Live Performance entertainment in California
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Magicopolis
Not only aspiring Harry Potters will enjoy the comedy-laced sleight-of-hand, levitation and other illusions performed by Steve Spills and cohorts in this intimate space. Escapes from reality last about 90 minutes, and there's even a small shop for all your wizard supplies.
reviewed
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B
Arlington Center for the Performing Arts
Aside from being home to the Santa Barbara Symphony, the Arlington Center for the Performing Arts is a drop-dead-gorgeous, old-fashioned movie palace when the orchestra isn't playing. Great place to catch a flick.
reviewed
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C
San Francisco Opera
SF has been obsessed with opera since the Gold Rush, and it remains a staple on the social calendar. Bluebloods like Ann Getty always book the Tuesday A-series – the best nights to spot fabulous drag. The gorgeous 1932 hall is cavernous and echoey, but there’s no more glamorous seat in SF than the velvet-curtained boxes, complete with champagne service. The best midrange seats for sightlines and sound are in the front section of the dress circle. The balcony has the best sound but you’ll need binoculars to see the stage, unless you come on ‘Opera Vision’ nights, when a huge screen shows the action on stage (don’t sit directly beneath the flickering high-def monitors; if y…
reviewed
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D
Commonwealth Club
You know you’ve arrived when the Commonwealth Club asks you to speak. Every US president since Teddy Roosevelt has spoken at the club, the longest-running, most-influential public-affairs forum in the US. Intellectual luminaries and other important figures speak at over 400 annual events. Topics range from politics and economics to culture and society. Many programs are broadcast on public-radio stations nationwide, including local affiliate KQED-FM (88.5).
reviewed
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E
Porchlight
This monthly event is no ordinary reading series. Each month six interesting people are invited to recount a 10-minute story, without notes or memorization. The lineup is downright wacky, with people from all walks of life – from school-bus drivers to sex-workers. At this writing, Porchlight had moved to a new venue that serves alcohol, making it inappropriate for anyone under 21; verify current location and ticket information online.
reviewed
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F
Classical Revolution
Young up-and-coming chamber musicians – usually recent grads from conservatories around the country – perform live on Sunday evenings at Momi Toby’s Revolution Cafe in the Mission. If you’re a formally trained musician in your 20s, find your tribe here. Arrive early (by 7pm latest) to snag a table.
reviewed
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G
Intersection for the Arts
Alterna-theater, jazz, literary readings and an upstairs gallery are all part of this nonprofit arts space, the oldest in SF (opened 1965). Intersection has lots going on, including a literary series, workshops and an ‘open process’ series, which explores the craft of making art; check the website for details.
reviewed
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H
Edgemar Center for the Arts
There are two stages and a gallery, but more than just being a passive venue, the Edgemar provides a platform for cross-over collaborations between playwrights, musicians, actors, dancers and performance artists and, through its acting school, also sees itself as a nurturing ground for the next generation of thespians.
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Highways Performance Space & Gallery
Provocative and experimental performance art is what socially progressive artists cook up in this cutting-edge lab of creativity. This results in a multicultural, all-embracing mosaic of cabaret, music, readings, dance recitals, mixed-media shows and plays that continually push the envelope of expression.
reviewed
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Great American Music Hall
Once a bordello, the rococo Great American Music Hall is one of SF’s coolest places for shows. A balcony with table seating rims the main standing-room floor area, the sound system is top-notch, and there are food and drinks. Music ranges from rock, alt-rock and country, to jazz and blues.
reviewed
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K
Marsh
The Marsh is a hive of creativity. One-acts and one-off stagings of works-in-progress involve the audience in the creative process. This is San Francisco experimental theater at its most exciting. A sliding-scale pricing structure allows all to participate. Also offers workshops.
reviewed
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L
Café Royale
A Parisian tiled floor and semicircular fainting couches lend atmosphere and acoustics to this laid-back lounge, which hosts film screenings, open-mic poetry slams and jazz. Walk by during the day and you’ll sometimes hear musicians rehearsing in the basement studio.
reviewed
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M
HP Pavilion
The San Jose Sharks, the city's NHL team, plays at the HP Pavilion, a massive glass-and-metal stadium. The NHL season runs from September to April.
Tickets are available from the Compaq Center box office or, for a surcharge, through Ticketmaster.
reviewed
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Curran Theater
The big spectaculars - like the Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals - show at the Curran, which opened in 1922 with Broadway-style opulence and crystal chandeliers all around. Avoid the balcony seats if possible, which are cramped with limited legroom.
reviewed
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O
Puppet & Magic Center
Steve Meltzer's Puppetolio puppet show (suitable for ages three and up) has delighted audiences since 1998. All performances are followed by a tour 'behind the strings' and a visit to the puppet museum. Steve also runs puppet workshops.
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Winters Opera House
Davis' long-standing favorite live music venue, Palm's Playhouse, moved to the town of Winters, about 12 miles west of Davis. Shows take place in the historic Winters Opera House. The old hall is an absolutely fantastic place to see a show.
reviewed
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P
Theatre Rhinoceros
By turns edgy, bawdy, serious and experimental, the Rhino mounts noteworthy shows on a shoestring. Despite being a small, no-frills black-box studio, it’s the nation’s longest-running GLBT company. Check the calendar.
reviewed
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Q
Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, which dates from 1923, is the university's 76,000-seat sporting venue. This is the site (in alternating years) of the famous football frenzy between the UC Berkeley and Stanford teams.
reviewed
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R
Ice House
Dana Carvey, Lily Tomlin and Billy Crystal have honed their chops at this former ice warehouse. Drinks are disappointing, the show – usually – not. Over 18s only.
reviewed
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Fillmore
Hendrix, Zeppelin, the Who - they all played the Fillmore. Its 1250 capacity means you're close to the stage. Dig the priceless collection in the upstairs poster-art gallery.
reviewed
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El Rio
El Rio 'Salsa Sundays' are legendary: arrive at 3pm for lessons; dress sexy. Other nights: awesome specials, eclectic music, pan-sexual crowd.
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Warnors Theatre
Downtown, Warnors Theatre is home to several more classic old theaters, including the stunning 1928 Warnors, which hosts concerts, musicals and other events.
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Bang Improv Studio
You'll get lots of bang – and laughs – for your buck at this pint-sized improv stage with attached school. All ages welcome.
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Dance Mission
Dance Mission always has something going on, from contact improv to dance jams and classes.
reviewed
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Raiders
Also playing at the McAfee Coliseum are Oakland's NFL team, attracting a particularly rabid brand of fan.
reviewed
