WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
Myq Kaplan: The comedian, aka Mike Kaplan, records his album in a standup show also featuring Virginia Jones and Matt Gubser. [8 p.m., Doc’s Lab, 124 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
S.F. Francisco Symphony: Led by Eckehard Stier, the orchestra plays scores from the huge video game franchise Final Fantasy (VI, VII and X) in a concert preceded by a 6:30 p.m. talk by the game’s creator Join Hironobu Sakaguchi, [7:30 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Melissa O’Keefe: The local actress, singer and voiceover artist appears in her cabaret act, “When I Get Famous.” [7 p.m., Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F.]
Sojourner Truth, Photography, and the Fight Against Slavery: Opening today and running through Oct. 23, the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum exhibit collects 19th century “pocket photos” of the famed former slave and other Civil War–era photographs and federal currency on view for the first time. [11 a.m. to 7 p.m., BAMPFA, 2155 Center St., Berkeley]
Letting Go-An Anthology of Attempts: Essayists David Turnoff, Sue Parman and Gigi Pandian share their respective pieces from the compilation of works about struggles to let go of everything from a fear of horses to piles of books and papers. [7 p.m,, Books Inc., 1491 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley]
Matt Baxter: The Delta blues artist plays a free lunchtime concert presented by People in Plazas. [Noon, Alioto Plaza, Grove and Larkin streets, S.F.]
Swing in the Square: Stompy Jones, the San Francisco based sextet known for jumpin’ rhythm, wailing improvisations, hip charm and retro style plays the free evening concert. [6 p.m., Union Square, 333 Post St., S.F.]
Fences: August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning drama about a former Negro League ballplayer turned sanitation worker is presented by California Shakespeare Theater. [7:30 p.m., Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda]
THURSDAY, JULY 28
Paradox Voice Band: The San Francisco a cappella pop band founded by Fritz Lambandrake performs 100 percent original arrangements of tunes from many decades and of many styles. [8 p.m., Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F.]
Anita-Speaking Truth to Power: The City Arts & Lectures’ documentary series screens the film examining the legacy of anti-sexual harassment activist and attorney Anita Hill and offering a rare glimpse into her private life. [7:30 p.m., Nourse, 275 Hayes St., S.F.]
Basic Psychology I Didn’t Learn in Med School: The Commonwealth Club series on “Big Solutions for Big Problems” opens with a talk by Dr. Denise L. Davis of UCSF addressing issues of race, power and health and improving doctor-patient communication. [5:15 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F.]
Garrett + Moulton Productions: Janice Garrett and Charles Moulton premiere “Speak, Angels,” an evening-length work for 36 dancers, singers and instrumentalists exploring humans’ capacity to access strength when faced with hardship. [8 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 701 Misssion St., S.F.]
High Spirits and Drinking the Devil’s Acre: Writers J. K. Dineen and Duggan McDonnell speak about their books, which cover San Francisco’s vibrant bar scene — past, present and future. [6 p.m., Mechanics’ Institute Library, 57 Post St., S.F.]
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Peter Rodriguez: The public is invited to attend a memorial service for the founder of The Mexican Museum, who died at age 90 on July 1. [11:30 a.m., St. Dominic’s Church, 2390 Bush St., S.F.]
Benjamin Francis Leftwich: The English singer-songwriter is known for his hypnotic, ethereal vocals and indie-folk tunes. [8 p.m., Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St., S.F.]
Women Sports Film Festival: The inaugural (three-day) event opens with “T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold,” the coming-of-age story of boxer Claressa Shields, who was 17 when she won the Olympic gold medal for women’s boxing in 2012. [6:30 p.m., New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St., Oakland]
CalendarFencesFinal FantasyMatt BaxterMelissa O’KeefeMyq KaplanParadox Voice BandS.F. Francisco Symphony
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