Happy Friday Everyone! You've worked hard all week, and now it's time to have fun! Getting out and enjoying the beautiful Bay Area, as well as enjoying the company of friends old and new, is great for your mental health. So check out some of our favorite events from around the Bay that you can attend this weekend!
Click on any of the event titles for a link to the event.
Friday, August 27th
Dolores Park, San Francisco
6 PM, All Ages
Free
Sundown Cinema is back, and just in time for San Francisco summer. Enjoy food, drinks, and film selections that celebrate the unique character and beauty of our city’s parks and neighborhoods.
From now through October, Sundown Cinema is bringing five iconic films to five parks across SF, beginning with Sister Act at Dolores Park next Friday, August 27, and featuring special performances from Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Grace Cathedral Vine Choir.
The entire series is free and open to the public.
Sundown Cinema
August 27 – October 12, 2021
Events start at 6 pm; film screens after sunset
Different parks all over SF
FREE
2021 Schedule
Friday, August 27: Sister Act in Mission Dolores Park featuring: Sister Roma of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence + a Sister Act performance by The Vine choir of Grace Cathedral
Friday, September 10: Soulin Alamo Square Park
Thursday, September 23: The Princess Diaries in Washington Square Park
Thursday, October 7: A League of Their Own in Golden Gate Park
Friday, October 22: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre
District Six, San Francisco
5 PM, All Ages
Free
SHOP WITH LOCAL VENDORS
LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC
EAT FOOD FROM SOME OF THE BAY'S TOP FOOD TRUCKS
HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
District Six is an outdoor continuously evolving experience that brings individuals safely together to enjoy a curated selection of local small good vendors and food trucks. We also feature weekly themes and live entertainment such as local DJs or bands.
Please note: Most importantly, we are also following social distancing and health protocols which includes tables being placed 6 feet apart, mandatory masks for each attendee, and disinfecting surfaces after each group.
QUESTIONS? Email: Info@DistrictSixSF.com
Apply Here: Vendor Application
Saturday, August 28th
Aquatic Park, San Francisco
10 AM, All Ages
Free
Come join the Shark Stewards for the 1st Annual Mermaid Parade in SF, a plastic & to go-free event supporting a plastic free San Francisco Bay and Ocean.
Beach cleanup at 10 AM at Aquatic Park.
Sit down to dine at any of our fine local restaurants or bring your own picnic to the bleachers in our National Park (no ziplock bags, saran wrap, fast food, or to-go cups, please). Support our plastic free vendors on the waterfront and at Pier 39 and support our work to eliminate single use plastic and plastic pollution.
Costume contest will be held before the march at 12 PM.
Prizes for the best + environmentally conscience Mermaid, Merman, Mer-Child, nautical Pet, & Other (all sea critters, sea Goddesses/Gods, Sea Witches, Pirates, Sailors, Fishermen are welcome)!
Parade route ends on the Embarcadero outside Pier 39.
Afterwards support our plastic free and Pier 39 businesses and even ride the Merry-Go-Round- Don't forget to bring 10 sand dollars to ride. Get ready for fun!
***Please donate to https://sharkstewards.org/
Orpheum Theater, San Francisco
1 PM or 7 PM, All Ages
Varies
How does a hip-hop musical about the bastard, orphan, immigrant Founding Father of America become a major success, winning 11 Tony Awards and global acclaim? Well, for starters, it was written by lyrical genius Lin Manuel Miranda, director Tom Kail, and music director Alex Lacamoire.
Hamilton: An American Musical details the life of Alexander Hamilton, who most people would only recognise as the face on the ten dollar bill. The idea the founding fathers using modern language and engaging in rap battles is certainly a novel one, but one that evidently resonated with people all over the world.
Part of what makes Hamilton so revolutionary is the decision to have an almost entirely non-white cast. Miranda's intention was to represent America as it is today, and for a Puerto-Rican American, diversity is extremely important to him. The show gives actors of color a chance to play prominent historical figures in a way that's accessible and relatable to a modern audience.
Hamilton teaches the younger generation about America's history using language and music that they feel connected to. The facts are not 100% accurate, but it's a great entry point into history that is aimed towards millennials but never feels like it's trying too hard to be "cool".
The music consists of 46 tracks, comprised of a mixture of styles including hip-hop, rap, jazz, R&B, dancehall, and ballad, all interspersed with elements of showtune. The soundtrack is a piece of genius in itself - several lead characters have their own musical themes and chord progressions, and each song flows perfectly into the next.
Every lyrics is carefully thought-out, foreshadowing the rest of the show or establishing relationships between characters. Individual characters have their own style of music to match their personalities - from Hamilton's face-paced rapping to Jefferson's slow, jazzy tunes, each character has a distinct presence.
Hamilton takes its audience on an emotional journey that is mostly due to the unexpectedly vulnerable soundtracks. Show-stoppers like "My Shot", "The Schuyler Sisters" and "Non-Stop" get the audience pumped up, while numbers like "Dear Theodosia", "Burn", "It's Quiet Uptown" and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" reduces them to tears. The soundtrack portrays a full range of human emotions, from truly hilarious numbers to heartbreaking ballads and everything in between.
Even if you're not interested in hip-hop, it's hard to dislike this show. The harmonies and overlapping lines created compelling melodies that are perfectly matched to their poignant lyrics. It's such a carefully constructed piece that takes the laughable concept of a historical hip-hop musical and turns it into a rich and musically diverse piece that breathes new life into centuries-old stories.
Hamilton is more than an amazing soundtrack - it's a visual wonder onstage. Much like its music, each movement is symbolic and purposeful. There's no improvisation from the ensemble and every step is memorised so well, they even perform part of a song in reverse. While the choreography sometimes takes the form of conventional dancing, it's also used to represent marching, battles, duels, and even a play within the performance itself.
The ensemble are incredibly versatile. The costumes of the lead characters are colorful and defined, but the ensemble wear white, and rarely don a full costume. This allows them to represent any character they need, whether it be a soldier, politician, or a member of the public. The amount of energy required in this performance is incredible, but the ensemble members make it look easy. This, combined with their backup vocals, makes them the backbones of Hamilton.
The double-casting of characters in Hamilton is another example of the demands put on the actors, but it's a challenge they overcome brilliantly. Four actors change characters from Act 1 to Act 2 - Hamilton's sweet sister-in-law Peggy Schuyler becomes the seductive Maria Reynolds; the rambunctious Hercules Mulligan transforms into the stern wallflower James Mulligan; French revolutionary Lafayette becomes Hamilton's nemesis, Thomas Jefferson, and Hamilton's closest friend, John Laurens, becomes his son Philip Hamilton. The way these actors manage to play both their characters so distinctly is amazing to watch.
The costumes worn by the lead characters show their development - in the opening number, the entire cast wears white save Aaron Burr, who wears a wine-red coat, symbolising the blood on his hands that he has already foreshadowed. Jefferson's flashy magenta suit alludes to his hubris, and Maria's red dress represents temptation.
Individual characters changing their costumes also hold significance. In the opening number, Hamilton is dressed in white like the rest of the cast, but as the song progresses he is handed his brown coat by the actor playing Eliza Schuyler. This coat represents his status as a poor immigrant when he arrives in America. Later in the show, after he marries into money and becomes a statesman, he trades in his modest attire for a money-green suit, representing his ever-growing need for power. In Act 2, Angelica Schuyler wears a tight and constricting jacket and has her hair tied back, representing the stricter lifestyle she leads as a married woman in London. Hamilton and Burr both wear black as they draw closer to their infamous duel.
Hamilton is a retelling a part of America's history, but it makes its messages relevant today. The show acknowledges that many of the founding fathers were slave owners and makes it clear that this should not be ignored. Angelica Schuyler makes comments on women's rights, while Eliza serves as a remind that these stories would not be remembered now if it weren't for the women of the time.
Hamilton: An American Musical is so much more than the real-life people it portrays. It's a story about legacy and the way we are remembered by others. It's about pride and the dangers that come with it, and whether your ambitions are more important than the people you hurt in order to achieve them. It's about overcoming challenges and beating the odds, but it's also a cautionary tale that warns us to stay grounded and remember what's important.
Sunday, August 29th
Stern Grove, San Francisco
12 PM, All Ages
Free
At 2pm exactly 12 days prior to each event, an online portal will be opened through https://www.sterngrove.org to offer free passes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Full lineup for Stern Grove 2021!
June 20: Ledisi, The Seshen, La Doña, LadyRyan
June 27: Perfume Genius, Madame Gandhi, Honey Mahogany, LadyRyan
July 4: San Francisco Symphony
The San Francisco Symphony returns for its annual summer performance at Stern Grove Festival, with Edwin Outwater conducting a special Fourth of July concert featuring pianist Aaron Diehl.
Program:
John Williams - Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Gould - Pavanne from American Symphonette No. 2
Jennifer Higdon - Cathedrals from All Things Majestic
Copland - Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from Rodeo
Quinn Mason - Reflections on a Memorial
Carlos Simon - The Block
Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Sousa - Stars and Stripes Forever
July 11: Thievery Corporation, Dessa, DJ Shortkut
July 18: St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Dip, DJ Omar
July 25: X, The Avengers, DJ Omar
August 1: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
August 8: Thundercat, Cassowary, DJ Shortkut
August 15: Fitz & The Tantrums, Devon Gilfillian, DJ Omar
August 29: The Big Picnic featuring Tower of Power, Too $hort, DJ Shortkut
* Advance Reservations Required for All Concerts
* General Admission reservations can be made for up to 4 people per reservation
* Senior benches can be reserved for up to 2 people per reservation
* ADA seating can be reserved for up to 2 people per reservation
* All members of your group must be present to enter
* Reservation holder must present a current photo ID to enter
* California residents only, unless you are a fully vaccinated visitor
* Eating/Drinking is allowed without a mask
* Mask requirements are subject to current SF Department of Public Health guidelines
Chase Center, San Francisco
9AM, All Ages
Free
The Warriors and Kaiser Permanente are hosting weekly Thrive City Farmers Market every Sunday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Thrive City plaza, the community gathering space surrounding Chase Center, will provide shoppers with access to a wide variety of locally-sourced offerings including seasonal fruits, fresh produce, naturally-raised meats, farm fresh eggs and artisan pastries. The Farmers’ Market will also include health and wellness sessions, live music, scavenger hunts, a kids corner and more! Please note that the Thrive City Farmer’s Market will have various categories of special events every Sunday. For more information visit thrivecity.com.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
• Wear face coverings. You will be refused service if you are not wearing one.
• Minimize the size of your group when shopping and keep your group together – this is especially important when shopping with young children.
• Bring small bills and pay with exact change or tell your farmer to keep the change to minimize exposure and speed up your transaction.
• Farmers/Producers may not touch reusable bags belonging to customers.
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