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San Francisco's most visited museums offer FREE admission on the first Tuesday of every month.
Take advantage of Free Museum Tuesdays at:
Experienced field ornithologist Allan Ridley and docent Helen McKenna lead this popular Sunday morning walk through the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Together they will tell you about both the birds and plants seen in the Garden.
San Francisco City Guides offer free historical and architectural walking tours of San Francisco's most famous (or, in some cases, infamous) districts, as well as some of its more hidden neighborhoods.
Approximately 30 different walks are offered each month, year-round, rain or shine. Walkers meet at the place and time designated in the current tour schedule. No reservations are required.
Join two San Francisco Botanical Garden docents for this leisurely birding tour and nature hike through the exciting microhabitats of this famous Golden Gate Park garden.
All ages are welcome, though children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Golden Gate Park Band has been playing free Sunday concerts in Golden Gate Park since 1882.
Their 2008 concert season (April 20 - October 12) runs the gamut from classical to swing, opera to Sousa marches, plus a wide range of ethnic music. The band collaborates regularly with various San Francisco ethnic and arts groups, who bring to the park their colorful costumes, dance groups, singers, and musicians.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy one of America's oldest professional concert bands in the magnificent surroundings of Golden Gate Park.
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco offers free admission to all visitors on the first Sunday of every month.
One of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art, the Asian Art Museum collection spans 6,000 years of history and includes 17,000 objects, from tiny jades to monumental sculptures, paintings, porcelains and ceramics, lacquers, textiles, furniture, arms and armor, puppets, and basketry.
The collection galleries are divided into seven geographic regions: South Asia; the Persian World and West Asia; Southeast Asia; the Himalayas and the Tibetan Buddhist World; China; Korea; and Japan. Winding through all the galleries are three major themes: the development of Buddhism; trade and cultural exchange; and local beliefs and practices.
A beloved San Francisco tradition since 1938, the Stern Grove Festival presents free outdoor concerts every Sunday from June 15 through August 17, at the Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering eucalyptus and redwood trees.
On June 29, the Stern Grove Festival presents an annual favorite, the renowned San Francisco Symphony, with conductor James Gaffigan. The program includes Verdi's Overture to "La forza del destino," Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Opus 43, with Orli Shaham on piano, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Opus 36.
The Symphony Jazz Sextet will open the afternoon with a short set of works by some of the great jazz legends.
Every year at the beginning of June, 500 rainbow flags are hoisted the length of Market Street and San Francisco explodes with queer pride. For a city known as the gay mecca for the other 11 months of the year, June is Queer Heaven. The energy reaches a crescendo the last weekend in June with the official San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration and Parade.
Marking its 38th anniversary this year, San Francisco Pride has been said to be "one of the last remaining pride events that can truly be called a rite of passage." This year's theme is "United by Pride, Bound for Equality," which reflects both the historical role of San Francisco Pride within the LGBT civil rights movement, and the importance of asserting a political stance in favor of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
With over 200 parade contingents, 300 exhibitors, and 19 stages and venues, San Francisco Pride is the largest LGBT gathering in the nation. The two-day event is packed with a wide variety of vendors, artists, music in a range of genres, performers, dance stages and venues, and fun for all ages. In previous years, world famous acts such as En Vogue, Crystal Waters, Lisa Lisa, the B-52's, Chaka Khan, and Third Eye Blind have graced the festival's Civic Center main stage.
On Sunday, the always outrageous Pride Parade marches down Market Street from Davis to Hyde Street, starting at 10:30 a.m. During Sunday's celebration, a "Family Garden" area is provided, which is a less crowded area for children and their parents/guardians to party in, so bring the whole family down to celebrate Pride!
One of the world's premier showcases for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender cinema, Frameline32 runs June 19-29 at the historic Castro Theatre movie palace and other venues in San Francisco and Berkeley, presenting 11 days of the newest and best in LGBT film from around the world.
The 32nd San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival screens more than 250 features and short films -- from narratives and documentaries to experimental and animated works -- representing the most artistically innovative, thematically rich, and socially relevant LGBT images and ideas from more than two dozen countries.
Festival highlights this year include festival opener "Affinity," a haunting women-in-prison movie with a gothic Victorian twist; "Breakfast with Scot," a light-hearted and touching Canadian comedy about a straight-laced gay couple whose lives are turned upside down when they receive custody of a long-lost friend's 11-year old son; "Cthulu," an atmospheric and creepy adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's novella "Shadow Over Insmouth;" and "Eleven Minutes," a documentary chronicling fashion maven Jay McCarroll's year-long journey to prepare for his first independent show at New York's Fashion Week, two years after his big win on the first season of "Project Runway."
In addition to being THE place to see the latest and best in international queer cinema, Frameline's annual event attracts LGBT film professionals from across the globe and serves as the "unofficial" kick-off for San Francisco’s annual Pride Celebration activities.
Frameline32 also marks the return of Frameline's Festival Pavilion, which provides entertainment, education, and event space for festival moviegoers. The venue is an exciting place for people to connect with, and hear from, filmmakers, industry insiders, and friends in the community.
Blending art and soul in one of the country's most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing 90,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend.
From sun-up to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live music from multiple stages, browse eight blocks of fine art and crafts, and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Asian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites and new directions, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is not to be missed.
This year's line-up continues the tradition of showcasing outstanding artists from across the jazz spectrum, including the Fred Randolph Quintet, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Vinyl, Liberty Ellman, and Amanda King.
For more than four decades, the award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe has presented socially relevant theater that enlightens, entertains, and provokes, with free outdoor performances of original productions that incorporate song, dance, music, and comedy.
Just in time for the fall elections, the troupe skewers the electoral process in song and dance with "Red State." What if a small town found itself at the forefront of a political fight? It's Election Day in small town America, and due to an Electoral College tie, the entire presidential election comes down to one tiny town. Formerly ignored and disregarded, Bluebird, Kansas, is suddenly the most important town in the country. And its citizens are being pressured to quickly cast the deciding vote, and to vote the "right way."
But what would happen if they decided to wait? Can one little town hold an entire nation's election hostage? Should it? Is bread on the farmhouse dinner table tonight more important than deciding who sits at the Oval Office desk tomorrow? Yep, this election could take a while...
For more than four decades, the award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe has presented socially relevant theater that enlightens, entertains, and provokes, with free outdoor performances of original productions that incorporate song, dance, music, and comedy.
Just in time for the fall elections, the troupe skewers the electoral process in song and dance with "Red State." What if a small town found itself at the forefront of a political fight? It's Election Day in small town America, and due to an Electoral College tie, the entire presidential election comes down to one tiny town. Formerly ignored and disregarded, Bluebird, Kansas, is suddenly the most important town in the country. And its citizens are being pressured to quickly cast the deciding vote, and to vote the "right way."
But what would happen if they decided to wait? Can one little town hold an entire nation's election hostage? Should it? Is bread on the farmhouse dinner table tonight more important than deciding who sits at the Oval Office desk tomorrow? Yep, this election could take a while...
The San Francisco Silent Film Festival returns to the historic Castro Theatre, presenting beautiful 35mm prints projected onto the Castro's enormous screen, with live musical accompaniment and talks by film preservation experts, archivists, and historians who shine a light on the silent era. Step back in time as the Castro relives its early days, screening these silent gems as it did when it opened in 1922.
Kicking off the 2008 festival is "The Kid Brother" (1927), Harold Lloyd's next-to-last silent comedy, and the film he considered to be his best performance. Also playing is the fast-paced, wise-cracking romantic comedy, "Her Wild Oat" (1927), about a lunchwagon owner who tries life as a lady of wealth for a weekend. Starring almost-forgotten silent star Colleen Moore, the film was lost until 2006, when it was found in Prague and restored by the Academy Film Archive.
Batman fans won't want to miss the centerpiece screening of "The Man Who Laughs" (1928), a macabre tale of one man's tortuous struggle for love, brought to life with nightmarish verisimilitude by German expressionist Paul Leni. Actor Conrad Veidt plays an English nobleman's son disfigured by a Gypsy doctor so that his face is fixed in the rictus of a grotesque grin. Batman creator Bob Kane credited Veidt's hideous make-up as his visual inspiration for The Joker.
Other festival highlights include "Mikael" (1924), an emotionally charged drama considered to be a landmark in gay cinema, the bizarre "The Unknown" (1927) starring Lon Chaney and Joan Crawford, the Japanese avant-garde tragedy "Jujiro" (1928), and the "Adventures of Prince Achmed" (1926), which is not only the earliest surviving animated feature but the first made by a woman.
Midnight Mass has grown to become a uniquely San Franciscan phenomenon attracting sell-out crowds in the Bay Area and beyond. Hostess Peaches Christ returns this Fourth of July to present her 11th annual season of Midnight Mass in San Francisco. Get ready for eight weeks of midnight movie insanity sure to satisfy the appetites of cult film fans everywhere. She assures us however that the films are only the beginning. Be more afraid of her legendary and award-winning pre-show!
The season kicks off on July 4 and 5, with the mother of all contemporary cult classics, "Showgirls!"
For the first time ever, Peaches has invited actual cast-members from the film to share the behind-the-scene dirt on the making of this mythological masterpiece! As always, free lap-dances with every large corn.
Midnight Mass has grown to become a uniquely San Franciscan phenomenon attracting sell-out crowds in the Bay Area and beyond. Hostess Peaches Christ returns this Fourth of July to present her 11th annual season of Midnight Mass in San Francisco. Get ready for eight weeks of midnight movie insanity sure to satisfy the appetites of cult film fans everywhere. She assures us however that the films are only the beginning. Be more afraid of her legendary and award-winning pre-show!
On July 12, Peaches screens '60s cult classic "Barbarella," after the world premiere of the brand new, fully outrageous original stage-show production "Bear-ber-ella!" Also, audience members are encouraged to take the Orgasmatron Challenge and win a chance to be publicly pleasured!
Midnight Mass has grown to become a uniquely San Franciscan phenomenon attracting sell-out crowds in the Bay Area and beyond. Hostess Peaches Christ returns this Fourth of July to present her 11th annual season of Midnight Mass in San Francisco. Get ready for eight weeks of midnight movie insanity sure to satisfy the appetites of cult film fans everywhere. She assures us however that the films are only the beginning. Be more afraid of her legendary and award-winning pre-show!
On July 19, the Midnight Mass Players bring back their original stage-show production "Peaches' Playhouse." Back by popular demand, this show promises an all-star reunion of audience favorites, including Sam Sharkey, L. Ron Hubby, Precious Moments, Jay Walker, and many more.
After the show, settle in for the zany Tim Burton opus, "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure." Be sure to dust off your red bow tie and dress up for the "Night of 1,000 Pee-Wee's" competition!
Midnight Mass has grown to become a uniquely San Franciscan phenomenon attracting sell-out crowds in the Bay Area and beyond. Hostess Peaches Christ returns this Fourth of July to present her 11th annual season of Midnight Mass in San Francisco. Get ready for eight weeks of midnight movie insanity sure to satisfy the appetites of cult film fans everywhere. She assures us however that the films are only the beginning. Be more afraid of her legendary and award-winning pre-show!
On July 26, meet drag icon and supermodel-of-the-world RuPaul Charles in person, as she screens her "sexy, sassy, and salacious" film, "Starrbooty." RuPaul joins Peaches onstage for a pre-show interview, audience Q&A, post-show "Starrbooty" DVD autograph signing, and the 2nd Annual SF Hooker Pride Parade!
Organized by the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation, Film Night in the Park is the city's premiere outdoor film series. From May to October, films are presented on a giant outdoor screen in beautiful park settings throughout the Bay Area, including three locations in San Francisco.
On June 7, come see '80s teen classic "The Breakfast Club" in Dolores Park. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners for a truly Bay Area experience!
Enjoy live jazz in the heart of San Francisco's landmark Union Square, with SFJAZZ's annual series of free outdoor concerts.
Bordered by Geary, Stockton, Post, and Powell streets, Union Square is the city's premier shopping district and features a large outdoor stage, plentiful outdoor seating, and -- exclusively on concert evenings -- a wine garden.
On July 31, SFJAZZ Summerfest presents Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. A veteran of such groups as Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra and Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra, vocalist and percussionist Tillery leads the choir in exploring a treasure trove of African American spirituals and work songs that are the roots of folk, jazz, and the blues.
On July 6, the festival presents a performance by Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint. A singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger, and producer, this New Orleans native has had an influence on American music that extends from rhythm and blues, pop, and country, to musical theater, blues, and jazz.
Kicking off the afternoon is Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, the next-generation sound of New Orleans led by 22-year-old Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Trombone Shorty will break down traditional jazz rhythms with funk, pop, and hip hop.
A beloved San Francisco tradition since 1938, the Stern Grove Festival presents free outdoor concerts every Sunday from June 15 through August 17, at the Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering eucalyptus and redwood trees.
On July 13, hear a performance by French-Algerian artist Rachid Taha. Combining Algerian rai music with modern rock, punk, and dance, Taha's rough vocal style and influences range from Johnny Cash and Marvin Gaye, to Kraftwerk and Public Enemy.
Starting off the show is Los Angeles-based MC Rai, playing a mix of edgy Arabic grooves and electronica.
A beloved San Francisco tradition since 1938, the Stern Grove Festival presents free outdoor concerts every Sunday from June 15 through August 17, at the Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering eucalyptus and redwood trees.
It's an evening of al fresco ballet on July 20, as the internationally acclaimed Alonzo King's LINES Ballet performs "The Moroccan Project" and "Migration." Accompanied by Grammy award-winning saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and the ensemble Hamideen, this San Francisco-based troupe imbues classical ballet with new expressive potential.
The afternoon also features a world premiere "pas de deux" (ballet duet performance) choreographed by Alonzo King for former San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Muriel Maffre and former LINES Ballet dancer Prince Credell.
A beloved San Francisco tradition since 1938, the Stern Grove Festival presents free outdoor concerts every Sunday from June 15 through August 17, at the Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful meadow surrounded by towering eucalyptus and redwood trees.
On July 27, celebrate the sound of San Francisco with Voices of Latin Rock! Born in the Mission District, Latin Rock was a defining sound of the late 1960s and early 1970s when bands like Santana, Malo, Sapo, Abel and the Prophets, and Azteca melded the rhythms of Latin music with funk, soul, and rock.
Voices of Latin Rock is a collaboration of these original musicians and a celebration of this unique Bay Area sound. Featuring a rotating line-up of talented musicians, this performance features veteran performers Jorge Santana and Gabriel Manzo of Malo, Abel Sanchez of Abel and the Prophets, and trumpeter Bill Ortiz from Santana, among others.
Popular club-circuit group SambaDa will lead the afternoon with a high-powered concoction of Brazilian beats, samba, funk, reggae, and hip-hop.
This month, the San Francisco Public Library presents a Thursday afternoon film series entitled "Les Bicyclettes: Celebrating the 2008 Tour de France."
On July 3, see '80s cult classic "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" (1985), in which Pee Wee sets out to find his stolen bicycle and encounters bums, bikers, con men, and cowboys along the way.
This month, the San Francisco Public Library presents a Thursday afternoon film series entitled "Les Bicyclettes: Celebrating the 2008 Tour de France."
On July 10, see "We Are Traffic" (1999), a documentary about the early years of Critical Mass (a mass movement of bicycles that takes over the streets once a month) which started in San Francisco and has spread throughout the world. Accompanied by the short film "Return of the Scorcher" (1992).
This month, the San Francisco Public Library presents a Thursday afternoon film series entitled "Les Bicyclettes: Celebrating the 2008 Tour de France."
On July 17, see the animated French film "The Triplets of Belleville" (2002). When a cyclist is kidnapped from the Tour de France, a grandmother, her dog, and a trio of Jazz Era stars set out on a journey to rescue him.
This month, the San Francisco Public Library presents a Thursday afternoon film series entitled "Les Bicyclettes: Celebrating the 2008 Tour de France."
On July 24, see the Oscar-nominated film "Breaking Away" (1979). When a top-notch cyclist learns that the world's bicycling champions are always Italian, he attempts to turn himself into an Italian.
This month, the San Francisco Public Library presents a Thursday afternoon film series entitled "Les Bicyclettes: Celebrating the 2008 Tour de France."
On July 31, see the critically acclaimed Chinese film "Beijing Bicycle" (2000). When Guei's bicycle is stolen and sold to Jian, the two young men are brought together on a voyage of self-discovery.
The San Francisco Public Library presents a mini film festival of historical shorts covering the Depression and the New Deal from the motion picture holdings of the National Archives.
The library also presents the related exhibition ""A New Deal for San Francisco -- Thanks to WPA!" on view through August 30, near the San Francisco History Center on the sixth floor.
This walk starts in front of the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market Street, appropriately enough since this area was once a host to a variety of movie palaces and the fledging days of the film industry. Long more than just a center for government-oriented business, Civic Center also offers a variety of architectural styles.
Learn about the City Beautiful movement and the various architects who applied it to Civic Center, the remnants of the movie theaters that once lined Market Street, and the many city halls that San Francisco has had. The tour ends at Fox Plaza, former site of the Fox Theatre.
The celebration culminates with fireworks over the San Francisco Bay, beginning at 9:30 p.m. and visible from any spot along the northern waterfront.
San Francisco hostel guests can also celebrate the 4th of July at the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel BBQ, with free food and music in the bayside beauty of a National Park.
Kicking off on Sunday, July 20, and continuing over eight days, the North Beach Jazz Fest is lovingly referred to as the "soul of San Francisco." More than 50,000 people flock annually to North Beach parks and night spots to hear musicians pushing jazz into the future, while honoring its glorious past.
Highlights include a special series of performances by Mike Clark, Paul Jackson, and Friends, and a Latin Block Party on July 24, where three Grant Avenue venues simultaneously present Latin jazz artists with only one cover charge for them all.
The weekend of July 26-27, the festival hosts two free, all-ages shows in Washington Square Park. On Saturday, come hear "Ladies in the Park," featuring an array of bands with female vocalists, from pagan lounge ensemble Rosin Coven to Brazil-groovers Nobody from Ipanema. On Sunday, the guys take to the stage with "Gentlemen in the Park," featuring performances by Eddie Gale, New Monsoon, Gregory James, and more.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
On July 10, the festival's Lunchtime Concert series presents Patrick Ball. One of the premier Celtic harp players in the world and a captivating spoken word artist, Ball plays the ancient, legendary brass-strung harp of Ireland and tells marvelous tales of wit and enchantment.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
On July 17, the festival's Lunchtime Concerts series presents The Nice Guy Trio. Comprised of Darren Johnston on trumpet, Rob Reich on accordion, and Daniel Fabricant on bass, the Nice Guy Trio create a sound that is intimate and spontaneous as they navigate through a diverse collection of original compositions and folk songs from around the globe.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
On July 24, the festival's Lunchtime Concerts series presents The Stairwell Sisters. Cranking out acoustic old-timey music with a punk rock intensity, The Stairwell Sisters have appeared on stages from the nationally syndicated radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" to New York's Lincoln Center, and many points in between.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
On July 31, the festival's Lunchtime Concerts series presents Le Jazz Hot. Borrowing the all-string instrumentation of violin, bass, and guitar from the original Hot Club de France, Le Jazz Hot breathes new life into the music often called Gypsy Jazz.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
On July 22, hear a performance by the TODCO Poets, who wax eloquent on romance, sex, friendships, family, politics, aging, and other topics that have occupied poets since time immemorial.
A group poem by the TODCO Poets, "Dare We Dream In Concrete," is engraved in granite at the entrance to Yerba Buena Gardens.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 11 and July 19, see The Unique Derique. Turning his agile limbs into a drumset or a harpsichord keyboard, the Unique Derique delights audiences of all ages. His interactive performance -- percussive, syncopated, and dynamic -- will leave you smiling for the rest of the day.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 18, join folksinger Charlie Chin as he plays the guitar and banjo, taking us on a sing-along journey through California history. We'll visit the Gold Rush, the building of the Trans-continental Railroad, pass through the Golden Gate, and find our hearts in San Francisco.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 25, Chelle! & Friends perform music from New Orleans, one of the most musical, fun-loving cities in the world. The land where jazz was born, New Orleans is home to many famous musicians and has played an important role in the development of American music. Join the party, move your feet, sing along, and join a Mardi Gras parade to celebrate this great city.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 5, the Venezuelan Music Project performs a wide range of music, from folklore-driven songs executed with traditional instruments, to more contemporary urban dance compositions. Combining Indigenous-Venezuelan, West African, and Spanish-European influences, VMP is a dynamic ensemble full of vibrancy, energy, and color.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 12, Balamcoatl takes audiences on a journey of movement and experimental sound from the South to the North of Mexico, using traditional regional costumes and instruments. Balam ("jaguar" in Maya), and coatl ("serpent" in Nahuatl), unite to weave Mesoamerican themes into a tapestry of colorful legends, drawing audience members into the story through participatory song and dance. During the interactive presentation, children have the opportunity to dance inside the jaguar’s paper mache costume and play instruments such as turtle shells with deer horns, maracas, drums, and rattles.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events from May to October, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area.
The festival includes a popular Children's Garden Series of fun, interactive performances designed to delight and entertain children under 10 and their adults.
On July 26, see the Caterpillar Puppets, whose top stars include the Three Little Bla-bla-blas, a baby orangutan, and a rainforest monster whom the audience must help sing peacefully to sleep.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
The festival includes a narrated series called Music in the Gardens 101, where audiences hear firsthand from master musicians about the genre of music they perform and their sources of inspiration.
On July 12, hear the 15-piece Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra perform a program that explores the individual instruments of the jazz orchestra as well as the larger sections of reed, brass, and rhythm instruments, offering the audience the opportunity to compare the structure to that of a classical orchestra.
San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents more than 100 music, theater, dance, cultural, and children's events, all reflecting the rich cultures and creativity of the Bay Area. Ongoing from May to October, the festival is held in the Yerba Buena Gardens in the city's SOMA district.
The festival includes a narrated series called Music in the Gardens 101, where audiences hear firsthand from master musicians about the genre of music they perform and their sources of inspiration.
On July 19, hear composer-musician Yosvany Terry, who consciously communicates his African and Cuban lineage through sounds that originated in Africa and inspired new music in the Caribbean, Brazil, and the American South.
Shakespeare, hip hop, improv, folk tales, solo performers, musical, magic, comedy, drama, and a full children's program -- it's all part of the diverse San Francisco Theater Festival. This free celebration of Bay Area theater offers 85 short shows on 11 stages, all on one day and within a two-block radius in downtown San Francisco.
"Short performances, 30 minutes and less, allow you to sample so much in one place on one day. It's casual, fun, and festive," says producer Bill Schwartz. "Theater in earlier days was a people's art form that now has become exclusive and pricey. This festival brings theater back to its roots. It's truly accessible."
A total of 75 Bay Area theater companies will perform one-acts, scenes and excerpts, and solo performances, including 15 shows especially for children. Last year's festival attracted more than 10,000 people.
Join a National Park Service ranger in San Francisco's Presidio for a moderate one-mile hike through the Presidio forest on the historic Anza Trail.
Learn about Spanish Captain Juan Bautista de Anza, who walked up from Nogales, Arizona, to San Francisco in 1776.
Reservations required; call (415) 561-4323.
Explore maps and historic images as you follow the ravine up to its headwaters, guided by a Presidio docent. Bring a pair of binoculars and look for birds that enjoy this riparian corridor.
Reservations required; call (415) 561-4323.
Hear about Medal of Honor recipients, a Union spy, an Indian scout, Buffalo Soldiers, and others buried here.
Reservations required. Call day of event for meeting place: (415) 561-4323.