SUNDAY, OCT. 30
Vessels of Memory: The installation by University of San Francisco faculty member Arturo Araujo, S.J., — which uses video, sculpture and sound to prompt “contemplation of culturally-specific death rituals, nostalgia and global environmental crises” — opens with a walk-through and reception. [Noon, Manresa Gallery, inside St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave., S.F.]
Unitarian Universalist Sunday Forum: Tim Redmond, founder of 48hills, the progressive online news source, speaks on the “November Election and Future of San Francisco.” [12:30 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1187 Franklin St., S.F.]
Mike Stax: The author of “Swim Through The Darkness-My Search for Craig Smith & the Mystery of Maitreya Kali,” speaks about his book, which tells the 1960s-era story of a clean-cut, successful songwriter who became a “self-proclaimed psychedelic Messiah.” [7 p.m., Green Apple Books, 506 Clement St., S.F.]
Laurence Rickels: The author of “The Psycho Records,” which the influence of the primal shower scene within subsequent slasher and splatter films, appeas in “an afternoon of pre-All Hallows Eve mischief. [5 p.m., City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Spectrum Summit: The free discussion and performance series is dedicated to the exploration of contemporary issues affecting the social, cultural and mental health of black people. [11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastside Art Alliance, 2277 International Blvd. Oakland,]
Jewelle Gomez: The Bay Area author celebrates the release of “The Gilda Stories: Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition”; the book, an “instant lesbian classic,” explores “blackness, radical ecology, redefinitions of family and the erotic potential of the vampire story.” [3 p.m., Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St., S.F.]
Dover Quartet, Edgar Meyer: San Francisco Performances presents the up-and-coming ensemble, with guest bassist Meyer, in a program of works by Mozart, Rossini, Dvorak and Meyer. [7 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Mariachi Flor de Toloache: The Latin-Grammy nominated female mariachi band performs a free concert on the SJZ Boom Box Stage at the Dia De Los Muertos celebration, “La Ultima Parada.” [4:30 p.m., Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose]
Ensemble for These Times: The program features soprano Nanette McGuinness, pianist Dale Tsang and guest cellist Anne Lerner-Wright playing works by 20th and 21st century composers. [3 p.m., Berkeley Piano Club, 2724 Haste St., Berkeley]
Carrie Newcomer: The contemporary folk artist — a singer, songwriter, Quaker, Midwesterner and goodwill ambassador — was described by Billboard Magazine has a “soaring songstress,” [7 p.m., Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley]
Grace Note Chamber Players: Violinists Claudia Bloom & Geoffrey Noer, violist Wendy Clymer, cellist Russ Bartoli and guest pianist Madeline Bloom play works by Bach, Beethoven and Bartók. [4 p.m., Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St., S.F.[
Lieder Alive!: Katherine Growdon, mezzo-soprano, and Corey Jamason, piano, perform works by Brahms, Schumann and Peter Lieberson’s “Rilke Songs.” [5 p.m., Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St., S.F.]
Youth Orchestra Los Angeles: Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, the group celebrates its 10th anniversary on tour, in a program featuring works by Bernstein, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak and John WIlliams. [3 p.m., Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland]
Balance and Composure: The alt rock band says its new album “Light We Made” tones down the hardcore and punk-rock roots in favor of “soothing, harmonic tracks”; Foxing and Mercury Girls open. [8 p.m,, Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]
MONDAY, OCT. 31
Clarion Music Center Halloween Haunted House: Music, theater, poetry, dance, face painting and an animation of flying tombstones (by local musicians, artists and scientists) comprise the event, which transforms the (former) music shop into a Chinatown performing arts venue. [4 to 8 p.m,, 816 Sacramento St., S.F.]
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: The cult classic horror spoof, history’s longest running midnight movie, screens for Halloween. [10 p.m., Clay Theatre, 2261 Fillmore St., S.F.; 8 p.m. UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley]
Our Enemies-Lively Scenes of Love and Combat: Golden Thread Productions opens its run of Egyptian-American Yussef El Guindi’s comedic and hard-hitting take on the ways in which Arab Americans are represented. [8 p.m., Thick House, 1695 18th St., S.F.]
Halloween Time Warp to the 70s & 80s: Two rooms showcase two decades of music — DJs Shinding and Damon playing 1980s sounds, and DJs Porter and Andy T playing disco and funk. [9:30 p.m., Cat Club SF, 1190 Folsom St., S.F.]
A Masquerade Ball with The Mystic Braves: The psych-steeped band, which sounds like it stepped straight out of the 1960s, headlines a concert with the Turns, Mad Alchemy Liquid Light Show and DJ sets by The Acid Test. [9 p.m., Chapel, 777 Valencia St., S.F.]
Vixens, Villians & Weirdos: Two rooms of music, DJ music and a costume contest with $1,000 in prizes are on the bill. [10 p.m., Roc Bar & Nightclub, 2801 Leavenworth St., S.F.]
Sunflower Bean: The New York trio describes its debut album “Human Ceremony” as emerging “at the intersection of dreamy modern psychedelica and urgent fuzzed-out bliss”; The Lemon Twigs and Ganglians open. [7:30 p.m., Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St., S.F.]
Five Finger Death Punch: The latest single by the metal band headed by vocalist Ivan Moody is I Apologize,” off the group’s sixth studio album, “Got Your Six.” [6 p.m., SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose]
