She's known as the "queen of mean" and hailed as a top practitioner of insult comedy (her URL's actually insultcomic.com). This Saturday, Sept. 19, comedian Lisa Lampanelli comes to Redwood City's Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, with shows at 7 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. On her national "Leaner Meaner" tour, the fearless social commentator pulls no punches in her blend of poignant confession and hilariously offensive humor. Though she's enjoyed recent media buzz for her 100-pound weight loss, funky haircut and divorce, what makes Lampanelli truly unique is her style of lambasting public figures from Pamela Anderson to Donald Trump. Don't miss this unleashing of riotous off-color jokes. Tickets are $31-$69. Go to foxrwc.com or call 650-369-7770.
Art
Friday Night at the Art Center
Signature cocktails, food truck fare, live music and performance art converge on Friday night, Sept. 18, 7-10 p.m., at the Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road. Check out an interactive "art and ideas incubator," get your own copy of the Palo Alto happiness map and schmooze with other artsy folks. The event is free. Go to goo.gl/zs8enn or call 650-329-2366.
Event
Kepler's 60th anniversary
Kepler's Books is turning 60, and you're invited to the party. The beloved Menlo Park bookstore at 1010 El Camino Real celebrates six decades on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30-5 p.m., with activities for all ages, including live music, games, face painting, bookmaking and more. The event is free. Go to keplers.com or call 650-324-4321.
Dance
Smuin Ballet
Athletic contemporary dance meets classical ballet technique in the work of Smuin Ballet. The dynamic San Francisco troupe comes to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Sept. 24-27. "Dance Series One" features works by choreographer Ma Cong and company founder Michael Smuin alongside world premieres by Ben Needham-Wood and Amy Seiwert. Tickets are $23-$71. Go to mvcpa.com or call 650-903-6000.
Festival
Oktoberfest
Prost! For a little bit of Bavaria in the Bay Area, head to Redwood City this weekend for Oktoberfest. There, you'll find music, dancing and cold beers on tap as well as traditional German delights including bratwurst (sausages) and brez'n (pretzels). The festival takes place Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18-20, at Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway. Entry is $18 for adults and $10 for kids and designated drivers. Go to redwoodcity.org/events or call 650-780-7000.
Music
Chick Corea and B<0x00E9>la Fleck
Take a master of improvisational jazz piano, pair him with a world-class banjo virtuoso, and listen to musical sparks fly. On Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m., Chick Corea and B<0x00E9>la Fleck perform together at Stanford's Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St. Tickets are $32-$95. Go to live.stanford.edu or call 650-724-2464.
SEE MORE ONLINE
Watch videos of Lisa Lampanelli, Oktoberfest and more in the online version of this story at PaloAltoOnline.com.
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