawing on historical examples including George Washington's voluntary exit from office.
A two-hour hands-on workshop with Dianne Jacob, one of the country's leading food writing coaches and author of the award-winning *Will Write for Food*. Jacob draws on over 20 years of experience as a journalist, editor-in-chief, writing coach, and cookbook author to help writers at every stage develop clarity, strength, and confidence on the page. The workshop offers practical insight and inspiration for food lovers who write, food bloggers, and writers drawn to the culinary world, covering craft techniques and the business of food writing.
A lecture examining the history, legality, and effectiveness of regime change interventions in global politics, with focus on recent interventions in Venezuela, Iran, and Ukraine. The speaker traces regime change's origins as a strategic tool and analyzes its role in the arsenals of major powers, addressing key questions about legal standing and practical outcomes.
Lyrics & Dirges is a monthly poetry reading series at Pegasus Books Downtown featuring prominent, emerging, and beginning poets and writers. The series showcases various forms of contemporary poetry and highlights the diversity of voices in today's literary landscape.
Bestselling author Eddie Huang (Fresh Off the Boat) discusses his debut novel Come Undone, a satirical romantic comedy about an Asian American man's search for identity and belonging. Huang explores how the novel weaves millennial humor with emotional depth, blending his characteristic irreverence and heart.
San Francisco Pride's fourth annual Human Rights Summit, co-hosted with The Michelle Meow Show at Commonwealth Club World Affairs. The event brings together speakers and panelists to discuss human rights issues affecting the Bay Area and beyond. Free and open to the public.
An industrial arts market and workshop at The Crucible in West Oakland featuring skilled artisans selling forged and handcrafted metal creations. Attendees can participate in hands-on workshops to build something lasting alongside master makers, exploring raw materials and refined craft in a dedicated making space.
A recurring writers' workshop facilitated by author Michael Coffino at Mill Valley Public Library where participants share works in progress (up to 1,500 words) and receive structured peer critique through written and verbal feedback. Writers read aloud and provide constructive responses to submissions from other group members. Free to attend; advance submission required one week before the session.
Book Society's "Leading Ladies" Book Club gathers to discuss *The Correspondent* by Virginia Evans, a debut novel about a seventy-three-year-old woman who has spent her life making sense of the world through letters. The club explores the power of written correspondence and the art of letter writing, examining themes of friendship, legacy, and self-reflection. A smart, intimate conversation for readers interested in literary fiction and the enduring impact of handwritten communication.
A monthly civic-minded book club exploring socio-cultural issues through close reading of fiction and non-fiction. This session discusses *The Freaks Come Out to Write* by Tricia Romano, examining how counterculture movements shaped American writing and culture. Open to passionate readers and thinkers engaging on contemporary topics affecting society. Hosted by Mill Valley Public Library.
A casual film screening and discussion event at Mechanics' Institute where members gather to watch and discuss films selected through member voting. Fresh popcorn and lively discourse included.
Author Courtney Maum in conversation with Alyssa Burgart to celebrate her debut novel Alan Opts Out, a humorous literary work. A ticketed book event at an independent bookshop.
An immersive talk and reading exploring who controls the narrative of psychedelic experience and why it matters now. Lindsay Kent, award-winning filmmaker and author of *My Twin the Murderer*, presents a film excerpt from *Going Furthur*, tracing San Francisco's counterculture from Ken Kesey's MKUltra experiments through the Acid Tests and LSD's criminalization. The second half examines how psychedelic narratives have been shaped—from countercultural myth-making to institutional backlash—and takes up the idea that MKUltra evolved into subtler forms of mind control. Through live readings from her debut psychological thriller and open Q&A, Kent explores storytelling's role in shaping the future of psychedelic culture, access, and policy.
Public historian Susan Ferentinos, PhD, discusses her work expanding and diversifying historical narratives at museums, historic sites, and government agencies. She'll share her approach to interpreting LGBTQ+, women's, and other underrepresented histories, with focus on her work at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and beyond. Free and open to all.
Monthly Politics Club at Manny's hosts an open forum discussion on California's gubernatorial race and candidates. Designed for civic engagement and electoral discussion in a casual bar setting.
A poetry reading and celebration of Tracey Knapp's new collection *Swerve*, with conversation partners Kelly Grace Thomas and Peter Kline. Hosted by Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Two historical fiction writers—Jean Gordon Kocienda (author of Girl in a Box) and a co-presenter—share unconventional research methods for crafting believable settings across time periods and cultures. They discuss moving beyond standard sources to find authentic details about clothing, sensory experience, and information access while avoiding stereotypes, drawing on examples from their own work. Ample time for audience Q&A and discussion.
A hands-on monoprinting workshop for adults using gel plates to create one-of-a-kind images and greeting cards. Led by Mill Valley Public Library.
Author Brenda Knight (aka Becca Anderson) celebrates her new book *Badass Gratitude: Affirmations for Slaying Your Way to Contentment*, an uplifting guide to affirmations and gratitude practice.
A conversation about Wayne Feinstein's debut novel Turning, which follows Joe Fredericks, a wealthy Manhattan real estate developer whose life unravels when his college-age son Steven dies of cancer. As Joe reflects on pivotal moments from his past, he confronts the hollowness of his achievements and seeks to repair his fractured relationships with his daughter Laura and salvage his future. Feinstein, a former CEO of Jewish Federations in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and a retired financial adviser, discusses his first published novel in conversation with Cheryl Franks.
The 20th anniversary Natural Capital Symposium brings together government leaders, researchers, and private-sector practitioners to integrate natural capital approaches into policy and finance. Sessions cover ecosystem services science, links between natural capital and health, InVEST modeling tools, and community-led conversations on ecosystem data and decision-making. Three days of keynotes, panels, and facilitated dialogues on valuing nature in policy and investment decisions. June 29–July 1 at Stanford University Alumni Center.
Three trans masculine athletes—Schuyler, Chella, and Cal—share their story of competing together in the Ironman 70.3 relay in Oceanside on March 28, 2026, where they placed third in the men's category. Their talk explores athletic achievement, community solidarity, and resilience in the face of unprecedented attacks on trans participation in sports. Movement, teamwork, and self-love emerge as forms of empowerment and resistance.
An evening of applied AI learning combining keynotes, technical workshops, and live demonstrations on building, validating, and deploying AI systems. Hosted by TechEquity Ai, a nonprofit democratizing access to AI knowledge, attendees explore practical adoption strategies, agent-based systems, and go-to-market approaches through hands-on workshops and networking with AI practitioners.
A screening of healthcare innovation with Robert Wachter, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF and leading voice on healthcare transformation. Wachter explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping medicine—from reducing administrative burden and clinician burnout to improving diagnosis and patient care—while examining the risks of AI's power to synthesize vast medical data. Journalist Katie Hafner joins the discussion on both the promise and peril of AI in healthcare. Hosted at the Computer History Museum.
Author Alison Kinney reads and discusses her work at Green Apple Books, San Francisco's landmark independent bookstore. Kinney is known for her essays and narrative writing exploring cultural history, identity, and the power of storytelling. The event offers an intimate opportunity to hear directly from the author and engage in conversation about her literary practice.
A conversation about Reyna Grande's memoir-in-essays Migrant Heart, which explores the scars of migration and the work of reconciling identities shaped by living between two nations, two languages, and two homes. Grande, an award-winning author of The Distance Between Us and A Dream Called Home, brings her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty to questions of belonging, voice, and cultural witness. In conversation with Angie Coiro, an award-winning radio journalist and former host of In Deep with Angie Coiro. Free. Co-presented with KALW Public Media.
Northern California's wealth, climate, and history are shaped by its seismic setting. Ross Stein, CEO of Temblor and Lecturer of Geophysics at Stanford, explores how the 1906 earthquake transformed science, traces the arc from Gold Rush discovery to seismological breakthroughs, and equips attendees to assess their own seismic risk and protect their families. Stein is a former USGS Senior Scientist, Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, and recipient of the 2024 Paul Silver Scientific Service Award.
A reflection on 250 years since the Declaration of Independence and the American experiment in democracy. The event examines how founding ideals have evolved through centuries of growth and adjustment to shape our current understanding of democratic governance.
An evening celebrating agrarian activist and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan's new book *Water in the Desert: A Pilgrimage*, a profound meditation on interspecies belonging, collaborative conservation, and the sacred work of caring for the earth. Nabhan's acclaimed work bridges ecology, indigenous knowledge, and spiritual practice.
Rob Elias presents a history of baseball in Mill Valley, exploring how ball teams shaped the town's culture during baseball's dominant era. Part of the Mill Valley Library's First Wednesday lecture series.
Author Patricia Albers discusses her biography of legendary photographer André Kertész, whose innovative work shaped modern photography across five decades and three continents. Albers explores Kertész's life, artistic evolution, and enduring influence on the medium. In conversation with Lucy Gray.
A discussion group exploring philosophical, scientific, and religious theories and their relevance to human life. Participants engage with psychological insights and foundational concepts that shape human civilizations, examining how ideas about meaning and purpose support or undermine the pursuit of happiness. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club at Orinda Public Library.
A performance by experimental musicians Zachary James Watkins and William Winant exploring real-time composition and sonic improvisation through collaborative practice and deep listening. The event showcases their ongoing musical dialogue at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Journalist Jeanne Carstensen investigates the 2015 boat capsizing off Greece that killed hundreds, examining how migration crossings expose systemic failures of war, policy, climate change, and border enforcement. In conversation with migration writer Lauren Markham, Carstensen explores how geopolitical conflict and climate displacement drive unprecedented migration, while rescue and survival hinge on political decisions and narrative framing. A crucial examination of the human stakes of the refugee crisis.
A recurring discussion group at Manny's where members gather to examine current national and international political developments and policy in an intimate, participatory setting. Open to anyone interested in engaged civic conversation.
A casual gathering at Manny's where participants unplug from digital life and engage in bibliomancy—a divination practice using random book passages. Free and open to curious participants.
Dr. Jennifer Grandis, physician-scientist and author of Harsh Medicine, examines systemic gender bias in academic medicine and scientific research. She analyzes how policies, funding systems, promotion practices, and cultural norms disadvantage women throughout their careers in science and healthcare.
Dr. Jennifer Grandis, Distinguished Professor at UCSF, discusses systemic barriers facing women in medicine and science in her new book, *Harsh Medicine: Why Women Can't Get Ahead in Science and Health Care*. Drawing on case studies and rigorous analysis, Grandis examines the structural obstacles that persist despite decades of progress and explores pathways toward meaningful change in these fields.
Laura Marie Meyers reads from and discusses her debut novel *The MASH Up*, a charming story about fun, games, and unexpected love, in conversation with Jessica Joyce. Hosted at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Maya Shankar discusses her memoir *The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans*, exploring how we find meaning when the unexpected upends our plans. Shankar is a cognitive scientist (BA Yale, PhD Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar), founder of the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team, and first behavioral science advisor to the UN. She also created the Apple-awarded podcast *A Slight Change of Plans*. Part of Book Society's Leading Ladies Book Club series.
Dr. Han Ren, psychologist and author of The Hyphenated Life, explores intersectional identity development, drawing on her experience as a 1.5-generation Chinese-American immigrant, neurodivergent individual, and mother. She examines how marginalized identities shape presence in predominantly white spaces and offers tools for living authentically across multiple cultural contexts.
A lecture on the U.S. Constitution by Melissa Murray, a leading constitutional law scholar. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club, a trusted nonpartisan civic institution.
Licensed clinical and school psychologist Dr. Han Ren explores what it means to live a hyphenated life—toggling across multiple identities as a child of immigrants, person of color, disabled, neurodivergent, or queer individual. Drawing from her book The Hyphenated Life, she discusses how existing in marginalized bodies affects presence in dominant spaces, offering tools and stories for understanding multicultural identity development.
A civic forum examining America's founding principles and inviting participants to reflect on the nation's democratic future as it approaches its 250th anniversary. Grounded in the Declaration of Independence and contemporary democratic ideals, this July 4th event is part of the Commonwealth Club's Healthy Society Series, a flagship program exploring the conditions for thriving civic life.
Author Donna Everhart discusses her novel Women of a Promiscuous Nature in conversation with scholar Scott Stern. The event features a reading and discussion exploring themes and craft with an engaged audience.
A screening of *Wanda*, Barbara Loden's groundbreaking 1970 feature film—her only directorial effort—with an introduction by Ross Lipman, restorationist, independent filmmaker, and author of *The Archival Impermanence Project*. Loden's hard-luck drama, which she wrote, directed, and starred in, brought to American independent cinema a character seldom seen on screen.
An author event featuring Katie Gaddini, presented in partnership with The Ruby. Specific book title and additional details to be announced.
A screening of Rob Epstein's acclaimed documentary about Harvey Milk, the San Francisco activist and politician whose rise and assassination became a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ and civil rights history. Introduction by Ross Lipman, restorationist and independent filmmaker.
An intimate monthly gathering at Manny's to discuss what encourages personal and societal engagement with art. The discussion explores barriers to and opportunities for deepening cultural participation in an informal, conversational setting.
A hands-on writing workshop led by Britta Stromeyer exploring techniques for accessing and articulating personal truth and emotion through writing. Drawing on Maya Angelou's insight that untold stories carry a particular kind of pain, participants will develop skills for claiming and sharing their deepest narratives. Open to writers of all levels seeking to express their authentic voices.
Join author Liese Greensfelder to celebrate her memoir *Accidental Shepherd: How a California Girl Rescued an Ancient Mountain Farm in Norway*, which recounts her unexpected journey restoring a historic mountain farm in Norway. A conversation about adventure, agricultural heritage, and reinvention.
Wayne Feinstein discusses his debut novel *Turning*, a story centered on Joe Fredericks, a wealthy New York City real estate developer whose carefully constructed life unravels when his ex-wife calls with devastating news: his college-age son Steven is dying of cancer and has forbidden Joe from visiting him in his final days. The novel explores ambition, loss, and the limits of wealth and control.
An interactive workshop on using artificial intelligence to support healthy aging, mental sharpness, and well-being, led by AI expert Bridget Burke. Participants will learn practical AI applications for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, and discovering new hobbies, with emphasis on safe use and privacy protection. The session includes hands-on experimentation with real prompts and strategies for emotional health. No prior tech skills required.
Meet and greet with D. Anthony Still, author of the Char Grimoires series, centered on book 2, Sabbatical of the Chupacabra. Drop by anytime during the three-hour window at Copperfields Books in Petaluma.
A screening of Bruce Conner's *Crossroads* paired with Ross Lipman's two-part documentary essay *The Exploding Digital Inevitable*. Lipman, a filmmaker, restorationist, and author of *The Archival Impermanence Project*, oversaw the restoration of Conner's landmark 1976 film and reflects on archival preservation, digital media futures, and the history of cinema restoration.
Author Phil Cousineau explores how ancient epic wisdom applies to contemporary life in this discussion of his new book on Homer's Odyssey. Cousineau draws out lessons on resilience, adventure, homecoming, and personal transformation from one of literature's foundational texts, illuminating the timeless relevance of Homer's masterwork to modern readers seeking insight into the human condition.
A screening of Kent Mackenzie's semi-documentary film about Arizona Indians living in Los Angeles's Bunker Hill—described as 'a wrenching document of cultural dislocation.' Introduction by Ross Lipman, restorationist and independent filmmaker.
John Adler celebrates his debut novel Second Chance, exploring themes of resilience, redemption, and legacy following tragedy. The story examines rebuilding and love in the aftermath of loss.
A hands-on collage workshop in BAMPFA's Art Lab led by artist Stephanie Syjuco. Participants will repurpose printed materials from her recent wall installation *Present Tense (Roll Call)* to create mini publications and free-form collages, exploring the radical pedagogy central to her practice.
An author event celebrating Brooks Kolb's memoir *Landscape in Lavender: A Young Man's Search for His Gay Identity*. Kolb discusses his earnest and hopeful account of discovering and embracing his identity. Hosted at Book Passage San Francisco.
Film critic and historian David Thomson introduces and discusses his latest book, *A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies* (Simon & Schuster, 2026), followed by a screening of Jean-Luc Godard's *Pierrot le fou*, featuring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina. Thomson will sign books after the screening. The event pairs Thomson's revisionist approach to cinema history with Godard's audacious lovers-on-the-run film.
New York Times–bestselling author Mac Barnett discusses his new book on the art and philosophy of storytelling for children, drawing on his experience as an acclaimed picture-book author. The event includes a reading and discussion.
A quarterly experimental performance lab and variety show hosted by Dance Palace at Church Space. Up to 10 artists perform up to 10 minutes each in an open, risk-taking environment designed for brave work and creative experimentation. Attendees experience an unpredictable mix of performance styles. $10 admission; artists and volunteers can sign up at 10x10performancelab.com.
A hands-on workshop on redesigning course assignments using generative AI. Participants will bring an existing assignment and adapt it using Bloom's Taxonomy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and learn AI-powered strategies for generating assignment rubrics. Hosted at Santa Clara University.
A lecture on Founding Father James Wilson's overlooked contributions to the Constitution and American democracy. Wilson authored the first draft of the Constitution and, alongside James Madison, shaped its creation—yet his legacy was eclipsed by scandal. The talk explores Wilson's vision for a people's Constitution and why his central role in American history has been largely forgotten.
Learn practical strategies to reclaim digital independence from invasive technology. This Level 2 workshop covers free and open source software alternatives, encryption basics, VPNs and their tradeoffs, and the Tor network. Designed for all skill levels—no prior technical knowledge required. Understanding the concepts and risks is itself powerful; you'll leave equipped to make informed choices and share knowledge with others. Part of a series climbing toward digital independence.
Bestselling author and TED speaker Jia Jiang discusses his new book *Easy Discipline*, drawing on his personal experience with ADHD and procrastination to outline four principles for sustainable difficult tasks: Enjoyment, Artistry, Systems, and Yourself. Jiang presents practical tools including the One Action Goal system, 'Changing the Game' techniques, and 'Repetition with Variation' methods to help ambitious people build habits they actually want to maintain.
Neuroscientists and psychologists explore neural synchrony—the phenomenon where two brains show increased blood flow in the same regions when one person shares a story with another. Research reveals that such story connection creates lasting neural changes and can be a potent form of brain alteration through experience. The talk examines what neural synchrony reveals about human connection and the power of narrative on the brain. Hosted by Wonderfest at HopMonk Tavern.
Journalist James Stout and essayist Edith Mirante discuss their recent books exploring revolutionary movements and conflict zones. Stout's *Against the State* contrasts contemporary anarchist struggles in Myanmar and Rojava with the Spanish Civil War, examining how revolutionaries pursue freedom against authoritarianism and capitalism. Mirante's *Where the Mithuns Are* weaves essays on war, art, and landscape across World War II Burma, contemporary Myanmar's anti-coup resistance, and American sites of historical significance. Stout holds a PhD in antifascism and Spanish history; Mirante founded Project Maje, documenting Burma's human rights and environmental crises.
A hands-on workshop for small groups to customize devices for improved security and privacy, and explore alternatives to Big Tech platforms. Participants will install privacy-respecting applications, configure DNS settings to block ads and adult content, and make network changes that return control to users. Bring your laptop or device; librarians will provide guidance and assistance.
New York Times journalist and constitutional scholar Jesse Wegman discusses his book The Lost Founder, which chronicles James Wilson's pivotal role in drafting the Constitution and championing direct popular democracy—a vision later eclipsed by personal scandal and financial ruin. Wegman, a Senior Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, argues that Wilson's prescient democratic principles remain urgently relevant today.
Elizabeth George, acclaimed mystery novelist, leads a pre-conference workshop on building complex and compelling characters for mystery novels. Designed for writers seeking to deepen their craft before the Mystery Writers Conference. Held at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
Neurodivergent author and therapist Nyck Walsh explores a somatic, anti-oppressive paradigm of care that honors neurodivergent clients' wisdom and wholeness. Drawing on his book *Neurodivergent Somatics in Therapy*, Walsh bridges theory with practical frameworks for accessible, liberatory care grounded in neurodivergent-affirming principles, focusing on autism and ADHD. Presented by CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies).
An evening celebrating Greg Sarris's novel *The Last Human Bear*, featuring the author in conversation with Rebecca Solnit, writer and social theorist. Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and acclaimed writer, explores Indigenous narratives and contemporary life through his latest work. Hosted at The Finley Community Center.
Chuck Tingle discusses Fabulous Bodies at The Internet Archive. Presented by The Booksmith.
Mystery writer and bestselling author Hallie Ephron leads a pre-conference workshop on developing distinctive narrative voice and viewpoint in fiction. Participants learn techniques for harnessing voice across character, setting, dialogue, suspense, and action to create captivating stories. Open to the public as part of the Mystery Writers Conference series.
Samaira Mehta, a 17-year-old tech entrepreneur and founder of CoderBunnyz, celebrates her debut graphic novel about a middle schooler discovering coding through creative problem-solving and friendship. The story integrates coding concepts like functions and queues with themes of inclusion and using technology for community benefit. Mehta is also a researcher at UCLA's Orsulic Lab on AI-driven healthcare and has been recognized by Time magazine as a young leader shaping the decade.
A screening of François Truffaut's *Shoot the Piano Player*, a Nouvelle Vague homage to the American gangster film about a mild-mannered piano player. Introduction and post-screening discussion led by Laura Truffaut, the director's eldest daughter, who is based in Berkeley and regularly speaks about her father's work at international cinematheques.
A book launch celebrating Richie Unterberger's history of the Velvet Underground. Unterberger, music historian and author, discusses the book with Peter Maravelis from City Lights, followed by DJ music. $10 admission.
A short retreat exploring Buddhist perspectives on birth, death, and the great mystery of existence. Led by Tom Lane, a Buddhist teacher with 30+ years of practice in Theravada and Tibetan traditions, the event combines talks, discussions, and guided meditation on impermanence and the question "what is this?" Participants will practice specific Buddhist meditation techniques intended to shift perspective on life, death, and dying, building community through shared contemplative inquiry. $5 plus dana (pay-what-you-wish).
Participate in creating Wrenching News, a collaborative artwork in the exhibition Maren Hassinger: Living Moving Growing. Berkeley-based artist Julia Goodman guides participants through twisting and knotting newspapers according to Hassinger's specifications. Your contributions become part of the growing installation throughout the exhibition run.
Learn practical strategies for traveling internationally with your devices while maintaining security, avoiding roaming fees, and protecting against data loss. This library talk covers essential travel tech best practices for anyone planning to venture abroad.
Elise Kova celebrates the release of *Prince of Swords*, the second book in her New York Times bestselling Arcana Academy fantasy romance series. The novel blends tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal in a world where competing powers vie to reshape reality.
Fifty years after Agatha Christie's death, author and broadcaster Myles Dungan explores the life and career of the world's best-selling novelist, focusing on the famous 1926 disappearance mystery that captivated the public imagination. An illuminating look at one of literature's most enduring figures.
Monthly small-group gathering at Manny's to discuss urgent environmental issues, from local urban resilience to global climate policy. Designed for engaged conversation and substantive dialogue on climate solutions and environmental challenges.
Rebecca Solnit returns to Kepler's to discuss her new book *The Beginning Comes After the End*, described as an urgent manifesto for our time. Drawing on three-quarters of a century of social, political, scientific, and cultural change, Solnit argues that despite authoritarian backlash, transformation is inevitable—not just in politics but in how we understand race, gender, the environment, and our interconnection with Indigenous and non-Western wisdom. This is a vision of hope grounded in the collapse of an old order and the emergence of a more relational world. In conversation with Angie Coiro.
A discussion of Benjamin Stevenson's mystery novel *Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone*, a witty twist on classic whodunits blending *Knives Out*, *Clue*, *Agatha Christie*, and *The Thursday Murder Club*. The group will explore this cozy, charming story featuring quirky characters in a snowed-in setting. Part of the Die Laughing Book Club series at Book Society.
Science writer Elizabeth Svoboda discusses her book *The Art of Pacing*, which explores how to balance ambition with rest by applying pacing strategies from elite athletes and psychology research. Drawing on memoir, interviews with Olympic athletes and entrepreneurs, and cutting-edge science, Svoboda reveals techniques for determining your natural rhythms, practicing modulation, and building strategic pauses into daily life—offering a counterpoint to burnout-inducing hustle culture. Free event at Books Inc. Pruneyard.
Native journalist and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla tribal member Terria Smith discusses her memoir of adventure and self-discovery, tracing her journey from the Torres Martinez Reservation through Cuba, Iceland, Guyana, and beyond. Smith, editor of News from Native California magazine and director of the Berkeley Roundhouse, explores how travel—rooted in Native traditions of sharing, reciprocity, and bridge-building—shaped her understanding of community and world citizenship. I Love You So Many captures her exuberant stories of forging friendships, navigating love, and experiencing both hard and transcendent times across diverse cultures and landscapes.
Science writer Elizabeth Svoboda explores how pacing—balancing ambition with rest—transforms how we reach our goals. Drawing on research from Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, and psychologists, she reveals techniques to shift between different tempos across life's challenges and build in restorative moments. The book challenges hustle culture with science-backed strategies for sustainable progress and meaningful living.
A conversation on the neurobiology and psychology of fatherhood with Darby Saxbe, PhD, clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at USC. Drawing on twenty years of research—from studies of contemporary fathers to hunter-gatherer communities in the Congo—Saxbe explores how becoming a father transforms men's brains, hormones, bodies, and sense of purpose. The event is co-presented with KALW and moderated by Ben Trefny, Executive Producer of KALW. Free and open to the public.
A Wonderfest science talk exploring nuclear chemistry and the synthesis of super-heavy elements that don't exist naturally on Earth. Scientists discuss islands of stability at the far end of the periodic table, examining the most recently discovered elements and the experimental methods used to construct these fundamental building blocks of matter.
An evening with novelist and essayist Claire Vaye Watkins. Watkins is the author of *Gold Fame Citrus* and *I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness*, among other works of fiction and essay. She will read from and discuss her work at Green Apple Books, San Francisco's beloved independent bookstore. Open to the public.
A conversation with Nephi Craig, executive chef and founder of the Native American Culinary Association, about his debut memoir *Our Knives Will Save Us*, which weaves personal narrative with cultural insight on Indigenous foodways, decolonization, and food sovereignty. Craig shares his journey from a felony conviction and struggles with addiction to discovering cooking as a pathway to healing—and how his culinary education revealed the buried histories and violent legacies embedded in European-centered cuisine that relies on Indigenous-American ingredients. Craig discusses how reclaiming Native crops and culinary traditions can honor Apache and Navajo heritage while building community resilience. In conversation with Clio's founder Timothy Don.
An evening celebrating plant-based family cooking with author and nutritionist Sabrina Rudin in conversation with Nicole Keshishian Modic. Rudin shares recipes and insights from *Healthy with a Side of Happy*, a cookbook focused on nourishing plant-based meals for families. A ticketed event at Book Passage Corte Madera.
Sabbatical Project founder DJ DiDonna explores how stepping back from professional urgency can transform our lives. In his book *Big Time Off*, DiDonna argues that sabbaticals provide essential time for presence during moments of celebration, difficulty, and transition—helping us avoid sleepwalking through life's most meaningful experiences. A talk on intentional rest and life design.
Three Northern California poets read from their recent and forthcoming work. Lenore Myers reads from Afterimages (forthcoming 2026); Carolyn Miller reads from Random Universe; and Dane Cervine reads from Children of Obscura: This Mysterious Human. Miller is a San Francisco-based poet, writer, editor, and painter; Cervine is a Santa Cruz poet and licensed marriage and family therapist.
Clara Ward discusses her science fiction novel *Dream the Deep*, set in 2139 in a corporate-controlled California coast. The story follows Ryn, who pivots from pursuing space-based green energy innovations to fighting deep-sea threats alongside a giant cephalopod, while navigating relationships with a hacker-spy and a military rebel over five tense days underwater. A free event at Books Inc. Mountain View.
Greg Sarris, Pomo writer and former tribal chairman, discusses his new book The Last Human Bear with Oscar Villalon. Drawing on indigenous storytelling and Sarris's deep knowledge of California Native cultures, the work explores the intersection of tribal history and contemporary narratives. Hosted outdoors in Kerouac Alley between City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe.
Daniel Silva, bestselling author of international thrillers, discusses his new novel Ransom in conversation with Jamie Gangel, CNN journalist and author. The event offers insight into Silva's craft and creative process.
A screening of François Truffaut's *Mississippi Mermaid* with introduction and post-screening discussion by Laura Truffaut, daughter of the director and regular speaker on Truffaut's work at international cinematheques. Truffaut's romantic melodrama stars Jean-Paul Belmondo as a man who abandons everything for his mail-order bride (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful, two-timing, possibly murderous woman.
Forum-style discussion of California's gubernatorial race and candidates at Manny's, a Bay Area bar and community gathering space. Open to all interested in state politics and electoral issues.
A full-day workshop on unlocking creative potential, led by Hugh Delehanty. Explores the intersection of courage, imagination, and artistic practice through guided exercises and discussion. Ideal for writers, artists, and anyone seeking to deepen their creative practice.
Explore how AI and wearable technology are transforming personal health management. Led by AI expert Bridget Burke, this interactive workshop examines smart watches, AI companions, and digital health tools—how they work and how to use them effectively. Expect hands-on activities, practical tips, and discussion of blending innovative technology with traditional wellness approaches.
Ann M. Evans and Georgeanne Brennan discuss their new cookbook celebrating 50 years of the Davis Farmers Market. The book features 92 seasonal recipes illustrated by the authors and explores the intersection of local agriculture, community, and seasonal cooking. A free event for cookbook enthusiasts, gardeners, and those interested in food culture and agricultural history.
Dr. Cynthia Li discusses her new book *The Medicine of Flow: Harmonizing Your Inner State for Effortless Healing*, an exploration of integrative approaches to healing and wellness through understanding the mind-body connection. Li examines how inner states influence physical health and offers frameworks for achieving balance through flow states and embodied practice.
Learn woodburning, the art of burning images onto wood with a heated metal pen. A hands-on workshop for adults seeking creative playtime. Spaces are limited and registration is required.
Stephanie Soileau celebrates her debut novel *Should the Waters Take Us*, an epic family saga spanning four centuries from France to Acadia to the Louisiana bayous. The novel explores themes of belonging, place, and how individual moral choices perpetuate cycles of injustice and destruction.
Catherine Marshall-Smith, author of American Family, reads from her new novel The Resilience of Red Thread, a suspenseful story about a young mother escaping a dangerous relationship. The novel explores themes of resilience and survival in literary fiction.
A 2-hour hands-on workshop blending analog cyanotype chemistry with digital animation storytelling, led by Lije. Participants will create their own cyanotype animations, combining traditional photographic techniques with modern creative practices.
A celebration of poet Maxine Chernoff's new collection Diary: Poems, published by Quale Press. Chernoff will read and discuss her work alongside fellow poets Paul Hoover, Claudia Keelan, Roxi Power Hamilton, and Cole Swenson. Hosted at City Lights Bookstore in Kerouac Alley; free admission, first-come, first-serve seating.
A screening of Stanley Kubrick's *The Shining* with Lee Unkrich, Academy Award–winning director of *Toy Story 3* and *Coco*. Unkrich conceived and coauthored the book *Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining'* (TASCHEN), an in-depth look at the making of Kubrick's masterpiece. The evening includes an introduction, post-screening discussion, and book signing.
Vinita Gupta, cofounder and former CEO of Digital Link Corporation and the first woman of Indian origin to take a company public on the Nasdaq, discusses her memoir *Woman in Deed*, chronicling her journey from India to America, founding her tech company, and her transformation as a bridge champion. She reflects on navigating a male-dominated tech industry with authenticity and resilience. In conversation with Shantanu Narayen.
A four-week intensive workshop in personal essay writing with Jane Ganahl, author of *Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife*. Learn to identify pivotal moments in everyday life, extract their lessons, and craft resonant essays that draw readers in with deep sharing and fresh perspective. Topics include choosing topics, the five elements of a good essay, outlining, and perspective. Goal: complete a draft essay in four weeks. Limited to 9 participants. Meets Wednesdays 4–6 PM, July 29–August 19.
Why do some struggles for justice succeed while others stall? Rashad Robinson, executive director of Color of Change, explores the difference between presence and power in social movements, and what it takes to make effective change in today's world. Hosted by the Commonwealth Club.
Neurologist Pria Anand, cited by the Times Literary Supplement as Oliver Sacks' most obvious heir, discusses her award-winning book *The Mind Electric*, exploring how cultural narratives shape understanding of brain illness and have historically silenced marginalized voices in medicine. Drawing on case studies, medical history, and memoir spanning her Boston neurology practice, childhood in India, and fieldwork in the Caribbean and West Africa, Anand reveals paradoxes at the heart of neurology. In conversation with Shaili Jain and Tanya Maria Luhrmann.
A guided tour of the exhibition 'Conjuring Power: Roots & Futures of Queer & Trans Movements' led by artist Fabio Mendieta and educator Mx. Tate Jawdat. The tour examines how art and archival practice have empowered queer and trans communities, exploring artistic expression and historical documentation as tools for resistance, visibility, and collective memory within social movements.
For 500 years, telescopes have opened windows on the cosmos with increasing power and precision. From Andrew Carnegie's historic Mount Wilson Observatory, where Edwin Hubble confirmed the existence of galaxies beyond the Milky Way and revealed cosmic expansion, to contemporary observational technology, the United States has led advances in astronomical instrumentation. This talk explores the future of American space observation and telescope development.
Sufi teacher and author Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee explores spiritual kinship with the more-than-human world and humanity's severing from Earth. He examines how ecological and cultural crises reveal deeper spiritual disconnection, tracing threads of grief and love to show how this moment of crisis holds seeds of transformation and regrowth.
A talk with Pria Anand, neurologist, exploring clinical cases where neurology intersects narrative—from psychosomatic blindness to uncanny experiences of replacement and obsessive musical loops. Anand examines the gap between the stories we tell about our brains and the stories our brains tell us, drawing on her practice to investigate how neurology, psychology, and meaning-making collide.
Greg Sarris, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Chairman and acclaimed author, discusses his first novel in 28 years, The Last Human Bear, in conversation with cartographer and author Obi Kaufmann. Set in 20th-century California Indian country, the novel follows Pomo woman Mary Hatcher navigating migrant camps, rancherias, and the dual worlds of Native and white societies while carrying a family curse. Sarris delivers a richly textured story centering California's first peoples, featuring a protagonist absent from most American fiction.
Prof. Abel Méndez presents a reanalysis of the famous 1977 Wow! signal, one of astronomy's most intriguing candidates for extraterrestrial contact. Méndez, director of the Planetary Habitability Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico, examines the signal's origins, detection methods, and implications for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. A must-attend for astronomy enthusiasts and SETI aficionados.
A monthly salon-style discussion group at Manny's for engaged citizens to debate current political news and policy issues, both domestic and international. Informal and participatory, designed for substantive conversation among peers.
Matthew Spence discusses his book *Lessons from the Wall: 15 Things I Learned About Leadership & Life By Doing Something Really Hard*, drawing on insights gained through a challenging personal endeavor. In conversation with Brynn Harrington. Held at Book Passage in Corte Madera.
ILIAD is a five-day multi-track conference bringing together researchers working on theoretical AI alignment. The event features talks, panels, and discussions on cutting-edge research in AI safety and alignment methodology. Hosted by Effective Altruism San Francisco at Lighthaven.
A free community gathering at Manny's where participants unplug and engage in bibliomancy—a divination practice using randomly selected text from books. The event invites casual socializing and exploratory engagement with chance and text.
Jeremy Lent argues that incremental policy reforms are insufficient to address climate chaos, inequality, and social fragmentation — what's needed is a fundamental reimagining of civilization itself, moving beyond systems built on extraction and endless growth. Hosted by The Commonwealth Club of California.
Curators Elaine Yau and Tausif Noor lead a tour through *Some Particular Heaven*, exploring how ideas of utopia have been tied to themes of redemption, transcendence, design, and social justice across cultures and history. A substantive curatorial discussion offering insight into the exhibition's conceptual framework and artistic selections.
How are smallholder farmers—who produce roughly one-third of global food yet face disproportionate climate risks, poverty, and limited adaptation resources—building resilience and developing effective strategies? This Commonwealth Club forum examines climate finance, food system disruption, and community-led approaches to economic and health security in the face of rising temperatures and environmental volatility.
A reading and discussion of Greg Sarris's epic novel about curses, love, independence, and healing. Sarris is a Miwok and Coast Miwok author and scholar whose work explores Native American identity, history, and culture.
Historian Emily Sneff explores how news of American independence spread across the colonies and beyond in 1776. Drawing on her latest research, Dr. Sneff offers fresh insights into how the Declaration's message was shared during this pivotal founding moment, examining the role of early journalism in shaping the nation's story.
A discussion of *All My Dead Cats and Other Losses*, s.e. smith's exploration of grief and mourning as collective, communal practices. The National Magazine Award-winning journalist interviews death doulas, funeral directors, therapists, and psychologists to examine how grief can be livable rather than fixable, with attention to disenfranchised grief, trauma advocacy, and the stages of mourning. In conversation with Angela Hennessy at Mill Valley Public Library.
The 4th Global Piano Roll Meeting is the leading international forum for scholars, performers, archivists, and enthusiasts of mechanical music. Held at Stanford University's Braun Music Center, the three-day conference (August 7–9, 2026) features paper sessions, concerts, roll-playing instrument demonstrations, and social events. Topics span the history of piano and organ rolls, performers and audiences, roll manufacturing, pneumatic instruments, archival preservation, and performance practices. General admission (with free registration) is available; delegate passes ($110) include meals and access to special sessions.
Travel writer and journalist Don George shares strategies for crafting compelling travel narratives, covering storytelling techniques, editorial strategy, and digital media skills. Open to the public as a pre-conference workshop for the Travel Writers and Photographers Conference.
A pre-conference workshop led by Bob Holmes and Andrea Johnson for the Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. Participants learn techniques for capturing compelling images and stories from fresh perspectives, exploring how to move beyond conventional approaches in travel photography and writing.
An accessible monthly deep-dive into significant AI news stories with Bridget Burke, a technology expert with 30+ years of global experience. Burke breaks down headlines into digestible pieces, exploring real-world implications and helping attendees understand what's happening, why it matters, and how it might affect daily life. The event prioritizes critical thinking and encourages participants to discuss how emerging AI technologies and trends might shape the future. Free and open to all.
Elisa Sunga, founder of the Cake Picnic phenomenon, celebrates her new cookbook—a collection of 50 recipes paired with a guide to hosting confectionery gatherings that emphasize play, connection, and community. What began as a simple invitation to share cake in the park drew nearly 200 people and grew into a traveling series from LA to New York. At Kepler's, Sunga discusses the book's philosophy and recipes, followed by a community cake picnic on the plaza where attendees can share baked creations.
A monthly small-group conversation at Manny's exploring what drives personal and collective engagement with art. Participants discuss art's role in individual lives and broader society in an intimate, participatory setting.
An interactive workshop on using AI tools for personal financial management, led by AI expert Bridget Burke. Topics include retirement planning, investment monitoring, and spending management using AI-powered financial advisors. The session explores when AI enhances financial decision-making versus when traditional methods remain preferable, with hands-on activities and actionable tips for managing money with confidence.
A hands-on mending workshop where participants bring worn clothing (sweaters, pants, etc.) needing buttons, hems, patches, or darning and repair them together. All skill levels welcome. Supplies provided, or bring your own. Led by a Mill Valley Public Library craftsperson, with peer learning and mutual assistance.
A screening of *The Unbearable Lightness of Being* with Vivien Hillgrove, film editor. This adaptation of Milan Kundera's novel chronicles intersecting affairs among a philandering surgeon, a free-spirited artist, and an earnest photographer against the backdrop of the 1968 Prague Spring.
Cookbook author Serena Wolf discusses her new book You Do You, featuring over 100 flexible recipes designed to build cooking skills and culinary confidence. A celebration of adaptive cooking techniques for home cooks of all levels.
Filipino American author Randy Ribay celebrates his new YA novel *Nest of Tongues*, a lyrical horror about Philippine vampires (manananggal) that follows siblings navigating the collision between their supernatural identity and a monster hunter's quest. Ribay is a National Book Award finalist and author of *Patron Saints of Nothing* and *After the Shot Drops*. Free event at Books Inc. Mountain View.
Author and ecopsychologist Alicia King Anderson discusses holistic approaches to burnout recovery grounded in natural cycles, depth psychology, and neurodivergent-friendly practices. The talk addresses professional, creative, autistic, and ADHD burnout, exploring how understanding nature's wisdom can inform healing and growth for those struggling with persistent burnout.
Sci-fi author, computer scientist, and tech investor Ramez Naam challenges prevailing narratives about AI's future impact. Drawing on empirical evidence, he argues that while AI is a remarkable tool, neither utopian nor dystopian scenarios are likely. Instead, AI will force society to increase adaptability and resilience. Naam, best known for the Nexus Trilogy and former Microsoft computer scientist, advocates for leveraging AI pragmatically to improve the world rather than succumbing to eschatological thinking.
A screening of Nathaniel Dorsky's Hours for Jerome, Parts 1 & 2, described as 'an arrangement of images, energies, and illuminations from daily life,' alongside two early sound films: A Fall Trip Home and Summerwind. Part of BAMPFA's spotlight on Dorsky and Jerome Hiler, this program explores experimental cinema and visual poetry.
Scott Simon, host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and bestselling author, discusses his memoir Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known in conversation with Caroline Simon. The book is a personal exploration of the animals that have shaped Simon's life and work, weaving together memoir and reflection on human-animal bonds.
Learn to create colorful postcard comics in this hands-on workshop with artist Krusty Wheatfield. Participants will develop techniques for drawing memories and combining text and image to communicate with loved ones. All materials, postage, and drawing prompts provided. The workshop concludes with a celebratory group walk to mail finished postcards together.
Filmmaker Nathaniel Dorsky presents a curated selection of five films from his body of work, including the dancelike Sarabande (2008) and the magical Alaya (1987). The program offers insight into Dorsky's distinctive poetic and meditative approach to cinema.
Monthly gathering at Manny's to discuss urgent environmental issues spanning local urban resilience and global climate policy. Intimate club format designed for engaged conversation among participants interested in climate action and sustainability.
Democratic Congressman Jared Huffman discusses the rise of Christian nationalism in American politics and its threat to democracy. Drawing on his firsthand experience during the January 6 Capitol riot, Huffman examines how religious extremism has been weaponized to undermine democratic institutions and what citizens can do to counter this movement.
Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of *Less*, discusses his new novel *Villa Coco*, a witty Mediterranean story about an aspiring archivist who becomes assistant to a 92-year-old baronessa in the Italian countryside. Amid eccentric locals, missing artworks, an unexpected affair, and the baronessa's quest to reunite with a lost love, Greer explores themes of ambition, identity, and embracing life's absurdities with characteristic charm and humor.
An evening exploring Shakespeare's portrayal of Margaret of Anjou, the warrior queen who inspired the bard's dramatic imagination. Authors Scott Stern and Charles O'Malley discuss their latest book in conversation with Philippa Kelly. Hosted by the Mechanics' Institute, a trusted civic institution and forum for public intellectual discourse.
Michael Chatfield reads from and discusses his fantasy novel The Ten Realms, Vol. 1: The Two Week Curse. An evening celebrating his new work.
A discussion and book signing for Shelby Ann Harms's fantasy novel *By Order of the King*, featuring conversation with Books Inc. bookseller Danielle DeVeaux. The novel follows Aurora Blackwater, a rare multiwielder conscripted into the King's Army, as she navigates training, forms alliances, and uncovers secrets that may reshape the kingdom's fate.
An author talk and reading with Chang-rae Lee, acclaimed novelist and author of Aloft, The Surrendered, and On Such a Full Sea. The event takes place at Green Apple Books, an independent bookstore in San Francisco.
Chang-rae Lee, author of *Native Speaker* and *The Surrendered*, discusses his new coming-of-age novel *A Tender Age*, a spellbinding exploration of American masculinity and family dynamics through the eyes of a Korean American boy navigating competing identities between his working-class immigrant family and the wider world. The novel captures a young person on the precipice of adult knowledge, grappling with culpability and the American dream. Lee, a 2021 Award of Merit winner from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, teaches writing at Stanford University. In conversation with Elaine Castillo.
Dorothy Lazard, writer and public historian, discusses her memoir about her career at Oakland's Main Library, exploring how public libraries serve as essential civic institutions amid economic crisis, censorship, and political upheaval. She shares stories of community service and public history preservation while examining the pressures on library workers and libraries' irreplaceable role as spaces of memory, imagination, and togetherness.
A monthly civic discussion at Manny's focused on California's gubernatorial race and candidates. Part of the SF Politics Club's ongoing series for political engagement and informed debate.
A two-session workshop on crafting poetic, impactful prose for fiction and memoir writers. Albert Flynn DeSilver explores what it means to achieve a 'poetic' quality in writing and how to amplify the impact of your work. Meets Saturdays, August 22 & 29, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM at Book Passage Corte Madera.
An afternoon of poetry readings in Kerouac Alley featuring Beyond Baroque poets Rhiannon Cielos Chavez, Genesis Perez, Iván Salinas, and jimmy vega. The event takes place outdoors between City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe. Free admission; seating is first-come, first-serve.
Exhibition curators Tausif Noor and Elaine Yau guide visitors through *Some Particular Heaven: Ideas of Utopia in the BAMPFA Collection*, exploring how artists drew from spiritual, intellectual, and philosophical traditions to imagine utopian worlds. A substantive curatorial tour led by named experts at BAMPFA.
Victoria Yeager, widow of aviation pioneer Chuck Yeager, traces the extraordinary life and legacy of the American hero. From his childhood in West Virginia to his service as a decorated World War II fighter pilot, his daring escape after being shot down over France, and his historic breaking of the sound barrier on October 14, 1947, Yeager's story changed the course of aviation history.
A screening of *No Straight Lines*, a documentary exploring over seventy years of queer comics history through interviews with trailblazers including Alison Bechdel, Howard Cruse, Rupert Kinnard, and Mary Wings. Introduced by Vivian Kleiman and Mel Y. Chen, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Gender and Women's Studies at UC Berkeley.
Greg Sarris celebrates the return of his first novel in 28 years, *The Last Human Bear*, an epic exploring curses, love, independence, and healing in the life of Mary, a Pomo woman navigating Native and white California from the 1930s onward. Sarris, an enrolled member of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and tribal chairman, draws on Native women elders who shaped him to craft this richly lyrical story of identity, desire, family secrets, and inheritance. He is joined in conversation by Jon Hickey. Sarris is author of *Grand Avenue* (adapted for HBO with Robert Redford), *Watermelon Nights*, and several other acclaimed works; he holds the Distinguished Emeritus Graton Endowed Chair in Native American Studies at Sonoma State University.
A screening of *Skin of Glass*, a documentary by Denise Zmekhol about squatters occupying a landmark São Paulo skyscraper designed by her late father in the early 1960s. Introduced by Zmekhol and Teresa Caldeira, Professor of City & Regional Planning and Carmel P. Friesen Chair in Urban Studies at UC Berkeley, whose research addresses urban inequality, housing, and the politics of space.
Imperfect Circles is an intimate discussion group hosted at Orinda Public Library in partnership with the Commonwealth Club. The format prioritizes substantive dialogue and collaborative thinking over passive listening, creating space for participants to explore ideas together around shared themes or texts. This is a genuine salon-style gathering designed for engaged conversation rather than lecture-format instruction.
A monthly facilitated discussion group at Manny's analyzing current political news, policy developments, and international affairs. Attendees engage in structured conversation about pressing civic topics in a casual bar setting.
An evening with psychologist, professor, and New York Times bestselling author Angela Duckworth discussing her book *Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best*. Duckworth, known for her research on grit and motivation, explores how our environments and relationships shape our ability to thrive.
Hugo Award-winning author Tim Pratt discusses her latest novel The Jewel and the Comet, a multiversal space opera following two protagonists—Glenn, a genderfluid graduate student, and his girlfriend Vivy, a spy for an interdimensional agency—as they navigate alternate realities, face an evil cult leader, and prevent an alien war. The novel blends humor, action, romance, and interpersonal drama across the multiverse.
Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, discusses his landmark work defending the poor, incarcerated, and condemned. Under his leadership, EJI has secured major legal victories eliminating excessive sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, and confronting abuse of the incarcerated and mentally ill. Stevenson is author of *Just Mercy*, a widely acclaimed account of his career fighting systemic injustice in the American criminal legal system.
A lecture on the mechanochemistry of molecular motors by Jonathon Howard, exploring how these biomolecular machines convert chemical energy into mechanical work. Hosted by the Foresight Institute.
A monthly salon at Manny's exploring spirituality through philosophy, personal experience, world religions, art, and science. Participants engage in intimate conversation and shared reflection on spiritual and existential questions in an informal, participatory setting.
Author Phoebe Thompson celebrates her debut novel Girls Our Age, which follows three women navigating their late twenties as they explore female friendship, identity, and the transition from college to adult life. A book talk at Book Passage Corte Madera.
A celebration of new poetry collections from Albert Flynn DeSilver and Kim Addonizio. The reading features both poets and includes a special word and music performance with Addonizio and guitarist Danny Caron.
An in-conversation event exploring how language shapes lived experience. Mark Nepo, author of *The Language of the Soul*, discusses the power of words and meaning-making with moderator Brooke Warner. Hosted at Book Passage Corte Madera.
Patti Smith, the legendary writer, performer, and visual artist who pioneered the fusion of poetry and rock in the 1970s, presents songs and stories from her celebrated career and recent work. Smith will discuss her seminal album *Horses*, her memoir *Just Kids* about her friendship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, her essay collection *M Train*, and her newest books *A Book of Days* and *Bread of Angels: A Memoir*. A limited number of tickets include a copy of *Bread of Angels*. Hosted by City Arts & Lectures at the Sydney Goldstein Theater.
Emily St. John Mandel discusses her seventh novel, Exit Party, publishing September 2026. Mandel is the acclaimed author of Station Eleven (National Book Award finalist, Arthur C. Clarke Award winner), The Glass Hotel (Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist), and Sea of Tranquility (selected by President Barack Obama as a favorite book of 2022). Her work has been translated into dozens of languages and adapted for HBO Max. Hosted by City Arts & Lectures at Sydney Goldstein Theater.
A guided creative writing workshop that combines indoor writing exercises at Manny's with neighborhood exploration and sensory discovery in the Mission District. Participants begin with warm-up exercises to build creative flow, then venture outside to engage with the streets, sounds, colors, and people of the surrounding area before returning to reflect, share, and write pieces that testify to place and community. Open to all experience levels. Free tickets available for those with financial need.
A monthly roundtable discussion exploring chocolate's history, science, culture, and sensory experience. Participants bring chocolate to share—a rare bar, a nostalgic favorite, or something they want to learn more about—and engage in guided conversation about cacao's origins 5,000 years ago, phytonutrients and health, chocolate's role in contemporary culture, and the language we use to appreciate it. Led by David Upchurch, a chocolatier with 15 years of professional experience in chocolate production and micro-batch creation. Space is limited; reservation required.
A restaging of Maren Hassinger's iconic 1982 performance Pink Trash, which explores encounters between humans and nature in public space. This UC Berkeley iteration marks the first to include additional performers, with Hassinger joined by six UC Berkeley students to highlight intergenerational obligations in protecting the natural world. The performance takes place on Crescent Lawn.
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor discuss their co-authored investigation *End Times Fascism*, examining apocalyptic thinking among Christian nationalists, tech-bro reactionaries, and populist survivalists shaping the contemporary right. Klein, a journalist, filmmaker, and author of *Doppelgänger*, *No Logo*, and *The Shock Doctrine*, is an associate professor of geography and codirector of the Centre for Climate Justice at the University of British Columbia. Taylor, an award-winning writer and cofounder of the Debt Collective, authored *The People's Platform*, *Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone*, and *The Age of Insecurity*. Both are regular contributors to major publications including *The Guardian*, *The New Yorker*, and *The New York Times*.
A full-day convening on health, housing, and justice for older Californians, bringing together leaders from healthcare, housing, law, social services, and research. Speakers include Sarah Hooper (UC Law SF), Susan DeMarois (California Department of Aging), Margot Kushel (UCSF Division Chief of Health and Society), Kevin Prindiville (Justice in Aging), and Del Seymour (Code Tenderloin), alongside policy advisors from California's departments of social services and healthcare. Breakout sessions on preventing housing loss, care transitions, and street outreach. Free and open to program leaders, healthcare providers, advocates, researchers, and family caregivers.
How do the wealthy avoid paying taxes, and what would a fairer tax system look like? Ray Madoff, a professor of law at Boston College who has spent decades studying tax policy and wealth avoidance, explores these questions in the context of California's reliance on top earners and debates around wealth taxes and CEO compensation. Part of Manny's ongoing civic conversation series.
Kristin Hannah, award-winning author of bestselling historical novels including *The Nightingale*, *The Great Alone*, and *The Four Winds*, discusses her career and work. Hannah's novels have been selected by major book clubs, adapted for film and television, and recognized with numerous awards and reader accolades. Hosted by City Arts & Lectures at Sydney Goldstein Theater.
Artist Alex Beard discusses his Abstract Naturalism practice and how his work reflects interconnectedness in nature and the observable universe. Beard will speak about his artistic philosophy and process, drawing from his New Orleans studio practice.
The 6th Annual Precision Mental Health Symposium explores neural mechanisms underlying behavior and cognition, emerging biomarkers for precision diagnostics, rapid-acting interventions, and strategies for translating neuroscience advances into scalable clinical applications. Speakers and panelists will engage with attendees throughout the day, including during a poster session. Hosted at Stanford University's Li Ka Shing Center on September 25, 2026.
A monthly discussion group on SF politics and local issues — elections, the city budget, Muni, homelessness, housing costs, and more. Led by community moderator Susana Atwood, the group convenes for 90 minutes of peer-to-peer conversation at Manny's. Expert guests may attend as resources, not lecturers. Non-partisan; all opinions welcomed. Meets the 4th Saturday of each month (first meeting free for new attendees).
A guided sound bath meditation featuring crystal singing bowls, gongs, hand pan, monochord, drums, chimes, and vocals. Led by Blue Muse and The Celestial Voice Sound Healing, this experience uses frequency, vibration, and intention to promote calm, release anxiety and stress, and stimulate healing and gratitude. No experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat and anything needed for comfort (blankets, pillows, water, crystals). Held at the Conservatory of Flowers Orchid Pavilion in Golden Gate Park. Multiple dates available throughout 2026.
Leila Slimani, the acclaimed French-Swiss author of *Chanson Douce* (The Perfect Nanny) and *Adèle*, discusses her work in a City Arts Literary Salon. Slimani is known for her psychological novels exploring domesticity, desire, and social violence. She won the Prix Goncourt, France's most prestigious literary award, for *Chanson Douce*. This conversation-style event offers an intimate look at her creative process and major works.
A symposium bringing together international experts in neonatology, pediatric pulmonology, cardiology, and related fields to share recent advancements and cutting-edge discoveries in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) research and treatment. Organized by Lance Prince, MD, PhD and Erik Jensen, MD, MSCE, the event fosters collaborative discussion among researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals, with opportunities for poster presentations and networking. Researchers, clinicians, and healthcare professionals welcome. Free registration.
A monthly salon for nonpartisan political discussion at Manny's. The (Inter)National Politics Club meets for 90 minutes on the first Saturday of each month to discuss current news, policy issues, and actionable ways the community can engage. The Feb 7 session focuses on American identity and international affairs (Minneapolis, Greenland, Venezuela, Iran, Canada). Led by community moderators, the group welcomes respectful discourse and welcomes all comers regardless of ability to pay.
Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar discusses his work with author Karen Russell. Akhtar's recent novel *Homeland Elegies* (Little, Brown & Co.) was hailed by The Washington Post as "a tour de force" and praised for its penetrating examination of American life. His earlier novel *American Dervish* was published in over 20 languages, and as a playwright he has written for Lincoln Center and Broadway, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for *Disgraced*. A limited number of tickets include a signed copy of *The Radiance*.
What should we eat, and why does the answer remain so complicated? Dr. Gardner explores the science of nutrition and food choices, with small bites inspired by his research. Hosted by Commonwealth Club at the World Affairs Center.
Political analyst, author, and former New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas discusses democracy, power, and persuasion. Giridharadas is the author of *The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy*, *Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World*, and *The True American: Murder and Mercy in Texas*. A regular MSNBC on-air analyst and publisher of the newsletter The Ink, he brings reporting and commentary on contemporary American politics and culture.
A monthly discussion group for artists, connoisseurs, and art lovers exploring what art means in people's lives. Led by SF-based artist Mario Pires Cordeiro, the Art Club convenes every second Saturday for 90 minutes to exchange ideas, discuss works, and build community. Participants are encouraged to make a 6-month or yearly commitment. Manny's offers free tickets to anyone who cannot afford the $37 cost.
A monthly moderated discussion group exploring spiritual and philosophical topics—beliefs, practices, traditions from around the world, religion from scientific or artistic perspectives, and the role of spirituality in everyday life. Led by Abraxas Adams, the group combines expert perspectives with personal reflection and experience-sharing, aiming to deepen understanding across different viewpoints and build community. Meets the second Saturday of each month, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM at Manny's.
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