September 11, 2002

By Sophia Chakos-Leiby

OCCASIONAL CLOSE ENCOUNTERS with El Niño aside, the best weather in these parts can usually be counted on to show its sunny, warm face in the fall. Prolong summer a little bit – hey, it's too early to start holiday shopping, anyway – and live it up at the fairs and festivals on our list. Most are outdoors, many revolve around music, and some even feature parades. Really, what more do ya want?

Through Sept. 15

San Francisco Fringe Festival Fifty-five local, national, and international theater groups come together every year to participate in the Fringe Festival. The event, produced by Exit Theater (an indie San Francisco group), features an offbeat selection of more than 250 works. $8 and under. (415) 931-1094, www.sffringe.org.

Through Sept. 29

'Free Shakespeare in the Park' This festival brings high-quality theater to the people. Even if Shakespeare is not your thing, why miss a free performance featuring men dressed in tights? This fall the company acts out The Winter's Tale. Runs Sat.-Sun., 1:30 p.m., west of the Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, S.F. (415) 422-2222, www.sfshakes.org.

Through Oct. 27

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Whether you're in the mood for opera or Cuban music, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival has it all. It even hosts a "Ghoullery Walk" in October for the younger set to dress in their finest Halloween garb. Mission at Fourth St., S.F. Free (reservations not required). (415) 431-0312, www.ybgf.org.

Sept. 13-15

Monterey World Music Festival Visit downtown Monterey for the sixth annual festival dedicated to "global consonances." Performers will play contemporary and traditional music from Sweden, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, France, Tunisia, and Mali. The performances, in memory of Sept. 11, promote cultural awareness and understanding. Fri/13, 8 p.m., Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey; Sat/14-Sun/15, noon, Custom House Plaza (next to Old Fisherman's Wharf), Monterey. $15-$20 (upper lawn areas free). (831) 622-9595 or 1-800-465-5575, www.montereyworldmusic.org.

Sept. 14-15

Autumn Moon Festival Join the crowd in Chinatown for this event. Traditional lion and dragon dancers, multicultural activities, and yummy food booths make this festival a must for the whole family. Sat/14, 11 a.m.; Sun/15, noon, Grant between California and Pacific, S.F. Free. (415) 982-6303, www.moonfestival.org.

Blues and Heritage Festival Spend the weekend listening to artists such as Lenny Williams, Frankie Lee, and Sonny Rhodes. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Vallejo Marina, Mare Island Way, Vallejo. $5-$20 (free for 11 and under). (707) 647-3962, www.tickets.com.

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Listen to bands and munch on a snack as you sift through displays of arts and crafts from 15 different media categories. With more than 140 contributing artists and craftspeople, this festival caters to everyone's tastes. Sat/14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun/15, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Old Mill Park (300 block of Throckmorton), Mill Valley. $5 (free for 11 and under). (415) 381-8090.

Sept. 14-22

Russian River Watershed Celebration A series of 35 events – historical presentations, canoe races, storytelling, workshops, bird walks, and more – unite a variety of groups dedicated to the river and the communities that surround it. www.russianrivercelebration.org.

Sept. 15

German Fest The United German-American Societies of the East Bay hold the largest family-oriented celebration of German culture around. This year's theme pays tribute to the state of Bavaria and its capital city, Munich. Be sure to check out the performances of jodeling (a type of singing from the Bavarian-Swiss alps) and drink plenty of Bavarian beer. Call to buy tickets in advance. Noon-8 p.m., Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill, Hayward. $6-$15 (free for five and under). (510) 530-5229, (510) 836-0735.

Sept. 20-22

Monterey Jazz Festival Bebop your way through three days of jazz with more than 500 artists performing on seven different stages at what may be the oldest jazz festival in the world. Sept. 20, 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Sept. 22, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Fairgrounds, 2000 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. $12-$80 (for info on special ticket packages go to the Web site). (925) 275-2955, www.montereyjazzfestival.org.

Sept. 21-22

Fairfax World Music Festival Morocco, Jamaica, Brazil, India, France, Cuba, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the United States are just a few of the countries represented at this first annual festival of music (including more than 30 international acts), dance, art, and food. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fairfax Town Park, Fairfax. $30-$60 (free for 11 and under). www.fairfaxmusicfestival.org.

Sept. 22

New Upper Grant Avenue Fall Art Fair North Beach will be packed with more artists than usual for this event, which features a book marketplace, art on display, poetry, jazz musicians, and other beat-appropriate attractions. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Grant between Green and Filbert, S.F. Free. (415) 781-4201.

Sept. 26-29

ArtCar Fest Watch a parade dedicated to one of America's youngest art forms: car art. One hundred artists who have transformed their vehicles into public folk art display their handywork in a drive from San Jose to San Francisco. A film festival and a music show follow the parade. 1-800-391-9673, www.artcar.com.

Sept. 28

Cajun/Zydeco Festival Ardenwood Historic Farm hosts a day of Louisiana-style food, music, and dancing. Featured acts include Andrew Carrier, Black Ardoin, Edward Poullard, and others. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Ardenwood Historic Farm, 36400 Ardenwood, Fremont. $12-$15 (free for nine and under). (510) 636-1684.

Clean the Air Festival Oakland residents have the chance to fight for environmental justice in a protest against the Red Star Yeast Corporation and the port – two sources of toxic air in West Oakland. The free festival features environmental- and political-activist speakers and "clean the air" workshops. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Mandela Transit Village Lot, Fifth St. and Mandela (across from the West Oakland BART station), Oakl. Free. (510) 451-2967.

Sept. 28-29

Bay Area PaddleFest Join nearly 1,000 outdoor enthusiasts at this lively paddling celebration, which provides an enormous selection of canoes, kayaks, paddles, and related equipment. All materials are available to the public to test, paddle, or simply look at. Attendees may also partake in classes and seminars taught by paddling experts. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Coyote Point, San Mateo. $10-$40. (650) 306-0405, www.bayareapaddlefest.com.

Pacific Coast Fog Fest Celebrate one of California's greatest environmental trademarks: fog. The festival provides plenty of food and drink as you explore 150 arts and crafts booths displaying the work of locally and nationally known artisans. If art isn't your thing, listen to a variety of live performers play jazz, rock 'n' roll, country, blues, Caribbean, and swing. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Palmetto between Paloma and Montecito, Pacifica. Free. (650) 355-8200, www.pacificcoastfogfest.com.

San Francisco Blues Festival Help the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, which kicks off with a free waterfront concert Sept. 27 and continues all weekend, with performances by Little Charlie and the Night Cats, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and others. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Great Meadow, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna, S.F. $25-$65. (415) 979-5588, www.sfblues.com.

Sept. 28-Oct. 13

Heart of the Forest Renaissance Faire Enjoy merry olde English life reenacted by 600 costumed performers. There's plenty of gourmet food, wine, and ale too – and don't forget the 90 rustic stalls filled with Renaissance-inspired crafts. Tickets sell out, so buy them early. Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Stafford Lake Park, 3549 Novato, Novato. $6-$20. (415) 391-0944.

Sept. 29

Folsom Street Fair This festival – which draws nearly 300,000 people a year – celebrates the leather community, whose erotic rebelliousness helps define what it means to be a sexual outlaw. The fair features live performances, educational resources, and lots of paraphernalia on sale. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Folsom between Seventh and 12th Sts., S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 861-FAIR, www.folsomstreetfair.com.

'How Berkeley Can You Be?' This parade, featuring groups such as a precision-lawn chair brigade and a bicycle ballet, celebrates Berserkeley's weirdness. The event culminates in a free festival at the Civic Center Park with live music, dance, food booths, crafts, and children's activities. Performers include the Extra Action Marching Band, Charanson, Funkaddiction, and the Covenant Worship Gospel Choir. Parade begins 12:30 p.m., California and University; ends at Civic Center Park (Center and MLK Jr. Way), Berk. Free. (510) 849-4688.

Oct. 4-Nov. 16

Hecho en Califas Festival La Peña Cultural Center celebrates Latino voices with art exhibits and performances in Berkeley and San Francisco. This third installment of the annual festival unites hip-hop, salsa, spoken word, theater, painting, and sculpture to showcase the continuous movement of Latino culture. Although some events are free, tickets may be up to $15 at the door. (510) 849-2568, www.lapena.org.

Oct. 5-6

'Reggae in the Park' The annual benefit for Global Exchange features Luciano and the Jah Messenjah Band, as well as other reggae and world beat musicians. When you get tired of dancing, browse the dozens of international craft booths or fill up on tasty Caribbean food from one of the many vendors. Noon, Sharon Meadow (near Fell and Stanyan), Golden Gate Park, S.F. $10-$35 (free for four and under). (415) 458-1988, www.ticketweb.com.

Oct. 16-18

International Vintage Poster Fair Check out vintage posters while sipping Bordeaux wine – and try not to spend too much. Oct. 16, 5-9 p.m. (benefit preview); Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna, S.F. $10-$25. (650) 548-6700, www.posterfair.com.

Nov. 11