Combining great Japanese cuisine and live music, Yoshi's Oakland has quickly become one of the world's most respected venues for jazz, rock, blues and more. What started as a small sushi bar has blossomed into an award-winning live performance venue with a state-of-the-art sound system and design, occupying 17,000 square feet in the heart of Oakland's Jack London Square. Yoshi's Oakland has hosted such legendary jazz greats as Betty Carter, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Diana Krall, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Harry Connick Jr., Oscar Peterson and hundreds of others, and has also expanded its focus to present a variety of musical genres -- and even popular comedians.

He's soothed the souls of millions with his homespun wit and wisdom, having hosted NPR's A Prairie Home Companion for more than 40 (count 'em) 40! years, and honestly, whose soul couldn't use a little soothing these days? Whether he's sharing anecdotes about life in his fictional Midwestern hamlet of Lake Wobegon, or dropping dry-witted, self-deprecating jokes with his one-of-a-kind voice, Keillor always entertains. Catch him at Cal Performances' Zellerbach Hall for this installment of Berkeley Talks.

The tragic story of Matthew Shepard made national headlines in 1998. This 21-year-old gay college student was savagely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming. Two men were arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated robbery and attempted first-degree murder for the hate crime. One month later, when emotions were still raw, director Moisés Kaufman and his team began conducting hundreds of interviews with the people of Laramie. From those interviews came The Laramie Project, a brutally honest and thought-provoking "live documentary" about an outraged nation and a stunned Wyoming town. One of the last decade's most performed American plays, and also adapted into a 2002 HBO movie, The Laramie Project is a heart-rending theatrical collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink as well as the heights of compassion of which we are capable. See the timeless piece at San Francisco State University's Creative Arts Building.

Be there when this inspiring musical sees its world premiere with this TheatreWorks production, as The Prince of Egypt begins its international journey towards a debut in Denmark next year. This soaring celebration of the human spirit features a dazzling and diverse cast in one of the greatest stories ever told -- the saga of Moses and his Pharaoh brother, Ramses. Inspired by the 1998 animated film and featuring a score that includes the Oscar-winning "When You Believe" by the composer of Wicked, this transcendent journey of faith and family can be enjoyed on the Main Stage of the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose.

Let 42nd Street Moon's Ain't Misbehavin' transport you back in time to the golden age of jazz, when hotspots like the Cotton Club played host to the music of 1930s Harlem, and where swing music, jazz and stride piano infused the entire country with renewed energy. This Tony Award-winning, song-filled show celebrates the timeless music of Thomas "Fats" Waller, who penned more than 400 songs during his career, many of which have become jazz standards still popular today. An energetic ensemble of talented performers showcase the pleasurable and playful moods of the era and Waller's style in a musical parade of his most popular hits at The Gateway Theatre in San Francisco.

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon is the world's longest-running musical revue. Since 1974, this San Francisco institution has followed Snow White on a musical comedy quest around the world, where she runs into satirically portrayed pop culture and political celebrities, an impressive array of gigantic hats and one show-stopping musical number after another. Because the show is constantly updated with new costumes, hats and characters, it rewards repeat visits. Among the familiar faces you might see spoofed at this Club Fugazi production: Lady Gaga, Barack and Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton and Adele. Now running for more than 40 years, Beach Blanket Babylon remains one of San Francisco's wildest evenings of live entertainment.

Souls will be stirred and spirits lifted as Grammy-winning gospel superstar Kirk Franklin and R&B powerhouse Ledisi bring their soaring vocals to Oakland's Paramount Theatre as part of the The Rebel, The Soul & The Saint Tour. Credited for helping bring gospel to the mainstream, Franklin is a 10-time Grammy winner whose faith-based music and dashing demeanor unites audiences across the genres of hip-hop, pop and R&B. The multi-platinum-selling artist is the host of BET's Sunday Best show, and he recently collaborated with Kanye West on the rap maestro's The Life of Pablo. Jazz and R&B artist Ledisi has been making critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated recordings for years (The Truth, Pieces of Me), but she made her biggest waves in 2014 with her stirring performance as the gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in the Oscar-nominated film Selma. Her rendition of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" on the movie's soundtrack proves that she's one of the most soulful singers working today. The two will cook up an amazing show that's sure to touch your heart, body and soul. You'll hear fan favorites, as well as songs from Franklin's most recent release Losing My Religion and Ledisi's newest album Let Love Rule. R&B singer-songwriter -- and former Maroon 5 member -- PJ Morton opens up the night. This is one concert that's sure to have you feeling #blessed.

Haunted by his past, a World War II survivor witnesses the consequences of his revelation in The Unveiling, a powerful holocaust drama written by Linda Ayres-Frederick. How can one man's personal decision affect an entire family? Find out during this gripping drama that explores guilt and other issues of deeply felt loyalties, love, and differing abilities to forgive.

Behind a secret door near the intersection of North Beach and Chinatown lies a dimly lit subterranean realm teeming with colorful characters and overlapping storylines. This is The Speakeasy, an interactive theatrical experience that will transport you to a 1920s San Francisco watering hole full of bootleggers, bouncers, war veterans and barflies. As you wander throughout the multi-room environment, sipping cocktails, playing casino games, or simply observing, you'll stumble across all manner of conversations and interactions as a complex narrative web unfolds. Never the same thing twice, The Speakeasy is a meta-theatrical event you'll want to see again and again.

Based on the beloved 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, the Tony-nominated Broadway musical Sister Act tells the hilarious tale of a wannabe disco diva whose life is turned upside down when she witnesses a crime and is put into hiding in a convent. As this free-spirited soul singer shakes things up under the watchful eye of Mother Superior, she rediscovers her own voice in the process. Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors), this uplifting musical brings powerful gospel vocals, outrageous dancing and a moving story to Berkeley Playhouse.

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.

In her debut book, We're Going to Need More Wine, actress Gabrielle Union shares stories and essays on race, gender, feminism, sexuality, fame, marriage, beauty and more, all with the trademark honesty and humor her fans have loved for years. The Being Mary Jane star and executive producer brings her Real Life Book Club tour to San Francisco to talk with Death, Sex & Money podcast host Anna Sale at the Marines' Memorial Theatre.

Cellist Joshua Roman, celebrated by the San Francisco Chronicle for his "extraordinary technical and musical gifts," joins the San Francisco Symphony and Maestro Krzysztof Urbanski at Davies Hall for a performance of Dvorak's passionate concerto. Also on the bill are Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute and Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra. There will be a pre-show talk by Scott Foglesong.

A modern American family gathers in a local park to roast one of its own over the coals in the play by Obie-winner Robert O'Hara. The hard-partying, foul-mouthed O'Mallery family stages an intervention for their drug-addicted sister. While they wait for her, they drink, smoke and dredge up old feuds and grudges. The family soon finds all its problems dragged out in public. Barbecue at San Francisco Playhouse overturns our assumptions about race, poverty and the American family in hilarious and incisive fashion.

From the top-quality live musical guests to its exceptional Southern cuisine, Biscuits & Blues is the perfect San Francisco spot to enjoy a night of down-home entertainment nearly every night of the week. Located in the heart of the theater district, this intimate venue hosts the best regional and national blues and jazz acts in a comfortable, close-up setting that's open to all ages. Voted America's No. 1 blues nightclub by The Blues Foundation and the Bay Area Blues Society, it's also known for serving up some of the best fried chicken in the entire region, not to mention California wines, microbrews and specialty cocktails.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony burst onto the rap scene in the mid-'90s on the strength of undeniably infectious melodies, powerful lyrics and unique vocal interplay. Recently celebrating their 20th anniversary, all five of the original band members -- Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone, Flesh-n-Bone and Bizzy Bone -- are hitting the road once again. The Cleveland group has released four platinum albums, sold more than 50 million records and produced a string of hits like "Look Into My Eyes," "1st of tha Month" and the Grammy-winning "Tha Crossroads." Catch them in concert at Berkeley's UC Theatre.

A New York Times and a Time Out New York Critics' Pick, Bess Wohl's life-affirming one-act has an awful lot to say about human connection, as seen through six urbanites gathered for a silent yoga retreat in the woods. Small Mouth Sounds tracks these strangers' valiant attempts at non-verbal communication, in a show the Times calls "as funny as it is quietly moving" as well as "a model of ingenuity." This production at San Francisco's A.C.T. Strand Theater is directed by Obie Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812).

Set to what the New York Post called Elton John's "best score yet," and named "Broadway Musical of the Decade" by Time magazine, the explosive Billy Elliot: The Musical, presented by Contra Costa Musical Theatre, fills the stage with inspiring songs and high-energy dance. Based on the hit film of the same name, this heartwarming show stars Junior World Dance champion Braden King as a motherless boy in a small, poverty-stricken mining town who trades his boxing gloves for ballet shoes and fights against social stereotypes to achieve his dream of becoming a dancer. Just try not to cheer along as his talent and ambition become symbols of hope for a town that's enduring more than its fair share of hardship, when Billy Elliot: The Musical takes to the stage of Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Enjoy a two-hour tour of San Francisco Bay, highlighted by romantic sunset views, live guitar music and a light appetizer buffet including sandwiches, fruit and cheese. You'll view the city's stunning skyline featuring Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid, along with historic landmarks and the natural beauty of the Bay Area. This scenic cruise sails by Alcatraz and Angel Island National Park, under the Golden Gate Bridge and along the gorgeous Tiburon, Belvedere and Sausalito shores. One drink is included (alcoholic or nonalcoholic), and more drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the full on-board bar.

RocketBoat is a high-speed, 30-minute thrill ride on San Francisco Bay. Roaring past the beautiful San Francisco skyline, RocketBoat screams down to Bay Bridge and near AT&T Park, where you'll thrill to the high-speed twists and turns, propelled by the boat's 2800-horsepower engines. A classic rock 'n' roll soundtrack adds to the fun. If you want to get wet, sit toward the back. You'll stay a bit drier if you sit in the middle or the front of the vessel. Wet or dry, this ride is fast and fun.

In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Live! is back and this time, the hilarious drag parody of the beloved sci-fi television series has new episodes queued up. San Francisco drag star D'Arcy Drollinger once again steps into Buffy's boots for the latest send-up of the '90s supernatural series. Watch this hilarious set of psuedo-Scoobies save the world from evil at the Oasis.

A protest brings Jesse, a black man, together with his white lover, Neil, a Black Lives Matter activist. But now, as Neil immerses himself in the struggle, Jesse has to confront his own political apathy or risk his rights and their love. This gripping world premiere play by Harrison David Rivers at San Francisco's New Conservatory Theatre Center, in partnership with Museum of the African Diaspora, asks "what is the real cost of standing on the sidelines?"

How far would you go to bake the world's best bread? A culinary magical tale, Bread! The Musical follows one baker's quest to replicate his father's lost and legendary rye recipe, and he'll stop at nothing to do it. This new musical from Joe Oritz is filled with a baker's dozen of original songs, homegrown hubris and potential peril as the baker's obsession begins to drive everyone (especially his wife) nuts. Theater aficionado Greg Fritsch directs this wacky and family-friendly musical at the Shelton Theater in San Francisco.

For all you Broadway junkies out there, this event has your name written all over it. Leading lady and Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller is coming to San Francisco's Herbst Theater to belt out some of your favorite hits and answer behind-the-scene questions with Sirius XM's Seth Rudetsky. She recently was THE Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, that began at The Curran and for which she took home a Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy Award. Mueller's come a long way in the musical world, starting off with roles in Broadway hits like The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Nice Work If You Can Get It before starring as Jenna Hunterson in Sara Bareilles' musical Waitress. Next up she'll be starring in the new Lincoln Center production of Carousel this spring, alongside Joshua Henry.

Singer Kat Robichaud (NBC's The Voice) brings her band, The Darling Misfits, to San Francisco's Great Star Theater for Misfit Cabaret's spooky Halloween extravaganza. This pop culture variety show blends rock 'n' roll, vaudeville and all your favorite horror films, rolled into one sexy, funny, musical show in a haunted Chinatown theater. Robichaud and her band create a night of decadence, bawdiness and horror, complete with everything from burlesque to drag to circus to magic and even a spooky costume contest. Don't miss this super fun show.

Russian River Adventures' inflatable canoe trips offer a refreshing alternative to exploring gorgeous Sonoma County by car. Whether you're a couple looking for a relaxing getaway, a family or a group of friends looking for a fun activity, paddling along in Russian River Adventures' bright blue inflatable canoes is just the ticket. During this nine-mile full-day excursion, you'll navigate through gentle currents for four to six hours while enjoying the best that nature has to offer. If you're so inclined, you can even stop for a picnic or cool off in a refreshing swimming hole. Every member of the family is sure to have a blast on these self-guided tours... even the family dog! Check the event description below for more details.

BATS Improv -- named the Bay Area's Best Theater Company by the San Francisco Chronicle, Best Comedy Troupe by SF Weekly and Best First Date Spot by the San Francisco Bay Guardian -- presents a variety show full of comedy fun, including head-to-head improv battles, long-form murder mysteries, musicals and more. Located at Bayfront Theater in the Marina District, every BATS show is one of a kind, using audience suggestions for a unique mix of improv comedy and theater that's never the same show twice.

It's 5:30pm. Do you know where your happy hour is? Instead of hitting up your regular watering hole for the umpteenth time, try something different and set sail on the Bay. The Alive After Five happy-hour cruise is a great way to relax with friends -- and meet new ones -- against the backdrop of San Francisco's famous skyline. Mingle, groove to the sounds of a live DJ, and snap photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and more on this two-hour excursion. Specialty cocktails and bar snacks are available for purchase on board.

A tradition for more than 70 years, The Grand National Livestock Exposition, Horse Show and Rodeo returns for two weekends to the Cow Palace for more Western fun, featuring PRCA rodeo competitions, horse shows, livestock expositions, exclusive autograph signings, tasty BBQ and more. The marketplace, featuring everything you'd ever want in Western fashion, is open daily as well. With live music and dancing nightly and mechanical bull rides, The Grand National proves that the spirit of the Old West is still alive and well in San Francisco.

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, snacks and more.

A one-man show explores the lesser known parts of The Holocaust through the eyes of several characters in the world premiere of The Obligation, a piece written and performed by New York-based actor and playwright Roger Grunwald. Combining drama and humor, Grunwald uses the interconnected history of a Jewish-American comedian, an Auschwitz survivor, a half-Jewish German soldier and a SS General to truly gauge the post-war survivor experience. He then looks at the bigger picture, asking, "Who decides what culture, race and ethnicity mean?" and "What is identity?"

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco welcomes to its Kanbar Hall stage Walter Isaacson, author of the acclaimed best-sellers Steve Jobs, Einstein: His Life and Universe and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, for a fresh look at Leonardo da Vinci. Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo's astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his unconventional life, Isaacson shares how Leonardo's wide-ranging passions -- from anatomy and birds to flying machines and weaponry -- combined with his ability to stand at the crossroads of art and science, makes him history's most creative genius.

An explosive world premiere by a 2017 PEN Award winner, Thomas and Sally gets up close and personal with founding father Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, the enslaved woman who mothered six of his children. Thomas Bradshaw goes behind the scenes of American history with Jefferson, Hemings and other rock stars of the Revolution, including Ben Franklin, John & Abigail Adams and the Marquis de Lafayette. Bradshaw was once named "Best Provocative Playwright" by the Village Voice, and he lives up to that name with Thomas and Sally, a unique and challenging exploration of American history that will open the way for profound conversations about our past, present and future as a country. Be among the first to see it at the Marin Theatre Company in Mill Valley.

The Kipling Hotel: True Misadventures of the Electric Pink '80s picks up where Don Reed's lauded hit East 14th leaves off in the '70s. As the awkward son of an Oakland pimp who is struggling to work his way through college, Reed attempts to make a living as a stripper and a gigolo, but ends up with the not-so-glamorous job as a live-in waiter at a retirement hotel. It wasn't all bad, though. While serving breakfast to the elderly, various drifters and drug addicts, Reed mined comedy gold for this new solo show at The Marsh Berkeley. A longtime warm-up comedian for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Reed's immersive and hysterical stories about his Oakland upbringing earned him the Performance of the Year award from NPR's storytelling show Snap Judgment.

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.

Get swept away to a romantic night in Havana as the Mountain Winery hosts this Cuban-flavored edition of Thursdays on the Mountain. Live music from Los Boleros will set the Latin tone for the night, while you enjoy dinner, wine tasting and dancing under the stars in Silicon Valley. Food trucks will be on hand with tasty eats to purchase, or you can hit up the plaza food booths. You can also try your hand at some games and more during this fun night out.

Master magician and mentalist Jay Alexander is the new headliner at the Marrakech Magic Theater with his Mind Tricks show, a triple entertainment experience of comedy, magic and mentalism. Alexander's shows have been praised by everyone from Robin Williams and U2's Bono to Monty Python's John Cleese and the Rolling Stones' Ron Wood. Your evening begins in the Oasis Lounge where you will see world class sleight-of-hand, and a wonderful assortment of drinks and Moroccan appetizers are available for purchase prior to the show. You will then be escorted into an intimate showroom for Jay Alexander's unforgettable performance of magic, psychology and human lie detection that will lift your spirits and have you gasping in amazement.

Smoke: The Cabaret is a musical exploration of the mysteries of love. This one-woman show, a sensual tale of infidelity and passion, stars vocalist Lori Rivera, who was a member of Grammy-nominated group The Bobs. Smoke: The Cabaret features a dozen original jazz tunes, cabaret songs and comic ballads by Joe Ortiz. Experience this tale of two women -- sweet Celeste, a dangerously open-hearted innocent in search of Mr. Right, and sophisticated Francesca, a worldly master of erotic strategy -- at the Shelton Theater in San Francisco.

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.

Raise your glass and enjoy a romantic sunset on the water with magnificent views of San Francisco, highlighted by a delicious seasonal dinner prepared fresh on board by Hornblower's chefs. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want a different sort of night out, the sight of San Francisco's spectacular skyline as you sail past Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge will make the evening special. The elegant four-course, sit-down meal includes appetizers, salad, choice of entree, plus coffee, tea and dessert. Spend the rest of the cruise relaxing and dancing to live music. There's a cash bar on board as well, serving signature cocktails and other libations.

Award-winning writer-performer Dan Hoyle reprises The Real Americans at The Marsh in San Francisco after 300 performances across a dozen cities, complete with new material made even more relevant by the presidency of Donald Trump. After reconnecting with some of the colorful characters that inspired the hit solo show in the first place, Hoyle's entertaining and funny piece of journalistic theater explores the urban/rural political divide from the inside out. Through discussions with everyone from union coal miners and anti-war veterans to closeted gay creation-theory experts and beyond, Hoyle puts Americans of all stripes under the magnifying glass for hilarious and insightful results. With the country seeming so divided, Hoyle's piece is more timely and meaningful than ever.

Oscar Wilde's masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest is the classically trivial comedy for serious people. Still having a startling social relevance, it is a farcical commentary in which the protagonists prefer to live as fictitious personae to escape their burdensome social obligations. Playing upon the social conventions of late Victorian London, the play's major themes are the contempt with which the characters treat institutions of class, marriage and material wealth, as well as its rather savage satire of Victorian ways.

As effervescent as a bottle of Dom Pérignon, love, lies and sex bubble over in this sublime French masterpiece. Dorante, a charming and handsome pathological liar, has come to Paris seeking pleasure. He falls head-over-heels for the beautiful Clarice, but mistakes her name for that of her best friend, Lucrece. After lying his way into a world of trouble, can Dorante lie his way back out again? Overflowing with rhyming verse, witty allusions and puns by the metric ton, don't miss this sparkling and intoxicating production of The Liar at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Strap in for a wild ride through other dimensions with San Francisco's mind-blowing 7D Experience at Pier 39. Step into the 20-seat theater, but don't spend too much time marveling at the movie screen -- sit down, buckle up and get ready to experience the thrills of a 3D movie, a rocking roller coaster and the excitement of a state-of-the-art laser blasting game ... all at once. With this Laser Maze Challenge and DarkRide Combo Ticket, you'll also get the opportunity to put your agility, speed and action movie skills to the test as you navigate your way through a web of criss-crossing laser beams. There are multiple dark rides to be enjoyed -- featuring everything from zombies to werewolves to Mad Max-style mayhem and more -- so the 7D Experience is bound to have you coming back for even more fun.

Celebrated political satirist Will Durst has performed for three elected presidents (if you count Al Gore ... which Durst does) and appeared as a commentator on CNN, NPR and C-SPAN. Now, he's headed to The Marsh in San Francisco with The Durst Case Scenario, his new comedic exploration of a changing America during the "Time of Trump." Hailed as "[q]uite possibly the best political comedian working in the country today" by none other than The New York Times, Will Durst's latest stage show is a rollicking feast of satire that's timely and as irreverent as the president's latest 4 a.m. tweet.

Calling all Magic Mike fanatics! Australia's internationally acclaimed male revue, Thunder From Down Under, trumps the film experience by letting you see this crew of tabletop-dancing, chiseled heartthrobs in person. Maybe you've seen these sexy guys and their Aussie-bred abs have tease daytime crowds with appearances on Ellen and The View. But things don't get really steamy 'til nightfall, when their hot-ticket act takes the stage at Cobb's in San Francisco. Whether you're hankering for a cowboy, the boy-next-door type, or a hot fireman, the Thunder dancers offer every flavor of high-energy eye candy.

Have you ever felt like there was more to the story after the curtain falls or the screen fades to black? This lyrical Irish epic spans 30 years over the course of three plays, watching a woman's actions and the rippling effects throughout her lifetime. Irish expat Eva returns from her rebellious life in Paris, making an irreparable choice on behalf of her ailing mother. Her decision becomes legendary within the community and alters the rest of her life. Each play in The Eva Trilogy champions its own theatrical landscape at San Francisco's Magic Theatre, reflecting the tremendous range of Barbara Hammond's writing and the evolving state of her subject.

When it comes to sleek, smart and modern magic, look no further than magician David Gerard, who performs his theatrical illusions and mind reading to sold-out audiences in the Bay Area. Join Gerard for his first shows written exclusively for PianoFight in San Francisco, where you'll witness near-impossible mental and physical feats just inches away from your seat. Through a mix of psychology, misdirection, magic and showmanship, Gerard will create an experience you'll remember long after the show is over.

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.

San Francisco's Circus Center presents its acclaimed monthly entertainment series, Circus Center Cabaret. It's a unique mix of live jazz and a rotating cast of the Bay Area's best circus and variety performers, presented in an intimate venue with a full bar. The October edition, Trick or Tweet, celebrates a modern Halloween with all its hauntingly tech-heavy treats. Expect raunchy costumes, Instagram selfies, strange "potions" and stranger bedfellows who'll have you liking, poking and posting IRL. Cabaret Chanteuse Madame Leanne Borghesi and the Roger Glenn Trio have plenty of spooky songs and stories to share, so get your costume ready for this jam-packed night of Halloween fun.

Check out the trails of the unbelievably scenic Muir Woods during Extranomical Tours' morning expedition to this beautiful national monument. The tour begins as you're picked up in San Francisco and then whisked to the Ferry Building where you can pick up coffee or breakfast. Then get some Instagram-worthy pics during a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll then be transported to the Muir Woods, where you'll spend a morning surrounded by giant coastal redwood trees and nature in its finest form. Enjoy the view of the forest's canopy, surrounded by Coastal Redwood Sequoia trees, and stroll along the mostly flat valley floor along Redwood Creek, or get an aerobic workout climbing the paths up the valley slopes to gaze at the tops of some of the tallest trees in the world. This semi-customizable tour offers the option of a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge or the quaint Mediterranean-style village of Sausalito. In addition, at the end of the tour, guests can choose to return to San Francisco from Sausalito by ferry.

Brian Copeland returns to The Marsh with his hit show Not a Genuine Black Man. The longest-running solo show in San Francisco history, Not a Genuine Black Man is a hilarious and poignant autobiographical story about Copeland's childhood. In 1971, San Leandro was named one of the most racist suburbs in America. Congressional hearings were held. The next year, 8-year-old Copeland and his African-American family moved in. Not a Genuine Black Man is a hilarious and insightful look at Bay Area history, and at the ways in which our upbringings make us who we are.

Myrna is the "good" twin: straight-as-an arrow, traditional in her values. Myra is the "evil" twin: rebellious and unabashedly promiscuous. Even their chest sizes are in explicit contrast. Spanning three decades from the Eisenhower Administration through George H.W. Bush, The Mineola Twins follows the growing and eventually insurmountable chasm between these two sisters through the women's movement, examining what happens when the person you expected to fight at your side becomes your own adversary and greatest threat. See this absurd comedy at EXIT Theatre on Taylor Street.

Treat yourself to a day of stunning coastal views, fresh ocean breezes and picturesque seaside villages. This day trip takes you by coach along the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Cruz to Monterey, where you'll have two hours of free time in the historic waterfront district of Cannery Row to enjoy a delicious local meal, explore the shops and learn about Monterey's history by visiting a local museum or one of the many preserved historic buildings. After that, it's back on the bus to travel along the scenic 17-Mile Drive, where you'll catch glimpses of the area's famous golf courses and luxury estate homes and the pristine coastline that's been the subject of countless works of art. At Carmel-by-the-Sea, you'll have an hour of free time to explore the trendy shops, art galleries and cafés that draw artists, poets and writers before heading back to the city.

Ever watched the fiery salsa dance numbers in Dancing With the Stars or Dirty Dancing and thought, "I wish I could dance like that!"? Well now you can get in on all the Latin-flavored fun with Dance Fridays, a fun 'n' social evening featuring dance lessons for beginners followed by a lively dance party where you can practice all your new moves. A live band keeps the energy flowing as you learn to salsa and bachata from your experienced teachers, with no partner or previous experience required.

A band of criminals is about to meet their match. They have traced the location of a mysterious doll, which they are much interested in, to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. Utilizing her unique abilities, Susy's able to level the playing field with the help of a young neighbor, devising an ingenious game of cat-and-mouse that unfolds in the dark of night and has been thrilling audiences for decades. Originally produced on Broadway in 1966 and made into the classic Audrey Hepburn film a year later, Wait Until Dark is an electrifying thriller by Frederick Knott, the playwright behind Dial M for Murder. Now you can enjoy all the pulse-pounding tension of Wait Until Dark at Coastal Repertory Theatre in Half Moon Bay ... but be prepared to spend the finale propped precariously on the edge of your seat.

If Dracula could maintain his thirst for blood, he'd be part of society as a highbrow kind of guy ... refined taste in music, wine and all things bourgeoisie. The Dracula Orchid Ball brings a few of his "favorite things" together for a multifaceted gala that benefits the 138-year-old Conservatory of Flowers. Gather round for an experience that'll take you out of San Francisco and into the rainforests of the world, with performances from Aztec drummers and dancers, poets and opera singers. You'll also have a chance to snag some free verse on demand from The Poetry Store and hear lightning talks on Palms, the Dracula Reserve in Ecuador, uncontacted tribes and more. All things sweet and savory will be provided by Wrecking Ball Roasters, Dandelion Chocolate, caterers and spirited libations, but be sure to save some wiggle room for the after-party, the Gaslamp Fantasy.

When Blasted premiered in 1995, the outrage was palpable, yet drew raves from those who saw beyond the shock value, with The New York Times' Ben Brantley writing the play was "an extraordinary act of empathy." The Ashby Stage in Berkeley hosts this powerful work from Sarah Kane that tells the story of a middle-aged man and younger woman who meet at a hotel room and see their worlds shatter amid public and private violations. See this provocative tale of destruction, chaos and, ultimately, redemption and love as it returns to the stage.

If you've got the need, the need for speed -- in the form of jokes flying at you a mile a minute -- then the wacky crew from the hit parody Point Break Live has got you covered with their latest interactive extravaganza, Tom Gun Live: A Maverick's Homage. Actually, this particular highway to the Danger Zone not only pays tribute to Top Gun's Maverick, Goose and Iceman, but to Tom Cruise's other memorable movie characters as well, picked out on the spot and played by audience volunteers. This high-powered show at San Francisco's DNA Lounge is pretty much guaranteed to take your breath away, promising "multiple karaoke sing-a-longs, dance-offs, audience-fueled paper-airplane battles, missiles zip-lining through the crowd and of course, flying liquids."

Artistic director Carolina Lugo, her daughter Carolé Acuña and their talented company of singers and musicians bring the sultry and sensuous flamenco dance to vibrant life. Their show combines the pulsating sounds of footwork, song, castanets, syncopated hand clapping and guitar for a riveting display of this true Spanish art form. This award-winning ensemble has been providing Bay Area audiences with passionate performances for more than 20 years, bringing artists from Spain and abroad to appear with them. Peña Pachamama is known for its Latin American, Bolivian, vegan and raw food tapas and other dishes, plus wine, beer and specialty cocktails for purchase.

Former Last Comic Standing semifinalist Noah Gardenswartz delivers intricately constructed jokes with winning aplomb, guiding the audience through layered anecdotes -- about anything from LSD and IKEA to riding the subway with a trophy and, well, just about anything you can think of -- before landing on devastating punchlines. With appearances on Conan, Adam Devine's House Party and his own Comedy Central special, Gardenswartz's star is steadily on the rise. Now you can catch him live at the Punch Line Comedy Club in San Francisco.

Nice guy or (walking) dead guy -- it's tough to tell who is who in Z is for ... Zombie! An Improvised Zombie Apocalypse, the hysterical improvised comedy from Synergy Theater that's just in time for Halloween. The trick of this zippy seasonal treat is that nobody in town knows exactly who is a human or who is a zombie -- not even the cast. Which of those sweet, little townsfolk are really horrific, bloodthirsty zombies? Who can be trusted? Who will be converted? And who will be the last human improviser standing? Find out during this edge-of-your-seat, laugh-till-you-drop, improvised horror show at Lesher Center for the Arts.

Nominated for 14 Tony Awards, Monty Python's Spamalot is a hilarious, fourth wall-breaking parody extravaganza, written by Monty Python alum Eric Idle, that borrows lovingly (and unapologetically) from the film classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. In telling the tale of King Arthur and his epic quest with the Knights of the Round Table, this absurd musical -- which won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, during its original Broadway run -- features beautiful show girls and outlandish oddities such as flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits and The Knights Who Say Ni. If you're in need of an irreverent reminder to "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," look no further than the Holy Grail of musical comedies that is Monty Python's Spamalot, coming to Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park.

If you love the HBO series Silicon Valley, you'll revel in the humor of South of Market, which reinvents itself each year to lampoon current events and conversations in the San Francisco tech scene. This year, follow an aspiring tech journalist as she attempts to get the scoop on the too-good-to-be-true hottest startup of the year: ai.ai. Songs like "Self Driving," "Boulder Moves, Bolder You" and "Tech People Problems" highlight the perks and perils of the startup hype machine at Marines' Memorial Theatre.

You might not have heard about the hottest trend in nightlife -- especially since it involves keeping the sounds to yourself -- but it's called Quiet Clubbing, and it's returning to San Francisco. The upscale lounge Monroe, evoking "Old Hollywood" style in the heart of North Beach, features live DJs spinning club-worthy hits from all your favorite genres. You can access all the music via your free-to-use wireless headphones and switch between channels at any time. The volume's adjustable, so you can go as loud or as mellow as you like, and each set features LED lights, so you'll know which channel the cutie next to you just picked.

It's time to take this week's sensational news stories and put them to good use: comedy. At SF Tonight, you'll be provided with newspapers, magazines and scissors, or you can bring your favorite stories from the week's news -- hard-hitting journalism (is there still such a thing?) or the latest popular thread on Facebook -- and the talented improvisers at EndGames Improv will turn those stories into a one-of-a-kind show that may not exactly be educational, but will definitely be entertaining. You might even be surprised by a special guest. So don't let the news get you down. Spend your Saturday night with the cast of SF Tonight at Stage Werx in San Francisco.

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.

Called the "arts space San Francisco needs," PianoFight Bar and Restaurant serves up a wide variety of live entertainment at its beautiful cabaret and intimate two-theater performance space in the Tenderloin. You can catch shows featuring the hottest local talent, ranging from sketch, improv and stand-up comedy to world-premiere plays, theater competitions, dance performances, live podcasts, film screenings and more, while enjoying food and drinks with no minimum. More often than not, they'll also have a live band playing on the cabaret stage both before and after their scheduled shows.

One ballsy Southern belle, comic Sarah Tiana likes to slip her raunchiest lines into her act between embarrassed, charm-school giggles. Soon after leaving her native Georgia, Tiana landed the role of Carmen on season seven of Reno 911! She's since appeared on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, was a regular on Chelsea Lately and wrote and performed on Comedy Central's The Burn with Jeff Ross. A gifted sketch performer, she headlines around the country and regularly performs for American troops around the world on USO tours. She'll make you blush with her raw, frank breakdown of the modern dating scene and her hilarious recaps of growing up in the Deep South. See her in San Francisco at the Punch Line Comedy Club.

He's opened for Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, the Wayans Brothers and Hannibal Buress -- and now Oakland's own Stroy Moyd and his #HellaFunny crew host this hilarious new weekly showcase at Bar Fluxus in Downtown San Francisco. Run by the same folks behind Madrone Art Bar, Bar Fluxus is a new, ridiculously colorful cocktail bar filled with cool art. Downtown Comedy Night features sets by some of the funniest rising comedy stars in the Bay Area and beyond, with hilarious headliners you may recognize from SF Sketchfest, Punchline, Cobbs, Viceland, NBC, ABC and beyond.

See San Francisco's best attractions and majestic views in one day during Extranomical's Bay in a Day tour. Knowledgable tour guides will share their insider info as they take you to sights like the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Nob Hill, Coit Tower, the Financial District, the Palace of Fine Arts, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio, Golden Gate Park and the Castro and Mission districts. You'll get an up-close experience of San Francisco's diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks and striking coastline. To top off this unique tour of one of the world's greatest cities, you'll even be able to see either Muir Woods or Alcatraz Island prison.

Among the greatest Brazilian guitarists of all time (high praise in a country steeped in a guitar-centric musical tradition), Yamandu Costa is as technically proficient as he is deeply soulful, attacking the nylon strings of his signature seven-string guitar "with a demonic playfulness ... as though he and his instrument were both being played by some virtuosic sprite, and he were merely an amazed observer" (Guitar Player Magazine). Combining traditional guitar styles like bossa nova, milonga, tango and samba into something totally new and totally exhilarating, Costa is truly a musical force of nature who must be seen and heard live to be believed. Experience this Brazilian phenom when Costa and his guitar take center stage at Herbst Theatre in the San Francisco War Memorial Building.

Kate needs to find some balance in her life. She grew up "poor" and thinks her husband is "rich" --These air quotes indicate just how subjective the two terms can be in the grand scheme of things. This one-woman show from Kate Robards straddles two different extremes of life as she tries to understand just exactly what it is that money can and can't buy. Montreal Theatre Hub's Anya Leibovitch calls Ain't That Rich "a winning comedy on money, class, and identity." Come see it at The Marsh Upstairs Studio Theater in San Francisco, where Bay Area comedian Ali Littman opens select performances.

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.

Big-name stars like Elizabeth Banks, Annette Bening, Anika Noni Rose, Milo Ventimiglia and Denzel Washington have more than abundant talent and good looks in common -- each also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting at San Francisco's prestigious American Conservatory Theater. Now the next generation of up-and-comers gets into the A.C.T. with a musical revue that's being billed as an intimate evening of personal truths told through song. Enjoy their show Now. Here. Us. at The Garret at the Geary Theater, and you can say you saw these talents on their way to the top.

Legendary TV star Ed Asner (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) is also a political activist and the author of the new book The Grouchy Historian, in which the Emmy winner explains how liberals can win arguments about how to interpret the Constitution. Ed Weinberger, his co-author and Mary Tyler Moore Show producer, will join Asner for this discussion at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco.

Suddenly single after his wife throws him out on the street, despairing journalist Felix reluctantly accepts the hospitality of his buddy Oscar, a sportswriter and Grade-A slob. What results is a constant battle between the meticulous and the messy as they cope with life... and each other. Watch the two polar opposites try to peacefully co-exist in The Odd Couple, the classic comedy from Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning playwright Neil Simon, at Berkeley's Black Repertory Group Theater.

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.

One of the Bay Area's most intriguing theater-makers is a baker in Capitola, Joe Ortiz, who subverts the musical form with earthy, intimate character studies tied together by a captivating interplay of songcraft and drama. His music memoir Escaping Queens could not be more timely as it tells its tender tale of an Italian/Puerto Rican family struggling to break free from life in the housing projects of New York. Sharing its characters' rich musical traditions, the show is packed with irresistible Latin beats, Sicilian ballads, doo-wop numbers on the street corner, and radio hits that will take you back to the 1950s sounds of the Big Apple. Eight years in development, Escaping Queens has been slow-cooked and perfectly seasoned to serve up a unforgettable theatrical experience at Shelton Theater in San Francisco.

Out with the old, in with the Neo-Future! Called "a hotbed of energy and creativity" by the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Francisco Neo-Futurists are blazing a trail to the future of theater. Their spirit of artistic adventurousness had them named the Bay Area's Best Theater Company in the San Francisco Bay Guardian's 2016 Readers Poll. Now the Neo-Futurists present their daring, genre-defying work (or should we say works?), The Infinite Wrench. Presented at San Francisco's Z Below, The Infinite Wrench is comprised of a series of two-minute plays designed to shift the conventions of live performance with the irrepressible, the honest, the WTF and the new.

A recent winner of the San Francisco Stage Magic Competition and a finalist at the Rooster T. Feather's and Wharf Room Comedy competitions, Ryan Kane will astound and amuse in his show, Please Enjoy Responsibly. Kane began honing his craft as a teenager on the streets of Old Sacramento where he attracted audiences with his deft magic and charming personality. In his show, minds are read, whiskey bottles appear out of nowhere and a paintball gun is fired at the man responsible for it all. Don't miss his San Francisco appearance at the EXIT Theatre.

Julie Andrews is basically the queen of musical theater. From The Sound of Music to My Fair Lady and Cinderella, Andrews has charmed the hearts of audiences across the world. Vocalist William Sauerland and his pals are bringing "a spoonful of sugar" and her best and brightest hits to San Francisco for an evening of cabaret and nostalgia. Sing along to songs like "My Favorite Things," "I Love to Laugh" "Wouldn't it be Lovely" at Feinstein's at the Nikko, where things are about to get supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

American composer Philip Glass is as prolific as he is praised -- the guy's composed seven string quartets, 11 concertos, 11 symphonies, multiple operas and several film scores (winning three Oscar nominations), and he's had no less than six documentaries made about him. Now, in celebration of his 80th birthday, the acclaimed San Francisco Girls Chorus will welcome members of his esteemed ensemble to the Herbst to perform excerpts from the opera Einstein on the Beach, mixed-media work The Photographer and the soundtrack to the famed 1982 film Koyaanisqatsi. The SFGC's ethereal sound is more than a perfect match for Glass' signature works, and they'll also include pieces by composers from the "Class of '37" -- Dietrich Buxtehude (born 1637), Joseph Michael Haydn (born 1737) and Mily Balakirev (born 1837).

For more than a decade, the performers of Red Hots Burlesque have been bumping and grinding their way across the best stages in New York and San Francisco. Now the United States' longest-running queer burlesque show's moving their popular Friday night extravaganza to the Stud, San Francisco's oldest gay bar! Voted San Francisco's hottest happy hour by SF Weekly, Red Hots features burlesque's signature striptease numbers, along with comedy, drag, live music, death-defying aerials, acrobatics and more. This all-inclusive troupe boasts talent from every gender, size, cultural background and performance style, and with a rotating roster of international performers, you're guaranteed to see an all-new show each and every time.

From Ellen Degeneres and Robin Williams to Dana Carvey and Margaret Cho, some of the greatest stand-up comics of all time first cut their teeth on the stages of San Francisco. Now #HellaFunny Sundays is carrying on the tradition with a weekly stand-up showcase at Neck of the Woods. Come laugh (and enjoy the no-drink minimum!) with some of the city's funniest local headlining comedians, including fresh-faced comics who've been featured on Viceland, Comedy Central and HBO.

A top 10 finalist on America's Got Talent, Julia Scotti is the transgender comedian in her 60s getting everybody talking. Her TV debut tackled the relatable pains of aging, graying and being so out of shape that you see dead relatives after jogging for a block and a half. She may not be ready for a marathon, but her comedy career is only picking up speed. Catch this "Crazy Old Lady of Comedy" when she takes the stage of Cobb's Comedy Club.

Barbarella, a cosmic bounty hunter of the 41st century, is hired by the Republic of Earth to track down and return the infamous cyberneticist, Durand Durand. The fate of humanity is in her hands. Will she complete her mission or will she be tempted by the lure of The Great Tyrant? Find out when this stage adaptation of the sexy sci-fi classic comes to San Francisco's PianoFight.

Long home to an electric comedy scene, the Bay Area has spawned some of the biggest names in stand-up, from Margaret Cho to Patton Oswalt, and it continues to breed the next generation of hilarious stars, like Vahé Hove and Chris Schiappacasse. Every Friday, get a sneak peek of who is up-and-coming in San Francisco's comedy scene, when a fresh line-up of San Francisco's best comics -- including many who have been seen performing on HBO, NBC, Comedy Central and more -- take the stage at the beautiful Variety Preview Theater in downtown San Francisco's iconic Hobart Building. Once there, splurge on food and drinks for a good cause. Proceeds from the sales go to Variety Children's Charity of Northern California.

FoolsFURY's next full production highlights individual shows by two longtime ensemble members -- Debórah Eliezer and Michelle Haner -- powerful women artists making powerful art. In (dis)Place[d], Eliezer cracks open the assumptions of her own identity through the story of her father: An Iraqi Jew born in 1930, a member of the Zionist underground, a refugee, an Israeli spy and an immigrant to America. This powerhouse solo performance combines story, movement, music, song and recordings. Told through the lens of three figures -- Haner, a drama teacher; Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg; and Shakespeare's tragic Prince of Denmark -- Haner's Sheryl, Hamlet, and Me is a surreal excursion exploring what it means to be an ambitious woman in the 21st century and what one must be willing to pay to expand reach and influence in this digital era. Catch these intensely personal plays at the NOHspace at the Project Artaud in San Francisco.

Is there anything as painfully funny as an old photo of you and your loved ones? From awkward phases to bad haircuts to questionable poses, there's no shortage of ways your past self can embarrass you. Now, Endgames improv troupe Chivalry Club is here to twist the knife with its new show ThrowBackThursday. Putting a fun spin on audience suggestion-based improv, Chivalry Club asks you to email them a photo from your past. If your picture is chosen, the talented group of improvisers will turn your embarrassing memory into a hilarious improvised scene at the show! Catch all the fun at San Francisco's Stage Werx.

The Fresh Air at San Francisco's PianoFight is about to get polluted with some of the Bay Area's best stand-up. Hosted by Kevin Whittinghill of Eureka! Science Comedy and SF Sketchfest, NPR-rated Comedy takes the well-researched and spoken stylings of public radio and tells it to essentially go f**k itself. Expect a hilarious mix of stand-up and parodied segments like All Smells Considered and Wait Wait ... Wait Wait ... Ok Just F%&king Tell Me.

The dudes at Sensitive-Bros create instant think pieces about masculinity in the contemporary world. But when one of their pieces inspires the Mens Rights Movement, this new breed of bro is forced to take a long look in the mirror and at what they've built. Enjoy Jake Jeppson's #bros at PianoFight in San Francisco.

Get ready for a plethora of all things sparkly -- the Gem Faire is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This show brings a wide array of quality gems, beads, crystals and more straight from more than 80 importers, wholesalers and manufacturers, so you can score some amazing deals on gorgeous jewelry and stones. If you're interested in making your own jewelry, be sure to check out the vendors selling beautiful beads and other supplies that you can turn into earrings and necklaces everyone will notice (and perhaps even be a little bit envious of). Grab your fellow jewelry-loving friends for a fun day of browsing, shopping and creating at the Gem Faire.

One of the nation's fastest-rising comedy stars, Kabir Singh is a huge crowd-pleaser with an abundance of energy, an in-your-face attitude and tons of clever material. He has won numerous comedy competitions, including taking first place two years in a row at the Bay Area Stand Up Comedy Competition, and has opened for top comedy stars like Russell Peters, Dave Chappelle and Dane Cook. Singh has taped sets for Comedy Central's Gabriel Iglesias' Stand-Up Revolution and Starz's StannDupp. He's been called "The Next Big Indian Comedian" by India West, and has been called "One of the Must-See Stand-Up Comedians in the U.S." by TV Asia.

They've appeared across the globe at prestigious events, from Scotland (Edinburgh Fringe Festival) to Australia (Melbourne Comedy Festival) to entertaining the troops as part of a USO tour. This showcase for headlining comics who've entertained abroad sets off on its journey for laughs at the Eastside West gastropub in the heart of San Francisco's Marina District. Along with the established comic, you'll also see a carefully curated collection of local stand-ups as well. This show is brought to you by Dave Chappelle's Bay Area opener, Stroy Moyd.

Jeff Hamilton, Tamir Hendelman and Christoph Luty comprise the Jeff Hamilton Trio, whose recordings have received numerous awards. Hamilton, a bandleader and co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, has recorded or performed in concert with Diana Krall, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and countless others. Jazz Journal International hails Hamilton as "a most driving and technically accomplished drummer," and the Denver Post cheers that "he brought the crowd to its feet." Enjoy the Jeff Hamilton Trio in A Jazz in the Ballroom Presentation at Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco.

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.

San Francisco's always-popular traveling comedy show. #HellaFunny comes to Milk Bar with a mix of longtime favorites and up-and-coming comedians. The show began at the legendary Purple Onion club in 2010 in the North Beach neighborhood of S.F., and now carries the fun to venues all over the Bay Area. Comedians who appear on #HellaFunny have been featured on Comedy Central, SF Sketchfest, Comedy Day and at the Punch Line. DJ Josef With an F will be spinning your favorite '90s hit all night long. The show is produced by Dave Chappelle's Bay Area opener, Stroy Moyd.

Engage! Your trip to the corners of the universe comes in these hilarious improvised episodes inspired by the hit science fiction fantasy series Star Trek. You don't have to be a super fan to enjoy Phasers on Stun's live illustrations of intergalactic humor, cosmic exploration and planet-hopping adventures -- all improvised on the spot. This improv gang specializes exclusively in Star Trek-inspired episodes about the cosmos, keeping audiences entertained with costumes, aliens and more. Check out this wild and wacky fan-fic spin at Stage Werx in San Francisco.

Comedian Jon Reep is the face of Dodge ... Okay, we stretched the truth a little. However, you've definitely seen him on Dodge commercials asking, "That thing got a Hemi?" He embraces the jokes that come with the recognition though. According to his Twitter page, he claims, "I drive a Hemi-powered Prius," but he's also a "well-read neck" and has a "BA in theater and underwater basket weaving." Don't you already want to be his best friend? You've seen him win Last Comic Standing's fifth season and on the big screen in Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay. Now's your chance to become friends IRL when he takes the stage of Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco for some stand-up that isn't (completely) auto-related.

The no-brainer way to get real laughs is to be in the company of hilarious people. With Real Live Comedians, you'll get 90 minutes of live stand-up comedy action and other assorted funny business from some of the best talents out there. Brought to you by producer-performer Jason Mack, each show features a different host and selection of comics, plus stand-up from Mack himself, whose charmingly awkward persona and dark but silly humor has quickly won over Bay Area audiences. Get ready to laugh 'til it hurts when this comedy showcase takes the stage at the Punch Line in San Francisco.