This Week's Top Stories

SF Opera

SF Opera Orchestra Threatens Opening-Night Strike; Opera Ball Moved to November

Contract negotiations between the San Francisco Opera and its orchestra musicians have thrown the season's gala into uncertainty, forcing Opera Ball off its September 12 date — though Simon Boccanegra's opening-night curtain still stands.

San Francisco Opera's annual Opera Ball, one of the Bay Area's most prominent fall galas, will not take place on its planned September 12 date after the orchestra warned it would not perform without a new collective bargaining agreement by opening night. <cite index="110-3,110-4">San Francisco Opera announced its 2026 Opera Ball is delayed; originally scheduled for September 12 at San Francisco City Hall, the Opera Ball will now take place on November 12.</cite> <cite index="110-5,110-6">The season-opening performance of Verdi's 'Simon Boccanegra' at the War Memorial Opera House will continue as…

City Hall

Supervisors Advance $38.9M OpenGov Permit Contract; Full Board Vote Set for September 15

A key City Hall committee unanimously cleared Mayor Lurie's controversial software deal on September 2, but stopped short of endorsing it, setting up a contentious full Board of Supervisors vote.

<cite index="38-7,38-8">A Board of Supervisors committee on Wednesday unanimously approved extending a contract worth up to $38.9 million for OpenGov, a controversial software that Mayor Daniel Lurie has championed as part of his efforts to overhaul the city's clunky permitting system. The 3-0 vote by the Budget and Finance committee cleared one of the final hurdles for the city to all but lock in OpenGov as its go-to permitting software for the next half-decade.</cite> <cite index="44-1,44-2">Supervisors scrutinized Lurie's plan Wednesday to push through an extension contract with OpenGov for the…

Tenderloin Museum

Tenderloin Museum Holds Annual Gala at War Memorial After June Fire Closes Its Doors

A fire at the Cadillac Hotel above the Tenderloin Museum in June forced the institution to close; its 11th annual gala on September 23 will be held at the War Memorial Green Room as the museum pursues repairs and fundraising.

<cite index="127-17,127-18">A fire on June 27 forced the Tenderloin Museum to close, the museum reported. The fire originated 'in the residential floors of The Cadillac Hotel, above our space.' The museum has launched a fundraising drive.</cite> <cite index="127-1,127-2">The Tenderloin Museum's 11th Annual Gala, titled 'A Decade Plus One,' is set for September 23 from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, September 8

wave to earth at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

📍 Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St, Civic Center · 7:15 PM (doors); 8:15 PM (show)

Monday, September 8

SF Symphony: Samara Joy with the SF Symphony

📍 Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave, Civic Center · 7:30 PM

Friday, September 12, through Saturday, September 27

SF Opera: Simon Boccanegra — Season Opening

📍 War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave, Civic Center · Various times

Saturday, September 12

Live on Larkin: Little Saigon 51st Anniversary Block Party

📍 Larkin & Eddy Streets, Tenderloin (Little Saigon) · Various times

Wednesday, September 23

Tenderloin Museum 11th Annual Gala: 'A Decade Plus One'

📍 The Green Room, San Francisco War Memorial, 401 Van Ness Ave · 5:00 PM–8:30 PM

More from the Neighborhood

New Exhibition Opens at SF Main Library September 4, Running Through January 2027

<cite index="76-9">A new exhibition opens Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library and runs through Thursday, January 21, 2027, with hours from 1:00 to 5:00…

Larkin Street Revival Gains Momentum as New Businesses Open in Little Saigon Corridor

<cite index="56-15,56-16,56-17">A new bookstore/café has opened on Golden Gate between Hyde and Larkin, businesses backed by OEWD grants are opening on Larkin, and a Mexican restaurant is even opening at the long…