Conversation  
Nick Hornby + Jonathan Lethem
Since Wendell Berry tickets sold out in a hot sec, check out these two writers instead. Find out what books should be on your radar when High Fidelity and About a Boy author Nick Hornby takes the stage for this City Arts & Lectures conversation. Get some insight on Hornby's reading habits as he dishes about his new paperback More Baths Less Talking, a compilation of his long-running column (appropriately called "Stuff I've Been Reading) for The Believer magazine. And, an avid writer since the age of fifteen, Jonathan Lethem is most known for his book Motherless Brooklyn, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award and shot him to stardom. Featured in publications as Rolling Stone and The New York Times, his most recent work, The Ecstasy of Influence, is a collection of essays that shed light on various topics ranging from Bob Dylan to 9/11 and graffiti.
When: 7:30 p.m., Wed. 10/24 and Thurs. 7:30 p.m., 10/25, respectively
Where: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave.

Design
SF Fall Antiques Show
Inspired by America's Cup, this year's San Francisco Fall Antiques Show docks in the Marina with a nautical theme. Maritime marvels, induing brass telescopes and Art Deco silver used on luxury liners, will be on view from more than 70 local and international exhibitors. Don't be surprised to find Olympic skier (and avid sailor) Jonny Moseley digging for treasure. He and his wife, Malia, are this year's honorary chairs.
When: Thurs. 10/25–Sun. 10/28
Where: Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd.

Music
Staff Benda Bilili
Formed by paraplegic street musicians, the inspirational story of the Staff Benda Bilili band has created a huge following of supporters and audiences to their enchanting and optimistic music. After the 2009 release of their first album Très Très Fort, the group launched to stardom as one of the biggest African bands in the Bay Area and has been touring ever since.
When: 8 p.m., Thurs. 10/25
Where: Slim's, 333 11th St.

Theater
Sophocles' Elektra
Hot off its sold-out premiere in Los Angeles, the American Conservatory Theater brings their production of Sophocles' Greek tragedy Elektra to the Bay Area. The crew consists of Oliver Award-winning British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang, and Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, once again reuniting the team that brought us the smash-hit Hecuba in 1995.
When: Thurs. 10/25–Sun. 11/18
Where: A.C.T., 415 Geary St.

Art
Root Division's 11th Annual Art Auction
What could be better than good company, great food, friendly competition and the opportunity to support arts and education in San Francisco? Don't miss out on this year's art auction, hosted by community arts and education organization Root Division. The event will feature eclectic artwork from more than 100 different local artists, food by Chef Anthony Myint of Mission Bowling Club, and music by Dr. Linder of Queen's Nails. Proceeds benefit the local artists as well as Root Division's free after school art classes for Bay Area youth.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thurs. 10/25
Where: Root Division, 3175 17th St.

Opera
West Coast Premiere of Phillip Glass and Robert Wilson's Einstein on the Beach
Hold your judgment. This is no ordinary opera. Hailed among the top artistic achievements of the 20th century, Einstein on the Beach is the brainchild of composer Philip Glass, director Robert Wilson, and choreographer Lucinda Childs. Recreating the performance almost 40 years after its premiere, Glass and his coconspirators introduce their epic work to a new generation, proving that their genre-breaking, abstract art still busts boundaries today. Commissioned by Cal Performances, this is the first major showing outside of New York. The show is currently sold-out, but you'd be wise to wait it out at Zellerbach in case there are any no-shows.
When: Fri. 10/26–Sun. 10/28
Where: Zellerbach Playhouse, 101 Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

Collecting
International Vintage Poster Fair at Fort Mason
The world's oldest and largest sale of original vintage posters touches down in the Bay Area this weekend. With more than 10,000 posters from around the world, some dating as far back as the 1890s, this is any antique lover's dream.
When: Fri. 10/26–Sun. 10/28
Where: The Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd.

Tribute
John Cage Music Circus + Cage/Cunningham Screening
In honor of the 100th birthday of legendary composer John Cage—world-famous for the presence of silence in his music—YBCA is releasing their new musical carnival: Musicircus. The free marathon concert by the SF Contemporary Music Players will perform Cage's music and writings through a self-guided sound walk, panel discussion, and a film highlighting the 50-year collaboration between Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham.
When: Thurs. 10/25–Sun. 10/28
Where: YBCA Forum and Galleries, 701 Mission St.

Art
Headlands Open House
The international arts center is opening its doors to the public for their Fall 2012 Open House. Feel free to roam the campus buildings, engage with artists in their own studios, see performances, hear readings, and definitely don't miss the homemade lunch in their "Mess Hall."
When: 12 - 5 p.m., Sun. 10/28
Where: Headlands Center for the Arts, 944 Simmonds Rd., Sausalito