And just like that, 2023 is history… but just look at what 2024 promises. We’re excited about the 2024 Opening Night Gala at San Francisco Ballet with its intriguing theme, Pandora: Curiosity Unveiled. The first two months of the new year certainly have it all in a calendar of events filled with great jazz, theater, art, design, music—plus basketball and dragons. Gung hay fat choy!
Through Feb. 11
Legion of Honor | Botticelli Drawings
This first exhibition dedicated to the drawings of Sandro Botticelli features rarely seen and newly attributed works. The show provides insight into the artist whose name is synonymous with the Italian Renaissance, including an intimate look into the making of a masterpiece, Adoration of the Magi. 100 34th Ave. famsf.org/exhibitions/botticelli-drawings
Jan. 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 19, 24, 25, 27, 30 and Feb. 10, 14, 22, 23, 25
Chase Center | Golden State Warriors
In Mission Bay, the new venue with seating for 18,064 fans, has been home to the Golden State Warriors since 2019. Watch them take down their rivals live in action. 1 Warriors Way. nba.com/warriors
Through June 2
The Walt Disney Family Museum | Disney Cats and Dogs
View animal-inspired animation and storytelling through the decades. In conjunction with a celebration of The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary, this unique and exciting exhibition is extended, on view for the first time in the United States. 104 Montgomery St. in the Presidio. waltdisney.org/cats-and-dogs
JANUARY
9 – 14
SFJAZZ | Chris Botti
The biggest-selling jazz instrumentalist, Botti’s SFJAZZ shows have become a New Year tradition in San Francisco and always sell out. SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/23-24/chris-botti
9 – 21
Berkeley Rep | Alex Edelman
The award-winning solo show, Just for Us, is “expertly crafted by one of comedy’s most distinctive voices.” Peet’s Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. berkeleyrep.org/shows/just-for-us
12 – 15
2024 Napa Truffle Festival
Dig truffles? Sure to be a sell-out event, the magic of truffles, Michelin chefs, and great wineries attracts like no other. Various locations. napatrufflefestival.com
13
Living Jazz & SFJAZZ | Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“In the Name of Love” (20th anniversary) honors the vision and legacy of MLK, Jr., through the music of Stevie Wonder. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. https://www.livingjazz.org/mlk-tribute
16 – Feb. 11
Broadway SF | The Wiz
An all-new tour is the first in 40 years. This twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and ’70s funk—to its stirring tale of Dorothy finding her place in a contemporary world. Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St. broadwaysf.com/events/the-wiz
17 – March 10
Cirque du Soleil | Kooza
Under the big top at Oracle Park, Kooza is a show that combines acrobatic performances with the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition, and power. cirquedusoleil.com
18
SF Performances | Jonathan Biss
First in a 3-part series (also on March 14 and May 2) called “Echoes of Schubert,” featuring the American pianist. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org/performances/2324/jonathan-biss-1.html
18 – 21
Fort Mason Center | FOG Design+Art
Preview Gala on Feb. 17, 2024. A selection of 45 prominent exhobitions by 20th century and contemporary design dealers and leading art galleries shifts, morphs, and reveals itself through multiple forms and dimension. festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. fogfair.com
19 – 28
Napa Valley Restaurant Week
Celebrate the gastronomy of Napa Valley with this showcase of premium ingredients and bountiful, farm-fresh produce curated and presented by talented chefs throughout the valley. visitnapavalley.com/events/annual-events/restaurant-week
20 – Aug. 11
de Young | Fashioning of San Francisco: A Century of Style
The first major presentation of the costume collection in over 35 years showcases designs from French couturiers, Japanese avant-garde designers, and other pillars of the fashion industry. Featuring 100 designs from Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Christopher John Rogers, more. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. famsf.org/exhibitions/fashioning-san-francisco
21
SF Symphony | Itzhak Perlman
In the Fiddler’s House brings foot-stopping, heartbeat-raising music from the famed violinist to audiences, exposing a unique and unforgettable cultural music experience with the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/ITZHAK-PERLMAN
24
SF Ballet | Opening Night Gala
An immersive world is filled with beauty, boldness, innovation, and curiosity in an otherworldly dimension at this year’s gala, Pandora: Curiosity Unveiled. An exceptional, one-night performance celebrates the opening of the tenure season of the first-ever female artistic director, Tamara Rojo. The elegant fundraiser benefits artistic initiatives, new works, scholarships for San Francisco Ballet School, and community education programs. War Memorial Opera House and City Hall. sfballet.org/support-us/special-events/gala
24 – 26
SF Performances | Pivot Festival
The annual event is guest curated by visionary composer/musician Gabriel Kahane on the piano. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org/performances/2324/pivot-1.html
25 – 27
SF Symphony | MTT Conducts Mahler 5
The Fifth Symphony finds Mahler at his most joyous and life-affirming, the ideal vehicle for Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/MTT-CONDUCTS-MAHLER-5
26 – Feb. 1
SF Ballet | Mere Mortals
In this immersive sensory experience, music and dance converge in a singular environment of mesmerizing light and video. The new work contextualizes the ancient parable of Pandora’s Box for our current technological world. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfballet.org/productions/mere-mortals
27
SF Performances | Raehann Bryce-Davis
A gifted alumnus of the Merola Program, the electrifying mezzo-soprano performs a distinctive program. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org/performances/2324/raehann-bryce-davis.html
28
Festival Napa Valley’s Olivia Decker Power of Music Series
Star violinists Blake Pouliot and Simone Porter with pianist Hsin-I Huang perform an emotionally intoxicating performance. San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St. festivalnapavalley.org/calendar/blake-pouliot-simone-porter
28 – March 2
Presidio Theater Performing Arts Center | Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
Experience the enchantment of childhood imagination in this timeless tale of dreams, courage, and everlasting youth. Presented by the Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco. 99 Moraga Ave. presidiotheatre.org/show/2023ctapeterpan
30 – Feb. 25
Broadway SF | MJ: The Musical
Beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the pop music star, get a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. The multiple Tony Award®-winning new musical centers on the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com/events/mj-the-musical
31
Chase Center | Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin
Three multigenerational global powerhouses extend their one-of-a-kind arena party into 2024. The Trilogy Tour. 1 Warriors Way. chasecenter.com/events/enrique-iglesias-pitbull-ricky-martin-20240131
FEBRUARY
8 – 9
SF Symphony | Casino Royale
Daniel Craig stars as the legendary secret agent 007. Experience the SF Symphony performing the sensuous score of this Bond spy thriller as the action unfolds on the big screen. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/CASINO-ROYALE
9
Festival Napa Valley | Olivia Decker Power of Music Series
A lively evening of jazz with Cuban-born pianist/composer Harold López-Nussa with GRAMMY® winning harmonica master Grégoire Maret, bass great Luques Curtis, and drummer Ruy Adrian López-Nussa. Pre-event reception at 5:30 p.m. The St. Regis SF, 125 Third St. festivalnapavalley.org/calendar/harold-lopez-nussa
9 – 15
SF Ballet | British Icons
Two SF Ballet premieres: Song of the Earth (choreographer: Sir Kenneth MacMillan; composer: Gustav Mahler), a story of love, loss, and bittersweet death woven through poetic choreography, and Marguerite and Armand (choreographer: Sir Frederick Ashton; composer: Franz Liszt), created in 1963 for superstars Nureyev and Fonteyn. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfballet.org/productions/british-icons
10
SF Performances | Pepe Romero
Considered one of the “grandfathers” of classical guitar, a solo recital marking his 80th birthday. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org/performances/2324/pepe-romero.html
10
SF Symphony | Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Lights, camera, music! Watch the Looney Tunes gang in hilarious and unforgettable scenes on the big screen as the SF Symphony performs the reimagined classics of Rossini, Wagner, and more. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/BUGS-BUNNY-AT-THE-SYMPHONY
23 – 25
SF Symphony | MTT & Julia Fischer
Joining Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas, violinist Julia Fischer makes her long-awaited return. Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, tenor Nicholas Phan, and baritone Luca Pisaroni sing in Stravinsky’s cheeky neoclassical ballet Pulcinella. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2023-24/MTT-JULIA-FISCHER
23 – March 3
SF Ballet | Swan Lake
Set against Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Tomasson’s strikingly modern production updates this story of love and betrayal and features sleek and elevated designs by Tony Award®–winning Jonathan Fensom. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfballet.org/productions/swan-lake
24
Chinese New Year Parade: Year of the Dragon
Gung hay fat choy! San Francisco hosts the biggest Lunar New Year event outside of Asia, one of the few nighttime illuminated parades in North America. Sponsored by Alaska Airlines, the kickoff is 5:15 p.m. from Market & 2nd streets. chineseparade.com
27 – 28
Chase Center | Madonna
Madonna, the best-selling female solo touring artist of all time, announced Four Decades: The Celebration Tour date rescheduled from October and then to Jan. 15, is now taking place Feb. 27 and 28. 1 Warriors Way. chasecenter.com/events/madonna-20240227
29
SF Performances | Lawrence Brownlee
Deeply thoughtful about his connection to audiences through selection of repertory and musical storytelling, this charismatic artist presents the project Rising. Kevin Miller, piano. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org/performances/2324/lawrence-brownlee.html
29 – March 3
SFJAZZ | Branford Marsalis
Jazz Master Branford Marsalis represents “the highest echelon of jazz tenor saxophonists” (Los Angeles Times). His superlative quartet features pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Reevis, and drummer Justin Faulkner. SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/23-24/branford-marsalis