North Beach Live

Magic School Busk
2026-05-01 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-02 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-03 13:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-08 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-15 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-16 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Red Window, 500 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA, United States
Experience the ultimate “living theater” of North Beach as The Magic School Busk takes up their weekly residency directly in front of The Red Window. Positioned at the vibrant, sun-soaked corner of Stockton and Columbus, this high-energy busking collective captures the spontaneous spirit of the neighborhood.
The performance is a masterclass in Street Swing and improvisational Jazz. Drawing from the “busking” tradition of New Orleans and the European “Hot Club” sound, the ensemble specializes in acoustic music that is both technically brilliant and completely unpretentious. The line-up is fluid, often featuring a “who’s who” of local instrumentalists who bring a “restless melodicism” to classic standards and upbeat, toe-tapping originals.
The Magic School Busk is more than just a band; they are the neighborhood’s “resident joy-makers.” Because they perform on the street level, the barrier between musician and audience disappears, inviting passersby to stop, dance, and engage with the music in real-time. Whether you are enjoying a gin tonic on the Red Window’s outdoor patio or just walking by with a cannoli in hand, the band provides an elite, soulful soundtrack that defines the modern North Beach experience.

About The Magic School Busk
Born from the city’s post-pandemic “street-side” revival, The Magic School Busk is a collective of veteran Bay Area musicians dedicated to the art of public performance. They emphasize the “acoustic and the authentic,” eschewing heavy amplification for the natural resonance of brass, strings, and woodwinds. Often featuring members from some of the city’s most popular jazz and swing outfits, the “Busk” is celebrated for its ability to read a crowd and create a party out of thin air. They represent the best of San Francisco’s musical resilience—keeping the city’s culture loud, proud, and accessible to everyone on the street.

Sugaray Rayford
2026-05-01 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-05-01 21:00 - 22:30, 2026-05-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-05-02 21:00 - 22:30 | Biscuits & Blues, 401 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
Grammy-nominated soul-blues powerhouse Sugaray Rayford delivers electrifying vocals, award-winning albums, and unforgettable live shows.

Rotating Bands at the Lion’s Den
2026-05-01 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-02 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-03 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-06 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-07 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-08 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-09 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-10 20:00 - 23:00 and 4 more dates | Lion’s Den, 57 Wentworth Pl, San Francisco, CA, 94108, United States
Experience the resurgence of San Francisco’s historic Chinatown nightlife at the Lion’s Den. Tucked away on Wentworth Place, this bi-level lounge and performance space blends modern cocktail culture with the East meets West spirit of the Chinatown’s golden age. Every week, the venue transforms into a unique destination for live music, featuring a rotating roster of the city’s up and coming funk, soul, and R&B ensembles.
The Sound: From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the stage belongs to a curated selection of live bands. The rotation frequently features bands such as Mark Maiden, Funky Sound Experience, Jay Neal, The Groove Foundation, Baycoin Beats, and Git With It. Whether it’s deep-pocket funk or smooth contemporary soul, the music is designed to bridge the gap between a sophisticated lounge set and a packed dance floor.
The Atmosphere: The design features plush velvet banquettes, historic photography, and dim, moody lighting. It is a space built for “adult” nightlife—where you can enjoy an Asian-inspired craft cocktail during the live set before the room transitions to a high-energy DJ vibe after 11:00 PM.
The Experience: The Lion’s Den is a rare “no cover” gem in the heart of the city, offering world-class musicianship in an intimate, stylish setting. It is a place to rediscover the “cool” of Chinatown while supporting the next generation of San Francisco’s musical talent.

A Legacy Reclaimed
The Lion’s Den occupies a legendary footprint in San Francisco history. In the 1940s and 50s, Chinatown was a global nightlife epicenter, home to iconic clubs like the Forbidden City. The current venue at 57 Wentworth Place was once the site of Dragon A Go Go, a 1960s hotspot that kept the neighborhood buzzing during the height of the San Francisco counterculture. After decades of relative quiet due to changing zoning laws, the reopening of The Lion’s Den in 2021 marked the first new nightclub to open in Chinatown in nearly 40 years. Today, it stands as a cultural bridge, honoring the glamour of the “Harlem of the West” era while providing a vital modern stage for Asian-American artists and the local creative community.

Bohemian Knuckleboogie
2026-05-03 19:30 - 22:30, 2026-05-10 19:30 - 22:30 | Sheba Piano Lounge, 1419 Filmore St, San Francisco, CA, 94115, United States
Bohemian Knuckleboogie is a unique San Francisco an eclectic and high-octane mix of Blues, Funk, and Neo-soul playing weekly Sundays at Sheba Piano Lounge.
Featuring Elaine Alt on Saxophone, Miles Spearman on Trumpet, Rob Bassinette on Bass, and Gary Williams on Drums.
Bohemian Knuckleboogie carries on the torch for former band lead RIP Mike Pitre’s “blues for your shoes”, infusing traditional blues with modern, energetic instrumentation and distinctive vocals.

GG Amos
2026-05-05 16:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-12 16:00 - 20:00 | The Saloon, 1232 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94133, United States
Electrifying, Innovative, Soulful
GG Amos has entertained audiences her entire life, but she’s made blues and blues guitar her specialty for the past 35 years.
Concert halls, nightclubs, roadhouses, restaurants, festivals, parties, wineries, weddings and wakes she’s played them all!
She’s known as a riveting, electrifying performer and unique songwriter and arranger, focusing on the west coast blues style– a blend of blues, jazz, funk and latin elements. Her guitar playing and voice
are both fluid and lyrical. Soul jazz has also become part of her repertoire.
Paris Bertolucci on keys
Randy Lee Odell on drums
GG Amos on vocals and guitar

Magic School Busk
2026-05-06 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-05-13 20:00 - 23:00 | Persona, 685 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA, 94102
Turn your midweek slump into a vibe at Persona SF! Every Wednesday at 8 PM, the Magic School Busk brings an electrifying fusion of Funk, Soul, Latin, Afro, and more to keep the energy high all night long.
Let the rhythm elevate your evening as this dynamic collective delivers a genre-blending experience that’s impossible to ignore. Whether you’re sipping on our signature cocktails or simply soaking in the sounds, Wednesdays at Persona are your new weekly ritual.
