Sara Bareilles brings her piano-pop songbook to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Friday night, while the Curran Theatre stages Oh, Mary! the same evening, so the city’s stages are split between a singer-songwriter and a quirky musical. The picks below jump from Mexican folk-pop at SFJAZZ to alternative rock at the Castro, with comedy and a Dvorak symphony in between.
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- Sara Bareilles at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
- Lila Downs at SFJAZZ Center
- Oh, Mary! at the Curran Theatre
- San Francisco Symphony plays Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 at Davies Symphony Hall
- Dinosaur Jr. with Stef Chura at the Castro Theatre
- T-Pain and Ari Lennox at Golden Gate Park
- Theatre Flamenco at Herbst Theatre
- Tom Hamilton at Cafe Du Nord
- HellaFunny Comedy Night at The Function Comedy Club
- Rob Dehlinger at Feinstein’s at the Nikko
Sara Bareilles at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Fri, Oct 16, 8:00 PM · Bill Graham Civic Auditorium · from $88
Bareilles is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Broadway writer best known for the hits Love Song and Brave. Expect a set built on her piano-driven pop catalogue and a big, warm crowd singing along.
Lila Downs at SFJAZZ Center
Fri, Oct 16, 7:30 PM · SFJAZZ Center – Miner Auditorium · from $81
Downs blends Mexican folk traditions with jazz, pop and rock, and is one of the most acclaimed Latin voices working today. Miner Auditorium is an intimate room, so this is a good pick if you want to hear her voice up close.
Oh, Mary! at the Curran Theatre
Fri, Oct 16, 7:30 PM · Curran Theatre · from $160
A irreverent comedy musical about Mary Todd Lincoln’s sharp-edged reimagining of the presidency, the show is playful and loud. It suits anyone who likes their theatre with a wink.
San Francisco Symphony plays Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 at Davies Symphony Hall
Fri, Oct 16, 7:30 PM · Davies Symphony Hall · from $48
Dvorak’s Eighth is full of Bohemian melody and bright, folk-inflected themes, and Davies is one of the city’s finest concert halls. A strong choice for a classical night out.
Dinosaur Jr. with Stef Chura at the Castro Theatre
Sun, Oct 18, 7:00 PM · Castro Theatre · from $15
Dinosaur Jr. have been a cornerstone of loud, melodic indie rock since the 1980s, with J Mascis’s distorted guitar at the centre. The Castro’s old cinema room makes for an unusually atmospheric setting for a rock show.
T-Pain and Ari Lennox at Golden Gate Park
Sat, Oct 17, 1:00 PM · Golden Gate Park · from $171
T-Pain is one of the defining voices of 2000s hip-hop and R&B, and Ari Lennox brings a smooth, soulful edge. An outdoor afternoon set in the park is an easy way to spend a sunny Saturday.
Theatre Flamenco at Herbst Theatre
Sat, Oct 17, 7:30 PM · Herbst Theatre · from $77
De Ayer a Hoy traces flamenco from its roots to the present, with dance, guitar and singing. Herbst is a handsome, intimate venue, which suits a form that depends on close physical rhythm.
Tom Hamilton at Cafe Du Nord
Sat, Oct 17, 9:00 PM · Cafe Du Nord · from $48
Hamilton is best known as the bassist of Aerosmith, and this intimate club show offers a rare chance to see a rock veteran in a small room. Cafe Du Nord’s cellar setting keeps the mood close and loud.
HellaFunny Comedy Night at The Function Comedy Club
Fri, Oct 16, 7:00 PM · The Function Comedy Club · from $33
A multi-act comedy bill with a rotating lineup of local and touring comics. It’s a lively, low-stakes night out with a different feel from the bigger theatre shows.
Rob Dehlinger at Feinstein’s at the Nikko
Sat, Oct 17, 8:00 PM · Feinstein’s at the Nikko · from $90
Feinstein’s is a supper-club room where the music is the focus, and Dehlinger performs pop and rock standards there. A good choice for a relaxed, grown-up evening.
Check dates and times before you head out, as some shows run on different start times across the weekend. Booking early is the best way to get the seats you want at the Curran and Davies.
