The series will feature performers who specialize in blues and jazz, including Roy Rogers & Norton Buffalo, who will appear Oct. 24; SoVoSo, Jan. 16; Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Feb. 11; and Mike Marshall & Andy Narrell with Kaila Flexer & Third Ear, March 13.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for lawn and picnic-table seating. The shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18 to $24 for individual shows, or $90 to $140 for the series.
Other CenterStage series in the new season include Singers & Songwriters, Solo Spotlights, Chamber Sundaes, Lives in the Theater and Conversations.
Rock legend Grace Slick will discuss her autobiography “Somebody to Love?” at 8 p.m. Wednesday, opening CenterStage’s Lives in the Theater series.
Darlene Love, who starred in three “Lethal Weapon” movies, will talk about her book “My Name is Love” at 8 p.m. Oct. 14
Steve Allen, who created the “Tonight Show,” will speak on his updated book “Dumbth — The Lost Art of Thinking” at 5 p.m. Nov. 1.
Actress Jean Stapleton will close the series at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 when Carey Perloff of ACT interviews her about her role in Tom Stoppard’s American premiere of “Indian Ink.”
Tickets for each show cost $14 to $18.
Former “Beach Blanket Babylon” star Mary Cleere Haran will open the Singers & Songwriters series with a Gershwin centennial celebration, “George Gershwin on Broadway and in Hollywood,” at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 with a repeat performance at 5 p.m. Nov. 22.
South African singer and actress Natalie Gamsu will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 30. Andrea Marcovicci will appear at 8 p.m. Feb. 27 and 5 p.m. Feb. 28. And Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte will perform at 8 p.m. March 27 and 5 p.m. March 28.
Amanda McBroom, who wrote the Bette Midler hit “The Rose,” and Anne Hampton Calloway, who penned the theme for TV’s “The Nanny,” will close the series at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 11.
Singers & Songwriters tickets are $20 to $28 for individual shows, $110 for the five-concert series.
Solo Spotlights will open with National Public Radio commentator David Sedaris at 8 p.m. Nov. 7. Comedian Mort Sahl will follow with two shows at 8 p.m. Jan. 23 and 5 p.m. Jan. 24. Comedian Kate Clinton will be featured at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 and 5 p.m. Feb. 7. Comedians Charlie Varon and Fred Raker will offer “An Evening of Jewish Humor” at 8 p.m. March 6 and 5 p.m. March 7. Don Novello, returning as Father Guido Sarducci, will close the series at 8 p.m. April 10.
Tickets are $16 to $20 for individual shows, or $90 for the series.
In addition, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and the New Century Chamber Orchestra will each present a four-concert series as part of Chamber Sundaes. The Kronos Quartet will also appear.
Philharmonia Baroque will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 21, then reappear at 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and March 21, and at 8 p.m. April 21. Tickets for the four-performance series are $132 to $140, or $35 to $39 for individual shows.
The New Century Chamber Orchestra will perform Jan. 17, Feb. 21, April 18 and May 23. All shows start at 5 p.m. Tickets are $80 to $90 for the series; or $25.50 to $27.50 for individual concerts.
Kronos Quartet will appear at 8 p.m. April 17. Tickets are $20 to $24.
Joan Lunden, a 20-year veteran of morning television, will open Conversations with a discussion of her new book, “A Bend in the Road is Not the End of the Road,” at 8 p.m. Oct. 28. Cost is $12 to $16, or $33 including book.
Narsai David will interview chef Joyce Goldstein on her book “Cucina Ebraica” at 8 p.m. Oct. 1. Cost is $12 to $16, or $36 including book.
PBS newsman Jim Lehrer will appear at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 to talk about his new mystery “Purple Dots.” His former colleague Robert MacNeil will speak on his own book “Breaking News” at 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Cost for each is $12 to $16, or $32 for the ticket and book.
Jim Morris and Greg Stebben, who wrote “White House: Confidential,” will appear at 8 p.m. Oct. 29. Tickets are $14 to $18, or $23 for the ticket and book.
Ronn Owens of KGO Radio will interview former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro on her book “Framing a Life” at 8 p.m. Nov. 12. Cost is $12 to $16, or $32 with book.
PBS host Joan Nathan will discuss her “Jewish Cooking in America” at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 for $12 to $16, or $35 with book.
In addition, the Buddy Club children’s shows will return to CenterStage for a sixth season Nov. 22, Jan. 24, Feb. 7 and March 7. All shows start at noon. Tickets are $6 to $7. Children under 2 get in free. The four-performance series is $15 to $18.
CenterStage supporters include the Jewish Community Federation William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Koret Foundation.
For information, call the CenterStage box office at (415) 479-2000.