Magic at the Rex
Saturdays, 8 p.m., Hotel Rex
Enjoy an evening of mind-boggling magic and feats of derring-do in an intimate nightclub setting with distinctly different approaches and styles from magicians Adam Sachs, Sebastian Boswell III and RJ Owens, who will not only astound but leave you laughing as well. 562 Sutter Street (near Mason), 415 273-9790, www.magicattherex.com   

5th Anniversary Open House
Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m., SenSpa
Celebration includes raw food cooking demonstration, chair massage, complimentary yoga, mini facial treatments, makeup applications, wellness talks, healthy snacks, door prizes, plus launch of SenSpa membership program. Call for schedule and details. 415-441-1777, www.senspa.com, 1161 Gorgas Avenue (at Kendall) in the Presidio

Lawrence Ferlinghetti & Gary Snyder Poetry Reading
Monday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m., Club Fugazi
Two world-renowned poets and friends get together in North Beach, historic home base to the 1950s San Francisco poetry renaissance, to read their work in a benefit for S.F. State’s Poetry Center. This will be an historic occasion and a rare chance to see and hear these two poets in their home city. 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (Green Street), 415-338-2227, http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/node/3193

Viva Opera Ensemble
Monday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m., Museo ItaloAmericano
Current or former members of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, the American Bach Soloist Choir, Philharmonic Baroque Chorale, Artist’s Vocal Ensemble, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus perform music by composers featured in the 2011–2012 season of the San Francisco Opera. Early RSVP strongly suggested. Fort Mason Center, Building C, Marina Boulevard & Buchanan Streets, 415-673-2200, www.museoitaloamericano.org

Stringdusters
Friday–Saturday, Nov. 18–19, 9 p.m., The Independent
“More than bluegrass, not quite country, always progressive and energetic,” says bass player Travis Book, this band is on a trajectory as one of the fastest growing acoustic bands in the country playing to sold-out crowds everywhere. 628 Divisadero Street (near Grove), 415- 771-1421, theindependentsf.com

To compel you to cross town:

15th Annual Veterans Day Dinner
Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel
Each year the Veterans’ Day Dinner is Swords to Plowshares’ opportunity to share its work with the community and honor veterans who have shown tremendous courage in the face of adversity. The event raises critical funds to support the full range of services provided to local veterans in need. 757 Market Street (between Third & Fourth), 415-655-7246, www.swords-to-plowshares.org

To compel you to cross a bridge:

11th Annual Marin County Turkey Trot
Thursday, Nov. 24, 7 a.m., College of Marin Indian Valley Campus, Novato Spend the morning burning off the calories you’ll replace later with pumpkin pie – three courses are available through Marin’s open space or the beautiful IVC campus and along Ignacio Boulevard. Early registration recommended. 1800 Ignacio Boulevard, www.marinruns.com