Erica Mu

San Francisco guitar innovator Garrin Benfield is known for a complex, loop-driven solo show – but he’s not doing that on his new album. Now he’s concentrating on singing and playing a finger-style electric guitar. 

Benfield says his current sound might best be accompanied by candlelight and a bottle of Pinot Noir. They don’t offer either at the Dolores Park Café in San Francisco, but that’s where you can hear Benfield this Friday, January 6, starting about 7:30pm. All ages are welcome.

If you’re like me, the sight of inflatable Santa’s and fake, twinkling icicles anytime after December 25th, may cause you to roll down the car window and yell out, “Christmas is over!" I’m no Grinch; I just think holiday sentimentality has its place, and its expiration date is approximately 11:59 p.m. on December 25th. And while my neighbors can continue to flaunt their cheerful, plastic, and permanently anchored reindeer, there is one thing they really have to get rid of: their Christmas tree.

Going somewhere?  If it’s through San Francisco Airport on a Wednesday or Friday, between now and December 23, you can hear some live local music while you’re there. The annual “Hear It Now” concerts take place between 11am and 2pm on those dates.

In San Francisco, you don’t have to go to a stuffy night club or a formal classroom to learn how to swing dance. If you want to learn the Lindy Hop, you can learn in the great outdoors.

KALW’s Carolina Hidalgo, who is originally from Chile, found the group called Lindy in the Park, dancing in full daylight on one of her walks in Golden Gate Park. She brings us this profile for the next installment of Meet Your Neighbors.

Join KALW for its final 70th anniversary event, in conjunction with the Mission Arts and Performance Project!

This special evening will feature oral storytellers, radio producers, and musicians performing on the theme of "Beginnings and Endings." We'll also be bringing you an episode of KALW's "Crosscurrents" LIVE, with audience participation! 

Cost: FREE!

Venue: The Polish Club (3040 22nd Street, San Francisco)

Date and Time: Saturday, December 3rd from 6-9pm

Performers include: