Garage Biennale : Steven Wolf Curates Stephanie Syjuko.

Comment: In a blinding flash of brilliance, Steven Wolf benevolently concludes the meandering Stephanie Syjuko quadweekiennale by... get this... are you ready? ...BY ACTUALLY SHOWING HER ART. She's good.

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Sculpturesite Gallery : Lawrence LaBianca - The Sound of the Trees.

Comment: Best show I've seen so far at Sculpturesite Gallery for several reasons. Wanna hear 'em? OK. Lawrence LaBianca sculptures are consummately crafted, he works equally well with a variety of materials (electricity, aluminum, glass, copper, ocean water, wood, stone, etc.), and his crisp whimsical upbeat unexpected amalgamations are refreshing, fulfulling, and fun. One piece, a conjoined segmented wooden arch, half inside and half outside the building, creates the illusion of passing straight through the gallery's front window. Prices range from around $2K - $12K. Excellent; go see.

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Needles & Pens : The Photographs of Stefan Simikich & the Drawings of Jay Howell (...and the drawings of Jay Howell on top of the photographs of Stefan Simikich.

Comment: The title tells it. I like that gritty Stefan Simikich imagery.

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Who's On Third Studios, 2535 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107: John Aragon, Peter Doolittle, Jennifer Giles, Todd Martinez, Mark Nobriga, Eric Schira.

Comment: Offbeat down home annual art show/party/opening at an industrial studio space (and residence of Jennifer Giles and partner) way down Third Street. The event features a curious crew of creatives and those who love them, plenty to eat and drink, a dude lighting and launching bottle rockets out of his hand, a hanging melting cluster of frozen stones that separate one-by-one from the mother clump and crash into a large vat of broken glass below (cheaper than hiring a DJ, I suppose), and last but not least-- art. Several pleasant surprises include notably professional kinetic sculptures by John T. Aragon and delectable painted gold-leafed dessert still lifes by Mark Nobriga .

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Melting Point Gallery, 1340 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; 415.364.1806: Guilty by Association 2006.

Artists: Brad K. Alder, Sarah Applebaum, Helen Bayly, Tammy Bickle, Chris Corales, Sacha Eckes, Robyn Engel, Trevor Ito, Nils Krueger, Hava Liberman, Leanne C. Miller, Julia Petho, Nick Port, Nancy Arms Simon, Micke Tong, Rene Fressola.

Comment: It's Rene Fressola versus a cadre of comrades in a lopsided collaboration of sorts where Fressola gives each participating artist a painting that he's started, and which the artist then proceeds to finish. The artists also exhibit works of their own, so it's kinda like two shows in one. Plus it's a party.

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Anon Salon : Sense-You-All.

Comment: An Anon Salon event is like travel to a diametric reality where peace, freedom, artfulness, generosity, kindness, sensuality, unity, oneness, and affiliated pleasantries prevail; the word "conventional" does not exist; and no matter who you are, you re-enter earth's atmosphere singed with serenity. Oh-- and it's also one prodigal mutha of a party. The labyrinthine floor plan includes numerous rooms and hallways, each offering its own otherworldly perspective on entertainment, plus a sizable roof area rife with amusement. Tonight's episode is something of a warm-up for Burning Man. Ultimately, the only way to truly know Anon Salon is to bite the bullet and take the plunge.

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