Huzzah, Friday! Time to watch this Game of Thrones re-make with only pugs, Pugs of Westeros, and then read our list of the five best events that are happening this weekend:
Evolution Expo
A new event in Oakland seeks to put the science back into science fiction. The expo, which will take place at the Oakland Marriott City Center this weekend, is intended for science fiction fans, professional scientists, and the general public. So in addition to autograph signings and photo opportunities with sci-fi actors such as Star Trek’s Tim Russ and Battlestar Galactica’s Ty Olsson, the expo will feature science lectures geared toward professionals, and an educational program called Evo-Kids during which astronauts will discuss the challenges of manned space operations. The science lectures will include talks by Dr. Pascal Lee, co-founder and chairman of the Mars Institute, who will discuss the mission to Mars, and UC Berkeley adjunct associate professor Jennifer Fletcher, who will speak about genetics in science and science fiction. On Sunday, The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik, who has a Ph.D in neuroscience, will give a presentation on what it’s like to be both an actress and a scientist. In addition to panels and presentations, there will also be space-age karaoke, a performance by Jefferson Starship and progressive rock band Spock’s Beard, a charity ball, and private meet-and-greets with celebrities. Friday-Sunday, June 27-29. General weekend pass: $25-$150; elite weekend pass: $150-$1000. EvolutionExpo.net — Zaineb Mohammed
Cocktail-Making Class
Who said mixology is only for professionals? At a monthly cocktail-making class at Assemble, you, too, can learn the fine art of knowing how much tequila is too much and, more to the point, how to mix a tasty, well-balanced adult beverage. This month, the $50 price of admission pays for three summery drinks (a Riesling-based wine cocktail, a fruity mezcal-and-tequila number, and a dessert cocktail made with sparkling rosé), each one shaken or stirred by your own hand. To make sure you’re not drinking on an empty stomach, Assemble’s kitchen team will serve up small bites to go with each cocktail: a mini grilled-cheese sandwich, shrimp ceviche, and strawberry shortcake. Afterward, participants are welcome to stay for dinner or — why not? — another drink or two while enjoying the great waterfront sunset view. Friday, June 27. 6:30-8:30 p.m., $50. AssembleRestaurant.com — Luke Tsai
[jump] Milo’s Kitchen Tour
This one goes out to all of my canine (and canine-loving) readers: As part of its launch this Friday, the San Francisco-based Milo’s Kitchen, which claims to be the Bay Area’s first food truck for dogs, is embarking on a nationwide tour that will include at least one East Bay stop — at Richmond’s Point Isabel Dog Park (2701 Isabel St.) on Saturday, June 28, starting at 7:30 a.m. The truck, which is affiliated with the Big Heart Pet Brands pet food company, will dish out free tastes of its “100% real” chicken meatballs, grilled burger bites, and other treats. Your move, Cat Town. — L.T.
AssembleArt Void II
Art Void is a new collective of Bay Area musicians who play krautrock and progressive and psychedelic rock. It’s also the name of a new event, held on the last Saturday of every month at The Night Light, that aims to highlight such bands while recreating the scene they draw inspiration from — 1970s-era German nightclubs. Art Void’s second installment, which happens on Saturday, June 28, will feature local psych-rock band Golden Void, krautrock outfit Hedersleben, and psych-experimentalists Planes of Satori, as well as visual stimulation by Scott Travis Johnston, lighting by Kelly Porter, and vintage clothing and vinyl records for sale from The Power Plant. It should be a multisensory, time-traveling experience. Saturday, June 28. 9 p.m., $10. TheNightLightOakland.com — Kathleen Richards
Family Day
In early 2016, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive will relocate to a new, larger downtown location, which organizers hope will make the facility appeal to a wider audience, including, especially, families. In anticipation of the move, museum organizers will host their first Family Day on Sunday. Activities will include workshops in which kids can play with one hundred pounds of clay and create collages and stamps inspired by the new Color Shift exhibit. There will also be specially designed family tours of the galleries throughout the day, and a performance by a cappella jazz, gospel, and world music ensemble SoVoSó. The day will conclude at the PFA Theater with a screening of animated short films adapted from children’s books such as The Emperor’s New Clothes, Cat in the Hat, and Chicken Soup with Rice, followed by a talk by children’s author and illustrator Christy Hale. Sunday, June 29. 11 a.m., free. BAMPFA.Berkeley.edu — Z.M.
Plus… Get your cheapskate on: This is how much we love you guys: Here are our searchable listings of every single free event happening in the East Bay this weekend.
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