In the middle of June, Japanese Buddhists celebrate Obon, a festival in which the dead are remembered, appreciated, and celebrated.  A part of this celebration is the Bon Odori, a joyful dance to remember our ancestors.

Real cheapskates ride public transportation (and they buy the discounted tickets in advance , too, but that's another post).

Friday, May 16
BLUEGRASS BONANZA!
Lone Mountain Sisters + String Break
@the Plough & Stars
116 Clement @2nd, SF
9pm / $6 (yeah that's cheap...two great bands for six bucks!)

Real-life Sisters, Cameron and Prentice grew up listening to bluegrass, and their love for it inspired them to form their own band...with their husbands, THE LONE MOUNTAIN SISTERS.

This event won't be far in the future for long. Check it: 100 tango dancers slappin' and tappin' beneath the Ferry Building's soaring architecture. Unsure if the usual array of free "samples" (aka "dinner") will also be on display, but it's worth investigating for the entertainment alone. 5:30 - 8:00pm.

Hey, yo. Yet another brother of another mother when it comes to making those pennies squeal. Mr. Broke Ass is hosting an event at the Rickshaw with bands and food and a hefty $1 admission. Check it!
http://www.brokeassstuart.com/home/home.html

Is there any sweeter combination of letters and numbers out there? The whole darn museum complex is open to not some, not many, but ALL on this Saturday afternoon. Three blocks. Twelve arts orgs, including The MoMA, Zeum, the Aquarium, and more. Mark your calendar for a day of free-dom...