Two classic ’80s rock acts

ABC, one of the best of the U.K. new wave acts of the ’80s, is hopping over the pond for a run of dates in the U.S. And fortunately for Bay Area fans, that concert tour kicks off at 7 p.m. today at San Francisco’s Masonic. It’s your chance to see ultra-charismatic front man Martin Fry and company perform such terrific tunes as “Poison Arrow,” “The Look of Love,” “How to be a Millionaire,” “Be Near Me” “Vanity Kills,” “When Smokey Sings” and, best of all, “All of My Heart.”

We’ve caught the band performing a few times in recent years, and each occasion has been terrific. Fry remains one of the best in the business, boasting a strong voice that still closely recalls what one heard on the classic ’80s outings “The Lexicon of Love” and “How to be a Zillionaire” — the twin highlights of a catalog that has amassed some 20 million in album sales over the decades. (He also recently released his autobiography — the wonderfully titled “A Lexicon of Life” — which chronicles his childhood in Manchester and continues through his chart-topping days with ABC.)

ABC is co-headlining this tour with fellow U.K. new wave icon Howard Jones, who is known for such ’80s hits as “Things Can Only Get Better,” “What Is Love?” and “No One Is to Blame.” SiriusXM “First Wave” DJ Richard Blade opens the show with a DJ set.

Details: Tickets start at $64; livenation.com.

— Jim Harrington, Staff

An artsy White Elephant

Does your home seem strangely uncluttered? Do you enjoy shopping for antiques, or planning your Halloween costume months beforehand? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you’ll enjoy visiting the White Elephant Sale, the oldest and largest rummage sale in all of Northern California.

Put on by the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, the warehouse-spanning extravaganza — a 60-year tradition — has raised more than $30 million for the Oakland Museum of California’s exhibitions and educational programs. It’s managed by hundreds of volunteers who will happily talk your ear off about whatever bargain item you’ve unearthed, whether it be an old phonograph, a glitzy prom dress, estate furniture or porkpie hat of mysterious origin. Or maybe some delicate china, jewelry and faux fur, an acoustic guitar or a classic Schwinn bike in need of some TLC. That’s the beauty of the White Elephant Sale — you never know what treasure you’ll find.

The event involves 17 departments and more than 90,000 square feet of shopping space, so bring your comfiest shoes and a bottle of water. But don’t bring cash, as only major credit and debit cards and Apple Pay are accepted for entry and purchases.

Details: The sale runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday through Feb. 15, plus Feb. 17 (Presidents Day) and Feb. 20-22 at 333 Lancaster St. in Oakland. Clearance weekend (with free entry) runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 1-2. Make reservations and buy admission tickets ($7) at www.whiteelephantsale.org.

— John Metcalfe, Staff

Film fetes at the Drafthouse

Movies are just plain fun at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in the city’s Mission district. Just check out one of the cool movie parties being held regularly at the San Francisco theater, and you’ll see what we mean. There are several intriguing entries on the docket for February, all featuring themed drinks, food and props to enjoy while watching a cult classic or fan favorite.

The one we’re most interested in catching is the “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” movie party at 6 p.m. Feb. 11. We can’t wait to see what the Alamo folks have in store for fans, as they soak up the wacky fun of this 2010 romantic comedy-action flick.

The Edgar Wright-directed film stars Michael Cera in the title role of Scott Pilgrim, a slacker musician who must first battle seven evil ex-boyfriends in order to date the girl of his dreams. Cera is part of an amazing ensemble cast that also includes Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Chris Evans, Jason Schwartzman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s “The Wedding Singer” gets its own movie party at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. Sandler plays the titular musician in this rom-com with a dynamite soundtrack filled with (mostly) ’80s standards.

Details: Movie party tickets are $28.50; https://drafthouse.com/sf/movies/movie-parties.

— Jim Harrington, Staff

Classical picks: Finckel & Han; Alexander Quartet

Chamber music takes center stage this week, with programs by two adventuresome quartets and an appearance by Music@Menlo founders and perennial performance favorites David Finckel and Wu Han. These performances bring such a delightful menu of works, music lovers will want to attend all three.

Alexander Quartet, times three: The San Francisco-based Alexander Quartet has performed on five continents, but Bay Area fans can hear them in three local venues this week. Presented by the Berkeley Chamber Performances, their program includes Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden,” Haydn’s Quartet Op. 77, No. 1 in G Major, and Kian Ravaei’s “The Little Things.” Details: 7 p.m. Feb. 7, Crowden School, Berkeley; 10 a.m. Feb. 8 at SF Performances’ Saturday Morning Series; and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Lafayette Library; $40 general, $20 students; ASQ4.com.

Euclid in Livermore: Formed in Ohio in 1999, the Euclid Quartet takes its name from Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue, home to many cultural institutions. Since then, the foursome has been awarded the esteemed “American Masterpieces” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This week, the Euclid players come to Livermore, with a program that includes Astor Piazzola’s “Four for Tango.” Details: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $35-$57 general, $16-$20 students; livermorearts.org.

Trio works in Berkeley: Chamber music masters pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, founders and guiding lights of the annual Music at Menlo summer festival, come to Berkeley’s Cal Performances this weekend. Joined by violinist Arnaud Sussmann in U.C. Berkeley’s intimate Hertz Hall, they’ll play a recital of piano trio masterworks by Haydn, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn. Details: 3 p.m. Feb. 9, Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus; $81-$86; calperformances.org.

— Georgia Rowe, Correspondent

An anthology album at last

Jeannie Piersol was a key player on the now-legendary San Francisco music scene of the mid-’60s. Known for her cool mix of rock, soul and Indian music styles, Piersol was part of an early incarnation of The Great Society, the iconic S.F. rock act which also featured a vocalist by the name of Grace Slick, who’d later reach rock royalty status as a member of Jefferson Airplane.

After parting from The Great Society, Piersol went on to front two other local rock acts — The Yellow Brick Road and Hair — as well as manage a brief solo career.

More than a half century later, however, Piersol is rarely mentioned — or even remembered — when talk turns to the San Francisco music scene of the ’60s.

That could well change thanks to High Moon Records, which has just released the first-ever Piersol anthology — “The Nest.” The 12-track collection, which borrows its title from a groovy Piersol number, brings together singles, studio outtakes, demos, live performances and other material (including offerings from The Yellow Brick Road and Hair).

In all, “The Nest” serves as a great introduction — or, in some cases, a reminder — of this great vocal talent, who still calls Sonoma home.

Get a taste of the music by watching the videos for two Piersol-sung tunes — “The Nest” and “Gladys” — at the High Moon Records YouTube page, youtube.com/@HighMoonRecords. The full compilation can be ordered on CD ($18) or LP ($29) via highmoonrecords.com.

— Jim Harrington, Staff