653 Chenery Street
in San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood
1-415-586-3733
[email protected]
Open to walk-in trade and browsing
Tuesday to Sunday
noon to six
Live Streams every weekend!
Refresh your browser to catch a show in progress!
Visit our Facebook page or YouTube channel!
But nothing beats being in the room with the music & the musicians!
Scheduled for 9/9, this one will have to wait! CeCe is based in Reno, and her trio was flying out from NYC for a tour in support of her new album, but the fires put a temporary kabosh on that! Our hearts go out to those on the move to escape the flames, and especially to those who have already lost their homes. We’ll reschedule for the spring… meanwhile, seek out CeCe’s “More Than a Song” at this link! “CeCe Gable is one of those rare performers whose mellow vocals, stylistic sophistication, diversity of material and intimate delivery combine perfectly to convince us that she’s singing to each of us…personally.†- Richard Feldman, stage director and arts critic for The Record, Troy, NY. CeCe Gable has a fresh album out, and is touring to support its release with three top New York jazz players who made the album with her…
Read More
Wayne De La Cruz – Hammond B3 organ Ray Scott – guitar Jim Chanteloup – drums A groove, for sure. Live in the shop and viewable as a live stream on YouTube or Facebook! Attending in person? $20 cover charge; cash please. BYOB. Proof of vaccination required for shows. We love that you’re coming. You’re the lifeblood of this thing! Now the fine print: Until further notice, regardless of vaccination status, masks are required inside the store, except for performers, who may use their own discretion. If you’re sipping something, fine; just put your mask back up between sips. A drink in your hand doesn’t give you license to have your mask down or off. Please protect each other. Leave your ideological positions home tonight! Viewing in the live stream? You’ll find it on our YouTube channel or Facebook page (links above). Call the shop if you need help navigating…
Read More
Homeboy Dan Neville stops in town from Cali, Colombia to present an evening of Latin Jazz. Dan Neville, vibes Óskar Ly, piano Ayla Davila, bass Omar Ledezma Jr., percussion Dan has a ton of offer! This quartet, for instance. He himself is a nascent Bay Area treasure, and he know where to find fantastic collaborators. Let him be your guide. Do come! Live in the shop and viewable as a live stream on YouTube or Facebook! Attending in person? $20 cover charge; cash please. BYOB. Proof of vaccination required for shows. We love that you’re coming. You’re the lifeblood of this thing! The fine print: For the time being, regardless of vaccination status, masks are required inside the store, except for performers, who may use their own discretion. If you’re sipping something, fine; just put your mask back up between sips. A drink in your hand doesn’t give you license…
Read More
Launched in March 2020, the Bird & Beckett Poets!Zoom, hosted by San Francisco Poet Laureate Kim Shuck, has sustained a core family of local poets and has invited in poets from around the globe, every 2nd and 4th Monday. The tradition continues. Tonight, eight San Francisco poets collected in the new anthology, Fog and Light, from Blue Light Press, read their work. An open mic follows. You’re invited to join us. Zoom link below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9353763287?pwd=R0RxUFNSMjA1YWJiQTRvY21FazQ5Zz09 Meeting ID: 935 376 3287 Passcode: 6ANvRZ One tap mobile +16699006833,,9353763287#,,,,*974318# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,9353763287#,,,,*974318# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Meeting ID: 935 376 3287 Passcode: 974318 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcgSlD85IJ
Read More
http://thebluesmobile.com/howelldevine-performs-it-wont-be-long-now-live-in-the-bluesmobile/ From the hill country into the Delta, from their albums Delta Grooves to Howl, and always live, HowellDevine never fails to please. Joshua Howell, guitar, harmonica & vocals Pete Devine, drums, washboard, percussion, jug & vocals Joe Kyle, Jr., bass & vocals $20 cover charge; cash please. BYOB. Until further notice, regardless of vaccination status, masks are required inside, except for horn players when performing and imbibers while imbibing. Please protect each other. Live streamed on YouTube and Facebook. Donation requested to support the musicians and the stream. Read more! http://www.howelldevine.com/music.html
Read More
SF Lives Live Talks August 8 Filmmaker Eric Goodfield Join San Francisco Examiner columnist Denise Sullivan for a series of morning discussions with The City’s arts and cultural leaders and lesser-known workers, the everyday people who help make this place we call home, every second Sunday at 10 am, live streamed from Bird & Beckett Books in Glen Park. This morning, Sunday, August 8 at 10 a.m., Denise will engage filmmaker Eric Goodfield in a conversation on his work as a filmmaker documenting San Francisco during the pandemic. Donations to support the participants in Denise Sullivan’s ongoing conversation series are greatly appreciated. Eric Goodfield spent 140 days of the pandemic filming San Francisco, from deserted streets and businesses closed and boarded up, to the city streets filling up with parklets. He filmed artists creating murals on plywood to cover windows, went on marches with Black Lives Matter activists, and embedded…
Read More
We’re back in the purple tier, thinking about Prince and thinking about how much more comfortable this tier feels relative to wherever that was we just were. But it is purple, and officially that’s pretty far from safe, so we’ll continue to urge you to “Collaborate to keep San Francisco safe, neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, household by household, shop by shop.” As long as we’re in this tier, we’ll proceed cautiously until the tragedies really subside and the experts & authorities let us know that the tide has turned decisively in our favor. So, we’re allowing in just a few browsers at a time, say half a dozen as long as everyone gives each other plenty of room, keeps their masks on (up over the nose, please, and no exceptions, please) and makes sure their hands are washed or sanitized before handling the stock, etc. (there’s hand sanitizer…
Read More
Howard Wiley, saxophone Isaac Coyle, bass Ben Esposito – drums Two rising future stars on drums and bass with the legendary saxophonist Howard Wiley. Wiley has long been considered a giant on the Bay Area jazz scene, as a musician, as a musicologist, as a community pillar. Funds raised tonight in excess of the guaranteed fair wage paid to the musicians will benefit the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. https://www.eastbaycenter.org/1-minute-video Whether attending the concert in person or watching on the live stream, donate generously to the East Bay Center! Cover charge at the shop: $20 — cash, if you please! BYOB, and enjoy the music! Call for a reservation: 415-586-3733. Masks required while inside Bird & Beckett, regardless of vaccination status. Thanks for keeping each other safe. Can’t make it down to the shop? Take in the show through the live stream on YouTube or Facebook, and send…
Read More
Patrick Wolff, saxophones Mike Olmos, trumpet Keith Saunders, piano Eric Markowitz, bass Evan Hughes, drums Five solid talents from the Bay Area jazz scene making music as vital and inspired as any being made in the world at this moment in time. A return engagement! Originals and jazz classics penned by Horace Silver, Clifford Jordan and Kenny Dorham. $20 cover — cash, if you please! BYOB, and enjoy the music! Call for a reservation: 415-586-3733. Masks required while inside Bird & Beckett, regardless of vaccination status. Thanks for keeping each other safe. Can’t make it down to the shop? Take in the show through the live stream on YouTube or Facebook, and donate to help us cover the musicians’ guarantee and the costs of streaming to you wherever you are. We do recommend you access the best speakers possible!
Read More
Just wear a mask and there won’t be no trouble!
Read More
World class in your neighborhood jazz joint. What’s not to like? $20 cover — cash if you please! BYOB, and enjoy the music! Call for a reservation: 415-586-3733. Masks required while inside Bird & Beckett, regardless of vaccination status. Thanks for keeping each other safe. Can’t make it down to the shop? Take in the show through the live stream on YouTube or Facebook, and donate to help us cover the musicians’ guarantees and the costs of streaming to you wherever you are. We do recommend you access the best speakers possible!
Read More
Darren Johnston, trumpet Kasey Knudsen, saxophone Jon Arkin, drums As Darren says, “While we’ve played together in various contexts over the years, this will be the first time for this particular ensemble. Please join us as we freely frolic through some swing, grooves, abstractions, and surprising new takes on bebop standards.” $20 cover charge; cash please. BYOB Masks are required inside, except for horn players when performing and imbibers while imbibing. Please protect each other. Also live streamed on YouTube and Facebook. At show time, search either platform for Bird & Beckett to find our channel/page and locate the event. Your donation (instructions on the screen) help us compensation the musicians and maintain the live stream function. $10 is nice. Donate what you can. Please join us anyway you care to!
Read More
Avotcja – poetry and small percussion Francis Wong – saxophone Sandy Poindexter – violin Heshima – bass Myron Cohen – drums Avotcja digs deep in her poems and the band takes it to the outer limits of joy. Years and years of musical collaboration have yielded more ecstatic moments than we can count. To preserve Avotcja’s health as she turns 80, this show will be LIVE STREAMED ONLY. You can view it live on Facebook      YouTube $20 cover charge requested to help us pay Avotcja and the musicians. Send your contribution by paypal, venmo, cash app or drop it by the shop, or mail us a check. It all works and the love of Avotcja is well deserved! Thanks for supporting the musicians! Avotcja’s group Modupue was named best jazz group of the year twice, in 2005 and again in 2010, by the Bay Area Blues Hall of Fame. Avotcja…
Read More
Last date in our three week residency for Patrick Wolff’s quartet… don’t miss it. Patrick Wolff, tenor sax Keith Saunders, piano Eric Markowitz, bass James Gallagher, drums Guest musicians on the second set 7:30-10pm, $20 cover. Musicians, $10 ($5 back if you play) BYOB. Masks, please. Enjoy the music!
Read More
Smith Dobson, tenor saxophone Keith Saunders, piano Eric Markowitz, bass Tony Johnson, drums Concluding their three-week “Deluxe Holiday” run, the Smith Dobson Quartet, led by a tenor player with a deep feeling for the cool intensity and beautiful facility of Lester Young and Stan Getz, takes the stage tonight. Two sets, with guest musicians sitting in on the second set. Doors open at 7:20 for the 7:30 show. BYOB. We request that patrons remain masked inside the venue regardless of vaccination status to keep each other healthy and so all can relax and enjoy the music. $20 cash cover charge/$10 after 9:30pm. BYOB.* For musicians coming to sit in: $10 at the door, $5 back if you make it on to the bandstand to play. Can’t make it to the shop tonight? Catch the quartet in the stream at showtime on YouTube or Facebook, and donate $10 by Paypal, Venmo…
Read More
Sign Up for Our Weekly Emails!
SUPPORT BIRD & BECKETT - DONATE TODAY!
Your donation to the Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project helps us pay for a multitude of operating expenses necessary to present, promote and preserve local music, poetry, and more.
Help us keep the arts alive and thriving!
The Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project was created in 2007 "to present, document and archive the creative work of significant living writers and musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area, for a neighborhood audience and future generations." We've been doing that very thing for more than a decade and a half, continuing the work we began when the store was established in 1999.
Due to lapses in tax filings during and post-pandemic, the BBCLP's status as a registered nonprofit was suspended at the beginning of April 2024 while we reapply, which is expected to take about six months. Donations made after April 1st will not be tax-deductible until nonprofit status is restored.
However, we continue to present a full slate of programming live music and poetry, and producing literary chapbooks, and we seek and welcome your continued financial support in the interim. If a tax-deduction is not a major reason for your support to date, we hope you'll continue to ride with us while we navigate these next several months.
Click on "donate" in the navigation bar above, drop off a check at the bookshop, or drop one in the mail to:
Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project
653 Chenery Street
San Francisco, CA 94131
Call us at (415) 586-3733 to find out how else you might lend your support.
TAKE OUR SURVEY
To take our SURVEY, click here, and help the BBCLP get to know you better! As Duke Ellington always said, we love you madly...
The Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project
Our events are put on under the umbrella of the Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project (the "BBCLP"). That's how we fund our ambitious schedule of 300 or so concerts and literary events every year.
The BBCLP is a [Read More ]
The Independent Musicians Alliance
Gigging musicians! You have nothing to lose but your lack of a collective voice to achieve fair wages for your work!
The IMA can be a conduit for you, if you join in to make it work.
https://www.independentmusiciansalliance.org/
Read more here - Andy Gilbert's Feb 25 article about the IMA from KQED's site
