Mary Cassatt, Peasant Mother and Child, 1894. Aquatint and drypoint on Arches laid paper. 17 1/8 by 12 in. Available at the San Francisco Fine Print Fair. (Courtesy of Catherine E. Burns Fine Prints)
Through Jan. 16, Jewish Contemporary Museum
The first art exhibition in an American art museum on this master magician explores how Houdini’s role as an American icon was transformed across three centuries. 736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth), 415-655-7800, www.cjm.org
Artistic San Francisco
Through Jan. 22, Palace of Legion of Honor
This installation of prints, drawings, photographs, and paintings pays tribute to the unique sites, scenery and topography of the Bay Area and features art by Wayne Thiebaud, Chiura Obata, Eadweard Muybridge, David Park, Robert Bechtle, and many others. Wattis Gallery, 100 34th Avenue (at El Camino Del Mar), 415-750-3600, www.famsf.org
Magician Peter Morrison
Thursday–Sunday, Jan. 5–8, Marrakech Magic Theater
This one-of-a-kind, close-up show features comedy and classical magic in an intimate, 32-seat historic theater. 419 O’Farrell Street (at Taylor), 925-984-6504, www.sanfranciscomagictheater.com
Amy Chua: Tale of a Tiger Mother
Thursday, Jan. 12, The Commonwealth Club
Join best-selling author Chua as she talks about raising her children the strict “Chinese” way, her struggles and aspirations as a parent, and what it really means to be a tiger mother. 595 Market Street, 415-597-6700, www.commonwealthclub.org
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2012
Monday, Jan. 16, Golden Gate National Parks
For a fun way to make a difference for all ages, volunteer at Alcatraz, Crissy Field, the Presidio, Lands End, Ocean Beach, Muir Woods, or Muir Beach to help grow and restore our cherished national parklands. 415-561-3000, www.parksconservancy.org
Shawn Colvin
Tuesday–Thursday, Jan. 17–Jan. 19, Yoshi’s SF
Returning to where she recorded her Grammy-nominated Shawn Colvin Live, the three-time Grammy winner’s style of contemporary folk and acoustic guitar with poignant lyrics won’t disappoint. 1330 Fillmore Street (at Eddy), 415-655-5600, www.yoshis.com
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Friday, Jan. 27, Herbst Theatre
Richard Egarr, music director of the legendary English period instrument orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, performs and leads the orchestra from the harpsichord while traversing the music of several generations of English Baroque composers. 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister), 415-252-1288, www.philharmonia.org
San Francisco Fine Print Fair
Friday, Jan. 27–Sunday, Jan. 29, Fort Mason Center
On exhibit and for sale are fine prints spanning five centuries and ranging from original Rembrandt etchings; Durer woodcuts; Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall lithographs; German Expressionist prints, and works from many more major and minor schools and artists. Building A Conference Center, 415-472-7021, www.sanfrancisco-fineprintfair.com
Peter Yarrow
Saturday, Jan. 28, Jewish Community Center
His songs are woven into the fabric of the American experience, so don’t miss this preeminent artist, activist, outspoken advocate for children, and unflagging believer in the power of finding one’s own voice and blending it with others for social change. 3200 California Street (at Presidio), 415-292-1200, www.jccsf.org
To compel you to cross town:
Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers
Friday–Sunday, Jan. 20–22, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Described as not an opera or a play, but exquisite entertainment, The Gondoliers involves a pair of handsome Venetian gondola oarsmen and a mix up of identities at birth that explores issues of social equality and the class system with brilliant wit and groundbreaking lyrics. Novellus Theater, 700 Howard Street (at Third), 415-978-2787, www.lamplighters.org
