potrero view

June 2008

Arts & Entertainment

June 1, 5-7

Opera:  Mordake

San Francisco International Arts Festival presents the opera Mordake at this year’s festival.  One of the weirdest and most melancholy stories of human deformity is that of Edward Mordake, said to have been heir to one of England’s noblest peerages. Tickets $20.  June 1st 2 p.m.; June 5-7, 8 p.m., Shotwell Studios, 3252-A 19th Street.  Information:  800.838.3006; sfiaf.org.

Through June 14

Theater:  The Breast of Sherry Glaser

This play features a trio of outrageous characters who all challenge the status quo.  Miguel De Cervantes (last seen in 2006 in Glaser’s critically acclaimed run of OH MY GODDESS!) opens the evening with a call for a shift in the male archetype and paradigm. He’s followed by Mother Superior, an evangelical, spiritual leader who has questions for the Lord and a mandate for a mighty prayer, which includes audience participation.  Tickets $15 to $35 sliding scale.  8 p.m., The Marsh, 1062 Valencia Street. Information: 826.5750; themarsh.org.

Through July 12

Theater:  Buried Child

From its darkly humorous opening to an implosive final act, Buried Child, a play by Sam Shepard, examines the corrosive effects of a long-held secret in a family ravaged by guilt and shame. In 1979 Buried Child won the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama ever awarded to a play premiering Off-Broadway.  Tickets $30.  8 p.m., Actors Theatre of San Francisco, 855 Bush Street.  Information: 345.1287; www.actorstheatresf.org.

June 3

Farley’s:  Election Day

Farley’s wants you to vote. Receive a free beverage upon display of your “I voted” sticker. Farley’s 1315 18th Street.  Information: 648.1545.

June 5- August 23

Photography: RongRong & inri; Alan B. Stone; Chris McCaw

This summer, SF Camerawork presents three new photography exhibitions including Ruins to Renewal: Works by RongRong & inri, the first Bay Area showing of work by this pioneering avant-garde Beijing-based duo; Senses of Place, a historical exhibition guest-curated by celebrated art historian and author David Deitcher that examines the life and work of gay Canadian photographer Alan B. Stone; and Sunburn, a solo exhibition of the work of emerging, local artist Chris McCaw.

Entrance $5.  SF Camerawork, 657 Mission Street.  Information: 512.2020; www.sfcamerawork.org.

June 5-14

Theater:  Trap Door

Inspired by a dream, composer Lisa Scola Prosek’s new opera tells the story of Private Able, his experiences in Iraq, and his homecoming to the United States where he’s on trial for shooting an unarmed Iraqi man.  Composed in Bel Canto style as classic, dark, surreal comedy, with Commedia Dell’Arte direction by Jim Cave, the opera examines the daily routines of an American soldier, his interaction with the independent contractors, the media, his fellow soldiers, the “enemy”, and his attempts at finding meaning in it all.  Tickets $20.  8 p.m., The Lab, 2948 16th Street.  Information: 864.8855; www.thelab.org.

June 5-29

Theater: Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes

Golden Thread Productions presents the world premiere Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes, the latest play from acclaimed Arab-American playwright, Yussef El Guindi.  Directed by Mark Routhier, the comedy folows Ashraf, an Arab-American actor who’s offered a part in a film by Hollywood’s most sought after director. However, it’s the part of a machine gun-strapping terrorist. Barry, his agent, tries to convince him that the film is a satire but when that strategy fails, he resorts to every trick in the book to convince his client to take this chance of a lifetime that could make him a millionaire.  Tickets $25.  Thursday to Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sun 5 p.m, Thick House 1695 18th Street.  Information: 401.8081; www.goldenthread.org.  

June 7-29

Theater:  San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival

2008 marks the 30th Anniversary of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, and in celebration of this landmark occasion 50 master musicians and dancers from around the world join 500 Northern California artists on the Festival stage. This year’s event will be comprised of virtuoso performances from more than 20 cultures, from Hawaii to Haiti, each accompanied by live music.  Tickets $22 to $46.  Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon.  Information: 392.4400; www.worldartswest.org.

June 8

Athletic Event: 28th Annual Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

Hundreds of top athletes from around the world will take over San Francisco’s streets and Bay waters for the 28th Annual Accenture Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Featuring an icy cold 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island to the San Francisco shoreline, an 18 mile hilly bike ride through the Presidio, and an eight mile trail run through Golden Gate Recreational Area, this high profile athletic event showcases the City’s beauty. Fans will not want to miss this world-class sporting event at the Marina Green where they can see the swim start and end, the athlete transition areas and the finish line.  8 a.m. race starts, Marina Green, St. Francis Yacht Club.  Information: www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com.

June 12-28

Theater:  Strange Travel Suggestions

Due to overwhelming demand, The Marsh is delighted to announce that Jeff Greenwald’s Strange Travel Suggestions will be returning for three weeks of additional performances.  They play is a series of improvised monologues inspired by the vagaries of wanderlust. Audience members step onto the stage and spin a huge, colorful Wheel of Fortune. Greenwald never knows which tales he is going to tell — and the audience embarks on this expedition with him, from one spin to the next, as partner and traveling companion. The author of five best-selling travel books, Oakland -ased Greenwald, draws from 30 years of travels for his stories.  Tickets $15 to $35 sliding.  Thursday/Friday 8 p.m.; Saturday 5 p.m., The Marsh 1062 Valencia Street.  Information: 826.5750; www.themarsh.org.

June 13-27

Children:  Fantastic Friday at Crissy Field

Crissy Field is a magical and safe place for toddlers to explore the outdoors with their five senses and to develop a lasting appreciation for living things.  For three Fridays this summer Crissy Field participants will explore the National Park through fun hands-on activities and games designed to engage toddlers with the nature.  $10 per child per day.  10 a.m. to noon, Crissy Field Center, 603 Mason.  Information: 561.7752; www.crissyfield.org.

Theater:  Attack of the Killer B Movies

This trio of deadly B-movies performed as theater—The Blob, The Birds, and The Bad Seed—are brought to life by an intrepid acting ensemble, and  ‘streamlined’ by San Francisco playwright Sean Owens (Best Comic Playwright, SF Weekly).  Equal parts camp and cunning, each of these film classics exudes lurid excess, as well as astute insights on taboos and terrors, balancing the satiric with the sensational, the cliché and the clever.  Tickets $20.  Thursday to Saturday 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday 7 and 9 p.m., Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy Street.  Information:  673.3847; www.theexit.org.

June 14

Open Mike Comedy:  Farley’s

Hosted by Liz Grant, open mike comedy will be at Farley’s every second and fourth Saturdays. Discover new and veteran comics in San Francisco’s hoping comedy scene as they try new material at the only open mike in the City on Saturdays. Newbies warmly welcomed! Sign-ups at 7:15 pm, show 7:30- to 9:30 pm.  Farley’s 1315 18th Street.  Information: 648.1545.

June 15

Live Music: Fathers Day Concert by ‘Presidents Breakfast’

Recently returning from Berlin, Presidents Breakfast performs a musical salute to Dads. And Farley’s annual tradition of honoring dads continues:  bring dad in for a free coffee drink of his choice.  Music starts at 2 p.m., Farley’s 1315 18th Street.  Information: 648.1545.

June 16-19

Film:  Another Hole in the Head Film Festival

SF Indie fest unleashes ghosts, madmen, monsters, and futuristic merriment as part of this alternative film festival.  Tickets:  $10.50.  Roxie Film Center, 3117 16th Street.  Information:  820.3907; www.sfindie.com.

June 19-29

Film:  Frameline32

Frameline, the world’s premier showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema, showcases their 32nd film festival at the Castro Theater, Roxie Film Center and the Victoria Theater.  The festival will feature more than 250 feature and short films representing the most artistically-innovative, thematically-rich and socially-relevant LGBT images and ideas from more than two dozen countries.  Information: www.frameline.org.

June 20

Music:  San Francisco Opera at AT&T Park.

A live simulcast of Donizetti’s opera, Lucia di Lammermoor, will be

transmitted from the War Memorial Opera House to the enormous scoreboard at AT&T Park.  Audience members and fans sitting in the stands and on the field can eat hot dogs, popcorn, and beer while enjoying this completely unique opera-going experience.  Free.  8 p.m.  Information: http://sfopera.com/press/LuciaSimulcast/.

Theater:  R. Buckmintser Fuller

The Z Space Studio presents R. Buckmintser Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe, a theatrical lecture based on the writings of engineer and philosopher. R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983). The play has been performed more than 600 times with successful runs in Seattle and Chicago.  Tickets $74 to $100.  8 p.m., Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center.  Information: 345.7575;

www.fortmason.org.

 

June 21

Kids:  Seeing Poetry With Gary Gach

Join poet and haiku guide Gary Gach for an afternoon exploring the ways you pay attention and respond to the world.  ‘Seeing Poetry With Gary Gach’ is a hands-on workshop where kids tour the Exploratorium as grounds for haikus and other inspiration.  1 to 4 p.m., Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon Street.  Information: 563.7337; www.exploratorim.edu.

June 24

Film:  Global Honking Ground

Southern Exposure presents an evening of short films and videos organized by the ongoing collaborative framework 16Beaer.  16Beaver interprets America as “the contradiction and tragic failure of capitalism right now; ground rent, for everything that concerns housing; ground to the bone, for flexible labor; ground as the earth itself, overheating and poised; ground zero wherever a bomb goes off and people die.”  Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street.  Information: 978.2787.

    

June 26 - July 20

Theater:  Citizen Josh

Ashby theater presents celebrated monologist and public television host Josh Kornbluth’s highly acclaimed take on democracy, Citizen Josh, by Tony Award-winning Berkeley Producer and resident Jonathan Reinis. Inspiration for Citizen Josh came to Kornbluth after the 2004 election; he weaves his web of smart, funny, and moving autobiographical tales into a personal quest to engage the fundamentals of democracy. Post-show talks with local personalities George Lakoff, Mayor Tom Bates, Loni Hancock and San Francisco Chronicle Critic Robert Hurwitt ,among others, will engage the audiences in larger conversations about politics and art in Berkeley.  Tickets $25.  1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley.  Information: 510.841.500 extension 303; www.shotgunplayers.org.

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