potrero view

May 2009

Arts & Entertainment

May 1 – 23

Theater:  Candide

Potrero Hill’s Theatre of Yugen celebrates its 30th anniversary with a modern Kyogen-style adaptation of Voltaire’s Candide, or Optimism. Stylized gesture, social critique, and an endearing archness are trademarks of Kyogen.  Classic Japanese comic tradition sheds a “kinder, gentler” light on Voltaire’s classic European satire. Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays at 9 p.m. Special industry night on May 18. Tickets: Thursdays, pay what you can; $20 to $25 sliding scale Friday and Saturday. NOHspace 2840 Mariposa Street. For more information: www.theatreofyugen.org


May 3

Community:  Garage Sale and Block Party

Check out the bargains at this block-long garage sale, followed by a potluck barbeque at McKinley Park.  10 a.m. to 3 p.m., potluck from 3 to 6 p.m.  San Bruno Avenue, between 18th and 20th streets.


Community: Potrero Kid’s Day

Enjoy Carnival of Chaos perform, create a scrapbook, trade CDs, DVDs, games, and mingle with neighborhood families. 1 to 3pm, Live Oak School, 1555 Mariposa Street, at Arkansas.


Family:  First Five See Me Festival

Along with more than 40 local organizations, First 5 San Francisco will offer parents valuable resources on child care, special needs, accessing free and low-cost benefits and more.  Young children can receive health and oral screenings provided by the University of California, San Francisco, and participate in educational activities about nutrition, asthma and physical exercise.  11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  Civic Center Plaza, between McAllister and Grove streets.


Theater:  When Dreams are Interrupted – Stories of Japanese Internment

In her latest work with Purple Moon Dance Project, founder and artistic director Jill Togawa, in collaboration with fellow Bay Area artists, conjures up “interrupted dreams˛” stories and memories of Japanese-Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in camps during World War II.  This work-in-progress preview invites the viewer to witness the profound imprint of the mass evacuation of Japanese-Americans during the war, and the resulting rupture of a community.  2 p.m. Tickets: $15 suggested donation; sliding scale. YWCA Japantown, 1830 Sutter Street, between Webster and Buchanan streets. For more information:  552.1105; www.purplemoondance.org.

 

May 7

Community:   Downtown High School

Join Mark L. Alvarado, Downtown High School’s principal, for coffee and a

chat about issues impacting the neighborhood.  10 a.m. Downtown High’s Faculty Lounge, 693 Vermont Street.

     

May 10

Family: Treat Mom to Good Coffee!

On Mother’s Day bring mom to Farley’s for a free coffee drink of her choice. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street. For more information: www.farleyscoffee.com.


Family: Mother’s Day Brunch

Axis Community Project invites you to join us on Mothers Day for an exciting brunch everyone will love. In addition to the menu and family friendly atmosphere, we’re providing a family fun photo booth, a “Made for Mom” craft area for kids, and every mom will be presented with a unique gift. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Axis Café, 1201 8th Street, between 16th and Irwin streets. For more information: 437.2947 or www.axis-cafe.com.


May 12

Lecture:  Ask a Scientist

To those who grew up watching Popeye and The Flintstones, animation seemed like a pretty simple concept. You could even make your own respectable frame-by-frame cartoon with nothing but a notepad and pencil. These days animation is a whole different game. Join speakers from DreamWorks to learn how the art and science of computer generated animation has evolved from a single pixel on a screen to fully rendered scenes that can be hard to distinguish from live action. 7 p.m.  Free.  Axis Café, 1201 8th Street, between 16th and Irwin streets. For more information:  437.2947; www.askascientistSF.com.

   

May 16

Community: Fourth Annual Grattan Family Fun Fest

Come support Grattan Elementary School at this fun-filled event for the whole family, featuring food, live music, street theatre, games, prizes for the children and a silent auction for the adults.  And check-out the wine cellar raffle!   11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Grattan Elementary, 165 Grattan Street, near Parnassus and Shrader streets. For more information: www.grattanschool.org; 750.2815.


Community:  Life is Good Festival

Life is Good is on a mission to spread much-needed good vibes nationwide.  The fun and fundraising begins at the Life is Good Festival, a family-friendly outdoor celebration featuring live music from ALO, Martin Sexton, and The Sippy Cups, classic backyard food, and a colorful mix of good-time games and activities for all ages, from seed spitting and soccer kicks to tug-o’-wars and football flings. A high-energy fundraising 3K walk in the park will be featured.  Funds raised at the Festival will enable Project Joy to help heal and strengthen the Bay Area’s poorest, most vulnerable preschoolers.  11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Golden Gate Park’s Speedway Meadow. For more information: www.lifeisgood.com.

 

May 19

Storytelling:  Farley’s Cafe

Join host Susan Ford for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and spoken word featuring Bill Alvarado, Kate Frankel, Marie Minder, Leigh Radtke, and Ron Jones. Open mic to follow. 7 p.m. Farley’s, 1315 18th Street. For more information: www.farleyscoffee.com.


June 5

Music:  Opera in the Ballpark

Puccini’s Tosca, starring Canadian soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, will be transmitted live 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 eat hot dogs, popcorn, and beer while enjoying this completely unique opera-going experience.  8 p.m. Free.  AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza. Register online to assure a seat: www.sfopera.com.

 

June 7 – August 30

Kids:  Hula Classes with Na Lei Hulu

Na Lei Hulu is thrilled to announce its first-ever keiki (children’s) hula classes. The classes are for beginners, but children with hula experience are welcome. Classes consist of a 12-week session that begins on June 7 and runs through August 30 (no class on July 5). Space is limited; please pre-register! Class times: 10 to 10:50 a.m., ages five to seven; 11 to 11:50 a.m., ages eight to 12.  $150 for the 12-week session. Daniel Webster Elementary School Auditorium, 465 Missouri Street, between 19th and 20th streets. To register email Aunty Bobbie Mendes, auntybobbie@naleihulu.org. For more information: www.naleihulu.org or email Makani Santos at mail@naleihulu.org.


June 20 & 27

Music: Open Auditions for Girls’ & Boys’ Chorus

Always wanted to sing? Boys ages five to 12 and girls ages seven to 12 can audition for the award-winning San Francisco Boys Chorus or San Francisco Girls Chorus School. Auditions for boys will be held on June 20, by appointment only in San Francisco, San Rafael and Oakland.  Auditions for girls will be held on June 20 and 27, by appointment only in San Francisco for both San Francisco and East Bay programs. Both organizations, which were featured President Barack Obama’s inauguration, are dedicated to the advancement of young people through the study of excellence in choral music, which builds self-confidence, teamwork, self-discipline, and fosters an appreciation of music and culture. To make an appointment for boys: http://www.sfbc.org/auditions/index.html; 861.7464 x319, or email auditions@sfbc.org. For girls:  863.1752, x333 or email auditions@sfgirlschorus.org.

 

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