November signals seasonal change in San Francisco, with holiday events on tap, the '49ers ascending, and
the steady need to carry an umbrella, just in case:
Start up the music month with the world's greatest rock and roll band, as the Rolling Stones rumble into Pac Bell Park, Nov. 8-9, and Oakland Arena Nov. 12. Tickets available at press time – and don't skip Pac Bell's garlic fries. Pacific Bell Park, 11/8-9; 415-421-8497
Funk gets its due, too, in film and music at the San Francisco Funk Festival. Godfather of funk, George Clinton kicks things off Nov. 6 at Ruby Skye; Funk on Film screens Shaft (11/20) and Superfly (11/22) at the Red Vic Movie House. Union Square, noon 11/17; 415-771-7577
The San Francisco Jazz Festival wraps things up with a pair of powerhouses: Free jazz trailblazer Ornette Coleman performing "Change of the Millennium" 11/7 at Davies Symphony Hall, and Merle Haggard saluting King of Western Swing Bob Wills 11/8 at Masonic Auditorium. Citywide, 10/23-11/10; 800-850-7353
Montreal-based circus troupe Cirque du Soleil pops the big top in Pac Bell Park's parking lot from 11/7, performing Varekai, the saga of Icarus, in typical Cirque fashion, with mysticism, acrobatics, vibrant costuming, and humor. Pacific Bell Park, 11/7-12/15; 800-678-5440
Several film festivals testify to San Francisco's multiethnic creativity this month: Cinemayaat, Arab
Film Festival 2002 (Nov 1-12, 415-564-1100); the American Indian Film Festival (Nov 7-14, 415-554-0525); the Latino Film Festival (Nov 1-17, 866-468-3399).
Holidays arrive at the Crissy Field Center with workshops and demos for your inner nester: "Build your own Taiko-style Drum" (11/9), "Growing Gourmet in your Apartment" (11/16), "Cooking Wild Edible Mushrooms" (11/24). Classes through mid-December. Crissy Field, 11/1-12/15; 415-561-7752
The Embarcadero Center brightens the city skyline with its holiday lights celebration, 11/15. Tree lightings continue 11/24 at the Pier 39 Tree Lighting Ceremony, and 11/29 at Ghirardelli Square (415-705-5500).
Examine cutting-edge concept cars, alternative fuel vehicles, and wacky prototypes, or gawk at classic rides like the Batmobile and James Bond's Aston Martin at the San Francisco Auto Show, returning for Thanksgiving. Moscone Center, 11/23-12/1; 415-331-4406
Finally, if you haven't seen Hitchcock's ode to San Francisco, catch a special screening of Vertigo, 11/21, in the equally romantic Castro Theatre. 429 Castro St, 11/11-31; 415-621-6120
- Jay Cooke is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and culture writer.
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