Archive for the culture category
November 16th, 2007 by susan j
Photo up loaded by Josh.Ev9
With many of Broadway’s stagehands on strike, travelers are starting to look elsewhere to get their theater fix. Though the city is over 3,000 miles away from the Great White Way, San Francisco offers Broadway-caliber theater and enough variety for even the pickiest arts patron. Here’s a roundup of performances in the Bay Area this winter:
October 9-December 9
San Francisco’s Best of Broadway series presents The Color Purple, a musical based on the popular Alice Walker novel.
October 19-December 8
Actors Theatre of San Francisco brings Tennesssee Williams’ Camino Real to the stage.
November 8-December 2
Berkeley Playhouse journeys to Whoville with Seussical the Musical.
November 23-December 16
42nd Street Moon introduces audiences to Jerome Kern and P.G. Wodehouse’s little known musical Oh, Lady! Lady!!
December 5-23
American Conversatory Theater presents the classic holiday spectacle A Christmas Carol.
December 1-January 12
The San Francisco Playhouse takes a quirky look at Christmas with the Sna Francisco premiere of Christopher Durang’s Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge!
For more on theater in San Francisco and half-price tickets, check Theatre Bay Area’s website.
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November 15th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, November 16
Embarcadero Holiday Kick-off: The Embarcadero, shopping central and Winter Wonderland, begins its famous celebration of the holiday season this Friday. Complimentary appetizers and holiday cheer abounds in this famous celebration.
Saturday, November 17
3rd Annual Reindeer Romp: Real live reindeer return to the San Francisco Zoo to celebrate the holiday season.
Sunday, November 18
Free day at the museum: is offering a free day from 10- 5!
Sunday, November 18
Holiday Harmony: Enjoy Bay Area performances at Fisherman’s Wharf’s Pier 39 of traditions from Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. The majestic Christmas tree will also be lit and adorned with hundreds of multi-cultural bows.
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November 8th, 2007 by amy c
Saturday, November 10
Irish Coffee’s 55th Anniversary at Buena Vista: San Francisco landmark, The Buena Vista, celebrates the 55th anniversary of the creation of the Irish treat in the United States for the first time. Enjoy Irish food and music as well as delicious food at a classic San Francisco restaurant.
Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: Every week over 100 farmers, vendors, and artisans set up a wide array of the freshest produce, cheeses, baked goods, and prepared food from around the city.
Sunday, November 11
Veteran’s Day Parade in the Financial District: A band, drum line, and drill teams will commemorate Veteran’s day with a parade that starts at 1pm at 2nd Street and will continue down Market Street to City Hall.
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November 5th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by rjones0856
If you’re craving a tropical getaway, but you don’t have the time or the money for a Hawaiian vacation, then you’ll be excited to read this article in the San Francisco Gate. It describes several Hawaiian musicians who are jetting over to California for concerts in the Bay Area this November.
Here’s a glimpse at the Hawaiian offerings coming up: Ukulele player Herb Ohta, Jr. and guitarist/vocalist Nathan Aweau play the CSU East Bay Campus on November 8 (this Thursday). On Friday, November 9, ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro takes the stage at the Napa Valley Opera House. Read the complete article here.
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October 24th, 2007 by amy c
Now that you’ve explored the classic art museums that double as San Francisco monuments, get a less traditional glimpse of SF’s unique and fun art scene that blends fine art with the eccentric, the exciting, and the surprising, exemplifying the beauty of San Francisco culture. You can get a dose of chic nightlife, experience the spacious galleries that draw artists and collectors, and get out and about in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods by browsing some of these must-see galleries.
HANG Art: Located in the art and shopping-infused Union Square, HANG Art provides a wide variety of contemporary original artwork from exceptional Bay Area artists. If you are looking to purchase art, this trendy and friendly gallery is sure to deliver unique pieces
The Fraenkel Gallery: one of the many galleries to be found on trendy Geary Street, the Fraenkel Gallery is also conveniently located just off Union Square. The gallery focuses on photography and offers museum-quality exhibits in a fresh and spacious setting.
John Pence Gallery: The largest gallery in San Francisco, the John Pence Gallery showcases classic works from the 19th and 20th century. It is also one of the premier academic realist galleries in the U.S., which still permeates the ambiance of the spacious and elegant gallery today.
111 Minna Gallery: Forget experiencing art in a stodgy, stuffy gallery. Captivating art meets intoxicating house music meets trendy happy hour in this unique scene that fuses a downtown nightclub with local and international fine art. The gallery offers a variety of events and performances to fit your partying and artistic style.
What better way to explore some of the finest galleries of San Francisco, primarily located in bustling Union Square or on quirky Geary Street than by the historical cable cars! Trendy art browsing may inspire the need for trendy fashions. Check out the Westfield Shopping Center in Union Square to complete your San Francisco shopping excursion.
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October 22nd, 2007 by susan j
San Francisco’s Chinatown
Photo uploaded by http2007
Chinese immigrants first started arriving in San Francisco around the time of the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800’s. Now over 150 years later, Asian-Americans make up about 30% of the city’s population and its Chinatown is North America’s largest and oldest (reconstructed after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906). Other Asian enclaves in Japantown and Little Saigon have also developed in the area.
With San Francisco’s past and its present steeped in Asian culture, the city offers many ways to explore the Asian-American experience through food, museums, and more. Here are some of our picks:
- Chinese Historical Society of America: Located right in Chinatown, this museum includes bilingual exhibits examining the contributions of Chinese laborers in the American west, Chinese artists in contemporary art, and more.
- Asian Art Museum: With nearly 15,000 pieces of art spanning 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is one the largest museums in the west focusing exclusively on Asian art. Current exhibits include an exploration of Japanese fashion from the Kyoto Costume Institute.
- All About Chinatown Walking Tours: This two hour tour explores the cultural, historical, and culinary flavors of Chinatown, taking you inside a Chinese temple, a fortune cookie factory, and more.
- Dim Sum: This Chinese tradition features a series of small light dishes shared around a table and served with tea. Chinatown buzzes with people on Sunday afternoons, when people flock to dim sum restaurants for good food and conversation.
- Evening Chinatown Walking Tour with Dinner: After a multi-course Chinese dinner, enjoy a guided walking tour exploring the fascinating people and places in Chinatown. Then admire the glittering views of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge.
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October 18th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, October 18
SF Weekly Music Awards: Support local musicians while you party at San Francisco night club, Ruby Skye. Proceeds from the night will go to Our Conservatory, a non-profit organization that helps young, local aspiring musicians.
Friday, October 19
Suite Jesus: Hip art gallery, 111 Minna, is hosting a night full of dancing, art, fashion, and music with six artists showcasing their pieces, three live painters showcasing their art, and DJs mixing the city’s hottest dancing beats.
Saturday, October 20
Lights Out San Francisco: Not only can you enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner at a variety of top restaurants around the city, but you’ll feel extra good knowing that you helped the environment and supported this city-wide energy conservation event which encourages to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour. Check out contributing restaurants here!
Saturday, October 20- Sunday, October 21
Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser: Explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum in your costume, as it is transformed into a spooky Halloween wonderland.
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October 17th, 2007 by jamie a
Snoopy photo uploaded by OiMax
If you fancy yourself a fashion fiend, then you should check out the new Snoopy in Fashion exhibit at the Charles M. Schultz Museum. After its debut during Fashion Week at Bryant Park in New York, the haute couture fashions inspired by our favorite pooch are now on display from October 6th through November 9th.
From designers such as Betsey Johnson, Isaac Misrahi, and Laura Bennett (of Bravo’s Project Runway fame), these fashions were all inspired by the designers favorite characters created by the late Charles M. Schultz, known worldwide as the creator of Peanuts.
Being auctioned on Ebay in October, these stunning creations all benefit Dress for Success, providing business and professional attire to help disadvantaged women succeed in the workplace.
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October 16th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Tostie14
San Francisco is a city of artists, and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival wonderfully captures the area’s creative spirit with performances ranging from Latin jazz and classical music to dance and spoken word. All events are free and now is the perfect time to catch an outdoor performance while the weather is still mild. The festival runs though October 28, so check out the schedule.
While in the area, you might also want to visit the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, ZEUM at Yerba Buena Gardens, Cartoon Art Museum, and the Museum of Craft and Folk Art.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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October 12th, 2007 by jamie a
photo uploaded by amyrod
It’s raining, it’s pouring—and you need a place to get away from it all. With this guide to rainy days in San Francisco, you’ll find plenty of ways to keep busy and stay dry!
Exploratorium: An art, science, and anthropological museum all in one, the Exploratorium is full of amazing hands-on experiences. It stimulates creative and scientific thinking as well as indulges the curiosity of both adults and children.
Cartoon Art Museum: The only museum in America dedicated to the art of the cartoon, this museum has been delving into the history of the art form since 1984. There are over 6,000 original pieces here, depicting the great talent and ingenuity of these serious artists.
Ferry Building Marketplace: From cheese, tiny cafes, tea, ice cream to the Scharffen Berger chocolate maker, the marketplace is a perfect place to while away a rainy day! Herb Caen, columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle said that “The waterfront without the Ferry Tower would be like a birthday cake without a candle.” A cherished landmark of the city, it has recently been restored to its original beauty and magnificence.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: Just ask yourself: how many times in your life will you be able to tour a fortune cookie factory? This is a favorite kitschy spot for locals and tourists alike. In the heart of Chinatown, you can see fortunes being printed and then carefully folded into the traditional cookie. Be sure to grab a bag of warm cookies to enjoy on your way out.
Lovejoy’s Tea Room: For a cozy retreat on a cloudy day, this tea room is perfect to share a pot of black, green, or herbal tea in many different varieties. Get acquainted with the art of British high tea while enjoying tiny cucumber sandwiches and warm scones with Devon cream. If you fall in love with your teacup, you can even make an offer to buy it since all of the tea accessories are for sale.
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