Donald Duck Favorites
Daily (excluding Tuesdays & Saturday, January 15 & 22), January 2–31, The Walt Disney Family Museum

Donald Duck debuted in 1934 and was a bona fide ducky star by 1961, having starred in 128 cartoons including Mr. Duck Steps Out, Donald’s Dilemma, Slide Donald Slide, and Donald’s Diary. See these and more throughout the month. 104 Montgomery Street (between Lincoln and Sheridan in the Presidio), 415-345-6800, www.waltdisney.org


Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl 2011
Sunday, January 9, AT&T Park

This former Emerald Bowl is always a sellout and one of the highest-rated bowl games on TV, but you can see Boston College duke it out against Nevada right here in our backyard. 24 Willie Mays Plaza (at Second), 800-225-2277, www.kraftbowl.org


Willie Nelson
Sunday–Wednesday, January 9–12,The Fillmore

The legendary political activist, animal advocate, pot smoker, Gap commercial star, Farm-Aid organizer, American icon, actor, Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, and so much more performs at the equally legendary Fillmore. Wonder where he’ll park his biodiesel-fueled touring bus? 1805 Geary Avenue (at Fillmore), 415-346-3000, www.thefillmore.com


10th Annual Dine About Town
Launch Party: Wednesday, January 12, City View at Metreon
Event:  Saturday, January 15–Monday, January 31, various S.F. restaurants

What started as a way to jumpstart the typically slow restaurant season after the holidays has evolved into a great deal for everyone: more than 100 participating restaurants offer a two-course lunch menu for $17.95 and/or a three-course dinner menu for $34.95. Donate $25 to Meals on Wheels at the launch party and sample the offerings. 101 Fourth Street (at Mission) & citywide, 415-391-2000, www.dineabouttown.com


Chaka Kahn
Friday, January 14, The Warfield

I’ll tell you something good about Kahn: from Rufus to collaborations with Prince, Mary K. Bilge, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Clay Aiken to a Broadway role in The Color Purple, this Grammy Award-winner continues to have one impressive career. 982 Market Street (at Taylor), 415-345-0900, www.thewarfieldtheatre.com


Bone to Pick & Diadem
Friday, January 14–Sunday, February 13, Cutting Ball Theater

These two, one-woman plays by Bay Area playwright Eugenie Chan reimagine the Greek myth of Ariadne and together convey the complete story of her epic romance with Theseus. 141 Taylor Street (at Eddy), 415-419-3584, www.cuttingball.com


“Paws for Laughter” Benefit for Rocket Dog Rescue
Saturday, January 15, Southside Theater, Building D, Fort Mason Center

Help save dogs’ lives one joke at a time at this stand-up comedy fundraiser co-sponsored by Northside San Francisco and Fort Mason Center, starring co-headliners Jeff Applebaum and Steven Pearl and featuring Josh Applebaum, Coree Spencer, Max Curry, Sam Obeid, and special guests. All proceeds benefit Rocket Dog Rescue. Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan), 415-994-5335, www.brownpapertickets.com


Triskela Harp Trio: Celebrating Imbolc, the Midwinter Festival of Lights
Wednesday, January 19, Koret Auditorium, Main Library
Through original and traditional harp works accompanied by singing, Irish whistle, flute, and percussion, this program of music, poetry and lore marks midwinter and the ancient Celtic Imbolc celebration of lengthening days and the onset of spring. 100 Larkin Street (at Grove), 415-557-4400, www.sfpl.org


Edwardian Ball 2011
Friday–Saturday, January 21–22,
Regency Ballroom

This multimedia extravaganza of music, theater, dance, art, and circus pays homage to the macabre cartoon writer-illustrator Edward Gorey and draws guests worldwide. Dress as a character from Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb and you’ll fit right in. 1300 Van Ness Avenue (at Sutter), 415-435-7527, www.edwardianball.com


Suzanne Vega
Thursday, January 27, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Vega’s raw, often disturbing lyrics tell stories about ordinary people and real world subjects. Whether singing or almost whispering to her own accompaniment on acoustic guitar, this critically acclaimed performer always conveys compelling, deep emotion. 3301 Lyon Street (at Bay), 415-392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com


ZAP Zinfandel Festival: 20 Years of Zinspiration
Thursday–Sunday, January 27–29, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center

This group is so serious about promoting Zinfandel, they even have an iPhone app. If you’re similarly “Zinspired,” you’ll want to partake in these internationally recognized tastings and food pairing events. Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan), 530-274-4900, www.zinfandel.org


Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
Saturday–Sunday, January 29–30, Chinatown

Find lavish displays of flowers, plants, candies, oranges and tangerines (symbols for abundant happiness), plus lion dancing, Chinese opera, music, art, cultural displays, and more to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Hare, Lunar Year 4709. Grant Avenue (from Clay to Broadway), Pacific Avenue & Jackson Street (from Kearny to Stockton), 415-986-1370, www.chineseparade.com


Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon & 5K Fun Run
Sunday, February 6, Golden Gate Park

Not only is this course ranked one of the most scenic in the country, but it also benefits several Bay Area charities. Keep that in mind when you hit that oh-I’m-so-tired mark. John F. Kennedy Drive (east of Stow Lake) to Martin Luther King Drive (near the Great Highway), 415-759-2690, http://xnet.kp.org/sanfrancisco


And to compel you to cross town:Antiques & Collectibles Faire
Sunday, January 16, Candlestick Park

Go treasure hunting on this side of the bay at NorCal’s newest and hottest monthly show featuring 500 booths selling merchandise at least 20 years old with no reproductions allowed. 602 Jamestown Avenue (at Harney), 510-217-8696, www.candlestickantiques.com