For elaborate Halloween ideas, look no further than the Tony Award-winning costumes in Wicked. The wonderful mega-hit musical is here for an open run at the Orpheum Theatre.

Gregory Haney is one of the many ensemble actors who play multiple characters, including the role of Chistery, the main flying monkey. While he speaks only one line, his character's fate marks a pivotal turn of events in the show.

As part of a busy ensemble that makes multiple costume and character changes, Haney plays an Ozian in Act One, and remains as Chistery through the show's dramatic second act.

Since he wears a mask as a flying monkey, he doesn't have to undergo elaborate make-up changes. He does have a challenge with his unusual set of wings, which he described as "a kind of springloaded backpack" whose mechanisms were designed by a kite-maker. Haney complimented the efficiency of his gear, which helps, since, as a monkey, he said, "I'm up and down the stage like nobody's business."

You can see some of the costumes and props up close at Behind the Emerald Curtain, a behind-the-scenes tour led by cast members Nicolas Drummard and Jonathan Ritter, each Saturday at 10am at the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. at 8th. $30. 512- 7770. www.emeraldcurtain.com See Wicked Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat, Sun 2pm. Sun 7:30pm. $30-$99. 1192 Market St. at 8th. 512-7770. www.shnsf.com

For more with Haney, and more about Wicked, read "Monkeying Around," the online extra Calendare feature.

With Halloween on a Saturday, you know it'll be wild. Yes, you can go to the Castro, which will not have the streets blocked off. No, the unfabulous hordes won't be there. Bars will be open yet crowded, and you can have a good time.

You can also choose from a few hot South of Market events on Oct. 31, like my favorite, Halloween: A Party at the Cat Club. Heklina and Peaches Christ join dark forces to resurrect the popular ghoulishly gay night. Midnight drag show with Jackie Beat, Putanesca, Holy McGrail, Lady Bear, Raya Light, Cookie Dough and more; costume contest, DJ Pinky Ring. This will sell out. Get there early. $15 in costume, $25 without. 9pm-3am. 1190 Folsom St. at 8th. www.trannyshack.com www.catclubsf.com

Big Top at Club Eight features the fabulash Juanita More!'s costume contest, cohost Joshua J., DJs Marcus Boogie and Kevin Graves, drag acts by Oxana Olsen, Miss Rahni and Tess Tickle, gogo studs, and fanbulous nightlife creatures. $10. 21+. 9pm-3am. 1151 Folsom St. at 8th. www.juanitamore.com www.clubdragonsf.com

Halloween Bootie at DNA Lounge will mash up songs better than pumpkin pudding. Adrian Roberts and Mysterious D spin special spooktacular mash-up dance mixes and Smash Up derby perform live, plus a costume contest with prizes. $6-$12. 9pm-3am. 21+. 375 11th St. at Harrison. www.bootiesf.com

Speaking of music, Thriller at The Lexington Club gets bad, real bad, when Skambercita hosts a Halloween Michael Jackson tribute night with DJs Durt and Ponyboy spinning tunes by the King of Pop at the popular lesbian bar. Dress up for the MJ-themed costume contest. No cover. 9pm-2am. 3464 19th St. 863-2052. www.lexingtonclub.com

Second only to flying monkeys, puppets have always held a strange fascination. For a mini-Grand Guignol night, partake of Rasputin and his Amazing Marionettes at Finn's Funhouse, an intimate musical puppet show with some creepy-cute characters. $10-$15. Oct. 30 & 31, 7pm & 8:30pm. 814 Grove St. RSVP: finnsfunhouse@yahoo.com

Thu 29

Bisexual Support Group @ New Leaf

Weekly meetings. Free. 2pm. Hayes St. at Market. 626-7000.

California Academy of Sciences @ Golden Gate Park

Completely new science museum, with an aquarium, planetarium and natural history exhibits, and an all-green (eco-friendly) design. New evening parties each Thursday, with music, cash bar, entertainment, and guest lectures. $10. 18+. 6pm-10pm. Reg. $15-$25. 55 Music Concourse Drive. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

David Sedaris @ Marin Center, San Rafael

Popular writer reads from his popular witty books and stories (Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day) in a benefit for California College of the Arts. $35 ($250 VIP cocktail party with Sedaris 5:30pm). 8pm. 10 Avenue of the Flags. 499-6800. www.marincenter.org

Gore 'n' Snorefest @ Balboa Theater

Will the Thrill and Monica Tiki Goddess host a night of hilariously bad horror flicks: Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Zontar, The Thing From Venus. Live music by The Deadlies, tassle-tossing by Lady Monster. $12. 7:30pm. 3630 Balboa St. at 38th. www.thrillville.net

Halloween Costume Party @ Vima Dance Studio

Enjoy dancing, food, spooky fun, candy and more at the dance studio's costume party. $5. Dance class 8pm. Dancing 9-10:30pm. 560 Third St. 977-0203. www.vimadance.com

ILSB/ICBB @ Hotel Whitcomb

International Leather Sir/Leather boy and Community Boot Black contests, a gathering of fetishist leathermen, with workshops, contests, parties, and more. $69. Thru Nov. 1. Market St. at 8th. www.leathersir.com

Judy Grahn @ SF Public Library

Poet Grahn and Anne Carol perform the nine-part poem, "Mental," with music. Free. Latino-Hispanic Room B, Main Library Lower Level. 100 Larkin st. www.sfpl.org

Karen Akers @ The Rrazz Room

Theatre, TV and film actress and singer performs a night of Cole Porter classics. $45-$50. 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Nov. 1. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Madame @ The Rrazz Room

The brash, campy filthy diva puppet and her "assistant" Rick Skye, return to San Francisco for some hilarious comedy. (Mention "leather" when ordering, and get 20% off). $30-$35. 10pm. Thru Oct. 31. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason st. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Out in the Bay @ KALW 91.7 FM

LGBT radio show. 7pm (right after NPR's Fresh Air). www.KALW.org www.OutInTheBay.com

Spring Awakening @ San Jose Center for the Arts

Set against the backdrop of a repressive and provincial late 19th century Germany, the Tony Award-winning musical tells the timeless story of self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. $20-$75. Thu 2pm, 7:30pm. Fri-Sat 8pm. Sat 1pm. Sun 1pm, 6pm. Thru Nov. 1. 255 Almaden Blvd. San Jose. (408) 792-4111. www.sjtix.com

Think Before You Pink @ Art Haus

Group exhibit of works that innovatively expose the hypocrisy of charities claiming to fight breast cancer, aka Pinkwashers (companies that purport to care about breast cancer by promoting pink-ribboned products while manufacturing products that are linked to the disease). 20% of all exhibit sales benefit Breast Cancer Action. Thru Oct. 31. 411 Brannan St. 977-0223. www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org www.arthaus-sf.com

Fri 30

Alonzo King's Lines Ballet
@ Yerba Buena Arts Center

World premiere dances by King, with live accompaniment by visionary jazz pianist Jason Moran. $25-$70. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Thru Nov. 1. Novellus Theater, 700 Howard St. at 3rd. 978-2787. www.linesballet.org www.ybca.org

As It Is In Heaven
@ Live Oak Theatre, Berkeley

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley performs Arlene Hutton's unique drama about the women of the Shaker religion, with traditional music performed live. $12-$15. Fri-Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 21. 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. (510) 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org

The Bald Soprano @ Exit Theater

Cutting Ball Theater company's production of Rob Melrose's translation of Eugene Ionesco's chaotic comedy of a dinner party gone awry. $15-$30. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 5pm. Thru Nov. 22. 277 Taylor St. (800) 838-3006. www.cuttingball.com

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$80. Wed, Thu 8pm. Fri, Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Blue Flamers @ El Rio

Blues band (whose performers happen to be LG and/or B) perform their music live; also, Blues band Society's Child. $6. 21+. 10pm. 3158 Mission St. 282-3325. www.myspace.com/blueflamers www.elriosf.com

Cesar's Latin All Stars
@ Metronome Dance Center

Weekly live music by the orchestra, with salsa, Latin and other dance instruction and open dancing for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. $8-$12. 9pm-2am. Also Saturdays. 1830 17th St. at DeHaro. 252-9000. www.metronomedancecenter.com

The Creature @ Thick House

Black Box Theatre Company's new production of Trevor Allen's (Working for the Mouse) adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, with Gabriel Marin and James Carpenter. $20-$30. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Nov. 7. 1695 18th st. at Arkansas. 401-8081. www.thickhouse.org

Dia de los Muertos
@ Grace North Church, Berkeley

Enter or watch the contest for paper maché skeleton heads (aka Mojiganga puppets), then join the procession. Free. 6pm. 2138 Cedar St. at Vine. (510) 548-5335. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com

Dr. Kristov's House of
Fun and Horror @ The Garage

Grand Guignol theatre show with a witty edge. $10-$20. 8pm. Also Oct. 31. 975 Howard St. 885-4006. www.975howard.com

Fat Pig @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley

Neil LaBute's dark comedy about body consciousness in America. Tom falls in love with a large woman, and his friends freak out. $15-$55. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm, 7pm. Previews thru Nov. 4. Opens Nov. 5. Thru Dec. 6. 2081 Addison St. (510) 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org

Goldfish @ The Magic Theatre

Heartbreaking comedy by John Kolvenbach, performed in repertory with its sequel, Mrs. Whitney. Various times, Thu-Sun. Thru Nov. 8. Building D, Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd. at Buchanan. 441-8822. www.magictheatre.org

Halloween in the Castro @ Metropolitan Community Church

Jack Curtis Dubowsky premieres his new opera about thge political screw-ups in mismanaging Halloween in the Castro; performed with the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco. $20-$40. 8pm. Also Oct. 31. 150 Eureka St. at 18th. (800) 838-3006. www.lgcsf.org

I Heart Hamas @ Off-Market Theater

Jennifer Jajeh's tragicomic autobiographical solo show about returning to her parent's hometown of Ramallah, Palestine at the start of the second Intifada. $20. Thu & Sat 8pm. Thru Nov. 21. 965 Mission St. at 5th. www.ihearthamas.com

The Little Dog Laughed
@ New Conservatory Theatre

Douglas Carter Beane's Tony Award-nominated comedy about a gay actor who falls for a rent boy while his crafty agent wants to keep him closeted. $22-$40. Thru Nov. 8. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. 25 Van Ness Ave. at Market, lower level. 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

The Nightmare Before Christmas @ Castro Theatre

Tim Burton's animated film about the king of Halloween and how the holidays got confused, in 3D! Nightly at 7pm, 8:45 (1:30, 3:25, 5:10 on Sat, Sun, Wed). Thru Nov. 5. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

November
@ American Conservatory Theatre

David Mamet's farce about a corrupt president, wily lobbyists, and a naive lesbian speech writer, who all wrangle over pardoning a turkey. $10-$82. Tue-Sat 8pm. Sat, Sun 2pm. Special "Night Out" with an LGBT audience post-show reception (www.act-sf.org/out). Thru Nov. 15. 415 Geary St. 749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Not a Genuine Black Man @ Off Market Theater

Brian Copeland's lengthy run of his solo show continues. $25. 8pm. Sat 5pm. Thru Nov. 21. 965 Mission St. at 5th. (800) 838-3006. www.briancopeland.com

Paul Bens, Ann Somerville @ A Different Light

Author Bens discusses his debut novel Kelland, and Australian writer Somerville reads from new work. Free. 7:30pm. 489 Castro St. 431-0891. www.adlbooks.com

Pearls Over Shanghai @ The Hypnodrome

Thrillpeddlers' revival of the comic mock operetta by Link Martin and Richard Koldewyn, performed by the gender-bending Cockettes decades ago, and loosely based on the 1926 play The Shanghai Gesture. Original Cockette Rumi Missabu reprises his role as the evil Madame Gin Sling. Katya Smirnoff-Skyy and Leanne Borghesi will alternate in the role of Petrushka, first created by disco diva Sylvester. $30-$69. 8pm. Extended, Fri & Sat thru Nov. 22. 575 10th St. (800) 838-3006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Rasputin and his Amazing Marionettes
@ Finn's Funhouse

Macabre musical puppet show with some creepy-cute characters. $10-$15. 7pm, 8:30pm. Also Oct. 31. 814 Grove St. RSVP: finnsfunhouse@yahoo.com

The Torture Garden @ Hypnodrome

Shocktoberfest begins with two one-act plays, The Torture Garden and The Phantom Limb, strange stuff from the Grand Guignol era. $25 (regular seats) $69 (shock box seats or Turkish Lounge). Thru Nov. 20. 575 10th. (800) 838-3006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

The Who's Tommy @ Victoria Theatre

Ray of Light Theatre's production of Pete Townshend's classic rock opera about a boy turned blind, deaf and dumb who later become a rock deity. $25-$36. 8pm. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. (Oct. 31 costume contest). Thru Nov. 7. 2961 16th St. at Mission. www.tommysf.com

Womyn's Ritual and Spiral Dance
@ Orinda Masonic Temple

Daughters of the Goddess' annual Hallowmas ritual celebrating the Pagan New Year. Women only. 6:30 open, ritual 7:30pm. 9 Altarinda Road. www.daughtersofthegoddess.com

Zombie Town @ Exit Theatre

Tim Bauer's satirical mockumentary about a small texas town that (barely) survived a recent zombie attack. $14-$20. Fri & Sat thru Nov. 7. 156 Eddy St. 913-7272. www.sleepwalkerstheatre.com

Sat 31

American Idiot @ Berkeley Repertory

Energetic yet plot-thin rock opera based on the recent bestselling Grammy Award-winning Green Day album. $16-$86. Tue, Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Extended thru Nov. 15. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. at Shattuck. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Big Top @ Club Eight

Juanita More!'s costume contest, cohost Joshua J., DJs Marcus Boogie and Kevin Graves, drag acts by Oxana Olsen, Miss Rahni and Tess Tickle, gogo studs, and fanbulous nightlife creatures. $10. 21+. 9pm-3am. 1151 Folsom St. at 8th. www.juanitamore.com www.clubdragonsf.com

Cock Fright @ Underground SF

Cockfight goes Halloweeny, with Hugz Bunny, Suppositori Spelling, the Stripping Panda and DJs Earworm and Matt Hite. $5 (sports outfit) $8. 9pm-2am. 424 Haight St. www.cockfightsf.com

Gay Shamanism @ LGBT Center

9am-12pm. 1800 Market St.

Glass Pumpkin Garden @ Cohn-Stone Studio, Richmond

Michael Cohn and Molly Stone's unique exhibit of dozens of hand-blown glass sculpture pumpkins, gourds, leaves and other plants, in dazzling colors. 10am-5pm. Free. 10am-5pm. 560 South 31st St. (510) 234-9690. www.cohnstone.com

Halloween: A Party @ Cat Club

Heklina and Peaches Christ (Trannyshack and Midnight Mass) join dark forces to resurrect the popular ghoulishly gay night. Midnight drag show with Jackie Beat, Putanesca, Holy McGrail, Lady Bear, Raya Light, Cookie Dough and more; costume contest, DJ Pinky Ring. This will sell out. Get there early. $15 in costume, $25 without. 9pm-3am. 1190 Folsom St. at 8th. www.trannyshack.com www.catclubsf.com

Halloween Bootie @ DNA Lounge

Adrian Roberts and Mysterious D spin special spooktacular mash-up dance mixes and Smash Up derby perform live. Costume contest with prizes, $6-$12. 9pm-3am. 21+. 375 11th St. at Harrison. www.bootiesf.com

Loveland @ The Marsh

Ann Randolph's multiple-character solo show about flying home to the midwest from LA. $15-$35. Thu 8pm, Sat 5pm. Thru Nov. 14. 1074 Valencia St. at 21st. (800) 838-3006. www.themarsh.org

Most Haunted Hall @ City Hall

Large (not very gay) Halloween ball, with five dance areas, multiple DJs, and a great space for a party. $45-$85. 21+. 9pm-1am. Van Ness Ave. at Grove. www.eventbee.com/view/sfhalloweenball

Nosferatu @ Davies Symphony Hall

Screening of the classic 1922 silent film by gay director F.W. Murneau, with Max Schreck as the vampire; live organ accompaniment by Dennis James. $10-$30. 8pm. 201 Van Ness Ave. 864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org

Out of This World
@ California Museum, Sacramento

Exhibit of costumes from popular science fiction and adventure films; Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Batman, The Wizard of Oz, original Star Trek, etc. $6-$8.50. Thru Jan. 10. 1020 O St. (916) 653-7524. www.californiamuseum.org

Pastor Tom Show @ KUSF

Dr. Tom Polcari's LGBT music and talk show. 4pm. Weekly on 90.3 FM.

Patrick Macias @ ATA Gallery

Editor of Otaku USA, in from Tokyo, hosts a night of clips and discussion of vintage Japanese horror films. $6.66. 8pm. 992 Valencia St. 648-0654. www.othercinema.com

Rabbi Sam @ The Marsh

Charlie Varon's solo show about Sam Isaac, an ambitious rabbi; music by Bruce Barth. $20-$25. Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd. (800) 838-3006. Thru Nov. 22. www.themarsh.org

Star Trek: The Exhibition @ Tech Museum, San Jose

Exhibit of costumes, props, set recreations and more from all five Star Trek TV series and 11 feature films. Flight simulator extra. (408) 294-TECH (8324) www.thetech.org

Teatro Zinzanni @ Pier 29

Under the Gypsy Moon is the new show at the theatre-tent-dinner extravaganza with new guest chanteuse Duffy Bishop, comic Geoff Hoyle, and music, magic, comedy, aerial acts, a five-course dinner, and a lot of fun. Special "Teatro Zin-Zombie" show Oct. 31, with costumes contest and Halloween fun. $117-$195. Wed-Sat 7pm (Sun 6pm). Pier 29 at Embarcadero Ave. 438-2668. www.teatrozinzanni.com

Tiny Kushner @ Berkeley Repertory

Five short politically-themed plays by Tony Kushner, the eloquent, Pulitzer Prize-winning (Angels in America) gay playwright. $27-$71. Tues-Sat 8pm. Sat also 2pm. Sun 2pm, 7pm. Thru Nov. 29. Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Thriller @ The Lexington Club

Skambercita hosts a Halloween Michael Jackson tribute night with DJs Durt and Ponyboy spinning tunes by the King of Pop at the popular lesbian bar; MJ-themed costume contest. No cover. 9pm-2am. 3464 19th St. 863-2052. www.lexingtonclub.com

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs @ de Young Museum

Fascinating new exhibit of ancient Egyptian artifacts from the famous empire, set in a unique maze-like series of galleries. $16.50-$27.50. Also, Yua, Spirit of the Arctic: Eskimo and Inuit Art from the Collection of Thomas G. Fowler; nearly 100 objects from approximately 500 B.C. to the contemporary era, with snow goggles, kayak models, cribbage boards, animal carvings, dolls, and stone sculptures in a variety of materials. Daily 9am-9pm. Thru March 2010. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (877) 888-8587. www.deyoungmuseum.org

Very Postmortem: Mummies and
Medicine @ Legion of Honor

Opening day of a new exhibit of ancient Egyptian artifacts using high-tech 3D scanning, so you can get an inside look at the 2500-year-old mummies. Free-$10. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. Lincoln Park, 34th Ave. at Clement. www.legionofhonor.org

Wicked @ Orpheum Theatre

Mega-hit musical –based on the book about the two famous Oz witches as young college roommates– returns to SF. $30-$99. Tue-Sat 8pm. Wed, Sat, Sun 2pm. Sun 7:30pm. Open run. 1192 Market St. at 8th. 512-7770. www.shnsf.com

Sun 1

Abdellah Taia @ City Lights Bookstore

Author of the highly acclaimed Salvation Army reads from his book and discusses being gay in Morocco. Free. 5pm. 261 Columbus Ave. www.citylights.com

Carly Ozard @ Martuni's

Entertaining new local cabaret singer performs "Bewitched, Bothered and Bipolar." $5. 7pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. 241-0205. www.CarlyOzardLive.com

Five O'Clock Jive @ Live Art Gallery

Swing dancing for same-sex partners and pals. $5. 5pm-8pm. Also, lessons and dancing other nights; Monday Salsa, Tuesdays Charleston, Wednesdays Lindy Hop, Thursdays Ballroom: $35 for a series of lessons/$10 drop-in). 151 Potrero Ave. www.QueerJitterbugs.com

Happy Hour @ Energy Talk Radio

New interview show with gay writer Adam Sandel as host. 8pm. www.EnergyTalkRadio.com

John Baldessari @ Legion of Honor

Print retrospective of works by the post-modern painter. Lincoln Park. www.famsf.org

Louis Lortie @ Hertz Hall, Berkeley

Piano recital Schumann's Vier Nachtstücke, Op.23, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, Carter's Night Fantasies, Chopin's Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35. $52. 3pm. Bancroft Way at College Ave. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Outlook Video @ Channel 29

LGBT news program, with Molly McKay of Marriage Equality USA on No on 1/Protect Maine Equality, Jonathan Ulrich, Artistic Director of the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus, singer/recording artist Blair Hansen. 5pm. www.outlookvideo.org

Pnut @ New People World

Pop painter Greg “Pnut” Galinsky paints designs on the trendy Sou Sou sneakers and other works at the fab new Japanese culture and design building. Free (purchase of shoes around $120 a pair). 4pm-6pm. 1746 Post St. www.newpeopleworld.com

Richard Avedon
@ SF Museum of Modern Art

Retrospective of more than 200 images of celebrities, models and cowboys taken by the famed 20th-century photographer. Thru Nov. Nice variety of Modern art in the permanent gallery. Free-$15. Thu-Tue 10am-5:30pm. 151 Third St. at Mission. 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room

Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $30. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Mon 2

Dia de los Muertos @ Mission District

Annual procession and altar display, with music groups, dance ensembles and community participation. Dress up as a dearly departed, don skull make-up, bring candles, or make a portable altar. Free. 7pm., 24th & Bryant streets; altar display in Garfield Park, 26th St. at Harrison. www.dayofthedeadsf.org Also, gallery exhibit of altars and sugar skull demos at Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St. at 25th. 821-1155. www.missionculturalcenter.org

Q Comedy @ Mama Calizo's Voice Factory

Innovative local LGBT comics showcase with Natasha Muse, the premiere of Karen Ripley's "A Faerie Homo Companion" with Pippi Lovestocking, Dana Cory and Nick Leonard, music by The Buds featuring Elisa Welch. $8-$16. 8pm. 1519 Mission St. at 11th. www.Qcomedy.com

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

David Perry's new talk show about LGBT local issues. This week, Carolyn Laub, Executive Director of the Gay Straight Alliance Network and speaks with Karen Sundheim of James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center of the SF Public Library. 11:30am & 8pm. Mon-Thu. www.davidperry.com

Victor Arimondi @ SF Public Library

A Compassionate Eye: the Work of Victor Arimondi, an exhibit of photos by the prolific late gay Italian photographer. Hormel Center, 100 Larkin St. www.victorarimondi.net www.sfpl.org

Wing @ The Rrazz Room

Hong Kong singer brings her ...unusual style to pop songs in a rare local show. $35-$45. 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason st. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Tue 3

Ashford & Simpson @ The Rrazz Room

Legendary R&B duo perform at the intimate cabaret. $47.50-$55. 8pm. Sun at 7pm. Thru Nov. 15. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (866) 468-3399. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Bollywood Beats
@ Lake Merritt Dance Center, Oakland

Weekly beginners lessons in Bollywood dancing, in an LGBT-friendly class. $15/drop-in - $80/month, with performance opportunities. 7pm-9pm. 200 Grand Ave. upstairs. www.rokenoirproductions.com

Buddhist Meditation Classes @ Kadampa Buddhist Temple

Tessa Logan teaches drop-in meditation classes. $10. 7-8:45pm. 3324 17th St. 503-1187. www.meditationinnortherncalifornia.org

David Faulk @ Visual Aid

Exhibit of amusing paintings by the local artist. Free. Thru Dec. 15. 116 New Montgomery St. #640. www.visualaid.org

David Smith @ Given

Little Tragedies, an exhibit of Smith's creepy-comic portraits of Marie Antoinette and others; at the new gift shop, and formerly Harvey Milk's camera shop. Thru Nov. 30. 575 Castro St. 865-0353. www.givenonline.com

The Drag Show @ Channel 29/76

New weekly talk show with local drag performers; Zachary Davenport and Stu Smith cohost. Free (with cable). 7:30pm.

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey's

Ronn Vigh and Nick Leonard host the weekly LGBT and gay-friendly comedy night. Free. One-drink minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Heidi McDowell @ Bioscrip Pharmacy

Exhibit of urban landscape paintings. Thru Dec. 15. 2262 Market St. www.visualaid.org

Jeeti Singh @ Center for Sex & Culture

Exhibit of paintings and other art depicting large Asian women, questioning depictions of female body types. Thru Dec. 12. 1519 Mission St. at 11th. 255-1155. www.sexandculture.org

Marsha Weisbrot @ Mom's Pharmacy

Exhibit of collages. Thru Dec. 15. 4071 18th St. www.visualaid.org

Punk Passage @ SF Public Library

New exhibit, San Francisco First Wave Punk 1977-1981, 45 photographs by Ruby Ray documenting the Bay Area punk music scene; flyers, posters and other items on display, too. Free. Thru Dec. 6. Jewitt Gallery. 100 Larkin St. 557-4400. www.sfpl.org

Queen Latifah @ Regency Ballroom

Everybody's favorite allegedly lesbian hiphop singer and film actress performs her hits, and music from her new CD, Persona. 1300 Van Ness Ave. (800) 745-3000. www.queenlatifa.com

Travis Schlatt @ John Pence Gallery

Exhibit of classic realist oil portraits and landscapes. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat til 5pm. Thru Nov. 14. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com www.theregencyballroom.com

Van Darkholme, Christine Kessler
@ Mister/Madame S

Dual exhibit of male and female models in bondage at the SM/bondage/kink toy shop.11am-7pm. 385 8th St. www.mr-s-leather.com www.madame-s.com www.fpedge.com

Yoga Classes @ LGBT Center

Fun, friendly weekly classes for beginners or experienced with Bill Mohler. $10. 6:30pm. Also Wednesdays. Room 302, 1800 Market St. at Octavia. www.billmohleryoga.com www.sfcenter.org

Wed 4

Contemporary Brazilian Art
@ Yerba Buena Arts Center

Opening night party of When Lives Become Form: Contemporary Brazilian Art, 1960s to the Present, a new exhibit about modern Brazilian art, focusing on design and 1960s Tropicalia, with live music by Brazilian music ensembles. Free-$7. 8pm-11pm. Exhibit hours Thu, Fri 2pm-8pm. Sat 12pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm. Free First Tuesdays of the month, 12pm-8pm. thru Jan. 31. 701 Mission St. www.ybca.org

Depth & Distance III @ LGBT Center

Out of the Closet and On the Wall, a group exhibit of art by seniors and disabled clients at New Leaf. 1800 Market St. at Octavia. www.sfcenter.org

Gay Skate @ Redwood Roller Rink

The weekly GLBT roller-skating night is worth the drive. $7. 8pm-10pm. 1303 Main St. Redwood City. (650) 574-8148. www.myspace.com/gayrainbowskate

The Last Drag @ LGBT Center

Free quit smoking workshop for LGBT and HIV+ smokers; meets Wednesdays at 7pm-9pm thru Dec. 9 (except Sat., Nov. 21 at 10am). Register: 339-STOP. 1800 Market St. at Octavia. www.lastdrag,org www.sfcenter.org

Lightning, Lava and Bombs @ Rayko Photo Center

Prints of local and global devastation made stunningly beautiful by Ben Nixon, Hendrik Paul, and Susan Seubert. Thru Nov. 1. 428 Third St. Tue-Thu 10am-10pm. Fri-Sun 10am-8pm. 495 3773. www.raykophoto.com

Love's Labour's Lost
@ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

Cal Per5formances presents Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's touring production of The Bard's classic romantic comedy. $48-$90. Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm. Thru Nov. 8. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak
@ Contemporary Jewish Museum

Largest exhibit of watercolors, drawing rare sketches and other works by Maurice Sendak, creator of the popular books Where the Wild Things Are. See the personal "other story" behind the creatures. Special events throughout the exhibit run. $5-$10 (18-under free). Thu-Tue 11am-5pm. Thu 1pm-8pm. Thru Jan. 19, 2010. 655-7800. 736 Mission St. at 3rd. www.thecjm.org

Thu 5

An Autobiography of the San Francisco
Bay Area @ SF Camerawork

Group exhibit of work, including prominent photographers Annie Liebowitz, Mary Ellen Mark and Dan Nicoletta, visualizing the stories about the Bay Area that became famous (Harvey Milk, the Oakland fires) or almost mythical (Patty Hearst kidnapping). $3. Tue-Sat 12pm-5pm. Thru Oct. 31. 657 Mission St. 2nd. floor. 512-2020. www.sfcamerawork.org

Beautiful Me @ Yerba Buena Arts Center

South African choreographer Geoffrey Maqoma, founder and Artistic Director of Johannesburg-based Vuyani Dance Theater, performs his acclaimed solo works. $20-$25. 8pm. Thru Nov. 7. 701 Mission st. 978-2787. www.ybca.org

Dykeotomy @ Center for Sex & Culture

Kimberly Dark's solo show about gender fludity and sexual feminism. $12-$20. 8pm. Thru Nov. 8 (2pm). 1519 Mission St. at 11th. 255-1155. www.kinberlydark.com www.sexandculture.org

Jonathan Safran Foer @ Kanbar Hall

Author of Everything is Illuminated discusses his new book, Eating Animals. $10-$18. 8pm. Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. at Presidio. 292-1233. www.jccsf.org

Out in the Bay @ KALW 91.7 FM

LGBT radio show. 7pm (right after NPR's Fresh Air). www.KALW.org www.OutInTheBay.com

SF Hiking Club @ Bernal Heights

Four-mile after-work hike to see Mission murals and the great view from the peak of Bernal Heights. Meet 5pm at the 24th St. Mission BART station. (510) 409-5832. www.sfhiking.com

Tings Dey Happen @ Marines Memorial Theatre

Dan Hoyle's fascinating solo show (premiered at The Marsh) about oil industry corruption in Nigeria returns in a different theatre. $25-$45. Thu-Sat 8pm Sun 2pm. (no show Nov. 19, 26; 9pm Nov. 7)Thru Nov. 29. 609 Sutter St. 2nd floor. 771-6900. www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com

Tranny Film Fest @ Mama Calizo's Voice Factory

Opening night of the local transgender film festival, with live acts by Sean Dorsey, King TuffNStuff, Chan Fantastique, StormMiguel Florez, Shawna Virago and MC Fairy Butch. Films on other nights. $12. 8pm. Thru Nov. 7. 1519 Mission St. at 11th. www.freshmeatproductions.org

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