1. Johnny Flynn
Café du Nord, 2170 Market St., San Francisco
Johnny Flynn is a renaissance man of sorts. The London-based singer-songwriter, who cites Shakespeare among his influences as an actor, musician and poet, crafts literature-infused folk songs with a decidedly British edge. The fresh-faced artist began to call attention to his country, blues and folk-inspired musical endeavors in 2007 after releasing a string of critically acclaimed singles. Flynn’s first full-length album, “A Larum,” pulls from the Pixies, Vaughn Williams and Dianne Cluck to create an earthy, anti-folk sound. Flynn plays with backing band the Sussex Wit at Café Du Nord.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Info: (415) 861-5016, www.cafedunord.com
2. The Watson Twins
The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., San Francisco
The folk and country singers open for Railroad Earth.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Info: (415) 346-6000,www.thefillmore.com
3. My Bloody Valentine
The Concourse at San Francisco Design Center, 620 Seventh St., San Francisco
The reunited shoegazer legends unveil new material.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Info: www.ticketmaster.com
4. Cold War Kids
Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
The band is best known for the single “Hang Me Up to Dry.”
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Info: (415) 885-0750, www.gamh.com
Best Stage
1. ‘MacB’: The traditional story of Macbeth is reworked with a modern twist.
When: Through Oct. 4
Where: Buriel Clay Theatre, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco
Info: (800) 838-3006, www.brownpapertickets.com
2. ‘Of Mice and Men’: The Actors Theatre of San Francisco opens its 20th season with an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel.
When: Friday through Nov. 29
Where: Actors Theatre of San Francisco, 855 Bush St.
Info: (415) 345-1287, www.actorstheatresf.org
3. ‘Rock ’N’ Roll’: A rapturous, decades-spanning tale of Prague’s rock revolution.
When: Through Oct. 18
Where: American Conservatory Theater, Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco
Info: (415) 749-2228, www.act-sf.org
4. ‘Irma la Douce’: The Parisian musical comedy became the toast of London and New York in the early 1960s.
When: Saturday through Oct. 12
Where: Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson St., San Francisco
Info: (415) 255-8207, www.42ndstmoon.org
5. ‘All You Can Eat’: The American Dream is explored through the eyes of the rock band All You Can.
When: Through Oct. 11
Where: Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida St., San Francisco
Info: (415) 522-0786, www.atjt.com
Best Outdoors
All-star lineup slated for festival
1. San Francisco Blues Festival: An all-star lineup of blues heavy hitters join forces for the 36th annual event this weekend. The three-day event gets underway Friday with a tribute to legendary artist John Lee Hooker and extends until Sunday with performances by such acts as Hot Tuna, Johnny Winter, Buckwheat Zydeco and Denise LaSalle.
Great Meadow, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Laguna Street, San Francisco
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Info: (415) 979-5588, www.sfblues.com
2. Film in the fog: A free, family-friendly picnic, concert, comedy show and film screening of the musical “An American in Paris.”
On the lawn of the Main Post Theatre, 99 Moraga Ave., San Francisco
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Info: www.presidio.gov/calendar/film.htm
3. Free Culture Fair: Dolores Park hosts the Bay Area’s only grassroots connection fair for independent arts, music and culture.
Dolores Park, 18th and Dolores streets, San Francisco
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Info: (415) 677-9877, www.artsandmedia.net/expo
4. Out of Darkness Community Walk: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hosts a community walk to benefit local and national prevention and awareness programs.
Crissy Field Center, 603 Mason St., Presidio, San Francisco
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Info: (415) 561-7752, www.outofthedarkness.org
Best Dance
1. With Their Hair and Feet on Fire: Dance Action presents a performance featuring new modern dance work by Jancy Limpert and Mary Forrest.
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Where: Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Info: (650) 903-6000, www.mvcpa.com
2. Master of Tradition: A traditional Kathak solo performed by Pandit Chitresh Das.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., San Francisco
Info: (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org
3. With & Without Words: Original songs of Bay Area soprano and songwriter Katy Stephan are interwoven with short dances choreographed by Katy Davis.
When: 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Where: Community Music Center, 544 Capp St., San Francisco
Info: (415) 647-6015, www.sfcmc.org
4. Shakti Yoga Dance: Yoga Soul’s Rebecca Snowball presents an energetic and playful yoga dance event with live music.
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Odd Fellows Hall, 839 Main St., Redwood City
Info: (650) 996-8196, www.yogasoul.com
5. On Motifs of Shakespeare: The West Coast premiere of Mark Morris’ production features the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Stefan Asbury.
When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley
Info: (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances
