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Sophisticated, offbeat, and often ahead of the curve, San Francisco's performing arts scene supports world-class opera, ballet, and theater productions, along with alternative-dance events, avant-garde plays, groundbreaking documentaries, and a slew of spoken-word and other literary happenings.
The heart of the mainstream theater district lies on or near Geary Street, mostly west of Union Square, though touring Broadway shows land a little farther afield at big houses like the Orpheum and Golden Gate. But theater can be found all over town. For a bit of culture shock, slip out to eclectic districts like the Mission or Haight, where smaller theater companies reside and short-run and one-night-only performances happen on a regular basis.
The city's opera house and symphony hall present the musical classics, and venues like the Fillmore and the Warfield host major rock and jazz talents, but the city's extensive festival circuit broadens the possibilities considerably. Stern Grove is the nation’s oldest summer music festival that remains free to this day; Noise Pop is the premier alt-rock showcase putting such acts like Modest Mouse on the map; and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is a beloved celebration of bluegrass, country, and roots music, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees from all over the nation every year.
The range of offerings is just as eclectic on the film front. San Francisco moviegoers love blockbuster hits like everyone else, but they also champion little-known indie and art-house flicks and flock to the interactive sing-along musicals presented at Castro Theatre. Nearly every month an important film festival takes place. During warmer months, many of the city’s parks host free movie nights outdoors showcasing film classics or pop-culture favorites.
San Francisco also has a rich dance scene, from classical dancers to jugglers. And it doesn't take stadium seating to make a performance space. Cafés, clubs, and bookstores often host poetry readings or author lectures.
SFP brings an eclectic array of top-flight global music and dance talents to various venues—mostly the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Davies Symphony Hall, and Herbst Theatre. Artists have included Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Midori. Tickets can be purchased in person through City Box Office, online, or by phone.
Free weekend performances of the Bard's works take place in September in the Presidio.
Former San Francisco Ballet director Michael Smuin founded this company, whose works are renowned for their gorgeous fluidity. The company regularly integrates popular music—everything from Gershwin to the Beatles and Elton John—into performances, most of which take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Moviegoing here is a first-class experience. The seating is comfy and spaced out, and you can reserve your seat in advance online, so you don't need to arrive an hour early to snag one. The standard concession items are available, along with food options that are borderline gourmet. Beer and wine—which you can take into the theater!—are also served. Film screenings run the gamut from mainstream blockbusters to offbeat indies.
The 700-year-old Japanese theatrical forms Noh (musical drama) and Kyogen (traditional Japanese comedy) are incorporated into experimental works here.
You can charge tickets for everything from jazz concerts to Giants games by phone or online.
Billed as "San Francisco's Live Radio Show to the World," the program invites an audience to its weekly broadcasts, many from the San Francisco Ferry Building or the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse in Berkeley. The eclectic guest list includes personalities such as Craig Newmark, Rita Moreno, Jamaica Kincaid, and Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman (the Mythbusters guys).
This quirky, oft-madcap, and hilariously funny spoken-word event is part reading, part circus variety show. Writers range from unknowns to rising stars and the occasional well-known author. Writers with Drinks usually takes place at the Make-Out Room, at 3225 22nd Street in the Mission.
This popular Oakland club is one of the nation's best jazz venues.
