SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today launched SF LIVE, a new citywide show guide and online events calendar for live arts, including music, theater, dance, comedy, and more. The guide will boost San Francisco’s artists and culture venues with a real-time grid of live performances across the city and will support arts institutions as they continue to rebuild after the pandemic and fuel the city’s comeback. The SF LIVE guide can be accessed at www.sflive.art and @sflive.art.

The launch of SF LIVE continues Mayor Lurie’s work to accelerate the city’s recovery by championing the arts and activating public spaces. In May, the mayor created five new entertainment zones across the city, supporting small businesses and revitalizing neighborhoods. Mayor Lurie has celebrated the economic impact of the arts, kicking off SF Music Week, launching a free downtown concert series, and celebrating a “Summer of Music” that drew tens of thousands of fans and generated more than $150 million in local economic impact. Just last week, the mayor proclaimed a “Winter of Music” in San Francisco this winter. Earlier this year, the mayor directed more than $10.4 million in grants to 145 artists and arts nonprofits through the San Francisco Arts Commission, along with over $14 million in local arts and culture funding through Grants for the Arts.

“The arts are leading San Francisco’s comeback—driving cultural activations and economic growth across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lurie. “SF LIVE will support San Francisco’s arts organizations and drive ticket sales for live arts, music, theater, and dance. For every ticket purchased, $47 spent beyond the cost of admission helps fuel our small businesses—supporting jobs, artists, and the creative community that makes our city unique.”

San Francisco arts and entertainment are driving San Francisco’s economic comeback, with attendees spending an average of $46.54 per person, per event beyond the cost of a ticket. Nearly 45% of attendees of shows are non-local visitors, and 77% of non-local attendees reported that the primary purpose of their visit was to attend the arts or cultural activity. San Francisco’s arts sector is a major employer, with more than 3,380 creative organizations supporting more than 60,000 jobs.

Launched in spring 2024 and developed in partnership with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), SF LIVE began as a free concert series in parks and plazas, curated with local independent venues. Visitors can view SF LIVE’s real-time grid of live performances across the city—searching by date, filtering by discipline, or getting inspired by monthly guest curators. Listings are automatically pulled from approved venue websites with the most up-to-date information.

“Over the past several years, our office has led economic recovery efforts that tap into the power of San Francisco’s rich arts and culture to drive traffic to small businesses citywide and inject new life into our downtown,” said Anne Taupier, Executive Director of OEWD.“ As we were considering how to build on this progress, we heard time and again from our cultural partners and members of the public that we need an easier way to discover the incredible events happening across the city. SF LIVE is our answer to that call. We hope everyone adopts this new tool and starts buying tickets so that the arts can continue to enrich lives and diversify our economy.”

SF LIVE’s rotating cast of monthly guest curators feature esteemed people that have shifted culture and inspire. November’s list includes:

• Ben Fong-Torres: Celebrated San Francisco journalist, author, and broadcaster best known for his work at Rolling Stone. A Chinatown native, he helped define rock journalism and has spent his career telling the stories of music, media, and the Bay Area with heart and humor.
• P-Lo: Rapper, producer, and songwriter, known for his role in Bay Area music, creating local anthems, and producing hits for artists like Wiz Khalifa and Flo Rida. Beyond music, he is a cultural ambassador for various Bay Area sports teams and an advocate for youth empowerment.
• Melissa King: Award-winning chef, author, curator, and television personality, celebrated for her Michelin-starred kitchens Dominique Crenn and Ron Siegel. A San Francisco native and “Top Chef All-Stars” winner, she champions sustainability, diversity, and LGBTQ+ visibility in the culinary world and beyond.

“Who better to offer tips on arts and entertainment events than artists and entertainers,” said Ben Fong-Torres. “The city’s bounce back from the doom loop doldrums has been invigorating. Old and new, artists are leading the way, with SF LIVE as a fun and supportive guide. Check it out. And then, get out!”

New curators will be announced monthly. Other curators that will be featured include Dave Eggers, Jasmine Jimison, D’Arcy Drollinger, Golden State Valkyries bestie Violet, La Doña, DJ Umami, Alleluia Panis, and Anthony Schlander.

Working in close collaboration with these arts leaders, OEWD convened SF LIVE program partner, Plinth Agency, and a steering committee of representatives from music, theater, and dance organizations to design and implement a responsive initiative. Organizations represented on the Steering Committee include American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), August Hall, Bottom of the Hill, Dancers’ Group, Independent Venue Alliance, Kilowatt, National Independent Venue Association, California Chapter, ODC Dance Company, San Francisco Arts Alliance, San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Venue Coalition, and Theatre Bay Area.

“San Francisco’s arts scene is famously vibrant, but knowing what to experience, and where, has always been a fragmented experience,” said Lynn Schwarz, Owner of Bottom of the Hill. “SF Live changes that. It’s the definitive resource that not only unifies event listings but also acts as a curator, empowering residents and visitors to move beyond their usual haunts and fully engage with the celebrated diversity of our cultural community.”

“I’m thrilled with the ways SF LIVE will help make arts and culture activities visible for visitors and locals alike,” said Carma Zisman, Executive Director of ODC. “I also see this as a key resource for presenters and venues who need efficient ways to reach audiences. I’m a firm believer that our arts ecosystem distinguishes San Francisco and drives our cultural and economic vitality.”

“SF LIVE celebrates the full spectrum of San Francisco’s vibrant arts, culture, and entertainment scene, bringing neighborhood clubs, small arts organizations, and world-class stages together in one space,” said Marni Cook, San Francisco Symphony Chief Civic Engagement Officer and San Francisco Arts Alliance Advocacy Manager. “It’s been a special experience collaborating with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, as well as our fellow arts and entertainment organizations, to launch this free, citywide resource that makes it easier for everyone to see what’s happening around them each week, discover new venues and arts experiences, and connect with the creative energy that defines our city.”

“We are thrilled to continue our support and partnership with SF LIVE, as they continue to roll out new resources and events that bring the city together to celebrate the rich musical talent and storied event spaces of San Francisco,” said Austin Waz, Talent Booker and Community Liaison at Kilowatt. “There has never been more of a need for centralized infrastructure and resources to highlight and uplift all of the independent music related efforts in San Francisco, and we are optimistic about the continued growth and execution of SF LIVE’s mission and the positive impact it will have on our city.”

“It’s both deeply inspiring and a bit humbling to see the huge breadth and scope of live arts happening in San Francisco. SF LIVE is an incredible tool that brings all of this together and shows how strong our industry is,” said Loisa Liska, A.C.T. Interim Deputy Executive Director. “We are grateful that A.C.T. and other live performance organizations were brought to the table and able to partner with the city directly to help shape a tool that we hope will bring attention and audiences to organizations of all sizes across the city.”

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