How-To Night at Bazaar Cafe
How-To Night takes place the second Wednesday of each month at San Francisco's Bazaar Cafe. Each event features a different guest instructor who leads a one-night workshop on how to do just about anything. There is no cost to attend, but a purchase of edibles/potables is appreciated. 5927 California Street @ 21st Ave.
To join the How-To Night mailing list, sign up here.
Have a skill or area of expertise to share? Do you know someone who could teach us how to do something interesting? What have you always wanted to learn? Send suggestions to How-To host Juliana Gallin.
upcoming events
July 13, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Be a Podcaster
Have a story to tell? A lesson to teach? An opinion to opine about? Want to share it with the world, but lack the funds to buy a radio station? Start a podcast! David Spark—journalist, producer, and founder of Spark Media Solutions—will show you the tools and techniques you need to produce, publish, promote, and monetize your podcast. Visit David's blog at www.sparkminute.com.
Past events
June 8, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Blend Physics Into Your Worldview
Everyone's got a worldview, however hidden. No one would get up in the morning without one! The tough question is: How well-informed is our worldview? Tucker Hiatt has studied and/or taught physics for nearly forty years. He's also director of Wonderfest, the Bay Area Beacon of Science. Tucker will show us how science—physics in particular—can inform a worldview, and vice versa. Ultimately, he concludes that being conscious in a quantum clockwork world may be as wonderful as it gets.
April 13, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Be a Human Beatbox
How many times have you found yourself stuck in a boring office meeting, wishing you could liven things up with some sick beatboxing...but you simply don't know how? Come learn some beats from the best. The insanely talented Wes Carroll (formerly of a cappella group The House Jacks) will have you face rocking in no time. And if you're super serious about it, be sure to ask Wes about his one-on-one instruction and private group classes. What can't this guy do?
March 9, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Build a Bike From Scratch
Have you been thinking about building, or even just ordering, a custom-designed bike? Come learn how Peter Verdone, super talented designer of bicycles and skateboards, constructs his bike frames from raw materials. He'll give us an overview of the different ways of building bikes, design and fitting concepts, the tools required, how to draw a bike plan, component selection, and much more. Check out Peter's beautiful and inspiring photos from the North American Handmade Bike Shows here and here.
February 9, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Write a Perfect Love Letter
Just in time for Valentine's Day, create one-of-a-kind gifts for the people you love most. A love letter can be romantic, but it can also express gratitude and appreciation to family, friends, teachers, public figures — even someone in need of an apology. Janet Gallin and Tresa Eyres, hosts of KUSF's compelling Love Letters Live radio show, will show you how to capture the essence of the people who have touched your life, identify what you feel about them, and express it in your own voice. Writing love letters changes lives — including your own. Bring stationery and stamp for optional post-presentation mailbox run.
January 12, 2011 • 7 pm • How to Build Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Come meet Bay Area musician and self-taught luthier Mario deSio, who will share his guitars (finished and in progress), tools, references, and experiences with anyone who's interested in this fulfilling craft. Mario turned his attention to building guitars three years ago, after becoming a father and having his guitar-buying budget slashed. With an unquenchable desire for a Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar, and experience in furniture repair and construction, he consulted the internet and dove right in. You can too! (See and hear some of Mario's guitars here.)
December 8, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Refute the Historical Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most famous person in history. Even those who doubt his divinity accept that he was an extraordinary historical figure — wasn't he? As it turns out, maybe not. Biblical historical writer Dave Fitzgerald will discuss ten well-known Christian myths, arguing that they not only aren't true, but that they clearly point to a Jesus Christ created solely through allegorical alchemy of hope and imagination; a messiah transformed from a purely literary, theological construct into the familiar figure of Jesus — in short, a purely mythic Christ. Dave's riveting new book, Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed At All, will be available for sale at the event.
November 10, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Do Physics Experiments at Home
Famed physics teacher and Maker Faire award-winner Zeke Kossover is bringing a scaled-down version of his rollicking Physics Circus to How-To Night! He'll teach us how to do cool physics and chemistry tricks in our very own homes, with minimal equipment, through demonstrations and hands-on group projects. And naturally, he'll explain all the science behind the fun in his usual clear and entertaining style. Learn how to melt glass in your microwave, make your own speaker, speed up time (or at least your watch), and so much more. If you have an iPhone, iPod, or mp3 device, bring it along.
October 13, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Cook Like a Scientist
Do you have a hard time choosing between cooking shows and Mythbusters? If so, come meet Jeff Potter, author of Cooking for Geeks — a book described by one reviewer as “...the best science-meets-the-kitchen book to come out. Ever.” Written for anyone who likes to think about how things work, Cooking for Geeks is a compendium of food science, interviews, and experiments, with recipes to tie it all together. If you want a sneak preview, watch this video of Jeff making 30-second ice cream using liquid nitrogen. And then listen to him on NPR's Science Friday. Books will be available for sale (cash only).
September 8, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Make a Telescope
Local amateur astronomer Douglas Smith will explain basic optics, discuss the different types of telescopes and their components, and demonstrate the process of making those components. He has recently completed FirstLight — a 16.5" primary mirror Dobsonian truss-tube telescope which will be exhibited at this year’s Maker Faire. Stargazing with FirstLight and other telescopes is planned for after the talk.
July 14, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Make Beer in Your Basement
Home brewer Caleb Shaffer will present an overview of the extract beer brewing process, explaining the techniques, equipment, and ingredients used at each step along the way for your first batch of beer. Caleb has been brewing beer for seven years. When you learn to make your own beer you save money and get invited to more parties!
May 12, 2010 • 7 pm • How to Be a Videoblogger
Journalist, producer, and founder of Spark Media Solutions, David Spark, will show you the tools and techniques you need to become a great videoblogger. You'll learn about the inexpensive hardware and software you need to get up and running, simplified explanations of the complicated terminology, different styles and techniques of video blogging, how to conduct an interview, and how to promote your video blog. Visit David's blog at www.sparkminute.com.
April 14, 2010 • 7 pm • How To Grow Vegetables in San Francisco
So you live in San Francisco, maybe even in the avenues, in a small apartment with no backyard. Can you grow your own food? YES! Pam Pierce, author of Golden Gate Gardening, will teach us how to grow fruits and vegetables right here in our weird-weather city. Pam also writes the Chronicle's Golden Gate Gardener column, teaches horticulture at City College, was a founding member of SLUG, and is a garden coach and counselor who helps clients develop their gardening skills and solve garden problems. (I've lived in SF my whole life, and I can't wait to find out how to get my garden started!) Books will be available for sale at the event.
March 10, 2010 • 7 pm • How To Get A Book Published
Eager to make the bestseller lists with your writing? Curious about how to go from book idea to book tour? Whether you're writing a novel, a memoir or another type of nonfiction, literary agent Ted Weinstein will explain how to navigate the rapidly changing publishing world and find success with your words.
Ted represents a wide range of authors, including NPR's "Math Guy" Keith Devlin, NY Times bestseller Leander Kahney, the 826 Valencia writing centers, Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal, cartoonist and Internet sensation Jessica Hagy, gonzo memoirist Ricky Lax, all-American mom and Zen priest Karen Maezen Miller, visual thinking guru Dan Roam and many more. More info about Ted and his clients is at www.twliterary.com.
February 10, 2010 • 7 pm • How To Do Magic Tricks
Learn how to do magic tricks with professional magician Robert Strong. Twice voted the Bay Guardian's "Best Comedian in SF," Robert knows how to put on an awesome show, as you'll see. Suggested items to bring: coins, deck of cards, dollar bill, business card, pencil, 6 feet of rope, scissors, and $1 donation to cover other supplies. If you don’t have all of these items, no worries, we will bring extra.