THURSDAY, OCT. 18
An American Ma(u)l: Black Artists Contemporary Cultural Experience opens a four-weekend run of Robert O’Hara’s political satire about what happens when American leaders and the population revoke freedoms to save a failing economy. [8 p.m., Brava, 2781 24th St., S.F.]
Inspired by Juana: La Doña de la Frontera: Los Altos History Museum opens a bilingual exhibit (which runs through March) about Juana Briones, a 19th century healer, advocate, matriarch and entrepreneur who ran a ranch in the area; a ticketed opening fiesta is from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday. [Noon to 4 p.m., 51 S. Antonio Road, Los Altos]
The Killing Fields: San Francisco Public Library screens the movie based on the true story of journalists Dith Pran and Sydney Schanberg covering Cambodia’s civil war in the 1970s. [Noon, Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
The Commons’ 3rd Thursdays Block Party: The final event of the free seasonal series includes music (bands curated by Another Planet Entertainment), food trucks and adult beverages amid state-of-the-art playgrounds. [5 to 9 p.m., Civic Center Plaza, Polk, Larkin, Grove and McAllister streets, S.F.]
FRIDAY, OCT. 19
Mayhem Mansion: Opening a two-weekend run, the haunted house tour (and fundraiser for San Francisco Heritage’s Haas-Lilienthal House, a distinctive Victorian), also offers no-host cocktails at its adjacent “Spookeasy.” [7 to 10 p.m., 2007 Franklin St., S.F.]
Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic: The ice skating extravangaza, opening a three-day, seven-performance run before moving to the South Bay, features appearances by more than 50 Disney characters as well as a Mickey Mouse 90th birthday celebration pre-show. [7 p.m., Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland]
Pete Souza: The former official White House photographer for Barack Obama discusses his new book “Shade,” a tribute to a bygone era of integrity in politics, in a ticketed event. [7 p.m., Curran, 445 Geary St., S.F.]
Baron Wolman: The former Rolling Stone chief photographer shares his work (from Hendrix to Woodstock)and offers a sneak peek of his upcoming Instagram book, “My Generation.” [6:30 p.m., Hotel Zeppelin, 545 Post St., S.F.]
Kinetech Arts: The group presents “MESH,” a performance with dance and interactive technology, telling “a network of fragmented stories about individuals running against time while feeling trapped behind a mask of uncertainties.” [8 p.m., Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St., S.F.]
Peninsula Ballet Theatre Cabaret: Performances of works by new artistic director Gregory Amato, tapas and drinks are on the program. [7 p.m., Studio One Theatre, 1880 S. Grant St., San Mateo]
Liss Fain Dance: The troupe’s performance installation “A Recomposition” asks “What are the anchor points in our past that define us?” [8 p.m., Z Space, 450 Florida St.. S.F.]
Two Player Game: George Salazar, known for roles in “Be More Chill,” “Lightning Thief” and “Godspell” appears in concert with, and singing songs by,“Be More Chill” composer Joe Iconis. [8 p.m., Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F.]
Circus Center Cabaret: The gala “Let’s Misbehave” is an intimate evening of the Bay Area’s best variety acts, live music from Leanne Borghesi and the Roger Glenn Trio, and a full bar (for ages 21 and older). [8 p.m., Circus Center, 755 Frederick St., S.F.]
S.F. Conservatory of Music Orchestra: James Ross leads a concert with Lutosławski’s Symphonic Variations, Barber’s Second Essay for Orchestra, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor. [7:30 p.m., 50 Oak St., S.F.]
Comedy Returns to El Rio: The evening of standup features Clara Bijl, Victor Pacheco, Bridget Schwartz, Jon Alcabes and Lisa Geduldig. [7 p.m., 3185 Mission St., S.F.]
Ensemble for These Times: The contemporary classical group’s program “Emigres & Exiles in Hollywood” includes rarely heard works by composers who “fled to Los Angeles from the cauldron of pre-World War II Europe.” [7 p.m., 405 Shrader St., S.F.]
Third Eye Moonwalk: In Jon Bernson’s multimedia installation and performance, a disciple sent on a dangerous spiritual mission travels throughout a building and encounters obstacles only to find that “her true opponent lies within.” [8 p.m., Atrium, 1275 Minnesota St., S.F.]
Women Laughing Alone With Salad: Shotgun Players open the comedy by Sheila Callaghan, which skewers how women are portrayed in the media, and how both women and men are affected by stereotypes. [8 p.m., Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley]
SYML: In his solo project, indie rocker Brian Fennell (previously from the indie band Barcelona) has broken out with the single “Where’s My Love?” [9 p.m., Chapel, 777 Valencia St., S.F.]
The Mad Caddies: Since forming in Solvang in 1995, the band has “channeled its love of reggae, dub, ska, dancehall, two-tone and punk” into something distinctive, playing punk covers and between genre lines. [9 p.m., Slim’s, 333 11th St., S.F.]
Book marketing panel: Publishing and media experts Brenda Knight, Eileen Duhne and Sue Wilhite offer book-selling tips in the free session presented by the Women’s National Book Association. [Noon, Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., fourth floor, S.F.]
SATURDAY, OCT. 20
Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu: The acclaimed, eclectic Hawaiian troupe presents “I Mua-Hula in Unusual Places,” which takes the dance form to the desert, a prison, New York City and more. [8 p.m., Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F.]
Lily Cai Dance Company: Opening a two-day run, the troupe, which blends Chinese classicism and Western modern, celebrates 30 years with a concert featuring “Red Typhoon,” fan favorite “Silk Cascade” and the premiere of “Standing Here.” [8 p.m., Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F.]
San Francisco Trolley Dances: Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the moving showcase of performances follows Muni’s N-Judah line from Mission Creek Park to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, featuring Epiphany Dance Theater and other troupes along the route. [Two-hour tours run every 45 minutes from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., start at Fourth and Channel streets, S.F.]
Lit Crawl: Hundreds of authors and thousands of readers are expected at the annual Litquake closing pub crawl, billed as the world’s largest free pop-up literary event; new this year is a book fair from noon to 4 p.m. at The Chapel, 777 Valencia St. [5 to 9 p.m., The Mission, S.F.; www.litquake.org]
Noah Cyrus: The teen star — little sister of Miley Cyrus — is on her first headlining gig, The Good Cry Tour. [8 p.m., August Hall, 420 Mason St., S.F.]
Mason Jennings: The prolific singer-songwriter who’s been making music since 1997 is promoting his new uplifting album “Songs From When We Met.” [9 p.m. Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., S.F]
Kronos Quartet: The new music ensemble plays compositions from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, countries that were the subject of 2017 Executive Orders limiting travel to the U.S. [7:30 p.m., Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford]
Jessica Hische: The graphic designer speaks about “Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave,” her inspirational children’s book with gorgeous hand-lettering that encourages kids to try new things. [11 a.m., Reading Bug, 785 Laurel St., San Carlos]
OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo: The third annual free event features more than 100 service providers to the SF LGBTQ community and over $1,000 in door prizes. [12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood St., S.F.]
Sasha Waltz & Guests: “Körper,” a piece by the acclaimed choreographer from Berlin set on 13 male and female dancers, is described as a “living tableaux, both epic and intimate.” [8 p.m., Zellerbach Auditorium, UC Berkeley campus]
Archaeology Day: Visitors explore artifacts and learn what it means to be an archaeologist in the free presentation sponsored by San Francisco State’s Anthropology Department and the Global Museum. [11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Garden of Remembrance, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]
