In the spirit of Halloween, a spooky mix of high-low events…
Performance
Layla Means Night
Just in time for Halloween, ODC's Mission HQ becomes the stage for "a Middle Eastern haunted house, a séance for 1,000 murdered brides," in the words of choreographer Rosanna Gamson. Her world premiere of Layla Means Night is an immersive spin on the story of Scheherazade in One Thousand and One Nights.
When: Wed. 10/30–Sun. 11/3
Where: ODC Theater, 351 Shotwell St.
Play
Exploratorium's Tactile Dome
Are you afraid of the dark? Find out as you feel your way through the Exploratorium's brand new tactile dome, originally created in 1971 by August Coppola (Nick Cage's dad and Francis Ford Coppola's bro) and just rebuilt for Pier 15.
When: Opens Wed. 10/30
Where: Exploratorium, Pier 15
Music+Film
SF Symphony Hitchcock Series
The famous shower scene in Psycho is proof that music can make a movie. No one knew this better than Alfred Hitchcock, who often collaborated with composer Bernard Herrmann to create climactic cinematic moments. As part of its new movie series, the San Francisco Symphony dials up the suspense with "Hitchcock!," a greatest hits medley of films (North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief, and Strangers on a Train) with live orchestra accompaniment, guaranteed to ratchet up the creepy factor.
When: Wed. 10/30–Sat. 11/2
Where: Davis Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.
Party
"Superstitions 13"
The San Francisco Center for the Book is hosting a costume party for the closing reception of group exhibit "Superstitions 13," with Mary Hood's Alchemy of Smell and Alexis Arnold's crystal-encrusted books. The party promises scary stories, tarot readings, and a smoking cauldron of mysterious punch.
When: 6 - 8 p.m., Thurs. 10/31
Where: SF Center for the Book, 375 Rhode Island St.
Art
"Night Hunter"
Catharine Clark Gallery embraces the Halloween spirit with an exhibit of Stacey Steers' chilling multimedia works. The artist presents dreamscapes combining imagery from silent films with 18th and 19th century illustrations, a Victorian-era dollhouse with video narratives, and more.
When: Reception—4 - 6 p.m., Sat. 11/2; Exhibit—Sat. 11/2–Sat. 12/14
Where: Catharine Clark Gallery, 248 Utah St.
Drag
Project Nunway
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence peer into the future for their annual "haute-est" fashion show. Mistresses of ceremony Sister Roma, Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, and Pandora Boxx of RuPaul’s Drag Race send models down the runway to sashay and shantay in locally designed looks using recycled goods.
When: 7 p.m., Sat. 11/2
Where: YBCA, 701 Mission St.
Concert
Día de los Muertos
The symphony celebrates Latino culture with its sixth annual Day of the Dead concert. Come early to check out the paper skeletons and other colorful displays in the lobby before the show.
When: 2 p.m., Sat. 11/2
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.
Comedy+Film
Mortified documentary
The angst, awkwardness, and shame of real-life adolescent moments now play out in a feature-length documentary scary enough for a final Halloween celebration. Both screenings are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, and proceeds benefit 826 Valencia.
When: 5 and 8 p.m., Sun. 11/3
Where: Brava Theater, 2781 24th St.
