Your Arts & Culture Guide to San Francisco

Hippest Trip - The Soul Train Musical at the American Conservatory Theatre

Experience the magic of the iconic TV show, Soul Train, in the Broadway-bound musical, Hippest Trip. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of 1971's Chicago as pioneer Don Cornelius brings Black music, dance, and style to every home in America. Witness the rise of this groundbreaking show and the inspiring journey of the artists and dancers who shaped multiple generations. Don't miss this elegant and determined tribute to an unforgettable era of music and entertainment. Through October 1, 2024. Buy tickets here.

SFBATCO New Roots Theater Festival at the Brava Theater Center

SFBATCO New Roots Theatre Festival spans three days celebrating new voices in the Bay Area. The festival unearths the development of new work and centers BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices. Two SFBATCO original projects will be presented, along with four projects by Bay Area legacy companies including Zaccho Dance Theatre, Campo Santo, Magic Theatre, AfroSolo, and SF Recovery Theatre. All six of these dynamic projects are in various stages of development, and the Festival offerings range from staged readings to fully memorized workshop productions. November 10 to 12, 2023. Buy tickets. 

Before the Sword at the New Conservatory Theatre

Step into the enchanting world of a quaint British village in 1936, where the tale of author T.H. White unfolds. Captivated by the allure of blank pages, White yearns to embark on an extraordinary literary journey. Enter Freddie, a curious young misfit harboring a veil of secrecy that shrouds his past and future. The unlikely union of these two individuals catalyzes a magical connection, as White discovers his muse and fervently pens the enduring narrative of The Sword in the Stone – forever connected with his enigmatic student and the ancient legend. Through October 15, 2023. Buy tickets. 

Border People at the Marsh

Drawing inspiration from candid conversations and interviews conducted in various settings, including the courtyards of South Bronx housing projects, refugee safe houses along the northern border with Canada, and extensive travels along the southwestern border and into Mexico, this project brings forth eleven compelling monologues. These monologues represent the voices of individuals who inhabit and navigate borders, whether they be geographical or cultural.

Through these monologues, the audience gains intimate insights into the lives of the subjects, offering a raw, poignant, and at times, humorous exploration of the myriad borders that we all encounter and negotiate within the tapestry of our everyday existence. October 7 to Nov 18, 2023. Buy tickets.

Omar at the San Francisco Opera

The recipient of the prestigious 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Music, this groundbreaking opera is a collaborative creation by Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens and composer Michael Abels. The narrative unfolds as it follows the journey of a Muslim scholar from West Africa who, after being kidnapped and enslaved, finds himself transported over 6,000 miles from his homeland to the antebellum South. In a defiant act against the oppressive laws of the time, he embarks on the remarkable endeavor of penning his own story, leaving an indelible mark on history. November 5, 7, 11, 15, 17, and 21, 2023. Buy tickets. 

2023-2024 SFJAZZ Season 

The 2023-24 SFJAZZ Season has been announced, celebrating the organization's 40th anniversary and 11th at the SFJAZZ Center. With more than 300 concerts, this season will showcase five new Resident Artistic Directors: Kenny Barron, Ravi Coltrane, Julian Lage, Howard Wiley, and Brandee Younger. The SFJAZZ Collective, an all-star resident ensemble, will also be commemorating its 20th year of performing. Buy tickets. 

Performances at Davies Symphony Hall

In the 2023–24 Great Performers Series by the San Francisco Symphony, audiences can anticipate a captivating lineup of eight programs, each showcasing world-renowned artists in both solo recitals and ensemble performances. These exceptional musical experiences will take place at Davies Symphony Hall throughout the season.

The featured artists encompass a stellar array of talent, including esteemed pianists like Yefim Bronfman, Evgeny Kissin, Daniil Trifonov, and Yuja Wang, as well as virtuoso violinist Ray Chen. The series also includes a performance by Joshua Bell & the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, an outstanding presentation by the San Francisco Symphony Brass ensemble, and a chamber music performance featuring violinist Lisa Batiashvili, cellist Gautier Capuçon, and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. October 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024. Buy tickets.

The de Young Open 2023 at The de Young Museum

Following the resounding success of the inaugural The de Young Open in 2020, the second edition of this triennial juried community art exhibition will once again showcase submissions from artists residing in the nine Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. The exhibited artworks will be arranged in a "salon style," occupying virtually every available space from edge to edge and floor to ceiling, thereby maximizing the number of works on display.

This exhibition is thoughtfully designed to both celebrate and bolster our local arts communities. Participating artists have the opportunity to offer their works for sale and retain the proceeds. Additionally, in keeping with the tradition established in 2020, they will acquire a selection of artworks from the exhibition to become a part of their permanent collection. September 30, 2023 to January 7, 2024. Buy tickets. 

Designing Peace at the Museum of Craft and Design

Designing Peace is an upcoming exhibition exploring design's role in pursuing peace. The show will display design projects worldwide that aim to create and sustain lasting peaceful interactions. This exhibition considers how society can design for peace against global social, environmental, and economic inequities and ongoing conflicts. Visitors can expect 30 design proposals, initiatives, and interventions from over 20 countries, highlighting various design responses to the underlying causes of conflict. The exhibition also encourages visitors to reflect on their role in designing peace and offers opportunities for practical action. October 7, 2023 to February 4, 2024. Buy tickets.

SF Open Studios at the ArtSpan

ArtSpan warmly welcomes everyone to immerse themselves in San Francisco's dynamic creativity during SF Open Studios (SFOS). Celebrating its 49th year, ArtSpan's annual SF Open Studios presents an open invitation to both residents and tourists, granting them the unique and complimentary chance to directly connect with local artists within their studio sanctuaries. Visitors can anticipate delving deeper into the artistic journey of each creator, gaining insights into their work and creative processes, and even acquiring pieces of art directly from the source. October 28 to November 19, 2023. 

Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoya at the Oakland Museum of California

The impact of Chicano artist Malaquías Montoya, known for his political and social justice posters, graphic prints, and murals, is highlighted in the exhibition Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoya. Montoya's upbringing as the son of a migrant farmworker family and his close relationships with elders, teachers, and artists shaped his activist roots and community ties. The exhibition explores Montoya's collaborative artistic process, community focus, and intergenerational engagement, featuring photographs, historical ephemera, early works, and contemporary pieces by artists influenced by Montoya. October 6, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

Adrian L. Burrell: Venus Blues at the Minnesota Street Project Foundation

Oakland native Burrell embarks on a profound exploration in Venus Blues, delving into the concept of history as a living, breathing entity, resilient even in the face of adversity and attempts at erasure. This exhibition takes center stage with Burrell's grand-scale sculptures and life-sized photographs, carefully crafted specifically for this showcase. Additionally, Venus Blues unveils a fresh iteration of the artist's ongoing cinematic project, The Saints Step in Kongo Time.

Within Venus Blues, a heartfelt homage unfolds, paying tribute to the enigmatic figures of the past and the formidable matriarchs—known as the Venuses—in Burrell's extended family. These women defy the conventional archetype of white Western beauty or mythological icons. Instead, they embody the profound impact of loss and rupture caused by the systematic tearing apart of families, homes, and homelands. Burrell's female ancestors, both acknowledged and anonymous, living and departed, emerge and reemerge throughout the exhibition. They manifest in family photographs, ripple through pools of water, echo in haunting monologues, flicker subtly, and materialize on screens. October 7 2023, to December 3, 2023. 

Mika Rottenberg: Spaghetti Blockchain at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

Don't miss Mika Rottenberg's exhibition, Spaghetti Blockchain. An innovative and internationally acclaimed artists, Rottenberg uses humor to confront the paradoxes of global capitalism. This exhibit features her most prominent videos, installations, and sculptures of the past decade - a vividly colorful collection that uncovers the surreal qualities of mass production and consumption. It's the first museum survey of her work ever to be presented on the West Coast. Through October 2023. Buy tickets.

RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped at the Contemporary Jewish Museum

Embark on a journey through some of the most explosive moments in music history, as captured by the lens of Bay Area-based photographer Jay Blakesberg. RetroBlakesberg: The Music Never Stopped offers a captivating visual narrative through photographs of legendary musicians, shedding light on the evolution of San Francisco's distinctive music culture and its far-reaching impact. This exhibition unites over 200 photographs and related memorabilia, all captured between the years 1978 and 2008 when Blakesberg exclusively shot on film.

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Blakesberg's journey led him to San Francisco, where he fused his twin passions for music and photography. Within the frames of his photographs, we witness era-defining musicians and moments spanning an eclectic spectrum of genres, including rock, grunge, blues, psychedelic, folk, and everything in between. The exhibition showcases iconic figures such as the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Neil Young, Soundgarden, and many more. Alongside these evocative images, visitors will find original ticket stubs, press passes, and other ephemera, collectively offering an immersive visual history of the sounds and narratives that have not only shaped the Bay Area but have also reverberated far beyond its borders. Through January 28, 2023. Buy tickets.

Bay Area Now 9 at YBCA

YBCA is thrilled to announce the ninth iteration of Bay Area Now, their signature triennial, opening Friday, October 6, 2023 as a centerpiece of YBCA’s 30th anniversary celebration.The only multidisciplinary survey exhibition of its kind in Northern California, BAN9 will span a broad range of creative practices including visual art, dance, performance, music, film, sound, new media, technology, fashion, poetry, and social practice, among others.Celebrating our diverse and resilient arts ecosystem, BAN9 will feature artists and collectives living and working across the Bay Area’s nine-county region. Through historical work, projects in development, and new commissions, BAN9 will transform YBCA’s entire campus. October 6, 2023 through Spring 2024.

Pencils and Passion: A Student Art Exhibition at The Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum is proud to present Pencils and Passion: A Student Art Exhibition—a celebration of the museum’s educational initiatives and the achievements of its students. Pencils and Passion is the 37th original exhibition produced by the museum. It highlights both past and current student artwork, recognizes the accomplishments of its alumni, and chronicles the development of The Walt Disney Family Museum Animation Academy. Through Fall 2023. Buy tickets.

Under the Same Sun Contemporary Arts Festival at Edge on the Square 

The contemporary art festival in San Francisco's Chinatown is making its highly anticipated return for its second installment. This festival serves as the flagship program of Edge on the Square (Edge), an innovative cultural arts center situated at 800 Grant Avenue. It distinguishes itself by playing a pivotal role in driving the revitalization efforts within Chinatown. The event, spanning a single day, is aptly titled Under the Same Sun: Reimagining the Edges of Chinatown. Its primary objective is to draw both locals and visitors to the vibrant heart of Chinatown, offering an array of cultural art experiences, fleeting art installations, family-friendly activities, captivating performances, enlightening panel discussions, delectable food, and an interactive exhibition.

Throughout the neighborhood, festival-goers will discover twenty-one captivating activations, crafted by over 20 talented artists. These installations will be strategically placed, encouraging attendees to explore the rich tapestry of Chinatown and savor its distinct offerings. Join us for a day of artistic exploration and cultural celebration as we come together "Under the Same Sun" to reimagine the boundaries of Chinatown. September 30, 2023.

Subscription to Mischief: Graffiti Zines of the 1990s at Letterform Archive

The innovative and communal nature of graffiti is being showcased in an unprecedented exhibition featuring independent publications. Subscription to Mischief offers a look into over 40 graffiti zines, with a particular focus on the making of "Skills Magazine". Greg Lamarche's archives and Letterform Archive's collection of graffiti magazines will be featured, displaying original works by prominent and lesser-known writers of the era through letters, throwups, and handstyles. The exhibition also highlights how magazines served as launchpads for creative careers and practitioners acted as documentarians, portraying a timeless tribute to graffiti culture's letterforms and snail mail-formed community. Through November 2023. Buy Tickets.

The Great Animal Orchestra at the Exploratorium

Don't miss the extraordinary collaboration of Bernie Krause, pioneering soundscape ecologist, and United Visual Artists (UVA) in The Great Animal Orchestra. On view is Krause's vast collection of recordings showcasing over 15,000 species worldwide. The Exploratorium invites all ages to immerse in this captivating audio-visual art exhibition. Discover Krause's fascinating journey from musician to ecologist and his contributions to popular music and film. Visit the website for more information on this incredible exhibit, and plan your visit to San Francisco. Through October 15, 2023. Buy tickets here.

Takashi Murakami: Unfamiliar People — Swelling of Monsterized Human Ego at The Asian Art Museum

Takashi Murakami (Japanese, b. 1962) is making his debut solo exhibition in San Francisco, marking a significant artistic milestone. Internationally acclaimed, Murakami not only stands as a prominent figure in global pop culture but also wields considerable influence in realms spanning fashion, consumer products, curation, and entertainment. Beneath the surface of his work, one discovers a nuanced exploration of human behavior, infused with historical and art-historical references, and a clever sense of humor.

In "Murakami: Monsterized," his latest exhibition, larger-than-life paintings and sculptures take center stage, with monsters serving as a central motif to delve into the complexities of our contemporary world. Murakami's recent creations suggest that the rapidly evolving and increasingly digital landscape we inhabit is teeming with monsters, some of which we have brought into existence and perhaps even personify. Blurring the line between the eerie and the delightful, these monsters embody the various forces and behaviors that both threaten and haunt us and offer moments of diversion and escapism amid the chaos.

This exhibition features several new works crafted in response to the global pandemic and the growing trend of virtual interactions. Paintings portraying distorted figures mirror the inflated egos of individuals relentlessly self-promoting on social media platforms. Simultaneously, Murakami's pieces documenting his venture into NFTs, including avatars, reflect an optimistic outlook toward a digitally liberated future. On through February 12, 2024. Buy tickets.

Yayoi Kasuma at SFMOMA

In conjunction with the Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love exhibition on Floor 6, SFMOMA will showcase the artist's monumental sculpture, Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love, the Love in My Heart (2023), on Floor 5. This bronze masterpiece stretches over 18 feet in length and stands at a towering height of more than 11 feet. Its sinuous contours wind gracefully through the space, creating an immersive experience for visitors as they find themselves encircled by its undulating walls.

Painted in a vibrant shade of yellow, Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love bears Kusama's iconic polka dots, meticulously arranged in a pattern that accentuates the convex and concave shapes reminiscent of gourds. Kusama herself has expressed, "Pumpkins have been a source of immense comfort to me since my childhood; they resonate with the essence of joy in life. They possess a delightful humility and charm, and I have, and always will, celebrate them through my art." October 14, 2023 to September 7, 2024. Buy tickets.

Wolfgang Tillmans: To Look Without Fear at SFMOMA

In November, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) unveils Wolfgang Tillmans: To Look Without Fear, the most extensive exhibition of the artist's work to date. Curated by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, this survey encompasses Tillmans' iconic pieces in photography, video, and multimedia installations. It represents a diverse artistic practice unified by the artist's profoundly innovative philosophical approach, sensitivity, and a yearning for human connection. To Look Without Fear debuts at SFMOMA on November 11, 2023, marking Wolfgang Tillmans' inaugural solo exhibition in San Francisco.

The exhibition offers a comprehensive exploration of Wolfgang Tillmans' body of work, tracing the evolution of his artistic journey from the 1980s to the present day. Tillmans perceives the role of the artist as, among other things, "an amplifier." He delves into a myriad of photographic genres, constantly pushing the boundaries of how images can convey meaning. His creative journey spans from early experiments with a photocopier to his acclaimed portraiture, vibrant depictions of nightlife, documentation of social movements, and his abstract works created without a camera. Through this wide spectrum of subject matter, Tillmans' unwavering commitment to fearlessly engage with the world becomes evident. Buy tickets.