Night of Ideas, a free, global “nocturnal arts and culture marathon,” which brings together leading scholars, activists, and artists for a night of performances and activities, will take place on April 5 in SF’s Civic Center, with a family program earlier in the afternoon.

This year’s Night of Ideas theme, “(Un)Common Ground,” dives into what unites communities—exploring real connections in a digital world, dialogue in a divided society, and ways to protect our planet in the face of extreme weather.

The event will include a wide array of discussions, performances, and interactive activities (see a PDF of the lineup here) including dance-along ballet, drag story hour, and a puppet show during the family program, and a BART fashion show, zine-making and screenwriting workshops, lip-syncing with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and a slew of panels and performances later in the evening.

The family program will be at the Main Library from 4–6pm, with food trucks starting at 5pm at the newly illuminated Fulton Plaza. The main portion of the event will be from 7pm until 1am throughout Civic Center, including the Main Library, Fulton Plaza, and the Asian Art Museum.

The event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Night of Ideas is organized by Villa Albertine San Francisco, KQED, the Asian Art Museum, and the San Francisco Public Library, with artistic curation by Circuit Network.

BART is getting the word out to local musicians on how to sign up for the annual Bach in the Subways, a global celebration of the composer's birthday, which takes place March 21–31.

Bach in the Subways was created in New York City in 2010 by musician Dale Henderson and has grown to include performances in more than 150 cities across 40 countries.

Here's where to get the permit for performing inside the BART station. All performances will take place in non-paid areas of BART. Event organizers also welcome performances on the street and in other public spaces, since not every city has a subway.

Additionally, Bach in the Subways organizers ask that participants not solicit tips or accept any money since it's meant to be a "shared gift of musical joy," which is definitely something the world collectively needs right now.

There's nothing like hearing classical music reverberate through a subway station.

PERFORMANCE: The 11th annual Fresh Meat Festival, the nation’s premiere transgender and queer performance festival, kicks off at Brava Theater tonight, featuring the world premiere collaboration by Vogue Evolution and Emily Vasquez of Glee Project and American Idol fame, along with an exclusive performance by international drag sensation Miss Barbie-Q, and much more. (8 to 11 p.m., Brava Theater, 2781 24th Street)

CLUB: Friends of SFist and masterminds behind such clubs as Penny Arcade, Life/Style, Fallout, and more, Djs Emdee, Rantz & Roll, present their brand-new variety happy hour, Hijinx!, featuring comedy records and other assorted musical weirdness, along with surprise acts, a dance party, and drink specials. Tonight's event features live performances by headlining comedian Chris Thayer, musical guest Upstairs Downstairs, and many more talented folks. (6 to 9 p.m., The Knockout, 3223 Mission Street)

PHOTOGRAPHY/MUSIC: Gamma Black & White presents An Evening of Jazz, featuring the work of photographer Hillary Turner's collection of images of iconic jazz musicians. The event will also include live music on the roof by the Jim Grantham Trio. (6 to 8 p.m., Gamma Black & White, 130A Russ Street)

PRIDE: Academy Award-winning Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black hosts an LGBT Pride Celebration featuring comedian Marga Gomez, SF Gay Men’s Chorus, and more, and honoring 2012 LGBT Local Heroes Dr. Jei Africa (San Mateo County, Behavioral Health), Jeff Cotter (Rainbow World Fund), Roger Doughty (Horizons Foundation), and Tom Nolan (Project Open Hand). (6:30 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street)

PERFORMANCE: This month's installment of queer performance series, The News, features performances by Nic Alea, Christpaper Sings, Hallie Dalsimer, Cara Rose DeFabio, Julz Hale Mary, Mr. Ri Molnár, Maryam Farnaz Rostami and creator, curator and host Kolmel WithLove. (7:30 to 9 p.m., SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street)

MUSIC: Tim Cohen, who's also a member of The Fresh & Onlys, performs a free show at Brick & Mortar tonight in support of his forthcoming release, Magic Trick (Captured Tracks) and a double 7″ EP called Bad Blood. Also featuring guests Survival Guide and 8th Grader. (9 p.m., Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street)

MUSIC: Folk Yeah and Vogue Theater present a new series called City Scenes, featuring films curated by local musicians who perform alongside the screening. Tonight's inaugural event will feature local indie-folk darlings Vetiver presenting beloved comedy-caper Foul Play (1978), starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. Tomorrow night will feature Chuck Prophet presenting The Conversation. (8 p.m., Vogue Theater, 3290 Sacramento Street)

SALON: The Million Fishes Art Collective presents the SOMA Salon, in the style of artists' gatherings of eras gone by. Tonight's event will feature the first act of Scotch and Madness by Paul Jensen, along with live music performances, poetry, surrealist paintings, and more. (6:30 to 10:30 p.m., The Million Fishes Art Collective, 2501 Bryant, 23rd Street)

AWARDS: The East Bay Express and One PacificCoast Foundation celebrate the independent businesses and entrepreneurs who, as Flavorpill puts it, are making Oakland "an ever-growing hub of art, food, culture, and soul" at their sixth annual Oakland Indie Awards, featuring a DIY cupcake bar, local food, a People's Bazaar marketplace, rooftop views, and the Oakland Faders spinning all-local tunes. (5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Kaiser Center, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland)

MUSIC: Tonight's installment of the inaugural three-day Offside Festival will take a decidedly contemporary look at straight-ahead jazz, presenting three Bay Area composers and their respective trios—bassist Marcus Shelby, trumpeter Erik Jekabson, and guitarist Alex Pinto. (8 p.m., 50 Mason Social House, 50 Mason Street)

COMEDY: The wacky Tracy Morgan is back in town with a weekend-long stint at Cobb's. Pro tip: Sidestep those hefty box office fees by ordering them over the phone at Cobb's box office Thursday through Sunday between 4 and 6 p.m. (and between 1 and 6 p.m. on Wednesdays). (8 and 10 p.m., Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Avenue)

COMEDY/MUSIC: This month's Snob Theater will feature Dhaya Lakshminarayanan (SF Sketchfest, High School Quiz Show, NPR), Karl Hess (Montreal Just For Laughs, G4 TV, Bridgetown Comedy Festival), Mike Drucker (wrote for SNL, The Onion, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon), and the Rory Scovel (Comedy Central's The Half Hour, John Oliver's New York Stand Up Show, CONAN), along wtih musical guests Whiskerman and Trevor Garrod (Tea Leaf Green lead songwriter and keyboardist). (10 p.m., The Dark Room, 2263 Mission Street)

PARTY: Broke-Ass Stuart celebrates ten years of living in San Francisco with a Broke & Classy bash, featuring a big line-up of bands and DJs, as well as free booze and oysters. Be sure to RSVP and get there early for the goods! (8 p.m. to 2 a.m., Public Works, 161 Erie Street)

PERFORMANCE: Intersection for the Arts presents Campo Santo’s First Element happy hour vis-a-vis mobile theater project, which is a one-night only, one-of-a-kind night of live music and theater featuring original graffiti pieces, performances on the street and in a tour bus, plus a full-blown after-party. (6 p.m., Intersection for the Arts, 925 Mission Street)

ART: The Asian Art Museum hosts a preview party for its upcoming Phantoms of Asia exhibition, which explores spirits, spirituality, the cosmos, and the afterlife and features artworks big and small from all over Asia--and some created on site just for the exhibition. (7:30 p.m. to Midnight, Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street)

FESTIVAL: Arrive at tonight's Giants game early for The Giants Carnaval Festival at the Park, featuring live 2012 SF Carnaval King Roberto and Queen Ashlee, music, dancing, and food and drink specials. And be sure to grab your limited edition Pablo Sandoval Chia ‘Fro. Partial proceeds from tickets sale go to San Francisco Cultural Arts Traditions (SFCAT). (5 to 7 p.m., AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza)

PERFORMANCE: As part of the Asian Contemporary Art Consortium, Southern Exposure presents Off the Wall, featuring performances by two Bay Area artists, Mike Lai, who recreates a scene from Kung Fu genre films through sound and vocal performance joined by music ensemble Charming Hostess, followed by comedic performer Jenifer Wofford who examines Filipina stereotypes from an absurdist perspective. (7 to 9 p.m., Southern Exposure, 3030 20th Street)

LITERARY: David Talbot, founder and CEO Salon, celebrates of his new book, Season of the Witch, "recounts the gripping story of San Francisco in the turbulent years between 1967 and 1982 -- and of the extraordinary men and women who led to the city’s ultimate rebirth and triumph." (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

PERFORMANCE: Circus Finelli shares the stage with evil-puppet superstar, Blinky Winky, in Blinky Winky's Presidential Fundraiser, which combines a live cartoon band performance with comedy, circus, and acrobatics: "Accordions, steel-bodied strings, stand-up bass, and exotic percussion contraptions will fill the air with sounds of Eastern Europe, old-time America, and original Circus tunes." (8 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission Street)

STORYTELLING: Porchlight returns to the S.F. International Film Festival with Porchlight: True Stories from the Frontiers of International Filmmaking, featuring film industry-themed stories told by guest storytellers with accompanying video clips, including Tom Barbash, Mario de la Vega, Lorelei Lee (cowriter of SFIFF 2012 film Cherry) and the duo of Donal Mosher and Michael Palmieri. (9:15 p.m., Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post Street)

DISCUSSION: The University of San Francisco (USF) and the African American Arts and Cultural Center present The State of Black San Francisco, the second in a three-part series of discussions amongst community leaders focusing on urban education, housing, jobs, and the criminal justice system. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m., African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street)

Easter in Dolores Park: We imagine Dolores Park will be stuffed to the gills on Sunday as the beloved Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence host their annual Hunky Jesus / Easter Bonnet contests and much more, the theme of which this year is Pumps & Circumstance. The kids can also take part in an Easter egg hunt (along with checking out that incredible playground).

BYOBW 12: Then, hop on your big wheel and head to Potrero Hill for everyone's favorite race: the 12th annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel Contest. Be sure to help clean up after the event, and the organizers note that the cops will be there to check I.D.'s for underage drinking.

MAPP, All Day Art & Performance Crawl: Over 14 venues as well as public spaces, street corners, bart stations, cafes, bars, taquerias, homes all over the Mission will be taking part in this event featuring free live music, spoken word, performance art, film screenings, BBQ’s, garage sales, "unorthodox conversations", and happenings.

International Pillow Fight Day: For those who didn't get enough on Valentine's Day, Flavorpill has it listed that San Francisco is participating in the international event that's happening on Saturday afternoon, but time and location are TBA. Keep your eye on their page for up-to-date info.

Golden Gate Jubilee 2012, Carnaval in the Park: Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge with a preview of the upcoming SF Carnaval event, featuring SambaFunk! FlashMob Bloco featuring King Theo and the Funkquarians, Colombian Soul
Sistas-wit-Style, and more.

PHOTOGRAPHY: The GLBT History Museum presents Life and Death in Black and White: AIDS Direct Action in San Francisco, 1985-1990, a photography exhibit featuring the work of five queer photographers who documented the emergence of militant AIDS activism in San Francisco through black-and-white film. (7 to 9 p.m., GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th Street)

MUSIC: San Francisco Symphony kicks off three nights of its American Mavericks concerts with the world premiere of Mass Transmission, the latest work by the hip local composer and electronica DJ Mason Bates, who "brings an unmistakably twenty-first- century sensibility to concert music." Tomorrow night, Bates will be DJing at Davies After Hours, in the Second Tier lobby, after John Adams' performance. (8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue)

PERFORMANCE: Fragile, a new performance art collaboration between Eiko & Koma and Kronos Quartet, is half stage piece and half installation, inviting viewers to experience the piece from multiple viewpoints within the space as the performers respond to each other through movement and sound. (5 to 9 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street)

BOOK-SIGNING: Author Kent Hartman will discuss his book, The Wrecking Crew, which sheds light on an uncredited group of Los Angeles musicians who secretly stood in for real bands in the sixties and seventies, such as The Beach Boys, The Ronettes, Dusty Springfield, and many more. Kent's talk will include a twenty-minute film featuring rare audio outtakes, Wrecking Crew film footage and more. (7 p.m., Books Inc Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Avenue)

MUSIC: Party hard with the "King of Partying," Andrew W.K., who continues to use "all forms of entertainment to create feelings of pure joy, fun, love, freedom, and possibility." Just make sure he doesn't end up with another bloody nose, will ya? There's only so much bleach those white t-shirts can handle. (8 p.m., The Regency Ballroom, 1290 Sutter Street)

PERFORMANCE: The line-up at tonight's installment of the queer performance series, The News, which debuted last month, will include Keke Hunt, who uses performance, video and sculpture "to addresses questions around control, consent, and the objectifying gaze," musician Samuel Kehl, Jai Arun Ravine, a text-based artist working in film/video, movement and performance, and others. (7:30 to 9 p.m., SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street)

MUSIC: Veteran a capella group The Persuasions bring their legendarily eclectic repertoire, which includes "the heavy influence of gospel, a major measure soul, and a dose of pop," to Yoshi's tonight. (8 p.m., Yoshi's Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square)

PERFORMANCE: SOMArts presents The News, a monthly offering of performance featuring new queer work, such as performance pieces, experiments, debut works, and works in progress by pre-selected solo artists, groups, or troupes, followed by an informal critique. (7:30 to 9 p.m., SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street)

LAUNCH PARTY: Have you checked out Do415 yet? Well, it's a site that's chock-full of fun happenings about town, and they're having a big launch party tonight to celebrate, featuring Aaron Axelson of Live 105 & Popscene, Brown Amy of Hard French, DJ Hothobo, of Grow Up, and DJ Creep and DJ Meta of KUSF in Exile. (8 p.m., Monarch | 101 Sixth Street)

PERFORMANCE: SF Sketchfest presents Ann Magnuson: The Drawing Room Apocalypse, "[a] Salon des Beaux Arts for the Fin du Monde 2012," featuring a "mashing up of 'end of the world' songs, appropriately themed spoken word stories and bona-fide poetry" presented with a contemporary twist. (8 p.m., Yoshi's Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square)

FILM: The Noir City Film Festival continues at the Castro with a noir comedy double feature screening of Unfaithfully Yours, Preston Sturges' full-length parody of The Postman Always Rings Twice, and comedy genius Frank Tashlin's The Good Humor Man, which plays havoc with film noir conventions. (7 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro)

BOOKS: Books, Inc. Opera Plaza hosts its 1st Annual Book Swap. Bring a book you are willing to part with in exchange for a new one, while meeting other book-lovers. (7 to 9 p.m., Books Inc. Opera Plaza 601 Van Ness Avenue)