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FILM
MadCat Women's International Film Festival
It's lucky year No. 13 for Ariella Ben-Dov's MadCat Women's International Film Festival, an annual event that brings experimental films by women directors to local and — via an energetic touring schedule — international audiences. Bundle up and head to El Rio for live music by Tartufi and Silian Rail, plus an outdoor screening that includes world premieres by Guardian Goldie winners Kerry Laitala (the spellbinding ode to early cinema, Spectrology) and Samara Halperin (Astroland, an homage to Coney Island's faded glory). Of local historical interest is Katherin McGinnis's Woodward's Gardens, a 3-D exploration of the near-forgotten 18th-century Mission District landmark, which featured a zoo, art galleries and museums, a roller rink, an aquarium, exotic plants, and more. (Cheryl Eddy)
8:30 p.m., $8-$20
El Rio
3158 Mission, SF
(415) 436-9523
FILM
The Third Man and Fallen Idol
Orson Welles' hand sticking out of a storm gutter, the carnivalesque zither score, and Alida Valli drifting past Joseph Cotten as he stands outside of the cemetery. The sum of these lingering sounds and images is, ironically, the overwhelming sense of waste and absurdity many post-World War II artists — Carol Reed included — were compelled to articulate. None of the characters of The Third Man (1949) are able to salvage meaning from the bombed-out rubble, though Reed — echoing Harry Lime's famous speech, whether he realized it or not — managed to create more than the standard (cuckoo) clockwork film noir from these iconic parts. The Fallen Idol (1948) is a lesser known film of Reed's that The Simpsons paid tribute to with season five's "The Boy Who Knew Too Much." (Tony Papanikolas)
Double feature: 1, 5 and 9:05 p.m.; $7.50–$10
Castro Theatre
429 Castro, SF
(415) 621-6120
EVENTS
Lynda Carter
Things Lynda Carter can do: pilot an invisible jet (as the iconic star of the 1970s TV show, Wonder Woman); handle melodrama with ease (in Lifetime movies like 1996's When Friendship Kills, in which she plays the mother of a teenage bulimic); poke fun at herself (in her role as the principal of a school for superheros in 2005's Sky High); and host a variety show (she did it multiple times when the format was huge in the 1980s). The onetime Miss World USA is also an accomplished singer, and though getting your mitts on her 1978 LP Portrait may be tough, her latest, the new At Last — a collection of jazzy standards, including "Cry Me a River" and the title track — is widely available. Wondrously, she'll be signing CDs and performing at this in-store appearance. (Eddy)
6 p.m., free
Borders
400 Post, SF
(415) 399-1633
STAGE
Brief Encounter
Even the coldest, most bitter of hearts might melt during Brief Encounter, Noël Coward's classic drama of doomed lovers. In its 2009-10 season opener, A.C.T. welcomes England's Kneehigh Theatre to perform its internationally acclaimed stage adaptation of the iconic restrained love story. During World War II in 1945, Laura, a suburban housewife, meets Alec, a married doctor, at a railway station tearoom. From there, the two begin a friendship that ultimately turns into a heartbreaking romance. Kneehigh, known for its avant-garde productions, blends elements of theater, film, and music to create a production with strong visual elements. Tonight brings a pay-what-you-wish performance. (Victoria Nguyen)
8 p.m. (continues through Oct. 4), pay what you wish (Sept. 18–Oct. 4, $20–$80)
American Conservatory Theater
415 Geary, SF
(415) 749-2228
DANCE
NeverAfter
Aerial dance company Bow & Sparrow's NeverAfter is a fairy tale strictly for adults. The story follows Alison through a speed-dating whirlwind that leads her to Jon, the man of her dreams. As the couple embarks on their date, time begins to slow until they enter a rabbit hole that transports them into a surreal and fantastical version of reality. This new world, according to co-artistic director Kate Law, looks like "the Tenderloin on pixie dust." The action-packed production features high-flying dance, comedic sketches, modern dance, and audience participation. Catch NeverAfter during its two-week run in San Francisco before it begins a national four-city tour. (Nguyen)
8:30 p.m. (continues through Oct. 4), $20–$25
Dance Ground Keriac
1805 Divisadero St, SF
(415) 931-8648
MUSIC
Brownout
Don't get freaked out, man — get Brownout. The eight-piece psychedelic Latin funk outfit hails from Texas, but its Sly-Stone-meets-Santana sound was born of a revolution against the previous generation's addiction to Tejana music and Mexican cumbias. You'll still find a big brass sound and plenty of ecstatic percussion to get you strutting in Brownout's latest release Aguilas and Cobras (Six Degrees), however, as well as an affiliation to Latin rock forebears like the fantastic, Prince-backing Grupo Fantasma. On occasion, like the string-drenched "C 130" from Aguilas, Brownout moves beyond energetic '70s nostalgia into a taut, desert-boogie realm of its own. Afrolicious DJs Senor Oz and Pleasuremaker open. (Marke B.)
10 p.m., $8–$10
Elbo Room
647 Valencia, SF
(415) 552-7788
COMEDY
Patton Oswalt
Fans of The King of Queens may know Patton Oswalt as Kevin James' weirdo buddy, and fans of (apparently) soul-crushing indie cinema might recognize him as the star of Robert Siegel's forthcoming Big Fan. Most of the man's devotees, however, know that stand-up is his natural environment. To Oswalt, the line between "smart" subject matter and maddening pop-culture detritus is inconsequential, allowing his routines to cover everything from literature to politics to a certain infamous (thanks to him) KFC menu item. He's also hilarious, but that goes without saying. (Papanikolas)
8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.), $33.50
Nob Hill Masonic Center
1111 California, SF
(415) 776-4702
MUSIC
Ancient Sounds: Music of Iraq and India
Who doesn't need a little more oud in their life? The ancient stringed instrument combines husky strummed tones with poignant chromatic peaks that can be heart-rending, foot-tapping, or usually both. Gifted Grammy-nominated oudist Rahim AlHaj fled Iraq in the early '90s, threatened for his activism against that country's invasion of Kuwait. He'll be sharing a program, and a talent for bringing age-old traditions to new ears, with Alam Khan, who plays the sarod, another classical stringed instrument, in this case from India. The young Khan, son of late, legendary sarodist Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, is performing for the first time since his father's passing. Blending two archetypal musical traditions — the Arab makam and the Indian raga — and the techniques of two very unique artists should lead to revelation. (Marke B.)
8 p.m., $25–$45
Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness, SF
(415) 621-6600
MUSIC
Meat Puppets
Taking the raw energy and independent attitude of early punk rock and adding their own twists, the Meat Puppets created a sound that they own all to themselves: punk tinged with influences of country and psychedelic rock, cemented with the musical and vocal interplay between brothers Curt and Cris Kirkwood. Perhaps best known for their classic second album, which featured three tunes Nirvana covered during its "MTV Unplugged" concert, the band weathered a trying period of time starting in the mid-1990s when Cris Kirkwood battled drug addiction, leading to an almost decade-long estrangement from his brother and performing. Now clean and sober, the two siblings are once again crafting their one of a kind music; this year's Sewn Together (Megaforce) features standouts such as "The Monkey and the Snake" and "I'm Not You." (Sean McCourt)
With Dead Confederate and Ume.
9 p.m., $19
Slim's
333 11th St., SF
(415) 255-0333
EVENT
Autumn Moon Festival
According to the Chinese calendar, the Autumn Moon Festival traditionally marks a time of harvest and abundance — and at San Francisco's Chinatown celebration, there is entertainment, food, and culture aplenty. In its 19th year, the festival is Chinatown's most attended annual event. This weekend's festivities includes more than 200 arts and crafts booths, live music stages, as well as performances from martial artists, magicians, and lion dancers. Additionally, visitors can nibble on mooncakes and other food samples or catch a flick at the festival's first film festival. Photogs are invited to enter a photo contest, which will bring home a $500 cash prize. (Nguyen)
11 a.m.–6 p.m., free
Grant Avenue (between California and Broadway), SF
(415) 982-6306
MUSIC
Donuts and Honey Soundsystem present Bottin
"I don't have a home," declares Bottin. "I live in Rupert Murdoch's trailer park." When your epigraphs are that witty and true, you don't need to write lyrics — a comic sensibility breathes from your melodies. Such is the case with Horror Disco (Bearfunk), though its 14 tracks don't steer entirely clear of words: highlights such as "Disco for the Devil" and "Magnetic Cat" are designed to make your feet smile and your mouth dance. Based in Venice, Bottin has a closer understanding of the links between Italo disco and giallo soundtracks than most. He could probably teach a course on Claudio Simonetti. He's also a man who knows the value of a good package — in another clever gesture, Horror Disco's shiny black jewelcase is similar to those of recent Black Devil Disco Club reissues. (Johnny Ray Huston)
10 p.m.–3 a.m., free ($2 after 11 p.m.)
Paradise Lounge
1501 Folsom, SF
(415) 252-5017
MUSIC
Grand Archives
Leaving Band of Horses shortly after their highly successful ascent began, singer and guitarist Mat Brooke formed the Grand Archives, who were quickly signed to Sub Pop and released their self-titled debut record last year. The band's sophomore album, Keep In Mind Frankenstein, comes out this week, full of beautifully bittersweet harmonies, flashes of harmonica and even theremin, making for an addictive blend of alt-country and indie folk rock. The solid collection of 10 tracks is built around the foundation of the core lineup of Brooke, Curtis Hall, Jeff Montano and Thomas Wright, and is aurally enhanced on songs such as "Oslo Novelist" with cascading pedal steel courtesy of friend Jason Kardong. Brooke's ex-Carissa's Weird band mates Jenny Ghetto and Sera Cahoone join in on backing vocals on tunes like the spectral "Siren Echo Valley Pt. 1" (McCourt)
with the Most Serene Republic, the Lonely Forest
9 p.m., $12
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th St., SF
(415) 621-4455
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