Conversation
Inside Scientology
The oft debated religion that's got a hold on celebs as diverse as Tom Cruise and Beck gets the investigative treatment by Rolling Stone editor Janet Reitman. She'll discuss the findings from her new book Inside Scientology in what's sure to be one of the most interesting discussions to pass through the Jewish Community Center this season.
When: 7 p.m., Tues. 9/13
Where: Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St.

Film+Music
Adam Pendleton and Deerhoof Present BAND
As part of SFMOMA's hugely successful Now Playing series, NY artist Adam Pendleton joins forces with local experimental rock heroes Deerhoof to re-imagine Jean-Luc Godard's film Sympathy for the Devil. The resulting work titled BAND tracks Deerhoof's recording of "I Did Crimes for You." Deerhoof will also perform live at the event.
When: 6 - 9:45 p.m., Thurs. 9/15
Where: SFMOMA, 151 Third St.

Installation
Extinction Burst: A Dance of Lost Movement
Cal Academy mixes things up for this week's nightlife event. Designed to play like an old-school break-up album, award-winning choreograph Chris Black dreams up a dance installation using photos, drawings, and the written word to reanimate the movement of lost species. The cast of five performers will act out a musical soundtrack that includes references to Harry Nilsson's "One," Carole King's "It's Too Late," Sinatra's "I Wanna Be Around," and Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine."   
When: 6 - 10 p.m., Thurs. 9/15
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr.

Music
Zion-I, Thievery Corporation, SFJAZZ, and Diana Ross
There's something for everyone this week. Local hip-hop duo Zion-I shakes up the Fillmore on Fri. 9/16. Ambient electro duo Thievery Corporation brings mellow beats to the Fox on Fri. 9/16 - Sat. 9/17. Thurs. 9/15 kicks off SFJAZZ's Fall season with Senagalese jazz chanteuse Carmen Souza (the fall schedule is packed with new and old, modern and classic). And for the diva in us all, there's Diana Ross who will make her first SF appearance since 1969.
When: Thurs. 9/15 - Sat. 9/17
Where: Various venues

Dance
Mark Morris' Dido and Aeneas
Mark Morris' 1989 dance opera Dido and Aeneas isn't your typical love story. Think psychological drama involving Dido and a wicked sorceress (who are really one and the same dancer) and androgynously dressed dancers who morph from drunken sailors into palace servants. The discordance between the story's protagonists is a classic quarrel—you might even recognize it from your own life.
When: 8 p.m., Fri. 9/16 -Sat. 9/17 and 3 p.m. 9/18
Where: Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Ave., Berkeley

Performance Art
The People: San Francisco
NY experimental ensemble Big Art Group transforms Florida Street into a film set of sorts this weekend. The site-specific performance combines live theater with large-scale, real-time video projection in front of Z Space. Loosely based on Aeschylus' Oresteia (a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies about the birth of democracy), the story explores the perception of contemporary government through a series of interviews with the community about war, terrorism, and justice.      
When: 8 p.m., Fri. 9/16 -Sat. 9/17
Where: Z Space, 450 Florida St.

Shopping
Capsule Design Festival
If you're a lover of local design, carve out time on Sunday afternoon for the Capsule Design Festival featuring 130 indie makers and shakers. Shop clothing, home decor, jewelry, and more. Let your boyfriend use his hands while you browse — the Museum of Craft and Design is hosting a "Build Day" at the fair. Plus, there's music and food to stimulate all your senses.  
When: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 9/18
Where: Hayes Valley Park