Central Nigeria Unmasked at the Cantor Arts Center

The Benue River Valley in central Nigeria is the source of some of the most abstract, dramatic, and inventive sculpture in Africa. Discover the history of the region through masks, elaborate bronze and iron regalia, and more at Central Nigeria Unmasked at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford through October, 2012. And to sweeten the deal, it's free!

The Stuff that Dreams are Made Of

Named after the famous Humphrey Bogart line, The Stuff that Dreams are Made Of is an exhibition, presented by the SF Museum and Historical Society, that highlights the filmmakers and movies (Vertigo, The Maltese Falcon, Take the Money and Run) that have put San Francisco front and center on the silver screen. Also on display will be paintings by Vertigo star Kim Novak. Check it out starting tomorrow through June 24, 2012 at the Old Mint.

Salomania!

Maud Allan, an early 20th century performer made famous for her portrayal of Salome, the New Testament's baddest femme fatale, is getting some renewed attention in Mark Jackson's play, Salomania. It's in previews starting tonight at Berkeley's Aurora Theater and opens next Thursday.

Pride

It's that time of year again when San Francisco bursts into technicolor and everyone has a gay old time. SF's 41st LGBT Pride Celebration features more festivities than you know what to do with: a march for trans folk on Friday, a march for the ladies on Saturday, Pink Party in the Castro Saturday night, the Pride Parade all down Market Street starting at 10:30am on Sunday, and on and on. Another noteworthy event is the world premiere of the Harvey Milk Cantata by Jack Curtis Dubowsky, sung by the SF Gay and Lesbian Chorus and students from Lick-Wilmerding High School, at the SF Conservatory of Music Concert Hall.

Henry Miller Library Benefit with Joanna Newsom and Philip Glass

Peanut butter and jelly is about to be dethroned as the perfect combination by the one-off collaboration of folk-indie goddess Joanna Newsom and composer pianist Philip Glass, who will be united, along with violinist Tim Fain, for a benefit concert for the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur. Tickets are a bit steep, but you can't put a price on once-in-a-lifetime musical events like this one. Pry open that wallet and help a struglling cultural center in the process! The benefit takes place at the Warfield in San Francisco on Monday evening.

Tanlines

It's officially summer and Brooklyn duo Tanlines provide the perfect soundtrack for drives to the beach or lazy days in the park. Give their spunky synth-pop a listen when they hit the Brick and Mortar in San Francisco Wednesday night.

The Scottsboro Boys at A.C.T.

From the men responsible for legendary musicals like Chicago and Cabaret comes The Scottsboro Boys, a new classic that has already been nominated for twelve Tony Awards. Staged by Susan Stroman (The Producers), the musical tells the shocking tale of nine young African American men who are unjustly accused of a heinous crime and whose lives catalyse the Civil Rights Movement. You won't want to miss this one! The Scottsboro Boys opens Wednesday and runs through July 22, 2012 at the American Conservatory Theater.