Wed 4/30 12:00 PM Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building SFSU [1600 Holloway Ave San Francisco]
ImprovisAsians! Festival 2025: GENERATIONS

A 3-day series of performances and panel that honor the spirit of cultural expression and collective action!  More...

Thu 5/01 12:00 PM Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building SFSU [1600 Holloway Ave San Francisco]
ImprovisAsians! Festival 2025: GENERATIONS

A 3-day series of performances and panel that honor the spirit of cultural expression and collective action!  More...

Thu 5/01 7:00 PM Shapeshifters Cinema [2021 San Jose Avenue Apartment 6]
Do-Over Music Series @ Shapeshifters Cinema

Set 1: 7pm
Lenny Gonzalez - guitar and electronics
Erik Ellestad - sax and electronics

Set 2: 8pm
Improvised music and film with:
the above plus
Kanoko Nishi-Smith - koto, Ava Lynch - drums/percussion, Jordan Glenn - drums/percussion.
with films screened and manipulated by our Shapeshifters hosts.  More...

Thu 5/01 7:00 PM Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building SFSU [1600 Holloway Ave San Francisco]
ImprovisAsians! Festival 2025: GENERATIONS

A 3-day series of performances and panel that honor the spirit of cultural expression and collective action!  More...

Thu 5/01 7:00 PM Wyldflowr Arts [809 37th St Oakland]
Echo's Bones

Echo’s Bones is an improvising woodwind trio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. They have been improvising together for 7 years, making music that has been described as: “Avant pastoralism in a chamber music mode” (Eric Whittington - bon vivant; proprietor, Bird & Beckett); and “Mesmerizing serpentine yeti music” (Dave Mihaly - drummer, composer, leader of Shimmering Leaves). They have performed at Medicine For Nightmares, Mosswood Sound Series, SIMM Series, Bird & Beckett, Tom’s Place and San Francisco Public Libraries. A recording of their Mosswood show is on the SF Public Libraries Bay Beats website.

Tickets  More...

Thu 5/01 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
"A Year of Deep Listening" Book Release Concert

The Cornelius Cardew Choir, Thingamajigs Ensemble and Pet the Tiger Instrument Inventors Collective celebrate the life and work of composer Pauline Oliveros and the release of the new book of text scores inspired by her “deep listening”. Several of the artists have scores published in this volume which will be performed alongside works by Oliveros. Audience participation in the “sonic meditations” is encouraged.  More...

Fri 5/02 7:00 PM The Lab [2948 16th St SF]
Mimesis Magazine Issue #2: Let’s Spoil!  More...

Fri 5/02 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
Other Dimensions in Sound presents Low Grade Infection  More...

Fri 5/02 7:30 PM First Congregational Church [1985 Louis Road Palo Alto, CA]
Let your heart unfurl in empathy, vulnerability, and hope as Peninsula Women's Chorus' spring concert, Break Open to Beauty, beckons you to embrace music’s deep, transformative power to awaken emotions!  More...

Fri 5/02 7:30 PM Monkey Brains [933 Treat Ave, San Francisco]
Moe! Staiano Ensemble: Music for Eight Guitars  More...

Fri 5/02 8:00 PM NOHSpace [2840 Mariposa St. SF]
Powerful shared bill between circus-informed solo performer Helen Wicks that follows ancesteral research in early Hollywood and synthesizes a conversation with Quincy Jones with live accompaniment of Nadia Boulanger Score and a duet with a live violinist and dancer that interweaves Persian and Jewish music and dance traditions to express intercultural harmony.  More...

Fri 5/02 8:00 PM Tom's Place [3111 Deakin Street Berkeley]
Insect Life:
Raffi Garabedian (sax)
Ben Goldberg (clarinet)
Danny Lubin-Laden (trombone)
Ben Davis (cello)  More...

Sun 5/04 3:00 PM Monkey Brains [933 Treat Ave San Francisco]
Wong Wei's Legacy

A musical homage and performance exploring generational history & resilience

Francis Wong – Saxophone
William Roper – Tuba, Spoken Word
Karl Evangelista – Guitar
Deszon X. Claiborne – Percussion
Lynn Huang – Dance, Spoken Word  More...

Sun 5/04 7:00 PM West Oakland Sound Series [2201 Poplar Street Dresher Ensemble Studio Oakland]
CELEBRATING 2 CD RELEASES!

Chris Brown (piano, electronics) and Ben Davis (cello) perform an improvisation celebrating their new duo album release.

CRACKING THE SURFACE (David Michalak, instruments of skatch; SCOTT LOONEY, piano, hyper-piano, and Thomas Dimuzio, buchla 200E, processing) CD release show celebrating our new release recorded at Fantasy Studios with Tom Nunn, released by Chris Cutler's ReR Megacorp in the UK, Gench Music in the US. This was Tom Nunn's last recording.  More...

Sun 5/04 7:30 PM Temescal Arts Center [511 48th Street Oakland]
Doors That Only Open in Silence (open participation, non-hierarchical workshop in free improvisation)

Monthly series of improvisation research at Temescal Arts Center. Bring your instrument or come to listen. Movement and other disciplines encouraged. No advance notice needed — just show up.

Small groups will be randomly assembled from submitted names immediately before each group plays. Set up before 8:00 and be as ready to play as possible. We try to keep transition time between groups at a minimum. Over by 10pm.  More...

Sun 5/04 7:30 PM SIMM Series @ The Musicians Union Hall [116 9th St @ Mission SF]
Outsound Presenets @ SIMM Series
duo B. (Lisa Mezzacappa & Jason Levis)
A musical think tank of grand schemes and impossible scenarios

Brett Carson solo piano
Exploring the juxtaposition of a gleefully chaotic plurality of musical approaches!  More...

Thu 5/08 7:00 PM Mr Tipple's [39 Fell St SF]
Astrid Kuljanic

Shows at 7pm and 9pm

Astrid Kuljanic | Vocals
Scott Amendola | Drums
Mat Muntz | Bass  More...

Thu 5/08 8:00 PM Peacock Lounge [552 Haight St SF]
Thea Farhadian, Dymaxion, Aaron Oppenheim, Kevin Robinson
May 8, 8pm-11pm Peacock Lounge, 552 Haight, SF
All-ages, $5-$15 notaflof

Thea Farhadian
Celebrating the release of her new album "Tattoos and Other Markings" where she integrates contemporary field recordings from Armenia and Egypt with mechanical sounds from a letterpress and MRI Machine, Farhadian brings classical training in violin to her explorations with electronics.

Dymaxion
Bruce Ackley weilds the sonic sceptres known as clarinet, soprano and tenor sax alongside Dave Brandt on percussion and Pete Schmitt on bass to form the trio Dymaxion.

Aaron Oppenheim
Sound vivisection and heavy DSP processing rooted in raw synthesis, Oppenheim explores hidden chaos at the heart of computer systems and natural systems alike.

Kevin Robinson
Deep tone practitioner, Robinson never met a woodwind he couldn't extend beyond above and below the horizon.  More...

Fri 5/09 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
Other Dimensions in Sound presents Deciphering Broken Rhythms Collective  More...

Fri 5/09 7:30 PM Noe Valley Ministry [1021 Sanchez St San Francisco]
Earplay - Season Finale

Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm

Program

Benjamin Sabey, Dream Suite for sextet in six, cyclic, attacca movements (2025). World Premiere.

Edna Alejandra Longoria, El bailongo (2023), for flute, cello, violin and piano. Edna is the winner of the 2024 Earplay Vibrant Shores Composition Competition.

Mei Fang Lin, Friction (2009), for flute and viola. Earplay commission.

Carolyn Chen, Stomachs of Ravens (2018), for solo flute.  More...

Fri 5/09 7:30 PM Center for New Music [55 Taylor St SF]
This is a vocal music universe constructed by 8 composers from 6 countries, expanding the boundaries of vocal music. Yifan Shao will collaborate with Lauren Marshall to bring them to life.  More...

Fri 5/09 8:30 PM Bird & Beckett Books and Records [653 Chenery St. SF]
Lisa Mezzacappa 5(ish):

Aaron Bennett, tenor saxophone
Mark Clifford, vibraphone
Brett Carson, keyboard
Lisa Mezzacappa, acoustic bass
Jordan Glenn, drums  More...

Fri 5/09 8:30 PM The Lab [2948 16th St SF]
Carla Harryman / Jon Raskin: Scales for the Living Under Duress  More...

Sat 5/10 1:00 PM San Francisco Public Library, Golden Gate Valley Branch [1801 Green St. San Francisco, CA 94123]
Eli Knowles and Rent Romus perform slow music, jazz ballads, and ambient improvisations. This event is part of the San Francisco Public Library Golden Gate Valley Branch's annual Open House, with festive family activities starting at 11am. Concert starts at 1pm.  More...

Sat 5/10 8:00 PM Brava Theatre [2781 24th Street SF]
San Francisco Contemporary Music Players

Schedule
6:30 PM - "Under the Hood" pre-concert talk with Artistic Director Eric Dudley, members of the Friction Quartet, and composer Miguel Chuaqui.
7:00 PM - PRELUDE Concert: Paul Mortilla’s Paradiso: "Weavers of Light"
8:000 PM - Mainstage Concert  More...

Sat 5/10 8:00 PM Temescal Arts Center [511 48th Street Oakland]
mit Darm

The minus two project of Thingamajigs Performance Group with Edward Schocker on triggering glass, p’iri and shō, Suki O'Kane on contact mics and Jurassic pedals, creating that burst of wurst, as you float in a sea of narcotic noise.

Also on the bill: Matthew Daher sharing The Wisdom To Know The Difference.  More...

Sat 5/10 8:30 PM The Lab [2948 16th St SF]
Carla Harryman / Jon Raskin: Scales for the Living Under Duress  More...

Sun 5/11 7:00 PM West Oakland Sound Series [2201 Poplar Street Dresher Ensemble Studio Oakland]
SFSOUNDGROUP performs two iconic sound works for ensemble and tape: ALVIN LUCIER'S "Two Circles" (2012) and ROBERT ERICKSON'S "Pacific Sirens" (1969).

Visting from Los Angeles, percussionist ADAM LION explores the sonic possibilities of the vibraphone, investigating perception, acoustics, repetition, surprise, and coincidence. Lion believes sound speaks for itself- its raw materiality is its living body and its strength is the unique ability to manipulate the perception of time.  More...

Sun 5/11 7:30 PM SIMM Series @ The Musicians Union Hall [116 9th St @ Mission SF]
Outsound Presents @ SIMM Series **Mother's Day Special**
A night of mythic explorations and ethereal soundscapes
Rent Romus' Otherworld Ensemble & David Michalak's Ghost Dub Sextet
Featuring: Heikki Koskinen - e-trumpet/tenor recorder; Elihu Knowles - drums/percussion; Joshua Marshall - tenor/soprano saxophone, flute; Joseph Noble - alto/bass flutes; Pete Schmitt - double bass; Karen Stackpole - gongs; Ben Davis - cello; Darren Johnston - trumpet; Cindy Sawprano - saw; Kersti Abrams - alto saxophone, flutes

**Mothers get free admission!  More...

Tue 5/13 8:00 PM Temescal Arts Center [511 48th Street Oakland]
Flatways
Jordan Glenn - drums/percussion
Matt Robidoux - electronics
Sudhu Tewari - new instruments

T.J. Borden (cello) + Jacob Felix Heule (percussion) + Matt Ingalls (clarinet) + Kanoko Nishi-Smith (koto) quartet

Alexandra Buschman-Román  More...

Wed 5/14 8:00 PM Tom's Place [3111 Deakin Street Berkeley]
Scott Looney (piano)
Nathan Corder (guitar, electronics)
T J Borden (cello)
Matt Robidoux (electronics)  More...

Thu 5/15 7:00 PM Wyldflowr Arts [809 37th St Oakland]
RootStock @ Wyldflower: Buchla Electronic Music Festival Day 1

Buchla Electronic Music Festival Day 1
RSVP + PRESALE TIX  More...

Fri 5/16 7:00 PM 405 Shrader [405 Shrader San Francisco]
Terry Riley 90th celebration  More...

Fri 5/16 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
Other Dimensions in Sound presents Jordon Glenn/Warren Huegel drum duo  More...

Fri 5/16 7:00 PM Wyldflowr Arts [Oakland]
Buchla Electronic Music Festival Day 2  More...

Fri 5/16 7:30 PM Hillside Community Church [1422 Navellier St, El Cerrito]
Quartet Mixus Mundi makes its East Bay debut in “Skylark: jazz, world and contemporary improv for recorder and jazz trio.” Mixus Mundi (Latin for “blended world”) is an ensemble whose voice stretches the boundaries between jazz, early music, world music, new music and improvisation. This eclectic combo unveils the jazz side of recorder, played by early music specialist Frances Feldon, in collaboration with Joyce Todd McBride, keys; Todd Larson, bass guitar; and Jeff Pera, drums. Music by JS Bach, Bela Bartok, Hoagy Carmichael, John Coltrane, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Steve Kuhn, Joyce Todd McBride, Thelonius Monk, Hermeto Pascoal, Horace Silver and others, as well as an arrangement of an Egyptian melody. The show takes place at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St, El Cerrito, Friday May 16, 2025. Doors open 7:00, show begins at 7:30. Cash donations gratefully accepted at the door only. For more info: (510)527-9029.  More...

Fri 5/16 8:30 PM The Lab [2948 16th St SF]
TJ Borden / Mari Kawamura: Morton Feldman's "Patterns in a Chromatic Field"

Doors 8pm / Show 8:30pm  More...

Sat 5/17 12:00 PM Center for New Music [55 Taylor St SF]
25 years of mainly showcasing the explosive experimental world of California sounds, with gourmet pancakes!! Bring an appetite, your glassorium blankets, motorhem crashlights, plaid sock rays, & SPACE: 200 B.C.mycosynths. It's a enlightening parade of haybaker yeti scalpiscopes learning to go full nature-thighclops!!  More...

Sat 5/17 2:00 PM San Francisco Public Library, Golden Gate Valley Branch [1801 Green St. San Francisco, CA 94123]
Erika Oba & Scott Oshiro will present a flute duo program featuring flute, pedals, and electronics. Oba & Oshiro will share their original compositions and improvisations drawing on their shared interest in Japanese, Okinawan, and experimental music.  More...

Sat 5/17 7:00 PM Wyldflowr Arts [Oakland]
RootStock @ Wyldflower: Buchla Electronic Music Festival Day 3  More...

Sun 5/18 3:00 PM Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline [1600 Neptune Dr San Leandro, CA 94577]
emergent sound practices  More...

Sun 5/18 4:00 PM Chez Hanny [1300 Silver Avenue SF]
Raffi Garabedian Quartet  More...

Tue 5/20 6:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
"Lost Letters from Gaza" in association with Gallery Habibi

This experimental performance is an improvised blend of music and choreography, incorporating testimonies from children and residents of Gaza about their dreams.  More...

Wed 5/21 6:00 PM Meyer Sound [2832 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA]
Artifact Records showcase

Lorin Benedict will be performing a brief duo set with vocalist Ron Heglin.  More...

Thu 5/22 7:30 PM Wyldflowr Arts [Oakland]
Matt Muntz group: Rootstock at Wyldflowr

Described by the Guardian as “filled with a wild, distorted energy,” and by the Wire as “rare and rewarding,” the music of bassist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mat Muntz imbues the volatile and the bizarre with an expressive, human immediacy.

with Scott Amendola (drums/electronics) and Ben Goldberg (clarinet), plus Mat's longtime NYC collaborator Xavier Del Castillo (tenor sax).

ticket link here  More...

Fri 5/23 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
Other Dimensions in Sound presents Johnston/Mezzacappa/Ochs/Kjell/Bruckman  More...

Thu 5/29 7:30 PM Wyldflowr Arts [Oakland]
Nora Free Liberation Quartet: Rootstock at Wyldflowr

ticket link here  More...

Fri 5/30 7:00 PM Medicine for Nightmares [3036 24th St SF]
Other Dimensions in Sound presents Francis Wong/Nora Free/David Boyce tenor sax trio  More...

Sat 5/31 7:30 PM Bird & Beckett Books and Records [653 Chenery St. SF]
Darren Johnston  More...