Calendar | January 2022
JANUARY ONGOING
GLOW: Discover the Art of Light at the Exploratorium
Don’t miss the final month of GLOW: Discover the Art of Light at the Exploratorium. The San Francisco venue features luminous creations by eight artists — among them, Luke Jerram, Nick Dong and CHiKA (whose work is shown above). Through January 30. Tickets: $20–$30. exploratorium.edu
JANUARY 7
Back to the Future
Back to the Future gets the San Francisco Symphony treatment, as the Robert Zemeckis–directed film is screened at Davies Symphony Hall, accompanied by a performance conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos. Composer Alan Silvestri added new music to his score specifically for these live orchestra presentations. December 7 and 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: from $45. sfsymphony.org
JANUARY 7
SF Sketchfest
Celebrate 20 years of SF Sketchfest, the comedy extravaganza that takes place around the City over the course of a couple of weeks. (Read more about one of the venues, Great Star Theater, in “Staging a Comeback,” page 48.) Local and national stars alike are represented. sfsketchfest.com
JANUARY 8
Manetti Shrem Museum
Break up that drive to or from Tahoe with a stop at UC Davis’ Manetti Shrem Museum. With three exhibitions launching at the same time, it’s worth a visit even if you don’t have a ski trip planned. William T. Wiley and the Slant Step: All on the Line highlights the artist’s early works and evokes his Mill Valley studio. Mary Heilmann: Squaring Davis features the native San Franciscan’s paintings and rarely seen ceramics. And From Moment to Movement: Picturing Protest in the Kramlich Collection covers 30 years of works by contemporary artists. An opening celebration will be held January 30, 2–4 p.m. manettishremmuseum.ucdavis.edu
JANUARY 9
The Hot Chocolate 15k/5k
If your New Year’s resolutions involve fitness and philanthropy, we’ve got just the thing. The Hot Chocolate 15k/5k benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose mission is to help end childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. And with chocolate in its name, the postrace celebration doesn’t disappoint: Expect fondue, dippables, hot chocolate, great music and more. Registration: $54–$74. Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco. hotchocolate15k.com
JANUARY 11
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Your favorite Hogwarts alums are returning to the San Francisco stage. In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry, Ron and Hermione cast spells, race through time and confront mysterious forces. While the original play involved two performances, this reimagined version is a single production, presented at the Curran Theater. Through September 4. Tickets: from $69. harrypotterplaysf.com
JANUARY 12
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Part biography, part concert, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is an immersive experience about the folk-rock duo — complete with a full live band performing Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s hits, such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Tickets: $43–$83. 7:30 p.m. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. broadwaysanjose.com
JANUARY 15
Harlem Globetrotters’ Spread Game Tour
Basketball showmanship and fullcourt family fun converge as the Harlem Globetrotters bring their Spread Game tour to San Francisco’s Chase Center. (Psst — if you can’t catch the Saturday event in the City, the Globetrotters are taking their athletic and theatrical talents to San Jose’s SAP Center the next day.) Tickets: from $37. 1 p.m. chasecenter.com
JANUARY 15
Legends
Embrace the aloha spirit! Hawaiian musical greats Keola Beamer and Henry Kapono share the stage with hula dancer Moanalani Beamer, for an evening in the Carriage House Theatre aptly titled Legends. Tickets: from $54. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga. montalvoarts.org
JANUARY 15
Moderate to Severe
Isaac Mizrahi’s cabaret show at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, initially scheduled pre-pandemic, is finally happening this month! In Moderate to Severe, the performer and designer shares humorous stories, accompanied by six jazz musicians. Tickets: $90. 7:30–9 p.m. paloaltojcc.org
JANUARY 18
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
No golden ticket required: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Follow along on Charlie Bucket’s adventures in Willy Wonka’s confectionary wonderland. Through January 23. Tickets: from $38. broadwaysanjose.com
JANUARY 18
KQED’s Climate Change Discussion
Wondering what you can do about climate change? Then tune into KQED’s discussion on the topic. Local climate resilience leaders Priya Shukla, Britt Wray and Violet Wulf-Saena will impart ways to take effective action. In-person tickets (to be held at KQED headquarters in San Francisco): $10; livestream tickets: free. events.kqed.org
JANUARY 19
FOG Design+Art Preview Gala
The FOG Design+Art Preview Gala is back! The benefit for SFMOMA’s exhibition and education programs is one of the social events of the year, preceding the fourday art fair. (Get more details on FOG in this month’s Preview, page 9.) Tickets: from $175; tiered entry, 4–10 p.m. Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion, San Francisco. fog fair.com NHG Sponsored
JANUARY 20
MTT: Gautier Capuçon Plays Shostakovich
Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and cellist Gautier Capuçon are coming together for MTT: Gautier Capuçon Plays Shostakovich, which includes arrangements by Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev. Through January 22, 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets: $35–$165. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco. sfsymphony.org
JANUARY 21
Freestyle Love Supreme
The brainchild of Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Bay Area’s own Anthony Veneziale, Freestyle Love Supreme promises a singular experience centered on comedy and hiphop. The freestyle aspect plus surprise guest artists make each performance unique. The show’s American tour kicks off at the Geary Theater in San Francisco. Through February 13 (with previews January 21–25). Tickets: from $5. act-sf.org
JANUARY 22
American Masters
American Masters focuses on the talents of four composers who epitomized American music in the 1930s and 1940s: Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington. Tito Muñoz conducts the quartet of performances in San Jose’s historic California Theatre. January 22 at 8 p.m. and January 23 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $55–$115. symphonysanjose.org
JANUARY 26
SFJAZZ
Wynton Marsalis will be honored with the SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award during the nonprofit’s 2022 gala. All proceeds from the event — cochaired by Bruce and Hala Cozadd, and Lisa and Kenneth Jackson — support SFJAZZ’s artistic and education programs. Stick around after the gala’s cocktail reception and concert for a soiree featuring Tank and the Bangas as well as Jesús Díaz y Su QBA. Gala tickets: from $500; After Party tickets: $125. sfjazz.org
JANUARY 26
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula’s Youth of the Year
Stay nice and toasty at home while toasting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula’s Youth of the Year. The 2022 ceremony will be virtual and broadcasted live. Listen to the finalists’ stories, watch performances by BGCP students and hear from the nonprofit’s coCEOs. The YOY — selected by a panel that includes Warriors star Andre Iguodala, GingerBread Capital CEO Linnea Roberts and Nike CEO John Donahoe — will represent the BGCP at a regional event. RSVP required. 7:30 p.m. bgcp.org
JANUARY 27
The San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala
Red carpets have returned to the City! The San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala at the War Memorial Opera House includes a performance and dinner to celebrate the start of the new repertory season (there’s also a postperformance party to keep the festivities going). Tickets: from $1,500. Red carpet and sparkling stroll at 5 p.m.; performance at 5 p.m., followed by dinner. sfballet.org
