San Franciscans have flipped their calendars, but fun is sticking around during the start of a new month.
Here are some of the top events to check out this week in The City.
Star Wars Day screening (Monday)
The San Francisco International Film Festival will head to the Castro Theatre and close out its 69th edition with a special screening of “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back” in honor of Star Wars Day (“May the fourth be with you”), the franchise’s unofficial holiday. As part of the event, C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels will chat with Lucasfilm executive and SFFILM Board Vice President Howard Roffman.
The San Francisco International Film Festival will close out this year’s 69th edition at the recently reopened Castro Theatre.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
David Archuleta at Book Passage (Monday)
Singer-songwriter David Archuleta, a 2008 “American Idol” finalist, is coming to Book Passage’s Ferry Building outpost to chat about “Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself.” Released in February, the memoir captures Archuleta’s struggles with his Mormon faith, sexuality and fame, as well as his decision to come out in 2021.
‘Italianity: The Culture of Italian Wine’ release party (Tuesday)
The A6 Italian restaurant on Chestnut Street hosting authors Andrea Lonardi and Jessica Dupuy to celebrate the release of their new book. The pair will chat about the significance of Italian wine, participate in pizza and wine tastings with guests, and hold a book signing.
District 4 supervisorial-candidate forum (Tuesday)
The League of Women Voters of San Francisco is hosting a forum for candidates in the District 4 supervisorial race. Taking place at A.P. Giannini Middle School, the event will involve participating candidates fielding attendee-submitted questions about issues and policies.
‘Hell’s Kitchen’ (Wednesday)
The musical inspired by Grammy-winner Alicia Keys is coming to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre for a nearly three-week engagement as part of the production’s North American tour. Directed by Tony nominee Michael Greif and choreographed by Tony winner Camille Brown, “Hell’s Kitchen” features Keys’ greatest hits and songs written exclusively for the musical.
Actress Maya Drake performs as Ali in the North American tour of the Alicia Keys musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” which will be making an appearance in San Francisco.
Courtesy Marc J. Franklin
‘Queen Kelly’ with live musical accompaniment (Wednesday)
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival will head to Castro Theatre and open its 29th edition with a screening of this 1929 silent film about a woman in a fictional European country who falls in love with a prince before the World War I. The movie’s musical score will be played live by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra, conducted by composer Eli Denson.
‘Us Now’ runway show (Thursday)
The Academy of Art University’s annual graduate runway show will take over the school’s Automobile Museum, where 19 designers will showcase pieces across womenswear and menswear. Designer Roy Halston Frowick will be posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to American style in the 1970s.
What She Said speaker series (Thursday)
The W San Francisco hotel is launching the latest installment of its event highlighting women in music. This month’s panel features Tina Davis of Empire, Terri Winston of Women’s Audio Mission, Lara Fox of AEG/Goldenvoice, Danae Labrana of Audacy, and artist Kaleena Zanders.
Tickets, which are available online for $39.19, include event entry, a complimentary beverage, light bites and a gift bag. The conservation starts at 5 p.m.
Downtown First Thursday (Thursday)
The area’s free, monthly all-ages block party takes over 2nd Street from Market to Howard streets. May’s edition features dishes by Napa’s Sticky Business Barbeque restaurant and Prubechu, the Mission’s Pacific Rim restaurant. The musical lineup includes four DJs. There will also be pop-up markets, dancers, games and other fun activities.
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Nightlife × Carnaval SF (Thursday)
The California Academy of Sciences is celebrating Latin American, Caribbean and Afrodiasporic cultures for a third year. This month’s edition honors the upcoming Carnaval celebration with a pop-up marketplace featuring artists and vendors, live cultural performances, hands-on arts and crafts, games and other offerings.
Nightlife events hosted by the California Academy of Sciences feature a pop-up marketplace for guests to browse an assortment of goods and items made by local makers and artisans.
Courtesy Tommy Lau
Lucia Gutierrez Rebolloso in concert (Thursday)
Known mononymously as Lucia, the Mexican artist will make her San Francisco debut at the Presidio Theatre. Winner of the 11th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Rebolloso is known for her interpretation of jazz music, classical Spanish songs and current pop-music hits.
Sonicwonder in concert (Friday)
Grammy-winning pianist Hiromi Uehara will visit Golden Gate Theatre, where she will be joined by trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, bassist Hadrien Feraud and drummer Gene Coye. The quartet will perform jazz and funk music from its 2025 album, “Out There.”
The Living Room Variety Show (Friday)
Held every second Friday, this monthly free act is returning to 995 Market St. to showcase a range of Bay Area entertainment acts. May’s lineup includes improv comedy by A Lot to Unpack and the Spicy Boyzzz, as well as stand-up sets from Tirumari Jothi and Michelle Moghtader. Musical acts include Andy Feldman, Bryan Wong and Gabe Chaparro.
Taiwanese American Cultural Festival (Saturday)
Billed by organizers as the largest such celebration on the West Coast, the festival returns to Union Square for a family-friendly showcase of food, entertainment, culture, games and other fun activities. Now in its 33rd year, the event highlights artists, chefs, musical performances and other community members who showcase Taiwanese heritage through their work.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in San Francisco’s Union Square.
Cinco de Mayo Show and Cruise (Saturday)
The San Francisco Lowrider Council is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo show at John O’Connell High School. Cars will be parked in the parking lot for six hours before crusing down Mission Street at 4 p.m.
The San Francisco Lowrider Council is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo show at John O’Connell High School on Saturday before cruising down Mission Street at 4 p.m.
Courtesy Tyrone Malow Diaz
Proceeds from the car show will benefit the high school, organizers said. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2355 Folsom St.
The 85th annual Mother’s Day Rose Show (Sunday)
The San Francisco Rose Society is taking over the Hall of Flowers inside Golden Gate Park and presenting its annual rose show. This year’s edition — “Stars, Stripes and Rose Petals” — celebrates 250 years since the U.S. declared American independence from British authority through blooms, displays and other works.
Guests can attend the admission-free event from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The hall is located near the intersection of 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way.
Mother’s Day market (Sunday)
The Box Shop is hosting an art market in honor of the holiday, allowing guests to browse arts and crafts from five vendors and take pictures in front of more than 130 murals. Attendees can also make cards for their mothers with help from artist Alejandra Rassvetaieff, or join artist Hallie McConlogue in making this year’s salmon-run costumes for the annual Bay to Breakers event.
The open house runs from noon to 4 p.m. at 951 Hudson Ave.
Salsa on the Bay (Sunday)
Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery is inviting residents to Treasure Island for San Francisco’s annual waterfront salsa festival, which features salsa music, dancing and Latin-inspired food and cocktails. As part of the event, the West Coast Makers will bring a pop-up market featuring local makers and artisans to the island.