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.
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upcoming events
September 8 • 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.
October 13 • 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.
Past events
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.
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.