Hayward, CA
[8/18] Bell Plastics Annual Public Open House, 10 AM to 5 PM, Free, All ages

New York City
See what RED pal Oriana Leckert has picked as the must-go-to events in the Big Apple

Oakland, CA
[All summer] Oakland Heritage Alliance has some swell walking tours lined up, $15 each/non-members

[Until 8/24] SIGNMAN: John Law, a retrospective of John Law’s work at Pro Arts Gallery
Related events:
[7/25] William Binzen and John Law in conversation at Pro Arts, 7 PM to 9 PM
[8/24] Closing reception, 8 PM to 10 PM

[7/28] Lake Merritt’s Mid-Century Monster was in disrepair for a long time but has been fully restored thanks to its fan club. Pack a picnic lunch and head to the bandstand behind Fairyland for the Monster Bash and Municipal Band Concert on Sunday, July 28, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Monster tees (they’re cool, you’ll want one!) and schwag will be available for purchase.

[8/16] It’s rare, but Children’s Fairyland sometimes opens its fairy gates to adults who want to attend without kids. Your next opportunity is August 16 from 7 PM to 10 PM for #Fairyland4Grownups. Tickets go on sale (in person) at the downtown Oaklandish store on July 20 and will probably sell out. [Your next chance after this is in September for Drawn Together, an after-hours live-art event. I’m told this one is absolutely terrific… and less of a “party” atmosphere.]

[10/12-2/16] The Smithsonian’s No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man exhibit is coming to Oakland Museum of California. Volunteer opportunities are available. 

[10/17-10/19] Autumn Lights Festival at Lake Merritt Gardens
[7/30] Artist submissions deadline

[11/8] No Spectators opening party at the Oakland Museum

Ross, CA
[Until 7/21] Exotic Aquatic, After losing everything in the wildfires over a year ago, light artist Erick Dunn is back with a new show at the Marin Art and Garden Center!

San Diego, CA
[8/7-8/11] Tiki Oasis: Catch the New Wave, Tickets

San Francisco, CA
View: An illustrated guide to quirky local spots in San Francisco Thanks, Joyce!

[Dates between now and 9/21] Artist Kasey Smith keeps a map of all the ghost signs in San Francisco. You know, the old handprinted advertising signs on the side of buildings that were just never painted over. And now she’s hosting Tenderloin Ghost Sign Walking Tours until September 21. Not to be missed! Tickets are $15.

[Dates in July] Flower Piano at SF Botanical Garden, 9 AM to 6 PM, More info

[7/18] (Super) Speechless Live, “San Francisco’s funniest people present slides they’ve never seen before in a talk style determined at random” at Public Works, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

[7/25-7/28] The Gray Area Festival (now in its fifth year) is a four-day event celebrating art and technology, with a focus on AR, VR, XR, and other immersive tech. Get a 15% off discount off a Festival Pass with this code: RUSTYS.

[8/2] The return of indie pop group Imperial Teen at Rickshaw Stop, 8 PM, Tickets

[8/4] James, along with the Psychedelic Furs at Stern Grove (free concert), 2 PM to 5 PM

[8/10] Bikes to Books has launched a new project called Boots to Books. It’s a one-mile walking tour of literary North Beach and Chinatown because not everyone bikes! 12:45 PM to 3 PM, Meet outside City Lights Books

San Jose, CA
[Now] “Surreal Sublime” at San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art

Walnut Creek, CA
[Until 9/15] Blow Up II: Inflatable Contemporary Art at Bedford Gallery

[8/3] Create and Inflate Workshop: Make Your Own Inflatable! at Bedford Gallery, 10 AM to 4 PM

Know about a cool happening? Send me the info and I’ll share it with the class!