So, if your Memorial Day motives involve kickin’ it close to home and getting your grub on — we have an event that may pique your interest. Instead of bopping around S.F. in search of the city’s best culinary gems (that could take months, really), why not have a hefty amount come to you? Bluxome Street Winery’s new monthly market allows you to taste a sizable assortment of vendors all under one roof. Because who really wants to schlep around town?

Think of Bluxome Street Winery’s Meet Market as a farmers market of sorts, only with way more vino flowing. The food-filled fete kicks off this Saturday and will boast a bevy of the Bay Area’s hottest names in food, wine, and even flora. Yep, the lauded Natalie Bowen Designs will be on site whipping up some springy arrangements, and folks from Batter Bakery and Kika's Treats, among many others, will be serving up bites. You don’t want to skip this one. After all, it will be another month before you it goes down again. Meet you there?

When: Saturday, May 26, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Bluxome Street Winery, 53 Bluxome Street (between 4th and 5th streets); 415-543-5353.

Who said costumes were reserved solely for Halloween, or, in our case, Bay to Breakers? This Friday, throw on a top hat, turn back time, and revisit S.F.'s days of yore. You know, when the 1906 quake rocked our fair city, vaudeville shows were the entertainment of choice, and cocktails were rarely poured sans brandy (the latter may still ring true).

The California Academy of Sciences is kicking off its brand-spankin'-new earthquake-centric exhibit, aptly titled "Earthquake," which features images of S.F. before and after the monumental '06 shake-up. And to fete the anticipated show, it is hosting a 19th century-themed shindig. The five-hour affair will play host to an assortment of old-timey activities including cancan dancing and variety shows.

And while we're positive those performances are sure to knock our socks off, it's the 1906 earthquake simulator and live ostriches (according to sources, they have some connection to earthquakes) that have us counting down the minutes until Friday night. Well, it's time to dust off that old costume and kick up your heels (literally), because we're giving away a pair of tickets to the bash.

Score two tickets just by telling us what you'd wear to the big event in the comments. The winning package includes access to the party and exhibit, planetarium show, and two complimentary drinks. We’ll announce the winner Wednesday, so stay tuned!

When: Friday, May 25, 7 p.m. to midnight
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park; 415-379-8000.
Price: $49 to $99; Buy tickets here.

Photo: Courtesy of California Academy of Sciences

Saying it’s been one helluva week for Mark Zuckerberg would be an understatement, for sure. Not only did Facebook finally go public on Friday (making him a billionaire five times over), he also rang in his 28th birthday last Monday. But the icing on the cake of Zuck’s best week ever? He got hitched over the weekend! The Bay Area (and global!) tech icon married his college girlfriend, Priscilla Chan, in a surprise ceremony in their Palo Alto home. Okay, this warrants a resounding awwwwww, right?

According to Us Weekly, Priscilla donned a $4,700 embroidered Claire Pettibone dress and looked stunning as she strutted down the aisle just days after graduating from UCSF School of Medicine (her week wasn’t too shabby either). It seems under 100 guests attended, and thought they were there to celebrate Chan's graduation, but were instead surprised with a wedding. While we haven’t seen pics of the ring, it’s described as a simple ruby that the Zuck designed himself. We’re over the moon for the newlyweds, and are even more tickled that Zuckerberg ditched his signature hoodie for a day.



Photo: Via Us Weekly

If you ask us, no one is heating up the S.F. culinary scene quite like Thomas McNaughton of Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, and soon-to-open Salumeria. He’s taking over our city’s resto turf by storm (he landed a spot as one of our hottest chefs under 30) with his three-restaurant empire, and this weekend he’s lending his skills to the unique traveling pork-themed event Cochon 555.

The innovative, multi-city food fete features five winemakers, five chefs, and five pigs. Thomas will be on-site competing against local chefs like Anthony Strong (another chef to make our list) to concoct the perfect meat-filled meal using all parts of the assigned heritage pig. We caught up with him ahead of the event to talk pork, partying (or the lack thereof), and his pet piggy Kona.

Can you tell us a little more about the event?
"It’s a great event. It promotes bringing back heritage pigs. The one that was given to us is called the Red Waddle. Of all the breeds, it was probably the closest one to extinction. It’s promoting small farms and producers who are really trying to bring back these once-lost pigs."

How did you get involved with Cochon 555?
"Brady, the founder of the event, knew that we only used whole animals at Flour + Water and that we go through many a pig a week. He reached out and contacted us, so we did it a couple of years ago and are doing it again this year. It’s a really unique event: It’s five pigs from five farms and five winemakers. It’s a competition, but it’s not a competition."

If you could pig out on any meal what would it be?
"My favorite meal in the world is an amazing bottle of wine, cheeses, homemade salumi, nuts, almonds, and fresh fruit. But it’s funny because since we just opened up Central Kitchen and we're about to open up Salumeria soon — there is zero food inside my kitchen. But I really love eating at home."

Speaking of your home, would you say you’re a pig or are you the tidy type?
"Well, I own a pig. I live right above Flour + Water and she has a large deck. She’s house trained and uses a kitty litter."

What’s her name?
"Kona. She’s an awesome pet, and ridiculously cute. I describe her as the worst girlfriend in the world. She’s the most needy animal I’ve ever met in my life. If I’m sitting on the couch, put her in the other room, or come home late — she’s squealing. She’s very sweet though."

Any plans to get her a companion?
"It’s actually too late. I really wanted to, but at this point the bond with their owners so strongly, that if I were to introduce another pig it wouldn’t work. She gets along really well with other animals, but if I were to bring in another pig they wouldn’t get along."

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re off work?
"I just opened up Central Kitchen about eight days ago and we are about to open Salumeria, so I probably haven’t had a day off in two months. But if I did have a day off, I’d probably go for a hike or a sail or go outside and adventure a little bit."

Can tell us a little bit about the upcoming cookbook?
"Well, we built a test kitchen above Flour + Water, where there are also two apartments — one I live in, and the other one is for our offices. We built a massive test kitchen. This is where we are testing all the recipes for the cookbook and it also has a library for all the cooks."

Which chef are you looking forward to going up against this weekend?
"I’d say Traci [Des Jardins]. I think we’re most excited to up against her because she is probably the biggest challenge and is one of the most respected chefs ever."

Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux

Sure, most mamas will tell you they love being showered with flowers, perfume, spa days, and the like on Mother’s Day — or maybe even that it's just the thought that counts. But, deep down, they don’t give a hoot about those frilly prezzies. And that card with the noodles pasted to it? Not cutting it, either.

What you really need, to win over dear old Mom: an iPad. Yep, it’s a fact: According to a Tech Bargains survey that just came out, a staggering 91% of moms would prefer an iPad over any snoozy florals you plan to send their way.

When you think about it, this makes total sense — especially since the number of tech-savvy ‘rents is on the rise (or at least seems like it is, we can't get ours to log off Instagram). It's a kinda pricey ask, but hey, this is the woman who gave birth to you, and made you the lady you are today. So, really, it's the least you could do.

Oh, and once you score a shiny new toy for Mama, snag one of these sleek cases for a double-whammy to show her you really care. Only the best for mom, right?

Photo: Via Apple

If there's one thing we want to do on the weekends it's…well…nothing! And while the Bay's plethora of lush parks are definitely conducive to outdoor chilling, we're also lucky enough to have a host of alternative, more urban R&R spots in the form of the parklets popping up all over town. The best tiny, park-like structures make their home in the parking spaces in front of some of the coolest city spots (Four Barrel, Delfina, Trouble Coffee, and Farm:Table among them), and they don't just consist of a few uninspired tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Instead, the mini venues are getting made over by some of the coolest design firms and creative types in town. Don't believe that these auto zones can be jazzed up to stunning effect? Just take a virtual walk through our slideshow and plan your summertime sit-ins accordingly.

Photographed by Christine Ting

If trekking out into the wilderness and camping in the middle or nowhere isn’t exactly how you envision yourself celebrating Earth Day, we’ve found the perfect (totally glam!) alterative to honoring Mother Nature, going down tonight!

One of our favorite local blogs and e-tailers, Big Things, along with the California Academy of Sciences, is hosting a soiree dubbed Dirty, Earthy Nightlife, where us art-minded nature lovers can participate in a bevy of stellar showcases, including award-winning nature photography captured by Ian Shive.

More of a movie buff? You can also check out two awesome screenings of eco-centric films Edible Insects and The First 70 . Then, grab a pair of scissors and take part in Scrap’s recycled art-and-craft table, and learn all you need to know about composting in two crash courses from the folks at the U.S Compostal Service and Garden For The Environment.

And it wouldn’t be much of a party without green-themed cocktails and dancing away to tunes from Rock It Science Laboraties, right? Jot down the essential info below, and leave the bug spray at home.

When: Thursday, April 26, 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: The California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park; 415-379-8000.
Price: $12; buy tickets here!

Photo: Via Ian Shive

Sick of making the trek to check out an awesome trunk show, only to find a small rack of squint-to-see'-'em pieces huddled in the corner? We feel your pain — and think you're going to be a smidge more impressed when you hear about Janezic's latest event. It's going down in the insanely large (hooray for elbow room) Fort Mason Center, as part of the Megasin Général pop-up shop festivities happening this weekend.

And we have a hunch that the space’s square footage won’t be going to waste, since folks will be able to find trunkfuls of apparel, jewelry, and tomes from several retailers — including pieces from local designers Lofti, Stitch and Hammer, and of course, Janezic. We suggest taking a peek of the latter's latest swoon-worthy lookbook for a little taste of what's in store. Ready to do some serious shopping? Get the deets below and find out why bigger really does mean better. We'll catch you on the flipside — at this can't-miss event.

When: Saturday, April 21, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, 1 to 6 p.m.
Where: Fort Mason Center, Building C, Room C-260, (at Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard); 415 345-7500.

Photo: Courtesy of Leslie Williamson

If the box office rigmarole is giving you a mad case of the sleepies, we feel you — and we have the perfect antidote. The San Francisco International Film Fest is touching down this this Thursday (through May 3), and it’s chock-full of cinematic goodies. So, you can say no without hesitation when someone tries to invite you to tag along to see Titanic in 3-D.

This must-hit event has an impressive arsenal of flicks from the fashion-centric movie Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel about editrix Diana Vreeland (sneak peek above!) to Bernie, which explores the life of an Evangelist-turned-funeral director. We could go on all day — there are so many exciting options to highlight. Check out our roundup of our fave four films, and make plans accordingly. And of course, take to the comments with your own recs for must-sees.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
We’re vying to catch this flick following the life of the late fashion editor Diana Vreeland. A mash-up of archived footage and interviews, this film takes a close look at one of the industry’s most-famous faces.
When: Sunday, April 29, 6:45 p.m. and Tuesday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sundance Kabuki Theatre, 1881 Post Street (between Webster and Fillmore streets); 415-346-3243.
Price: $13, Tickets here!

Bernie
Starring funnyman Jack Black, this flick showcases a former Evangelist who takes up a gig as an assistant funeral director — but is still determined to be the most popular kid on the block. We’re certain Bernie will deliver major belly laughs.
When: Saturday, April 21, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Sundance Kabuki Theatre, 1881 Post Street (between Webster and Fillmore streets); 415-346-3243.
Price: $13, Tickets here!

The Fourth Dimension
Val Kilmer stars in this hip flick as a biking motivational speaker. The movie captures three wildly different points of view — and we're sorta captivated by all of them.
When: Friday, April 20, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 10:00 p.m.
Where: Sundance Kabuki Theatre, 1881 Post Street (between Webster and Fillmore streets); 415-346-3243.
Price: $13, Tickets here!

Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present
Take an inside peek into the mind of performance artist Marina Abramovic. This visual treat will take you inside the life of the artist, who made a name for herself in the ‘70s for her jaw-dropping journey in performance work.
When: Saturday, April 21, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 5:40 p.m.
Where: Sundance Kabuki Theatre, 1881 Post Street (between Webster and Fillmore streets); 415-346-3243.
Price: $13, Tickets here!

Video: Via Diana Vreeland Official Site

Sure, San Francisco has a rich film history, with the likes of Vertigo, Bullitt, and The Graduate all filmed in this little city by the Bay. But let's admit it, our great S.F. film references are feeling a bit dated of late.

Thankfully, that's all about to change thanks to the fact that the one and only Woody Allen has revealed that his next flick will be filmed right here in S.F.!

Variety reports that after rumors started circulating that Copenhagen would be the next locale of the Euro-loving director, Allen himself put those lies to bed by announcing that he'd be staying stateside (and specifically, Bayside!) for his next hugely anticipated flick, revealing that he'll be shooting mostly in San Francisco, and "a tiny bit" in New York. Um, are you as excited as we are? We're assuming, yesssssss.

Photo: Via WoodyAllen.com

This month has been so jam-packed with artsy events, it's like we fell asleep and woke up in art wonderland. And nothing could give us that through-the-looking-glass feeling more than this weekend’s Mission Open Studios event, where over a hundred artists from all over the city will show off their multi-media work for our viewing pleasure — for free!

With so much to navigate, let us give you one hot tip: Head to local indie e-tailer Storenvy, which is helmed by cutie Janette Crawford, shares a building with 30 participating artists (including R29 photographer Molly DeCoudreaux), and will be serving up savory tacos and pouring unlimited beers. Yeah, that's a pretty serious triple threat. See you there?

Mission Open Studios
When: Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: See the full list of locations here!


Storenvy Party
When: Saturday, April 14, 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Storevny, 3265 17th Street (between Mission and Capp streets).

Photo: Via Elizabeth Cayne

The Lower Divisadero strip isn’t just hot, it’s straight up sizzling thanks to a bevy of exciting newcomers like Workshop, San Franpsycho, and Rare Device that now call the block home. (You might recall the latter showing us its new digs!)

And in the next couple of months, the street will be heating up even more with the arrival of a new, supposedly hipster-free project by the cult-followed Four Barrel coffee and bread slinger Josey Baker.

So, it’s only fitting that the trendy strip, which seems to be getting hotter by the minute, should host its own Art Walk. Going down tonight, the Divisadero sidewalks (from Haight to Geary) will be filled with art shows to gawk at, designer wares to covet, and all the mind-blowing food you’ll need to keep energized.

In other words, we’re so all over this one! Peep the full slew of shops that will all be in on the action, get the deets below, and see what all the much-deserved fuss is really all about.

When: Thursday, April 12, 6 to 10 p.m.
Where: On Divisadero (between Haight and Geary streets)

Photo: Via Facebook/Big Umbrella Studios