With the passing of Hardly Strictly and Castro Street Fair, summer is officially done, and while we shouldn't write off any possibility of hot weather to come and Thursday to Saturday is looking pretty nice and clear this week hopes are starting to fade for any serious Indian summer heat. But buck up, SF! There's still plenty to do this week, indoors and out, you just might want to keep carrying around that layer.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4
CULT ROCK MUSICAL ABOUT A TRANS WOMAN: The new Broadway tour of Hedwig & the Angry Inch, starring Glee star and SF native Darren Criss, just began previews, and opening night is Wednesday. You can sign up on the Today Tix app for $40 rush tickets today, or for any performance, or just show up at the Golden Gate Theater at 6 p.m. to see if there are any left. Or you can purchase full-price tickets here, which start at $55. Golden Gate Theater, 1 Taylor Street at Market, 8 p.m., $55-$75
END OF A CONCERT SERIES ERA: Wood Shoppe, the first-Tuesday concert series at Brick & Mortar that's been going on over four years, calls it quits tonight. The three-bands-and-a-DJ concept has been much loved, but the organizers say they're getting older, running out of time, and running out of new local acts to highlight (which is sad). The final lineup: Spooky Mansion, The Regrettes, Bam!Bam! (with DJ Chad Salty). Brick & Mortar, 1710 Mission Street, 8 p.m., show at 9, free
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
CULT R&B MUSICAL ABOUT A CARNIVOROUS PLANT: The classic Little Shop of Horrors is in its last week at the Victoria, produced by Ray of Light Theater, and if it's been a while since you've had any of its earworm numbers like "Skid Row" and "Suddenly Seymour" in your head, it might be time to see it again. Tickets start at $20 on the Today Tix app, or $25 if you order them from the theater's site. Victoria Theater, 2961 16th Street, 8 p.m. $20-$40
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
FIRST THURSDAY ART WALK: Back in my early twenties, I went to First Thursdays with friends mostly for the free wine, and maybe to look at a little art. You can still do that, or you can actually visit artists' receptions, meet them, and consider buying their work at various galleries around downtown. Those receptions are now joined by the hipper (and more budget-friendly) Lower Polk/Tenderloin Art Walk, happening simultaneously.
OPEN STUDIOS ART RECEPTION: This week marks the kickoff of ArtSpan, SF Open Studios' monthlong exhibition series and overall art celebration. It's the oldest and largest open studios program in the country, and this year will showcase over 800 emerging and established San Francisco artists, showing off their work in their own studios. 400 pieces will be on display as part of a preview at SOMArts this weekend, kicking off with a reception Thursday evening, and that's meant to help you find artists whose studios you'd like to visit in the coming weeks. And if you want first crack at what's on the walls, there's a VIP hour you can pay extra for. SOMArts, 934 Brannan Street, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., $25-$50, tickets here.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
PARADE OF SHIPS/VERY LOUD AIR SHOW: As mentioned yesterday, it's Fleet Week! And the main events start at 10 a.m. Friday morning with the Parade of Ships, the best vantage point for which is at Marina Green. Then comes the afternoon-long air show, only one hour of which features the Blue Angels (starting at 3 p.m.), but which is preceded by some less loud, more old-timey planes, starting at noon. If you need VIP seats, those cost money, but there are actually plenty of good places to watch the war machines fly, including up at the SF Art Institute. Marina Green and various locales. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RAD MODERN FILM FESTIVAL: In conjunction with the San Francisco Film Society and in honor of the Criterion Collection, SFMOMA is presenting the three-week long film series "Modern Cinema," "exploring the dynamic forces interacting between cinema’s past and present." Depending on how much time you have to attend, this is basically a crash course in modern world cinema of the last half century, kicking off Friday with screenings of Akira Kurasawa's Rashomon (sold out), and Fassbinder's The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, for which there are still tickets. Screenings throughout the weekend include classics like Antonioni's L'Avventura and Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. SFMOMA, 151 Third Street, 8:30 p.m., $12
AMBER TAMBLYN'S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT: Actress turned writer-director Amber Tamblyn (a.k.a. Mrs. David Cross) makes her directorial debut this year on the festival circuit with Paint It Black, the fictional story of two young women grieving the same man set in LA's 1980's punk scene. It stars Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat, and at Friday's screening as part of the Mill Valley Film Festival, Tamblyn will be in attendance. CineArts Sequoia, 25 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, 8:45 p.m. $15
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE: It's the oldest Italian heritage parade in the country, and it happens every Columbus Day weekend, kicking off Saturday afternoon in Fisherman's Wharf, heading up Columbus and winding up at Washington Square Park. And there are typically people dressed up as Columbus on his ship, and Queen Isabella and her court, on a float, and one of the grand marshals this year is Brian Boitano. Everything culminates in a Grand Ball and at the Mark Hopkins, if you want to pony up $185 a person. Jefferson Street and Columbus Avenue, 12:30 p.m., free
RENAISSANCE FAIRE: Attention all Ren Faire dorks! If you weren't aware, there is a Northern California Renaissance Faire every early fall in Hollister, and it's happening this weekend and next. There are 200 vendor booths, and this weekend's theme is Oktoberfest, where you're encouraged to "Kick off the Harvest season and raise a mug of Willingtown ale." And there's a free concert each Saturday, with this week's being Whiskey & Women, who sound fun. Costumes aren't required, though encouraged, and they are rentable. Casa de Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $28, plus $10 parking pass
DRAG MUSICAL/DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: Having taken their show on the road, season 5 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Jinkx Monsoon and SF star Peaches Christ are bringing their Grey Gardens tribute show back to the Castro, playing Lil' Jinkxy and Big Peachy, respectively in this original, satirical musical. The show features special guest stars Mink Stole (Pink Flamingoes, Female Trouble, All About Evil) and Lady Bear as themselves, and is likely to sell out because of the Jinkx factor. And, as before, the show will be followed by a screening of cult documentary classic, Grey Gardens. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, 8 p.m., $30 advance tickets
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9
GLASS PUMPKIN MAKING CLASS: It might be a pricy hobby to take up, but if you're feeling in the maker spirit and want to learn the ins and outs of glass-blowing, Public Glass is a good place to start. The three-hour, seasonally appropriate, glass pumpkin class is geared toward beginners, and isn't as much of a commitment as the five-week, $600 Glass-Blowing 1A course, which also kicks off on Sunday. But if you're feeling like this is your next new hobby, you might want to consider that too. Public Glass, 1750 Armstrong Avenue, noon to 3 p.m. $125
DAY INTO EVENING DANCE PARTY: Local DJ collective Honey Soundsystem rings in nine years of parties at this anniversary dance fest at Public Works. It will be indoors and out, starting during daylight hours, and featuring DJs Midland, Erika, and Doc Sleep, plus special guests. And if you're lucky enough to get Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day off, you can dance on til 2 a.m. Public Works, 161 Erie Street, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., $15/$20 at the door. Advance tickets here.
