RYAN KOST’S OFF-THE-RADAR PICK

San Francisco’s Gray Area is back this week with its fifth annual festival, a four-day send-up of the intersection of art and technology.Gray Area has been tying the two together for years — and their programming always culminates in one of the city’s most unique and eclectic festivals.

Just take a look at their lineup. There are the musicians and visual artists, of course. Thom Yorke is in there, and so is Club Chai’s Lara Sarkissian (a.k.a. DJ Foozool). But over on the speaker’s list, you have scholars, digital strategists and even somebody from CERN — as in the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Workshops also feature prominently.

This year, Gray Area is highlighting two segments. The first is the U.S. premiere of “Inferno.” This is an immersive performance that invites audience members to strap on “machine-powered exoskeletons.” The festival is also hosting the ISM Hexadome Exhibition, nine installations at Pier 70.

Gray Area Festival: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25, through 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28. The ISM Hexadome will run through Aug. 3. $250 for festival pass, does not include workshop tickets. Tickets for individual events are also available. Gray Area Grand Theater, 2665 Mission St., S.F. Pier 70, 555 20th St., S.F. www.grayareafestival.io

Gray Area The fifth annual Gray Area Festival features the robotic music performance, “Inferno.”