Join us during FOG Art + Design and SF Art Week as we celebrate our twentieth anniversary with the exhibition Continuum: MoAD Over Time and the central role of MoAD in the constellation of care for Black artists. Lava Thomas will be in conversation with Key Jo Lee about the lineage of support that Black women in particular have provided her in and around MoAD throughout her career as an artist. Women like Mildred Howard, Lizzetta LeFalle Collins, and Denise Bradley championed her work and helped advance her career, with a crucial moment being her first museum show Beyond at MoAD in 2014. Not only was she supported by those who came before her and by her contemporaries, but she has paid forward her gratitude by mentoring younger artists such as Mary Graham who have gone on to exhibit at the museum.
‘American Solitaire’ Film Screening
American Solitaire is a moving new narrative film from writer-director Aaron Davidman, executive produced by David Oyelowo, that follows a veteran grappling with the psychological, moral and cultural aftermath of service. It’s a story about isolation, accountability and finding connection in a divided country.
Through screenings and community conversations, the film team and Picture Motion invite audiences to use the film as a springboard for dialogue on veterans’ mental health, moral injury and collective healing.
Best of North Berkeley Food Tour
Dive into the heart of California’s culinary revolution with a thrilling 3-hour journey through Berkeley’s North Shattuck district. Led by a food-savvy guide, you’ll explore iconic spots like the original Peet’s Coffee & Tea, indulging in a feast of gourmet cheeses, chocolates, gelato, pizza, sandwiches, and wine along the way. Get the inside scoop directly from the passionate owners and chefs who’ve shaped the city’s taste and commitment to sustainability and organic farming. Get your tickets for Best of North Berkeley Food Tour!
Yonder Mountain String Band
Yonder Mountain String Band, a driving force in roots music for nearly three decades and a key player in the progressive jamgrass movement, kicks off a new chapter with Nowhere Next. Featuring original songs inspired by lived experiences, people, and places that have shaped them, the album is a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves that call for a good time. Their 11th studio album follows the Grammy-nominated Get Yourself Outside (2022), adding depth and momentum to Yonder’s rich musical legacy.
Parking
Center Street Garage, next door to The Freight, is currently open nightly until 1am except Sunday. More details here.
Public Transit
The Freight & Salvage is BARTable! Downtown Berkeley BART station is a half a block from the Freight. Details at bart.gov. Many AC Transit bus lines stop within a few blocks of the Freight. Details at actransit.org.
Nearby Favorites Bars/Restaurants
Revival Bar + Kitchen | 2102 Shattuck Avenue, (510) 549–9950
Comal Next Door | 2024 Shattuck Ave, (510) 422-662
Gather | 2200 Oxford Street @ Allston, (510) 809-0400
Yonder Mountain String Band
Yonder Mountain String Band, a driving force in roots music for nearly three decades and a key player in the progressive jamgrass movement, kicks off a new chapter with Nowhere Next. Featuring original songs inspired by lived experiences, people, and places that have shaped them, the album is a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and country with soulful, funky grooves that call for a good time. Their 11th studio album follows the Grammy-nominated Get Yourself Outside (2022), adding depth and momentum to Yonder’s rich musical legacy.
Parking
Center Street Garage, next door to The Freight, is currently open nightly until 1am except Sunday. More details here.
Public Transit
The Freight & Salvage is BARTable! Downtown Berkeley BART station is a half a block from the Freight. Details at bart.gov. Many AC Transit bus lines stop within a few blocks of the Freight. Details at actransit.org.
Nearby Favorites Bars/Restaurants
Revival Bar + Kitchen | 2102 Shattuck Avenue, (510) 549–9950
Comal Next Door | 2024 Shattuck Ave, (510) 422-662
Gather | 2200 Oxford Street @ Allston, (510) 809-0400
Legends: Keola Beamer & Henry Kapono
Keola Beamer was raised on Hawai‘i Island, born into one of Hawai‘i’s most illustrious and beloved musical families. He established himself early as the family’s youngest standard-bearer. A child of the rock ‘n’ roll era, he was at the vanguard of Hawaiian contemporary sound. Yet he also helped drive what became the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance, recording many songs written by his ancestors, including his legendary great- grandmother Helen Desha Beamer and his mother Nona Beamer.
Parking
Center Street Garage, next door to The Freight, is currently open nightly until 1am except Sunday. More details here.
Public Transit
The Freight & Salvage is BARTable! Downtown Berkeley BART station is a half a block from the Freight. Details at bart.gov. Many AC Transit bus lines stop within a few blocks of the Freight. Details at actransit.org.
Nearby Favorites Bars/Restaurants
Revival Bar + Kitchen | 2102 Shattuck Avenue, (510) 549–9950
Comal Next Door | 2024 Shattuck Ave, (510) 422-662
Gather | 2200 Oxford Street @ Allston, (510) 809-0400
Bobby McFerrin and MOTION: Circlesongs
10-time Grammy-winner Bobby McFerrin‘s mission is to get the world singing. So, he’s singing with MOTION almost every Monday afternoon right here at The Freight to welcome even more voices into the circle!
Parking
Center Street Garage, next door to The Freight, is currently open nightly until 1am except Sunday. More details here.
Public Transit
The Freight & Salvage is BARTable! Downtown Berkeley BART station is a half a block from the Freight. Details at bart.gov. Many AC Transit bus lines stop within a few blocks of the Freight. Details at actransit.org.
Nearby Favorites Bars/Restaurants
Revival Bar + Kitchen | 2102 Shattuck Avenue, (510) 549–9950
Comal Next Door | 2024 Shattuck Ave, (510) 422-662
Gather | 2200 Oxford Street @ Allston, (510) 809-0400
AACSA Dance Class
The African American Community Service Agency dance class is back tomorrow night with Trey Russell! Join us for an uplifting experience that moves your body, lifts your spirit, and connects you with community. Dancing isn’t just fun—it’s powerful for your health and well-being. It improves strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness, while relieving stress, boosting mood, and building confidence. Dance also strengthens memory, encourages teamwork, celebrates diverse cultures, and brings pure joy through movement and music. Throughout the class we’ll also highlight Diabetes and Obesity Awareness, thanks to the generous support of El Camino Health. Date: January 29th, 2026 Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Location: African American Community Service Agency.
AACSA Food on the Table
AACSA Bi-Weekly Food on the Table will be on Wednesday January 21, 2026, from 10:00am to 2:00pm! Open to All!AACSA Bi-Weekly Food on the Table will be on Wednesday January 21, 2026, from 10:00am to 2:00pm! Open to All!
Calistoga Wine Experience
Wine lovers are invited to experience the best of Calistoga—without leaving the city—at the Calistoga Wine Experience | San Francisco 2026. Taking place at the iconic Press Club, this intimate afternoon tasting brings together a curated lineup of Calistoga’s finest wineries for a vibrant and social celebration of wine.
Walk It Like You Shop It
A number of local Crockett merchants have pulled together to create a downtown shopping stroll. Get a map, “Walk it,” and collect signatures from all participating shops to enter our town-wide raffle.
The Joyful Body: Stress-Release & Feel-Better Tools for Every Age with Rachel Fleischman, LCSW, REAT
Feeling tense? Stiff? This class is designed for anyone who wants to feel calmer, lighter, and more at ease in their body – with no dance experience needed. Rachel guides you through gentle movements, grounding exercises, breath resets, and playful mood-lifters that melt stress and help your body exhale.
Hybrid | Dance Longer with Cross Training and Recovery with Dr. Selina Shah, MD, FACP, FAMSSM and Rachel Recinos Abair, MS
Want to leap higher, dance longer, and prevent injury? Cross-training for dancers involves incorporating activities outside of regular dance technique to improve strength, endurance, and agility while preventing injuries. This helps balance muscle development, corrects muscle imbalances, and builds a dancer’s stamina and overall performance.
Tabi Tabi Po: Come Out with the Spirits! You are Welcome Here Opening Reception
Join us on Thursday, January 29, 6–9 PM for the opening reception of “Tabi Tabi Po: Come Out with the Spirits! You Are Welcome Here”, featuring the work of renowned artist Cece Carpio.
Through Indigenous oral traditions and narratives, both autobiographical and imagined, this landmark exhibition highlights the power and necessity of storytelling. As a cultural, political, and relational practice shared across cultures, storytelling brings attention to the sacred and often overlooked spaces essential to understanding how all things come to be.
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot is a critically acclaimed immersive theatrical experience presented by the Tenderloin Museum and staged inside its own permanent venue at 835 Larkin Street. Performed Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., the production unfolds within a period-accurate recreation of a 1960s cafeteria, located just steps from where the historic events took place.
Flip The Tables: Book Signing and Discussion with Alencia Johnson
Join the San Francisco Alumnae Chapter and Berkley Bay Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an evening of disruption, power, and change making.
Alencia Johnson is a sought-after cultural commentator, bestselling author, advisor, and leader at the intersection of social justice and culture change. She is the Founder of 1063 West Broad — a social impact consultancy connecting brands, organizations and people to purpose driven solutions. Her debut national bestseller, “Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor’s Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change” is available everywhere books are sold.
‘Epicenter: The Struggle for Black Studies in the Bay Area’: Screening and Discussion
Please join us for a special film documentary screening of Epicenter:The Struggle for Black Studies in the Bay Area, followed by an intimate conversation with filmmaker Doug Harris, Douglas Harris Jr. and cast members.
The film examines the early student activism of the 1960s and 1970s, which brought the first Black studies departments to higher education in the entire country. The film is very timely, as African American studies programs at institutions of higher education are currently being targeted for closure around the country.
Hybrid | Low Impact Movement for Improved Balance, Coordination and Strength with Cathleen McCarthy
This class is designed for new exercisers, those returning to exercise, and those who want to ease into movement thoughtfully to re-educate the body. Exercises will include spinal lengthening, joint mobilization, balance exercises and gentle fall recovery to improve balance and strengthening exercises for improved posture and respiration. This workshop will use the following equipment/props: small pilates ball, foam roller, and theraband. For in-person participation, props will be provided.
Building Economic Opportunity in the Bay Area
Join us on Wednesday, January 21 at 6:00 PM for a special Airbnb Academy in partnership with the Urban League of Greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Since launching in 2021, the Airbnb Academy has helped thousands of people explore hosting as a pathway to entrepreneurship and financial stability.
At this in-person session, you’ll get a friendly introduction to hosting on Airbnb, hear real stories and tips from local Bay Area Superhosts, and learn how hosting can open new economic opportunities — especially with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ coming to the Bay Area in 2026.
Dinner will be provided by alaMar. We hope you’ll join us!
Black FIlm Unscreened & Unstreamed, Eyes on the Prize III
We are showing two shows – Episodes 5 and 6, both produced by Niema Jordan.
Songs in the Key of Life with Hanif Abdurraqib and Nate Sloan
What are the songs on your life’s playlist, the sonic touchstones that transport you across time and space? Stanford Public Humanities, Department of Music, and Creative Writing Program invite you to an evening of deep listening and musical insights as award-winning author Hanif Abdurraqib discusses 12 tracks from across his life experience. He will be in conversation with Nate Sloan, musicologist, co-host of the podcast Switched on Pop, and Stanford PhD graduate. Book selling/signing to follow.
ATRIUM – A Free Alternative Art Fair at Minnesota Street Project
Minnesota Street Project presents ATRIUM, a new free alternative art fair bringing together 20+ established and emerging contemporary art galleries rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area. Timed for SF Art Week, ATRIUM transforms the 10,000-square-foot industrial warehouse at 1275 Minnesota Street in Dogpatch into a custom-designed showcase of the region’s gallery scene.
Puppet Wars 2/28
Join us for the first Puppet Wars event of 2026 as we return to The Almanac in Alameda for a night of wild, high-energy independent professional wrestling. Expect hard hits, big characters, and the unpredictable chaos that makes Puppet Wars unlike anything else.
Moving Through Menopause: Strength, Elasticity, and Ease with Dr. Karah Charette, DPT
As we move through the menopause transition, our bodies ask for new ways of listening and tending. Hormonal shifts can affect the elasticity of our tissues – from the pelvic floor to the tendons – influencing continence, sexual comfort, and our capacity for strength and recovery.
Digital Well-Being & Forest Therapy Walk
Reset your nervous system, reclaim your attention, and reconnect with the land with a Forest Therapy walk lead by certified Forest Therapy Guide Wendy Figone.
Rooted in the global practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing), our guided walks help you shift from digital distraction into embodied presence through gentle, sensory-based invitations.
Opera Concert with Alliana Lili Yang
Experience the ethereal voice of 14-year old vocal sensation Alliana Lili Yang in our performance space in downtown Morgan Hill. Cura Contemporary is excited to welcome Alliana Lili Yang to our beautiful space for an elevated evening of opera. Alliana is a classically trained vocalist and is a coloratura soprano, with a rare crystalline quality of tone. For the concert “Echoes of Love: From Baroque to Broadway,” Alliana will be singing an impressive selection of music from the Lush Baroque and Romantic Era Art periods, to Musical Theater and the Silver Screen. Dress in your opera attire and join us for an unforgettable evening! Join Véra restaurant before the event for dinner. Reservations recommended – please call 408-778-1801. Wine, cocktails, and other beverages can be purchased at intermission and following the performance.
Everything You Have is Yours
In Everything You Have Is Yours, NYC-based choreographer Hadar Ahuvia interrogates the roots of the Israeli folk dances she grew up dancing with her mother in the U.S. Confronting romanticized stories about her grandparents, settlers in 1930s Palestine, Ahuvia embarks on a personal journey to reckon with the founding mythologies and transgressions of Zionism. Through her work, a web of artistic portraits emerges – Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian dancers living in New York City grapple with the questions of what we inherit and what we embody to carry forward.
Hybrid | The Embodied Brain: Movement, Neuroplasticity, and Human Adaptability with Dr. Yana Nakhimova
How does movement shape the brain? Join behavioral scientist and Body Mind Method™ founder Dr. Yana Nakhimova for a unique exploration of how structured movement can train focus, adaptability, and emotional balance.
Virtual | 3rd Global Summit on Diabetes and Endocrinology
The 3rd Global Summit on Diabetes and Endocrinology (GSDE 2026) welcomes researchers, clinicians, endocrinologists, healthcare professionals, and academicians from around the world to the beautiful city of Zurich, Switzerland on August 17–18, 2026.This premier international event, organized by Intelli Meetings, offers a dynamic platform to exchange scientific knowledge, share clinical experiences, and explore the latest innovations in diabetes and endocrine research. The summit will feature keynote lectures, panel discussions, scientific sessions, workshops, poster presentations, and networking opportunities—fostering collaboration and advancing innovation in global diabetes care and endocrinology.
Cris Williamson – Full Circle
Cris returns to the Freight for her annual homage to the new year, this year bringing a curated set of songs and images from five decades. It is difficult to overstate singer/songwriter/activist/LGBTQ+ icon’s monumental influence and trailblazing importance. Her 1975 album The Changer and the Changed was a transformational record for the women’s music movement and independent artists.
Cris Williamson – Full Circle
Cris returns to the Freight for her annual homage to the new year, this year bringing a curated set of songs and images from five decades. It is difficult to overstate singer/songwriter/activist/LGBTQ+ icon’s monumental influence and trailblazing importance. Her 1975 album The Changer and the Changed was a transformational record for the women’s music movement and independent artists.
Unplugged with Mia J. Chong
Unplugged is a recurring platform offering a rare and candid look into the creative process of ODC’s choreographers. Delve into the specifics, question the process, and learn something new during these exclusive evenings with ODC’s creative force.
USS Hornet Valentine’s Day Swing Dance
The USS Hornet is opening up its bulkheads and hatches for the second annual 1940’s Valentine’s swing dance on February 14, 2026. Picture the romance of a WWII sailor returning from war to his sweetheart…and now come recreate this feeling aboard the USS Hornet aircraft carrier on Valentines Day. The USS Hornet is opening up its bulkheads and hatches for a 1940’s swing dance on February 14. This evening will feature drinks, dancing and a whole lot of nostalgia and romance. The Bay Area’s unavoidably swingin’ big band, the Death and Taxes Swing Band will provide an evening of great music for dancing or listening. Come as a couple or come to meet someone!
Bridging Silicon Valley and Taiwan: Semiconductor & AI Synergies
A historic first: Taiwan brings its innovation engine to Silicon Valley to engage America’s next breakthrough startups. Where semiconductor power meets AI ambition, a new U.S.–Taiwan innovation bridge begins.
This landmark event marks the debut of Taiwan’s leading innovation institutions—TCA, InnoVEX, and the ICTGC program—on U.S. soil, signaling a bold national effort to support and attract American early-stage founders. For decades, Taiwan has powered the world’s most advanced chips, manufacturing capabilities, and hardware ecosystems. Now, for the first time, it is bringing those strengths directly to the heart of Silicon Valley, creating an unprecedented opportunity for founders working in AI, robotics, next-generation computing, and deep-tech fields.
By connecting Silicon Valley’s speed of innovation with Taiwan’s unmatched ability to build and scale complex technologies, the event establishes a new model for cross-border collaboration. Startups attending will gain insights into Taiwan’s grant programs, prototyping support, and pathways to scale, while engaging directly with leaders from TCA, InnoVEX, and Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council. Together, this collaboration lays the foundation for the next wave of technological breakthroughs—one where U.S. creativity and Taiwan’s engineering excellence combine to shape the future of global innovation.
« Art of the Game » by JISBAR
Internationally renowned French pop-street artist, JISBAR , will return to the United States for a powerful new solo exhibition titled “Art of the Game”, opening January 29, 2026, from 5PM at Gallery 444 in San Francisco. The show coincides with the highly anticipated Super Bowl events taking place across the Bay Area.
This moment carries special meaning for the artist : « Gallery 444 was the first international gallery to represent me back in 2016. Coming back to San Francisco for the Super Bowl, with a solo show in this same space, is both symbolic and deeply exciting. », says JISBAR.
The exhibition will feature JISBAR’s signature fusion of classical iconography, pop culture, and bold street energy – this time, with a special focus on sport, unity, and cultural celebration.
A highlight of the event: The auction of the exhibition’s central masterpiece (180x120cm), with 100% of proceeds donated to The BAHC Foundation – supporting safe spaces to play, mentorship, and youth programs across the Bay Area.
Cybersentics Book Club
Participate in a fascinating new social reading group exploring biofeedback, cyborg theory, and the human sensorium.
AACSA’s 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon
Join us at AACSA’s 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, to honor the legacy of Dr. King on January 19, 2026
Black History Month Student Showcase
A celebration of Black creativity, student voice, and leadership
Join us for student performances inspired by the Black Renaissance. Young authors in 826 Valencia’s Black Students Initiative will showcase their original work for their community. All are welcome to attend! Presented in partnership with 826 Valencia
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Free Community Day
MoAD will celebrate the national observance of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a Day of Service, providing FREE admission to the museum and programs throughout the day. Through art, performance and music, our special guests will help us reflect on the importance of protest, creativity and diverse communities.
UNBOUND
Join us for an afternoon with artist and astrophysicist Dr. Nia Imara about her latest book, Painting the Cosmos: How Art and Science Intersect to Reveal the Secrets of the Universe. She will be in conversation with MoAD’s Chief of Curatorial & Public Programs Key Jo Lee. The presentation will be followed by a book signing.
Marga Gomez’s Spanish Stew
Spanish Stew is very funny but not stand-up comedy. The storytelling is set in 1976 and more about passion, freedom and family than mere nostalgia. After being outed by her flamboyant mother, young Marga, like a Latina Patty Hearst, escapes her New York home for 1976 San Francisco. When a survival restaurant job requires her to recreate a treasured family recipe, Marga’s Spanish Stew unites her with both her family of origin and her chosen San Francisco family of Queer, punk and avant-garde. Spanish Stew’s first work-in-progress performance was in August 2024 at The Marsh’s “In Front of Your Eyes Festival.” Its 2025 “World Premiere” took place at New Conservatory Theater, San Francisco.
Somi*
Riveting vocalist and composer Somi Kakoma, known simply as “Somi,” is truly a jazz artist for our globally connected times.
The Midwestern daughter of parents who emigrated from Rwanda and Uganda, she found her musical voice traversing cultural bridges between Africa and the US, weaving Afropop, soul, and jazz into her sumptuous, elegant, deeply grooving body of work. A return to her singer-songwriter roots, the music on her latest release was composed in Lagos, Dakar, Paris, and New York, offering a sonic travelogue that weaves deeply personal storytelling with modern jazz and African sensibilities.
In the Name of Love: Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In the Name of Love, a powerful celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision and legacy through the ft. the music of Sly & The Family Stone. Living Jazz presents Oakland’s largest civic and cultural event, returning to the historic Paramount Theatre for its 22nd anniversary on January 17, 2026.
Braxton Cook, Kiefer Trio, Josh Johnson
Our second Sunday SMARTBOMB takeover features saxophonist Braxton Cook with the Kiefer Trio in Miner Auditorium, and saxophonist and composer Josh Johnson with a solo set in the Joe Henderson Lab.
Called “a prominent voice for this generation of musicians” by DownBeat, alto saxophonist Braxton Cook has garnered worldwide acclaim for his solo artistry as well as his extensive sideman work with Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, Marquis Hill, Christian McBride, and Robert Glasper. His most recent release is the Nettwerk EP My Everything. He performs with the acclaimed trio led by pianist Kiefer.
Jonathan Barber & Vision Ahead
Jonathan Barber, a virtuoso drummer and composer from Hartford, Connecticut, has become a driving force in contemporary jazz through his work with the likes of Terence Blanchard, Pat Metheny, and Christian Sands and his acclaimed band project, Vision Ahead. The quintet performs material from their eponymous debut album and more.
B. DeVeaux
A powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist, B. DeVeaux kicks off the Hotplate series in 2026 with their tribute to neo-soul singer Jazmine Sullivan’s GRAMMY-nominated 2008 album Fearless.
Based in Oakland, DeVeaux is a gifted young musician who rose through the Oakland School for the Arts to become an in-demand touring and recording artist, performing at Outside Lands, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mountain Winery, and at Kennedy Center as part of the group Oakland Rising with fellow Bay Area greats August Lee Stevens and NAIMA. DeVeaux released their debut album, Chrysalis, this year.
Marcus Machado
Marcus Machado is a guitar virtuoso whose explosive talent has electrified the music world. Born in Brooklyn, Machado picked up the acoustic guitar at age two and the electric by four, earning early comparisons to Jimi Hendrix for his prodigious skill and fiery stage presence. Last appearing at SFJAZZ with the masterful soul-jazz vocalist José James, Machado headlines his first performance in the Joe Henderson Lab.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
“A national treasure steeped in both the past and the present” (The New York Times), The Dirty Dozen Brass Band celebrates 50 years as the New Orleans institution responsible for the resurgence of the brass band tradition to ring in the new year.
These NYE concerts will include complimentary sparkling wine, party favors, a massive balloon drop (10:30pm only), a countdown to 2026 in NYC and SF, and much more!
Former S.F. Mayor Willie Brown Talks Politics . . . and His Iconic Career
Join former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown as he returns to Commonwealth Club World Affairs to talk national, state and local politics. As CalMatters observed last year in an article marking his 90th birthday, Brown is “one of the most flamboyant and powerful politicians California has ever known,” who “still dominates every room he enters with his smarts and swagger.”
The first African American speaker of the California State Assembly, Brown served a record 14 years in that role. He then served two terms as San Francisco mayor.
