Weekend Preview: SF Events

It's almost the weekend and if you happen to live in the Bay Area, San Francisco is where you want to be for the next few days. This weekend there are lots of scheduled events going on across the city, so there's no reason to not get out of your house and check one out (let's hope it doesn't rain). Here's a rundown of a few of the major events:

What: Hip Hop Live
Who: Talib Kweli, David Banner, Little Brother, B.O.B.
Where: The Grand at the Regency Center - 1290 Sutter Street
When: Show starts @ 8pm, Doors open @ 7pm
Why: Ever since emerging as a member of Black Star in the late 1990s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music that matters. The Brooklyn bred rapper's hard-hitting music has been able to educate and entertain simultaneously. So it is no wonder that at the peak of their fame, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent named Talib Kweli as one of their favorite rappers.
More: http://www.myspace.com/talibkweli


What: Oktoberfest By the Bay
Who: Bavarian bands, People who love beer & brats
Where: Fort Mason
When: Thursday-Sunday
Why: The annual celebration of all things German, this is the largest festival of its kind in California, w/authentic food, drink, music, dancing & German arts & crafts.
More: http://www.oktoberfestbythebay.com


What: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 8
Who: Elvis Costello High Whines & Spirits, Gogol Bordello, Nick Lowe, Iron & Wine, The Waybacks, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Loundon Wainwright III, Ben Kweller, Robert Plant with Alison Krauss & MC Hammer (you heard me)
Where: Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park
When: Friday-Sunday
Why: Warren Hellman, famed investment banker and amateur banjo player, gifts San Francisco every year with a concert billed with some of greatest acoustic performers in the country. It's a random assortment of musical talents and genres but its free and definitely worth checking out.
More: http://www.strictlybluegrass.com


What: SF LOVEFEST
Who: Many many DJs, techno fans, costumed people, dancers, anyone who wants to spread the love
Where: (Start) 2nd & Market, (End) Civic Center Plaza
When: Music & Parade Start Saturday @ Noon
Why: The largest single day electronic dance music event in America, SF LoveFest is an integral part of the cultural fabric of San Francisco. The success of this event can be visualized in the images from years passed, but what keeps it going is the passion behind the organization . SF LoveFest aims to promote that the electronic dance music scene cares about the community and is sustainable by giving back, by granting music scholarships, providing gear to schools and supporting at-risk intercity youth
More: http://www.sflovefest.org


What: World Veg Festival Weekend
Who: Vegetarians, Vegans & Anyone
Where: Fair Building at Golden Gate Park
When: Saturday & Sunday
Why: The World Veg Festival provides a chance for newcomers to chat with enthusiastic proponents of the healthful lifestyle. Education comes in the form of cooking demonstrations and workshops that offer lessons in making vegan cheese and cooking up legumes in a variety of flavors, while expert-led discussions focus on ethical farming, naturalistic healthcare, new meditation techniques, and the benefits of going veg.
More: http://www.sfvs.org/wvd/