Out of Town: San Francisco

* Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, led by singer Nick Cave, above, come to the Warfield to play their dark pop music. Sept. 21-22. 982 Market St., San Francisco, (415) 775-7723.

* The African-American Shakespeare Company performs “The Tempest” on Sept. 21-23, 29-30 and Oct. 13-14, 20-21. Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, (415) 762-2071.

* Lamplighters Music Theatre will present its 36th annual Champagne Gala 2001 on Nov. 2-3. Using Gilbert & Sullivan songs as a backdrop, the company’s satire will range from “Star Trek” to the Silicon Valley to the Trojan War. Ira & Leonore S. Gershwin Theater, 2350 Turk Blvd., San Francisco, (415) 422-2434.

* 2001 San Francisco Blues Festival will run Sept. 22-23. Performers include Ike Turner & the Kings of Rhythm, Los Lobos, Billy Preston & Barbara Lewis, Candye Kane, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady, Little Milton, Trudy Lynn and Robben Ford & the Ford Blues Band. Great Meadow, Fort Mason, San Francisco, (415) 979-5588.

* In town to promote her new album, Suzanne Vega heads to the Warfield on Oct. 6. 982 Market St., San Francisco, (415) 775-7723.