11/19:
Get an up-close-and-personal look inside the human body at the Body Worlds Vital Exhibition. San Jose's Tech Museum has healthy and not-so-healthy bodies on display for your sick/educational enjoyment. It's open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Who knows? Maybe you'll want to donate your own body for display when you die.
If you're in the mood for some mellow folk goodness, Kites & Crows will be at Velo Rouge Cafe in the city. Get yourself a Blue Bottle espresso and listen to the group's harmonious vocals mixing with a banjo, cello and guitar combo. The free performance begins at 7 p.m.
11/20:
With influences as diverse as Portishead and Aretha Franklin, Oakland native Goapele has established herself as a soulful singer/songwriter with lyrics of social change. Catch her distinct R&B-electronic sound at Yoshi's Oakland at 8 p.m. or 10 p.m. shows for $24.
Grab your wand for a wizarding adventure at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. Get a team together for a Harry Potter-themed scavenger hunt at 2 p.m. in celebration of this week's opening of "Deathly Hallows."
Stop by the San Francisco Pancake Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday. Local bands and DJ's will be performing at Coda in the Mission while Celebrity chef Roger Feely whips up organic pancakes. Proceeds will go toward an international health organization.
11/21:
A cappella group Sonos is known for putting a dark spin on popular songs. Catch them at Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco.
It's $12, ages 21+, 8 p.m.
Enjoy the melodic punk-pop of the Thermals at The New Parish in Oakland. The Portland trio performs at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 here.