Back by popular demand, Remembering James, starring Longview, TX’s own Dedrick Weathersby and East Palo Alto’s native Will Roc, tells the story of The Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Spanning nearly two decades of his monumental career, you’ll see how a divided country, the growing Civil Rights movement and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shaped the artist’s work. A eight-piece band accompanies the show, bringing the passion of his music alive while offering a message of hope to a grief-stricken nation looking for a moment of healing and celebration. Some songs include: “Prisoner of Love,” “Please Please,” “Try Me,” “Caldonia,” “Outta Sight”, “I Got The Feeling,” “Papa Got a Brand New Bag,” “Cold Sweat,” “I Feel Good,” “This a Man’s World,” “Doin It To Death,” “Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud.”

Blue & Gold Fleet’s Escape From the Rock Cruise is an exciting 90-minute excursion that takes you around the perimeter of Alcatraz to view the island from every angle. As the ship sails, passengers are treated to a presentation complete with sound effects and chilling tales of inmates Al Capone and Billy Cook, not to mention Clyde Johnson’s daring escape attempt. This historical yet entertaining boat trip does not stop at the island of Alcatraz itself, but it does evoke the days when this iconic maximum-security prison was the most feared institution in the American penal system.

Craft beer and comedy merge harmoniously in the Beer Basement at Ales Unlimited, where The Setup draws some of the funniest local and nationally touring stand-ups in the business. The space is small and cozy but the hops and the laughs are big, with performers hailing from such comedic institutions as Comedy Bang Bang, San Francisco Sketchfest and The Comedy Store. So order a drink from Ales Unlimited’s world-class selection of microbrews, wines and specialty cocktails, then head downstairs for a truly underground experience in the heart of the Tenderloin.

San Francisco’s world famous Chinatown holds a wealth of exquisite flavors, but without insider knowledge it can be difficult to find those culinary secrets. Your Sidewalk Food Tours guide will lead you through the streets and alleys of Chinatown, where you will enjoy five flavorful tastings, satisfying your appetite for the exotic. You’ll try Cantonese pork buns, President Obama’s favorite San Francisco dim sum, Chef Han’s authentic Szechuan cuisine, savory Peking duck and egg tarts cooked to a smooth flan-like perfection with a flakey crust. At the end of the tour, you’ll know all of the best spots to eat and can return to enjoy Chinatown’s food with confidence. Vegetarian substitutions can be arranged with advance notice.

Submission is a standup comedy show at the SF Armory Club. Every Friday night, top comedians from the Bay Area (SF Sketchfest, Cobbs, Punch Line) perform their hardest-hitting material and, just to keep things interesting, a member of the San Francisco kink community shares some tips and tricks. Grab a craft cocktail from the bar upstairs and prepare for a night of laughter with a touch of kink.

The San Francisco Food Safari offers you the chance to explore the city’s neighborhoods in-depth and discover the best cuisine each area has to offer. This 2.5-hour tour focuses on the North Beach neighborhood, where Chef Joseph will offer his knowledge and insights on the top places to eat as well as the history and culture of the area. You’ll have the chance to purchase whatever you’d like throughout this shopping tour, which takes you to Mara’s Italian Pastries, Liguria Bakery, Molinari Deli and beyond. Each tour ends with a picnic lunch made up of the delicious treats you’ve purchased along the way. Chef Joseph began his culinary career at San Francisco’s legendary Salmagundi. He was also the food critic at the Orange County and Long Beach Blade and IN Los Angeles magazines, has written food articles for magazines, worked as a caterer, taught cooking classes and is working on a book titled Created in California: The Golden State’s Gifts to Gastronomy.

Come see the Punch Line’s weekly SF Comedy Showcase, held every Sunday for over 30 years. San Francisco has a rich and vibrant comedy scene, and this weekly show has launched the careers of such comedians as Patton Oswalt, Margaret Cho and Arj Barker, as well as the current flock of rising stars such as W. Kamau Bell and Moshe Kasher. Laugh at a lineup of the Bay Area’s top stand-up comics, many of whom have appeared on late-night television, Comedy Central and other esteemed television outlets.

Along with being an incredible, vibing city of opportunity, San Francisco is blessed with natural wonders, too. Get a glimpse of the Golden Bridge, Sutro Baths and other Bay Area wonders on this tour of the city. A guide will take you through both popular and local hangs, starting from the Golden Gate Bridge and through the rugged coastline and secret trails of San Francisco. Your fun begins at the Bridge Cafe.

Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and along the San Francisco Bay’s historic waterfront on Blue & Gold Fleet’s Bay Cruise Adventure. This fully narrated one-hour tour features information and history on city landmarks and plenty of opportunities for taking pictures of the unobstructed views of the San Francisco skyline. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available, so you can experience the sights and sounds from out on deck or take it all in from the warmth and comfort of an interior seat — either experience makes for a truly great San Francisco adventure.

50 weekends a year, the critically acclaimed San Francisco Neo-Futurists present The Infinite Wrench, an attempt to perform 30 bite-sized plays in a frantic race against the clock, in an order determined by you, the audience. Each week, the ensemble offers up new plays ranging from the personal to the political to the profoundly WTF, all truthful and inspired by the lived experiences of the performers. With The Infinite Wrench, the SF Neo-Futurists promise to break the fourth wall and maybe your heart but never your wallet in this ongoing, ever-changing show the SF Chronicle calls “an underground power generator.” We hear it’s a great first date, too.

For some 30 years, Cobb’s Comedy Club has been one of the hottest venues on the stand-up circuit, hosting both up-and-comers and established comics. Known for developing some of the country’s top performers — including stars like Robin Williams, Patton Oswalt and Margaret Cho — the club’s famed showcases feature the funniest rising comics in the Bay Area and beyond, many of whom already boast major TV credits. A fixture in San Francisco’s famous North Beach, Cobb’s offers a complete dinner menu and full-service bar for a complete evening of entertainment.

Enjoy food and drink samples from five of the Mission District’s most exciting taquerias, mom-and-pop shops and restaurants on this food lover’s walking tour from Sidewalk Food Tours. Sample award-winning pizza, taste the area’s renowned Mexican food — even skip the line at a bakery whose owners won the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2008. Between tastings, your knowledgeable guide will tell intriguing stories about 17th century Spanish missionaries, the lively punk scene of the 1970s and more. All food and beverage tastings are included with the tour. Please see the full event description for a list of tasting locations.

There’s more Asian-Americans in the Bay Area than almost anywhere else in America — and there’s more Asian-American comedians performing at Slanted Comedy than at any other stand-up show. Come for a chance to catch a celebrity pop-in, stay because you’re laughing too hard to move.

The floor burns with furious footwork. The air pulses with syncopated claps and castanets as rhythmic guitar resounds. A unique mother-daughter pair, Carolina Lugo & Carolé Acuña’s Ballet Flamenco brings the passion and energy of flamenco and Spanish dance to Peña Pachamama.

Famed local historical figure Countess Lola Montez — aka Rick Shelton — leads this entertaining and informative three-hour walking tour of San Francisco, focusing on the Gold Rush era of the 1850s and beyond. Montez herself was an Irish actress and mistress of the King of Bavaria and composer Franz Liszt, who became a popular “Spanish” dance queen in mid-19th century San Francisco. She’ll take you by some of her favorite haunts, tell you stories of the Barbary Coast and let you in on plenty of other little known town secrets, in this one-of-a-kind drag performance-excursion.

Discover the unique Barbary Coast, an exciting area that’s evolved into a food lover’s paradise. On this three-hour walking tour from Sidewalk Food Tours, you’ll enjoy food and drink samples from six of the neighborhood’s authentic mom-and-pop restaurants and ethnic eateries. Explore a world-famous delicatessen that’s presented a salami to the pope, nosh on pizza or rosemary focaccia from a 100-year-old bakery, nibble on decadent handmade truffles and more. Between tastings, your knowledgeable guide will give you an insider’s look into how the foods are made at these eateries along with information about this historical neighborhood. All food and beverage tastings are included with the tour. Please see the full event description for a list of tasting locations.

Take a tour through San Francisco’s history with one of its most colorful characters. Emperor Norton was a prominent businessman who lost it all on a bad investment. He responded to his failure by declaring himself “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.” Rather than dismissing him, San Francisco embraced him, treating him as royalty and accepting his self-created currency. Tour guide Joseph Amster incorporates his journalistic and acting talents to provide a one-of-a-kind tour, taking on the persona of Emperor Norton and introducing you to the history of the city’s most unique and interesting sites through the eyes of this larger-than-life unofficial city mascot.

Every Saturday, enjoy #Qtease, a queer burlesque and cabaret experience, at The Stud in San Francisco.

Celebrate the impressive San Francisco Bay Bridge and its history — which spans over 75 years — by embarking on this 90-minute cruise that sails under both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridges and passes by Alcatraz Island. Discover San Francisco history and landmarks via narrated headset audio in 16 available languages, which includes information about the city’s natural history, architecture, Native American culture, and, of course, the building of the famous bridges. It’s a stunning and informative way to experience the breathtaking views of the downtown skyline and its historic waterfront.

This Red and White Fleet Cruise launched in 1939 as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition, and it’s still entertaining visitors and locals alike more than 70 years later. After departing from historic Fisherman’s Wharf, the ship sails along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, past the city’s Maritime National Park, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and around notorious Alcatraz Island, cruising by many other exciting sights as well on the one-hour voyage. Take advantage of the personal-headphone audio, available in 16 languages, to learn more about San Francisco’s history and world-famous landmarks, while enjoying a full onboard bar with drinks and snacks.

You’re in the picture at the Museum of 3D Illusions, a new, world-class museum has arrived in San Francisco, with over 40 completely interactive exhibits. The Museum of 3D Illusions is a place where you can let your mind soar through a world of optical illusions and become a full-fledged participant within the paintings on display. Featuring work from world-renowned artists, the pop-up is great for visitors of all ages and provides the perfect backdrop for terrific selfies and social media posts. It’ll blow your mind.

San Francisco is where a copywriter named Phyllis Diller first stepped up to the stand-up stage (and stayed there for an astonishing 87 weeks). San Francisco is where a high school dropout named Margaret Cho started doing open mics. San Francisco is where Robin Williams discovered an ex-IHOP waitress named Paula Poundstone and … See the pattern? The gender revolution that led to the current renaissance of American comedy started here and continues still, as recent rising stars Ali Wong and Emily Heller prove. Now Really Funny Comedians (Who Happen to Be Women) introduces audiences to the next crop of brilliant up-and-coming female comedians at Punch Line Comedy Club.

San Francisco’s thrilling street-performance scene comes inside at this showcase of magic, juggling and stunts by local practitioners. In the intimate Exit Theater Cafe, you’ll feast your eyes on the likes of Frisco Fred, whose juggling mastery has appeared on such TV shows as A&E’s An Evening at the Improv. He’ll be joined by Eric the Great, a sleight-of-hand dynamo who wows crowds with his sly wit and lightning-fast hands, New Jersey magician Jonathan Strange and the versatile entertainer Chase, who melds magic, mind-reading and acrobatics with the Southern charm of a native Georgian.

In this hilarious and heartwarming prequel to his hit show Not a Genuine Black Man, beloved actor-playwright Brian Copeland recounts three memorable weeks in his youth when he took to the “mean streets” of Oakland to buy his mom the perfect Christmas gift. Rife with references to 1970s Oakland, The Jewelry Box: A Genuine Christmas Story follows 6-year-old Brian’s adventures as he scours the help-wanted ads, applies for jobs and collects bottles, inching his way toward the $11.97 needed to purchase the coveted present, a jewelry box at the local White Front store. Not a Genuine Black Man broke records as the longest-running solo show in San Francisco history and brought Copeland critical acclaim as one of the city’s most talented and engaging solo performers.

There’s a reason we feel the desire to tell and be told certain stories year after year — some tales just cut to the core of the human experience. That’s why, even after more than a century-and-a-half, Scrooge’s emotional transformation still puts tears in our eyes. Bring a pocketful of tissues and a heart full of Christmas spirit.

Join us as SFYBT celebrate its 19th annual performance of “The Nutcracker” This magical, full-length version of The Nutcracker features Bay Area guest artists and the wonderful talents from the San Francisco Youth Ballet Academy. The dance tells the story of young Clara, who dreams that her gift of a toy nutcracker soldier comes to life. Together they experience a grand adventure that takes them through an epic battle with the Mouse King to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s magical Kingdom of Sweets. This 2-hour production is geared toward families and is a perfect opportunity to introduce young children to this holiday ballet tradition. As always, there will be photo opportunities with different characters after all performances

ODC’s The Velveteen Rabbit has become a holiday must-do in the Bay Area. ODC’s inventive, contemporary dance is the perfect match for the nostalgic, heartwarming tale of a boy and his beloved toy. The ballet is narrated so even those brand new to dance can follow the story, and for adults it’s a comforting trip down memory lane.

Red and White Fleet’s California Twilight Cruise is a relaxed two-hour cruise with views of the spectacular city lights, live guitar entertainment, light appetizers and a hot or cold beverage from the bar in a warm and cozy atmosphere. The boat features heated indoor viewing decks with large windows and comfortable seats as well as outdoor viewing decks for taking in the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and the infamous Alcatraz.

Renowned for his dry, witty style, Jake Johannsen has made over 40 appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, and more than 10 appearances on The Tonight Show. His HBO special, This’ll Take About An Hour, was voted one of the 50 Funniest Moments in Television History by TV Guide. This legendary raconteur of weird stories appeared in the documentary Misery Loves Comedy, and he continues to tour top comedy clubs across the nation. Catch him live at Punch Line in San Francisco.

In this fast-paced, highly theatrical re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future show Ebenezer Scrooge how poor a rich man can be. Can they convince him to change before it’s too late? Come share the adventure of this timeless tale with the characters you’ve come to love – Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and of course the irascible miser himself.

Tony Award and Academy Award-winning Oliver! brings to life the harsh streets of Victorian England from Charles Dicken’s novel Oliver Twist. Follow Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, as he escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a gang of pickpockets. When he is wrongfully accused of a crime, he is rescued by a wealthy benefactor. His new, comfortable life is threatened when the girlfriend of one of the pickpocket leaders is forced to kidnap him back to the gang. Filled with spirited, memorable songs like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where is Love,” Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece.

Great San Francisco Improv in the heart of The City! Running since 2015, Moment Improv Theatre hosts a monthly “Two Play Improv Extravaganza,” which features three unique improv comedy duos who each push the limit of what is possible onstage in inventive and interesting ways. Hosting the show will be special guest Aleksa Bril, who will have you laughing before and after each improv performance with engaging crowd work. Closing out the show will be the return of Liss N’ Sams! Joe Liss (Second City Alum) and Marcus Sams (Founder of Moment Improv) have performed all over the country at festivals and bring a little bit of magic and surprise to every show they do. From a single suggestion, Joe and Marcus take the audience on an improvisational odyssey featuring committed character work, seamless transitions, immaculate space object work, and call backs that leave the audience in stitches. The result is a highly theatrical, stream of consciousness tapestry where characters and scenes keep returning as the abstract becomes concrete. Joining them on stage will be the talents of Rachel Hamilton (The Second City, Magnet Theater) and Kimberly MacLean (BATS, Speechless) invite you on their wild ride of discovery to untraveled territory, all made up on the spot! Opening the show will be Molly Wixon and Nate Parsons playing for the first time on the Moment stage in a hilarious and inspiring premarital show. With a 5 Star ratting, you can’t go wrong by spending the evening with us! Come share laughter with us.

The Pagan holiday show you never knew you needed, with sexy circus acts, music, dancing and hilarity! Dreams and prophecies abound at the Cartier Sisters’ annual Winter Solstice Party. Dark powers predict disaster, but can they compete with the much more powerful forces of friendship, family, love and sex? Don’t miss this one of a kind Yuletide romp with pole dancing, live music, comedy, witchcraft and, of course, a boy band.

“Cabaret the Un-Scripted Way.” San Francisco is home for the holidays. Whether you were born and raised here or washed up on the shores nearby, the City by the Bay takes all comers. So gather your family, your friends, your tribe to the end, and celebrate this time of year with Un-Scripted Theater. What holidays you ask? All of them. Every single one. We’ll take your holiday memories, the good and the bad, and create entirely new stories, spontaneous songs, and other delights. From Groundhog Day to the first of May, there is always something to celebrate. Directed by: Derek Cochran. Starring (in rotation): Natalie Ernst, Clay Robeson, Craig Gaspian, Kate Wing, Bonnie Kate Wolf, Derek Cochran.

A holiday musical treat for the whole family! Hearts will be captivated by the plights of Georg, Amalia, and their co-workers in the Parfumerie. These characters remind us that the most important things in life are not the work or making money, but family, friends and those we truly love. Inspired by the same source material as the classic films The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, this musical theater treasure is about perfectly ordinary people in a story you may have heard before, but never quite like this. Based on a play by Miklos Laszlo, She Loves Me brings the magic of a soaring score by Sheldon Harnick & Jerry Bock (Fiddler on the Roof) to a classic story by Joe Masteroff (Cabaret). Join the Ross Valley Players and the Mountain Play this winter for a delightful musical treat. This co-production partners the talents and passion of two of the oldest Marin County community theater companies to provide a new experience for their audience.

Join us for an important community program as we bring together thought leaders for an open conversation on violence impacting the Asian-American community. We’ll also explore ideas of how to create safety in our neighborhoods by bringing together all of our communities. Come hear how we all can take part in actively creating safe spaces for all. Speakers include Sasanna Yee – Community Healer, Bilingual Yoga Instructor, Transformational Peace Activist, Writer, Recipient, 2019 Certificate of Honor from San Francisco Mayor London Breed; Eddy Zheng – Co-Director, Asian Prisoner Support Committee (Oakland), Commissioner, Alameda County Department of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission, Member, Board of Directors, Chinese for Affirmative Action, 2019 Rosenberg Foundation Leading Edge Fellow; Helen Zia – Author, Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People and Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution, Former Executive Editor, Ms. Magazine; and host Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, The Michelle Meow Show (Radio and TV).

Hailed for her powerful vocals, passionate performance style and fearlessly raw, edgy wit, Large offers an electrifying evening that will captivate audiences with her bold personality and artistry. Storm’s shows are marvelous and fun (and a bit naughty), so leave the kiddies at home. Storm’s late night performance isn’t for the faint of heart, but is sure to leave you begging for more.

If you’ve ever seen HaHa Davis’ outrageous Vine and Instagram shorts, you know just how outrageous (and outrageously funny) his live shows are. You could go down a YouTube rabbit-hole and watch compilations of his videos by some of his most devoted followers, but why not go straight to the source and enter HaHa’s world at this Cobb’s Comedy Club showcase.

Fall in love with a bold new musical set to the soundtrack of the most successful female rock band of all time, The Go-Go’s. This modern fairy tale features Billboard-topping hits like “We Got The Beat," “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Vacation” that defined the sound of a generation. Set in a faraway land where once-upon-a-time is right now, Head Over Heels follows the adventures of a royal family as they journey to save their kingdom from extinction and end up finding love in unexpected places. Directed by NCTC Founder and Artistic Director Ed Decker. REVIEWS: “Hits from the groundbreaking ’80s band … give the musical a surging pulse, a raw edge, a rebel vibe” – San Francisco Chronicle “… makes for a fizzy, athletic, stylish and very funny night of musical theater” – SF Examiner “Shrewd, funny, sexy, and with a glorious beat, Head Over Heels will have you flipping for joy” – The Village Voice “… the joyful production dials the camp to 11; this is a show with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, except when it’s in someone else’s mouth" – Entertainment Weekly. Join us every Thursday night for MTV Video Music nights, a celebration of 80’s music and pop culture at 7 pm.

R&B legend Brian McKnight has brought his velvety tones to not one but two Christmas albums. Now he’s bringing his favorite seasonal tunes to the stage at the Davies, joined by yet more friends — the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the SFS — for a sure-to-be joyful, powerful concert of classics.

Already jazzed about the holidays? Just wait ’til you hear remixes of your favorite Christmas tunes in Cool Yule. SJSU Jazz Orchestra invites you to get into the swing of the season with this fun, festive concert.

Gape like a Muggle as the Un-Scripted Theater Company explores the lesser known magical towns of the wizarding world with their latest improvised show, Worldguide for Wizards & Witches! Based on the travel writings of witch Velocity Globewell, the improvisors at Un-Scripted will bring to life stories set in the most unique wizarding towns. So, grab your broom and fly out this holiday season for an improv show that will spark magic for the whole wizarding family.

Help is on the Way for the Holidays is an annual holiday concert for everyone. This year’s concert will feature touring cast members from two amazing Broadway shows — Hamilton and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical in addition to Broadway’s original Dreamgirl Sheryl Lee Ralph, America’s Got Talent finalist Shawn Ryan, Phantom of the Opera star Lisa Vroman and YouTube sensation Steve Knill who was featured on The Voice this season. Kick off the holidays with many favorite holiday songs and other favorites. Proceeds from the benefit will go directly Project Open Hand (home delivered meals to homebound seniors and others) and Aguilas (HIV prevention outreach to the Latino community). This event is produced by The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation.

Holiday cheer is in the air! The jolly time where Halloween and Thanksgiving are over and Christmas spirit fills the air. Your favorite Christmas songs are on the radio non-stop and shopping for gifts becomes an almost every weekend experience. It is a wonderful time for everyone. From gift giving to spending time with family, there really is no other time quite like it. Eventually, with all this cheer and Santa spirit, something magical happened. An event was born like none other. One that brings all the glee and Christmas fun together for a one day a year extravaganza. This is how the legend of SantaCon was born. Our crazy Santas (you, the guests) will be bouncing from bar to bar on streets of Marina District for their exclusive drink specials from participating locations. Your VIP wristband gives you access to these deals that are only presented to you. Picture thousands of Santa’s roaming the streets of S.F. rejoicing in holiday cheer and supporting the local community. Gather around your friends and partake in the nationwide annual SantaCon celebration. Tickets will sell out fast for this nationally sought out event. Don’t miss your chance to take over the Golden Gate Bridge state, Santa style!

Holidays With A Twist: Christmas Edition II features twisted, locally written plays featuring a cast of Christmas characters as you’ve never seen them before…and might wish you hadn’t. Top off your day of holiday shopping with a quartet of funny, dramatic, jolly—and did we mention twisted—plays at PianoFight.

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus presents Holigays Are Here: Ring Them Bells, featuring the songs of the season at the Sydney Goldstein Theater. This concert is SFGMC’s signature romp through holiday favorites old and new, along with unexpected surprises and unique interpretations. The concert features special guests Velocity Handbell Ensemble, San Francisco’s premier bell ensemble, and will run the gamut from Liza Minnelli’s outrageous “Ring Them Bells,” to a new arrangement for SFGMC’s beloved tradition of “Silent Night.”

Isabelle Arc is a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing woman. Her headstrong daughter, on the other hand, communes with Saint Catherine, dons men’s clothing and prepares to lead the French army into battle. Motherhood in the fifteenth century is not easy. In her riveting new play, Jane Anderson reimagines Joan of Arc’s epic tale through the eyes of her mother. Isabelle follows the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter with a mother’s loving persistence—facing her own fears and upended faith along the way. "Marin is where my heart is, it’s where I go to soothe my soul. I’m so glad that this very raw and personal piece of me is getting a home on the MTC stage.” — Jane Anderson

If you’re gonna spend Christmas with someone, you could do a lot worse than these two sparkling Broadway and TV talents, both of whom boast some serious pipes. Megan Hilty is just coming off an acclaimed performance as Patsy Cline in a Lifetime movie and has a holiday album under her belt, while Cheyenne Jackson’s released three discs of his own and is a Ryan Murphy fave, appearing on multiple seasons of American Horror Story.

Our signature improv competition is back just in time to celebrate the holidays! It’s the funny, fast-paced show that started it all for BATS, wrapped in it’s holiday finest. Two seasonally-themed teams go head-to-head each night, challenging each other to games, scenes and songs. Who wins at the end? YOU! Don’t miss the show that’s been an international fan favorite for over 30 years.

Anthony Robinson presents Black Laughs Matter, a show featuring black comedians supporting organizations in the black community. Benefiting Local Charities Combining spontaneous off-the-cuff wit and well-written punches to the gut, Anthony’s comedy can best be described as Chuck D and Flavor Flav in one person. Beginning stand-up in Kansas City, Missouri at 21, he left the Midwest to further pursue comedy and hasn’t looked back since. He’s worked with comedians like Ty Barnett, Aparna Nancherla, Rory Scovel, Amy Miller, Aamer Rahman, Baron Vaughn, Curtis Cook, Neel Nanda, John Roy, just to name a few. Credits include Bumbershoot, NW Black Comedy Festival, Seattle International Competition, and NBC’s Stand Up For Diversity.

A hunting story to beat all hunting stories. When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, 35 year-old Ruby brings with her the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In a hunting story to beat all hunting stories, Escanaba In Da Moonlight spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as she goes to any and all lengths to remove herself from the wrong end of the record book.

The Bill Murray flick that inspired this entertaining musical is, in our humble opinion, a contender for one of the best comedies of the ‘90s. And we’re willing to bet you’ll like this San Francisco Playhouse production so much you’ll want to see it again… and again… and again…

“¡Vívelo!” merges different rhythms and dance styles such as folkloric dance, contemporary, Spanish dance, and African-inspired movements. Mexican musical ensemble Son Luna provides the traditional music of Veracruz, Mexico, and dance troupe Jóvenes Zapateadores showcase the evolution of Son Jarocho roots with different rhythms and dance styles. Masterfully displaying dance genres from the region and beyond, this large scale production provides strong entry points for presenters seeking a highly energetic folkloric piece. Jóvenes Zapateadores has received national recognition and awards such as EPRODANZA 2014, SNCA 2016 (National System Creators of Art), and has toured across Europe, South and North America. The 2019-2020 U.S. tour of of Son Luna y Jóvenes Zapateadores is supported in part by Southern Exposure: Performing Arts of Latin America.

Featuring an eclectic mixture of actors, rappers, poets and hip-hop theatre artists of all descriptions, the Bay Area Theatre Cypher is a freestyle rap collective joined on stage at Aurora by Carlos Aguirre (AKA Infinite) for an evening of intelligent, politically-conscious, locally-sourced, community-minded rap, slam poetry, beatboxing and hip-hop theatre. Each performance will feature Aguirre’s beatbox adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart along with a unique blend of improvised freestyle rap and original compositions. Aurora Theatre Company is thrilled to present this performance that takes its stand at the crossroads of theatre, hip-hop and community.

Cobb’s presents their biggest show of the year, the annual Holiday Comedy Bash. This year’s headliner is Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh, a fast-rising comedy star who’s been called “The Next Big Indian Comedian” by India West and “One of the Must-See Stand-Up Comedians in the U.S.” by TV Asia. Kabir is a huge crowdpleaser with an abundance of energy, an in-your-face attitude and clever material. He’s won numerous comedy contests, including taking first place two years in a row at the Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy Competition, opened for top stars like Russell Peters, Dave Chappelle and Dane Cook, and taped sets for Comedy Central’s Gabriel Iglesias’ Stand-Up Revolution and Starz’s StannDupp. Jeremy Curry’s knowledge of sports and pop culture has proven to be vital as he brings a hilarious new spin on everyday topics to audiences all over California. Not only has Curry headlined his own shows, but he has also opened for some of the biggest names in comedy, including Aries Spears, Carlos Mencia, George Wallace, Eddie Griffin and more. Jeremy Curry’s high-energy and fun-loving comedy should not be missed live. Don’t miss the end-of-the-year fun at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco.

The most rewatchable, most quotable holiday movie ever gets even more fun in this hit Broadway adaptation. The musical wizards behind La La Land, and Dear Evan Hansen have added a lively score, and all your favorite scenes — from Ralphie’s Christmas gift wish (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”) to his dad’s prized “leg lamp” — are recreated live on stage.

Great San Francisco Improv in the heart of The City! The LocoMoment show is the playground for Moment Improv’s house teams: see deep, connected, and side-splitting improv at its best! Our new location right up the street from Union Square with easy access to public transportation and cocktails in the lobby! The theater space is intimate and features excellent sight-lines, and incredible acoustics so you can capture every nuance of the performance. Bring or meet new friends and even talk with the performers in a warm atmosphere. This show will have two 30-minute acts with no intermission. The Moment Players are performing a Monoscene! This is where all players play the same character in the same location for 30 minutes, while exploring relationships we all recognize. When the conflict and awkward moments arise, hilarity ensues. It’s a rollercoaster of comedy each and EVERY TIME! Featuring: Tiffany Cheung, Aubrey Grove, Peter Illes, Magda Mukhtar, Michael Payne, & Julian Rosenberg. The Teacher Show features all current Moment Improv teachers in a 100% off the cuff show, where anything can happen. You will experience high quality, grounded scenework as well as zany/crazy laugh out loud scenes and everything in between. This is gonna be a good time no matter what! Featuring: Aleksandra Bril, Clay Robeson, Marcus Sams, & Dan Wilson. By attending Locomoment you can get into the 8:30 PM show for just $10! A not so secret way to hack your evening and see 2 great shows for ONLY $20.

Joy Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke/Creek Nation, made history this year when she became the 23rd US Poet Laureate, making her the first Native American poet to hold the honor. Harjo has championed the art of poetry – "soul talk,” as she calls it – for over four decades. To her, poems are “carriers of dreams, knowledge and wisdom,” and through them, she tells an American story of tradition and loss, reckoning and myth-making. Her work powerfully connects us to the earth and the spiritual world with direct, inventive lyricism that helps us reimagine who we are. Harjo is the author of several poetry collections including Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings, She Had Some Horses and An American Sunrise. Her memoir, Crazy Brave, won the PEN USA Literary Award for Creative Non-Fiction and the American Book Award. She is the recipient of the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from the Poetry Foundation, the Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets and the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America, among other honors. Also a renowned musician, Harjo performs with her saxophone nationally and internationally, solo and with her band, the Arrow Dynamics. She has five award-winning albums, including Red Dreams, A Trail Beyond Tears and Winding Through the Milky Way, which won a Native American Music Award for Best Female Artist of the Year in 2009.

It’s part a capella, part rock ‘n’ roll, part comedy and part handbells. But it’s all awesome! The MistleTones have been entertaining audiences for over 10 years throughout Southern California, including the Disney Resort, Knott’s Berry Farm, Lake Arrowhead’s Santa’s Village, the STAPLES Center and five sold-out years at the Maverick Theatre. Now this totally unique and hilarious quartet makes their Bay Area debut at the Gateway Theatre, singing everything from The Beatles to Lady Gaga with a holiday twist!

A masterpiece from one of the greatest dramatists of our time, Could 9 is about sexual politics in colonial Africa and modern-day Britain, in which all our assumptions about sex and gender are stunningly exploded. It is also about relationships — between women and men, men and men, women and women, work, mothers, power, generations, politics, and money, which is why this classic play feels as urgent today as when it made Churchill a household name.

Scrooge in Love! had its world premiere at Moon in 2015, and our 2016 reprise was a smash hit. Set a year after the events of the Dickens tale, we find a reformed Scrooge looking for his lost love, Belle, and revisiting past, present and future with hilarious, ghostly friends! Both side-splitting and hopelessly romantic, Scrooge in Love! is the perfect holiday show for the whole family — and now a cherished San Francisco tradition!

Dan Pfeiffer combines wry wit, spot-on political instincts, and formidable storytelling chops in an optimistic exploration of how politics and digital media interact in modern-day America. The former White House communications director, noted political strategist and commentator, and Pod Save America co-host is credited with breaking new ground in harnessing the power of social media during the Obama presidential campaign and subsequent administration. He is the author of The New York Times No. 1 best-seller Yes We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter and Trump — a colorful account of how politics, the media, and the internet changed during the Obama presidency alongside the evolution of social media. Far from a jaded insider, Pfeiffer infuses his talks with optimism for America’s political system, and stresses the value and impact of civic engagement.

A musical adventure awaits you this holiday season when the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co. brings its inventive and imaginative retelling of the beloved, Newbery Medal-winning modern fable to Berkeley Rep. The courageous Despereaux, shunned by his community for his love of stories and humans, shows a forlorn kingdom that even the smallest voice can change the world — and that it only takes a little light to reveal the truth. An indie folk band that creates dazzling works of theatre, PigPen infuses this tale of bravery, forgiveness, and redemption with their masterful music, stunning stage effects, and witty performances. PigPen’s The Tale of Despereaux is a spellbinding musical treat that resonates with adults and children alike.

Left Coast Theatre Co is coming back home to The Exit Theare for some holiday fabulousness: Paul Rudnick’s The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, an extravaganza that could only come from the man who brought you Jeffrey, In & Out, _Sister Act- and Addams Family Values. In the beginning, the Stage Manager said “Creation of the world, go” and, lo, it was good. Then she created Adam and Steve. And Jane and Mabel. This hilarious, touching, and irreverent show follows the first two couples through the centuries: from the creation of appetizers, to Noah’s Ark, to a Christmas party in a Manhattan loft. Along the way, they meet a slew of fabulous characters, including a sexy rhino, a flamboyant Pharaoh, a go-go boy and a lesbian paraplegic rabbi. The whole time they continue to ask: Can two gay couples find God?

TheatreWorks sure has a lot to celebrate this holiday — they’re in the midst of their 50th anniversary season, they’ve just won a 2019 Regional Tony Award, and they’re premiering yet another exciting new work — turning Pride & Prejudice into a musical. Lizzie Bennet, Mr. Darcy and company will all be present and accounted in Paul Gordon’s latest rom-com adaptation, following up his successful scores for Jane Eyre, Emma and Sense & Sensibility.

Beyond the Ring is a contemporary circus performance about lost things, an epic journey and the antics of clowns. Produced by Kinetic Arts Productions, the Oakland circus company that has been bringing audiences thrilling shows for more than a decade. Follow the aerial adventures and physical theater journeys of eight unlikely people who lose something precious and the bumps along the way to finding it.

Celebrate the holiday season with J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Cantatas 4-6 and Magnificat in D, in a dazzling concert presented by the San Francisco Choral Society, with the Jubilate Orchestra, under the direction of Artistic Director Robert Geary, as it completes its 30th anniversary concert season. In December 2018, San Francisco Choral Society presented the first half of this glorious masterwork — this year, with the performance of Cantatas 4, 5, and 6, the chorus concludes one of Bach’s most treasured masterworks as it tells the journey of the Christmas story through jubilant chorales, arias, duets and trios. Add to that Bach’s remarkable Magnificat in D, and you’re in for a properly inspiring opener for the 2019 holiday season!

Future entrepreneurs, take note! Learn from three bold businesswomen who are changing the rules and shaping a supportive business environment for women entrepreneurs. Find out how Robyn Sue Fisher (Smitten Ice Cream), Jane Marie Chen (Embrace) and Tina Sharkey (Brandless) turned their creative ideas into winning companies while breaking down barriers. Join us for this important conversation and walk away inspired! The discussion will be moderated by Diana Kapp, author of the new woman-to-woman playbook Girls Who Run the World: 31 CEOs Who Mean Business. For ages 12 and up! Robyn Sue Fisher is the founder and CEO of Smitten Ice Cream. An ice cream fanatic with a knack for invention, Robyn founded Smitten Ice Cream in 2007 to spread joy and create the freshest, most flavorful ice cream the world had ever known. Jane Marie Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Embrace, a social enterprise startup that aims to help the 15 million premature and low birth-weight babies born every year, through a low-cost infant warmer. Tina Sharkey is the co-founder of Brandless, a direct-to-consumer brand that makes hundreds of fairly-priced, consciously curated, high-quality items. Diana Kapp is a journalist and the author of Girls Who Run the World. Her feature pieces on education, culture, Silicon Valley and entrepreneurship have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and San Francisco Magazine, among others.

Dance Moms have nothing on Mama Rose, the ultimate stage mother, who lives out her dreams of stardom through her daughters, one of who grows up to be the famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee. Known as one of the theater’s greatest roles, Rose has been played by everyone from Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters and Bette Midler to Tyne Daly, Angela Lansbury and Patti LuPone — the latter trio picking up a Tony for their performances.

Joe has appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, NBC’s Last Comic Standing and was a commentator for the Emmy award-winning documentary A Bridge so Far. Joe has also told a story on NPR’s Snap Judgement and San Francisco’s own Bawdy. Joe has also been a runner-up in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition and the Seattle Comedy Competition. Voted “Best Comic” in the 2011 SF Weekly Readers Poll. Joe also had a two month “comic in residency” at the first comedy club in Shanghai, China. He has also performed in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Experience J.K. Rowling’s world like never before at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in San Francisco. The story of Harry, Ron, and Hermione continues on stage—where the magic is real. It has been 19 years since they saved the Wizarding World. But even when you think the battle is won, darkness comes from unexpected places. Prepare to be on the edge of your seat as this Tony Award-winning spectacle “leaves you gasping in wonder at the magic of it all” (TIME). The entire Curran Theater has been transfigured for the show’s exclusive West Coast production to immerse you in this world where epic duels, extraordinary spells, and beloved characters come to life. “It has to be seen to be believed” (USA Today).

Other shows would need a dozen performers for all this talent! Singing, dancing, impersonations, sketches… Don Reed does it all. The multi-talented funnyman has unleashed his talents on Netflix, Amazon, The Tonight Show and beyond. Now be in the audience for That Don Reed Show at The Marsh San Francisco MainStage Theater.

A.C.T.‘s exciting new artistic director, Pam MacKinnon, took home a 2013 Tony for her directing work on Who’ s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and won an Obie for Clybourne Park — so she’s got a pretty good handle on great American drama. Now making her Strand Theater debut, she’ll guide Testmatch, an exciting new play, to the stage in San Francisco.

AMALUNA is loosely based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest — but The Bard’s original take on this story of castaways shipwrecked on a magical island didn’t feature unicycling acrobats, trapeze artists plunging into a pool of water, or a cast that’s more than two-thirds female.

On this walking tour, you’ll learn about Tiburon’s history as a blue-collar, rough and tumble railroad town from 1884 until 1967. You’ll learn about the major events and historic figures of this time, including: The Donahue brothers, who brought the industrial revolution to California by way of Tiburon, the fires that virtually destroyed the town three times and how the town dealt with Prohibition, how Al Capone figures (twice!) in Tiburon’s history. Then you’ll learn about more modern history, including some of the Tiburon Peninsula’s notable residents, the decline of the railroad and Tiburon’s transformation into a suburban community and tourist destination. Find out how the dedication of two families helped maintain Main Street’s early 1900s character, and how conservationists fought hard to maintain the area’s physical beauty and small-town character. Learn about local landmarks like The Railroad and Ferry Depot Museum and its working model of the 1909 Tiburon rail yard, The Arks and the creation of Ark Row.

On this 1½ – 2 hour walking tour, you’ll learn about Tiburon’s history before the arrival of the railroad in 1884. You’ll also learn about the lives of the indigenous people, the Coast Miwok, their first encounters with Europeans, and how they were treated by the Spaniards and later the Americans. We’ll talk about the early Spanish explorers in the 1500s and why it took them another 200 years before Juan de Ayala entered the Golden Gate into San Francisco Bay. You’ll learn about The Tiburon Peninsula’s first European settlers, John Reed and his descendants, and what life was like before the railroad. We’ll visit Lyford’s Stone Tower, the entrance to Dr. Benjamin Lyford’s Hygeia, a vision of Tiburon as the world’s finest health resort and residential community. You’ll also learn about the history of Angel Island, called by some “The Ellis Island of the West,” and how it was saved from commercial development. And you’ll learn about the history of the City of Belvedere, which began in the 1890s as the weekend and summer home of the wealthiest San Franciscans.

Bread loving citizens frozen to the window of Tartine. A snow-covered SFMOMA. Cable cars filled with icicles. Yes, it’s finally happened: San Francisco has frozen over, and none of the transplants can get home to see their loved ones for the holidays. What are they to do? First things first, they’ll sing. Bundle up, grab your artisanal hot cocoa, and join us for an all new sketch comedy musical that’ll have your tongue sticking to every light pole in Union Square.

A Brand New Completely Improvised Dickens Musical Spectacle Each Week! In the spirit of Oliver! and A Christmas Carol, BATS brings you a brand new, improvised on-the-spot holiday musical set in the world of Charles Dickens. With bigger-than-life characters and songs created right before your eyes, this show will warm your heart, and have you singing “Please, I want some more!"

The holidays are on their way and the Girls are back! Take four talented drag performers, cast them in two Xmas episodes of the uproarious TV show The Golden Girls_ and you have the perfect holiday event for the entire family. In what has become a yearly tradition, this drag send-up and loving tribute to the characters the entire world has come to know and love features local drag stars: Heklina (Dorothy), Matthew Martin (Blanche), D’Arcy Drollinger (Rose), and Holotta Tymes (Sophia).

Make your Yuletide as gay as it can possibly be with San Francisco’s signature seasonal spectacular starring none other than Peaches Christ, Coco Peru, Edwin Outwater — and special guest vocalist Ana Gasteyer (SNL, People of Earth), who just happens to have released a new holiday album, Sugar & Booze. Schweddy balls, anyone?

The perennial favorite is back! The reimagined story in Meiji-era Japan is told using a combination of noh, kyogen, kabuki, and butoh, bringing this classic story to life in a fashion like no other production does. Ebezo Sukurooji [Ebenezer Scrooge] receives a visit from his deceased business partner Jakube Mashima [Jacob Marley] warning him to change his miserly ways or be doomed to linger forever as a hungry ghost. The miraculous intervention of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-To-Come take Sukurooji on a wondrous journey through life and time in a profound attempt to remind him of the value of life beyond business and profit.

Fire up the yule log and start the figgy pudding as Michael Feinstein returns to his San Francisco home this holiday season. Join Michael and his band as they come Home for the Holidays featuring holiday classics like, “White Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit. You can also expect to hear classics by Gershwin, Cole Porter, as well as other holiday surprises performed as only Michael can.

Along with all the magnificent sets, costumes, special effects — and of course, dancing — at San Jose’s longest-running Nutcracker, you’ll also be treated to live accompaniment by the Cambrian Symphony and several guest artists starring as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier — including principals from the San Francisco Ballet. Plus, with more than 250 restaurants in downtown San Jose, you’ll find something that strikes your fancy within just a few blocks.

What’s better than a heart-warming holiday classic that’s guaranteed to put you in the right mood for the season? Seeing it on the big screen! As if that wasn’t magical enough, you’ve got the San Francisco Symphony there to keep Christmas spirits high with a live performance of the film’s score.