April showers bring cherry blossom flowers. 🌸
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival returns this weekend to San Francisco's Japantown. Plus, find out where to watch the (partial) solar eclipse, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival finds a new home at the Palace of Fine Arts, Patti LuPone performs the hits from her Tony Award-winning career, Bay FC brings a new reason to cheer for Bay Area sports, and a spring soiree wraps up the weekend at Nick's Cove.
Have a good one.
Be the buzz you want for SF. When you join our new 7x7 Social Club, you'll score exclusive member access to special pricing and custom events at some of our most beloved Bay Area businesses—think complimentary tickets to Alonzo King Lines Ballet and SF Decorator Showcase; discounts at the Craft Chocolate Experience and de Young Museum; freebies at Abaca, Cassava, and Bar Nonnina; and much more. // Join now at 7x7.com.
Get a glimpse of the solar eclipse! While California isn't in the path of totality, you’ll still be able to catch at least a partial eclipse from different viewing points and parties around the Bay. Head to the Exploratorium for a watch party at Pier 15. You’ll be able to view live telescope images from Texas and Mexico, plus educators will be available to answer all your questions and lead you through fun activities (Monday, 10am to 12:30pm). Across the bridge in Berkeley, you’ll find an eclipse viewing party at Lawrence Hall of Science where they’ll be live-streaming the totality in their theater and have hands-on activities (Monday, 10am to 1pm). For those in the North Bay, join the Mill Valley Library in Hauke Park for learning and crafts (Monday, 10:30am to 11:30am).
Score a free ticket to see Alonzo King Lines Ballet when you join 7x7 Social Club. The company welcomes back acclaimed collaborators composer Jason Moran and contemporary light artist Jim Campbell. On April 11th, choreographer and artistic director King will also take the stage for a rare Q&A; Friday, through April 14. // Blue Shield of California Theater, 700 Howard St. (SoMa); Social Club tickets are limited so act quickly; general admission tickets at linesballet.org.
Celebrate women and heritage at SF Ballet's historic and oh-so-stylish double-billing, Dos Mujeres. Starring Carmen in act one and Frida Kahlo in the second, the performance is bright, bold, and unforgettable; through Sunday. Get 20% off tickets when you join 7x7 Social Club! // War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center), sfballet.org.
Sip something sweet and nostalgic with the return of Causwells' Girl Scout Cookie cocktail menu. Running the entire month of April, Causwells will donate $1 for every drink ordered off of the limited-time menu to the Girl Scout Opportunity Fund, which helps local low-income families. From Tagalongs to Samoas, you’ll find all your fav cookies in complementary drink form; from 11am Tuesday through Friday, and beginning at 10am Saturday and Sunday. // Causwells, 2346 Chestnut St. (Marina); reservations at causwells.com
The 27th San Francisco Silent Film Festival—one of the world’s preeminent events dedicated to showcasing and preserving pre-sound era movies—returns this week at a new location. This year, 22 silent films will be screened and accompanied by live music at the historic Palace of Fine Arts; Wednesday through Sunday. // Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St. (Marina); schedule and tickets at silentfilm.org
Experience The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring like never before as the SF symphony performs the film score live; Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org
Bid on more than 1,400 pieces of art at Southern Exposure's 50th anniversary auction and celebration. Bonhams auctioneer Aaron Bastian will lead both the silent and live auction with pieces by new and established Bay Area artists. Local performers will keep you entertained; Saturday at 6pm. // Southern Exposure, 3030 20th St. (Mission); tickets at soex.org
See the blooms at the largest Cherry Blossom Festival on the West Coast. The annual springtime celebration will also feature traditional drumming and dance performances, a slew of delicious eats, and plenty of gorg photo ops over two weekends; 11am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday. // Japantown Peace Plaza (Japantown); details at sfcherryblossom.org
Honor labor activists and United Farm Workers cofounders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the annual parade and festival in their honor through SF’s Mission District. Expect an afternoon filled with food, entertainment, and lots of union and Hispanic pride; Saturday, 11am to 6pm. // Parade starts at Dolores Park and the festival is on 24th St. between Folsom and Bryant (Mission); details at cesarchavezday.org
Got plans on April 13th? Cancel them. Hopocalypse Black Label is making its return alongside a lineup of local craft beer legends that'll make your taste buds think they've ascended to a higher plane. Dive into a world of silent disco, neon face painting, and VR experiences that'll make you question reality. If we're going down, we're going down swinging. And drinking. Mostly drinking; 5pm to 10pm Saturday. // Drakes Brewing Company, 1933 Davis St. #177 (San Leandro); get tickets at eventbrite.com.
Thank you to our partners at Drakes Brewing Co.
Taste the best of Napa Valley at the third annual Calistoga Wine & Culinary Experience. The Four Seasons Napa Valley will host 30 wineries and nine restaurants including Lovina, Little Saint, and Evangeline. Tickets get you unlimited sips and bites; Saturday, 1pm to 4pm. // Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, 400 Silverado Trail N. (Calistoga); tickets at eventbrite.com
Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will light up the Davies stage with her new, memoir-inspired show that looks back on her extraordinary 50-year career on Broadway; Sunday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org
Thank you to our partners at San Francisco Symphony.
Welcome spring at Plantmania, a free event with gardening and farming demonstrations, kid activities, a honey talk and tasting, garden tours, and more; Sunday, 11am to 2pm. // Cornerstone Sonoma, 23570 Arnold Dr. (Sonoma); details at eventbrite.com
Cheer on the Bay Area’s newest professional sports team, Bay FC. That’s right, games at PayPal Park are officially underway for the National Women’s Soccer League. This weekend, they’ll take on Seattle Reign FC; Sunday at 5pm. // PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Ave. (San Jose); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Grammy Award winning R&B songstress Ledisi is bringing her Good Life tour to Oakland for one night only with equally exciting opening act, Raheem DeVaughn; Sunday at 7:30pm. // Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Come together at Nick’s Cove for an artist and residence closing celebration and spring soiree. Mingle with the artists and admire what they created during their stays at Nicks Cove, with some works available for purchase. There will also be live music, live art, and food and drink from local producers including Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Ashes and Diamonds wine, and more; Sunday, 4pm to 7pm. // Nick’s Cove, 23240 California 1 (Marshall); tickets at eventbrite.com
