Books & Media / eBook Collections / Services / Calendar / Libraries / About / Newsletter Archive

August: Discover Art, Music
and Recreation
 August is packed with art, music and moments that move—whether you’re stitching history, sketching cinema, stretching into stillness or swapping zines. This month, we celebrate creative expression in many forms: hands-on workshops, deep conversations, musical journeys and street-level storytelling. Come get inspired, get involved and get curious with us!
National AIDS Memorial Quilt Repair & Panel Making Workshop
Help preserve the legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and honor loved ones at this hands-on workshop. No sewing experience needed—all are welcome. Sat., Aug. 2, 12–4 p.m., Main Library, Steve Silver Music Center, 4th Floor
 
Drawing From Film: Blue Velvet
Pause and sketch iconic scenes from David Lynch’s surreal classic in this self-led drawing session. Materials provided; all skill levels welcome. Sat., Aug. 9, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room
ALSO HAPPENING THIS MONTH
Queer Collage
 
Explore collage as a creative and expressive art form in a welcoming workshop led by artist Terrance Graven.
All materials provided. Space limited; RSVPs recommended. Sun., Aug. 3, 2–3:30 p.m., Main Library, James C. Hormel
LGBTQIA Center, 3rd Floor
 
Ayesha Nadir Ali Sings
 
Enjoy Indian classical and Punjabi Sufi/folk music with vocalist Ayesha Nadir Ali, joined by Bay Area tabla player Zara Ahmed.
Sun., Aug. 3, 3–5 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium
Theo Gonzalves in Conversation
with Emil Guillermo
 
Scholar and Smithsonian curator Theo Gonzalves discusses Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects with journalist Emil Guillermo, with a focus on Philippine and Filipino American artifacts. Fri., Aug. 8, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Main Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, 3rd Floor
 
Clay & Culture: A Journey Through Asian Ceramics
 
Take a virtual tour through the Asian Art Museum’s renowned ceramics collection and explore the influence of Chinese pottery across Asia and beyond. Wed., Aug. 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m., Virtual Library
 
Yoga with Tendwell Collective
 
Move mindfully in this gentle, all-levels yoga class focused on relaxation, stretch and strength. Mats available to borrow. Fri., Aug. 22, 12–1 p.m., Main Library, Steve Silver Music Center, 4th Floor
Matthew Shipp in Conversation with Justin Desmangles
 
Pianist and writer Matthew Shipp discusses Black Mystery School Pianists and Other Writings with cultural critic Justin Desmangles.
Sun., Aug. 24, 12–1:30 p.m., Virtual Library
 
Celebrate 50 Years of Rainbow Grocery!
Join the library crew at Rainbow Grocery’s 50th Anniversary Block Party! Enjoy live music, food, games, giveaways, vendor booths, art activities for kids and more—all in celebration of five decades of community-powered cooperation.
Sun., Aug. 17, 12–6 p.m., outside Rainbow Grocery (Folsom & Trainor Streets)
 
Find Us at SF Zine Fest!
 
We’ll be tabling at the 2025 San Francisco Zine Fest—come say hi! Explore zines from local creators, connect with community and check out what SFPL has been making and collecting.
Sun., Aug. 31, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.,
City View at Metreon
Pressed, Played & Printed
Jerry Garcia Day 2025

Every August, San Francisco’s Excelsior District pulses with the spirit of Jerry Garcia-native son, legendary guitarist, and heart of the Grateful Dead-as fans and neighbors gather at Jerry Day to honor his enduring legacy, celebrate the music that unites generations, and pay tribute to the vibrant community that shaped his roots.
 
HARRY WILLIAMS:  
Jones & Ellis Street Project
 
A striking street photography exhibition that centers the dignity, humanity and presence of Tenderloin residents through large-scale portraits and street art. At the corner of Jones and Ellis, Tenderloin residents—housed and unhoused, young and old—are photographed with quiet care.
 
Shot over two years, photographer Harry Williams builds trust with each subject, sometimes waiting months to reconnect and gift someone their portrait. Based in San Francisco, Williams is known for his intimate street portraiture that centers the humanity of people often overlooked.
 
These large-scale images are not about spectacle, but recognition. Rooted in dignity, they ask us to slow down and see each other fully.
 
On view at the San Francisco Main Library, this indoor exhibition brings the Jones & Ellis Street Project into our community space for reflection.
 
Exhibit runs through Sept. 26, 2025.
Art, Music & Recreation Resources! 

The Bernard Osher Foundation Art, Music & Recreation Center is your go-to for all things creative at SFPL—from visual and performing arts to music, sports and recreation. Our collection spotlights artists, musicians, dancers, architects, filmmakers and athletes with strong ties to the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
Explore our deep collection of library-use-only treasures — from historic theater scrapbooks and rare sheet music in the Dorothy Starr Collection to 19th-century etchings, programs from Bay Area performances dating back to 1910, and a Fakebooks Index to help you find melodies, lyrics and chords. Love vinyl? Browse our pre-1990 LP collection spanning world music, folk, classical and more.
 
Whether you're attending an event, researching local creatives, or exploring our one-of-a-kind materials, we’re here to inspire and support your creative journey.
 
Art, Music and Recreation Department
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4525 sfpl.org/artmusicrec
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram