Art
"City of Disappearances"
City becomes object in this group exhibit at CCA Wattis Institute. The show focuses on the concept as material, site, and situation for the modern lived experience and presents artists such as Michel Auder, Slater Bradley, Martin Boyce, and Kelley Walker. Works come from the collections of the Kadist Art Foundation (in SF and Paris) and the Zabludowicz Collection (in London, NYC, and Finland). See the city like you've never seen it before, and ponder its implications.   
When: Through Sat. 12/14
Where: CCA Wattis Institute, 360 Kansas St.

Art
"Seven Sisters"
Each of the artists in this group exhibition—Carrie Mae Weems, Mickalene Thomas, Rina Banerjee, Patricia Piccinini, Camille Rose Garcia, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Toyin Odutola, and Vanessa Prager—shares a cross-cultural approach to their work, with lasting influence. The exhibit coincides with a traveling exhibit of Weems' work (the show arrives at Cantor Center for the Arts on 10/16). Weems was just honored with the MacArthur Foundation's "Genius Grant" and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Lifetime Achievement in Fine Arts, so it's a good idea to verse yourself in her body of work.   
When: Thurs. 10/3–Sat. 12/7
Where: Jenkins Johnson Gallery, 464 Sutter St.

Film
Mill Valley Film Fest
Sean Penn and George Lucas aren't the only celebs hanging around Marin. The 36th annual Mill Valley Film Fest gears up for 10 days of movies, including indie contenders such as Sweet Blues, a doc about Marin-based guitarist Mike Bloomfield, and blockbusters. Don't miss the 30th anniversary screening of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.   
When: Thurs. 10/3–Sun. 10/13
Where: Various venues

Fashion
F3 Fall Fashion Fest
With this year's Fashion's Night Out cancelled, we need another reason to stay out late and shop. Check out this first ever F3 Fall Fashion Fest in and around Union Square. Shops will stay open late and will offer special in-store promotions.
When: 6 - 8 p.m., Thurs. 10/3
Where: Various Union Square venues

Lit
Margaret Atwood
Any bibliophile would list Atwood on a best-of list of accomplished writers. Listen to her talk about her prolific oeuvre, including the third installment of her dystopian trilogy MaddAddam,  in a conversation with Frances Phillips.    
When: 7:30 p.m., Thurs. 10/3
Where: Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St.

Music
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Turn down all other plans this weekend—Hardly Strictly is going to take up your entire 48+ hours off of work. Play hooky or skip out early on Friday for Father John Misty (who also has a Thurs. 10/3 show at Slim's), Conor Oberst and his gang, and Bonnie Raitt for all you hardcore country fans. Saturday and Sunday bring too many great acts to pick just a few, but I'm personally looking forward to Martha Wainwright, G. Love, Chris Isaak, Gogol Bordello, Allah-Las, and Nicki Bluhm.    
When: Fri. 10/4–Sun. 10/6
Where: Golden Gate Park