Music, dining, dancing, and elegance pair beautifully with important fundraising to ensure the next 100 years of education, training, and excellence. This season, the highly anticipated Opera Ball and the symphony’s Opening Night Gala bring arts and entertainment into the spotlight.
SEPTEMBER
Throughout September
San Francisco Giants
The last full month of regular season play brings 11 home games to Oracle Park, plus one more on Oct. 1. mlb.com/giants
Throughout September and October
San Francisco 49ers
In regular play, home games versus New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals. Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. 49ers.com
Through Sept. 16
A Chorus Line | San Francisco Playhouse
Extended by one week, catch a new production revival of the legendary hit musical about 17 aspiring dancers. With a score by Marvin Hamlisch, the show won the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for drama, nine Tony Awards, four Drama Desk awards and a 1984 Special Gold Tony Award as Broadway’s longest-running musical. 450 Post St. sfplayhouse.org
Through Sept. 24
The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England | Legion of Honor
From Henry VII’s seizure of the throne in 1485 to the death of his granddaughter Elizabeth I in 1603. This is the only West Coast venue for the first major U.S. exhibition of Tudor portraiture, textiles, sculpture, silver, jewelry, and manuscripts. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. famsf.org
Sept. 5 through Dec. 30
Dear San Francisco | Club Fugazi
Following a brief summer hiatus, performances of mind-blowing acrobatic, aerial, and circus acts by The 7 Fingers resume in the heart of North Beach. Small bites and beverages available. clubfugazisf.com/dear-san-francisco
8
Opera Ball | San Francisco Opera
Music, dining, dancing, and elegance feature opera’s power couple, superstar tenor Roberto Alagna in his San Francisco Opera debut with soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. Presented by San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Opera Guild, with proceeds supporting the future of opera and opera education in the Bay Area, ensuring the next 100 years of musical excellence. Co-chairs: Francesca Gutierrez Amann and Sue Graham Johnston. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com/seasons/2023-24-season/opera-ball
8
Lionel Ritchie and Earth, Wind & Fire | Chase Center
International superstar Ritchie has sold more than 125 million albums, earned an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, and four Grammy® awards, and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year. Earth, Wind & Fire has cemented their lasting impact on popular music, selling over 100 million albums and winning nine Grammy® awards. 1 Warriors Way. chasecenter.com
8 – 12
Flower Piano in SF Botanical Gardens | Golden Gate Park
A unique and creative annual event, Flower Piano transforms San Francisco Botanical Garden into an al fresco concert hall where everyone is invited to play and listen. 1199 9th Ave. sfbg.org
9
Wente 140th Harvest Dinner
An elegant, farm-to-table, multi-course dinner paired with Wente Vineyards wines. Guests dine with family members under secluded, century-old olive trees for a one-of-a-kind experience. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore. wentevineyards.com
9
Sound Summit | Mountain Theater, Mt. Tam
An annual, day-long music celebration and fundraiser for Mount Tamalpais State Park. Lineup features Lord Huron, Sierra Ferrell, Kevin Morby, Brokedown in Bakersfield, and Vinyl with KNBR morning show hosts Murph & Mac as emcees. Soundsummit.net
10
Opera in the Park | Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park
Opera for all in a Bay Area tradition. Music Director Eun Sun Kim leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in a delightful afternoon of arias, duets, and more performed by stars from the fall season. sfopera.com/seasons/opera-in-the-park
12 – 17
HADESTOWN | Orpheum Theatre
A place where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical. A haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go. Ages 8+. 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com
12 – Oct. 1
Il Trovatore | San Francisco Opera
Verdi’s towering opera of grand passions stymied at every turn. A work of sublime arias, passionate ensembles, and the rousing Anvil Chorus set amid the power struggles of the Spanish War of Independence. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com
13
The Concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
VIP cocktail reception, live concert (headliner is Foo Fighters), and after-party benefiting UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. The Colin Powell Medal of Courage honors 22-year-old Selah Kitchiner. 1 Warrior Way. Chase Center. theconcertforkids.org
22
Opening Night Gala | San Francisco Symphony
A spectacular evening to celebrate the new season. Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the San Francisco Symphony in an exhilarating program, weaving music and technology in a tapestry of heightened emotional journeys and artistic exploration. Haute Living, San Francisco is proud to be the official magazine partner. Proceeds directly support acclaimed education, community, and artistic programs serving more than 75,000 people each year. Co-chairs: Amy Christodoulo and Julie Liegl. Davies Symphony Hall. 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/gala/2023
22 – 24
66th Monterey Jazz Festival
Since 1958, the world’s longest, continuously running jazz festival, held annually on the 20-acre oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds. The nonprofit event is committed to celebrating America’s creativity and cultural heritage by presenting legendary jazz musicians, composers, and young rising stars. Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, John Santos, Connie Han, many more. Montereyjazzfestival.org
22 – Oct. 7
The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs | San Francisco Opera
The score by acclaimed San Francisco composer Mason Bates and Pulitzer-winning librettist Mark Campbell is an operatic journey through the fragmented memory of love, betrayal, obsession, and death. Under the baton of Michael Christie. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com
23
World Ballet Stars in Petipa Awards Gala
An international cast of award-winning ballet stars from illustrious ballet companies perform on this special occasion honoring the legendary Natalia Makarova and Pierre Lacotte. Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave. cityboxoffice.com
23
Jack London State Historic Park Gala
Escape into the woods where artists and the poets come to misbehave in the rhythm of Jack’s Bohemian Groove, an epic arts salon. Revere! Celebrate! Laugh! Dance! 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. jacklondonpark.com
23
Summer Sessions | The Meritage Resort
Blue Note Napa brings the Crescent City’s music, food, culture to Napa. Jazz-funk quintet Galactic, NOLA-based rock supergroup Raw Oyster Cult, plus Dumpstaphunk, Cyril Neville of The Meters and The Neville Brothers, and Bay Area deejay Harry Duncan. bluenotenapa.com
28 through Nov. 4
Nollywood Dreams | San Francisco Playhouse
It’s the nineties in Lagos, and Ayamma dreams of stardom. Working at her parents’ travel agency, she yearns for the bright lights of Nollywood, the burgeoning Nigerian film industry. When she lands an audition with Nigeria’s hottest director, tensions flare with his former leading lady. 450 Post St. sfplayhouse.org
OCTOBER
1 – 2
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis | SFJAZZ
Iconic trumpeter Wynton Marsalis returns with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for his first SFJAZZ performances since receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award presented in 2022. 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org
1-2
Sting: My Songs 2023 | Concord Pavilion
Many of the Grammy-winning artist’s best-known hits, songs Sting made famous with The Police and on his own. Accompanied by special guest Joe Sumner. 2000 Kirker Pass Rd., Concord. concordamp.com/events/sting
5 – 15
Mill Valley Film Festival
Founded in 1977, now running 11 days, this internationally acclaimed cinema event presents a wide variety of new films in seven venues from 200 filmmakers representing 50 countries in an engaged, community setting. Mvff.com
12
35th Annual Gala | The Commonwealth Club of California
This year’s gala honors five distinguished citizens who embody the theme “Soaring into the Future: Celebrating Resilience and Innovation” through incredible acts of service and longstanding leadership. 110 The Embarcadero. commonwealthclub.org
12 – 14
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Emanuel Ax | San Francisco Symphony
The symphony’s music director and the esteemed pianist join in a program that includes a world premiere as well as Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and more. Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org
14 – 15
51st Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
On historic Main Street between Mill and Spruce Streets in the “World Pumpkin Capital” from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free. Kicks off Oct. 9 with the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. (Can a giant gourd beat last year’s record 2,560 pounds?) pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com
15
American Kaleidoscope | Berkeley Symphony
The Marcus Roberts Trio performs in a program that includes Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Music Director Joseph Young. Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley. berkeleysymphony.org
15 – Nov. 1
Lohengrin | San Francisco Opera
In Wagner’s soaring masterpiece, a magical, mysterious, and anonymous swan knight appears out of nowhere to marry and save the duchess, Elsa. The only catch? She must never ask his name or where he came from. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com
19 – 21
Eddie Izzard – The Remix | Orpheum Theatre
The hilarious British comedian, two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee, is making her way to the U.S. for a brand new tour, an homage to a 35-year career. Three shows only. 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com
19, 21 – 22
MTT Conducts Beethoven 9 | San Francisco Symphony
Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas conducts San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Symphony Chorus, plus soloists in a program to include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org
31
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde | SFJAZZ
The sacred space of Grace Cathedral is transformed into a grand movie palace for a special Halloween screening of John S. Robertson’s 1920 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella of a doctor wrestling with split identities, starring John Barrymore. The live score is performed on the famous pipe organ by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos.1100 California St. sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/23-24/dr-jekyll-mr-hyde