Russian Hill

Our president stopped for takeout dim sum recently at Great Eastern (649 Jackson at Wentworth, 986-2500), which happens to be our favorite dim sum restaurant in Chinatown. We also enjoy Yuet Lee (1300 Stockton at Broadway, 982-6020), which has a picture on the wall of Jackie Chan enjoying the food.

It's not just the egg custard tart from Golden Gate Bakery (1029 Grant at Pacific, 781-2627); we find unusual baked goods all the time wrapped in plastic baggies on the counters of shops that may not even sell other food. This is a cheap and literally sweet way to do your own Chinatown exploring.

APA Vagina Monologues: The Vagina Monologues from an Asia-Pacific American perspective. Thu., May 17, 7:30 p.m. $30-$35. www.apavaginamonologues.com. The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro (at Market), 621-6120.

Audium 9: Spatial electronic orchestrations and sound sculptures. Early arrival is advised. Fridays, Saturdays, 8:30 p.m. $20. Audium-Theatre of Sound-Sculptured Space, 1616 Bush (at Franklin), 771-1616.

A Behanding in Spokane: A black comedy involving a man searching for his lost hand after 30 years. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Through June 30. $20-$50. SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 677-9596.

The Business: A Comedy Show: Sketch and stand-up comedy. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. $5. Dark Room Theater, 2263 Mission (at 18th St.), 401-7987.

DIVAfest: Theater celebrating female power and creativity. Through May 27. Admission varies. www.divafest.info. Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy (at Taylor), 673-3847.

Will Durst's Elect to Laugh: A comedy show chasing down the presidential election from a San Francisco comedian who once ran for mayor. Tuesdays, through Nov. 6. $15-$35. The Marsh Theater, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750.

Endgame and Play: Two plays by Samuel Beckett. Through June 3. $25-$110. American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary (at Mason), 749-2228.

Exodo and Callings: Performance by Teatro Taller and the Carbetbag Brigade. Sat., May 19, 1 p.m. Free. www.ybgf.org. Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth St. & Mission, 284-9589.

Hot Greeks: An ancient Greek tragedy meets a modern-day football comedy meets theater of the absurd in this remake of a play by San Francisco's Cockettes. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Through May 19. $30-$69. The Hypnodrome, 575 10th St. (at Bryant), (800) 838-3006.

Improvised Murder Mystery: BATS Improv creates a story based on audience suggestions. Saturdays. Through May 26. $17-$20. Bayfront Theater, 16 Marina (at Laguna), 474-6776.

Michael Martin's Verbatim Verboten: A cabaret performance. Through May 22, 8 p.m. $15. The Garage, 975 Howard (at Sixth St.), 885-4006.

My Tia Loca's Life of Crime: Play by Roy Conboy, head of the SFSU Play Writing Program. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Through June 2. $20. Bindlestiff Studio, 185 6th St., 255-0440.

Previously Secret Information: In the words of the organizers: "Great stories, told well, with just the right amount of lies." We'll add: "Told by comedians, a lot of the time." Third Sunday of every month, 7 p.m. $10. Stage Werx 446, 446 Valencia (at 16th St.).

A Raisin in the Sun: Classic play about three generations of an African-American family in Chicago determined to live their dreams. Through May 27. $10-$35. Buriel Clay Theater, 762 Fulton (at Webster), 762-2071.

Some Thing: Art drag night with craft table. Fridays. $5. The Stud, 399 Ninth St. (at Harrison), 863-6623.

Tenderloin: A piece about the people and places in Cutting Ball Theater's neighborhood. Thursdays-Sundays. Through June 3. $10-$50. Exit Theatre, 277 Taylor (at Ellis), 673-3847.

To Be Young, Gifted, and Black: The story of Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun. Scenes from her plays, letters, diaries, poems and personal reminiscences. Thursdays-Sundays. Through May 27. $10-$28. Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough (at Bush).