Dance
Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes its much-anticipated, always impressive annual stop at Berkeley's Cal Performances this month. See the company's sinuous dancers in the Bay Area premiere of Kyle Abraham's Another Night, with music by cheeky jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, along with four showings of the Ailey classic Revelations.
When: Tues. 4/23–Sun. 4/28
Where: Zellerbach Hall, Telegraph Ave. and Bancroft Way (Berkeley)
Art
SFMOMA Art Auction
Listen up, big spenders. SFMOMA is holding its annual art auction, so if you're looking to break into the art collecting scene, now's your chance. You'll have access to work by blue-chip artists such as Jasper Johns, Gerhard Richter, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, and local luminary Jim Campbell. You'll have the chance to big in both silent and live auctions, so get your paddle hands ready. And expect a few surprises while you're there.
When: 5 - 10 p.m., Wed. 4/24
Where: SFMOMA, 151 Third St.
Music
The Little Willies
Don't let the name deter you—The Little Willies is one of this week's more under-the-radar shows, but you'll be happy you decided to give it a chance (after all, do you really want to drop $500 to see Prince?). The band, which first formed back in 2003, includes none other than the now famous Norah Jones alongside Lee Alexandar (bass), Jim Campilongo (guitar), Richard Julian (guitar, vocals), and Dan Rieser (drums). They've put out For the Good Times, a collection of country covers from the likes of Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton. Come prepared in cowboy boots.
When: 8 p.m., Wed. 4/24
Where: Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St.
Peformance
Fact/SF
This local dance troupe has spent the past few years honing their skills and traveling internationally through the "American Seasons" program conducted by the US Department of State. Now they're back home with the world premiere of Falling, a contemporary dance piece inspired by the physical space between pre- and post-fall. It's both sweaty and delicate.
When: 8 p.m., Thurs. 4/25–Sun. 4/28
Where: ODC Theater, 3153 17th St.
Film
SF International Film Festival
15 days, 200 films and live events, roughly 100 filmmaker guests, and 70,000 people attending. The SF International Film Festival is the city's annual showcase of extraordinary cinema full of celebrity guests and surprises. Opening night features a film adaptation of Henry James' 1897 novel What Maisie Knew about a couple's unraveling marriage, through the eyes of their 6-year-old daughter and starring Julianne Moore. Closing night is a throwback with the final film in Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise enterprise called Before Midnight and starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke. And then there's the infinite list of stellar films in between.
When: Thurs. 4/25–Thurs. 5/9
Where: Various venues
Lit
Litquake Regreturature
Regreturature—think of it like a Mortified for real writers—is back for the third time. Authors will dust off notebooks, diaries, and rejected manuscripts to read out loud what should very well have been left in the back of the file cabinet. This year's lineup includes Simon Rich, former comedy writer for SNL and New Yorker contributor, in addition to NYT best-selling authors, and more.
When: 8 p.m., Thurs. 4/25
Where: Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St.
Movie
Drive-In at Odette Estate
This is the perfect excuse to head up to wine country after work on Friday. Odette Estate is hosting the second installment of their drive-in "Secret Cinema." The flick, which won't be announced until the day of the event, starts promptly at 7:30 (no latecomers allowed!). Tickets are $60/car (so pack as many people in as you can) and includes admission and two wine pours inside the tasting room. Gott's Food Truck will be onsite, and DDs will get their meal on the house.
When: 6:30 p.m., Fri. 4/26
Where: Odette Estate, 5998 Silverado Trail (Napa)
Nightlife
MOM DJs
MOM (Motown on Mondays) DJs celebrate their fourth anniversary with a dance fest worthy of a big blowout party. Live numbers include Hot Pocket, The Hitsville Soul Sisters, and Zeke McCarter. DJ sets include Gordo Cabeza, Timoteo Gigante, Phleck, Matteo, and Malachi. Come energized.
When: 8 p.m., Fri. 4/26
Where: Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market St.
Music
Lady Antebellum
I'm feeling a country kind of week. If the million shows in the city this week just aren't doing it for you, head down south for some "American Honey" by these pop country superstars. I'd say it's a good reason to get out of dodge early.
When: 7 p.m., Fri. 4/26
Where: Shoreline Amphitheatre, 1 Amphitheatre Parkway (Mountain View)
To-Do
Bluxome Street Winery Meet Market
This winery's monthly epicurean market features local produce, Bay Area artisan goods, and top culinary purveyors. Enjoy a glass of Bluxome's Chardonnay while you peruse. Not a bad Saturday at all.
When: 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. 4/27
Where: Bluxome Street Winery, 53 Bluxome St.
Art
Night Light: Multimedia Garden Party
SOMArts comes alive with art installations, live music, performances, and digital/cinematic projections by more than 50 artists at this not-to-be-missed event. One of the night's many highlights includes a custom-built, revolving mirrored sculpture (pictured here) designed after geometric crystal systems by Oakland-based artist Suzy Poling. Poling (aka Pod Blotz) will perform electronic music in a mirrored dress in the form of video projected onto the reflective surfaces of the mirrors, which will cast light apparitions on the surrounding walls and audience. Trippy.
When: 8 p.m. - midnight, Sat. 4/27
Where: SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St.
Celebration
The Last Foxtrot
City Arts & Lectures celebrates 32 years at Herbst Theatre before the venue closes for extensive renovations. The evening features guests such as A Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor and longtime New Yorker writer Calvin Trillin. This is your chance to show your support for City Arts' programming, which will continue in May at Nourse Auditorium.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tues. 4/30
Where: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave.
