Goldstar

With Oy Vey in a Manger, the Kinsey Sicks--combining award-winning a capella vocals, and biting wit with a campy, fun drag show--deliver their own personal twist on holiday cheer! With songs like "I'm Dreaming of a Vanna White Christmas," "God Bless Ye Femmy Lesbians," and the soon-to-be classic "Soylent Night," they promise to re-make the holidays in a fun and fabulous new 'do! Learn more...

With movie-starlet good looks and dramatically gifted musical ability, Angelika Kirchschlager's charmed the opera world. She makes her Bay Area recital debut presented by San Francisco Performances, singing songs and arias by Haydn, Grieg, Brahms, Schubert and Liszt. A true opera star in a world-class performance! Learn more...

At the heart of the classical performing arts of India is bhava, the expression of emotions that leads to the experience of union. A conduit to rasa, the defining aesthetic of these ancient arts, bhava is the portal to that moment when the connection between artist and audience becomes real. Percussionist Zakir Hussain, Kathak dancer Antonia Minnecola and special guests come together in this special performance to greet the winter solstice and open the door to union. Learn more...

In a holiday extravaganza Help Is On the Way For the Holidays VIII brings hope to at-risk families, women and children--and an evening of delight to the Herbst Theatre! Including Nancy Sinatra, comedian Rip Taylor, American Idol recording stars LaToya London and Anthony Fedorov, and many many more! Learn more...

Young Norwegian violin sensation Henning Kraggerud returns to the Bay Area to join pianist Jeffrey Kahane in an evening of virtuoso chamber music presented by San Francisco Performances at Herbst Theatre. Their program features music by Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven. Learn more...

Classical guitar phenomenon Ana Vidovic has her San Francisco debut at Herbst Theatre, presented by San Francisco Performances. A guitar talent since the age of five, Vidovic has been performing internationally since she was 11. Still in her early 20s, this represents a career approaching two decades, studded with awards and prestige. She has already recorded five CDs and will release a sixth, in 2007, on the Naxos label. For her San Francisco Performances program, Vidovic has chosen an ambitious selection of works, mostly by Spanish and Latin American composers of the 18th through 20th centuries. Learn more...

Inspired by the beautiful Pre-Raphaelite paintings of the mid-1800's artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the Rossetti String Quartet brings a fine artist's nuanced touch to their colorful, sensual approach to chamber music. Playing Mozart, Debussy, and Dvorak, the Quartet presents a sweeping and vibrant evening of expressive, emotional music. Learn more...

The Central Asia Cultural Center presents the West Coast premiere of a very distinctive collaboration: Chirgilchin, Master Throat Singers from Tuva, will perform with special guest artist Laurie Anderson. The program will feature each artist performing their own music, and a special collaboration between Chirgilchin and Anderson. Plus, noted visual artist Leonid Urjuk will actualize a painting onstage during one of the musical performances. Learn more...

Notable, Inc. presents Naples...That's Amore!, a sensational, spellbinding Italian musical revue that has captivated audiences in America and abroad. The show stars the Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito accompanied by a talented cast of Italian dancers and actors. The combination of Pasquale's electrifying vocals and stimulating choreography under the direction of Ettore Squillace has fused into a stunning production that will leave audiences longing for more. Learn more...

Turning the tables on standard piano trio fare, San Francisco Performances presents the Peabody Trio in a program of Romantic and contemporary music at Herbst Theatre. One of the shining lights of the chamber music world, the members of the Peabody Trio have established themselves as both definitive interpreters of the standard repertoire and adventurous explorers of new music. Hear them play Thierry De Mey's "Musique de tables," which literally turns ordinary tabletops into virtuoso musical instruments. Learn more...

Widely regarded as among the most accomplished and individualistic pianists of a generation, Peter Serkin will give one Bay Area recital only at Herbst Theatre, presented by San Francisco Performances. A definitive interpreter of classical and Romantic repertoire, Serkin is equally a champion of the modern and contemporary. His intelligent and challenging performance of works by J.S. Bach and Toru Takemitsu promises to be a top musical event of the season. Learn more...

Critically adored pianist-composer Andrew Hill's intricate compositions have been likened to origami by Downbeat Magazine. This double bill also features guitarist and current Wilco member Nels Cline. They will draw from Hill's entire songbook for their adventurous set. Learn more...

Catch the instrumental wizardry of two #1 Rising Stars from the 2006 DownBeat Critics Poll in this remarkable double bill from SFJAZZ. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris has played with leaders as stylistically diverse as Wynton Marsalis and Charlie Hunter. His latest album African Tarantella: Dances with Duke pays tribute to Duke Ellington. Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon is a strong force in both contemporary jazz and Latin music. His latest album, Jibaro, draws heavily on the traditions of his native Puerto Rican music and his prowess as an improviser. Learn more...

"Keeping the swing faith with a time-honored groove" (Chicago Tribune), the great brothers Heath--Jimmy on tenor sax and Albert (a.k.a. "Tootie") on drums--celebrate Jimmy's 80-year milestone on the SFJAZZ Festival stage, joined by rising-star trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. Jimmy and Tootie have played with such immortals as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. Learn more...

The 3rd Annual George Bush Going Away Party features a variety of political comedians from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco: Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Bill Santiago (Comedy Central), Alana Devich (Comedy Central's "Laugh Riots") and hostess Lisa Geduldig. People who want to cry when they hear about W's policies will be tickled by this show. The show will benefit the "Military Out of Our Schools Campaign" Learn more...

Graced by ancient mantras, rich harmonies and sensual rhythms, Deva Premal and Miten's music explores the essence of love, devotion, and consciousness. The couple, who have been living and playing together for more than 12 years, have toured the world and released a string of acclaimed CDs, including "The Essence," "Love is Space," "Embrace" and "Dakshina." Learn more...

Tony Award-winning actress and singer Betty Buckley is a diva synonymous with Broadway. She has created and performed in some of musical theater's most memorable productions, including Cats, 1776, Song & Dance, Pippin and Sunset Boulevard, all showcasing her talents as the quintessential leading lady of the American musical theater. Now hear her live at the intimate Herbst Theatre for one night only! Learn more...

This celebration of classical music marks the 100th anniversary of the monumentally important Russian composer's birth,whose output of 15 string quartets, sonatas, duos, piano music and other chamber works reveals Shostakovich as an intensely emotional and complex composer, capable of creating a sweep of intricate and deeply emotional music from grand to mournfully tender. This mini-festival will feature three different concerts combined with lectures and illuminate the composer's true spirit throughout a tempestuous and prolific career. Learn more...

Celestial Symphony with H.P. Chaursia Ensemble at Herbst Theatre tastefully blends the divine sounds of the bamboo flute with the angelic strums of the guitars, scintillating rhythms from the tabla and the drums, the soulful blues of the sax, a soporific drone in the background--and a wraithlike dancer floating through the magical arena. Learn more...

Comedy superstar Joan Rivers make a rare San Francisco appearance at the intimate Herbst Theatre. When it comes to entertainment, Joan has done it all: movies, television, books, talk shows, and especially on-stage where she is an expert at making people laugh. Joan will be joined by a Special Guest Star who has not yet been announced. Learn more...

Wesla Whitfield is one of those rare singers that takes Broadway tunes, movie songs, and Hit Parade numbers and makes them her own. The Mike Greensill Octet joins her on the stage in a CD release concert for her latest, "Livin' on Love," that contains hits from American songwriters like Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin. Learn more...

Graceful and inspired dance from the Philippine islands comes to San Francisco with the LIKHA Pilipino Folk Ensemble. Aside from showing their versatility in costume and dance, LIKHA's colorful presentations have their own string ensemble that accompanies the Spanish and rural suites. This ensemble also provides indigenous music for the other dance suites, making for a journey through time to a garden nation full of music and dance. Learn more...

Music Director George Cleve and the Midsummer Mozart Festival, North America's only all-Mozart festival, present two sparkling programs, one featuring renowned pianist Andre Watts. Maestro Cleve will lead the Midsummer Mozart Orchestra in performing these two stellar concerts celebrating the Mozart Year. Learn more...

Grammy nominated artists Strunz & Farah, performing together for 24 years, have created an entirely new expression for the acoustic guitar. From Costa Rica and Iran respectively, Jorge Strunz and Ardeshir Farah have brought the cultural riches of their native lands to their highly virtuosic, rhythmic, and improvisation-rich original instrumental compositions, profoundly influencing guitarists everywhere. Special guest artist Peppino D'Agostino will be opening the show. Learn more...

An NEA Jazz Master and a onetime member of the Latin jazz supergroup Irakere, Cuban-born clarinet and sax master Paquito D'Rivera is "one of the premier reed stylists of the last 30 years" (JazzTimes) and an all-around "formidable musician" (New York Times). With six Grammy Awards to his credit, he has received a new Grammy nomination for his 2005 disc, Paquito D'Rivera & The Jazz Chamber Trio. Learn more...

Charlie Haden's Legendary Quartet West - one of the most popular and widely acclaimed groups in jazz history - is returning to San Francsicso to perform "A Night in Noir City." The concert will spotlight Haden and Quartet West's deep affinity and affection for film noir, the sensual and sinister cinematic style that has provided inspiration for many Quartet West albums, most famously Always Say Goodbye, Haunted Heart, and Now is the Hour. Learn more...

The producer of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy brings you The 8th Annual Funny Girlz: A Smorgasbord of Women's Humor. As always, this annual celebration of women's comedy features a hysterical and diverse line-up of internationally, nationally and locally known funny female comedians. Comics scheduled to appear this year include "Seinfeld" writer, Carol Leifer, and British Muslim comic, Shazia Mirza. Learn more...

Boasting "limitless capacity for improvisational invention" (JazzTimes), tenor sax master Dewey Redman has been one of the most forward-looking artists in jazz since the '60s, both as a leader and as a collaborator with the likes of Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, and Keith Jarrett. On the cusp of 75, he is "a daredevil with time,...nail[ing] the notes with the offhand sweetness of experience" (The New York Times). Learn more...

Celebrating a birthday milestone, piano giant and NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston revisits the Moroccan-inspired sounds of his discs Spirit! The Power of Music and The Splendid Master Gnawa Musicians of Morocco. "The recording barely hinted at the sonic power [of the] live performance," the Chicago Tribune wrote of one concert. "[Weston] sounded consistently magisterial." Learn more...

SFJAZZ's all-star octet returns for its third annual home season in San Francisco, with an all-new repertoire including original compositions and fresh arrangements (by Grammy-winner Gil Goldstein) of classic works by modern jazz master Herbie Hancock. The 2006 line-up includes returning members Joshua Redman (saxophones, Artistic Director), the great Bobby Hutcherson (vibes/marimba), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Miguel Zenon (alto sax, flute), Renee Rosnes (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Eric Harland (drums), plus newcomer Andre Hayward on trombone. Learn more...

Singer/guitarist John Pizzarelli showcases the artistic refinement and personal magnetism that have made him one of today's premier interpreters of the Great American Songbook. In The New York Times' words: "[Pizzarelli's] music portrays the kind of joy that sneaks up on you at odd moments when you're just walking around and feeling good." Young virtuosos Taylor Eigsti (piano) and Julian Lage (guitar) share this fun-loving program of great jazz. Learn more...

Hailed as "the patriarch of Italian jazz" (JazzTimes), trumpeter/flugelhornist Enrico Rava, returns to SF with pianist and countryman Stefano Bollani, a collaborator on Rava's spellbinding new CD, Tati. Sharing this all-Italian bill is Enrico Pieranunzi, "a luminously lyrical pianist, with a constant flow of ideas" (Nat Hentoff). Learn more...

San Francisco Performances presents violinist Daniel Hope in concert, performing selections from Schnittke, Brahms, and Grieg. Hope began playing the violin at age three, and has gone on to earn two Grammy nominations. The London Observer calls him "the most exciting British string player since Jacqueline du Pre." Learn more...

Renowned as both an accomplished pianist and as a mentor to many of this generation's important jazz players (including sons Wynton and Branford), New Orleans legend Ellis Marsalis is one of the true masters of modern jazz and an ever-captivating live performer. Learn more...

The Lamplighters close their 2006 season with an operatic work from the world of Broadway and the classical stage, the stunningly beautiful Showboat. This acclaimed 1927 Broadway show features the sumptuous music of Jerome Kern, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Join the Lamplighters for this epic journey on the Might Mississippi, including such great songs as "Make Believe," "Old Man River," "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" and "After the Ball." Learn more...

Margaret Cho (All-American Girl, Sex and the City) is best known as a comedienne and actress, but she also has a passion for belly dancing, which led her to study with the legendary Suhaila Salimpour. Now Cho is joining Suhaila and her dancers on stage for this dynamic evening of electrifying Middle Eastern dance. Learn more...

Bea Arthur, known to audiences for her tough-talkin', no nonsense characters in the TV series Maude and The Golden Girls, returns to the stage at the Herbst Theatre. Bea will be joined by her longtime friend Billy Goldenberg at the piano in a warm and funny evening filled with songs and stories from her career. Learn more...

For one night only in San Francisco, the famed Lamplighters invite you to help them solve the mystery of The Da Vinci Coda! Join the Lamplighters as they discover that the music of Gilbert & Sullivan is implicated in an international conspiracy involving secret societies, mysterious symbols, murder and mayhem. Musical sparks will fly in this completely original, modern and wacky musical tribute based upon the masterworks of Gilbert & Sullivan. Learn more...

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy presents the 2nd Annual George Bush Going Away Party: An Evening of Political Comedy. The show features a multicultural variety of political comedians from both New York and San Francisco, including Bill Santiago of Comedy Central's Premium Blend, Diane Amos, Lisa Geduldig, Scott Blakeman and more. Learn more...

Baritone Christopheren Nomura, one of classical musics "rising stars," joins Metropolitan Opera soprano Harolyn Blackwell at the Herbst Theatre for an evening of music including songs by Saint-Saen, Schubert, Schumann and Poulenc. Learn more...

Hearing and seeing Evelyn Glennie perform, it is not a surprise that she is the first person to create and successfully sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist. Her virtuosity and range on a seemingly boundless variety of instruments alone set her apart. Ms. Glennie's unique ability to combine exceptional musical abilities with a profound appreciation for the visual, almost choreographic, elements of percussion has led to performances of such vitality that they redefine the concert experience for audiences the world over. Learn more...

Richard Stoltzman on clarinet and his son, Peter John Stoltzman on piano team up for an evening of live music at the Herbst Theatre. Learn more...

Marc-Andre Hamelin is internationally renowned for his musical virtuosity and refined pianism. Perhaps best recognized for his attention to lesser-known composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, he is equally at home with the standard repertoire. Learn more...

Matthias Goerne's life has been so completely dedicated to the art of song that at age six he was able to sing all of Schubert's Winterreise. His enthusiasm and artistry inspire audiences around the world, dozens of whom line up after performances to try to meet this charismatic singer. Once again, San Francisco Performances presents this compelling artist in a small and intimate recital hall. Learn more...

Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear one of the world's great artists in a very intimate recital hall. A widely recorded -- more than 30 best-selling CDs -- and perennially far-touring guitarist, John Williams is, quite simply, a phenomenon: "a true conveyor of musical intelligence rare among today's classical guitarists."(Billboard) Learn more...

As always, this annual celebration of women's comedy features a hysterical and diverse line-up of internationally, nationally and locally known funny female comedians. Partial proceeds to benefit Women's Cancer Resource Center. Learn more...

Patrons will get one more chance to hear those great Lamplighters voices and that unparalleled orchestra when they present an operatic work from the world of Broadway in semi-staged, concert format: Leonard Bernstein's Candide: In Concert from Lamplighters, the Roar of the Crowd-winning company, at the Dean Lesher Center. Learn more...

A must-see array of the world's finest improvising musicians led by composer/pianist Fred Hersch unites for the debut tour of this groundbreaking project. Learn more...

San Francisco Performances presents rising jazz star Stefon Harris, a master of the vibraphone and marimba, along with his new ensemble Blackout, for an evening of stellar jazz. Learn more...