If you know the Edwardian Ball -- the costumed gala in homage to Edward Gorey -- then word of this weekend's Animal Masquerade, from the same creators, has probably reached you in time to collect your furry gear.

For latecomers to the masquerade, there's still time to get your wings (so to speak) and head to the Great American Music Hall on Saturday and Sunday, for two separate nights of animal revelry: The Animal Masquerade (Saturday) and the San Fransico Zoo [sic] (Sunday)

Rosin Coven -- self-described as the "World's Premiere Pagan Lounge Ensemble" -- co-hosts the Animal Masquerade with Vau de Vire Society, a performing community of musicians, acrobats, fire artists and dancers. Those two acts alone should give you an idea of the lush and esoteric cabaret that awaits at GAMH.

But there's more. Vagabond Opera (Gypsy Klezmer Cabaret) and the Phat Fly Girls both appear on Saturday night. Cookie Mongoloid (billed as Sesame Speed Metal) and Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, burlesque performers, are on the line-up for Sunday.

Even if you can't make the Animal Masquerade . . . even if you skip out on your Gypsy Klezmer fix this weekend (which would be a true shame) . . . check out the websites of these artists to get a taste of what you're missing. The richness of the weekend's tableau cannot be denied -- worth viewing in any context.

(Keep in mind that the Edwardian Ball overflows to capacity, and the same might be true of the Animal Masquerade.)

Details:

• Animal Masquerade
  Great American Music Hall
  859 O'Farrell Street (between Larkin & Polk)
  San Francisco, CA 94109
  GAMH Website

^{Pictured: Rosin Coven
Image Courtesy of Animal Masquerade}