fort mason center

See Rent for a fraction of the price of Broadway and in a much more intimate setting. Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock opera takes the stage at Fort Mason's Southside Theater. Based on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent tells the story of one year in the life of eight friends living the Bohemian life against the gritty backdrop of NYC's East Village. These friends strive for sucess and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.

Having earned the coveted title of "explorer-in-residence" at National Geographic, anthropologist Wade Davis specializes in hanging out with people from cultures around the world and exploring their religious practices. He first came to public notice after discovering the reality of zombies in Haitian voodoo. He's written 13 books, including One River and Shadows in the Suns, and has hosted, written, and starred in numerous television specials.

Hit up an alternative to the traditional holiday shopping experience. The annual Celebration of Craftswomen (in its 31st year) is San Francisco's biggest holiday fine crafts retail fair and the largest event exclusively celebrating the craft of women in America. Creating positive social impact, the celebration benefits the programs of The Women's Building, a community center serving women and girls in San Francisco. The event features a changing roster of over 200 craftswomen each weekend and presents a unique substitute to mass-produced goods with original, handmade offerings.

Forgo the haunted houses and costume contests for a more subdued Halloween experience. The Royal Underground Theatre Company presents an updated version of the classic Jekyll & Hyde at Fort Mason's Southside Theater. Convinced that the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of man's evil nature from his good nature, Dr. Henry Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in the streets of late 19th-century London as the savage Edward Hyde.

Calling all book worms—the 45th annual Big Book Sale is here. Held at Fort Mason Center and organized by Friends of the SF Public Library, this literary extravaganza shelves 300,000 books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, vinyl and other forms of media, all for $5 or less. What are you waiting for? Make a beeline to the Marina now and bring your muscles and many shopping bags.

Note: On Sunday, everything goes for $1 or less!

Smithsonian forever? How so? The Institute's new Secretary, Wayne Clough, is here to tell us how as he reveals his long-term plans during a lecture for The Long Now Foundation.

The Long Now Foundation will also be presenting Dr. Clough with a Rosetta Disk of the world's languages for inclusion in the permanent collection of the National Anthropological Archives at the Smithsonian. If you've got a passion for the preservation of history, don't miss this event.

Getting crafty has never been so cool—DIY is where it's at these days, so get yourself over to the American Craft Council Show to peruse the wares of more than 250 artists showcasing their fashions, jewelry, home décor and more. The largest juried craft show in the West, this event is your chance to shop a diverse array of one-of-a-kind pieces made from clay, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media, found objects and sustainable materials.

Note: Arrive after 5 p.m. on Friday and pay just $5 admission.

This is your one-stop shop for a DIY extravaganza. Renegade’s holiday sale draws more than 150 urban art and crafters so that you can shop homemade. From jewelry and clothing to ceramics and stationery, you’ll find everything you need. Don’t forget to enter raffle contests and get silly in the free photo booth while you’re at it.

Celebrate authenticity with Slow Food SF and more than 100 international wine producers who strive to protect, nurture and revive the indigenous and classic varieties of their regions. Organized by geographic location, attendees will learn about terroir nuances that distinguish wines from around the world. Now's your time to taste and learn while supporting SF's Slow Food in School programs.

Indulge in Spanish and Portuguese wine and tapas at this festive celebration of Latin vintages produced in Western states. Sample crisp refreshing whites, full-bodied reds and elegant port style wines from more than 40 wineries. While you're there, meet the growers and producers who nurture such grapes as Graciano, Bastardo and Verdejo. Courtesy of the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS).