MONDAY, SEPT. 25
Frankie Rose: The singer, formerly of Brooklyn acts Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls, Vivian Girls and Beverly, has created a new solo album “Cage Tropical,” which is awash with “vintage synths, painterly effects pedals, upside down atmosphere and reverberating vocals.”[8 p.m., Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St., S.F.]
Juana Molina: The Argentine experimental, folk, rock and Latin artist, a “good witch,” is promoting her newest album “Halo.” [8 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]
The Unknown Girl (La Fille Inconnue): The new film from acclaimed directors the Dardenne brothers, who made “Two Days, One Night,” is described as a “searing saga of guilt and redemption.” [4 p.m., Vogue Theatre, 3290 Sacramento St., S.F. ]
Cine Mas: The San Francisco Latino Film Festival screens a free triple feature, 1950’s “Doña Diabla” (“Lady Devil”) starring golden era screen legend Maria Felix, followed at 2 p.m. by the classic Western “High Noon” and, at 3:30 p.m., “Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost.” [Noon, Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: Fathom Events’ Studio Ghibli Fest of animated classics presents the film, in Japanese with English subtitles, about a young princess whose love for living things and determination lead her into danger, sacrifice — and eventual triumph. [7 p.m., Century 9, SF Centre, 845 Market St., S.F., and Van Ness 14, 1000 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Karl Geary: The Irish-American actor discusses his debut novel “Montpelier Parade” about a working-class Dubliner teen who wrestles with school and tough conditions at home, with Ethel Rohan, San Francisco-based author of “The Weight of Him.” [7:30 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., S.F.]
Benjamin Booker: The blues-rocker who cites The Gun Club, Blind Willie Johnson and T. Rex as influences has added a second local show. [8 p.m., Independent, 628 Divisadero St., S.F.]
Blondie’s Comedy Show: Drew Harmon headlines the free evening of standup, also featuring Alexandria Love, Valerie Ahanonu-Plautz, Ruby Gill, Nori Reed, Bryce Druzin and free cake. [8:30 p.m., Blondie’s Bar, 540 Valencia St., S.F.]
TUESDAY, SEPT. 26
Gary Soto: In the San Francisco Public Library’s 21st annual Effie Lee Morris lecture, the author shares stories from his career as a writer of novels, short stories, poetry, plays and essays, and about his Mexican-American heritage. [6 p.m., Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Bon Bon Vivant: Led by Abigail Cosio, the Gypsy-New Orleans band plays “original bawdy gypsy swing, dark ballads and uptempo indie rock-dance music.” [10 p.m., Hotel Utah Saloon, 500 Fourth St., S.F.]
Widowspeak: One critic described the Brooklyn indie rockers’ latest album “Expect The Best” as “mesmerizingly introspective, nakedly nostalgic.” [8 p.m., Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St., S.F.]
Allan Rayman: The mysterious, genre-defying singer songwriter has earned accolades for the album “Roadhouse 01,” which chronicles his retreat to an isolated cabin. [8 p.m., Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Matthew Zapruder: The San Francisco poet appears in conversation with Oscar Villalon, managing editor of ZYZZYVA Magazine, celebrating the release of “Why Poetry” from Ecco Press. [7 p.m., City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Kathryn Sermak: The author of “Miss D & Me: Life with the Invincible Bette Davis” shares stories from her years working as a personal assistant to the film legend. [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.
Swiss Startup Summit: Representatives from eight of Switzerland’s most promising tech startups host an evening of demos and pitches. [5:45 p.m., swissnex, Pier 17, Suite 800, S.F.]
Peter Clines: The author, whose book “14” has been optioned by Robert Downey Jr. for a movie, is promoting his latest time-travel adventure “Paradox Bound,” which, one critic wrote, “teaches a non-ironic lesson in American civics.” [6 p.m., Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St., S.F.]
