Along with the de Young hosting a Nureyev exhibit, and the Legion of Honor going doubly gay with works by Man Ray and Lee Miller (see those listings online), Yerba Buena Center for the Arts goes alt/queer/performance groovy, and other walking-tour exhibits make for a visual feast along the way.

Oct 12: Nayland Blake @ YBCA

The opening party-event for FREE!LOVE!TOOL!BOX, the former Bay area artist's new exhibit of whimsical conceptual and assembled found-object art, includes personal installations and artworks, each with distinctive queer themes, including an interpretation of the famous Chuck Arnett Tool Box mural from the 1970s gay bar, a DJ booth with his own large record collection; and Nathalie Djurberg's amazing colorful creature sculptures. Performers include Nite Jewel and Moira Scar and Duchess Hotplate. $12-$15. 8pm. Grand lobby and galleries, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.naylandblake.net www.ybca.org Art Gallery Week, the final weekend of the 10-day series of events and exhibits at 36 Bay Area Galleries, combines with YBCA night on Oct 13, with an additional outdoor garden area party and art space (7pm-10pm, 701 Mission St.) www.ArtGalleryWeek.com

Oct 12: Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future:
Dia de los Muertos 2012 @ SOMArts Cultural Center

Opening reception for the annual group exhibit of Day of the Dead shrines, installations and artwork. $7-$10. 6pm-9pm. Sat Oct 20 Gathering the Embers: A Dia de los Muertos Tribute Show 2012 (($10, 7pm). Gallery hours Tue-Fri 12pm7pm. Sat 11am-5pm. Sun 11am-3pm. Thru Nov 10. 934 Brannan St. 863-1414. www.somarts.org

Oct 12: Greg Gandy
@ John Pence Gallery

Opening reception for an exhibit of stunning realist landscapes of San Francisco and other cities, created by the local painter. 6pm-8pm. Reg. hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am-5pm. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Oct 13: Off the Beaten Path
@ Harvey Milk Photography Center

Opening reception for a group exhibit of visually compelling photos of San Francisco's well- and least-known parks. Opening 1pm-4pm, at McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan St. at Fell. Photos also on exhibit at the Harvey Milk Center (50 Scott St.) and the Parks Emergency Aid Station (811 Stanyan St.). Thru Nov. 30. 554-8919. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

Oct 13: Yerba Buena Gallery Walk @ Downtown SF

Survey the array of interesting art galleries surrounding the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, with more than a dozen openings, plus prize drawings. Stop by Visual Aid for a glass of champagne (3pm-4pm), and to see the art by Martine Jardel, 57 Post St. 4th floor. (www.visualaid.org ) Art Walk continues 4pm-7pm. http://www.111minnagallery.com

Sat 13: Autumn Lights Festival @ Lake Merritt Gardens, Oakland

Festive glowing large-scale light-art Burning Man-style installation, with food trucks, beer and wine, a silent auction and DIY art projects on-site. Come illuminated! $25-$35. 6pm-10pm. 666 Bellevue Ave. Oakland. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com

Sun 14: Passport 2012 @ North Beach Galleries

Annual tour of galleries, bookstores and shops that showcases different neighborhoods each year; with special events hosting handmade works by local artists, collectible stamp books. $25-$125. 12pm-4pm. After-party at 15 Romolo, 4pm-7pm. www.sfartscommission.org/gallery

Mon 15: Romaine Brooks: The Other Amazon @ Commonwealth Club

Art historian Kerrin Meis discusses the unusual paintings and life of Brooks and her relationship with writer Natalie Barney, at the LGBT Forum of the the club. Free (members), $7 (students), $20. 5:30pm receptiob, program at 6pm. 595 Market St. www.commonwealthclub.org

Out Loud

Authors, writers, poets, scribblers, ranters; the written word comes alive this week, in bookstores, cafes, and even laundromats. – J.P.

Thu 11 - Scott Terry @ Books Inc, Castro

Author of Cowboys, Armageddon and the Truth (reviewed in this issue) discusses and signs copies of his novel about a gay teen persecuted by Jehovah's Witnesses. 7pm. 2275 Market St. 864-6777. www.booksinc.net

Oct 13: Lit Crawl @ Valencia Street Venues

Litquake continues its daily festival of authorial events through Oct 13, with the annual three-hour, three-part, multiple-venue wild reading series, with hundreds of authors reading in dozens of bars, nightclubs, cafes, includes LGBT-themed events (6pm, 7:15pm & 8:15pm): Drink to Me at Martuni's, with Mark Abramson, Christine Beatty, Dr. Jack Fritscher, Lewis DeSimone and Jim Provenzano (6pm). At 7:15pm, Guy Writers' Homo Poetic with Kevin Killian, Andrew Demcak, Brent Calderwood, Baruch Porras-Hernandez, and James J. Siegel invades FSC Barbers; plus Sister Spit at the Lexington Club, and Bent Boys at Dog-Eared Books. www.litquake.org

Sat 13: Reviving Spirits @ Progressive Ground Cafe

OutLook Theatre Project's queer interactive spokenword/performance series focuses on spirituality, sexuality and gender. Free. 5pm-8pm. 2301 Bryant St. at 21st. http://outlooktheater.weebly.com/

Wed 17: Trebor Healey @ Chapel
of the Great Commission, Berkeley

Gay author (Through It Came Bright Colors) and former SF resident reads from and discusses his new novel A Horse Named Sorrow, about a man's promise to a teen who dies of AIDS. Free. 7pm. Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave at Le Conte. www.psr.edu Also Oct. 19, 7pm, at Alley Cat Books, 3036 24th St. at Folsom. www.treborhealey.com

Wed 17: Smack Dab @ Magnet

In observance of National Disability Month (October), cohosts Kirk Read and Larry-bob Roberts welcome acclaimed memoir author Belo Cipriani (Blind: a Memoir) and fiction author Jim Provenzano (Every Time I Think of You), who offer divergent takes on disability in gay life. Free. Open mic sign-up 7:30pm. Readings 8pm. 4122 18th St. at Castro. www.magnetsf.org

Events October 11–18, 2012

Thu 11

Acid Test @ The Marsh Berkeley

Warren David Keither performs Lynne Kaufman's Acid Test: The Many Incarnations of Ram Dass, the story of Richard Alpert, the Harvard psychology professor and spiritual seeker, started the LSD-fueled psychedelic movement. $15-$50. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 5pm. Previews thru Oct 18. Thru Nov 24. 2120 Allston Way near Shattuck. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Arab Film Festival @ Castro Theatre

Opening night of the festival screens Man Without a Cell Phone. $20-$25. Various times. Thru Oct 21. 429 Castro St. www.arabfilmfestival.org www.castrotheatre.com

Art Gallery Week @ Bay Area

Final weekend of the 10-day series of events and exhibits at 36 Bay Area Galleries. Closing night party Oct 13 combines with YBCA night, with an additional outdoor garden area party and art space (7pm-10pm, 701 Mission St.) Thru Oct. 13. www.ArtGalleryWeek.com

I Capuleti e I Montecchi @ War Memorial Opera House

Bellini's operatic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is staged by the San Francisco Opera with Munich's Bavarian State Opera. $22-$340. 7:30pm. Also Oct. 14, 16 & 19. 301 Van Ness Ave. 565-6451. www.sfopera.com

Josh Klipp & The Klipptones @ Mint Plaza

Jazz vocalist and his band perform at the Central Market Arts Fest. Free. 6pm-7pm. Mint Plaza. Also, Oct. 13 at Mondy's Living Room Series, and Oct. 14 atBliss Bar. www.joshuaklipp.com

Martha Reeves @ The Rrazz Room

R&B iconic singer performs with her band. $40-$45. Nightly thru Oct 14 (7pm). 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Unusual Films @ Oddball Film

Trance and shaman short flicks Oct. 11. On Friday, performance mechanic masters Survival Research Laboratory short documentaries. Oct 13, Albanian cinema tribute. $10. 8pm. Also other films Oct. 12. Each $10. 275 Capp St. 558-8117. www.oddballfilms.blogspot.com

L.A. Rebellion @ BAM/PFA

Creating a New Black Cinema, screenings of historic African American narrative and documentary films. $5.50-$13.50. Various dates and times. Thru Oct. 30. Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way. (510) 642-5249. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu

Litquake @ Multiple Venues

850 authors, 163 events and lots and lots of books! It's the annual literary festival, with readings galore in bookstores, cafes, libraries, even on the street; the fest includes fundraiser parties, special events, food events with chef/authors, including in Oakland and Berkeley, culminating in the fun Lit Crawl (Oct. 13, closing night). www.litquake.org

Mariinsky Ballet & Orchestra @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

The Russian company performs Swan Lake, with music by Tchaikovsky, with choreography by Constantin Sergeyev, based on Petipa and Ivanov's original. $30-$175. Wed-Sat 8pm. Also Oct 13, 2pm; Oct 14, 3pm. Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave, UC Berkeley campus. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

Scott Terry @ Books Inc, Castro

Author of Cowboys, Armageddon and the Truth discusses and signs copies of his novel about a gay teen persecuted by Jehovah's Witnesses. 7pm. 2275 Market St. 864-6777. www.booksinc.net

Shocktoberfest 13 @ Hypnodrome

Thrillpeddlers presents Shocktoberfest 13, an evening of horror and unhinged comedy with two world-premiere one-act plays and a classic: Coals of Fire by Fredrick Whitney, The Bride of Death by Michael Phillis, and Rob Keefe's The Twisted Pair. $25-$35. Previews. Opening night Oct. 4. Thu-Sat 8pm. Special Halloween performances Oct. 30 & 31. Thru Nov 17. 575 10th St. (800) 838-3006. www.thrillpeddlers.com

Sundance Stompede @ Holiday Inn, Regency Ballroom, Space 550

Yeehaw! It's the 11th annual LGBT two-stepping line-dancing festival, with four days and nights of dancing, performing, lessons and socializing. Oct 11: Kick-Off Dance, $10, 6:30-11pm, Space 550, 550 Barneveld Ave. Oct. 12: Welcome Dance, $20, 7:30pm-1am, Holiday Inn, 1500 Van Ness Ave. Oct 13, Hoedown 2012, with performances, silent auction, raffle and open dancing, $45, 7:30pm-1am ($35 advance tix at Rock Hard, 518 Castro St.) Oct 14, Stompede Ball, $10, 5pm-11pm at Space 550. Dance workshops daily, $20-$30, various times at the Holiday Inn. Country-Western gear appreciated but not required. Regency, 1300 Van Ness ave. www.sundancesaloon.org

Thee Oh Sees @ Great American Music Hall

Indie rock band with a lot of local fans performs on a bill with Sic Alps, Sonny and the Sunsets, and The Mallard. $15; with dinner, $40. 8:30pm. 859 O'Farrell St. www.slimspresents.com

Topdog/Underdog @ Marin Theatre Company

Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning play about two Black men, ironically named Lincoln and Booth, whose game of deception blurs the lines between honest and illegitimate work. $36-$57. Thru Oct. 21. Tue, Thu Fri & Sat 8pm. Wed 7:30pm. Sun 2pm & 7pm. 397 Miller Ave, Mill Valley. 388-5208. www.marintheatre.org

Treasure Island Nightlife @ Cal. Academy of Sciences

Gems and minerals are on display, withinformative talks in between drinks and dreamy soundscape DJing Groundislava and electro tunes by Shigeto. $10-$12. 6pm-10pm, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

Fri 12

33 Variations @ Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Moises Kaufman's play about a brilliant musicologist racing to solve one of Beethoven's greatest mysteries, while her daughter struggles to connect with her. Two hundred years earlier and also no stranger to obsession, Beethoven uses his incomparable genius to turn a mediocre melody into 33 masterpieces. $23-$73. Tue & Wed 7:30pm. Thu-Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Oct. 28. 500 Castro St. at Mercy, Mountain View. (650) 463-1960. www.theatreworks.org

An Iliad @ Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare's adaptation of Homer's epic poem about the Trojan War and its effect on soldiers and families on both sides, as told by one elderly survivor. $17-$73. Tue, Fri, Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Also Sat & Sun2pm. Thru Nov 18. 2015 Addison St. at Shattuck, Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
@ SF Playhouse

Local singer/actor Ashkon Davaran (the Giants' "Don't Stop Believin'" anthem, Beardo) stars in Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman's presidential musical, an acclaimed rock rendition of one our first and most controversial elected leaders. $30-$70. Tue-Thu 7pm. Fri & Sat 8pm. Sat 3pm. Thru Nov 24. 450 Post St. (2nd floor of Kensington Park Hotel). 677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org

Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future:
Dia de los Muertos 2012 @ SOMArts Cultural Center

Opening reception for the annual group exhibit of Day of the Dead shrines, installations and artwork. $7-$10. 6pm-9pm. Sat Oct 20 Gathering the Embers: A Dia de los Muertos Tribute Show 2012 (($10, 7pm). Gallery hours Tue-Fri 12pm7pm. Sat 11am-5pm. Sun 11am-3pm. Thru Nov 10. 934 Brannan St. 863-1414. www.somarts.org

Chinglish @ Berkeley Rep

David Henry Hwang's (M. Butterfly) hilarious play, direct from its New York run. Set in China, it explores the cultural and linguistic confusion a businessman faces while attempting to secure a lucrative company contract. $15-$99. Tue, & Thu-Sat 8pm. Wed & Sun 7pm. Also Sat & Sun 2pm. Extended thru Oct. 21. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. at Shattuck, Berkeley. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org

Desert Jewels @ MOAD

North African Jewelry and Photography from the Xavier Guerrand-Hermes Collection, an exhibit of nearly 100 pieces of jewelry from Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, plus documentary photographs. Thru Jan 21. $5-$10. Members free. Wed-Sat 11am-6pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. Museum of the African Diaspora, 685 Mission St. 358-7200. www.moadsf.org

Family Programming @ Shelton Theater

Seven gay-themed short plays (by Steven Korbar, Rodney Taylor, rich Orloff, Joseph Frank/Aaron Tworek, James A. Martin and Chauncey Wales) from Left Coast Theatre Company, the producers of the popular Eat Our Shorts series. $15-$20. Thu-Sat 8pm. Thru Oct.13. 533 Sutter St. www.leftcoasttheatreco.org

The Game Show Show @ The Retrodome, San Jose

Campy parody musical show, with audience participation, that pokes fun at vintage TV game shows. You're laugh your _____off! $44. Fri & Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2:30pm. Thru Nov 18. Westgate Center, 1694 Saratoga Ave. (408) 404-7711. http://www.theretrodome.com/

Greg Gandy @ John Pence Gallery

Opening reception for an exhibit of stunning realist landscapes of San Francisco and other cities, created by the local painter. 6pm-8pm. Reg. hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm. Sat 10am-5pm. 750 Post St. 441-1138. www.johnpence.com

Justin Vivian Bond @ The Rrazz Room

Mx America returns from New York in a special concert. $30. 10pm. Also Oct 13, 10pm and Oct 14, 8pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Matthew James @ Groove Salon

Exhibit of colorful pop art works by the local artist. Thru Nov 10. 215 Fremont St. at Howard. 975-9900. www.mattjamesart.com www.groovesf.com

Nayland Blake @ YBCA

Opening party-event for FREE!LOVE!TOOL!BOX, the former Bay area artist's new exhibit of whimsical conceptual and assembled found-object, personal installations and artworks, each with distinctive queer themes, including a DJ booth with his own large record collection; and Nathalie Djurberg's amazing colorful creature sculptures. Performers include Nite Jewel and Moira Scar and Duchess Hotplate. Also, closing weekend of Occupy Bay Area, an exhibit of local art, video, photography and writing with a political edge. $12-$15. 8pm. Grand lobby and galleries, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. 979-2787. www.naylandblake.net www.ybca.org

Of Thee I Sing @ Eureka Theatre

42nd Street Moon opens its 20th season with a production of the classic political satire by George and Ira Gershwin (book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind). $25-$75. Wed 7pm. Thu & Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm Sun 3pm. Thru Oct. 21. 215 Jackson St. 255-8207. www.42ndstmoon.org

The Other Place @ Magic Theatre

Sharr White's acclaimed thriller about a strange Cape Cod unexplained mystery. $22-$62. Tue 7pm. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm. Extended thru Oct. 14. Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, 3rd floor. Marina Blvd at Buchana. 441-8822. www.magictheatre.org

Out of Character @ Asian Art Museum

Decoding Chinese Calligraphy, a new exhibit of modern and ancient scripted art, with numerous special events, workshops and discussions. Free-$12. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Thru Jan 13. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org

Play Fair @ GLBT History Museum

Play Fair! The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Make Sex Safer, an exhibit of safe sex promotional efforts. Also, For Love and Community: Queer Asian Pacific Islanders Take Action 1960-1990s, a new exhibit organized by queer and transgender Asian Pacific Islanders. Mon-Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 12pm-5pm. 4127 18th St. 621-1107. www.glbthistorymuseum.org

Sing-Along The Little Mermaid @ Castro Theatre

Bring the kids or act like one as you croon along the popular Disney animated feature about an impossible romance between species. $12. 7pm nightly. Sun 2:30pm. Thru Oct. 19. 429 Castro St. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Smashing Pumpkins @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Popular band returns, performing the album Oceania in full, plus favorites hits and obscurities. $52. 8pm. Civic Center. www.apeconcerts.com

Smuin Ballet @ Palace of Fine Arts

Popular local modern ballet company performs vibrant works by Adam Hougland, Try McIntyre, and Michael Smuin; set to music ranging from Philip Glass to The Shins. $25-$65. 8pm. Thu-Sat 8pm Sat & Sun 2pm. Thru Oct. 14. 3301 Lyon St. 912-1899. www.smuinballet.org

Trick or Treat @ City Art

Group exhibit of paintings and works in other media, with a macabre of Halloween theme. Reg. hours 12pm-9pm, Wed-Sun. Thru Oct. 27. 828 Valencia St. 970-9900. www.cityartgallery.org

Sat 13

The 1968 Exhibit @ Oakland Museum of Art

A touring exhibit of the historic year, with ephemera, protest posters, interactive media; extended thru Nov 2012. Also, Bay Area figurative art; Dorothea Lange archive, early landscape paintings, Gold Rush Era works, California ceramics. Gallery of California Natural Sciences. $6-$12. 1000 Oak St. Oakland. (510) 318-8400. www.museumca.org

Alexander String Quartet @ St. John's Presbyterian Church

Robert Greenberg hosts a series of concerts of works by Schubert performed by the acclaimed quartet. $40. 10am. Also Dec 1, 8, and 15. 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. 392-2545. www.sfperformances.org

Alternative Press Expo @ Concourse Exhibition Center

Go ape for comics and alt. media at APE! Indeie and self-published zines, books, magazine, graphic novels, author booths, informative panels, and more. Also Oct 14. 635 8th St. http://www.comic-con.org/ape/

Autumn Lights Festival @ Lake Merritt Gardens, Oakland

Festive glowing large-scale light-art Burning Man-style installation, with food trucks, beer and wine, a silent auction and DIY art projects on-site. Come illuminated! $25-$35. 6pm-10pm. 666 Bellevue Ave. Oakland. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com

Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi

Musical comedy revue, now in its 35th year, with an ever-changing lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. Reg: $25-$130. Wed, Thu, Fri at 8pm. Sat 6:30, 9:30pm. Sun 2pm, 5pm. (Beer/wine served; cash only). 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

Bradley Platz @ Modern Eden Gallery

Blood and Marble, the painter's exhibit of works representing decaying classical sculptures. Wed-Sun 11am-7pm. Thru Oct 21. 403 Francisco St. 956-3303. www.ModernEden.com

Cindy Sherman @ SF MOMA

Retrospective touring exhibit of 150 photos by the artist who poses as different fascinating and obscure characters. Free-$18. Daily 11am-5:30pm, except Wed. late Thu until 8:45pm. Thru Oct. 8. 151 Third St. www.sfmoma.org

Earthquake @ California Academy of Sciences

New exhibit and planetarium show with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about our ever-shifting earth. $20-$30. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm. Sun 11am-5pm. 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

FACine 19 @ Various Cinemas

19th annual Filipino American Cinema Festival, with three LGBT-themed features: Senorita, about a politically-focused transgender (Oct 13, 4pm, Manilia-town Center, 868 Kearny St.); Pikit-Mata/Blind, a sexually-themed drama about Manila's male dancer-prostitutes (Oct 20, 6pm, Bayanihan Center, 1010 Mission St.); and Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (Dance of Two Left Feet), a poetic dance and music romance (Oct 27, 2pm, War Memorial Community Center, 6655 Mission St., Daly City). http://www.facebook.com/events/202886676510782/

Geezer @ The Marsh

Veteran comic actor Geoff Hoyle returns with his hit solo show about his youth in England, and growing older. $25-$100. Sat 8pm. Sun 7pm. Thru Nov 18. 1062 Valencia St. at 22nd. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Guy Overfelt @ Ever Gold Gallery

#Blacklight, a hesher tribute to Dan Flavin. Exhibit thru Nov 3. Reg hours Wed-Sat 1pm6pm. 441 O'Farrell St. 796-3676. www.evergoldgallery.com

Lit Crawl
@ Valencia Street Venues

Litquake's annual three-hour, three-part, multiple-venue wild reading series, with hundreds of authors reading in dozens of bars, nightclubs, cafes, even laundromats! Oct 13 Lit Crawl LGBT-themed events (6pm, 7pm & 8pm) include Drink to Me at Martuni's, with Mark Abramson, Christine Beatty, Dr. Jack Fritscher, Lewis DeSimone and Jim Provenzano (6pm); guy Writers' Homo Poetic with Kevin Killian, Andrew Demcak, Brent Calderwood, Baruch Porras-Hernandez, and James J. Siegel at FSC Barbers; and more; Sister Spit at the Lexington Club, and "Bent Boys" at Dog-Eared Books. http://litcrawl.org/sf/events

Love Will Fix It @ Hot Spot

DJ Bus Station John's intimate monthly (2nd Saturdays) retro disco night with an R&B focus, re-decorates the cozy dive bar into a cool dance hangout; popular with a gaily diverse crowd. $5. 9pm-2am. 1414 Market St. at Polk.

Mingle Night @ Magnet

Informative meet & greet with volunteers, staff and guests of the SF AIDS Foundations health and community space for gay and bi men, with Stop AIDS' Bridgemen. Free. 7pm-10pm. 4122 18th St. www.magnetsf.org

Moby-Dick @ War Memorial Opera House

Bay Area premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's opera adaptation of Herman Melville's classic novel of a whale-hunter ship's captain and his vengeance. $10-$340. Sung in English with English supertitles; 7:30pm. Oct 13, 8pm. Oct 18, 7:30pm. Oct 21, 2pm. Oct 23, 8pm. Oct 26, 8 pm. Oct 30, 7:30pm. Nov 2, 8pm. 301 Van Ness Ave. 864-3330. www.sfopera.com

Man Ray/Lee Miller: Partners in Surrealism @ Legion of Honor

Photographs, paintings, drawings and manuscripts that explore the creative interaction between gay artists Man Ray and Lee Miller, two giants of European Surrealism. Also, Marcel Duchamp: The Book and the Box. And, Gifts From the Gods: Art and the Olympic Ideal, a new exhibit of Greek and Roman artifacts and art related to the lives of athletes of ancient times, and modern works that reflect athletics. Free-$10. Thru Oct. 14. Tue-Sat 9:30am-5:15pm. Lincoln Park at 100 34th Avenue (at Clement Street). www.famsf.org

Mark I. Chester @ Wicked Grounds

Exhibit of photographs by the veteran photographer of leather culture; thru November. 289 8th St. www.markichester.com www.wickedgrounds.com

National Engagement Party @ Jonathan Browning Studios

Freedom to Marry's local edition of a national campaign of fundraising parties to assist the groups fighting for marriage equality in several states this election year. $125 and up. 6:30-8:30pm. 30 Sheridan St. (315) 207-3984. www.freedomtomarry.org/nep/events www.jonathanbrowninginc.com

Off the Beaten Path @ Harvey Milk Photography Center

Opening reception for a group exhibit of visually compelling photos of San Francisco's well- and least-known parks. Opening 1pm-4pm, at McLaren Lodge, 501 Stanyan St. at Fell. Photos also on exhibit at the Harvey Milk Center (50 Scott St.) and the Parks Emergency Aid Station (811 Stanyan St.). Thru Nov. 30. 554-8919. www.harveymilkphotocenter.org

Phantoms of Asia @ Asian Art Museum

Exhibit of bold contemporary art with perspectives on life, death, nature and other themes. $12-$15. 200 Larkin St. 581-3500. www.asianart.org

(re)collection @ Intersection for the Arts

Group exhibit collaboration with Lost and Found: Family Photos Swept by the 3.11 East Japan Tsunami. Free. Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm. Thru Oct. 27. 925 Mission St. at 5th. www.theintersection.org

Reviving Spirits @ Progressive Ground Cafe

OutLook Theatre Project's queer interactive performance series focuses on spirituality, sexuality and gender. Free. 5pm-8pm. 2301 Bryant St. at 21st. http://outlooktheater.weebly.com/

A Rich Treasure Trove @ Truck

Celebration honoring the prolific work of leather/nightlife photographer Rich Stadtmiller. $3. 6pm-12am. 1900 Folsom St. www.richtrove.com www.trucksf.com

Rudolf Nureyev: A Life in Dance @ de Young Museum

Direct from the Centre National du Costume de Scene in Moulins, France, this exhibit displays costumes, photos, videos and ephemera documenting the amazing dancing and choreography of the world-famous gay dancer. Thru Feb 17. Also, Chuck Close and Crown Point Press, an exhibit of the painter's printmaking works; also, permanent exhibits of Modern art. $6-$20. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. 750-3600. www.famsf.org

Shamanism Classes @ LGBT Center

Find your power animal at the monthly LGBT-inclusive drumming circle and ritual class. $25. 10am-12pm. Second Saturdays. 1800 Market St. RSVP Liz Dale: Lizsanpablo@aol.com www.sfcenter.org

Strindberg Cycle: The Chamber Plays @ Exit Theater

Cutting Ball Theater performs August Stringberg plays in repertory; The Ghost Sonata, The Pelican and The Black Glove, and Storm and Burned House. $10-$75. Thu 7:30pm, Fri & Sat 8pm & 2pm. Sun 5pm. 277 Taylor St. 525-1205. www.cuttingball.com

Treasure Island Music Festival @ Treasure Island

Two-day outdoor all-day concert line-up of local and touring bands; 13 a day. $75-$239. On-island parking $30-$60. (shuttle buses available). Also Oct.14. www.treasureislandfestival.com/2012/

The William S. Paley Collection:
A Taste for Modernism @ de Young Museum

New exhibit of varied and little seen Modern Art works collected by the New York art patron with a diverse taste, including paintings by Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and others. Also, This World Is Not My Home: Photographs by Danny Lyon, thru Jan. 27. $10-$20. Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:15pm. (til 8:45pm Fridays) Thru Dec. 30. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 750-3600. www.famsf.org

Women 我們 @ Chinese Cultural Center

Exhibit of video works, installation art, photography, sculpture, and more by a diverse array of LGBTQ artists including Mu Xi, Yang Meiyan, He Chengyao, and other emerging artists based in China as well as five U.S.-based artists, among them Man Yee Lam and Stella Zhang. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. 750 Kearny St., 3rd floor (inside the Hilton Hotel). 986-1822. www.c-c-c.org

Yerba Buena Gallery Walk @ Downtown SF

Survey the array of interesting art galleries surrounding the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, with more than a dozen openings, plus prize drawings. Stop by Visual Aid for a glass of champagne (3pm-4pm), and to see the art by Martine Jardel, 57 Post St. 4th floor. (www.visualaid.org ) Art Walk continues 4pm-7pm. www.111minnagallery.com

Sun 14

AIDS Quilt Interactive @ San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

New exhibit marking the 25th anniversary of the AIDS Quilt; a 42-inch interactive touchscreen tabletop that allows users to search through and examine detailed individual images from the 1.3 million square feet of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Visitors experience the size and impact of the quilt in a new way; they can search for an individual's name to locate panels in the overall collection and find metadata about that panel and person. Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm. (Also 7pm-11pm first Fridays). Thru Oct. 14. 520 South First St., San Jose. (408) 971-0323. www.sjquiltmuseum.org

Bi-Curious Comedy Night @ Deco Lounge

Get laughs from both sides with host Rick Fletcher, James Gunn, Casey Ley, Nick Leonard, Kate Willet, Nicole Calasich, Justin Alan and Jen Dronsky. $10. 21+. 8pm. 510 Larkin St. www.decosf.com

Crescendo @ Four Seasons Hotel

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus' annual fundraising gala, with a champagne brunch, silent and live auctions, a preview performance of the 35th season by members of the chorus, plus special honored guests Dan Savage (It Gets Better Prtoject), Joe Jervis (JoeMyGod) and Broadway composer Andrew Lippa. $150 and up. 12pm-3pm. 757 Market St. 865-3650. www.sfgmc.org

Imagining Val Travel @ Glama-Rama Salon

Local collage artist Tofu's exhibit focuses on vintage and contemporary travel imagery, based on his research discovering that the salon's building formerly housed Val Travel agency at the height of the "glam travel" 60s. On view thru Nov. 3. 304 Valencia St at 14th. www.tofuart.com www.glamarama.com

PJ Andrews @ Castro Country Club

Exhibit of the gay artist's amusing glitter cartoon character portraits and collages. Thru Oct 31. 4058 18th St. www.castrocountryclub.org

Passport 2012 @ North Beach Galleries

Annual tour of galleries bookstores and shops that showcases different neighborhoods each year; with special events hosting handmade works by local artists, collectible stamp books $25-$125. 12pm-4pm. After-party at 15 Romolo, 4pm-7pm. www.sfartscommission.org/gallery

SF Hiking Club @ Point Reyes Sky Trail

Join GLBT hikers for a 10-mile at Point Reyes. Start off with a climb up through the woods on the Mt. Wittenberg Trail to intersect with the Sky Trail. Travel through beautiful eucalyptus forest with plenty of spectacular peek-a-boo views along the way. Bring: lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, layers, sturdy boots. Carpool meets 9:00 at Safeway sign, Market & Dolores. 706-5923. www.sfhiking.com

Sundance Saloon @ Space 550

The popular country western LGBT dance night. $5. 6:30pm-10:30pm with lessons from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Also Sundays 5pm-10:30pm with lessons from 5:30-7:15 pm. 550 Barneveld Ave. www.sundancesaloon.org

Sunday's a Drag @ Starlight Room

Donna Sachet and Harry Denton host the weekly fabulous brunch and drag show. $45. 11am, show at noon; 1:30pm, show at 2:30pm. 450 Powell St. in Union Square. 395-8595. www.harrydenton.com

Mon 15

The Blues Broads @ The Rrazz Room

Tracy Nelson, Dorothy Morrison, Annie Sampson, Angela Strehli & Deanna Bogart perform $30. 8pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

David Byrne & St. Vincent @ Orpheum Theatre

Founder of Talking Heads and vocalist-musician Annie Clark perform music from their collaborative CD Love This Giant. $63.50-$129. 8pm. 1192 Market St. at 8th. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com

Piano Bar 101 @ Martuni's

Sing-along night with talented locals, and charming accompanist Joe Wicht (aka Trauma Flintstone). 9pm. 4 Valencia St. at Market. www.dragatmartunis.com

Romaine Brooks: The Other Amazon @ Commonwealth Club

Art historian Kerrin Meis discusses the unusual paintings and life of Brooks and her relationship with writer Natalie Barney, at the LGBT Forum of the the club. Free (members), $7 (students), $20. 5:30pm reception, program at 6pm. 595 Market St. www.commonwealthclub.org

Ten Percent @ Comcast 104

David Perry's talk show about LGBT people and issues. Mon-Fri 11:30am & 10:30pm. Sat & Sun 10:30pm. www.comcasthometown.com

Tue 16

Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum

See biographical exhibits about Walt Disney, early sketches and ephemera from historic Disney movies. Frequent lectures and film screenings. $5-$20. 104 Montgomery St., The Presidio. www.waltdisney.org

David Byrne @ Herbst Theatre

Pop/art musician and founder of Talking Heads discusses How Music Works with Bernie Krause. $20-$45. 7:30pm. 401 Van Ness Ave. 392-4400. www.cityarts.net/

Delfeayo Marsalis Octet @ Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

Jazz ensemble performs Such Sweet Thunder , Duke Ellington's 1957 Shakespearean tribute. $20-$46. 8pm. UC Berkeley campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave. (510) 642-9988. www.calperformances.org

The Drag Show @ Various Channels

Stu Smith's weekly LGBT variety show features local talents, and not just drag artistes. Channels 29 & 76 on Comcast; 99 on AT&T and 30 on Astound. www.thedragshow.org

Elect to Laugh @ The Marsh

Will Durst welcomes comic commentator pals to a weekly political humor night. $15-$50. 8pm. Thru Nov 6. 1062 Valencia St. at 21st. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Funny Tuesdays @ Harvey's

Ronn Vigh hosts the weekly LGBT and gay-friendly comedy night. One drink or menu item minimum. 9pm. 500 Castro St. at 18th. 431-HARV. www.harveyssf.com

Jim Caruso @ The Rrazz Room

Cabaret songs and impromptu variety show. $30. 8pm. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Wed 17

The Art of Dr. Seuss @ Dennis Rae Fine Art

Fascinating exhibit of rarely seen prints, paintings, sculptures and a few of the more known drawings by Theodor Geisel, the author/illustrator of the immensely popular children's books. Ongoing, with updates and new items. 351A Geary St. 391-1948. www.dennisraefineart.com

Art With Elders @ City Hall

Large group exhibit of works by 90 artists in 30+ local arts programs, all seniors with a lengthy life perspective. Thru Jan. 4. Reg hours Mon-Fri 8am-8pm. Ground floor, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. www.sfgov.org

Candlelight Flow Yoga @ LGBT Center

David Clark leads various yoga poses and practices, plus meditation and breathing exercises. Bring your own mat and water bottle, etc. $10. 7pm-8:30pm. 1800 Market St. www.4dbliss.com

Diane Schuur @ The Rrazz Room

Veteran jazz singer-pianist performs. $40-$47.50. 8pm Various times thru Oct 21. 2-drink min. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. (800) 380-3095. www.TheRrazzRoom.com

Fierce Love [Remix] @ New Conservatory Theatre Center

PoMo Afro Homos' revival and restaging of their award-winning show with humor, music, stories and truths about the joy and contradictions of black gay life; with Brian Freeman, members of Deep Dickollective and B/GLAM. $25-$37. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Oct 28. 25 Van Ness Ave, lower level. 861-8972. www.nctcsf.org

Jet Black Pearl @ The Marsh Berkeley Cabaret

Satirical comic accordion-playing songstress performs her show Sex, Slugs & Accordion, Wed nights, weekly thru Nov 14 (no show Oct 31). $10. 8pm. 2120 Allston Way, near Shattuck. 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Smack Dab @ Magnet

In observance of National Disability Month (October), cohosts Kirk Read and Larry-bob Roberts welcome acclaimed memoir author Belo Cipriani (Blind: a Memoir) and fiction author Jim Provenzano (Every Time I Think of You), who offer divergent takes on disability in gay life. Free. Open mic sign-up 7:30pm. Readings 8pm. 4122 18th St. at Castro. www.magnetsf.org

Trebor Healey @ Chapel of the Great Commission, Berkeley

Gay author (Through It Came Bright Colors) and former SF resident reads from and discusses his new novel A Horse Named Sorrow, about a man's promise to a teen who dies of AIDS. Free. 7pm. Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave at Le Conte. www.psr.edu Also Oct. 19, 7pm, at Alley Cat Books, 3036 24th St. at Folsom. www.treborhealey.com

Thu 18

Comedy Bodega @ Esta Nocha

The weekly LGBT and indie comic stand-up night. 8pm-9:30pm. 3079 16th St. at Mission. www.comedybodega.com

Fauxgirls @ Infusion Lounge

The classy drag revue (3rd Thursdays) has moved to a new location, and celebrates its 11th year; Victoria Secret, Alexandria, Chanel, Maria Garza, Mini Minerva, Kipper, Daffney Deluxe and Ruby LeBrowne, with special guest Anya; dinner seating at 7pm. Show at 8pm. No cover. 124 Ellis St. 421-8700. www.fauxgirls.com

Freelance Whales @ Mezzanine

Multi-instrumental talented band performs. Geographer opens. $20. 9pm. 444 Jessie St. www.apeconcerts.com

Makers Nightlife @ Cal. Academy of Sciences

Celebrate innovation with Maker Faire projects up-close, storytelling puppeteer Dax Tran-Caffee, plus more mechanical creations and how-to workshops, all with drinks and Dr. Sleep DJing music. $10-$12. 6pm-10pm, 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. 379-8000. www.calacademy.org

One Night, One Heart @ Fort Mason Center

20th anniversary gala party and fundraiser for Zen Hospice Project, with appetizers, beer and wine; reception 425-$100. 5:30pm-7pm, dance party 7pm-10pm. Golden Gate Room, Marina Blvd at Buchanan. 913-7682. www.zenhospice.org

Plantosaurus Rex @ Conservatory of Flowers

Closing party for the exhibit of prehistoric plants and flowers (giant ferns, spiky horsetails) from the Mesozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, with life-size models of dinosaurs. At the party, enjoy beer, wine, survey plants and dinosaur mock-ups. Dress in "Cave couture" and get a free drink ticket! $5. 21+. 6pm-10pm. Reg hours, Tue-Sun 10am-4:30pm. Thru Oct. 21. 100 JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park. 831-2090. www.conservatoryofflowers.org

The Radical Camera:
New York's Photo League @ Contemporary Jewish Museum

Group exhibition of fascinating photos from 1936-1951 taken by members of the progressive collective that documented the eras of postwar struggles, McCarthy blacklists, and urban life. Other exhibits ongoing. Free (members)-$12. Thu-Tue 11am-5pm (Thu 1pm-8pm) 736 Mission St. 655-7800. www.thecjm.org

Singing the Golden State @ Society of California Pioneers

Exhibit of beautiful sheet music and artwork from 1849 -1930s, all with California themes; curated James M. Keller, the exhibit includes a few subtly gay and historically transgender subjects. $2.50-$50. Wed-Fri 10am-4pm. First Saturdays 10am-4pm. Thru Dec. 7. 300 Fourth St. 957-1849. www.californiapioneers.org/singing_the_golden_state.html

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To submit event listings, email jim@ebar.com.

Deadline is each Thursday, a week before publication.

For more bar and nightlife events, go to www.bartabsf.com