April 2009 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

NOW: Friends of Noe Valley is accepting applications for garden stops and volunteers for the fifth annual Noe Valley GARDEN TOUR June 13. Call Richard May, 602-4445.

April 1: Just Awesome! Games hosts a BARBECUE and a ribbon-cutting for a backyard game room. 6 pm. 816 Diamond. 970-1484. www.JustAwesomeTheWebsite.com.

April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: MoBu Studio's Pal-ersize Adventures in Fitness presents PAL TIME-4-TOTS. 9-9:40 am. 1605 Church. 550-PALS.

April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: The Upper Noe SENIORS meet on Wednesdays for socializing and bingo. Noon-3:30 pm. Upper Noe Rec Center, Day & Sanchez. 970-8061 or 695-5011.

April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Eureka Valley Library's Wednesday BABY RHYME TIME, for newborns to 18 months, begins at 3 pm; a family story time for ages 2 to 5 starts at 3:30 pm. 100 Collingwood. 355-5616.

April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Kiki-Yo offers a drop-in KIDS YOGA class from 4:45 to 5:30 on Wednesdays. 605B Chenery. 587-5454.

April 1-18: Little Tree Gallery hosts a joint installation by Pablo Guardiola and Haden Nicholl. Wed.-Fri., 3-6 pm; Sat., noon-6 pm. 3412 22nd. www.littletreegallery.com.

April 1-29: Kids and their caregivers are invited for a free TOT TIME at the Upper Noe Rec Center. Mon., 10-11:30 am; Tues., 3-5 pm; and Wed., 3-5:30 pm. Day & Sanchez. 695-5011 or 970-8061.

April 1-30: OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets Mon.-Sat., 7 to 8 am. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 282-2317.

April 1-30: Noe Valley SENIOR CENTER serves hot lunches for people over 60, weekdays at 12:30 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 648-1030.

April 1-30: Kids in grades K-7 can get HOMEWORK help at the Mission Library Monday through Thursday, 4-6 pm. 300 Bartlett. 355-2800.

April 1-30: Maria Tam teaches a YIJIN TAI CHI class at Upper Noe Rec Center on Wednesdays and Fridays. 7-8:30 pm. Day & Sanchez. 828-9436.

April 1-30: Bonnie Tomek exhibits PHOTOS at Luv a Java coffeehouse. Mon.-Fri., 6 am-7 pm; Sat.-Sun., 7 am-7 pm. 1300 Dolores. 648-6959; www.bonnieomek.com.

April 1-May 2: City Art Cooperative Gallery hosts an exhibit, "GREEN." Reception April 3, 7-10 pm; Wed.-Sun., noon-9 pm. 828 Valencia. 970-9900; www.cityartgallery.com.

April 1-May 8: "Caravan Across Persia," an archaeological TOUR OF IRAN, features prehistoric and Medieval ceramics, and photos from the 1930s. 11 am-4 pm, Mon.-Fri. at SFSU Museum, Humanities Building 510, corner of Font and Tapia. 405-5999.

April 1 & May 6: KIKI-YO continues meditation classes. Wed., 7-7:45 am. 605B Chenery. 415-587-5454.

April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: A Thursday STROLLER WALK starts at Holey Bagel at 11 am and rolls through Noe and the Castro. 3872 24th. www.noestrolls.com.

April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: CANDLELIT YOGA at Kiki-Yo emphasizes deep relaxation. 7 pm, Thursdays. 605B Chenery. 587-5454.

April 2­25: Worklight Theatre performs Neil LaBute's PLAY The Shape of Things. Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm. SF Playhouse, stage 2, 533 Sutter. 510-219-7228; www.worklighttheatre.com.

April 2­25: Carolyn Doyle performs a SHOW about raising an autistic child in Confessions of a Refrigerator Mother. Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia. 641-0235; www.themarsh.org.

April 2-26: Fifty24SF Gallery exhibits "Works on PAPER" by Hush. Reception April 2, 7-9 pm; Tues.-Sun., noon-6 pm. 248 & 252 Fillmore. 252-9144; www.studio-hush.com.

April 2-May 7: Bart and Judy Lewis offer couples a six-week Thursday-night BALLROOM DANCE class at Forest Hill Christian Church. 250 Laguna Honda Blvd. Reserve a spot at 661-2746.

April 3: Stephen Elliott and Peter Maravelis host a BOOK PARTY for Jerry Stahl's novel Painkillers. 7 pm. Amnesia Bar, 853 Valencia. http://therumpus.net/2009/02/stahl.

April 3, 10, 17 & 24: CLARE tells tales for kids at Cover to Cover's Friday-morning story hour, 10:30 am. 1307 Castro. 282-8080.

April 3, 10, 17 & 24: "Jazz in the Bookshop" features Don Prell's SeaBop Ensemble (April 3 & 10), the Jimmy Ryan Quintet with guest Bishop Norman Williams (April 17), and the Chuck Peterson Quintet (April 24). 5:30 pm. Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery. 586-3733.

April 3, 10, 17 & 24: Yell "BINGO!" at St. Paul's Friday nights at 7 pm (doors open at 5 pm). Parish Hall, 221 Valley. 648-7538.

April 4: The Swinging GUITARS of Tom Huber and Misisipi Mike (8:30 am) and Devil's Slide (10:30 am) play the Farmers' Market. 24th & Vicksburg. 248-1332; www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com.

April 4: The DAHLIA Society of California holds its annual tuber and cutting sale. 9 am until sold out. Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park. 994-2448.

April 4: A PLANT SALE at SF Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park features spring bloomers. 10 am-1 pm. 661-1316; www.sfbotanicalgarden.org.

April 4: SF City Guide Peter Field discusses the history of the TENDERLOIN. 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Main Library, 100 Larkin. 557-4400; www.sfpl.org.

April 4: Friends of DOLORES PARK PLAYGROUND provide sidewalk chalk for a drawing event for children up to age 11; music performed by the Lori Carsillo Trio. 11 am-noon. 582-3774.

April 4: Jordan McKay, Andrea Johnson, and Bob Holmes discuss Passion for Pinot: A Journey Through America's PINOT NOIR Country. 2-3 pm. Omnivore Books. 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 4: Artist Gary Brewer leads a tour through his "Seductive Nature" exhibition of STILL LIFES. 5 pm. ArtZone 461 Gallery, 461 Valencia. 441-8680; artzone461.com.

April 4: Maria van Lieshout hosts a BOOK PARTY to celebrate the publication of PEEP! A Little Book About Taking a Leap. 5 pm. Cover to Cover, 1307 Castro. 282-8080.

April 4: The Society of Single Professionals invites all ages to an ART & WINE Tasting Party at the Artists Alley. 7:30 pm. 863 Mission. 507-9962; thepartyhotline.com.

April 4: JAZZ VOCALIST Kendra Shank performs with her quartet at 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

April 4 & 5: The SF CHORAL SOCIETY presents Mozart's Requiem and three Mendelssohn pieces in a 20th anniversary CONCERT. Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 4 pm. Calvary Presbyterian, 2515 Fillmore. 392-4400.

April 4-May 23: In "Every Day in Black and White," Migdalia Valdes exhibits PHOTOGRAPHS of urban life. Reception April 4, 6-9 pm; Wed.-Sat., noon-5 pm. Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia. 626-2787.

April 5: Board the historic SF Maritime National Park VESSELS at Hyde Street Pier free on the first Sunday of the month. 447-5000; http://nps.gov/safr.

April 5: Rocket DOG RESCUE shows off dogs who need homes. Noon-4 pm. Zephyr Real Estate, 4040 24th. 642-4786.

April 5: Latvian piano prodigy Reinis Zarins gives a CONCERT at Latvian Cultural Center. 2 pm. 425 Hoffman. 550-9056; lvnc.org.

April 5: Latin Dance Grooves and the Edison School Drummers join the Youth Hip-Hop Dancers in a CARNAVAL fundraiser at Mission Cultural Center. 2-6 pm. 2868 Mission. 821-1155; www.missionculturalcenter.org.

April 5: AUTHOR Cara Black reads and signs Murder in the Latin Quarter. 3 pm. Bird & Beckett Books, 653 Chenery. 586-3733.

April 5: Pearl Sofaer discusses her MEMOIR Baghdad to Bombay, at Omnivore Books. 3-4 pm. 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 5: Noe Valley CHAMBER MUSIC hosts a concert, "Piano Trio Milestones," by Axel Strauss, Jean-Michel Fontenaeu, and Jeffrey Sykes. 4 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 648-5236; www.nvcm.org.

April 5, 12, 19 & 26: The Bliss Bar Sunday JAZZ SERIES features pianist Larry Vuckovich and guest artists. 4:30-7:30 pm. 4026 24th. 826-6200; www.blissbarsf.com.

April 5 & 19: Go BIRDWATCHING with guides from the Presidio Trust and Golden Gate Audubon Society. 10 am. Crissy Field Center, 603 Mason. RSVP 561-5418.

April 5 & 19: SF City Guides leads free WALKING TOURS of Noe Valley. 1-3 pm. Meet at the Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 557-4266; www.sfcityguides.org.

April 6: Neil Fahy presents a slide lecture, "The SF EARTHQUAKE of 1906: Lessons in Leadership." 7:45-9 pm. Miraloma Park Improvement Club, 350 O'Shaughnessy. 281-0892; www.miralomapark.org.

April 6, 13, 20 & 27: Infants and crawlers are invited to sing and play in English and Spanish at BILINGUAL BABY PLAY at Mission Library. 1:10 pm. 300 Bartlett. 355-2800.

April 7: Marlene Aron gives a slide presentation on the life and work of Vincent VAN GOGH. 7-8:15 pm. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; www.sfpl.org.

April 7: Atlas Café hosts a discussion, "The Great Depression: The Science Behind DEPRESSION Disorders," by Wiveka Ramel of Stanford's Psychology Department. 7-9 pm. Cerrito Theater, 10070 San Pablo, El Cerrito. 648-1047; www.sciencecafesf.com.

April 7, 14, 21 & 28: Sing along with Patrick Sosa at Phoenix Books' Tuesday-morning STORY HOUR, for newborns to age 4. 10 am. 3850 24th. 821-3477.

April 7, 14, 21 & 28: Chris Sequeira offers a half-price first month for classes in Qigong and TAI CHI: 10:15 am to noon at Walter Haas Playground, or Tuesdays evenings, 6 to 7:30 pm at the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. Register: 773-8185 or 650-756-6857.

April 7, 14, 21 & 28: Kadampa Buddhist Temple holds MEDITATION on Tuesdays. 7-8:30 pm. 3324 17th. 503-1187.

April 7, 14 & 28: The Noe Valley Library sponsors TODDLER TALES, 10:15 to 10:40 am; and preschool STORY TIME, 11 to 11:30 am. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; www.sfpl.org.

April 7 & May 5: The SPCA has a free PET LOSS support group. 7:30-9 pm. 243 Alabama. 554-3050.

April 8: The Main Library's RADAR READING, hosted by Michelle Tea, features Renee Hahn, Lorelei Lee, Bucky Sinister, and Patrick O'Neil. 6-7:30 pm. 100 Larkin. 557-4400; www.sfpl.org.

April 8: The goals of the city HOUSING Element will be covered at a meeting at Glen Park Recreation Center. 7 pm. 70 Elk. 558-6284; housingelement2009.sfplanning.org.

April 9: Hear about resources for LGBT SENIORS at an Openhouse forum being launched at 30th Street Senior Center on the second Thursday of the month. 10 am. 225 30th. Michelle, 296-8995, ext. 5.

April 9: The Bird & Beckett POLITICAL BOOK Discussion Group features Tim Weiner's Legacy of Ashes. 7 pm. 653 Chenery. 586-3733; www.birdbeckett.com.

April 11: Michael Schaffer plays MUSIC at 8:30 am and Failure to Disperse at 10:30 am at the Farmers' Market. 24th & Vicksburg. 248-1332; www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com.

April 11: The second annual EASTER EGG HUNT sponsored by neighborhood merchants and the Noe Valley Association runs from 10 am to noon in Douglass Park Playground. 26th & Douglass. 920-8232.

April 11: Meet local doulas and MIDWIVES at an ongoing second-Saturday event at Natural Resources. 2-4 pm. 1367 Valencia. 550-2611; www.naturalresources-sf.com.

April 11: Sample OLIVE OIL and meet Fran Gage, author of The New American Olive Oil. 3-4 pm. Omnivore Books, 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 11 & 12: Video Wave sells DVDs from the past two years at a Spring Clearance Sale. Noon-4 pm. 1431 Castro. 550-7577.

April 11 & 12: Local artist IRENE HENDRICK shows contemporary work and "paintings of a bygone era" at a show next to Chloe's Restaurant. 1359 Church. 641-8882.

April 11-May 16: Observe GREAT BLUE HERON chicks at Stow Lake from 10 am to 1 pm; naturalists lead walks (one adult, one family) from 10:30 to noon. Golden Gate Park. 387-9160; www.sfnature.org.

April 12: Dub Mission hosts a RECORD RELEASE PARTY for J-Boogie's Soul Vibrations. 9 pm-2 am. Elbo Room, 647 Valencia. 552-7788.

April 12-May 26: Art exhibit "NANCI REESE + Two" includes work by Greg Carlisle and Arnold Benetti. Reception April 18, 2-4 pm; Tues.-Fri., 8 am-4 pm. Gallery Sanchez, 1021 Sanchez. 282-7798.

April 13: Vancouver LITERARY ROCK duo Mecca Normal performs a workshop, "How Art and Music Can Change the World." 1 pm. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia. 282-9246; moderntimesbookstore.com.

April 13: Susan Edwards, director of the Noe Valley Nursery School, discusses Bay Area adventures for adults and kids at the ODD MONDAYS series at the Noe Valley Ministry. 7:30 pm; dinner Noe Valley Pizza, 5:30 pm (RSVP jlsender@webtv.net). 1021 Sanchez. 282-2317.

April 14: Attend a free WORKSHOP on how to present a case in small claims court. 6 pm. 760 Market, Suite 1042. 693-9811.

April 15: The VISUAL ARTS Committee of the SF Arts Commission meets on third Wednesdays. 3-5 pm. 25 Van Ness, Suite 70. www.sfartscommission.org.

April 15: Jim Illig of Project Open Hand and Anita Schaefer-Aaron from Lighthouse for the Blind address the Noe Valley DEMOCRATIC Club meeting. 7:30 pm. St. Philip's Church, 725 Diamond St. 641-5838.

April 15: Astrophysicist Andisheh Mahdavi discusses "COSMIC ORIGINS: How Unseen Forces Led to the Rise of Stars, Planets, and Carbon-Based Life," at the SF Amateur Astronomers meeting. 7:30 pm. Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way. 554-9600.

April 16: The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center hosts an LGBT SENIORS discussion group on the third Thursday of the month. 1 pm. 515 Cortland. 296-8995, ext. 5.

April 16: The EUREKA VALLEY Promotion Association meets the third Thursday of the month. 7:30 pm. Castro Meeting Room, 501 Castro. 437-9414; www.evpa.org.

April 17: Dr. Richard Ko gives a free talk sponsored by the Asian Studies Department on "Chinese Herbal Medicine: What Everyone Should Know." 11 am. City College, 50 Phelan. 239-3580; slyons@ccsf.org.

April 17: Karen Clark, Marilyn Thompson, and Hank Dutt perform Haydn, Brahms, and Robert Sheldon's Songs of San Francisco at OLD FIRST Concerts. 8 pm. 1751 Sacramento. 474-1608; www.oldfirstconcerts.org.

April 18: Sandy Ross (8:30 am) and Jude (10:30 am) play the Noe Valley FARMERS' MARKET. 24th & Vicksburg. 248-1332; www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com.

April 18: DPW hosts a volunteer cleanup of School of the Arts campus to celebrate EARTH DAY. 9 am-1 pm. 555 Portola. 641-2600; volunteer@sfdpw.org.

April 18: UC Berkeley hosts Cal Day, its annual campus OPEN HOUSE, with lectures, tours, and band performances for all ages. 9 am-4 pm. 510-642-2294; calday.berkeley.edu.

April 18: SHARON ART STUDIO holds registration for summer youth art camps in glass, ceramics, jewelry, and watercolor. 10 am-noon. Children's Playground, Golden Gate Park. 753-7004; www.sharonartstudo.org.

April 18: Take a family EARTH STROLL, including an interactive fitness walk, at Chrissy Field. 10 am-3 pm. 603 Mason. www.crissyfield.org.

April 18: 100 dogs vie for titles at the annual DOGFEST 2009 in Duboce Park. A fundraiser for McKinley Elementary School, the event will also have a dog parade, a kids' carnival, a silent auction, food, and a performance by Busy Bee Dogs (12:30 pm). Free to watch; $10 donation to enter your dog in contests. 11 am-3 pm. Duboce Park. 710-7387; www.mckinleyschool.org/dogfest.

April 18: WordParty celebrates National POETRY MONTH with a reading at Mission Library. 3 pm. 300 Bartlett. 355-2800.

April 18: Author Molly Wizenberg discusses A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen at OMNIVORE BOOKS. 3-4 pm. 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 18: Noe Valley Music Series presents a program of Australian BEBOP RAGAS. 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

April 18-19: Alvarado School holds a two-day RUMMAGE SALE to benefit PTA programs. First day, 9 am-3 pm, is free; second day, 9 am-1 pm, $10 to haul away whatever you can carry. 625 Douglass. 695-5695.

April 18-May 25: Linda Raynsford, Adam Cahoon, and Nicholas Coley exhibit ART at ArtZone 461 Gallery. Reception April 18, 5-8 pm; Wed.-Sun., noon-6 pm. 461 Valencia. 441-8680; www.artzone461.com.

April 19: The Men of St. Paul's Church hosts a PANCAKE BREAKFAST, following the 8 and 9:15 am masses, 221 Valley at Church. 648-7538. www.stpaulsf.org.

April 19: Kids of all ages are invited to come SHARE A STORY in celebration of Noe Valley Book Week at the Noe Valley Library. 2:30-4:30 pm. 451 Jersey. To sign up to read, call Mindy at 377-3890.

April 19: Novelist Margaret Murray and travel writer Susan Alcom read from their work at 2:30 pm, and the Which Way West? ACOUSTIC REGGAE concert by Heartical Roots begins at 4:30 pm. Bird & Beckett, 653 Chenery. 586-3733; www.birdbeckett.com.

April 19: Noe Valley Ministry offers a free JAZZ VESPERS service featuring the Fred Randolph Quartet. 5-6 pm. 1021 Sanchez. 282-2317; www.noevalleyministry.org.

April 20: Online REGISTRATION begins for students who wish to attend City College's summer session at Everett Middle School, 450 Church. www.ccsf.edu; 239-3127.

April 20: SF Mystery Bookstore celebrates BOOK WEEK with authors Cara Black and Lisa Lutz. 7 pm. 4175 24th. 282-7444.

April 20: Atlas Café hosts a discussion, "FUSION ENERGY: The World's Largest Laser." 7-9 pm. 3049 20th. 648-1047; www.sciencecafesf.com.

April 21: FILMS for children ages 3 to 5 are shown at 10:15 and 11 am. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; www.sfpl.org.

April 21 & 28: Parents Place offers a WORKSHOP, "Parenting Together: Making Decisions as a Couple." 6-7:30 pm. 1710 Scott. 359-2454; www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

April 22: "Images of Nature in Art," a SLIDESHOW by Marlene Aron, includes work by Monet, Gauguin, Ansel Adams, and Georgia O'Keefe. 6:30-7:30 pm. Glen Park Library, 2825 Diamond. 355-2858.

April 23: The group CULINARY HISTORIANS of Northern California sponsors a discussion about 19th-century urban food cultures, with Michelle Branch. 5:30-7:30 pm. Omnivore Books, 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 23: Cover to Cover Booksellers holds DATE NIGHT, with complimentary wine and cheese, in celebration of Noe Valley Book Week. 7-9 pm. 1307 Castro. 282-8080.

April 23: The 2009 Housing Element, the city's five-year vision for planning, will be on the agenda at the UPPER NOE Neighbors meeting. 7:30-9 pm. Upper Noe Rec Center, Day & Sanchez. 285-0473.

April 24: A DOCUMENTARY about Harry Aleo and his racehorse Lost in the Fog opens at the Roxie Film Center. 3117 16th. Call for times: 863-1087; www.roxie.com.

April 24: National Dance Week kicks off with a youth performance by students from James Lick Middle School, plus a CONGA LINE featuring Latin hip-hop, lion dancers, and the Hot Pink Feathers marching band. Noon. Union Square. www.bayareandw.org.

April 24: A benefit for ROCKET DOG RESCUE includes an elaborate meal with tea, dessert, and a silent auction. 6-8:30 pm. Lovejoy's Tea Room, 1351 Church. 640-8463; www.rocketdogrescue.org.

April 24: Meet Alex Hatch, author of Cracks in the Asphalt: Community Gardens in San Francisco, at a Noe Valley Book Week and Earth Day party at Phoenix Books & Records. 7-9 pm. 3850 24th. 821-3477.

April 25: Damond Moodie (8:30 am) and Dennis Campagna & Friends (10:30 am) play the Noe Valley FARMERS' MARKET. 24th & Vicksburg. 248-1332; www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com.

April 25: CARA (California Association of Retired Americans) leads a discussion of the measures on the May 19 special election ballot, at the Older Women's League. Social, 10 am; program, 11 am. 870 Market, Room 1185. 989-4422; www.owlsf.org.

April 25: BASQUE CHEF Gerald Hirigoyen discusses his cookbook Pintxos and shares appetizers at Noe Valley Book Week. 2-3 pm. Omnivore Books, 3885A Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; www.omnivorebooks.com.

April 25: Radical queer and trans folks meet up for a BURGER QUEEN Social. 5:30 pm. Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia. 282-9246; moderntimesbookstore.com.

April 25: The SF Parents of MULTIPLES Club holds its Spring Consignment Sale featuring 100 sellers of used clothing for babies to 8 years old. 9 am-3 pm. St. Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough. www.sfpom.org.

April 25: The SFJAZZ GALA & Silent Auction honors jazz legend McCoy Tyner while raising money for music and arts education. 6 pm, hors d'oeuvres; 7 pm dinner. Four Seasons Hotel, 757 Market. 283-0326; www.sfjazz.org.

April 25: The Fret Not GOSPEL singers and Pastor Roland Pollard, who once backed up Sister Sledge and the Jackson 5, perform at 8:15 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

April 26: The 11th GLEN PARK FESTIVAL includes craft booths, a fire truck, children's activities, and live music by the Jeffrey Gaeto Jazz Quartet and Mestizo. 10 am-4:30 pm. Diamond between Chenery and Bosworth. 835-2112; www.glenparkfestival.com.

April 26: The TAMALES by the Bay Festival benefits the Benchmark Institute, based in Noe Valley. Noon-4 pm. Fort Mason Conference Center. 695-9296.

April 26: The sixth annual KEYBOARD MARATHON highlights dances written for the piano. 3 pm. Community Music Center, 544 Capp. 826-8670; wwwsfcmc.org.

April 27: Poets Joanna McClure and David Meltzer read and sign their work at ODD MONDAYS. 7:30 pm; dinner Noe Valley Pizza, 5:30 pm (RSVP jlsender@webtv.net). 1021 Sanchez. 282-2317.

April 28: Rose Marie Beebe and Professor Robert M. Senkewicz discuss California before the GOLD RUSH at the monthly meeting of the SF History Association. 7 pm. St. Philip's Church, 725 Diamond. 750-9986; www.sanfranciscohistory.org.

April 29: PARENTS PLACE sponsors a workshop with Lee Ann Slaton, "Choosing a Preschool." 5:30-7 pm. 1710 Scott. 359-2454; www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org.

April 30: Bernal Heights Library BOOK CLUB discusses Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman. 4 pm. Coleridge Park Homes, 190 Coleridge. 355-2810.

April 30 & May 1: SF State presents "Still Dreaming," a program remembering the Mexican and Chicano artists/DREAMERS of 1968. 8 pm. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission. 821-1155; www.missionculturalcenter.org.

April 30-June 17: Creativity Explored hosts an exhibit by eight gallery artists. Reception April 30, 7-9 pm. 3245 16th. 863-2108; www.creativityexplored.org.

May 1-3: CounterPulse celebrates its fourth birthday with DANCE, theater, comedy, and musical performances. 1310 Mission. For a schedule: 626-2060; www.counterpulse.org.

May 2: MISISIPI MIKE (8:30 am) and Failure to Disperse (10:30 am) play the Farmers' Market. 24th & Vicksburg. 248-1332; www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com.

May 2: The 15th Bay Area BRAIN TUMOR WALK benefits research and patient services. Registration 9-10 am; program 10 am-2 pm. Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park. 1-866-455-3214; www.bayareawalk.org.

May 2: The CINCO DE MAYO festival in Dolores Park features entertainment, vendors, and walking tours of Mission Dolores. 10 am-6 pm. 647-1533; www.mncsf.org.

May 2: FIESTAVAL at Fairmount Elementary School offers games, music, refreshments, and a silent/live auction. 11 am-4 pm. 65 Chenery. 695-5669.

May 2: TANGO No. 9 performs with guest dancers and a vocalist at 8 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 454-5238; www.noevalleymusicseries.com.

May 3: The SF Birth and BABY FAIR offers workshops, demonstrations, a raffle, and refreshments for new and expecting parents. 10 am-3 pm. Fort Mason. 867-0291; www.birthandbabyfair.com.

May 9: First Book San Francisco holds a children's book drive at the Fair Oaks STREET FAIR. 9 am-4 pm. Fair Oaks, between 21st and 26th.