Cheap Date: The Soft Moon, a Birthday For the GLBT History Museum, and More

So! Have you heard about this thing called the Super Bowl, that’s apparently taking over our fair city in about a week’s time? No? What kind of media diet are you on? I would like to try it.

Yes, San Francisco is about to be taken over by some decidedly basic, fairly heteronormative celebrations. Lucky for those of us who are looking for something a little different, there’s a whole other kind of party this weekend just up the street from Super Bowl City — the 5th anniversary party for the GLBT History Museum.

From 7 to 9 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 29, you can drink wine, take a tour of the museum led by special guests from the community, take in a performance by some of the city’s best-loved drag kings, Momma’s Boyz, and dance to “underground queer hits from seven decades” courtesy of 48 Hills’ Marke B — all hosted by the inimitable Juanita More and Alex U. Inn. $5 – $10; details here. 

Read on for other non-Super Bowl-related shindigs coming up this week for $20 or less — it’s this week’s Cheap Date. 

Thursday, Jan. 28: Miriam Speyer Record Release Party at the Rickshaw Stop, SF. San Francisco singer-songwriter Speyer is one of those vocalists who surprises you the moment she opens her mouth. Tales of heartbreak, self-definition, and even the mundane are delivered with full-bellied soul, tinged by psyche-rock and even the odd Bossa Nova riff. Get there early for fellow locals Lee Gallagher and the Hallelujah as main support. $10; details here. 

Friday, Jan. 29: The Soft Moon and Cold Beat at the New Parish, Oakland. Two of the East Bay’s most fiercely loved post-punk bands take the stage in Oakland — this one’s not to be missed. Multi-instrumentalist/producer/singer-songwriter Luis Vazquez is The Soft Moon, and what the band lacks in size, it makes up for in sheer unpredictability, borrowing from noise rock, electronic music, darkwave and more. Cold Beat, the (mostly) punk project helmed by Hannah Lew (ex-Grass Widow) is a compelling force in its own right. $13 – $16; details here. 

Friday, Jan. 29 – Saturday, Jan. 30: Fou Fou Ha’s ‘Whoa-Man! A Musical’ at the Great Star Theater, SF. If you’ve never seen the sexy circus troupe/burlesque dance team/group of self-effacing cabaret performers that is Fou Fou Ha….well, you probably should. No time like the present with these, the last two performances of their musical that offers “a satirical look at the lives of four women and the tortures in trying to find ‘perfection’ in a modern world.” $20; details here. 

Monday, Feb. 1: ‘The X-Files’ Third Episode at the New Parkway, Oakland. What’s better than Mulder and Scully being back on the case? Why, taking in the reboot on a big screen, in a theater with couches and pizza and beer, of course, while surrounded by your favorite fellow X-heads. $5; details here.