San Francisco Events
Discover some of the best things to do and see in San Francisco this fall.
Theater and Music
“The Lion King”
Nov. 2 – Jan. 13; Orpheum Theatre
Watch this classic Disney film come to life in the spectacular Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, coming to the SHN Orpheum Theatre in November. This sensational hit includes the music of Elton John and Tim Rice and is brought to life by award-winning director Julie Taymor. (1192 Market St.; 888-746-1799; shnsf.com)
“The Normal Heart”
Sept. 13 – Oct. 7; American Conservatory Theater
This George C. Wolfe-directed revival of the monumental 1985 Larry Kramer production won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play in 2011. “The Normal Heart” is a drama that tells the tale of New Yorkers during the AIDS epidemic as they deal with the issues of gay marriage and national health care. (405 Geary St.; 415-749-2228; act-sf.org)
San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala featuring Joshua Bell
Sept. 19; Davies Symphony Hall
Featuring performances by the symphony and renowned violinist Joshua Bell, the opening concert and gala benefits community programs to provide music education to more than 75,000 Bay Area children each year. A cocktail reception, dinner and a lively after party round out the evening’s festivities. (201 Van Ness Ave.; 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org)
“The Capulets and the Montagues”
Sept. 29 – Oct. 19; San Francisco Opera
Nicole Cabell and Joyce DiDonato star in this retelling of the tragic tale of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” with music by Vincenzo Bellini and a libretto by Felice Romani. Conductor Riccardo Frizza leads the performance of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus. (301 Van Ness Ave.; 415-864-3330; sfopera.com)
Project SF: Schiff Conducts Bach
and Mendelssohn
Oct. 11 – 13; Davies Symphony Hall
Andras Schiff presents an evening of Bach’s concertos on piano, as well as Mendelssohn’s symphonies that revived Bach in the 19th century. Schiff brings the music to life on piano with the help of the San Francisco Symphony. (201 Van Ness Ave.; 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org)
Napa Valley Film Festival 2012
Nov. 7 – 11; various venues
Lovers of food, film and wine will revel in the second annual Napa Valley Film Festival featuring 75 new independent films, an opening night gala, and authentic Napa Valley wines at various different venues for a creative and exciting five-day festival. (Cities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga; 707-226-7500; napavalleyfilmfest.org)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Plays Chopin and Tchaikovsky
Nov. 11; Davies Symphony Hall
Experience an evening of classical music with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra as musicians perform favorites from Chopin and Tchaikovsky, led by conductor Antoni Wit and featuring the graceful Yulianna Avdeeva on piano. (201 Van Ness Ave.; 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org)
“The Book of Mormon”
Nov. 27 – Dec. 30; Curran Theatre
Brought to the stage by the creators of “South Park,” “The Book of Mormon” is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical of 2011. Enjoy the show that Vogue called “the funniest musical of all time” during its limited five-week engagement at the SHN Curran Theatre. (445 Geary St.; 888-746-1799; shnsf.com)
Events and Activities
San Francisco Giants Baseball
Through October; AT&T Park
Join the San Francisco Giants as they wrap up their season and play a series of home games against Major League Baseball teams like the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. (24 Willie Mays Plaza; 415-972-2000; sfgiants.com)
Wine Tasting at The Winery SF
Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 30; The Winery SF
Join The Winery SF for afternoon wine tastings and experience the atmosphere of winemaking. Event includes touring the wine barrels and tasting wine from Napa, Sonoma and more. (200 California Ave., Bldg. 180 N.; 415-735-8423; winery-sf.com)
Exhibits
“The William S. Paley Collection: A Taste for Modernism”
Sept. 15 – Dec. 30; de Young Museum
William S. Paley, the founder of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), was a prominent patron of the arts, philanthropist and collector of post-impressionist and modernist paintings. His collection features landmark works by Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin and many more renowned painters from the late 19th century to the early 1970s. (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.; 415-750-3600; deyoung.famsf.org)
“Cindy Sherman”
Through Oct. 8; SFMOMA
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art showcases the art of Cindy Sherman this fall. Serving as her own model to create thought-provoking images, Cindy Sherman is one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. Coming to the Bay Area from the MOMA in New York City, the exhibit features her “Untitled Film Stills” series as well as other photographs that confront stereotypes and create a sense of cinematic nostalgia. (151 Third St.; 415-357-4000; sfmoma.org)
“Stage Presence: Theatricality in Art and Media”
Through Oct. 8; SFMOMA
This fall at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, experience “Stage Presence.” This exhibit artistically blends performing arts and fine arts through a variety of mediums to showcase and embrace the sense of theatricality in contemporary works from the last three decades. (151 Third St.; 415-357-4000; sfmoma.org)
“Rudolf Nureyev: A Life in Dance”
Oct. 6 – Feb. 17; de Young Museum
This exhibition is a dedication to the legendary choreographer and dancer Rudolf Nureyev, whose work was prominent in the early 20th century. The exhibit features more than 80 of the dancer and his partners’ elaborate costumes and 50 photographs from Nureyev’s personal collection. (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr.; 415-750-3600; deyoung.famsf.org)
Family Activities
32nd Annual Comedy Day
Sept. 16; Sharon Meadow at Golden Gate Park
Laugh with the whole family at Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park. This event is free to the public and features more than 40 of today’s top performers and comedians. (320 Bowling Green Dr.; 415-820-1570; comedyday.com)
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Through Oct. 30; Yerba Buena Gardens
This festival provides art and culture for all ages, featuring free events from children’s programs to poetry and dance performances. Enjoy a variety of outdoor events, see up-and-comers perform, create arts and crafts, and learn to salsa dance. (760 Howard St.; 415-543-1718; ybgf.org)
Dia de los Muertos Community Concert
Nov. 3; Davies Symphony Hall
Celebrate Latino culture, tradition and Dia de los Muertos with the whole family at Davies Symphony Hall of the San Francisco Symphony. Enjoy the fifth annual concert, which includes refreshments, cultural displays and children’s activities. (201 Van Ness Ave.; 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org)
Mermaid Run San Francisco
Nov. 10; Marina Green
Celebrate fitness and exercise at the annual Mermaid Run with 5K and 10K races through the city. Support the runners, or follow the course, with a mini-mermaid run for girls ages 6 through 12. (Between Fillmore St. and Marina Blvd.; mermaidseries.com)
