Reborning
Tuesday, May 3 through Saturday, June 11, SF Playhouse
In this dark comedy, a young artist who crafts custom-made dolls begins to suspect that a demanding client may be the mother who abandoned her at birth. (Tuesday–Wednesday 7 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 8 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.), 533 Sutter Street (at Powell), 415-677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org

First Friday Reception:
Carol Peters and The Carol Peters Band
Friday, May 6, 6–9 p.m., Gallery 28 & other participating galleries
North Beach Galleries host an open house with extended viewing hours, with some galleries offering their own venue. Enjoy refreshments, music and poetry. 1228 Grant Avenue (near Columbus), 415-433-1228, www.gallery-28.com

Picklewater Clown Cabaret
Monday, May 9, 7 & 9 p.m., Stage Werx Theatre
Local and international professional circus artists, comedians and clowns along with talented students and merrymakers comprise this edgy, new alternative comedy and circus arts performance. 533 Sutter Street (at Powell), 415-123-456, www.picklewater.com

History of Caring – Future of Healing Gala
Thursday, May 12, Bimbo’s 365 Club
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri is a special guest at this event benefitting the new Catholic Healthcare West Cancer Center at St. Mary’s Medical Center, which features piano music by Ron Borelli, a gourmet dinner by Paula LeDuc, dancing to the music of Pride and Joy, and a live auction. 1025 Columbus Avenue (at Chestnut), 415-750-5790, www.supportstmaryssf.org

Art in Storefronts Mid-Market Bash
Friday, May 13, 5–7 p.m., Market Street
Festivities include receptions at three neighborhood galleries, the debut of two temporary public art sculptures, live music lining central Market Street, and Off the Grid food trucks. Between Sixth and Eighth Streets, 415-252-2598, www.sfartscommission.org

Risk is This … the Cutting Ball
New Experimental Plays Festival
Friday–Saturday, May 13–June 25,8 p.m., EXIT on Taylor
One of the only play festivals in the country solely dedicated to experimental works for the stage. Pushing the boundaries of what theater can be, this year’s festival features five exhilarating staged readings, three of which were commissioned by Cutting Ball. 277 Taylor Street (at Ellis), 415-419-3584, 800-838-3006, www.cuttingball.com   

14th Annual Bay Area Classic Yo-Yo Contest
Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Washington Square Park
Topnotch yo-yoers will gather to test their skill, swap tricks, and compete for cash and prizes, plus provide instruction in a dedicated training area for yo-yo wannabes. Yo-yo trivia: the oldest recorded yo-yo hails from 450 B.C. Greece, where it was a toy for affluent children. Stockton & Filbert Streets, www.triplecrownyoyo.com

Young at Art Festival
Saturday, May 14 through Sunday, May 22, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., de Young Museum
This eight-day celebration of student creativity includes a visual art exhibition featuring artwork by 2,000 students, live musical and dance performances, screenings of student films and videos, poetry readings, and hands-on art activities. (closed Monday, May 15), 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (in Golden Gate Park), 415-123-4567, www.deyoungmuseum.org

Biannual Factory Sample Sale and Open Studio
Friday–Sunday, May 20–22, Heath Ceramics
Tours of Heath’s historic factory, food, photos, raffle, kid activities, shopping, and lots of good cheer with special pricing on overstock tile, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, books, specialty food items, linens, planters, and more. (Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.), 400 Gate 5 Road (near Coloma), Sausalito, 415-332-3732, www.heathceramics.com

Grace Cathedral Spring Concert:
Choir of Men and Boys
Sunday, May 22, 3 p.m., Grace Cathedral
Join the cathedral’s Choir of Men and Boys as
they perform live and celebrate the release of their new CD featuring sacred music of early America. 1100 California Street (at Taylor), 415-749-6300,
www.gracecathedral.org
 
The Whiffenpoofs
Friday, May 27, 7 p.m., Marines’ Memorial Theatre
Yale University’s famed a cappella group has a history over 100 years and performs over 200 worldwide concerts annually, with television appearances in between (when do they find time to study?). Their San Francisco concert features Bay Area native Nathan Calixto. 609 Sutter Street (at Mason), 415-771-6900, marinesmemorialtheatre.com