Creative Groups San Francisco
Connect at creative groups and events in San Francisco

Profs & Pints Alameda: Creativity, Moods, and Mania
Thu, Aug 20, 1:00 AM[Profs and Pints Alameda](https://www.profsandpints.com/sfbayarea) presents: **“Creativity, Moods, and Mania,”** an exploration of how depression, mania, and everyday ups and downs influence different types of creativity, with Sheri L. Johnson, distinguished professor of psychology and director of a bipolar disorder research program at the University of California at Berkeley. [Tickets available only online, at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/alameda-creativity-moods-mania](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/alameda-creativity-moods-mania) .] Ancient quotes on creativity, moods and mood disorders abound. Aristotle wrote, “No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.” Lord Byron, describing poets, later observed, “We of the craft are all crazy. Some are affected by gaiety, others by melancholy, but all are more or less touched.” But is there really a link between moods, mood disorders, and creativity? What does modern science have to say about the subject? Explore such questions with Dr. Sheri L. Johnson, director of the CALM (Cal Mania) Program at UC-Berkeley. Her research there studies how mood—especially the highs and lows of bipolar disorder—shapes people’s lives, including their creativity, goals, and well-being, as well as what mechanisms contribute to mood episodes and recovery. She'll begin with a discussion of how scientists measure creativity in life and in the laboratory, describing what we have learned from hundreds of experimental studies on creativity and mood. Some findings indicate that happiness, at modest levels, can help foster creativity, while negative moods can interfere with it. We’ll consider how we can draw from these scientific findings to protect our own creativity. Turning to mood disorders, Professor Johnson will describe how mania was a well-documented part of the lives of major creative figures such as Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, Virginia Woolf, Edgar Allen Poe, Ernest Hemingway, and Alfred Tennyson. Beyond biographical summaries, she’ll highlight findings of a country-wide study of the Swedish population which connected higher creativity to a personal and family history of bipolar disorder. She’ll also outline findings of studies designed to test why mood disorders might relate to creativity, and we’ll consider the evidence so far on whether medications for bipolar disorder help or hinder creativity among those with a history of mania. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From a self-portrait painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889 after slicing off his own ear (Courtald Institute of Art / Wikimedia).

Side Project Saturday 2.0 for Designers
Sat, Aug 15, 9:00 PMCome down and work alongside fellow designers and creatives. Whether you prefer drafting tables, traditional digital, or AI tools—all mediums are welcome. Come down and learn and explore! **Who should join:** Product designers, UI/UX researchers, graphic artists, and anyone who wants to work on their project. **What to bring:** * Your laptop, tablet, sketchpad or tools of choice. * Current project or a blank canvas. * An open mind and creative spirit. We meet at a coffee shop in the morning, and migrate to the Flying Pig in the afternoon. Kindly patronize them. Thanks!

Side Project Saturday for Designers
Sat, Aug 15, 6:00 PMCome down and work alongside fellow designers and creatives. Whether you prefer drafting tables, traditional digital, or AI tools—all mediums are welcome. Come down and learn and explore! **Who should join:** Product designers, UI/UX researchers, graphic artists, and anyone who wants to work on their project. **What to bring:** * Your laptop, tablet, sketchpad or tools of choice. * Current project or a blank canvas. * An open mind and creative spirit. The coffee shop has all the conventional options, a few lunch selections, and the best smoothies in town. Kindly patronize them. Thanks!

Wine, Smoothie or Fufus at Muddy Waters & Lounge
Wed, Aug 12, 12:00 AMSip, savor, and socialize at Muddy Waters & Lounge. Great music, cozy corners, and the perfect place to unwind. Set against a backdrop of soft lighting and curated lounge beats, it's the ultimate destination to elevate your Tuesday evening. Bring a friend and grab a glass of wine or a smoothie — and try their one-of-a-kind fufus! Muddy's fufus are West African crepes made from cassava and plantain flour, served with yassa and mafé sauces. Numerous non-alcoholic options are available — all are welcome. This is not a sponsored event. Get your selections at the counter! See you there!

Architecture, Design & Drinks — August 2026
Sat, Aug 29, 1:00 AMArchitecture, Design & Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for people who work in, around, or are inspired by design. We meet on the last Friday of each month to unwind, trade ideas, and connect. No agenda, no pressure. Whether you’re an architect, designer, creative, or simply design-curious, this is an easy way to expand your circle and have meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting. New faces are always welcome. Grab a drink, join the conversation, and stay as long as you’d like.

Beer & Beats - Music Feedback & Collaboration
Wed, Aug 12, 2:00 AMJOIN THE DISCORD FOR MOST INFORMATION. Discord (very important updates): https://discord.gg/UNgGtXmu6K No RSVP needed on Meetup.com, but we do have a check-in link on our Discord. Want to just see a video or two about what this is?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn-cOooQ0oA Take a tour of the campus where the event is held: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1EvgwM0vSE What Happens Each Week? Feedback & Listening • Play what you made, a work‑in‑progress • Get constructive critiques, mix notes, and creative ideas from a supportive crowd. Open‑Studio Sessions (3 Commercial Studios!) • Grab a workstation, plug in, and start building beats, recording vocals, or jamming with new friends. Networking & Vibes • Meet producers, engineers, artists, and music‑tech pros. **Links** Discord (very important updates): https://discord.gg/UNgGtXmu6K Level‑up your skills with our music education programs: https://anthemmusicacademy.com/
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