Happy Halloween — once again! I’m fairly confident most of you have your plans set, from neighborhood trick-or-treating to decorated houses to the adult versions, but just in case, I’ve included a few more options below, along with some music, theater, dance, opera, and more, like several films.
Thursday, Oct. 29
This is my kind of Halloween celebration: Practical Magic 2 Movie Night at Oracle Park, which continues the story of the Owens sisters, portrayed by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, descended from a line of witches with a family curse. Doors 6 p.m.; film 7:30. Tickets: $28
Trick-or-Treat at the Ferry Building Marketplace and enjoy Halloween crafts, spooky music, playful games, trick-or-treaters in their best costumes, and plenty of Halloween spirit for all. 4 to 6 p.m. Free admission, but RSVP here so organizers don’t run out of candy, which would be tragic for everyone, right?
We can always count on the Exploratorium to deliver a fun-filled evening, especially this time of year, with some creepy science things like the Creepatorium, which sounds like it will live up to its name with events like their world-famous cow’s eye dissection, an exploration of our survival instincts, spooky vibes, and a costume contest, plus dancing to the music by LosGothsCo. 6 to 10 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Tickets $23.
Elim Chan Conducts Adams and Mendelssohn is a program of choral works by Brahms, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Arvo Pärt Magnificat featuring the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and Adams’s Doctor Atomic Symphony. Also enjoy a preconcert talk with Chan in conversation with Benjamin Pesetsky followed by a performance of Adams’s acclaimed aria “Better My Heart” from Doctor Atomic. 7:30 p.m. through Saturday at Davies Symphony Hall. Tickets from $45.
An Unkindness, is billed as a “dark theatrical circus of aerial, acrobatics, physical theatre, and haunted storytelling” featuring a lost crow, an injured stranger, a cemetery, and strange inhabitants. 7 and 9 p.m. at the Great Star Theater through Saturday (1 to 2:30 p.m.) Tickets from $40.
Friday, Oct. 30
If you’re up for a party of thousands of humankind perhaps the aptly named Nightmare on Front Street is for you. Schroeder’s, Harrington’s, and the Royal Exchange will offer Halloween-themed food and libations, plus live music, spooky activities, and lots of costumes. 2–10 p.m. between California and Sacramento streets. Free admission, RSVP here.
The Spirits and Spirits: Haunted Chinatown Cocktail Tour promises an evening of exploring Chinatown’s haunting alleys, tracing the historic cocktail route from the Barbary Coast day, ghostly talks and dark history, including iconic eerie locations, and more. 7 and 9:30 p.m. through Saturday. Tickets $66 (includes a Mai Tai).
Enjoy a screening of the silent film classic Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, John S. Robertson’s 1920 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella starring John Barrymore as a doctor wrestling with spilt identities. The live score will be performed by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos on Grace Cathedral’s famous pipe organ. 8 p.m. at Grace Cathedral. Tickets from $25.
© TriStar Pictures, Rastar Productions, and other relevant production studios and distributors. | MovieStillsDB.com
Calling all Dolly Parton fans, which has to be everyone: Dress in your best Dolly outfit and head to this screening of Steel Magnolias: Dolly Parton Tribute Screening with Costume Contest Steel Magnolias. “Lively discourse” and popcorn provided, but bring your tissues and go early to enjoy vintage commercials..
Manon’s family plans to send her to a convent — she’s young, beautiful, and enjoys the finer things in life after all, but she falls for the handsome Chevalier and they run away to Paris where their relationship “endures twist after turn.” 7:30 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday at the War Memorial Opera House. Tickets from $36.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Make it a movie Saturday starting with Labyrinth (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.); It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! (12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.); and The Shining (1:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.) at the 4 Star Theater.
The officers at SFPD’s Mission Station will host a Trick-or-Treat event and hand out candy. Visit the link above for additional Halloween events at select stations across the city. Free admission.
Sunday, Nov. 1
This sounds like a civilized way to spend a Sunday afternoon: Civic Strings: Enlightenment and America, a varied program of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sam Marshall, Florence Price, Scott Joplin, and Bates/Ward (an audience singalong of America, the Beautiful). 3 to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church (22 Waller Street). Free admission; donations welcome ($20 suggested). RSVP at the link above.
Notable next week
Tuesday, Nov. 3
If you haven’t already voted, today’s the day. I prefer walking over to my neighbor’s garage to drop off my ballot, say hello, and thank the poll workers. So if you’re in that group or prefer to vote in person, 100 polling places across the city will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for in-person voting and ballot drop-off. Visit this San Francisco Elections tool for locations, wait times, and other helpful information. It’s always free to vote if you’re registered. If you’re not, you’re outta luck today, but you can fix that here.
Bring some friends, join the community, grab some refreshments and watch the election results unfold live and either celebrate or cry at Manny’s Election Night Watch Party. 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets $18 and change.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Tonight is the opening night of SFDanceworks Season Nine, featuring four works, including two new commissions, a collection of three solos by Merce Cunningham performed by a former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and A Measurable Existence by Yue Yin. 7:30 p.m. at Z Space through Saturday (8 p.m.). Tickets from $36.
Be safe and enjoy and remember to be nice to each other while navigating a busy, eventful next several days.
