Live Performances

EXIT Theatre, just off downtown, is home of the S.F. Fringe Festival each September, but presents cutting-edge performances year-round in three intimate venues, all with a bohemian cabaret atmosphere. 1 156 Eddy St., 673-3847

CounterPULSE produces “amazing, underground and innovative work,” says Michelle Tea of this venue for dance, theater, spoken-word, talks. And every Sunday it showcases works in progress 2 1310 Mission St., 626-2060

Club Six has live music as well as DJs, and its downstairs dance floor can accommodate almost 500 people. “It plays reggae and has a very mixed crowd,” says Daniel Derrick, “and on most nights you might catch some B-Boys/Girls having a freestyle circle.” 3 60 Sixth St., 863-1221

SomArts, one of four city-funded community cultural centers, offers wild variety from Brunch with the Playwright to the annual Drag King Contest and a concert by Sila and the Afrofunk Experience. 4 934 Brannan St., 863-1414

The Dark Room has edgy live theater, “one of the best venues in the Bay Area,” says Christina Augello, plus it’s home of the weekly Sunday Bad Movie Night (think Elvis in the 1967 Clambake). 5 2263 Mission St., 401-7987

Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts reminds Roberto Hernandez of the teatros in Latin America, featuring contemporary and folkloric dance performances, musical events, gallery shows, juried exhibitions. 6 2868 Mission St., 821-1155

At Intersection for the Arts, the city’s oldest alternative art space, you can find theater, dance, gallery, jazz, readings, workshops. Its resident theater company, Campo Santo, “always presents lively, edgy diverse premieres,” says Jewelle Gomez. 7 446 Valencia St., 626-3311

The Marsh presents extended runs of experimental works; Monday Night Marsh offers works-in-progress from local emerging solo performers, musicians, playwrights, entertainers; and Marsh Rising features one-night performances of works almost ready for extended runs. 8 1062 Valencia St., 826-5750

ODC/Dance, founded in 1971, offers ground-breaking modern dance, from classic to trans. ODC is in residence at Project Artaud Theater, 9 450 Florida St., 863-9834, during its 2008 renovations.

El Rio “puts the ‘fun’ in ‘funky’ — a bar with music of all kinds, along with spoken-word and monthly jams,” says Ben Fong-Torres. Also: film and art shows, comedy, drag, even free weekend barbecues and oysters on the patio sometimes. 10 3158 Mission St., 282-3325

Jennifer Yin frequents these venerable S.F. institutions where the venue is as much a draw as the performers: Bimbo’s 365 Club, a lush setting in North Beach for bands, dance teams, comics and more, launched in 1931, 11 1025 Columbus Ave., 474-0365; Cafe du Nord, once a Prohibition speakeasy, now a nightclub, restaurant and live music venue, 12 2174 Market St., 861-5016; and Bottom of the Hill, showcasing local and way-beyond alternative, rock-a-billy, punk, hard rock, folk, funk and pop musicians — “charming in its comfy humble yet earnest vibe,” Yin says. 13 1233 17th St., 621-4455

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