Arts Events Dec 19-26, 2019

  • by Events Editor
  • Wednesday December 18, 2019
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Kitka @ Old First Church Sun 22
Kitka @ Old First Church Sun 22

Although many venues will close through Christmas, plenty of other festive entertainment options await.

THURSDAY 19

The Christmas Ballet @ YBCA

Smuin Contemporary Ballet's annual touring production of the updated take on holiday ballets. $25-$97. Dec 12-23. 7:30pm & 2pm thru Dec. 23. 700 Howard St. www.smuinballet.org

Classic and New Films @ Castro Theatre

Dec 19: Elf (7pm) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (5pm, 8:50). Dec 20: Die Hard (7pm) and The French Connection (5pm, 9:25). Dec 21: The Nightmare Before Christmas (3pm, 7pm) and Batman Returns (4:30, 8:30). Dec 22: It's a Wonderful Life 4K restored print (1:30, 4:15, 7pm) and Night of The Comet (9:30). Dec 24: SF Gay Men's Chorus 'Holigays Are Here' live concert ($35-$45, 5pm, 7pm, 9pm). Dec 26-29 & 31: Sing-along The Sound of Music (various times; goody bags, costume contest). $8-$16. 429 Castro St. http://www.castrotheatre.com

Events @ Alley Cat Books

Dec 19, 7pm: Rocky and Bullwinkle 60th celebration and screenings, with Howard Williams. 3036 24th St. 3036 24th St. www.alleycatbookshop.com

Events @ Manny's

Dec 19, 6pm: Dem debate watch party ($10). 20, 6pm: Impeachment trivia night. 7pm screening of The Last Black Man in San Francisco. 22, 3pm: Chanukah sing-along. 6pm: screening of The Medicine. 26, 5pm: Holiday movie night. 3092 16th St. http://welcometomannys.com/

The Golden Girls Live @ Victoria Theatre Thu 19  

The Golden Girls Live @ Victoria Theatre
They're back! Heklina, D'Arcy Drollinger, Matthew Martin and Holotta Tymes play the four women retirees, in live drag versions of the hit TV show. $30-$60. Thru Dec 22. 2961 16th St. www.goldengirlssf.com

Katya! A Holiday Spectacular!
@ Feintein's at the Nikko

Our favorite exiled Russian emppress perfoms her wacky holiday tribute with irreverent variations on pop songs. $40-$470 ($20 food/drink min.) Dec 19-21. 8pm. Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.feinsteinssf.com

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers @ SF Jazz
Enjoy a rollicking jazz-swing concert of bluesy holiday faves. $35. 7pm & 8:30pm. Thru Dec. 22. 201 Franklin St. www.sfjazz.org

A Noh Christmas Carol @ Theatre of Yugen
Third annual performances of a Noh adaptation of the Dickens holiday story. $15-$45. Thru Dec 30. 2840 Mariposa St. www.theatreofyugen.org

Socks & Jocks @ Mark I. Chester Studio
Gay Men's Sketch fundraiser for a local homeless shelter. Bring your art supplies and draw hot male models in socks and jock straps. $25. 6:30pm-9:30pm. 1229 Folsom St. www.markichester.com

Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ SF Jazz
Enjoy a 'Salsa Navidad' with the orchestra. $50-$105. 7:30pm. Miner Auditorium; seats and open dance floor, 201 Franklin St. www.sfjazz.org

A Christmas Carol @ Geary Theater Fri 20  

FRIDAY 20
Beach Blanket Babylon @ Club Fugazi
Last days! The musical comedy revue celebrates its final week with fun lineup of political and pop culture icons, all in gigantic wigs. $25-$160. Beer/wine served; cash only; 21+, except where noted. Wed-Fri 8pm. Sat 6pm & 9pm. Sun 2pm & 5pm. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green St.). 421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com

A Christmas Carol @ Geary Theater
American Conservatory Theater's annual lavish production of the Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh's acclaimed stage adaptation of the the Charles Dickins holiday story. $10-$150. Thru Dec 24. 415 Geary St. www.act-sf.org

Groundhog Day the Musical @ SF Playhouse
Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin's musical adaptation of the surreal-comic Bill Murray film about a weatherman who gets stuck repeating the same day. $35-$125. Thru Jan 18. 450 Post St. www.sfplayhouse.org

Head Over Heels @ New Conservatory Theatre Center Fri 20 photo: Lois Tema  

Head Over Heels
@ New Conservatory Theatre Center

The music of the Go-Go's, with story and book by Sir Philip Sydney and Jeff Whitty, presents a royal modern fairy tale. $34-$49. Wed-Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Thru Jan 12. 25 Van Ness Ave., lower level. www.nctcsf.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

Performance, Protest & Politics
@ GLBT History Museum

Performance, Protest & Politics: Gilbert Baker's Art, an exhibit of the works and ephemera by and about the creator of the Rainbow Flag. $5. 4127 18th St. www.glbthistory.org

San Francisco Boys Chorus @ St. Ignatius Church
Holiday choral concert includes Benjamin Britten's tuneful masterpiece for treble chorus and harp, A Ceremony of Carols. $20-$55. 7pm. 650 Parker Ave. www.sfbc.org

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical @ Golden Gate Theatre
Biographical jukebox musical about the famed singer includes some of her best hits. $56-$226. Thru Dec. 29. 1 Taylor St. at Market. www.broadwaysf.com

Golden Bough @ Old First Church Sat 21  

SATURDAY 21
Animation Exhibits @ Walt Disney Museum
Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World (extended thru Feb. 17), and other exhibits of animation art by the prolific studio's artists. 104 Montgomery St, The Presidio. $5-$25. 10am-6pm. Closed Tue. http://wdfmuseum.org/

The Batman Armory @ Cartoon Art Museum
Artwork, Batman props and costumes on display, thru Feb. 16. Pre-Code Horror: Scary Stories and Ghastly Graphics from EC Comics, thru March 1. Gemma Correll's witty cartoons in the Emerging Artist Showcase, thru March 29. Free/$10. 11am-5pm daily; closed Wed. 781 Beach St. www.cartoonart.org

Golden Bough @ Old First Church
40th anniversary concert of the Celtic music ensemble. With carols and Winter Solstice celebrations. $5-$25. 8pm. 1751 Sacramento St. www.oldfirstconcerts.org

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child @ Curran Theater
The West Coast premiere of the acclaimed two-part play about Harry Potter's son, and his time-traveling misadventures at Hogwarts Academy, includes amazing special effects in the transformed Curran Theater. Same-day and subsequent night tickets available. $59-$300. Thru July 12, 2020. 445 Geary St. www.harrypottertheplay.com https://sfcurran.com/

Kaleidoscope @ Exploratorium
Artist Karina Smigla-bobinski's exhibit of interactive swirling electronic colors panels; thru Jan 20. Also, Cells to Self, an exhibit with amazing displays showing how single cells in the human body work, portraits engineered from DNA and more (talks, hands-on workshops and nightlife events). $10-$30. Pier 15 at Embarcadero. www.exploratorium.edu

The Tale of Despereaux @ Berkeley Rep Sat 21  

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. www.nps.gov/rori/index.htm

Modern Art Exhibits @ SF MOMA
Soft Power, a new exhibit of 20 artists, 12 countries, 58 new works. The Chronicles of San Francisco, photo-muralist JR's interactive community giant group portrait; also, Don't! Photography and the Art of Mistakes; Far Out: Suits, Habs, and Labs for Outer Space; other exhibits of Modern art. Free/$25. Fri-Tue 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm. 151 3rd St. www.sfmoma.org

The Nutcracker @ Paramount Theatre, Oakland
The Oakland Ballet Company and Oakland Symphony perform Director Graham Lustig's version of the Tchaikovsky holiday ballet. $24-$100. 1pm & 5pm. Also Dec 22. 2025 Broadway, Oakland. www.oaklandballet.org

Nutcracker Sweets @ Cowell Theater
Mark Foehringer's annual dance concert, an abbreviated lighthearted adaptation of The Nutcracker Suite. $20-$43. Sat & Sun thru Dec 22. 2 Marina Blvd. www.mfdpsf.org www.fortmason.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

Rainbow Black: Poet Sarah W. Fabio @ de Young Museum
Screening of the documentary film about 'the Mother of Black studies;' Q&A with her daughter Cheryl Fabio; part of the exhibit Soul of A Nation. 12pm-4pm. Koret Auditorium, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden drive, Golden Gate Park. www.famsf.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

The Tale of Despereaux @ Berkeley Rep
Pigpen Theatre Co.'s inventive and imaginative musical retelling of the beloved, Newbery Medal-winning modern fable. $35-$85. 7pm & 2pm thru Jan. 5. 2015 Addison Ave., Berkeley. www.berkeleyrep.org

Cirque du Soleil's Amalúna @ Oracle Park Sun 22  

SUNDAY 22
Cirque du Soleil @ Oracle Park
The amazing circus company brings Amal�na to the big tent. Pre-show festivities 6:30pm. Show 8pm. $54-$300. Wed-Mon most 8pm, +matinees. Thru Jan. 12. 24 Willie Mays Plaza (cross bridge to parking lot). www.cirquedusoleil.com

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

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. Also, Andy Goldsworthy's fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibit three-mile walking tour. Free, Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; extended thru June 2020. 50 Maraga Ave. www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/

Kitka @ Old First Church
The acclaimed Slavic folk vocal ensemble with pre-Christian and Medieval Sephardic and Chanukah songs. $10-$40. 4pm. 1751 Sacramento St. www.oldfirstconcerts.org

Lost at Sea @ Asian Art Museum
Recovered Art From Shipwrecks, a new exhibit of antiquities discovered in oceans (thru Mar. 22); also, Chang Dai-chien (thru April 26), contemporary works by Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, Kim Heecheon and Liu Jianhua; and exhibits of historic sculptures, prints and antiquities. Sunday caf� specialties from $7-$16. Free-$20. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 200 Larkin St. http://www.asianart.org/

No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man @ Oakland Museum
No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man, an exhibit of amazing large artworks; thru Feb 16. Free/$15. 1000 Oak St. www.museumca.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

Plant Exhibits @ Conservatory of Flowers
Artfully arranged plant and floral exhibits; special evening events and parties, including Night Bloom evening events. 100 John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.conservatoryofflowers.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

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 @ de Young Museum
Exhibits of Modern and historic art, including embroidery, Maori portraits and installations. Free/$28. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park. www.famsf.org

Winter Park @ Civic Center
Enjoy holiday festivities, ice skating, and concessions. 12pm-9pm thru Jan 5. $13-$18. Civic Center, Grove St. at Polk. www.winterparkicerinksf.com

Andy Goldsworthy @ Presidio Mon 23  

MONDAY 23
Andy Goldsworthy @ Presidio
Enjoy a fascinating outdoor sculpture exhibit and three-mile walking tour. Free, extended thru June 2020. 50 Maraga Ave. www.presidio.gov/officers-club/exhibitions/

Fiberful @ NIAD Art Center, Richmond
Exhibits of art by visiting professionals, and art made by developmentally disabled people; new exhibits include Fiberful, a fabric sculpture group exhibit, Tippy Toes: Terry Hoff, and Right Here, Right Now, Richmond. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. 551 23rd St., Richmond. (510) 620-0290. www.niadart.org

Exhibits @ Chabot Space & Science Museum, Oakland
Space, science and planetary exhibits, including planetarium shows and the Observatory; special nighttime events like meteor shower shows. Dec 13 & 14, 11pm-3am, Geminid Meteor Shower viewings! Free-$18. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. www.chabotspace.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

San Francisco Gay Mens Chorus @ Castro Theatre Tue 24  

TUESDAY 24
Floral Exhibits @ SF Botanical Garden
Visit the lush gardens with displays of trees, flowers and shrubs from around the world, including the annual Magnolia bloom. Monthly plant sales, plus art exhibits and gift shop; free entry with SF proof of residency. $5-$10 for others. 7:30am-closing. 9th Ave at Lincoln Way. https://sfbotanicalgarden.org/

Expedition Reef
@ California Academy of Sciences

Exhibits and planetarium shows with various live, interactive and installed exhibits about animals, plants and the earth; Skin, a multi-species hands-on exhibit; 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

Gallery of Illustrious Queers @ SF Main Library
Photographer Jordan Reznick's LGBT portrait photo exhibit; thru Jan. 16. Hormel Center, 3rd floor, 100 Larkin St. www.sfpl.org

Jackie Hoffman at Kung Pao Kosher Comedy @ New Asia Restaurant Tue 24 photo: Andrew Werner  

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy
@ New Asia Restaurant

Jackie Hoffman (Feud, Yenta the Matchmaker) headlines the 27th annual 'comedy in a Chinese restaurant' event, with comic Mark Maier, Nathan Habib, and host Lisa Geduldig; partial proceeds benefit Groceries for Seniors and Kehilla Community Synagogue Immigration Committee. $54-$74. 5pm dinner show, 8:30pm cocktail show. Also Dec 25 & 26. 772 Pacific Ave., Chinatown. www.KosherComedy.com

Michelle Meow Show
@ Commonwealth Club

Meow and cohost John Zipperer discuss LGBT issues with different prominent guests. Dec 17, 6:30pm: Year-End Holiday Special, and author Robyn Crawford (A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston). 110 Embarcadero. www.commonwealthclub.org

Remarkable WWII Rosie @ Jewett Gallery, SF Main Library
Painter Carol Witten's exhibit of portraits of women factory workers during World War II; thru Jan. 26. 100 Larkin St, lower level. www.sfpl.org

Richard Caldwell Brewer @ Lost Art Salon
Exhibit of works by the late gay artist (1923-2014). Also, Cappi and Michael Insinna. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. 245 South Van Ness Ave., #303. https://lostartsalon.com/

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus @ Castro Theatre
Holigays Are Here, the Chorus' annual Christmas Eve concerts at the historic theater. $35. (5pm, 7pm, 9pm). 429 Castro St. www.sfgmc.org

Free Family Day @ Contemporary Jewish Museum Wed 25  

WEDNESDAY 25 — Christmas Day
Free Family Day
@ Contemporary Jewish Museum

Enjoy art-making scavenger hunts, kids and adults activities and viewing of exhibits, 11am-4pm, free. Annabeth Rosen: Fired, Broken, Gathered, Heaped, an exhibit of works by the Californian sculptor; thru Jan 19. Other exhibits, too. Free/$16. Thu-Tue. 736 Mission St. https://thecjm.org/

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy
@ New Asia Restaurant

Jackie Hoffman (Feud, Yenta the Matchmaker) headlines the 27th annual 'comedy in a Chinese restaurant' event, with comic Mark Maier, Nathan Habib, and host Lisa Geduldig; partial proceeds benefit Groceries for Seniors and Kehilla Community Synagogue Immigration Committee. $54-$74. 5pm dinner show, 8:30pm cocktail show. Also Dec 24 & 26. 772 Pacific Ave., Chinatown. www.KosherComedy.com

Illuminate SF @ Citywide
40+ installations of light art sculptures in and outside buildings by more than 30 local artists. Free; walking tour info at www.illuminatesf.com

World Tree of Hope @ Grace Cathedral Wed 25  

Naked Men's Sketch @ Eros
Get naked and take turns modeling at the sex club's popular weekly event. Donations/no entrance fee. 7pm-9pm (Open Christmas 12pm-9pm). 2051 Market St. www.erossf.com

Safeway Holiday Ice Rink @ Union Square
The ice rink in the middle of downtown SF is open for skating fun. Skate rentals $3-$18. 10am-11:30pm thru Jan. 20. Union Square, 333 Post St. www.unionsquareicerink.com

World Tree of Hope @ Grace Cathedral
See the 14th annual Rainbow World Fund annual holiday tree with 1000s of origami cranes, a symbol of global unity. (Christmas Day, closes at 4pm). 1100 California St. www.worldtreeofhope.org

Survival Architecture @ Museum of Craft & Design Thu 26  

THURSDAY 26
Black is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite @ MOAD
Exhibit of prints by the Harlem Renaissance photographer of the 1950s and '60s; thru Mar. 1. $5-$10. 685 Mission St. www.moadsf.org

James Tissot @ Legion of Honor
James Tissot: Fashion & Faith (thru Feb 9); Strange Days: Dada, Surrealism, and the Book (thru Nov 10), other beautiful exhibits of classical and modern art. Free/$30. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. www.legionofhonor.famsf.org

No Regrets: A Celebration of Marlon Riggs @ BAM/PFA
Screenings of films by the late African American gay artist and UC Berkeley professor, including Tongues Untied and Black Is...Black Ain't. Thru Nov 25. Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive, 2155 Center St., Berkeley. https://bampfa.org

The San Quentin Project @ BAM/PFA
Nigel Poor and the Men of San Quentin State Prison follows the evolution of artist Nigel Poor's (b. 1963) social art practice and her collaboration with the men incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County; thru Nov. 17. Also, Strange, a Surrealist-inspired group exhibit of works by Goya, Magritte, Cindy Sherman, Jack Smith, and many others, thru Jan 5, 2020. 2155Center St. Berkeley. www.bampfa.org

Survival Architecture @ Museum of Craft & Design
Survival Architecture and the Art of Resilience and Linda Gass: And Then This Happened..., fabric maps and multimedia (both thru May 3). 2569 3rd St. www.sfmcd.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/

Various Exhibits @ Treasure Island Museum
Collections of historic Golden Gate Exposition photos and memorabilia, military ephemera and more. Building One, Treasure Island, One Avenue of the Palms. www.treasureislandmuseum.org


To add your arts or nightlife event to listings, email [email protected]