San Francisco Calendar Listings
February 15-24

By Khalida Sarwari

February 15, 2008

"SAN FRANCISCO INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL,'' -- through Feb. 20.

With more than 80 films and videos, this year's IndieFest features absolutely independent films and parties at three venues -- Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street; Roxie Cinemas, 3117 16th Street; Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street. Go to Web site for show times. $10. (415) 820-3907, www.sfindie.com.

"SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL AND PARADE,'' -- Feb. 23.

A celebration of the Year of the Rat. Parade route begins on Market and Second and ends on Kearny. 5:30 p.m. (415) 391-9680.

BOOKSMITH --

Beth Lisick, Feb. 19. The author discusses "Helping Me Help Myself.'' www.bethlisick.com

Events are free and start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 1644 Haight St., San Francisco. (415) 863-8688, www.booksmith.com.

CENTURY SAN FRANCISCO CENTRE 9 --

"Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival,'' Feb. 23 through Feb. 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Event features exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, New Year food tastings, lion dancers, martial arts demonstrations and more. Free.

835 Market Street, Suite 5000, San Francisco. (415) 538-8422. www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/events/springfestival.html.

CHINATOWN YMCA --

"Chinese New Year YMCA 10K-5K Run-Walk,'' Feb. 17, 8 a.m. Event raises funds for the YMCA's youth and teen programs. The Run-Walk scenic route starts at Sacramento and Grant, winds its way through Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Mason and finishes on Kearny between Sacramento and Clay. $35.

855 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. (415) 576-9622, www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/events/ymcarun.html.

CITY ARTS AND LECTURES --

Neil Degrasse Tyson, Feb. 19, 8 p.m. The astrophysicist speaks in conversation with Ryan Wyatt. $17-$19.

Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.cityarts.net.

GRACE CATHEDRAL --

Willie Brown, Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. The former mayor speaks with Alan Jones about his new book "Basic Brown.'' Free.

1100 California St., San Francisco. (415) 749-6355, www.gracecathedral.org.

HERBST THEATRE --

"Empire on Horseback: Genghis Khan and The Mongols,'' Feb. 22 - 23, Friday, 8-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Humanities West presents an interdisciplinary program exploring history to celebrate the mind and the arts. $20-$90.

San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.

MOSCONE CONVENTION CENTER --

"22nd Annual Wondercon,'' Feb. 22 through Feb. 24, Friday, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Northern California's largest comic book and pop culture convention offering guests and nonstop action. $5-$12. www.comic-con.org.

747 Howard St., San Francisco. (415) 974-4000, www.moscone.com.

NOB HILL MASONIC CENTER --

"Video Games Live 2008,'' Feb. 22, 8 p.m. Event features a presentation of gaming segments on multiple video screens, featuring guest appearances by classic gaming characters and famous conductors. $38.50-$65. (415) 421-8497, www.livenation.com.

1111 California St., San Francisco. (415) 776-4702, (415) 292-9191, www.masonicauditorium.com.

PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO --

The Presidio Visitor Center, located at the Presidio Officers' Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, features exhibits and a bookstore and is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS --

"Internet For Older Adults,'' through May 23, Fridays, 1:10-4 p.m. A weekly survey of the Internet in an unhurried environment. Learn how to surf the Web, use e-mail, conduct research on the Internet and create Web pages. No class Feb. 15, March 28 and April 4. Free. (415) 561-7765.

"Animal Adventures,'' through March 1, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn all about the critters that call the Presidio home. Explore the Urban Ecology Lab and Art Lab to design origami mobiles and marble mazes. For grades 2nd and 3rd. Preregistration is required. $145. (415) 561-7765.

"The Seeds of the World's Most Endangered Plant,'' Feb. 23, 10-11 a.m. View rare Presidio Manzanita seeds and find out about recent attempts to make these seeds viable. Reservations are required. Event takes place at the Presidio Native Plant Nursery. (415) 572-6982.

Free. Presidio Boulevard and West Pacific Avenue, Presidio, San Francisco. Visitor Center: (415) 561-4323, www.presidio.gov or www.nps.gov/prsf.

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY --

"The 2007-2008 Season,'' through June 28.

"Blomstedt conducts Tchaikovsky,'' through Feb. 16, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 16, 8 p.m. A showcase of Tchaikovsky favorites with Conductor Laureate Blomstedt leading the San Francisco Symphony. $25-$125.

"Blomstedt conducts Mozart,'' Feb. 20 through Feb. 23, Feb. 20, 22 and 23, 8 p.m. Pianist Jonathan Biss performs Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 22,'' "Divertimento in D major'' and "Symphony No. 38, Prague.'' $25-$125.

"SFS Chamber Music,'' Feb. 24, 2 p.m. The symphony performs works by Beethoven, Sarn Oliver, Britten and Brahms. $31.

Youth Orchestra, ongoing.

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