Things To Do In Clayton

This week, there’s a Litquake reading wherever you look, sand castles spring up on Ocean Beach, Oakland goes to the dogs, short horror films play at The New Parish, and Iliza Shlesinger performs at Cobb’s Comedy Club. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco. Litquake Multiple Locations | Saturday, October 11–Saturday, October 18 Litquake honors stories in every way possible: readings, workshops, and, of course, a closing pub crawl through the Mission District. This year’s calendar welcomes special guests such as Marc Maron and Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black. For a laugh, check out Wednesday’s “Readings from the Best-Ever Craigslist Postings.” (ticket prices vary; buy tickets here) Leap’s 31st Annual Sandcastle Contest Ocean Beach | Saturday, October 11 Each year, elementary-school students team up with local architects, engineers, and sponsors to build the most impressive sand castle on Ocean Beach, thereby raising funds for Leap's educational art programs. They’ll have four hours to sculpt and carve their creations to suit this year’s theme, “Food, Glorious Food!” (Balboa Street and Great Highway; free; buy tickets here) Paws on the Square Oakland | Wednesday, October 15 Paws on the Square gives pups and owners a chance to frolic on the Oakland waterfront. The month-long series, held each Wednesday in October, features canine massages, complimentary dog caricatures, and vendors of pooch-pampering goods. Even if you don’t have a four-legged friend, you can enjoy the fun solo or sign up to adopt a dog of your own. (Jack London Square and Broadway; free) Scream 2014: East Bay Express’ Horror Film Festival Oakland | Thursday, October 16 With Halloween on the horizon, East Bay Express and the Oakland Underground Film Festival have conspired to showcase more than 12 frightening indie shorts at The New Parish. The festival runs from 7 p.m. until midnight and also entertains guests with spooky-sexy burlesque performances. (579 18th St.; $10–$12; buy tickets here) Iliza Shlesinger Russian Hill | Friday, October 17 Iliza Shlesinger didn’t slow down after becoming the first woman to win NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2008. Since then, she’s hosted a dating reality show, recorded a comedy album, and started a podcast, in addition to performing live. Catch her commentary about dating, television, and all else at Cobb’s Comedy Club on Friday. (915 Columbus Ave.; $22.50; buy tickets here, or save with a Groupon) Image credits: Litquake images courtesy of Litquake, sand castle photo courtesy of Trevor Mattea, dog photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

With a major craft fair every couple of weeks or so, San Francisco’s creative types appear to constitute a majority of the population, selling designer handmade bits and baubles that bring joy to bedroom walls and living room shelves everywhere. Some people are born with the innate ability to open an Etsy store, while others must learn. Fortunately, there are several exceptional spots to get your craft on throughout the city. The Museum of Craft and Design actually does partner with Etsy, the online home for DIY craft-sellers worldwide. Whether it’s needle felting, embossing, fashioning wire-wrapped mini mobiles or building robots with the kids on the weekends, the Dogpatch-neighborhood institution can have participants go from clueless bumbler to running a booth at the Renegade Craft Fair in no time. Anyone who’s taken a class at Workshop knows that this Western Addition DIY powerhouse is the real deal. If it’s the hands-on team sharing their knowledge of cheese-making or leading a master class in the art of letterpress, the guidance at Workshop is judgment-free, the music is loud and there’s always cold beer in the fridge. For a casual atmosphere that promotes community, creativity and fun, Workshop’s simple classes offer expert advice that can be applied at home immediately. As the community space that’s more or less the philanthropic wing of the burgeoning Bi-Rite food empire, 18 Reasons hosts its fair share of wine tastings and cookbook signings. Here, members and non-members alike can learn the ins-and-outs of making chocolate, gingerbread houses and even pasta. Those with an eagerness to get their hands dirty can even sign up for a twelve-session urban gardening school. Finally, online magazine-slash-startup incubator The Bold Italic throws a lot of themed parties across the city, but its crafty calendar emphasis extends to workshops on the cerebral world of 3-D printing. There’s no end to the cutting-edge technological possibilities being offered by The Bold Italic, which stands in stark contrast to some of the more crafty, old-school classes available across town. No matter where your interests lie, there’s sure to be a seminar or breakout session in San Francisco that helps explain it all.

This week: insufferable foodies break into song, Indian chariots parade through Golden Gate Park, UC Berkeley’s Caltopia offers free massages, the Exploratorium examines sound, and you can dance if you want to. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco. Foodies! The Musical Union Square | Friday and Saturday through November 1 Whether you’re a bottled-water devotee or someone who likes to make fun of them, Foodies! The Musical will satisfy. The show lambasts all kinds of eating habits and restaurant trends, dishing out snark and catchy songs in equal portions. (533 Sutter St.; $17 with a Groupon; buy tickets here) 48th Annual Festival of the Chariots Golden Gate Park | Sunday, August 24 Known in India as the Ratha Yatra festival, the Festival of the Chariots begins with an interactive parade, during which the crowd drags three huge chariots through Golden Gate Park. The route culminates in yet another festival, featuring Indian dances, vendors, and a free vegetarian meal. (Transverse Dr. and John F. Kennedy Dr.; free) Caltopia Berkeley | Sunday, August 24, and Monday, August 25 Though it takes place on UC Berkeley’s campus, the annual Caltopia celebration isn’t limited to students or faculty. Anyone can stop by and take advantage of various freebies, from massages to haircuts to T-shirts. You can also expect food booths and student-group performances aplenty. (2301 Bancroft Way; free) Full-Spectrum Science with Ron Hipschman: Sound Embarcadero | Sunday, August 24, and Thursday, August 28 Every fourth Sunday and Thursday of the month, Exploratorium scientist Ron Hipschman hosts a lecture that incorporates hands-on, family-friendly activities. This month’s installment focuses on sound, asking questions such as “Can two sounds add up to no sound?” and “Can you measure the speed of sound with a yardstick?” (Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green St; included with museum admission of $17–$29; buy tickets here) Men Without Hats SoMa | Tuesday, August 26 Experiencing a shortage of synth in your life? Head to DNA Lounge on Tuesday night to see the newly reunited Men Without Hats. The Canadian group is most famous for its 1983 call to action, “Safety Dance,” but lead singer Ivan Doroschuk has plenty more new-wave treats up his sleeve. (375 11th St.; $15–$20; buy tickets here) Image credits: Foodies! The Musical photo courtesy of AWAT Productions; chariot and UC Berkeley photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; headphone photo by James Lee