Theater
Let Me Down Easy
West Wing and Nurse Jackie vet Anna Deavere Smith lights up the stage with her solo performance Let Me Down Easy. The two-time Obie Award winner takes on all characters—from a rodeo rider and doctor to Lance Armstrong and Lauren Hutton—in what the Today show hails as a "Run—don't walk" performance.
When: Wed. 8/10 – Sun. 9/4
Where: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley

 

Art
Chris Sollars: The Art of Hair
The artist gets hairy for this installation using his own lovely locks as part of YBCA's Bay Area Now 6 exhibit. On Thursday, he'll talk about the historical significance of hair with UC Santa Cruz professor Jennifer A. González. Check out this twisted and tangled interview with Chris Sollars here.   
When: 6 p.m., Thurs. 8/1
Where: YBCA, 701 Mission St.

Sport
B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls Golden Bowl Tournament
Get yourself to the East Bay for the fiercest flat track roller derby competition. Top teams from four states duke it out over three days. B.A.D.s all-star team The Golden Girls battle Chicago's Windy City Rollers, Austin's Texecutioners, and Detroit's Derby Girls.
When: Fri. 8/12 – Sun. 8/13
Where: Oakland Convention Center, 550 10th St., Oakland

Comedy
Mortified
We've all been there. Now it's your turn to laugh at other people's adolescent misery, humiliating love letters and all.    
When: 8 p.m., Fri. 8/12
Where: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St. 

Music
Outside Lands
VIP, single day Sunday, and regular 3-day passes are all that's left for this year's bang-up Outside Lands fest. No surprises there. Hit up the headliners or opt for more indie acts—Arcade Fire, Big Boi, Girl Talk, Toro y Moi, Tamaryn, and Mavis Staples are just a few of the acts we're hot for. Bonus: Erykah Badu is spinning at Mezzanine on 8/12 and Questlove is at Public Works on 8/13. Just sayin'.
When: Fri. 8/12 – Sun. 8/14
Where: Golden Gate Park

Comedy
Wild 94.9 Comedy Jam with Dave Chapelle
Now in its 12th year, the Wild 94.9 and Livenation Comedy jam is still the biggest comedy show to hit the West Coast. Laugh until it hurts with Dave Chappelle, Chris Tucker, Katt Williams, Jo Koy, Gabriel Iglesias, Rick Gutierrez, and more.
When: 7 p.m., Sat. 8/13
Where: Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View

Music
Secret Sisters
These gals' self-titled debut album was produced by T-Bone Burnett and they're currently on tour with kd lang, reason enough to give them a listen at Du Nord. It's a good way to wind down from the mayhem of Outside Lands. 
When: 8 p.m., Sun. 8/14
Where: Cafe Du Nord, 2170 Market St.

Arcade Fire photo by Anton Corbijn