SF Symphony Opening Gala - Rachmaninoff's fab Third Piano Concerto and an overload of swells are on the menu for the Symphony's 97th annual celebration. More... 7:30pm, $130-$250. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness, SF. (415) 864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org
SF Electronic Music Festival - Science-derived computer music and harsh noise, synth-y innovations and rearranged Persian classics, electro-trombone and edgy minimalism. More... 8pm, $12-$17. Through Sun/7. Project Artaud Theater, 450 Florida, SF. (415) 626-4370, www.sfemf.org
Hornucopia - Horn dogs unite! Rapturous Balkan brass bands, wickedly deep Afrofunk, and sweet soul blare out at this new, brassy festival. More... Various locations, through Sept. 14. www.hornucopiafestival.org
Witch - Translating New England's haunting topography into post-Stoner Rock ethereality, with J Mascis on drums. More... 9pm, $12. Cafe Du Nord, 2170 Market, SF. (415)861-5016 www.cafedunord.com
Get Freaky Afterburn - It's that time again, Burners: come-down time! Do it energetic with SebastiAn, Bassnectar, Freq Nasty, and more on the decks. More... 9pm, $30. 1015 Folsom, SF. www.1015.com
Mortified - You know you like it — the pathos and chuckles of reading oh-so-private love letters and diary entries in public.
8pm, $12-$15. Also Sat/6. Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., SF. (415) 647-2888,www.makeoutroom.com
10th Annual Power to the Peaceful Music and Arts Festival - The name says it all, and perhaps Michael Franti says it best. With a slate of ragga legends and upstarts. More... 11am-6pm, free. Speedway Meadows, Golden Gate Park, SF. www.powertothepeaceful.org
"Peering through the Portal" - Two thrilling Asian American dance groups that thrive on collaboration take to CounterPulse's stage. More... 8pm, $10-$15. CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission, SF. (415) 626-2060, www.counterpulse.org
Sarah Silverman - Who doesn't love a bad AIDS joke? this foul-mouthed vixen will fuck you up if you don't. More... 7:30pm, $45-$75. Nob Hill Masonic Center, 1111 California, SF. (415) 421-TIXS,www.livenation.com
GGNRA Endangered Species Big Year Presidio Expedition - Don't flush kitty's litter down the toilet! It's killing the southern sea otter. More info abounds at this environmental event
8am-2pm, free (RSVP required). (415) 572-6989, www.ggnrabigyear.org
Mogwai - Guitar-based progressive post-rock never did anyone any harm, especially delivered by these scene favorites. More... 6pm, $10. Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk, SF. (415) 923-0923, www.hemlocktavern.com
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Leather-jacket swagger that captures the primal cruch of dirty rock and roll from the former San Franciscans. More... 9pm, $30. Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell, SF. (415) 885-0750 www.gamh.com
Trouble the Water - An amazing doc about Katrina using real-time footage of the storm's effect on one couple's immediate surroundings and life. More At the Sundance Kabuki Theater, 1881 Post, SF. http://www.sundancecinemas.com
Bad Plus - Jazz that sounds like it's being made in 2008, including the occasional maybe-ironic Nirvana cover. More... 8pm and 10pm, $10-$16. Yoshi's SF, 1300 Fillmore, SF. (415) 655-5600, www.yoshis.com
