Presented in a gorgeous 100 year-old European “Spiegeltent”, Teatro Zinzanni is the ultimate dinner + theatre, San Francisco style. Immediately upon entering the glamorous tent, audiences experience a surreal and zany “ZinZanni” world with costumed staff and performers wandering amongst the audience. The magic continues throughout the evening which features a gourmet 5-course dinner created by Chef Patrick Fassino of Restaurant TZ, an arm of Taste Catering.
Running through March 6, 2011, License to Kiss II, A Sweet Conspiracy combines film noir glamour, super-secret espionage, and comic hijinks – all in “service” of the search for the perfect dessert. Nothing but the best will do and Teatro ZinZanni is pleased to announce that tonight’s “perfect dessert” – a milk chocolate parfait with bittersweet chocolate cake and French sour cherry gelee – was created by Yigit Pura, Executive Pastry Chef at Taste Catering & Event Planning and the winner of the premiere season of BRAVO’S “Top Chef Just Desserts.”
Located at Pier 29 on San Francisco’s Embarcardero. The regular show schedule is Thursday- Saturday at 6pm; Sunday at 5pm. Show schedules can change weekly so check http://love.zinzanni.org for specific details. Tickets range from $117-$145 are available at the on-site Box Office at Pier 29 on the Embarcadero weekdays from 10am-6pm and weekends from 12-6 pm or by phone 415-4383-2668. Premium and preferred seating also available. For more information, go to the website.
Through February 28, 2011, 9:30 am, The Real SF Tour!
Part urban adventure, part urban trek, the Real SF Tour guides you through enchanted gardens, glorious rooftop views, secret stairways, and some of the city’s coolest neighborhoods. You’ll be avoiding large crowds of tourists while experiencing the real culture of SF and learning about its rich and storied history. You’ll traverse the city on Cable Cars, Light Rail, and City Buses. These vehicles are zero emissions or run on biodiesel, making this tour totally green. Muni is GPS equipped so you’ll spend more time exploring the city instead of waiting for those huge crowds to get on and off a tour bus. $50. For more information 1(888)9 SF-TOUR go to therealSFtour.com. Cost is $50.
February 4, 2011, at noon at City Hall
Leung’s White Crane Chinese Lion Dancing, presented by Dancers’ Group and World Arts West in partnership with San Francisco Grants for the Arts and San Francisco City Hall. Performance is free. Leung’s White Crane Chinese Lion Dancing is a long-time San Francisco cultural tradition, most noted for their larger-than-life performances in the annual San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade. For more information, call Kegan Marling, 415-920-9181 or email kegan@dancersgroup.org
February 4-6, 2011, 11am-7pm at Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion
The 15th Annual San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show returns to the historic Fort Mason Center bringing 70 vetted private and international galleries with more than 10,000 museum-quality antique and contemporary pieces from Mainland and Pacific Asia The 2011 San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show will feature an exquisite collection of Japanese Kimonos and Textiles. Opening Night Preview to benefit the Asian Art Museum. Exhibits are suitable for all ages. $15.
Friday & Saturday, February 4 & 5, 11am-7pm
Sunday, February 6, 11am-5pm (no entry after 4:30 p.m.)
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), reminds Muni customers that Phase Two of the California Cable Car Infrastructure Improvement Project will require the closure of the California Cable Car Line for six months from January to July 2011.
Phase Two begins today and replaces aging electronic and mechanical components underneath the cable car trackway to ensure the continued safe operation of the cable car system. Work will also include reconstruction of concrete streets between Mason Street and Kearny Street and street repaving along California Street and work remaining from Phase One.
Construction is scheduled for Monday—Saturday from 9am-5pm, although night and Sunday work may be necessary. Noise and dust will be kept to a minimum.
Local businesses will remain open for business during construction.
Traffic Impacts
• During construction, at least one traffic lane will remain open for traffic
in each direction at all times. Traffic controls will be in place, however,
motorists can expect slow traffic at intersections.
• Street parking will be prohibited in and around construction zones.
Those parking in the area are advised to read and adhere to No-Parking
signage.
Muni Service Impacts
• During the closure of the California Cable Car Line, Muni bus shuttles
will provide substitute service approximately from 6am until midnight.
• San Francisco’s signature cable cars will still be accessible to Muni
customers on the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines. These two cable
car lines will, however, also undergo safety improvements during a
shutdown of approximately four days for each line and one similar
shutdown of both lines in mid to late spring.
• The buses on the 1 California bus route will remain in service.
For more information about the cable car system and transportation alternatives, please visit sfmta.com/cablecar.
Here’s a few of our favorite events celebrating the end of 2010, whew! Have fun!!
We can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than at Slim’s! Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight! The Mo’fessionals wth Limbomaniacs, Butterscotch and Adam Lasher Band. $40/$45. 333 11th Street. 9pm (doors open 8pm).
415-255-0333. www.slims-sf.com.
San Francisco Symphony will supply the music, the masks, and the bubbly—you create the lasting memories! From pre-concert dinners and drinks to a balloon drop and Auld Lang Syne, the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball promises to be a great party, done up as only the San Francisco Symphony can do! Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. For details on special dinner packages, please call 415-864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org.
Not Your Normal New Year’s Eve is a mind-blowing night of stand-up comedy featuring today’s most groundbreaking comedians, a live band, and all topped off with an exciting midnight countdown balloon drop. (Celebrated at 10:00pm, where it’s New Year in Normal, IL). Tickets start at only $25 and are selling quickly. Don’t miss out! Herbst Theatre. 401 Van Ness Avenue. 415-392-4400. www.nynnyn.com
Surprise Me Mr. Davis and Big Light will be performing at Café Du Nord, 2170 Market Street. 9:30 pm. A champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 8:30pm. 415-861-5016.
www.cafedunord.com.
Let’s Disco! Standing on Stardust New Year’s Extravaganza. The party with a Studio 54-themed disco music begins at 9pm. $85. Burritt Room at Hotel Crescent, 417 Stockton Street. 415-400-0500.
15th Annual Comedy Countdown New Year’s Eve 2010: the Sklar Brothers, Charlyne Yi, Nick Thune, Laurie Kilmartin, Shane Mauss, Christina Pazsitzky, Joe Klockek and the Lee Vilensky Trio. $46.50/reserved, $96.50/Gold (1st 2 rows); $55/day of show. Advance tickets available at livenation.com, ticketmaster.com or by calling 415-421-8497.
Happy New Year!
All events listed should be double-checked for performance times and ticket prices by going to the web site shown or calling the phone number listed.
Valencia Street is a must-see for those who prefer to travel off the beaten path. Loaded with art galleries, cafes, co-ops and unique shops, Valencia is fun and full of life. Most of the action is between 16th St. and 24th St. so take the BART to either 16th and Mission or 24th and Mission, and walk a couple of blocks north to Valencia. Parking is difficult, so driving is not recommended.
Arizmendi Panaderia and Pizzeria is located on the corner of 24th and Valencia. The hand-painted banner gives this worker-owned cooperative an urban flair. Inside you’ll find a variety of tantalizing baked goods and daily pizza specials. Find them at 1268 Valencia St. Open weekdays 7am-7pm, Friday until 9pm and on weekends 8am-7pm. Closed Tuesday.
Aquarius Records opened in 1970, and is the oldest independent record store in town. They pack a great variety of music into a small space, and provide entertaining, insightful write-ups on many of the albums. Located at 1055 Valencia. Open Sunday-Wednesday 10am-9pm and Thursday-Saturday 10am-10pm.
If you’re in the mood for a killer cup of coffee or espresso, stop in at Ritual Coffee Roasters. Located at 1026 Valencia, Ritual serves carefully roasted, single-origin espresso. The taste is smooth and sweet, and the baristas draw charming pictures in the foam of your latte. Open Monday-Friday 6am-10pm, Saturday 7am-10pm and Sunday 7am-9pm.
ATA, the Artists Television Access, is a non-profit center for experimental media arts. They have film screenings and events in the evenings. For a schedule, visit the flyer bin on their door at 992 Valencia, visit them on the web at atasite.org or call 415-824-3890.
Slingshot Gallery, at 890 Valencia, is an ephemeral delight. Often, unused spaces on Valencia will open as temporary galleries, and that is precisely what Slingshot has done. Art on a number of themes is displayed in a modified shop space. The counter is generally staffed by the artists, who are happy to answer any questions you have about the work.
826 Valencia, aka The Pirate Store, should not be missed. Located at, you guessed it, 826 Valencia, this store is a magical trip into a foreign land. Explore the many walls of drawers, buy a glass eye, or relax and observe Karl in the fish theater. You can even buy lard by the pound! 826 is kid-friendly, and proceeds from sales benefit the free tutoring and writing center located in the back room. Open 12 noon-6pm daily.
If you’d like to kick back after a long day of sightseeing, why not catch an independent movie at the Roxie Theater? The films in rotation include documentaries, foreign films, and the strange and unusual. The Roxie is a charming old theater (it turned 100 last year!) that also hosts special events and parties. Check their schedule online at roxie.com, call then at 415-863-1087, or visit the theater at 3117 16th Street (at Valencia) in San Francisco.
If visiting the City this holiday season here are some upcoming lighting ceremonies not to be missed! And a few other illuminations to experience as well.
NOVEMBER 26
Ghirardelli Square Tree
Lighting Ceremony
Ghirardelli’s magical square comes alive with colorful performers, music, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a 50-foot Christmas tree lighting up the night. Ghirardelli Square, 415-775-5500. ghirardellisq.com.
NOVEMBER 26
Macy’s Union Square
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Macy’s Union Square hosts its annual the “Day After Thanksgiving” holiday season kick-off with all-day festivities beginning at noon. Katharine McPhee sings from her new album, “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You”, SF Giants World Series Champion Barry Zito will visit, The Glide Ensemble, SF Boys’ Chorus, UC Berkeley Men’s Octet and cast members from Shrek the Musical will perform! The Square will feature artisans displaying their holiday crafts as well vendors selling their San Francisco souvenirs. The day culminates with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony in the evening. Union Square (at Geary & Powell Streets). For more information, click here.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 5pm-8pm
8th Annual San Francisco
Parol Lantern Festival & Parade
This year is the 8th Annual San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival – a must-see event during the holiday season.
The festival begins with a series of parol lantern-making workshops held at the Bayanihan Community Center and are still going on. Parol workshops are open to the public. The parols made during these workshops are then displayed during our anticipated parade & festival held in Yerba Buena Lane, Jessie Square and St. Patrick’s Church.
PAROL-MAKING WORKSHOPS
Friday, December 3, 2010, 5pm-8:30pm
Bayanihan Community Center, 1010 Mission St.
Saturday, December 4, 2010, 11am – 5pm
Parol-Making Workshop at the Exploratorium (includes a free entrance to the Museum)
Sunday, December 5, 2010, 11am-5pm
Parol-Making Workshop at the Asian Art Museum (free general admission to Museum that day)
For more information visit bayanihancc.org/parol2010
EMBARCEDERO CENTER BUILDINGS
The Embarcadero Center’s dramatic office towers illuminates the San Francisco skyline with 17,000 lights throughout the season. embarcaderocenter.com.
PIER 39 TREE LIGHTING
A multi-cultural celebration, Holiday Harmony features Bay Area groups performing seasonal favorites from around the world. Pier 39’s majestic tree, adorned with 400 glistening ornaments and 2,000 twinkling light. \Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf. 415-705-5500. pier39.com.
If you missed getting into the hottest show in town, here’s the best spots where both visitors and locals can view, cheer and celebrate the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. Oh, and the Texas Rangers are playing too.
Thanks to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau who compiled the list.
Americano Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Vitale
Games played on a large 50” television in Americano Bar.
8 Mission St.
415-278-3777
11:30am-midnight
Aurea at The Stanford Court Renaissance San Francisco Hotel
Aurea will play the games on five flat-screen televisions. As part of this “rally cap” promotion, guests will receive 50 percent off on all small plates and bar
905 California Street
415-989-3500
Hours: For the duration of the games (Wed.: 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Thurs.: 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Sat.: 3:30-6:30 p.m.; Sun.: 5-8 p.m.; Mon.: 4:30-7:30 p.m.; Wed.: 7:30-10:30 p.m.; Thurs., 7:30-10:30 p.m.).
Bar 888 at the InterContinental San Francisco
Bar 888 is featuring a special Giants cocktails called the Ultimate Pitch with Hangar One Mandarin Vodka, Andrew Quady Sweet Muscat, Cinzano Bianco, fresh squeezed orange and lime juice and Angostura bitters for $12.
888 Howard Street
Sun-Th, 11am–midnight; Fri & Sat 11am-1:00am
The Grille at Seven Fifty
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Surrounded by five flat screens, specials during the games include: Anchor Steam Draft Beer $3.50, Lobster Sliders $14, Kobe Beef Slider $12, Pulled Pork Sliders $9, and Slider Sampler $14.
750 Kearny St.
415-765-7878
Fog Harbor Fish House
Pier 39
415-421-2442
Happy hour: Mon- Fri 3pm-6pm in the bar.
4th St Bar & Grill
Watch the Giants on one of 22 televisions and enjoy nightly happy hour specials 4pm-6pm.
55 4th St.
415-442-6734
Tues; 1pm-11pm; Wed & Thurs; 4pm-11pm
Jillian’s
View the games from a 50-foot video wall.
101 Fourth St.
415-369-6101
Kyo-ya Restaurant
A sushi platter and sake for $25 while cheering on the home team.
2 New Montgomery St. in the Palace Hotel
415-546-5089
Maya
Go Giants margarita with Herradura Antiguo and pomegranate for $9 glass/$34 pitcher; $5 margaritas/mojitos/house wines and well drinks, $3 draft beers and $2 tacos.
303 Second St.
415-543-2928
Mon-Sun; 4:30pm-close
Knuckles at the Wharf
“Bearded Wilson” cocktail for $5 and “Uribe Homer” cocktail for $6.
555 North Point Street
415-202-3612
6:30am–11:30pm
McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant
“Special Giants Happy Hour” includes the Happy Hour Menu: $5 drink specials, $3 beer specials, $1.95 to $4.95 food items. Game 1 (Wed. Oct. 27) Happy Hour 3pm-7pm; Game 2 (Thurs., Oct. 28) Happy Hour from 3 pm-7pm
Ghirardelli Square
900 Northpoint St., Suite H301
415-929-8374
Midi Bar & Restaurant
Happy Hour prices during all games, including $5 specialty drinks and wine and $3 beers.
185 Sutter St.
415-835-6400
11am-midnight.
Passion Cafe
For every Giants game, $3 beer all day and $5 Croque Monsieur sandwiches, while watching the games on two large HDTV screens.
28 Sixth Street
415-437-9370
Pied Piper Bar & Grill
The Pied Piper has added more televisions for viewing in the lounge. Giants special: Kobe beef burger and a beer for $25.
2 New Montgomery Street in the Palace Hotel
415-546-5089
Pier Market
Pier 39
Happy hour Monday through Friday 3-6 p.m. in the bar.
415-989-7437
Royal Exchange
Guests can root for the Giants (on one of their 17 big-screen TVs) while enjoying Deschutes brewery Mirror pond pale ale and black butte porter for $4; beef and chicken nachos, sliders and buffalo hot wings for $5.
301 Sacramento St.
415-956-1710
ThirstyBear Brewing Company
During each game of the World Series, a burger or sausage, fries and a 20oz. beer for only $10 or a hand-crafted 20oz beer for $6.
661 Howard St.
415-974-0905
Wipeout Bar & Grill
Pier 39
Watch the Giants games on our giant projection screen TV.
415-986-5966
The Winchester Mystery House®, the sprawling Victorian mansion in San Jose, California, built by the heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, is a popular attraction for curious tourists and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Sarah Winchester, grieved by the deaths caused by the Winchester rifle, consulted a medium in the late 1800s who reportedly told her that she should build the mansion for herself and the souls of those killed by the Winchester. Legend also claims that the medium told Sarah Winchester that construction on the mansion must continue around the clock to keep the spirits happy, and that if construction ceased, Sarah would die. Construction on the Winchester Mystery House began in 1884 and ended upon the death of Sarah Winchester in 1922.
Jump to October 2010 and ABC News has made a list to help America find out what place is truly the spookiest. They have listed a forest, a ship, a dormitory, a hotel, and a few mansions/houses. All of these places are rumored to give a person quite a fright, but the Winchester Mystery House is one of the only places that has no gimmicks. At many of the places listed you will be scared by some very terrifying creatures, however they are all mere mortals in costume. At the Winchester Mystery House it is the reality of why Mrs. Winchester built this 160 room maze that is truly frightening- and what that means for those who trespass in her house today. And you can help Winchester Mystery House make it to the top of the list! Click here to vote!
Only Four More Nights of Flashlight Tours in 2010
Special 65 minute Flashlight Tours of the Winchester Mansion are given every Friday the 13th and around Halloween. You’ll tour the rambling, mysterious mansion at night with only the moonlight, a souvenir flashlight, and your imagination to provide illumination through the bewildering maze of rooms and stairways. But watch your back, Sarah could be waiting around any turn.
October 23, October 29, October 30; 6:30pm-11:30pm. Sunday, October 31; 6:30pm-11:30pm. $45. Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose. 408-247-2101. winchestermysteryhouse.com.
TIP: Order tickets online and early as this event will sell out!
This month, the Academy brings you three SuperNatural events that celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year. Come for one or for all!
Masquerade
Friday, October 22
Benefactor pre-party 5 – 7 pm, main event 7 – 9 pm
Don your costume and enjoy light snacks and drinks while trick-or-treating your way through the Academy at night, among “spook-tacular” animals, creepy specimens, and hands-on family activities.
NightLife
Thursday, October 28 from 6 – 11 pm
Dance, drink, and mingle at the Academy’s weekly after-hours event for adults 21+. We’re extending the party by an extra hour! Enter our costume contest for a chance to win prizes.
Festival
Saturday – Sunday, October 30 – 31, normal daytime hours
Join a costume parade, touch tarantulas and snakes, and enjoy Velocity Circus performances, music by 102.1 KDFC, games by Radio Disney, magicians, and more! Come in costume and get a free trick-or-treat bag, while supplies last.