American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.)

September-June
Location: 415 Geary Street; 1125 Market Street
Why Go There? 1040 seat historic landmark Geary Theater resident company offers season of classic, contemporary plays, musicals. The Market Street Strand Theater provides smaller venue for productions, teaching.
More Information: ACT SF

Chamber Music San Francisco

February-May, Saturday 8:00pm, Sunday 3:00pm
Location: 401 Van Ness at McAllister (Herbst Theatre, inside War Memorial Veterans Building)
Why Go There? Ten concert series features high quality chamber music ensembles, soloist recitals performed in intimate venues. (other locations: Palo Alto, Walnut Creek).
More Information: Chamber Music SF

Earplay New Chamber Music

Location: Various venues
Why Go There? Since 1985, group of skilled Bay Area musicians dedicated to new chamber music offer seasonal concerts. (January, March, May)
More Information: Earplay

Magic Theatre

October - June Tuesday-Saturday evening, Sunday matinee (with occasional other matinees)
Location: Fort Mason, Two Marina Boulevard, Building D
Why Go There? 50+ years Theater company presents a four production season of thought provoking new plays, works from new playwrights. Stellar reputation as a venue for playwrights to refine, present exciting shows that lead to long lasting award winning runs. Discounts: previews, rush on some shows.
More Information: Magic Theatre

People in Plazas Summer Music Festival

July - September
Location: Several plazas on/near Market Street, downtown
Why Go There? Al fresco noon concerts in multiple locations featuring a range of music genre, including blues, bluegrass, jazz, opera, salsa, swing.
More Information: People in Plazas

Phoenix Arts Association Theatre

Location: 414 Mason Street (Native Sons building)
Why Go There? Award winning theater company (32+ seasons) focuses on San Francisco, world premiere works from contemporary playwrights, occasional classics in 49 seat theater; affordable tickets.
More Information: Phoenix Theatre SF

San Francisco Ballet

December - May
Location: 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street: War Memorial Opera House
Why Go There? 85+ season renowned professional company offers full repertoire of classic and contemporary dance performances, a Spring festival of new works from international choreographers; fundraiser events.
More Information: SF Ballet

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Location: 50 Oak Street
Why Go There? Schedules concerts in acoustically excellent performance spaces, low cost/free recitals, special events throughout the school year; on-site cafe
More Information: SF Conservatory of Music

San Francisco Jazz Center

Location: 201 Franklin Street (corner of Franklin, Fell)
Why Go There? Dedicated to all things jazz related; host venue for visiting performers, classes; restaurant, bar for pre-show, intermission refreshments
More Information: SF Jazz

San Francisco Opera

Location: 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street: War Memorial Opera House
Why Go There? Started in 1923, professional opera company is known for commissioning world premiere works; performs five operas each season in the 3,146-seat War Memorial Opera House, a 1932 California Historical Landmark. Offers annual free concert in Golden Gate Park, fun pop-ups, other special events; fundraiser includes annual fall gala ball. Offers limited low price cash-only standing room tickets day of performances; military, senior, student discounts, rush (if available).
More Information: SF Opera

San Francisco Playhouse

Tuesday-Sunday, year-round season
Location: 450 Post Street (between Powell/Mason)
Why Go There? High quality theater company in 199 seat venue offers six plays, musicals and three Sandbox Series world premieres per season. Student, senior, military discounts; cash- only ($25) rush, if available, 30 minutes prior to any show for seniors, students.
More Information: SF Playhouse

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA);
Yerba Buena Gardens Festivals

Year-round; May-October (outdoor concerts)
Location: 700 Howard Street (theater); 701 Mission Street (gallery); between Third/Fourth Streets, Howard/Mission Streets (Gardens)
Why Go There? Performance venue, gallery space, theater; changing exhibits. Free outdoor concerts Yerba Buena Gardens (May-October).
More Information: YBCA + Tickets

Additional Resources

African American Shakespeare
African American respected theater company produces season of Shakespeare, other works; weekend evenings/matinees, different venues

Brava!
For Women in the Arts offers performances, concerts, events in the Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Street

Center for New Music
C4NM concerts, 55 Taylor Street

Conservatory of Flowers
Conservatory of the Flowers (Golden Gate Park) hosts summer murder mystery evenings, other events

Exit Theater
Venue with two intimate theaters, a cafe; commissions, produces new plays, classics, and hosts the annual san Francisco Fringe Festival; 156 Eddy Street

SF Folk Festival
Free folk music festival (November)

Intimate Gateway Theater (formerly Eureka Theater)
Hosts 42nd Street Moon musical theater, Theatre Rhinoceros, SF ArtsEd, and is a venue for SF SketchFest; 215 Jackson Street

Golden Gate Theatre
Former 1920's vaudeville house, Golden Gate Theatre hosts touring plays, opera, Broadway productions; 1 Taylor Street

Green Film Fest
San Francisco Green Film Festival: non-profit organization dedicated to screening environmental films, inspiring community

SF International Piano Festival
San Francisco International Piano Festival offers 10 days of concerts, several East Bay/San Francisco locations, 19 artists (August)

Marines’ Memorial Theatre
Marines' Memorial Theatre, venue for a variety of plays, musicals and other events: 609 Sutter Street

Museum of Performance & Design
A living record of the history of the performing arts in the Bay Area and beyond

Noe Valley Chamber Music
Offers quality series in intimate settings

Opera Parallele
Non-profit organization performs contemporary opera

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Events include touring ballet, comedians, and music concerts; 3301 Lyon Street

Potrero Stage
Intimate seating venue for innovative theater productions, readings; host to Crowded Fire Theatre, Bay Area Playwrights Festival (July), others; 1695 18th Street

Pesidio Theatre
1930's Presidio military complex movie theater reinvented as Presidio Theatre venue for dance performances, concerts, movies; 99 Moraga Avenue

Red Poppy Art House
A Mission neighborhood intimate space hosts a variety of cross cultural concerts, dance performances, 2698 Folsom Street

Curran Theatre
Seats 1600, hosts Broadway shows; long history as a premier San Francisco theater; 450 Geary Street

San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band
Calendar of concert band, marching band, pep band concerts

SF Live Arts
Concerts at St. Cyprian's church; open mic jam nights

SF Folk Music Club
Friends and families making home-grown music together

Sunset Piano
A collaboration of two multi-disciplinary artists promoting piano culture at outdoor events around the City and beyond

Theater Rhinoceros
"the longest running queer theater in the world" stages musicals, plays

We Players
Stages performance/art interactive experiences in site-integrated outdoor locations around the Bay Area and beyond

Z Space
Intimate venue hosts dance, musicals, opera, plays