Conversation
Cheryl Strayed with Vendela Vida
Hey book worms, what could be better than a conversation between two critically acclaimed novelists? Cheryl Strayed, best known for her memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, and Vendela Vida, author of The Lovers and Girls on the Verge, will divulge into a deep conversation about themselves, their novels, and their inspirations at tonight's City Arts & Lectures conversation.
When: 7:30 p.m., Mon. 11/5
Where: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. 

Party
Election Night Party
The YBCA is once again hosting their post-election party where you can sit back and watch some election results. You might be tense until results are in, but the various massage chair stations on offer will help ease your anxiety. Performers include the San Francisco Rock Project, a nonprofit providing musical education to young musicians, and the Destiny Arts Young Performance Company, which includes a collection of performance art pieces by teenagers. Admission is free, so really there's nothing stopping you!
When: 6 p.m., Tues. 11/6
Where: YBCA Forum and Galleries, 701 Mission St.

Cause
Movember
It's Movember and that means that mustaches are trendy again. All the hair-raising is for a great cause: to raise awareness and funds for men's health. Since 2004, the month-long tradition has raised over $15 million with more than 145,000 American's ditching their razors in support of the cause. This week, head to Great American Music Hall for The Haberdash, a fashion show and night of revelry featuring the gamut of men's styles, plus a performance by LA band Wildcat. The month culminates in a gala hosted by Movember and Sons during which you don your 'stache and dress up as your favorite mustached character (think Mario and Luigi). For a full list of local events, check out Movember's site.
When: 8 p.m., Wed. 11/7 and 8 p.m., Thurs. 11/29, respectively
Where: GAMH, 859 O'Farrell St. and Ruby Syke, 420 Mason St.

Music
Leonard Cohen at HP Pavilion
The 78-year-old living legend Leonard Cohen is hitting the road again, on tour for Old Ideas, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member's latest and best-charting album ever. In his more than 50-year career, the poet and singer-songwriter's lyrics have inspired more than 1,330 covers by myriad artists including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, and Brandi
Carlile. If old-school sound is your bag, score a seat at Cohen's next show.
When: 8 p.m., Wed. 11/7
Where: HP Pavilion; 525 West Santa Clara St., San Jose

Film
SF Docfest
In its 11th edition, the SF Documentary Film Festival is coming back in full force brining us more than 50 of the most up-and-coming films from around the world. Over the course of two weeks, audiences will relish in the hottest nonfiction films that are out there. Don't miss the Opening Night Gala for an evening of art, fashion, music, and a special film titled WORKING CLASS by Jeffrey Durkin.
When: Thurs. 11/8–Wed. 11/21
Where: Various venues

Documentary Talk
Ken Burns for KQED Premiere
Documentary enthusiasts, unite! In the business for more than 30 years, Academy Award-nominated Ken Burns has directed and produced some of the most important historical documentaries ever made. KQED is giving you a chance to see a sneak preview of his new two-part documentary, The Dust Bowl, along with an onstage interview with Michael Krasny.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thurs. 11/8
Where: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St.

Music
Social Studies
Local indie music fans fell hard for Social Studies' take on modernist pop and mesmerizing live performances after the release of their debut record in 2010. This month, they'll line up for an advance taste of the band's sophomore album, Developer, at the CD release party at the Independent four days before the album officially drops.
When: 9 p.m., Fri. 11/9
Where: The Independent, 628 Divisadero St.

Film
Cinema by the Bay
Show your love for your home town, and celebrate the immense passion, innovation, and diversity of Bay Area filmmaking with this three-day festival. The event will feature the newest and hottest work produced either in or about SF or the Bay Area. The festival kicks off its first day with Jason Wolos' debut feature entitled Trattoria.
When: Fri. 11/9–Sun. 11/11
Where: New People Cinema, 1746 Post St.

Comedy
Mortified Angst Giving
Ever wanted to relive those awkward teen years? Probably not, but don't miss the Bay Area's funniest and craziest comedy show. Celebrating Mortified's 7th year, ANGST relives our toughest years with a collection of real diaries, letters, and poems, all told by the adults who wrote them when they were teenagers.
When: 7:30 p.m., Fri. 11/9
Where: The DNA Lounge, 375 Eleventh St.

Music
Brandi Carlisle
Don't miss Brandi Carlisle this month at the Fox. The singer/songwriter has spent the better part of the last decade traveling the world and gaining an immense following of fans, so who knows the next time she will be in the Bay Area. Get aquatinted with her hits "Raise Hell" and "That Wasn't Me" so you can rock out and sing along with the rest of her fans.
When: 8 p.m., Sat. 11/10
Where: The Fox Theater; 1807 Telegraph Ave, Oakland

Art
"Beauty Salon"
The Mission's IcTus Gallery will be transformed into a full-fleged salon this fall where the public can indulge in conceptual beauty treatments. The Feminist Economics Department (FED) aims to bring light to a new system for labor that shows mutual support for working without the exchange of money and is also an intervention into the industry that inflicts high-priced violence on the body in pursuit of superficial beauty. Whoa.
When: Sat. 11/10–Fri/ 12/28
Where: IcTus Gallery, 1769 15th St.