The thought of Norman O. Brown.  A gifted teacher, the arc of whose work goes all the way from the crypto-freudian utopianism of the 1960s to the offering of a crucial alternative to the divisive “clash of civilizations” interpretation of contemporary cultural conflict.  A visionary symbolic thinker, and a staunchly compassionate humanist as well.

The Jazz Philanthropists Union presents… at jazz club! when lights are low… The New Squatoolas play good-time jazz drenched in the traditions of New Orleans! Jim Peterson, sax Scott Foster, guitar Joe Kyle, Jr., bass Larry Vann, drums

Talk about your San Francisco jazz… On the fourth Friday of each month, our weekly “jazz in the bookshop” series features The 230 Jones Street, Local 6 Literary Jazz Band — a swinging, bop-oriented quintet that bears a direct line of descent from the trio led by tenor player Chuck Peterson that launched our tradition…

Jack Hirschman, San Francisco’s 4th poet laureate, between devorah major and Diane di Prima, and one of the most productive poets to have held that position, is one of our favorite people in the world and a magnificent and prolific poet. He’s also unwaveringly committed to and the champion of the masses of individual humans…

November 18th is the birthday of the trumpeter Don Cherry, well known as one of the pioneers in the “Free Jazz” movement alongside Ornette Coleman.  To celebrate, there will be a special performance of Don Cherry’s album “Complete Communion” featuring John Wiitala on bass, Hamir Atwal on drums, Matt Zebley on alto sax, and Henry…

A folk duo that plays with all the love in the heart, and all the plain ol’ joy and mischieviousness that the genre allows! Bird & Beckett presents this date in the fond memory of Marlene Aron!

Just a few years ago, Stephany Wilkes walked away from tech into the legs of critters like this, shears in hand! She had wondered just why she couldn’t buy locally sourced wool yarn to knit with, and next thing she knew she was diving deep into all things sheep. Shearing was (to her) just the…

The Jazz Philanthropists Union presents… at Bird & Beckett’s Saturday night jazz club! when lights are low… November 17, 2018 – 7:30-10pm Three young cats and a grizzled jazz veteran: The Kai Lyons Quartet Kai Lyons, guitar Parker Grant, piano Robb Fisher, bass Brandon Etzler, drums This quartet has been working together weekly for the…

Ambient music while you browse the books… in the weekly series featuring and curated by Andre Custodio. The Audible Method series concludes today with solo sets and a collaboration by LX Rudis and Andre.   LX Rudis solo set and collaboration with series curator Andre Custodio on 11/17. More info and a sound clip here:…

A very special show tonight, as John Calloway — jazz flautist and composer, latin jazz specialist, former SF Arts Commissioner and a deeply respected educator — will front an ensemble featuring several former members of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco (LJYE) who are now playing professionally in the Bay Area. Formed in 2001 by Arturo…