Past Events
Last Day Open
Friday, January 15th, 201011am - 11pm
Varnish is closed for good at its current location on January 16, 2010 due to February demolition of the property by the Transbay Joint Powers Authority. Thank you to all of our supporters over the past 7 years. Please follow us via our website or twitter. We will miss you until we see you next at our new location. Cheers!
Circus Bella Performance and Fundraiser
Tuesday, November 10th, 20096pm - 9pm
See the magnificent Circus Bella perform tonight, during this fundraising event.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Circus Bella
Halloween Eve film screening
Friday, October 30th, 20097pm - 11pm
Join us for tonight's scary screening of two of our very favorite Bruce Campbell films---Army of Darkness and Evil Dead II. Spooky drink specials at the bar all night! Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Yerba Buena Gallery Walk
Saturday, October 24th, 200912am - 5pm
Fourteen art galleries in the Yerba Buena Neighborhood, San Francisco's most dynamic arts community, are joining forces to host the Fall 2009 Yerba Buena Gallery Walk. The Gallery Walk features free admission and refreshments, along with ample opportunities to experience art. The 14 participating galleries offer a diverse look at contemporary, emerging, and established artists working in a variety of mediums. They are: 111 Minna Gallery, 871 Fine Arts, Baer Ridgway, Catharine Clark Gallery, Chandler Fine Art, Crown Point Press, Fivepoints Arthouse, Modernism, Rayko Photo, Sculpturesite, SF Camerawork, Varnish Fine Art, Visual Aid and the UC Berkeley Extension Art and Design Center Gallery. This is a great opportunity for art enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone interested in witnessing art to explore the galleries in the Neighborhood.
Dark Nouveau Rock Art Poster Show---Part II Rock 'n Roll: UFOMAMMUT LIVE
Saturday, October 24th, 200912pm - 11pm
Join us for day 2 of the Dark Nouveau art exhibit, during the Fall Gallery Walk today Noon-5pm and for a live concert of UFOMAMMUT band tonight with Acid King---doors at 7pm and show at 8:30pm. DJ Evil Justin will round out the evening providing choice punk and rock and roll. Supported by the visuals of Malleus. Don't miss the Italian band here in the States for only 2 special gigs, and this is the last one!
MALLEUS, the artist collective of Urlo, Poia and Lu, the remarkable poster design team from Italy, unveil their new works and limited art prints. Alan Forbes, Dave Hunter and Chuck Sperry / Ron Donovan of the Firehouse also present prints specifically designed for this 2-day event.
You must be 21+ to attend. Admission for the 8:30pm show is $12 for advance tickets available from the link below or $15 at the door starting at 7pm while supplies last.
Dark Nouveau Rock Art Poster Show
Friday, October 23rd, 20097pm - 11pm
Join us this evening and tomorrow for the Dark Nouveau art exhibit.
This event is a celebration of Dark Nouveau, a return to the roots of poster creation. Dark Nouveau evokes equally the fin de siecle style of Toulouse-Lautrec and 1960's San Francisco Psychedelia---and operates here as a manifesto of reinvention and revision---aimed at connecting the poster movement of the Decadent Period to the Belle Epoque and folding it into the Psychedelic Period to presnet modern global silkscreen movement.
MALLEUS, the artist collective of Urlo, Poia and Lu, the remarkable poster design team from Italy, unveil their new works and limited art prints. Alan Forbes, Dave Hunter and Chuck Sperry / Ron Donovan of the Firehouse also present prints specifically designed for this 2-day event.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend
Litquake---Original Shorts: Survival of the Fittest
Thursday, October 15th, 20097pm - 9pm
Join us for tonight's Litquake literary event of short story readings by authors Cornelia Nixon, Chelsea Martin, Russell Hill, Sylvia Brownrigg, Kathryn Ma, and Lori Ostlund. Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Project Wrecking Ball Launch Party
Friday, September 25th, 20097pm - 11pm
Join us to celebrate the launch of Project Wrecking Ball. This long-term art project is Varnish Fine Art's response to the pending eminent domain demolition of the building Varnish occupies at 77 Natoma Street in downtown San Francisco. By continually changing the eviction/demolition date, short-notice, the government agency in charge of demo (Transbay Joint Powers Authority) has blocked Varnish's ability to schedule further art shows, as they have since opening over six years ago. Instead, a fabulous group of invited artists will leave their studios, in the Bay Area and beyond, to create artwork on-site throughout the main gallery for this ongoing art event. The varied artwork will be created in paint, encaustic adn photo-emulsion directly on the brick walls and on panels in addition to metal sculpture and kinetic art installations. Project Wrecking Ball will continue until the wrecking ball swings on Varnish Fine Art---whenever that will be! PWB artists include: Jennybird Alcantara, Beth Bojarski, Vance Cearley, Dave Correia, Kevin Evans, Albert DiCruttalo, Ezra Li Eizmont, Joshua Hagler, Kal Spelletich, Dan Romo, Annie Owens, Chuck Sperry, Reuben Rude, Michael Page, Sri Zeno Whipple, Brad Isdrab, Stephanie Morgan, Sofia Sharpe, Zoe Ani, Karl Reichley, Pierre Merkl, Winston Smith, Sharon Leong, Rob Racine, Lucien Shapiro, Jon Wayshak, Rob Reger, Shawn Webber, Jeff Ross, Ken Whitaker, James Lichnovsky, and more! Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend
Plastic Antinomy Magazine Issue #3 Release Party
Tuesday, September 15th, 20097pm - 10pm
At last, the one and only visual arts magazine about the Bay Area, Plastic Antinomy, is releasing its 3rd issue, the BLUE/GREEN Issue with a Free-Admission party. Come meet the makers, writers and featured artists of Plastic Antinomy, listen to DJ DBitS spinning Rock n' Roll vinyl, and buy a raffle ticket for your chance to win a digital camera courtesy of Adolph Gasser Photography, art books from Last Gasp, original artwork by local artists, and more! A limited number of copies will be on hand, so come early and be one of the first to get your hands on Plastic Antinomy #3. This issue takes a look at local artists/venues whose work is tied to the environment/water such as the painters Josh Keyes and Alexis Amann, sculptor Ron Garrigues, local paper goods boutique Little Otsu, Mollusk Surf Shop (and art space) and much much more.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Cypress String Quartet CD Release Party
Tuesday, August 25th, 20096pm - 7:30pm
Join us for the Cypress String Quartet's official Beethoven Late Quartets Vol. 1 CD Release Party. The string quartet will perform 2 sets of music live in the gallery.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Artist Reception for Michael Page: ThankYouGoodbye
Friday, August 7th, 20097pm - 10pm
This will be the last artist reception and scheduled exhibit at the current location of Varnish Fine Art due to eminent domain eviction for a transportation project.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Gig Posters Volume 1: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century book signing
Friday, June 19th, 20097pm - 10pm
Come and meet the artists at their book signing event for Gig Posters Volume 1: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century. The artists will have a limited number of posters for sale. Secret Serpents will have books (with some other exclusive bonuses) available.
Paricipating artists include: Alan Forbers (Secret Serpents), Chuck Sperry (Firehouse), Lil Tuffy, Jason Munn (Small Stakes), Gregg Gordon (Gigart), Steve Walters (Screwball Press), Dan Stiles, Scrojo, Mike King, and more!
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
ArtSpan Mixer
Thursday, June 18th, 20095:30pm - 8pm
Learn how to participate in SF Open Studios 2009 and how to volunteer. Catch up with past and new art-making friends and meet ArtSpan staff and board. Bring your friends too, because this is a FREE ADMISSION and OPEN-to-the-PUBLIC event. You must be 21+ to attend.
Helping Hands Benefit and Fundraiser
Saturday, June 13th, 20096pm - 9pm
Please join us for a fun-filled fundraiser for The Immunity Enhancement Project. The mission of IEP is to promote healing and wellness by providing high quality, accessible, and affordable Traditional Chinese Medicine and other healing arts to the community. Their oveerriding goal is to address the needs of racial, ethnic, linguistic and other cultural populations that experience unequal access to health care service.
Tickets to this event are available in advance for $25.00 each online at iepclinic.com, by phone at 415-252-8711, or in person at the Immunity Enhancement Project located at 3450 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.
Tickets will be available at the door for $30.00 on the night of this Helping Hands event.
Awareness-Raising event and reception for the "Eminent Domain Awareness" Group Show
Friday, June 5th, 20097pm - Midnight
Join us for an evening of spoken word, live music and art as we raise awareness about Eminent Domain in our neighborhood. Few know that a San Francisco agency, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, is eliminating 33 small, local businesses, including Varnish, and numerous residences in order to demolish all properties and later resell the land. The TJPA is forcing Varnish, among the first tenants and years before the end of the lease, to vacate this September for an October 2009 demolition of its nearly 100 year old building. This gallery and wine bar will have to vacate 77 Natoma Street, but the owners hope that by raising awareness about this eminent domain threat they can stop its abuses on this and future San Francisco projects.
Tonight's event features legendary Dead Kennedys frontman and activist Jello Biafra, recent Vice Presidential candidate and former SF Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, newsman and Argonaut Editor Warren Hinckle, business consultant Melinda Phillips Zumski, live screenprinting by Political Gridlock and The Firehouse, and music by Burnt House and DJ Evil Justin + surprise guest performers!
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend, so please bring ID
Yerba Buena Spring Gallery Walk
Saturday, April 25th, 20091pm - 6pm
14 art galleries in the Yerba Buena Neighborhood, San Francisco's most dynamic arts community, have joined forces once again to host the Yerba Buena Gallery Walk. For more than 20 years, the Yerba Buena Neighborhood has been a critical component of the arts in SF. The Gallery Walk features free admission, a drawing with 14 chances to win, and an opportunity to talk with the currently featured artist at Varnish--Jennybird Alcantara. Walking maps are available now at all participating galleries: Varnish Fine Art, Modernism, Catherine Clark Gallery, Baer Ridgway Exhibitions, Sculpturesite, Crown Point Press, Braunstein/Quay Gallery, Visual Aid, SF Camerawork, Chandler Fine Art, 111 Minna Gallery, The Artists Alley, RayKo Photo Center, and 871 Fine Arts.
Special Open Hours Today
Saturday, February 28th, 200911am - 5pm
The gallery is open-to-the-public today until 5pm. All other Saturday's we are open by appointment only. We are a 21+ only venue.
Chuck Sperry and Ron Donovan "Signs of Change" Closing Party
Friday, February 13th, 20097pm - 10pm
It's Friday the 13th and the last night of the Signs of Change exhibit of artwork by Chuck Sperry and Ron Donovan. Meet the artists tonight during their closing party.
Save Varnish from the TJPA: Petition-Signing Rock-Out Event
Thursday, February 12th, 20097pm - 10pm
Enjoy extended Happy Hour all night and rock-out on Guitar Hero during our petition-signing event to save Varnish from the TJPA (Transbay Joint Powers Authority). For nearly 6 years, Varnish Fine Art has been a lively and vital part of San Francisco. This small business established by directors Kerri Stephens and Jennifer Rogers in 2003 helped to spark a revitalization of a once dangerous corridor of South of Market and is now a force in what has become the Yerba Buena Arts District. Varnish has nurtured the people of SoMA and SF by supporting artists, providing a space for SoMA workers to gather after work and as a place for community minded citizens to rally. Now, the TJPA threatens to extinguish this bohemian flame. The TJPA plans to kick Varnish out of 77 Natoma Street and threatens to deny this locally owned, women-owned and community minded business the ability to exist in SF at all. Please sign our petition to show the political powers of SF that this is not OK.
Admission is Free. Please bring ID, since we are a 21+ venue only.
Artist Reception for Signs of Change: Chuck Sperry and Ron Donovan
Friday, January 16th, 20097pm - 10pm
Drinking and Drawing
Friday, December 12th, 20088pm - 11pm
Join us to save a home by participating in Drinking and Drawing.
By purchasing tickets for our drawing to win the original encaustic artwork on display on the Varnish mezzanine by Monica (Zoe) Ani you are helping to save a home. Varnish bartender Mary Barbour's mother Judith is in a legal battle to save her home from the IRS, and as a school teacher in the Midwest who lost her husband last year, she needs help to afford necessary legal council. All proceeds from ticket sales and wines from the Drinking and Drawing menu (all supplies sold---cheers!) will be donated to Mrs. Barbour's legal fund.
Tickets for the Drawing to win Kinetic by Monica (Zoe) Ani are available for purchase at the bar now for $5 each. This original work of art has a retail value of $1,500.00. The winner will be announced at tonight's event, but he or she does not need to be present to win.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend this open-to-the-public event.
Artist Reception for "Vehicles of Emancipation"---The Oyster Pirate Workshop
Thursday, December 4th, 20087pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate the opening of Vehicles of Emancipation exhibit of collaborative paintings by The Oyster Pirate Workshop. The Oyster Pirates are: James Lichnovsky, Joel Mejia, Michael Page, Christian Rothenhagen, Shawn Webber, Jason Wheatley, and Sri Zeno Whipple.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Crom
Saturday, November 1st, 20087pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate the opening reception for Crom group show of artists participating in APE (the Alternative Press Expo).
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend
Yerba Buena Fall Gallery Walk
Saturday, October 25th, 20081pm - 6pm
13 galleries in the Yerba Buena neighborhood including Varnish Fine Art invite you to enjoy the exhibitions as you stroll the Gallery Walk route. Maps are available at Varnish, so feel free to stop by for them. Participating galleries include Varnish, 111Minna, Catherine Clark Gallery, Chandler Fine Art, Crown Point Press, Modernism, Sculpturesite, SF Camerawork, The Artists Alley, Visual Aid, Aurobora Press, Baer Ridgway, and RayKo Photo Center.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend Varnish.
Artist Reception for Fallen: Carlos Huante and Jose Ferndandez
Friday, October 10th, 20086pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate with the artists Carlos Huante and Jose Ferndandez two-artist show Fallen.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Litquake---"Either/Or": Original Shorts
Wednesday, October 8th, 20087pm - 10pm
Litquake asked 6 writers to conjure, write, and then read short stories on the theme "Either/Or." All stories were written especially for the event and will be read in public for the first time.
Featuring: Andrew Altschul, Sean Beaudoin, Nona Caspers, Ben Greenman, and Matthew Iribarne.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ with ID to attend.
Web: Litquake
"Revolutionary Cinema": Film Screening and Fundraiser
Wednesday, September 17th, 20088:30pm - 11pm
Filmmaker Dominic Angerame presents his series, "City Symphony," five short black and white 16mm films portraying the urban landscape of San Francisco, as well as footage filmed in Cuba during his 2006 visit. Noted SF experimental filmmaker Dominic Angerame has been traveling for the past 2 years to the Havana International Film Festival presenting experimental films by makers from the US and abroad. Angerame was the first to present such films at the festival and this tradition is continuing this year with plans to attend and present a program of films made in the United States from the 1960's. The funds raised from tonight's benefit screening will help to finance this trip.
Admission is $15-20 sliding scale. You must be 21+ with ID to attend.
Opening Reception for Beth Bojarski: Confessions from the Family Tree
Friday, September 5th, 20086pm - 10pm
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Michelle Knox & Eunkang Koh
Thursday, July 10th, 20086pm - 9pm
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Closed for the Holiday Weekend
Saturday, July 5th, 20081pm - 5pm
The gallery is open today by appointment only.
Open today at 1:00pm
Thursday, June 19th, 200811am-1pm
We will open today at 1pm instead of the usual opening time of 11am, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Opening Reception for 30 Under 30
Thursday, June 5th, 20086pm - 9pm
Admission is Free, but you must be 21+ to attend.
Moving Pictures
Wednesday, April 30th, 20087pm - 9pm
Join us for a screening of experimental art film and video shorts.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Yerba Buena Gallery Walk
Saturday, April 26th, 20081pm - 6pm
Walk the Yerba Buena neighborhood for a Springtime afternoon of fine art during the Yerba Buena Gallery Walk of 10 participating galleries including Varnish Fine Art.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to visit Varnish
Opening Reception for the Varnish 5 Year Anniversary Group Show
Saturday, April 19th, 20087pm - 11pm
.
Moving Pictures---Experimental Film and Video Art Screening
Wednesday, March 26th, 20087pm - 9pm
Tonight's presentation features San Francisco artists Rob Racine and Jesse Clark. Accompanied by a live audio component, the artists' collaborative work dramatizes the symbiotic relationship between image and sound.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
The Imagine Bus Project---Get Your License to Create!
Wednesday, March 19th, 20085:30pm - 8pm
Join The Imagine Bus Project in their efforts to bring arts education where it's needed most.
To RSVP for this event, please contact The Imagine Bus Project at 415-867-8740 or via the link below.
You must be 21+ to attend, since Varnish art gallery and wine bar is by law a 21+ only venue.
Opening Reception for Michael Page: The Turning Time
Thursday, March 6th, 20086pm - 9pm
Join us to celebrate with the artist Michael Page at tonight's opening reception for his new series of paintings in oil on wood titled The Turning Time.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
"Moving Pictures"---Experimental Film and Video Art Screening
Wednesday, February 27th, 20087pm - 9pm
Join us as we screen experimental film and video art shorts curated by Danielle Schmitz in collaboration with filmmaker and SF Women's Film Festival founder Scarlett Shepard. Tonight's focus is on Bay Area women artist/filmmakers, including 2007 Guttman Award winner Terrie Samundra, Ella King Torrey Award winner Vanessa Woods, and winner of Best Animation at the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival Jill Johnston-Price.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend
KUNST-STOFF's Opening Night Gala Reception
Thursday, February 14th, 20089pm - 12pm
Tickets for tonight's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts KUNST-STOFF Opening Night Gala Reception are available at www.kunst-stoff.org.
You must be 21+ to attend. No children, babies or anyone under 21 will be admitted to Varnish
Web: KUNST-STOFF
Adorno Ensemble Gallery Sessions Radio Show: GNARLY
Thursday, February 7th, 20087pm - 9pm
Join Adorno as director Cynthia Mei speaks with the composers Kurt Rohde and Ronald Caltabiano about their works to be performed tonight and their ongoing contributions to the San Francisco new music scene. Richard Scheinin of the San Jose Mercury News wrote, "[Rohde's work is] filled with exhilaration and dread. It's a mirror of our times. It's dark music, lit up by peckings, clackings, snaps and slides. It sounds eerie, but lyrical; sustained, but skittish; free-form, yet dancing." Composer Ronald Caltabiano's work has been described by Music and Musicians (London) as "a remarkable synthesis of modernism and romanticism, of violence and lyricism, of integrity and accessibility."
Program: Kurt Rohde "Plain and Simple" for sting quintet, Ron Caltabiano's Ellington Sonata for solo bass and Caltabiano's String Quartet
Admission: $10-$15 (sliding scale) at the Door
You must be 21+ to attend. We cannot admit kids, babies or anyone else under 21 yrs of age into Varnish. This is a 21+ only venue.
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Moving Pictures---Experimental Film and Video Art Series
Wednesday, January 30th, 20087pm - 9pm
Join us for the premiere of Moving Pictures---a monthly sequence of short film, experimental video and new media art by local artists, curated by Rob Racine and Danielle Schmitz. This ongoing screening will be presented the last Wednesday of each month. Tonight's 2-hour screening includes film shorts introduced by the artists/filmmakers with running times between 5 and 30 minutes.
Admittance is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Kenney Mencher: Lovers and Liars
Friday, January 18th, 20087pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate with the artist Kenney Mencher for the opening reception of the Lovers and Liars solo exhibit of paintings.
You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for "Off the Wall" group show
Thursday, November 8th, 20077pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate with the artists of the Off the Wall group show. This aptly-named collection of original works will rotate throughout the show as collectors create wall space ---just in time for the holidays! Complimentary gift-wrapping of artwork purchased this evening.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Yerba Buena Gallery Walk
Saturday, October 20th, 20071pm - 6pm
Maps will be available soon for this first self-guided walking tour of our exciting neighborhood galleries. Refreshments will be available at all venues and admission is Free.
21+ Only
Litquake
Thursday, October 11th, 20077pm - 10pm
The Lesser Evil: Original Short Stories segment of the Litquake annual literary festival takes the stage tonight at Varnish. Six original short stories written around the theme of the lesser evil will be read tonight by the authors Gary Amdahl, Tamim Ansary, Tom Barbash, Terry Bisson, Judy Budnitz, and Michelle Richmond.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Litquake
Opening Reception for Fertile Ground
Saturday, September 22nd, 20077pm - 10pm
Join us for the Opening Reception of Fertile Ground curated by Alix Sloan, featuring William Crump, Julia Marchand, Ryan Scully, and Sarah Sohn.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for The Back Room
Thursday, August 2nd, 20077pm - 10pm
Join us for the opening reception for The Back Room summer group show of painting, sculpture, and photomanipulations, featuring a selected group of artists who have shown at Varnish over the past 4 years in addition to an infusion of new artistic talents.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Dirty Dishes---Free Live Performance
Tuesday, July 17th, 20077pm - 9pm
Join us for the Free live performance by the Dirty Dishes, featuring Bex on vocals, ukulele, guitar and violin, Chelsea on upright bass, and Dori lee on flute, melodica and glockenspiel. Their music includes Appalachain violin droning, klezmer-esque pizzicato, fingerpicking arpeggiated folk, bouncy ukulele swing, a dash of tap dancing, and sometimes incorporates a 1930's/40's sound.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Duck Soup
Thursday, June 14th, 20077pm - 10pm
Join us for the opening reception of Duck Soup featuring Ana Bagayan, Michael Beck, Justin DeGarmo and Joseph Daniel Fiedler.
You must be 21+ to attend; ID required
Live Chamber Music concert
Thursday, June 7th, 20078pm - 10pm
The Nothing Set Ensemble performs live tonight in this Free-admission concert.
You must be 21+ to attend; Please bring ID. (Sorry, no babies or kids under 21 admitted)
"The Legend of Leigh Bowery" Film Screening
Tuesday, June 5th, 20078pm - 9:30pm
Tonight's film screening of The Legend of Leigh Bowery by Charles Atlas is an in-depth and revealing tribute to the outlandish artist who figures strongly in the current art exhibition of photographs by London-based Kate Garner at Varnish titled iDIOt-Contemporary Identity Artists.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend (ID required)
Opening Reception for Kate Garner: iDIOt-Contemporary Identity Artists
Saturday, May 12th, 20077pm - 10pm
Join us to celebrate with London-based artist Kate Garner for the opening reception of her first gallery show in the US. Garner's large-scale archival photographic prints capture Identity artists in moments as walking, talking art installations, championing their artistry.
All who attend must be 21+. Please bring ID to present at the door.
Live Performance by Gregory Douglass
Friday, May 11th, 20078pm - 11pm
Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass performs tonight with his passionate amalgamation of contemporary folk, pop, and rock. Having produced 6 independent CDs, the 26-year old Vermont native has also achieved numerous accolades, including being a finalist for both the 2005 International Songwriting Competition and 2004 Independent Music Awards, winner of the 2003 GrammyFest in NYC, as well as being the inaugural performer on the American Red Cross 2003 "Save a Life Tour". Douglass has toured with They Might Be Giants, and has shared the stage with India Arie, Melissa Ferrick, Jason Mraz, and Catie Curtis to name a few. Instinct Magazine says that Douglass' sixth and latest album Up and Away "...channels everyone from Stevie Wonder to Fiona Apple in a way that's terrifyingly mature for someone so young."
Opening for tonight's performance, Gregory Douglass is joined by Steph Taylor. To find out more about Taylor, please visit her website at www.stephtaylor.com
Suggested Donation: $10
You must be 21+ with ID to attend.
Web: Gregory Douglass
Anahata: Silent Auction to Benefit Kim Maria of Revelation Studios
Saturday, April 28th, 20076pm - 10pm
Recently Kim Maria of Revelation Studios was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, and an incredible group of over 40 artists have come together for this one-night event to help offset her medical costs with 100% of art sales proceeds from tonight's silent auction. Please help her by joining us for drinks and a fantastic chance to bid on fine art that is rarely available. Multiple Myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells that attacks bone marrow. Current treatments include bone marrow and stem cell transplants. This form of cancer is very painful and the complications of the disease are endless. There are new hopeful treatments on the horizon, yet very costly. Kim and her husband, artist Craig LaRotonda, have moved back to their hometown of Buffalo, NY where Kim is receiving treatment at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
Artists include: Hawl Alfredson, Kent Alexander, Nikolai Atanassov, Gary Baseman, JennyBird, Calef Brown, Tim Butler, Chris Buzelli, Stephanie Dalton, Guy Dill, Bob Dob, Joseph Daniel Fiedler, Rebecca Fox, Charles Glaubitz, Jack Howe, Craig LaRotonda, Omar Lee, Rafael Lopez, Julia Marchand, Kim Maria, MariNaomi, Miller-Havens, Joel Nakamura, James Nacarrato, Kevin Peterson, Ferris Plock, Silvia Poloto, Martha Rich, Isabel Samaras, Anastasia Schipani, John Sheridan, Chris Sickels, Winston Smith, Hannah Stouffer, Katherine Streeter and more.
Preview: 6pm Bidding: 7pm - 9pm
You must be 21+ to attend; Please bring ID
Adorno Ensemble Live Concert
Thursday, April 26th, 20077pm - 10pm
ADORNO presents a concert of art songs and chamber music, with a special program that features the poetry of Robert Frost, e.e. cummings, Emily Dickenson, Walt Whitman, Lorine Niedecker, and more. Naumburg Award winning soprano Ms. Lucy Shelton and ADORNO perform selected songs by Aaron Copland, Oliver Knussen, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Harrison Birtwistle, Elliot Carter and more. The performance will feature "The Ugly Duckling" by Jon Deak. A champion of over 100 premieres of new works, Lucy Shelton is making a rare appearance to the San Francisco Bay Area. ADORNO is also honored to feature at this concert Stanford Professor John Felstiner, who will be our poetry guide for the evening.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Green Planet Films Eco Film Night
Wednesday, April 11th, 20077pm - 9:30pm
Join us for another FREE night of documentary films courtesy of Green Planet Films aimed at raising awareness of current nature and environmental issues. Tonight's screening includes A Slow Boat to Somewhere and Ahmed and the Return of the Desert Phoenix.
You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Green Planet Films
Adorno Ensemble Gallery Sessions Radio Show
Thursday, February 15th, 20077pm - 9pm
Join us for an evening of live performance. The Adorno Ensemble brings the Big Apple to San Francisco with New York composer Derek Bermel. Academy of Arts and Letters Award recipient, composer/clarinetist Derek Bermel joins Adorno tonight in a mostly-Bermel program, featuring his widely popular chamber work Soul Garden for strings. Sarah Cahill from KALW 91.7 is the guest host for tonight's podcast radio show.
Admission is Free; All must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Opening Reception for The Machinery of Nature
Thursday, February 8th, 20077pm - 10pm
Carlos Huante, Rey Hernandez, and Ben Carpenter
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend
Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum Exhibits Stanislav Szukalski
Saturday, January 20th, 20075pm - 7pm
Forgotten masters Stanislav Szukalski and Teng Hiok Chiu are revived in Turbulence and Tranquility curated by Eva Kirsch at the Fullerton Art Museum, California State University, San Bernardino. The Opening Reception is on Saturday Jan. 20, 5-7pm, and the work will be on display at the museum until March 14. Please visit the link below for more information about the museum and exhibit. Contact Varnish Fine Art if you would like to add the work of Stanislav Szukalski to your collection.
Happy Holidays!---Open by Appointment Only during Holiday Vacation
Saturday, December 23rd, 20061pm - 5pm
We will be closed for the Holidays this week December 23 - 30. Please call 415-222-6131 and leave a message with your name, phone# and best times to reach you if you would like to schedule an appointment with the gallery director to view our current exhibits.
Varnish re-opens for regular hours [Tues-Fri 11am-11pm and Sat. 1-5pm] on Tuesday January 2, 2007.
Opening Reception for Decker Studios Bronze
Friday, December 15th, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception for Decker Studios Bronze featuring Sanford Decker, Karen Mortillaro, Jose Ismael Fernandez, Ynez Johnston and Tanya Ragir. A portion of the sales from this show of bronze sculpture from southern California benefits the Ventana Wildlife Society.
During tonight's opening we will Auction a sculpture by Sanford Decker that the artist has donated for the benefit of the Ventana Wildlife Society.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Saturday, November 25th, 20061pm - 5pm
Happy Thanksgiving!
Available by appointment. Please call 415-222-6131 to schedule an appointment with the gallery director to view our current exhibits.
Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday, November 24th, 200611am - 11pm
Available by appointment. Please call 415-222-6131 to schedule an appointment with the gallery director to view our current exhibits.
Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, November 22nd, 20064pm - 11pm
Happy Thanksgiving!
Available by appointment. Please call 415-222-6131 if you would like to schedule an appointment with the gallery director to view our current exhibits.
Opening Reception for Life Aquatic
Saturday, November 11th, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Life Aquatic, featuring Beth Bojarski, Jason D'Aquino, Aron Ives, Skot Olsen, Michael Page, Reuben Rude, Thomas Rude, & Dylan Sisson.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Green Planet Films Screening
Wednesday, October 25th, 20067pm - 9:30pm
Join us for another screening courtesy of Green Planet Films.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Green Planet Films
Adorno Ensemble Gallery Sessions & Live Podcast
Wednesday, October 18th, 20067pm - 9pm
Live music courtesy of the Adorno Ensemble as part of their Gallery Sessions series of performances. Tonight's concert Boxes, Planes, and Spinoffs: New American Sounds is a program of music that moves with the rhythms of American contemporary life. Presenting composers Dan Becker and Stephen Tramontozzi will visit the colored textures of minimalism to the highly charged sounds of conga drums and strings.
Come to a concert and help save the planet. At every Gallery Sessions concert you can drop off your portable technotrash as Adorno works with Greendisk in collecting used cellphones, used CDs and DVDs, PDAs, batteries, video cassettes, tapes, ink cartridges, and jewel cases. For other large-sized technotrash such as moniters and computers check out noewaste.com for drop-off sites.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Litquake---Secrets: Told and Untold
Thursday, October 12th, 20067pm - 10pm
Litquake presents Secrets: Told and Untold, asking writers to conjure, write, and then read selections about secrets, both public and private. All stories were written especially for the evening. Writers/readers include Jodi Angel, Adam Johnson, Peter Orner, Eric Puchner, Karl Soehnlein, and Ann Joslin Williams.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Please visit the Litquake website (link below) for more information.
Web: Litquake
Hailey Lind Book Release
Wednesday, October 11th, 20066pm - 8pm
Join us for the book release of Shooting Gallery: an Art Lover's Mystery by author Hailey Lind. In her newly released mystery San Francisco's art world is exhibiting murderous tendencies.
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend
Open Today by Appointment Only
Saturday, September 30th, 20061pm - 5pm
Please call 415-222-6131 by 10pm Friday Sept. 29th to arrange appointments to view our exhibits today.
Opening Reception for Wayne Belger: A Collection of Souls from the Borderland
Thursday, September 28th, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the solo show of pinhole camera/creations and photos by Wayne Belger.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ with ID to attend.
Green Planet Films Screening
Wednesday, September 27th, 20067pm - 9pm
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ with ID to attend (sorry, no kids or babies or anyone under 21)
Web: Green Planet Films
Opening Reception for Clewans, Dante & Morgan - Artists at Large
Friday, September 8th, 20067pm - 11pm
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Big Ugly Review Party
Tuesday, August 29th, 20066pm - 9pm
An evening of film shorts, short story readings and music courtesy of the Big Ugly Review.
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Restricted Open Hours Today
Saturday, August 26th, 20063pm - 5pm
We are open today from 3-5pm only.
Radar Love - a nite of music & literature to benefit Carole & Mitzi
Thursday, August 24th, 20068pm - 11pm
Carole and Mitzi, aka Beth Lisick and Tara Jepsen, are shooting a follow-up to their smash short film, Diving for Pearls. Come help them raise some dough!
Music and literature hosted by Michelle Tea, featuring Joan Jett Blakk, Fear of the Outdoors, Kaui Hart Hemmings, Zoey Kroll, Luna Maia, Michelle Richmond, Shauna Rogan, Sara Seinberg, Chelsea Star, Horehound Stillpoint, with a special appearance by Mitzi and Carole and a special screening of Diving for Pearls.
Admission: $6
You must be 21+ with ID to attend.
SFist 2nd Birthday Celebration
Friday, August 18th, 20066pm - 9pm
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend. We cannot admit babies or children.
Cecil B. Feeder Film Screening
Friday, August 11th, 20069pm - 11pm
Join us for tonights screening of short films by Cecil B. Feeder. Our Lady of Tamale,a heartfelt Rockumentary in which a Mexican immigrant finds love by weilding her cornmeal treats in the Mission bars of San Francisco. Meter Maid Me Mad depicts a man driven to the brink of insanity by parking violations. Reality slips away from him as he enters a world of fantasy. Is this a nightmare or a love story? In the final film of the evening, Meter Maid Me Massacre, a young man gets too many tickets and finally gets his car towed only to find out that the city is being taken over by evil zombie meter maids. He joins the ensuing uprising and uses his unknown martial arts skills to finish a violent revolution.
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Bay Area Bronze
Saturday, July 22nd, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Bay Area Bronze group show of bronze sculpture by local artists.
Featured artists include Al Farrow, Albert Dicruttalo, Anthony Ricci, Archie Held, Benjamin Carpenter, Ben Harris, Courtney Brown, Dan Romo, Dann Gesink, Elizabeth Dante, Grant Irish, Karl Reichley, Ken Whitaker, Kerri Stephens, Michael Maes, Paul Graf, Peter Schifrin, Raymond Suarez, Rey Hernandez, Ron Garrigues, Stan Huncilman, and Wayne Shaffer.
Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend (no children or anyone under 21 yrs of age admitted)
AIDS Marathon Fundraiser
Tuesday, July 18th, 20066pm - 9pm
Tonight's fundraiser is hosted by two participants of the upcoming AIDS Marathon. All proceeds from the door will go towards the AIDS Marathon charity.
Admission: $20
Varnish is a 21+ venue. Please bring ID, no one under 21 yrs of age admitted to this event.
Green Planet Film Screening---Walking the West
Thursday, June 29th, 20067pm - 10pm
Tonight's screening of Walking the West is FREE and open to the public courtesy of Green Planet Films.
Film starts at 8pm
Varnish is a 21+ only venue.
Web: Green Planet Films
'Soundtracks' Live Performances
Wednesday, June 28th, 20068pm - 11pm
Two sets of Soundtracks performances tonight---first set at 9pm, second set starts at 10pm.
Free admission (suggested donation of $5)
You must be 21+ to attend (no kids or babies, 'cause Varnish hosts a wine bar)
Web: Kingtone
Opening Reception for Re: Assembled
Thursday, June 8th, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us tonight for the opening reception of Re:Assembled featuring Dan Romo, Nemo Gould, and Barry Kite.
You must be 21+ to attend. Admission is Free.
End of Show Party for 3 to the Third
Saturday, June 3rd, 20065pm - 7pm
Join us for the 3 to the Third closing party. Our 3rd Anniversary show featuring Brian Elliot, Kevin Evans and Elizabeth Orleans ends tonight. This is the last chance to see Elliot's Portlanders series of cast metal figures together at Varnish alongside the ceramic works of Orleans and Evan's stunning lithography.
You must be 21+ to attend. Admission is Free.
Yatin Patel Benefit for World's Friendliest Doorman
Tuesday, May 30th, 20065:30pm - 7:30pm
Tonight's benefit event is Open-to-the-Public---- and it's for a good cause. Residents of a downtown building are helping out their long-time San Francisco doorman who actually lost his job for being the World's Friendliest Doorman.
You must be 21+ to attend. (We cannot admit any children.)
Green Planet Film Screening
Thursday, May 25th, 20067pm - 10pm
Tonight's film The End of Suburbia starts at 8pm
This event is Free and Open to the Public.
You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Green Planet Films
14 Hills Literary Journal Release Party & Reading
Wednesday, May 24th, 20067pm - 9pm
This event is Open to the Public.
You must be 21+ to attend (we cannot admit children)
Adorno Ensemble Gallery Sessions & Live Podcast
Saturday, May 6th, 20067pm - 10pm
Special guest radio host Todd Spencer joins San Francisco-based music group the Adorno Ensemble in recording their first podcast at tonight's live concert and artist forum. Spencer, an independent music columnist and writer for Salon.com, has been widely heard, with featured stories on NPR's Living on Earth and the California Report. This evenings show is part of Adorno's Gallery Sessions, a series of free, easily accessible lunchtime and after-work-hour concerts held in collaboration with local SF Bay Area art galleries. "We hope to reach a new mix of listeners," says Adorno artistic director Cynthia Mei. "What really counts for us is that we're making our music more available to people, and more importantly, we're offering something that the audience can be a part of."
The central theme of this Gallery Session podcast is The Avant-garde and Beyond. New York City's Derek Bermel and SF Bay Area-based Gabriela Lena Frank, two internationally renowned composers in the world of new music, will join Adorno and Spencer for the presentation. The program will journey from the early European avant-garde, with the estranged music of Arnold Schoenberg, to the bluesy style of Bernel's string quartet and Frank's Peruvian-influenced pieces. A piece by Korean-German composer Isang Yun bridges the Schoenberg composition and the other works on the program.
Listeners can experience the event by attending the concert and joining in on the forum or by visiting Adorno's website (link below) and downloading the podcast.
Admission is FREE; All must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Go.---Monthly Collaborative Art Event
Friday, May 5th, 20066pm - 10pm
Suggested donation: $3
You must be 21+ to attend
Matt Drake Campaign Kick-off
Thursday, May 4th, 20066pm - 9:30pm
Matt Drake officially kicks off his 2006 campaign for District 6 of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors leading up to November election. To learn more about Matt Drake's campaign click the link below.
RSVP by May 1st to be placed on the guest list: contact@mattdrake2006.com
Suggested minimum donation: $30
Web: Matt Drake
Green Planet Films Screening
Thursday, April 27th, 20068pm - 11pm
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Green Planet Films
OJazz Live Performance
Wednesday, April 26th, 20066pm - 7:30pm
Join us for tonight's live performance.
Admission is $5
You must be 21+ yrs old to attend.
Web: OJazz
Opening Reception for 3 to the Third
Saturday, April 22nd, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the Opening Reception of our 3 year Anniversary show 3 to the Third, featuring Brian Elliot, Liz Orleans, & Kevin Evans.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend
Free Live Acoustic Music
Friday, April 14th, 20067:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's performers include musicians from UrbanQuail Alden (http://www.aldenlive.com), The Welcome Matt (http://www.welcomemattmusic.com), and, from Los Angeles, Chantelle Tibbs (http://www.chantelletibbs.com) plus special guest Meghan Baker (http://www.meghanbaker.com).
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend (no kids under 21 may be admitted)
Go.: Monthly Collaborative Art Event
Friday, April 7th, 20066pm - 9pm
The theme of Go. tonight is "What You Think You See," featuring the combined talents of wordsmith-about-town Aysha Comeenes, the German painter Nicole Andrijauskas, and record label owner and music man Liam Singer. Go. is curated every month by Oakland-based artist Michael Braithwaite and her partner, the writer Page McBee.
Go.'s primary focus is to bring together artists across lines of culture, gender, sexuality, race, and generation, to create an experience that blends issues of identity and medium. Go. is San Francisco's only revolving collaborative monthly arts event series.
$3 Suggested donation. You must be 21+ to attend.
Attack of the Killer Starfish! Green Planet Film Night
Thursday, March 30th, 20066pm - 9pm
Tonight's international multi-award winning film Crown of Thorns Starfish is presented by Green Planet Films and hosted by Suzanne Harle, Kayne Rourke and Felicia Kwarta as part of a monthly environmental film series.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend (no kids or babies either, since Varnish has a wine bar)
Web: Green Planet Films
Closed Today
Tuesday, March 28th, 200611am - 11pm
We are closed today, but you may contact us with voice message at 415-222-6131. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Closed Today
Saturday, March 25th, 20061pm - 5pm
We are closed today, but you may reach us by phoning the gallery 415-222-6131 as we check voice mail frequently. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Open Today for Special Hours---5pm to 9pm
Friday, March 24th, 20065pm - 9pm
We are opened today for special hours only. Apologies for any inconvenience. Please contact us by phone 415-222-6131 as we will check voice mail frequently.
3 Duo Bands
Thursday, March 23rd, 20067pm - 11pm
Night of Doubles---3 duo bands play live tonight: Tank Attack, Sweet Nothing, and Harry Porcelain.
Show starts at 8pm
Admission $2 at the door. You must be 21+ to attend.
Adorno Ensemble Gallery Session
Thursday, March 23rd, 200612pm - 1pm
Live chamber music courtesy of the Adorno Ensemble as part of their Gallery Sessions.
Admission is Free; All attendees must be 21+
Web: Adorno Ensemble
Book Signing and Reading with author Michelle Tea
Friday, March 17th, 20067pm - 10pm
Admission is Free, and you must be over 21 yrs. old to attend this or any event at Varnish (sorry, no kids either since we have a wine bar).
Book Launch Celebration for "Strapped"
Wednesday, March 15th, 20066pm - 8pm
Open to the public, but all who attend must be over 21 years of age (kids are people too, so no babies or kids unless they're over 21).
Go.: San Francisco's Only Revolving Collaborative Monthly Arts Event Series
Friday, March 3rd, 20066pm - 9pm
Go. brings together a visual artist, writer, and audio artist, charging them to come up with something completely new. Go. participants only have a theme and a very short timeline to guide them, and the entire exhibition is up for one night only.
This month's theme is Neither Here Nor There, and features the combined talents of visionary East Bay textile artist Frances Miller; the award-winning genius of writer Kevin Hobson; and the beautiful soundscapes of The Paperboats. Go. is curated every month by Oakland-based artist Michael Braithwaite and her partner, the writer Page McBee.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend (no one including kids under 21 years of age will be admitted).
Opening Reception for Rapid Eye Movement
Thursday, March 2nd, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Rapid Eye Movement. This group show of paintings features Attaboy, Sean Christopher, Dave Chung, Chris Mars, Kevin Peterson, & KRK Ryden.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend (sorry, no babies or kids either).
Adorno Gallery Sessions Noontime Concert
Friday, February 24th, 200612pm - 2pm
Live music and artist talks are the showcase of the Adorno Gallery Sessions. Today's concert features Adorno ensembles performance of Dvorak's String Quintet in G, Opus 77 and Golijov's The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind. In addition, painter Jung Han Kim who is currently featured in a duet show at Varnish will give today's artist talk.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend (sorry, but we cannot admit anyone under 21 including children)
Web: The Adorno Ensemble
Bicycle Advocacy Film Night & Conversation
Thursday, February 23rd, 20065:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's bicycle advocacy films screening kick-starts Green Planet Film's monthly film series aimed at raising awareness of current nature and environmental issues. Green Planet Films is a nonprofit nature and environmental film distribution organization.
Headlining tonights screenings, (We're Not Blocking Traffic)We Are Traffic is Ted White's bikeumentary chronicling the history and development of the "Critical Mass" bicycle movement, one of the most spirited and dynamic social/political movements of the '90s. From its roots in San Francisco to over 200 cities in 14 countries, Critical Mass has become a monthly ritual of reclaiming the streets by bicycle activists. Also showing tonight, documentary Return of the Scorcher looks at bike culture and lifestyles around the world and questions our obsessions with progress and status and presents a diverse cross-section of cycling visionaries. And Selling the Revolution is a short about the Xtracycle.
Films start at 7pm
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend (sorry, no one under 21 admitted including kids)
Web: Green Planet Films
Go.---"Wingless Flight"
Friday, February 3rd, 20066pm - 9pm
Go. is SF's only revolving collaborative monthly Arts event series. This month's theme is Wingless Flight, featuring the combined talents of Katina Papson (teacher, MFA student and video artist), Judith Jordan (oft-published writer and designer of quietly beautiful audio works), and Jasmine Moser (student and writer of heartbreaking work).
Go. is curated every month by Oakland-based artist Michael Braithwaite and her partner, the writer Page McBee. Go. is a cross-media collaboration series, focusing on bringing together a visual artist, writer, and audio artist and charging them to come up with something completely new. Go. participants are given only a theme and a very short timeline as guidance. The entire exhibition is up for one night only.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for JP Long & Jung Han Kim
Saturday, January 21st, 20067pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception for the metal and glass sculpture of JP Long and new paintings by Jung Han Kim. This 2-artist show will be on view until February 25th.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Go.: Revolving Collaborative Monthly Arts Event Series
Friday, January 6th, 20066pm - 9pm
Go. focuses on bringing together a visual artist, writer, and audio artist creating something completely new for each event. The theme for tonight's one-night-only Go. event is "Spacetime," and features the music of queer hip hop star and award-winning producer Rocco Kayiatos AKA Katastrophe (www.katastropherap.com); the gorgeous and heart-breaking art of Val Britton (www.valbritton.com), and the text art of K'vetsh co-host Tara Jepsen. Go. is curated every month by Oakland based artist Michael Braithwaite and her partner, the writer PK McBee.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Closed for Holiday Vacation
Saturday, December 31st, 20051pm - 5pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd.
Closed for Holiday Vacation
Friday, December 30th, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd.
Closed for Holiday Vacation
Thursday, December 29th, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd.
Closed for Holiday Vacation
Wednesday, December 28th, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd.
Closed for Holiday Vacation
Tuesday, December 27th, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd.
Closed for Holidays
Friday, December 23rd, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish re-opens for regular hours on January 3rd, 2006
Opening Reception for Ron Garrigues and Charles Glaubitz
Saturday, December 10th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of our two-artist show of sculpture by Ron Garrigues and paintings by Charles Glaubitz.
Admission is FREE & You must be 21+ to attend
Film Screening of "Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop"
Wednesday, December 7th, 20057pm - 10pm
SF LOMA presents tonight's documentary feature which follows filmmakers Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes as they hit the road and travel 21,000 kilometers through 32 states in search of "Independent America." It's a place populated by hardy souls fighting for the right to remain independent in a land smothered by Big Box stores and fast food chains.
"Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop" uncovers a growing discontent with corporate America and a growing movement toward "local" in communities across the country. The filmmakers speak to economists, activists, political leaders, union members, entrepreneurs, and concerned Americans from all walks of life.
Admission is FREE. You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: SF LOMA
Go. : Monthly Art Event Series
Friday, December 2nd, 20056pm - 8pm
Tonight's art event features:
Michelle Tea (words), Six N. Morsch (visuals) and Justin Pyatt (audio)
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Closed for Thanksgiving Weekend
Saturday, November 26th, 20051pm - 5pm
We reopen for normal hours on Tuesday Nov. 29th.
Closed for Thanksgiving Weekend
Friday, November 25th, 200511am - 11pm
We will reopen for normal hours on Tuesday Nov. 29th.
CLOSED for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 24th, 200511am - 11pm
We will reopen for normal hours on Tuesday Nov. 29th.
Hector-dog's B-Day Celebration
Wednesday, November 23rd, 20057pm - 10pm
Open to the public. You must be 21+ to attend.
Artist Talk
Friday, November 18th, 20057pm - 9pm
During November's solo show Why Not Eat Your Pet, a portion of the proceeds from art sales benefit Farm Sanctuary and Viva!USA.
Join the artist Gale Hart and special guests Gene Bauston of Farm Sanctuary and Lauren Ornelas of Viva!USA for tonights discussion of the show and the force behind the title.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Ubiquity International Presents "Travelers in Time"
Thursday, November 17th, 20057:30pm - 8:30pm
Lead by Thomas Talboy (PhD Classics, Univ. of Nottingham), "Travelers in Time: Stories of travel from the past, present and future" is a lively and entertaining discussion of how our world of travel has (or hasn't) changed. Did the ancient travel like us? Did they have roads? Can we visit the same locations? Have there always been trinket hawkers? Dr. Talboy is currently the course author for Greek Drama at the University of London, Royal Holloway. He has taught Ancient Greek and Latin for several years, and has traveled throughout Europe.
Ubiquity International provides high-quality, fun, insightful, and exciting tours for students, families and adults by bringing historical perspective and cultural knowledge to the destinations visited during a tour of our fascinating world.
Admission is FREE. Happy Hour extended through this event. You must be 21+ to attend.
Laughing Squid 10 Year Anniversary Party
Saturday, November 12th, 20057pm - 2am
Admission: $10
Please bring your ID. You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Laughing Squid
Net Tuesday
Tuesday, November 8th, 20056pm - 8pm
This event is open to the public.
You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Why Not Eat Your Pet: Gale Hart
Saturday, November 5th, 20057pm - 11pm
Admission is Free; All attendees must be 21+.
Childrens Crusade: Frank Garvey Halloween/CLOSING PARTY
Saturday, October 29th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us dressed for Halloween for the Closing Party for Frank Garvey's Childrens Crusade, a solo show of paintings and robots. Garvey's performances tonight include his original music, animation and operation of his works from the Robotic Red-Light District.
Admission is FREE; Bring your ID (you must be 21+ to attend)
Web: Omni Circus
Jazz City---Robert Stewart
Wednesday, October 26th, 20056pm - 10pm
Robert Stewart, post bop tenor virtuoso and Lincoln Center Jazz Alum, performs 2 sets tonight with Happy Hour 'til 7:30pm.
Admission $5 [bring ID, you must be 21+ to attend]
36th Annual ASIFA-East Animation Festival
Tuesday, October 25th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join ASIFA-East in voting for the top 3 animated films in tonight's screening of 30 new independent, student and professional works, including animators Bill Plympton, John Dilworth, Nina Paley, Pat Smith, Fran Krause, Signe Baumane, Buzzco Associates and PES. The screening runs for about 2 hours. The audience is invited to vote for their favorites.
Admission is FREE
Varnish is a 21+ only venue. Please bring ID. No one under 21 will be admitted.
"Gunner Palace" Screening sponsored by The Onion
Thursday, October 20th, 20056pm - 8pm
Tonight's film screening of the documentary "Gunner Palace" is an intimate portrait of the fragmented, chaotic, and stress-filled existance of the 2/3 Field Artillary "Gunners", living in one of Uday Hussein's bombed-out pleasure palaces months after Bush declared the end of major combat.
Beer is courtesy of The Onion (while it lasts).
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend so bring ID
Litquake---Short Shorts: First Among Equals
Tuesday, October 11th, 20056:00pm - 8:30pm
Short Shorts: First Among Equals asks writers who've built their reputations with short stories to conjure, write and then read selections about first times. Not so ironically, all stories were created especially for the evening, so will be read in public for the first time.
Authors reading at tonight's event include: Daniel Alarcon, Catherine Brady, Ann Cummins, Kaui Hart Hemmings, Yiyun Li, and Elizabeth McKenzie.
Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Litquake
Opening Reception for "Children's Crusade: Frank Garvey"
Saturday, October 1st, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Frank Garvey's solo show of paintings, kinetic sculpture and robots. Admission is Free; you must be 21+ to attend.
Katia Noyes "Crashing America" Book Party
Friday, September 30th, 20057pm - 9pm
Katia Noyes will read from Crashing America---her latest book, a road novel about street punk. Guest stars sharing road stories tonight include Michelle Tea, Keith Hennessy, Mattilda, and Daphne Gottlieb. Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Crashing America
Final Firefly Screening---Part 8
Thursday, September 29th, 20058:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's Firefly episode is "Objects in Space". This concludes our screening of the entire Firefly series. Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening--Part 7
Thursday, September 22nd, 20058:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's Firefly episodes are "The Message" and "Heart of Gold". Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
The Self-Born: Stanislav Szukalski Closing Party
Friday, September 16th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us to raise a glass to the sculptor and the end (almost) of our posthumous, retrospective show, The Self-Born: Stanislav Szukalski. Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Jean-Jacques Perrey's "Circus of Life" Record Release Party
Thursday, September 15th, 20057pm - 10pm
Tonight's record release party for Circus of Life by Jean-Jacques Perrey is sponsored by RE/Search Publications. He will be here signing CD's which are for sale tonights event.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening---Part 6
Wednesday, September 14th, 20059:00pm - 11pm
Tonight's Firefly episodes are "War Stories" and "Trash". Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Book Release Party---"You Can Say You Knew Me When" by Karl Soehnlein
Thursday, September 8th, 20057:30pm - 11pm
Launch party with readings and performances celebrating Karl Soehnlein's second novel, "You Can Say You Knew Me When." Drag superstars Fauxnique and Glamamore will perform, Karl will read from this long-awaited book, and copies will be available for sale at tonight's event. And---since the book takes place in the waning days of the heady dot-combustible year of 2000, as well as flashing back to the bars and art studios of San Francisco circa 1960---you're invited to dress as your favorite Beat Generation hero or "my-future-is-so-bright-I-gotta-wear-shades" Internet victim. This is an open-to-the-public event co-sponsored by A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books and the GLBT Historical Society. Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening---Part 5
Wednesday, September 7th, 20058:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's Firefly episodes are "Out of Gas" and "Ariel". Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening---Part 4
Thursday, September 1st, 20058:30pm - 11pm
Tonight's screening of Firefly episodes are "Our Mrs. Reynolds" and "Jaynestown". This 4th installment of our 8-part series of Firefly screenings leads up to the long-awaited Sept. 30th release of the film "Serenity" which is based upon the show. Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening Series---part 3
Thursday, August 25th, 20059pm - 11pm
Tonight's screening is part 3 of our 8 week series of Firefly, the Joss Wedon cult space cowboy show. Tonight: "Shindig" & "Safe". Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening Series---part 2
Thursday, August 18th, 20059pm - 11pm
Tonights screening is part 2 of our 8 week screening series of the entire Joss Wedon epic series of Firefly, the cult space cowboy show. Tonight: "The Train Job" & "Bushwacked". Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Firefly Screening Series---part 1
Thursday, August 11th, 20058:30pm - 11pm
Join us for this first of our Firefly series of screenings---the Joss Wedon show which a cult following has kept alive in spirit. In honor of the Sept. 30 release of the long-awaited film "Serenity", we will be presenting 8 weeks of the original series leading up to opening night.
Tonight: "Serenity" pt. 1&2Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Closed for brief vacation
Saturday, August 6th, 20051pm - 5pm
Varnish will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, August 9.
Closed for brief vacation
Friday, August 5th, 200511am - 11pm
Varnish will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, August 9.
Opening Reception for The Self-Born: Stanislav Szukalski
Saturday, July 30th, 20057pm - 11pm
You must be over 21 yrs. old to attend this and any Varnish event. Cheers!
Hi Fructose magazine release party
Friday, July 22nd, 20058pm - 12am
Open to the public, but you must be over 21 to attend. Admission is Free
8 Tales Film---Funny Bones
Thursday, July 21st, 20058pm - 10pm
Funny Bones (1995) directed by Peter Chelsom. Oliver Platt, Jerry Lewis, and Lee Evans spin this tale in which we get to take one look at the very nature of comedy, why we laugh, and why it is sometimes to stop from crying. Again, we see that truly brilliant film can be made in America. This is a heady look at humor and the closeted skeletons of two Vaudeville families full of clowns and lies. Add a little Leslie Caron for good measure, and we promise you a wonderful film night. Admission is FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: 8 Tales
Reception for Seamless
Friday, July 8th, 20058pm - 11pm
Join us for the reception of Seamless, featuring the illustrators Yuko Shimizu, Christopher Silas Neal, Sara Varon, and Andrew Liang. You must be 21+ to attend.
8 Tales Film---Cool Hand Luke
Thursday, July 7th, 20058pm - 10pm
Cool Hand Luke (1967) directed by Stuart Rosenberg. What more can be said about this powerhouse film that shows one man's attempt to break free from society's inanity and remain sane in prison when that same society punishes him for thinking freely? Paul Newman, arguably the hottest man to ever live, is supported by an amazing cast, including George Kennedy, Harry Dean Stanton, and Dennis Hopper.
Admission is Free; Your must be 21+ to attend.
Web: 8 Tales
Varnish Wine Tasting
Wednesday, June 29th, 20058pm - 9pm
German wines are featured in tonight's monthly tasting. Purchase a card at the bar for this fun and informal event.
8 Tales Film---Scotland PA
Thursday, June 23rd, 200510pm - 11:30pm
Scotland PA (2001) directed by Bill Morrissette. A murder of passion and a grab for power are at the center of this 1970's retelling of MacBeth. Christopher Walken, the second most gorgeous woman in the world Maura Tierney, and James LeGros bring this tale of killing, revenge, lust and power to us with the aid of a classic Rock Block. Timothey 'Speed' Levitch and Andy Dick popping in and out as drunk-induced spectres and the police investigations of Christopher Walken root out the treacheries and deceits of the family.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: 8 Tales
POPaganda Film Screening
Saturday, June 11th, 20057pm - 11pm
This tremendous film that is POPaganda and directed by Pedro Carvajal illustrates the art and crimes of Ron English, featured in Son of Pop, our current solo show of paintings by the artist. Film begins at 8pm. Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Free Screening---Breakfast of Champions
Thursday, June 9th, 20059pm - 11pm
Our film series continues with Breakfast of Champions based on the Kurt Vonnegut novel of the same name.
Admission is Free. You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for Son of Pop: Ron English
Thursday, June 2nd, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of this solo show of new work by Ron English. Son of Pop: Ron English will be in the gallery through July 2nd. You must be 21+ to attend.
Private Preview for Son of Pop: Ron English
Saturday, May 28th, 20057pm - 11pm
Tonight's invitation-only preview party celebrates a solo show of new work by Ron English. Son of Pop: Ron English will be in the gallery through July 2nd. This is a 21+ only venue.
Varnish Wine Tasting
Wednesday, May 25th, 20058pm - 9pm
Wines of Piedmont, Italy are featured tonight. Purchase a tasting card at the bar for this open-to-the-public monthly wine event.
Five Writers, One Cause---Benefit for IPAS
Thursday, May 19th, 20058pm - 11pm
Join us for readings by K.M. Soehnlein, Elizabeth Costello, David Booth, John Vlahides, and Catherine Brady followed by DJ That Hideous Strength in tonight's benefit supporting IPAS.
Ipas is the only organization working in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and North America dedicated entirely to ending preventable deaths and disabilities from unsafe abortion. Because Ipas refused to sign the Bush administration's Global Gag Rule, the organization receives no US government funding and relies on donations from events such as this. Please join us in supporting this life-saving organization as it works to preserve women's fundamental human right to make their own decisions about reproductive health. If you are unable to attend, you may send a tax-deductible donation to: Ipas, PO Box 5027, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Admission sliding scale: $5 and up
You must be 21+ to attend .
Book Release Party for Darknet by J.D. Lasica
Friday, May 13th, 20056pm - 9pm
Join us for this open-to-the-public book release party for Darknet: Hollywood's War Against the Digital Generation by J.D. Lasica.
Admission is Free
You must be 21+ to attend.
8 Tales Film---"Friday"
Thursday, May 12th, 20058pm - 10pm
We close our Varnish series with the last and most important kind of midnight cinema and the type of film that has always been the staple of the Might Clay--films are just plain fun. "Friday" is a day in the life of a thug in LA, fired from his job, living with his parents, having trouble with the ladies, and roped into a series of comedic events by his best friend. Ice Cube and Chris Tucker star.
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: 8 Tales
Opening reception and readings for The Art of Harold's End: Paintings by Cherry Hood
Saturday, May 7th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Cherry Hood's large-scale watercolor and pigment portraits. Readings beginning at 7pm from JT Leroy's book Harold's End and other work include performances by Ben Foster of "Six Feet Under", HBO's "Unscripted" actor Jennifer Hall, Rock-legend Penelope Houston and Campo Santo co-founder Sean San Jose. Copies of Harold's End by JT Leroy are available for sale at this event!
Admission is Free; You must be 21+ to attend.
8 Tales Film: Trekkies
Thursday, April 28th, 20058pm - 10pm
This 3rd installment of 8 Tales film at Varnish lets us look at not just the films of the midnight circuit but the people that populate them as well. While not all of our clientele are weirdo virgins, there is a core audience that loves these events, and we love them! We get a peek into the debate between trekkies and trekers, true Star Trek fans and stars in a subculture that will not die. This documentary film is one of the best looks at a sociological phenomena and can be enjoyed by insiders as well as outsiders, though for different reasons. Admission is FREE, You must be 21+ to attend
Web: 8 Tales
Varnish Wine Tasting
Wednesday, April 27th, 20058pm - 9pm
Sample Spanish wines from a unique purveyor with the distributor and Varnish sommelier Kat Ventura on hand for your edification. Tonight's featured wines are Reymos NV Sparkling Muscatel, Espadana '04 Rueda, Verasol Tinto '04 Campo de Borja, Pago senda Misa '01 Ribera del Duero, Altun Crianza '01 Rioja, Vera de Estenas Reserva '99 Utiel Requena, and Cyan Crianza '01 Toro.
This casual wine tasting is the first of our monthly tasting events that will occur each last Wednesday. Purchase a Tasting Card at the bar for $20. --Cheers!
Gallery Sessions: the Adorno ensemble live
Tuesday, April 26th, 20058pm - 10pm
Tonight's "Gallery Sessions" concert with the Adorno ensemble features Ned Rorem's String Quartet No. 4 based on Pablo Picasso paintings (with slide show) and compositions by Paul Hindemith and New York composer Bruce Adolphe. Post-concert discussion will follow. Admission is FREE. You must be 21+ to attend (sorry, no kids).
8 Tales Film: Battle Royale
Thursday, April 14th, 20058pm - 10pm
This genius blunder made as "Art" and in the tradition of "Rocky Horror" is so bad that it crosses the boundaries of terrible and comes back to being good. The future of Japan as shown in this film as rife with unemployment after an economic collapse and overpopulation has taken hold. To alleviate the pressure, the government takes groups of school children to a remote island for a fight to the death. Beat Takeshi stars.
Admission is Free
You must be 21+ to attend
Web: 8 Tales
Opening Reception for Yoohoo & Donuts
Saturday, April 9th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for the opening reception of Yoohoo & Donuts featuring the artwork of Sean Andress, Lee Ballard, Robert Bowen, Dave Correia, Brad Isdrab, Alex Pardee, Jeroma Opena, Jahkeeli Garnett, Lucien Shapiro, and Jonathan Wayshak. "It is her inspiration that keeps us excited. She is stunningly beautiful, yet ruthlessly cruel. Our art reflects her true nature. It is because of this, we dedicate our show to Martha Stewart."-Wayshak; Live music by the Turks + special surprise guest following the opening reception.; You must be 21+ to attend.
Femina Potens benefit with host Michelle Tea
Saturday, April 2nd, 20058pm - 12am
Tonight's benefit for Femina Potens hosted by Michelle Tea features spoken word performances by Ali Liebegott (author of the Beautiful Worthless), Ricky Lee, Cindy Emch, Katina Noyes (author of Crashing America), Tracy Bogel, & Shana, and music by Paper Boat.
Admission: $5 at the door
You must be 21+ to attend. (sorry no kids)
Web: Femina Potens
Feral Colonies
Friday, March 25th, 20058pm - 11pm
Feral Colonies is a multimedia presentation illuminating how supposedly domesticated animals survive in derelict, post-industrial wastelands. The program includes artwork, music, burlesque, eccentric performers as well as the world premiere fo the ltest version of the locally produced chemically dependent film Kat's Kradle. A portion of the proceeds go toward Pets are Wonderful Support (PAWS) dedicated to preserving the human-animal bond. Admission: $7, 21+ only
Web: Kat's Kradle
8 Tales Film: Death Race 2000
Thursday, March 24th, 20058pm - 10pm
Roger Corman and his cronies bring us one of the most inane, trashy, and hysterical b movies of all time to hit the "B" lists. Long before "Rocky," and just after his stint as a porn actor, Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine star in the story of the year 2000, where a charismatic media dictator rules America, and the number one activity of the people is the Death Race, a competition that involves a cross-country car race. We take a look tonight at one of the "B" movie staples where violence, a piss-poor script, and T&A can fill the house. Admission is FREE 21+ only
Web: 8 Tales
Mixing Fine Arts & Nightlife panel discussion at 111Minna Gallery
Tuesday, March 15th, 20055:30pm - 11pm
Varnish will be closed this evening.
Please join us down the street at the 111 Minna Gallery at 111 Minna Street for a San Francisco Commonwealth Club event Mixing Fine Arts & Nightlife. Moderated by Heather Hartle of 7x7 Magazine, this panel discussion includes:
Jennifer Rogers, co-owner of Varnish Fine Art; Laura Janku, editor of Artweek; Gabe Scott, curator for 111Minna Gallery; and Ariane Maclean, director of Gen Art SF
The topic speaks to the practice of mixing nightlife and entertainment with fine art and how this shapes the public's exposure to contemporary artists.
$8 admission for Commonwealth Club members/ GenArt members
$10 for non-members
For tickets click the link below.
Web: SF Commonwealth Club
Opening Reception for Superstitions
Saturday, March 12th, 20057pm - 11pm
Please join us for the opening receptions of Superstitions, featuring Chris Buzelli, Mr. Glaubitz, Joshua Gorchov, David Groff, Joshua Krause, and Martha Rich. You must be 21+ to attend.
Nik Phelps & the Sprocket Ensemble
Friday, March 4th, 20058pm - 11pm
Nik will lead his musical group in an exciting evening featuring some favorite cartoons that he's returned with from last summer's European animation festivals - films from Annecy in the French Alps, Zagreb, Croatia and from the KROK International Animation Festival in Russia, as well as films from Belgium, France, Germany, America, China and Japan. As an added attraction, Bill Plympton's newest short, the Academy Award short-listed Guard Dog will end the show.
Drawing from his years with the renowned Club Foot Orchestra, and with artists such as Tom Waits, Nik writes music that can take you for a ride from the bottom of a frog pond to the surface of the moon.
Admission: $10
You must be 21+ to attend.
CD Release Party---open to the public
Thursday, March 3rd, 20058pm - 10pm
Suites for 2 Guitars: The Barbary Coast Duo celebrate the release of their CD featuring the music of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and the Police. CD's will be available for sale.
Admission is FREE. You must be 21+ to attend.
Dreaming the Innumerable---a night of impossible films
Friday, February 11th, 20058pm - 11pm
This "night of impossible films" features the Brothers Quay "In Absentia" and "The Phantom Museum", Keith Wilber's "Billy and Sally's Big Abandoned Refrigerator Adventure" and Brad Isdrab's "Mills", "Bad Art", and "Simulacrum".
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Ann Marie Paul Memorial
Wednesday, February 9th, 20056pm - 10pm
Everyone who knew, loved & admired our dear friend the artist Ann Marie Paul will gather tonight to remember her.
Opening Reception for the "Photo" show
Thursday, February 3rd, 20056pm - 10pm
Join us with the artists Stephanie Gene Morgan, Chris Anthony, Pete Eckert and Patrick Hadacek for the opening reception of the "Photo" show. You must be 21+ to attend.
Tsuami Relief Fundraiser
Friday, January 28th, 20059pm - 1am
Tonight's fundraiser to help relief efforts for victims of the Tsunami is hosted by SAALT (South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow) who will provide a DJ for your pleasure.
Admission at the door: $15
You must be 21+ to attend. No one under 21 will be admitted.
Opening Reception for "Rented" featuring Laurenn McCubbin
Friday, January 14th, 20057pm - 11pm
Join us for this opening reception with the artist Laurenn McCubbin and slide show readings from the author Michelle Tea whose recent book "Rent Girl" McCubbin deftly illustrated. You must be 21+ to attend
Laughing Squid Party
Wednesday, January 12th, 20056pm - 11pm
This is an invitation-only event, so we hope you've been invited. Cheers!
Holiday Schedule for the end of December
Friday, December 24th, 200411am - 11pm
Varnish will be CLOSED during regular hours from Dec. 24th through January 1st for the holiday. Please call the gallery at 415-222-6131 if you would like to schedule an appointment to view the show during this week. Cheers!
Renaissance Center Networking Mixer
Tuesday, December 7th, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
Varnish will be open to the public during this networking mixer for graduates of the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.
Last Gasp Holiday Booksigning
Saturday, December 4th, 20044pm - 8pm
Just in time for your holiday of choice. Get a book from the infamous Last Gasp and meet some of the authors and artists found within. The is a free event that is open to the public, but you must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for "Misfit Toys"
Thursday, December 2nd, 20047pm - 11pm
Join Varnish in celebrating the holidays with "Misfit Toys", featuring the artwork of Ron English, Bella Feldman, Al Farrow, Al Honig, Jack Yaghubian II, JennyBird Alcantara, & Kal Spelletich. This group show runs through January 8th. Admission FREE. You must be 21+ to attend.
Wine, Bubbly & Chocolates
Wednesday, December 1st, 20047pm - 9pm
Join Winemingles.com for a sensuous wine and chocolate adventure, tasting wines & bubbly from different boutique wineries side by side with a decadent sampling of chocolate treats from a variety of unique chocolate makers.
Admission: $35 at the door or $25 in advance via clicking the below link.
You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Winemingles.com
Closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 27th, 20041pm - 5pm
Please call 415-222-6131 if you would like to schedule an appointment to view the gallery during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, November 26th, 200411am - 11pm
The gallery is open today by appointment only. Please call 415-222-6131 to schedule an appointment to view "Fly in the Ointment".
Naked Barbies live music
Friday, November 19th, 20045:30pm - 8pm
Each time is better than the last when the Naked Barbies perform at Varnish for Happy Hour. This will be their final show of the year at the gallery and your last chance before Christmas to pick up their CD's. So join us for another fabulous live rock performance.
Admission is FREE.
You must be 21+ to attend.
The Big Love Show: A Benefit for Paul Willis
Saturday, November 13th, 20048pm - 12am
To thank Paul Willis for his constant championing of queer artists, Michelle Tea, Grag Wharton, and Ian Philips are hosting The Big Love Show to raise money to help with his medical bills from a gay-bashing attack, and to raise awareness that hate crimes happen every day to people whose only crime is to exist. Paul has undergone hours of surgeries to restore his eye and his eyesight damaged during the horrific beating in New Orleans. He can now distinguish light from dark, but doctors are hopeful they can further improve his vision. The surgeries and medical bills continue. Emcees: Michelle Tea & Ian Philips DJing by Daniel Slide Show by Sux & Elissa Performers scheduled to appear: Dodie Bellamy, Susie Bright, Patrick Califia, The Chainsaw Chubettes, Justin Chin, M. Christian, Tina D'Elia, Juba Kalamka, Kelly Kegger, Kevin Killian, Martin Pousson, Kirk Read, Chelsea Starr, Sage Vivant, and Greg Wharton. If you wish to donate funds directly to Paul Willis, please contact Ian Philips at ian@suspectthoughts.com, or send a check or money order made out to "Paul Willis" to : Suspect Thoughts Press 2215-R Market Street, PMB #544 San Francisco, CA 94114-1612 Admission: $5 - $20 at the door Contact Ian Philips 415-713-9196 for more info.
East/West Canvases: Questioning Beauty
Friday, November 12th, 20048pm - 10pm
Dancer and choreographer Sue Li Jue will perform a visually and iconographically striking work, East/West Canvases, exploring beautification practices of Chinese women past and present through dance set to both period and new music with textual references to love, beauty, pain and longing. This multimedia, collaborative work will be complemented by other performances by guest artists.
Sue Li Jue is Artistic Director of Facing East Dance & Music, an Oakland-based company whose mission is to give voice to Asian American issies through collaborations in dance, music and visual design. She is a Lecturer in Dance at UC Berkeley adn 2003 recipient of the California Dancemaker Grant, CASH Grant and Zellerbach Community Arts Grant for the creation of this work.
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Women's Global Fundraiser
Wednesday, November 10th, 20046pm - 9pm
Admission $15 at the door
You must be 21+ to attend
ChocolateSmarts Release Party
Thursday, November 4th, 20046:30pm - 8:30pm
Explore the alluring world of chocolate paired with fine wines and beers, taste delectable chocolate from the Bay Areas leading chocolate makers and purveyors, play the fun new game ChocolateSmarts, and meet some of the movers and shakers in SF's innovative chocolate world.
Co-sponsored by: Fog City News, Cacao AnasA, Recchiuti Confections, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, The Bakery Box, Broadbent Selections, Caparoso Wines, Duvel Belgian Golden Ale, Brewery Ommegang, and Sausal Winery
Tickets for this event: $35 ($25 for members of the San Francisco Commonwealth Club)
For more information, please contact ChocolateSmarts at events@smartsco.com
Opening Reception for "Fly in the Ointment"
Thursday, October 28th, 20047pm - 11pm
Join us for a reception with the 3 artists featured in this main gallery show "Fly in the Ointment". Sculptor Grant Irish, Craig LaRotonda and painter Kevin Peterson present their new work, capturing inspired poignent moods.
Admission FREE.
All attendees must be 21+ yrs old.
"Butterfly" by Doug Wolens documentary film screening
Friday, October 22nd, 20048pm - 10pm
Can one person really make a difference? In December 1997 Julia Hill climbed a thousand year-old redwood tree vowing not to come down until it was saved from being clear-cut. She lived 180 feet off the ground for more than 2 years, galvanizing an already intense dispute over the fate of Northern California's old-growth forests.
Wolens' film is a primer on forest issues and direct-action environmentalism, but most of all, it is about the spiritual journey of a determined, articulate woman nicknamed Butterfly who saved an ancient tree.
Admission FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Not-Another-4-Yrs Film Screenings
Thursday, October 21st, 20048pm - 10:30pm
Tonights film screenings are "The Truth About W" a wry look at the policies of the Bush administration by Robin and John Productions and the infamous "Fahrenheit 911" by Michael Moore.
GW Bush toilet paper will be for sale at this event.
Admission FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
Not-Another-4-Yrs Film Screenings
Wednesday, October 20th, 20048pm - 10:30pm
Tonight's film screenings are "Voices of Dissent: Activism & American Democracy" produced/directed by Karil Daniels and the documentary about about our news coverage is handled by some media "Outfoxed".
GW Bush toilet paper will be for sale at this event.
Admission FREE; You must be 21+ to attend.
No Hype film and music salon
Saturday, October 9th, 20048pm - 11pm
No Hype is live music and film performance at its best. Tonight's performers include Thad Povey, Laurie Amat, Al Alvarez, the Reverand Screaming Fingers and more.
Doors open at 8pm; Show starts at 9pm
Admission: sliding scale $10 at the door ---no one will be refused for lack of funds
You must be 21+ to attend.
Bella Feldman artist talk
Friday, October 8th, 20048pm - 9pm
With her truly exceptional sculpture featured in the current solo show "Bella" at Varnish, Bella Feldman offers us insight into her artwork during tonights informal talk. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about contemporary art from an artist who also has over 3 decades of experience teaching art.
Admission FREE
Environment 2004 Fundraising Party
Wednesday, October 6th, 20046pm - 8:30pm
Tonight's party featuring art, drinks, food, fine debate & film screening of "Empty Oceans, Empty Nets" benefits Environment2004 in its dedication to ending the Bush assault on our environment. E'04 is committed to defeating President George W. Bush & his allies by shining a spotlight on their anti-environmental agenda. Your hosts include Edward Yates, Tim Eichenberg, Karen Donovan, Jared Huffman, Felicia Marcus, Elizabeth Yates McNames, Nina Moore and Cliff Rechtschaffen.
Please RSVP with the requested donation of $50 *(although any support possible is appreciated) to:
eebarcos@yahoo.com or 415-371-2262
*Contributions to Environment2004 are not tax-deductible. Paid for by Enironment 2004, www.environment2004.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Web: Environment 2004
South Asians for Kerry Fundraiser
Saturday, October 2nd, 20048pm - 11pm
South Asians for Kerry (SAKI) 2004 raise funds tonight for Senator Kerry's crucial swing state efforts. The fundraiser features music by Dhamaal, SF's critically-acclaimed artist collective.
Open to the public for a contibution of $10 minimum at the door.
All must be 21+ to attend.
For more information, please contact:
Ash --- ashishvaidya@yahoo.com
Neha --- nehabhausar@gmail.com
Aparna --- aparnasain@hotmail.com
Web: SAKI 2004
"There's Something About W"---film screening & Fundraiser
Friday, October 1st, 20047:30pm - 11pm
The film "There's Something About W" is motivating voters with its fast-paced and often-funny look at critical political issues. Robin Chin, John Grimes and Louise Rubacky are working night and day to distribute copies to key blocks of voters in swing states. Attending tonights screening will help them on their way!
With Peter Coyote as narrator, great commentators like Molly Ivins, Paul Krugman, Kevin Phillips, and Arianna Huffington, and comedians including Al Franken, Bill Maher and Will Durst, we think you'll be impressed by the film's effectiveness.
Suggested Donation at the door: $15
You must be 21+ to attend
Not-So-Silent Film Screening w/ Live Music Accompaniment
Wednesday, September 29th, 20048pm - 10pm
The Not-So-Silent Classic Film Screening with 6-piece orchestral accompaniment returns to Varnish with its assortment of genres from the turn of the century.
The program includes Buster Keaton comedy (Cops), DW Griffith drama (A Corner in Wheat), train robbery (Loandale Operator), and an early, animated film (The Automatic Moving Company).
Sponsored by the non-profit Sonoma County Union of the Arts (SCUA) dedicated to promotion, production, and education of the arts within the community, this gorgeous show of talent features the stellar live musical score performed on vibraphone, woodwind, brass, drums and bass, led by conductor Ian Dickenson.
Admission: $7
You must be 21+ to attend.
Opening Reception for "Bella", the sculpture of Bella Feldman
Saturday, September 25th, 20047pm - 11pm
Join us to celebrate our first solo show at Varnish with the featured artist Bella Feldman. We are extremely proud to present her latest sculpture within our main gallery.
All attendees must be over 21 to enter Varnish. Admission is Free.
Film Shorts + Feature Screening
Friday, September 24th, 20047:30pm - 11pm
Kim Scott and Elisa Terranova bring their fun film shorts to Varnish for our pleasure. Add to this the short-to-feature length screening of the visually striking, visceral film by Elizabeth Harris, and a full indie film experience awaits you.
Admission FREE. You must be 21+ to attend.
Naked Barbies Live
Friday, September 17th, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
The Naked Barbies return to perform their soulful rock at Varnish. If you've missed their past performances, now's your chance to see a truly outstanding band live in our unique venue.
Admission FREE
Poetry and Prose Readings
Friday, September 10th, 20047:30pm - 10pm
What better way to spend a Friday night than enjoying the words of 4 brilliant, award-winning, writers/poets---Kim Addonizio, Michelle Tea, Cheryl Dumesnil, and Susan Brown.
Kim Addonizio, author of "What is This Thing Called Love," reads her fiction with books and CD's for sale. Novelist Michelle Tea reads from her latest autobiographical book "Rent Girl." Poet Cheryl Dumesnil excerpts her original poetry from "Dorothy Parker's Elbow: Tattos on Writers, Writers on Tattoos," co-edited with Addonizio. And Susan Brown reads from her recently published book of poetry, "Buddha's Dogs," selected winner of the Four Way Books Prize by Edward Hirsch.
Admission FREE, but you must be 21+ to attend.
Entree---Cinefemmes dish it out!
Friday, August 27th, 20047:30pm - 11pm
Entree is a benefit film screening & reception for Cinefemme's Film Leadership Incubator Program (FLIP) and its sponsored projects. The screening includes short films by Michelle Kantor, Heide Foley, Sahra Girshick and Katrina Hart Drabkin. FLIP trains women to be leaders in the film industry by assisting them with emerging projects. Despite strides made by women in the workforce in recent decades, women account for only 4% of all cinematographers, 11% of all directors and 12% of all screenwriters. The hour-long screening begins at 8pm with a reception immediately following. The reception features the DJ Reverend Kathy Russell and a raffle. Admission: $20, student/seniors: $15 Tickets may be purchased in advance by clicking the Cinefemme Entree link below. Please direct all questions to Cinefemme Executive Director Katrina Drabkin at 415-609-0343 or kat@cinefemme.org You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Cinefemme Entree
Winston Smith book signing
Thursday, August 26th, 20048pm - 10pm
The Trilogy is at last complete!
Join Winston and friends for the inaugural book signing for his new tome: All Riot on the Western Front, The Montage Art of Winston Smith Volume III, 104 pages of wild and wacky weirdness that Winnie peddles as "art", published by Last Gasp of San Francisco.
Smith's work has been featured in Playboy, Spin, and The New Yorker, as well as on album covers for Dead Kennedys, Green Day, DOA, George Carlin, etc. Dinosaurs ravage suburbia while dodos frolic with Gibson girls. Guaranteed to shock and awe!
FREE, but you must be 21+ to attend
Opening Reception for the "Bay Area Sculpture" show
Saturday, August 21st, 20047pm - 11pm
Join the 30+ selected Bay Area sculptors for the opening reception of Varnish's 1st Annual "Bay Area Sculpture" show. You must be 21+ to attend.
Naked Barbies live music
Friday, August 20th, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
The Naked Barbies return with more of their fabulous happy-hour rock. Named "Best Rock n Roll Band" in a recent Best of the Bay readers poll, the Naked Barbies performance is not-to-be-missed!
Admission FREE
Not-So-Silent Film Screening
Thursday, August 19th, 20048pm - 11pm
Live music accompanying silent film classics makes for this "Not-So-Silent" film screening. The program includes an assortment of genres from the turn of the century, including Buster Keaton's comedy (Cops), DW Griffith's drama (A Corner in Wheat), train robbery (Loandale Operator), and early animation (The Automatic Moving Company). Stellar young Sonoma County composers have outfitted each of the 7 films with a fresh live musical score featuring Howard Wiley & Jordan Wardlaw on Sax, Garth Powell on Drums, Sean Moore on Guitar, and Ian Dickenson on Bass. Admission: $7 at the door You must be 21+ to attend.
AKA: Girl Skater film screening
Friday, August 13th, 20048pm - 10pm
AKA: Girl Skater is a documentary film that provides a fascinating insight into the unique and rapidly emerging subculture of skaters...AKA: Girl Skaters, featuring the world's most talented female skateboarders, Jaime Reyes (femal skate legend), Vanessa Torres (2001 World Champion), Amy Caron (2001 World Number 2), and Monica Shaw (Australian Champion).
Admission: FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: AKA: Girl Skater
AIDS Marathon Fundraiser for Team Varnish
Friday, July 30th, 20047pm - 11pm
Varnish co-owner Jen and friends are Team Varnish of the San Francisco AIDS Marathon training program, gearing up for the Honolulu Marathon this December. Raise tax-deductable funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation by checking out hilarious new and classic film-dubs [films start at 8pm], drinking $3 pints of Speakeasy IPA and winning fabulous raffle-prizes! Admission: $10 You must be 21+ to attend.
Film screening---Sister Wendy speaks about Art
Friday, July 23rd, 20048pm - 11pm
If you've never seen Sister Wendy in action, now's your chance to catch the British lady in black as she struts her stuff through some of the world's greatest museums. Informative yet hilarious. Admission is FREE You must be 21+ to attend
Opening Reception for "Underneath Nostalgic Rotation: Eric White, Jordin Isip, & Carl Dunn"
Saturday, July 10th, 20047pm - 11pm
Join us in celebration with the artists for the opening of "Underneath Nostalgic Rotation". This three-person show runs through August 14th. Admission is free and you must be 21+ to attend.
Artrageous DVD Release Party
Friday, July 9th, 20047pm - 11pm
Tonight's FURPATCH---the Varnish 2nd and 4th Friday's for showcasing cool chick artists---is Artrageous, featuring local cult TV star Dee Dee Russell and Friends. Recently voted the SF Weekly Best of the Bay "Most Outrageous TV Personality in the Bay Area", Dee Dee celebrates her DVD debut with film and performance art here at Varnish.
Come one come all because Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Dee Dee Russell
"...But I will Remain" Johnny Cash Group Show
Wednesday, July 7th, 20047pm - 11pm
Tonight's opening is the one-night only showing at Varnish of this touring group show co-curated by Neal Nolan and Peter Blue. This collection of works dedicated to the Man in Black's legacy of music promoting love, respect, art and honesty makes it's stop tonight along the road for this tour of major North American cities. Documentary filming immortalizing the events surrounding the "...But I will Remain" show will take place at Varnish as they have at all other venues throughout the tour. Admission is FREE You must be 21+ to attend.
Web: Misanthropy Gallery
Live music by WEFF
Saturday, June 26th, 20047pm - 11pm
Eric Dumbleton + Gavin Coombs = Weff: the Supersonic Indie-Pop Sensation here at Varnish for FREE. Check out their website!
Web: Weff
FURPATCH---cool chick art for everyone
Friday, June 25th, 20047pm - 11pm
Live music devoted to rhythm, distortion and simplicity courtesy of FLUT. FURPATCH Friday's occur every 2nd and 4th Friday each month with something different every time. Admission FREE, and you must be 21+ to attend.
Naked Barbies perform live
Friday, June 18th, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
The SF Weekly Best of the Bay readers poll recently proclaimed the Naked Barbies the "Best Rock n Roll Band", and they're here tonight at Varnish with their new guitarist for another fabulous Happy Hour set of music for people who love rock. Admission is FREE You must be 21+ to attend.
FURPATCH---cool chick art for everyone
Friday, June 11th, 20047pm - 11pm
Live music by Terese Taylor and the Hunks. Alternative rockers + the pavement-to-dirt road kind of music by the waify Terese. FURPATCH Fridays occur every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month with something different every time. Admission FREE
Opening Reception for Urban Tales
Thursday, June 3rd, 20047pm - 11pm
Join the 6 featured artists of Urban Tales tonight to celebrate the opening of an all wall-work show of various media. Ana Bagayan, David Ball, Nathan Spoor, Ezra Eismont, Kate Barrere, and Dan Levin each use their own unique visions to relate urban tales.
Urban Tales runs through July 7th.
FURPATCH---art event for everyone
Friday, May 28th, 20047pm - 11pm
Every 2nd and 4th Friday Varnish hosts FURPATCH which brings you something different every time and always art by women for everyone.
Tonight Marinaomi Schaal will create a painting live in the gallery with live band accompanyment, inspired by her passions for satire, irony, animal liberation and you.
Admission is FREE
You must be 21+ to attend.
Winemingles.com Wine Tasting Party
Friday, May 21st, 20047pm - 11pm
Winemingles.com invites you to meet single professionals for a unique wine tasting featuring unique wines from different boutique vintners plus an array of gourmet French appetizers. Sign up by clicking the link below. Make sure to RSVP before the party is sold out. Wine Tasting 7-9pm/ Party continues 'til 11pm
Web: Wine Mingles
FURPATCH--chick entertainment for boys and girls
Friday, May 14th, 20047pm - 11pm
Come-one, come-all boys and girls to soak your senses in the talent of women artists. FURPATCH offers something different each time, and occurs every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Tonights FURPATCH features the obliquely-slanting sounds of bLevin bLectum, the performance and noise art of Tina Butcher, and the inspired photography of the artist group Point Blank. Admission: FREE You must be 21+ to attend.
1 Yr. Anniversary Party for Varnish
Saturday, April 24th, 20047pm - 11pm
We've been here for one year, so it's time to celebrate! This party also doubles as an art opening featuring the evokotive sculpture of Varnish co-owner Kerri Stephens and photography by Kristen Sard. Varnish is pleased that our first year anniversary celebration will feature entertainment provided by the bona-fide Dragarati of San Francisco who dazzle audiences with their ironic, transgressive and shrewdly entertaining post-modern vaudeville. Admission is Free and first-come, first-serve. You must be 21+ to attend. Please bring along your ID.
John Kerry Fundraiser
Wednesday, April 21st, 20046pm - 9pm
Contribute to the presidential campaign and have fun knowing that Bush could be put out to pasture this November. Admission $50 goes to Bay Area Democrats effort to get John Kerry in the White House. George Bush toilet paper with actual quotes will be for sale by Varnish at this event.
FURPATCH Friday
Friday, April 9th, 20047pm - 11pm
Join us for this Joan Crawford-themed FURPATCH dressed as Joan Crawford and we'll reward you with a $1 champagne cocktail. Even if you're decidedly un-Joan Crawford-esque the visuals and music courtesy of dj Laura-in-the-LivingRoom make this Good Friday a Great Friday.
Admission FREE
Naked Barbies live
Friday, April 2nd, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
Remember that '80's commercial for Memorex? Well if you were here the last time the Naked Barbies played at Varnish you witnessed Patty's wineglass-shattering performance. She can break our glasses anytime. Don't miss this FREE performance. You must be 21 to attend.
Opening Reception for "Skin Deep"
Thursday, March 25th, 20047pm - 11pm
Join the artists of "Skin Deep" to celebrate the opening of the group painting show which features works by Kirsten Easthope, Andrea Tucker, Sharon Leong, Annette Hassell, Isabel Samaras, and Sunny Buick. This show is on view from March 23rd thru April 17th. See the Artwork page of this website for more information. You must be 21+ to attend.
Cheers!
Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War [plus film shorts]
Thursday, March 18th, 20048pm - 11pm
Join us for a film screening of the controversial and arresting documentary Uncovered which offers an in-depth look at the unsettling distortion of intelligence and the "spin and hype" presented to the American people, the Congress and the press. This film presents interviews with more than 20 experts. "A powerful documentary. A must see for anyone interested in the truth about what's going on in Iraq."---Martin Sheen. Following Uncovered enjoy the hilarious film shorts by Brian Boyce including "Election Collectibles", "State of the Union", "Suckers", and "30 Seconds Hate". Admission FREE
Web: Truth Uncovered
FURPATCH
Friday, March 12th, 20047pm - 11pm
Kia Simon of Sneakylittle Sister screens her film shorts and our guest dj is in attendance for this installment of Varnish's 2nd & 4th Friday event of FURPATCH: film/dj/entertainment by local female talent --something different every time with champagne cocktail specials to boot.
Admission FREE
Opening Reception at Den for "A Medium for Living"
Saturday, February 21st, 20047pm - 11pm
Oh yes...Reception #2 for "A Medium for Living" takes place at the fantastic furniture showroom known to all fancy San Franciscans as Den. This jointly curated and co-located show of art furniture and painting brings works by each participating artist to both Varnish and Den simultaneously, while offering a reception at each location on different nights.
Tonights party brings all of us over to Den at 849 Valencia (between 19th and 20th St.) where wine and bubbly will be provided.
Web: Den
Naked Barbies - Happy Hour live music
Friday, February 20th, 20045:30pm - 7:30pm
The Naked Barbies return to Varnish for another great set for all of our end-of-the-week happy-hour crowd and everyone who loves Patty's fabulous vocals like we do.
Admission FREE
Opening Reception at Varnish for "A Medium for Living"
Thursday, February 19th, 20047pm - 11pm
Jointly curated and co-located, "A Medium for Living" is an art furniture and painting show occupying two fabulous SF locations---Varnish and Den---giving us two nights of schmoozing. Join us tonight at Varnish!
FURPATCH Friday & Closing Party for "Erosion"
Friday, February 13th, 20047pm - 11pm
Come get your FURPATCH entertainment from very cool chick dj's, filmmakers and musicians--something different every time. Laura-in-the-Livingroom from KALX-90.7FM fame DJ's this #1 FURPATCH. And...it even gets better...this is also a Closing Party for the two-person show "Erosion" featuring manipulated photography by Jim Haynes and Wayne Shaffer's bronze sculpture. Admission FREE
Latin-Brazilian-Jazz live music
Thursday, February 12th, 20046pm - 8pm
Soulful sabor is on tap tonight with Bay Area latin jazz singer Alexa Weber Morales and sizzling piano accompaniment. Known for her linguistic verstility, soulful energy and beautiful voice, Alexa's broad repertoire includes songs in Spanish, Portuguese and French in styles including boleros, salsa, latin jazz, jazz, bossas, sambas and many originals.
Admission FREE!
Web: Alexa Weber Morales
Varnish Artist Talk with Images by Wayne Shaffer
Tuesday, February 10th, 20047pm - 8:30pm
If you've ever wondered how sculptors create cast metal artwork, this is a great opportunity to learn how it's done. Wayne Shaffer's bronze sculpture and cast iron vessels are part of the current two-person show "Erosion" in the Varnish main gallery. Wayne's large-screen show of images depicting the casting process from sculpting to flowing molten metal will be accompanied by a fun, informal salon-style discussion that you are all welcome to join. FREE for all, though you must be over 21 yrs. old to attend.
Web: Wayne Shaffer
Low - dj's on Wednesdays
Wednesday, February 4th, 20046pm - 10pm
Every Wednesday is Low, our free-admission dj night of great, conversation-friendly music!
Mob L
Friday, January 23rd, 20047pm - 10pm
funkjambluesjazzreggae by Mob L
These guys are reeeeally funky. We love these guys.
And it's their 2nd to last show...Ever!
This is a FREE show.
Opening Reception for "Erosion"
Thursday, January 8th, 20046pm - 10pm
Join the artists Jim Haynes and Wayne Shaffer for our first opening of 2004.
Closed for New Year's Eve. and New Year's Day
Wednesday, December 31st, 200311am - 11pm
Happy New Year everybody!!
We'll be back on Friday January 2nd for our regular hours.
Holiday Hours
Tuesday, December 23rd, 200311am - 5pm
We'll be open daytime hours the Tuesday before X-mas for last-minute shopping.
Varnish is closed for the rest of the week until Tuesday, December 30th for our regular hours.
Happy Holidays!
Razorfish Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18th, 20037pm - 11pm
Varnish hosts this private party for the yuletide celebration of Razorfish.
Splendor in the Glass Wine Tasting
Wednesday, December 17th, 20036:30pm - 8pm
Tom Merle of Splendor will provide an overview of the wines poured this evening along with several other vintners on hand to discuss the winemaking style and viticultural characteristics of their grape growing regions. A light array of hors d'oeuvres will be available for snacking and cleansing the palate. * A percentage of ticket sales will support GoKid.org. Please visit www.gokid.org for more information. * Advance tickets: $25 *Tickets at door: $35, subject to availability *You must be over 21 to attend. Please bring valid ID.
Buom Buom presents a holiday retail event
Friday, December 12th, 20036pm - 10pm
Join us for an Independent Artist and Designer's sample sale. Come and have a sake cocktail, watch beauties spin fire, listen to cool beats, and get your holiday shopping out the way. Everything from jewelry and clothing to original works of art are on display.
Web: Buom Buom
Opening Reception for "The Gods of Art and Wine" group show
Thursday, December 4th, 20037pm - 11pm
Don't miss this last reception of our inaugural year for a show celebrating art, wine, and having a lot of fun with both and music courtesy of DJ Efrem
Siren Society of SF Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Wednesday, December 3rd, 20036pm - 9pm
An extravagant evening benefitting Horizons includes live music, cocktails and hor d'oeuvres complementing a SILENT AUCTION of art, jewelry, handbags and more. Admission $25 at the door. You must be over 21 to attend.
Historic Preservation Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 2nd, 20035pm - 8pm
The National Trust for Historic Preservation invites Bay Area preservationists to join them for a holiday party. This is an opportunity to catch up, celebrate victories and lament losses among new friends and old in the preservation community.
Please RSVP by calling 415-956-0610 or email wro@nthp.org
Closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 29th, 200312pm - 5pm
Opened again for regular hours on Tuesday December 2. See you then!
Closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, November 28th, 200311am - 11pm
Happy Turkey sandwich day! See you Tuesday
Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27th, 200311am - 11pm
Happy Turkey Day!
See you Tuesday after the holiday weekend
Now & Then: A MultiChannel Extravaganza
Saturday, November 22nd, 20037pm - 11pm
Stereo Skateboards presents this extravaganza at Varnish with an exhibition of Stereo memorabilia, drawings by Chris Pastras, and photographs by Jason Lee. This not-to-be-missed event follows closely on the heals of Stereo's Los Angeles exhibition at the Downtown Independant Gallery. Check out the link below to learn more about the one and only Stereo.
Admission $5 at the door. First come first serve.
You must be over 21 to attend.
Web: Stereo
Social Venture Institute party
Friday, November 21st, 20035:30pm - 8:30pm
Brought to us by the Social Venture Network and the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, the Social Venture Institute promotes business solutions for socially conscious entrepreneurs. This evening's party is an event for Institute participants. For more information, please contact Janet Lees at 415-541-8580 or go to www.rencenter.org.
Montreal International Party
Thursday, November 20th, 20036pm - 8pm
The city of Montreal takes over Varnish for an early evening party.
DJ Efrem Thursday
Thursday, November 20th, 20038pm - 10pm
DJ Efrem continues to bedazzle Varnish on Thursdays---regularly from 6 - 10pm.
Varnish Tuesdays with dj Tom Thump
Tuesday, November 18th, 20036pm - 10pm
Aaaaah yes....the incomparable Tom Thump!
Port Tasting
Tuesday, November 18th, 20035:30pm - 7:30pm
Varnish proudly hosts this very cool and unusual port tasting tonight featuring ports from the Taylor Fladgate & Fonseca portfolio. Fancy specialists are on-hand to help us all drink better, and we're pairing the wines with bleu cheese tidbits and chocolate covered hazelnuts. And...as if this wasn't enough, DJ Tom Thump will be spinning records.
$7 gets you all the port and cheese you can swallow
dj Efrem Thursdays
Thursday, November 13th, 20036pm - 10pm
Very nice mellow grooves on Thursday nights at Varnish
Varnish Tuesday with dj Tom Thump
Tuesday, November 11th, 20036pm - 10pm
It's Veteran's day, and what better way to spend it than joining us at Varnish for an evening of excellent art, wine and music courtesy of dj Tom Thump + guests.
dj Efrem Thursdays
Thursday, November 6th, 20036pm - 10pm
Very nice mellow groove music Thursday nights at Varnish
Varnish Tuesday with dj Tom Thump
Tuesday, November 4th, 20036pm - 10pm
Join us at Varnish Tuesday nights for an evening of excellent art, wine and music courtesy of dj Tom Thump.
Varnish Tuesday with dj Tom Thump
Tuesday, October 28th, 20036pm - 10pm
Join us Tuesday nights at Varnish for an evening of excellent art, wine and music courtesy of dj Tom Thump + guest dj's.
Booksigning for The Book of Joe by Joe Coleman
Saturday, October 25th, 20034pm - 6pm
In keeping with the Fall "Creep Show" at Varnish, we're proud to host this booksigning by Joe Coleman for his newest publication The Book of Joe: the Art of Joe Coleman published by Last Gasp and La Luz de Jesus Press. Joe Coleman's paintings are unflinching autopsies of the human condition. Wielding his single-hair brush like a scalpel, Coleman forces us to join him in a brutal project to document the frailties and cruelties of the flesh and the bizarre junctions between saint and sinner, sacred and profane, holy and horrifying.
"Joe Coleman is probably the most significant contemporary outsider artist to emerge in the past decade." --Michael Bonesteel, The Outsider art magazine
Web: Last Gasp
An Independant film The Revolting Dead Northern California Premier
Saturday, October 25th, 20037pm - 11pm
This special advance screening of The Revolting Dead includes a wonderful cast of characters in a wickedly funny and gruesome tale of life, death, love, and revenge--from beyond the grave. Thriller Entertainment in association with Cinephile Digital present the Tye Beeby/Jason Herbst production, directed by Michael Su.
Hors D'oeuvres at 7pm; show starts at 8:30pm
Admission $6
Web: The Revolting Dead
Opening Reception for the Creep Show
Friday, October 24th, 20037pm - 11pm
Surprise artwork will only be on view at this opening reception which features the creepier works of Eric White, Scott Musgrove, Joanne Stephens, Sean Christopher, Craig LaRotunda & Kim Maria, and Grant Irish.
the Naked Barbies live music
Friday, October 17th, 20035:30pm - 7pm
Happy Hour at Varnish gets even better tonight with live music courtesy of the Naked Barbies!
Prive presents Laurent Dubourg's fashionable styling and Rebecca Bruce fashion designs
Tuesday, October 7th, 20034pm - 11pm
Prive Formule Aux Herbes takes over Varnish for an invitation-only fashion show of beauty looks seen on runways at New York Fashion Week. Celebrity stylist Laurent Dufourg, who coifs the locks of such luminaries as Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow, will be on hand to demonstrate his hair virtuosity as guests check out the designs of local fashion designer Rebecca Bruce.
Kick off for Book Signing tour of the Clayton Brother's new Publication
Saturday, September 27th, 20034pm - 6pm
Join us for the launch of a book signing tour for The Most Special Day of My Life, a new book by the Clayton Brothers brought to you by Last Gasp and La Luz de Jesus Press. Meet the artists and get your book on.
Party for Zoetrope Magazine and Clayton Brothers
Thursday, September 25th, 20036pm - 10pm
All are welcome to celebrate with the Clayton brothers and Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope Magazine. This party is a celebration of Zoetrope's issue designed in part by the Clayton's themselves.
Web: Zoetrope All Story
CLOSED due to wedding
Saturday, September 20th, 200311am - 5pm
Varnish closes its doors today to celebrate the wedding of one of its artists, the sculptor-extraordinaire Dan Romo and his fabulous bride Kat Briley. Cheers!
Closing Party for Assemblage-Montage
Friday, September 19th, 20037pm - 11pm
Join us for the closing of this fabulous show featuring recent works by Ron Garrigues and Winston Smith.
Double Booksigning for Glenn Barr and Eyesore
Saturday, September 13th, 20034pm - 6pm
Meet the artists and get your books signed. Last Gasp and La Luz de Jesus Press present Lowlife Paradise: The Works of Glenn Barr, a beautiful volume including over 50 full color reproductions of his paintings and essay by Carlo McCormick.
Last Gasp and Coniglio Editore bring us Eyesore: Recent Litter from the Firehouse Kustom Rockart Company by Chuck Sperry and Ron Donovan. This full color poster art volume includes interviews with the artists.
Web: Last Gasp
TwoTone Farm Wine Tasting
Thursday, September 11th, 20033pm - 6pm
Guests of this event are invited to witness the unvarnished truth at this special TwoTone Farm wine tasting. In addition to the new farm-style wines from TwoTone Farm, we will pour wines from Stags' Leap Winery and St. Clement, including some older wines from the Stags' Leap wine library.
Music courtesy of dJ eOn
Tim Biskup Book Signing
Saturday, August 30th, 20037pm-9pm
Last Gasp presents a fine new publication of the artwork of Tim Biskup. Check out his work at www.timbiskup.com. Get your signed copy and meet the artist!
Web: Last Gasp
Steal One Movie Premier
Saturday, August 23rd, 20038:30pm - 12am
The Steal One Movie Premier includes 2 short films and even more entertainment from 3 stand-up comedians. The show begins at 10pm. Admission fee: $5 and as always, you must be over 21 to attend.
Opening Reception for Assemblage-Montage
Friday, August 22nd, 20036pm - 10pm
Join us as we toast the artists Winston Smith and Ron Garrigues for bringing political commentary boldly into art throughout their individual careers. The current show at Varnish features recent works by both artists.
The William Bonney Picture Show presents the SF premier of "Book Wars" by Jason Rosette
Friday, July 25th, 20039pm - 11pm
Rosette's critically acclaimed, Gotham Award nominated street flick "Book Wars" has been screened internationally, but the film makes its San Francisco Premier tonight with the monthly William Bonney's Picture Show at Varnish. This Playboy Foundation supported film offers a unique vision of our American lives from the perspective of NYC street book sellers and our rights as protected (in theory) by the Constitution. DVD release party to boot! Click the link below to view a trailor.
Admission $7 and as always you must be over 21 to attend.
Web: Camerado
First Annual Unpopular Culture Street Fair
Saturday, July 19th, 200312am - 7pm
Celebrate Unpopular Culture with art, artists and djs. Special performance by the Punk Rock Orchestra.
Admission for adults $5 and children under 12 admitted free.
Natoma Street Block Party
Friday, July 18th, 20039pm - 2am
Delicious Karma and the Institute for Unpopular Culture have teamed up with Varnish to create an art celebration. The party on Friday night is both inside Varnish and out the door on Natoma Street which will host art installations and 2 full bars.
Admission $10. You must be over 21 to attend.
Web: Delicious Karma
Make Contact---a GGBA Networking Event
Tuesday, July 15th, 20035:30pm - 7pm
Get together with members of the Golden Gate Business Association for this golden opportunity to network. Varnish provides house wine and hors doerves. Free for GGBA members and $10 for non-members.
Opening Reception for "Urban Flight": the works of Joe Cariati and installation by Daimon Marshand
Friday, July 11th, 20036pm - 10pm
This opening celebration kicks off a show that brings together in a single space the artwork of two unrelated artists in an exciting mix of painting, blown glass and suspended DaVinciesque forms.
Closing Party for Current Show
Thursday, July 3rd, 20036pm - 9pm
Join us with the artists Ben Harris and Dann Gesink to celebrate the end of the current metal sculpture show in our main gallery. From large assemblage of car parts and intriguing wooden forms to miniscule fantastical bronze figures, this show has been a pleasure to exhibit.
A Night for Galleries
Thursday, June 26th, 20037pm - 9pm
While all are welcome to attend, this is the first informal gathering at Varnish of all San Francisco gallery owners and personnel who wish to meet other folks in the art world for a relaxing night---one week prior to "first thursday". We hope to make this a regular event on the last Thursday of every month!
William Bonney's Picture Show
Friday, June 13th, 20038pm - 11pm
The first in an ongoing screening of short and medium length work by emerging and established filmmakers. The program includes:
"In Heat" by Andy Delbarco of Paranoid Pictures---Hardboiled gumshow Jinx Dain takes a case he shouldn't have. A brilliantly shot noir comedy, chock full of razor sharp deadpan lingo.
"Wiseacre Massacre" by Jason Rosette of Camerado TV---The story of a Coney Island Kid's Theater company gone terribly (and hillariously) awry.
"No Accident" by Michel Negroponte, a ZDF Arte-Alive TV co-production---An impressionistic journey through the underworld of the New York subway, featuring enigmatic poet and avant-garde legend John Giorno.
"Type Five DHead" by Thomas Korzeniowski---One Man's obsession with technology...as his hobby building robot insects starts to interfere with his love life.
Admission Fee: $7
Opening Reception for "The Sculpture of Ben Harris and Dann Gesink"
Friday, June 6th, 20037pm - 11pm
Party for the metal sculptors whose work is on view through July 6!