Arts Events Dec 6-13, 2018

FRIDAY 7
Avenue Q
@ New Conservatory Theatre Center
The foul-mouth puppets are back, in the theatre company's 6th popular production (with two casts) of Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty's Tony-winning musical. Previews; opens Dec 8. New Year's Eve show, too. Thru Jan 6. $33-$59. Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.org

Barbarella @ Exit Theatre
Becky Hirschfeld & Dani Spinks's stage adaptation of the comic book by Jean-Claude Forest and the campy '60s scifi film. $12. Thru Dec 15. 156 Eddy St. http://www.theexit.org/

The Bathroom Line
@ SOMArts Cultural Center
Radar Productions' exhibit about intimacy, ritual, and public/private space, expressed in visual and text pieces by several queer People of Color artists. 934 Brannan St. http://www.somarts.org/

The Book of J @ St. Cyprian's Church
Chanukah concert with Jewlia Eisenberg and Jeremiah Lockwood, with guests. $18-$22. 8pm. 2097 Turk St. www.sflivearts.org

Cirque du Soleil @ AT&T Park
The amazing acrobatic circus returns for an extended stay with their new show, Volta. $54 and up. various times and dates thru Feb 3. www.cirquedusoleil.com

Everything is Illuminated @ Aurora Theatre, Berkeley
Simon Block's stage adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling novel, about a young Jewish writer's quest to find his family history in the Ukraine. $35-$70. Tue-Wed 7pm. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. Extended thru Dec 16. 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. www.auroratheatre.org

Fotohoto @ Strut
Opening reception for photographer Fabian Echevarria's exhibit of Latinx and Beyond models. 8pm-10pm. Exhibit thru Dec. 470 Castro St. www.strutsf.org

The Golden Girls @ Victoria Theatre
They're back! D'Arcy Drollinger, Heklina, Matthew Martin and Holotta Tymes perform drag versions of holiday episodes of the classic elder women's sitcom. $25-$50. Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 7pm thru Dec. 23. 2961 16th St. www.thegoldengirlslive.com

Happy Holigays
@ SRCJ Cafeteria, Santa Rosa
Dinner and Resource Fair for LGBTQ people. 4pm-7pm. 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. www.lgbtqconnection.org

Hot Draw @ Mark I Chester Studio
Erotic men's drawing event, where donatiosn buy socks for homeless aide groups, and the models wear socks (and not much else!). $20-$25. 6:30pm-9:30pm. 1229 Folsom St. www.markichester.com

The Little Prince
@ Marines Memorial Theatre
Opera Parall�le performs Rachel Portman's music work based on the French illustrated story. $55-$75. Also Dec 8 & 9. 609 Sutter St. www.operaparallele.org

Mary Poppins @ SF Playhouse
The popular Broadway adaptation of the P.L. Travers book and Disney film about a magical nanny gets a local production; music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman; book by Julian Fellowes. $30-$55 and up. Thru Jan 12. 450 Post St. www.sfplayhouse.org

Men on Boats @ Strand Theater
American Conservatory Theater's new production of Jaclyn Backhaus's subversive retelling of 19th-century explorer John Wesley Powell's journey through Wyoming's waterways, with an all-women cast. $25-$55. Thru Dec 16. 1127 Market St. www.act-sf.org

Older and Out
@ North Berkeley Senior Center
Weekly group discussion about problems for elders in the LGBT community. 3:15pm. 1901 Hearst Ave., Berkeley. www.pacificcenter.org

One Googol & One @ Brava Theater Center
Aidaa Peerzada's reimagining of the One Thousand and One Nights, with a modern perspective about historical injustices. $35-$45. Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Thru Dec 22. 2791 24th St. www.sfbatco.org

Queer Yoga @ Love Story Yoga
All-level weekly classes in an LGBT space. $11. 6:30pm-7:30pm. 473 Valencia St. at 16th. http://www.lovestoryyoga.com/



San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
@ Nourse Theater
The chorus performs Brassy and Sassy, a concert of holiday music, with acclaimed coloratura soprano Marnie Breckenridge. $25-$110. 8pm. Also Dec. 8. 275 Hayes St. https://www.sfgmc.org/

The Santaland Diaries @ Lohman Theatre, Los Altos Hills
Joe Mantello's solo stage adaptation of David Sedaris' popular story about working as a holiday elf is performed by Max Tachis. $45. Thru Dec. 23. 12345 S. El Monte Road, Los Altos. www.TheatreWorks.org

Southern Lights @ Z Below
3Girls Theatre Company's production of Lee Brady's country music love story. $20-$45. Thru Dec 22. 470 Florida St. www.zspace.org

The World of Charles and Ray Eames @ Oakland Museum
Exhibit of the innovative designers' works, including furniture, toys, and rare prototypes; thru Feb 17. Also, Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline, Ray Troll's colorful illustrations paired with paleontologist Kirk Johnson's research. Also, Take Root: Oakland Grows Food and other exhibits. Friday night events 5pm-9pm. Free/$15. 1000 Oak St. http://museumca.org

SATURDAY 8
Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi
The musical comedy revue celebrates its 45th year with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. Holiday show tickets now on sale. Wed-Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm & 9pm. Sun 2pm & 5pm. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Contact Warhol: Photography Without End @ Cantor Arts Center, Palo Alto
Exhibit of contact sheets and previously unseen images by Andy Warhol. Thru Jan 6, 2019. Stanford University campus, Palm Drive at Museum Way. https://museum.stanford.edu/visit

Crazy for You @ Alcazar Theatre
Bay Area Musicals' intimate staging of the hopping George and Ira Gershwin musical. $20-$65. Thu-Sun, various curtain times thru Dec. 16. 650 Geary St. www.bamsf.org

Dance-Along Nutcracker @ YBCA
Annual festive kid-friendly participatory concert and dance party, with jazzy live versions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker performed by the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band; this year with a Harry Potter theme; tutus and other costumes available. $20-$45. 3pm & 7pm. Also Dec 9, 11am & 3pm. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. www.dancealongnutcracker.org www.ybca.org

Dickens Fair @ Cow Palace
Annual holiday festivities include exhibits, arts, crafts, food and drinks, all with a Dickensian costume flair. $14-$120. Thru Dec. 23. Lower Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City. https://dickensfair.com/

Dirty Cello Duo @ St. Cyprian's Church
Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan with the Meredith Axelrod Duo, perform blues, bluegrass and music in other genres. $18-$22. 8pm. 2097 Turk St. www.sflivearts.org

Films @ BAM/PFA
Artistic and award-winning films, including international features, and documentaries about artists; ongoing. 2155 Center St., Berkeley. www.bampfa.org

A History of World War II @ The Marsh
Prolific playwright and director John Fisher's new solo show's subtitled The D-Day Invasion to the Fall of Berlin. $20-$100. Thu 8pm, Sat 8:30pm. Thru Dec. 15. 1062 Valencia St. www.themarshsf.com

Keith Haring: the Boy Who
Just Kept Drawing @ LGBT Center
Afternoon of events celebrating the new kids' book by Kay Haring, sister of the late great gay artist, with the author, Honey Mahogany, a kids fashion show and DJs Boomzilla and Pete Avila; all ages. 12pm-4pm. 1800 Market St. www.sfcenter.org haringdec8.eventbrite.com

LGBTQ Histories from the WWII Home Front @ Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center, Richmond
Park indoor exhibit that showcases the lives of historic LGBT people. Open daily 10am-5pm. 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000, Richmond. https://www.nps.gov/rori/index.htm

Nutcracker Sweets @ Cowell Theater
Mark Foehringer's tenth annual concert of his colorful kid-friendly abbreviated version of the classic ballet set to Tchaikovsky's music. Thru Dec 23. Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd. www.mfdpsf.org

Other Cinema @ ATA Gallery
Weekly screenings of wacky, unusual, short, documentary and animated films; free books, vinyl, VHS and wine. $7. 8:30pm. 992 Valencia St. www.othercinema.com

Pike St. @ Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Award-winning performer/playwright Nilaja Sun's new solo show portrays three generations of a Puerto Rican family's legacy and lives. $27-$80. Thru Dec 16. 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. www.berkeleyrep.org

Skate Night @ Church on 8 Wheels
Wheeled fun at the former Sacred Heart Church-turned disco roller skate party space, hosted by John D. Miles, the "Godfather of Skate," including Saturday's Black Rock night (Burning Man garb encouraged). 7pm-10pm. Sat afternoon sessions 1pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm. $10. Kids 12 and under $5. Skate rentals $5. 554 Fillmore St at Fell. www.churchof8wheels.com

Through-LINES: The Art of Ballet @ 836M
Exhibit of stunning dance photos by prolific photographer RJ Muna, with design and sound installations by Christopher Haas, Bernie Krause and Jim Campbell; presented by Alonzo King LINES Ballet as part of its 35th anniversary season. Thru Jan 7, 2019. 836 Montgomery St. www.linesballet.org www.836m.org

Various Exhibits @ NIAD Art Center, Richmond
Exhibits of art by visiting professionals, and art made by developmentally disabled people. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. 551 23rd St. Richmond. (510) 620-0290. www.niadart.org

Various Exhibits @ SF Public Library
Holiday Train, a model train exhibit (thru Jan 3); Shaped: Sharing HIV/AIDS Photos Essentially Deaf, thru Feb 1; Art/Work: Art Created by the Staff at SFPL, thru Mar. 8; SF Wildlife: Photography by Jouko van der Kruijssen, thru Mar. 28. 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberly @ Marin Theatre Company
Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon's stage adaptation of the story by Jane Austin, with upper class and servants' lives entangled in holiday intrigue. $39-$52. Thru Dec 16. 397 Milelr ave, Mill Valley. https://www.marintheatre.org

Wild SF Walking Tours @ Citywide
Enjoy weekly informed tours of various parts of San Francisco, from Chinatown to the Haight, and a 'radical' and political-themed LGBT-inclusive tour. Various dates and times. $15-$25. www.wildsftours.com

Writers With Drinks @ Make Out Room
Shawn Wen (This American Life), Jennifer S. Cheng (Moon: Letters, Maps, Poems), May-Lee Chai (Useful Phrases for Immigrants), Bryan Thao Worra (On the Other Side of the Eye), Alan Chazaro (Ghost Town Literary Review), Jaymee Goh (The Sea is Ours: Steampunk Tales of Southeast Asia). $5-$20. 7:30pm. 3225 22nd St. www.makeoutroom.com

SUNDAY 9
Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum
Exhibit of animation art by the prolific artists, including Walt Disney's Nine Old Men: Masters of Animation (Bambi, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp), and Home for the Holidays at Carolwood, thru Jan. 7. Other exhibits of Disney artifacts and film screenings. 104 Montgomery St, The Presidio. $5-$25. 10am-6pm. Closed Tue. http://wdfmuseum.org/

Ecstatic Dance @ Sacred Heart Church
Weekly group freeform dance with a spiritual flavor at the former church-turned event space. $15. 9am-12pm. Also Wed. and Fridays in Oakland and Fairfax. 554 Fillmore St. www.ecstaticdance.org

Expedition Reef
@ California Academy of Sciences
Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Deep Reefs, Giants of Land and Sea, Gems and Minerals, and more. $20-$35. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Kitka @ Kanbar Center, San Rafael
The acclaimed women's vocal ensemble performs their Winter Songs concert. $10-$30. 5pm. Osher Marin JCC, 200 North San Pedro Road San Rafael. http://www.kitka.org/

Night Bloom @ Conservatory of Flowers
New evening exhibit of nocturnal plants, with light shows and music. $20-$39. 5pm, thru Jan. 6. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.nightbloom.org https://conservatoryofflowers.org

Painting is My Everything @ Asian Art Museum
Art From India's Mithila Region, thru Dec 30. Also, contemporary works by Kim Heecheon and Liu Jianhua; also, exhibits of sculpture and antiquities. Sunday caf� specialties from $7-$16. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. http://www.asianart.org/

Queer Tango @ Finnish Hall, Berkeley
Same-sex partner tango dancing, including lessons for newbies, food and drinks. $5-$10. 3:30pm-6:30pm. 1970 Chestnut St, Berkeley. www.finnishhall.org

Ragazzi Boys Chorus @ Old First Church
$5-$25. 4pm. 1751 Sacramento St. https://www.oldfirstconcerts.org

Santa Skivvies Run @ Castro District
SF AIDS Foundation's annual fun outdoor run, where scantily-clad folks run around the castro to raise money. Register $35. 9:30am-12pm. Donations/free to watch. www.santaskivviesrun.org

Second Look, Twice @ MOAD
Exhibition of the work of 15 critically-acclaimed contemporary artists of African descent, including Glenn Ligon, Martin Puryear, and Kara Walker, who have used the medium of printmaking to create vivid and abstracted works. Thru Dec. 16. Free/$15. 685 Mission St. www.moadsf.org

SF City Chorus @ Lakeside Presbyterian Church
Handel's Messiah sing-along and holiday fair, with a 20-piece chamber orchestra. $15. 6pm-9:30pm. 201 Eucalyptus Drive at 19th Ave. www.sfcitychorus.org

Shawn Ryan @ Main Street Station, Guerneville
The LA-based Bay Area-raised gay singer with a witty style returns for a few Mistle-Ho concerts. $30-$35. 8pm. 16280 Main St., Guerneville. http://www.mainststation.com/ http://www.shawn-ryan.com

Sprightly @ SF Public Library
Weekly hangout for LGBTQ youth, with crafts, snacks and activities. 12:30pm-2:30pm. James C. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Various Exhibits @ Chabot Space & Science Museum, Oakland
Space, science and planetary exhibits, including planetarium shows and the Observatory; special nighttime events like meteor shower shows. Free-$18. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. www.chabotspace.org

MONDAY 10
Connecting Threads @ JCCSF
Quilts From the Social Justice Sewing Academy, an exhibit of textile art by local youth, with political themes. Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-8pm, thru Nov. SF Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. www.jccsf.org

Christine Noll @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
The Broadway actor-singer performs her new cabaret show, Am I Losing My Mind, a concert featuring songs sung by some of the greatest Broadway female chaarcters (Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Follies). $24-$55 ($20 food/drink min.) 7pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com

Help Is on the Way for the Holidays 17 @ Marines' Memorial Theatre
Shawn Ryan, Debby Holiday, Sharon McNight, Paula West, Jai Rodriguez, and many others perform at a benefit for local AIDS/HIV services, with a VIP after-party. $60-$120. 7:30pm. 495 Geary St. www.reaf-sf.org

Veiled Meanings @ Contemporary Jewish Museum
Veiled Meanings: Fashioning Jewish Dress, from the Collection of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, an exhibit of detailed clothing from dozens of countries; thru Jan 6, 2019. Also, Lew the Jew and His Circle: Origins of American Tattoo, an exhibit of the prolific tattoo artist's work, tools and life; thru June 9, 2019. Also, In That Case: Havruta in Contemporary Art—Oxossi Ayofemi and Risa Wechsler, thru July 2019. 736 Mission St. https://thecjm.org/

Looking Through the Lens @ Diane Wilsey Center for Opera
The Glory of San Francisco Opera, Past and Present, an exhibit of historic productions photos from the San Francisco Opera's many productions. Free. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm. Veteran's Building, 401 Van Ness Ave. www.sfopera.com

Westward @ City Hall
Exhibit of large-scale photos by women photographers focusing on West Coast communities. Thru May 2019. North Light Court, Ground Floor, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place. www.sfartscommission.org

William Blake in Color @ William Blake Gallery
Exhibit of classic plates in the new gallery of historic art by the 18th- and 19th-century poet and illustrator. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Sat 11am-5pm. 49 Geary St. #205. www.williamblakegallery.com

TUESDAY 11
Between Life and Death
@ Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
Harvey Castro's photo exhibit of Mexican peoples' traditional ways of honoring their dead. Thru Dec 13., Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. 2868 Mission St. http://missionculturalcenter.org

Community Meetings @ Strut
Meetings for harm reduction, cycling, book club and more, most weekdays. 470 Castro St. www.strutsf.org

Exclusion @ Presidio Officers Club
Exhibit documenting the Presidio's Japanese-American incarceration during World War II; other exhibits show the history of the former military base and the SF peninsula. Free, Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thru Spring 2019. 50 Maraga Ave. https://www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/

Fever @ Center for Sex & Culture
Fever: Documenting the Human Sexual Experience, a group photography exhibit curated by Anissa Malady. Tue 11am-5pm. Wed 10am-3pm, Thu 3pm-7pm and by appointment. Thru Dec. 28. 1349 Mission St. www.sexandculture.org

The Life and Times of Jo Mora @ Cartoon Art Museum
New exhibit of drawing, maps, paintings and ephemera by the prolific illustrator of American culture (1876-1947). Thru April 28, 2019. 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org

Modern Art @ SF MOMA
Wayne Thiebaud, Etel Adnan, Alexander Calder, Donald Judd, Louise Bourgeois and many classic Modern works. Free/$25. Fri-Tue 10am-6pm. 151 3rd St. www.sfmoma.org

Perfectly Queer @ Dog Eared Books
'Great Gift Books,' with authors Sumiko Saulson, Jim Provenzano, and Colleen McKee, and cohosts Wayne Goodman and Richard May. 7pm. 489 Castro St. www.dogearedbooks.com

Queer as a Tuesday Night @ CounterPulse
Ms. Carol channels the Ghosts of Queerness Past. Free/RSVP. 8pm. 80 Turk St. www.counterpulse.org

Show Us Your Spines @ SF Public Library
Radar Productions joins the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center in presenting authors Kyle Casey Chu, Gregory King, Yaminah LaBelle and Marvin K. White. 6:30pm. 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Various Events @ Oakland LGBTQ Center
Social events and meetings at the new LGBTQ center include film screenings and workshops, including Bruthas Rising, trans men of color meetings, 4th Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Film screenings, 4th Saturdays, 7:30pm. Game nights, Fridays 7:30pm-11pm. Vogue sessions, first Saturdays. 3207 Lakeshore Ave. Oakland. https://www.oaklandlgbtqcenter.org/

WEDNESDAY 12
Bodyscapes @ Strut
Group exhibit of art by the 50-Plus Network members. Thru Dec. 470 Castro St. https://www.strutsf.org

East Meets West @ Legion of Honor
Jewels of the Maharajas from the Al Thani Collection, thru Feb 24. Also, S�raphin Soudbinine, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Framing the Body, Mummies and Medicine and other exhibits of classical and modern art. Free/$30. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. https://legionofhonor.famsf.org/

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics @ Commonwealth Club
Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, The rev. Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore discuss women of color in politics, their battles and successes. $8-$45 (with signed book). 7pm. 110 The Embarcadero, www.commonwealthclub.org

Friendly Fire @ Wessling Gallery
Group exhibit of vibrant works in various media by 14 artists. 440 Brannan St. http://wesslinggallery.com/

How to Make a Rex Ray @ GLBT History Museum
Screening of a documentary on the late gay artist's work, currently exhibited. $5. 7pm. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

Joey Wolf @ Ever Gold
Drinking Games, the LA artist's exhibit of realist group paintings. Wed-Sat 12pm-5pm. 1275 Minnesota St. http://evergoldprojects.com

The Right Note @ Phoenix Theatre
Rice Majors and Jerome Joseph Gentes' musical about a singing competition show's mystery gets staged workshop performances. $15-$45. 8pm. Dec.12, 14 & 15. 414 Mason St. 6th floor. https://sparestage.org

THURSDAY 13
A Drag Queen Christmas
@ Palace of Fine Arts
Drag show with a dozen RuPaul's Drag Race queens (Vanjie, Latrice Royale, Shea, Trinity, Raja, Aja, Thorgy and more). $20-$150. 8pm. 3301 Lyon St. http://dragfans.com/ https://palaceoffinearts.org

Gaugin: A Spiritual Journey
@ de Young Museum
New exhibit of the French painter's Tahitian paintings, and works by artists who influenced him. Thru April 7. Also, Contemporary Muslim Fashions, an exhibit of stylish fashions in the Muslim world; thru Jan 6. Also, modern and historic art, including embroidery, Maori portraits and installations. Free/$15. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.famsf.org

Scott Fraser @ Jenkins Johnson Gallery
Earthly Delights, the painter's new exhibit of realist/surreal works. Thru Dec. 22. 464 Sutter St. http://www.jenkinsjohnsongallery.com

The Skivvies @ Feinstein's at the Nikko
The musical comedy duo Molina and Cearley performs I Touch My Elf, with guest Nick Adams. $38-$75. ($20 food/drink min). Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. https://www.theskivviesnyc.com/ www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com

Various Exhibits @ The Beat Museum
Enjoy exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop that celebrates the era of 'Beatnik' literature (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, etc.), with frequent readings, walking tours and other events in North Beach. $5-$8. Daily 10am-7pm. 540 Broadway www.kerouac.com


To submit event listings, email [email protected]
Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.