Archive for October, 2009
Ok, so Castro Street won’t be hosting any Halloween gatherings this year, but we have some spooky & kid-friendly suggestions for Saturday, October 31st that will be just (almost) as fun:
FAMILY HALLOWEEN DAY AT RANDALL MUSEUMOctober 31st @10am-2pm
199 Museum Way
The museum is transferred into a Halloween gamut of ghoulish games, creepy crafts, tricks and treats, pumpkins and entertainment (including Jackie Jones and her dancing cat). Kids from ages 2-12 must be accompanied by an adult. No admission and activities are low cost. For more information, call 415-554-9600.
HALLOWEEN TREATS October 31st @11am
Macy’s Union Square, 170 O’Farrell Street
Calling all heroes, princesses, ghouls and goblins to Macy’s Coolest Costume Contest, with prizes and surprises in the Kids Department. Kids get a free face painting from the pros, and a free trick-or-treat bag to color and take your show on the road.
GARDENS HALLOWEEN COSTUME WALK
October 31st @ Noon-2pm
Yerba Buena Children’s Garden, 4th & Howard
The ninth annual Halloween Costume Walk featuring interactive performances and games for kids. Hosted by The Unique Derique, and featuring live music by Chelle! & Friends + special guest Jackie Rago, they invite children under ten and their families parade in their Halloween finery.
CREATURES & FEATURES: AN EXPLORATORIUM HALLOWEEN
October 31st @ 3:00pm-8:00pm
Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon Street
Come see eerie attractions ranging from giant insects to the Neverwas Haul, a haunted Victorian house on wheels. Self-propelled and three stories high, the Neverwas Haul takes you to the imaginary worlds of Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and many others. Meet leeches, black cats, tarantulas, giant insects, bats, scorpions and much more. For more information call 415 397-5673.3601.
ALCATRAZ NIGHT TOUR
October 31st, ferry departs @ 4:20 pm
Voted “Best Tour of the Bay Area,†the Alcatraz Night Tour provides a more intimate, engaging Alcatraz experience. This tour includes a personally narrated boat tour around the island; guided tours from the dock to the main prison building; “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour†and a variety of special programs and presentations offered only at night. Enjoy a sunset silhouetting the Golden Gate Bridge and breath-taking views of San Francisco as night falls. A truly exceptional experience.
Healing Arts Building, 1801 Bush Street, $20
On Halloween night, the Ghost Hunt will assemble in the courtyard of Healing Arts Building (across the street from the Queen Anne—where Ghost Tours usually begins). It will be a wildly fun night and it will likely be very crowded. Also, a night’s stay in a haunted hotel in the hauntedest room there, will be given away—FREE! Bring your pajamas if you’re feeling lucky. Plus glow-in-the-dark goodie bags full of sweet ghostly treats and glow-in-the-dark toys will be given to everyone as well.
Because of the expected large crowd, there will be set number of goodie bags. When those goodie bags are gone, no more living people will be admitted on the Ghost Hunt Halloween night. The distribution is randomized so arriving early won’t be much help. Reservations are not required and advance tickets are not available. Costumes aren’t required either, almost everyone will be in street clothes. So dress warmly for this chilling supernatural adventure!
SAN FRANCISCO VAMPIRE TOUR
October 31st @ 8:00 PM
Mina Hawker (aka kitty Nasarow) will take you on a two-hour Vampire Tour departing from the corner of California and Taylor street. Be with the spirit (and come in costume) for stops at Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park, the Pacific-Union Club and the Fairmont and Mark Hopkins Hotels. This is a fun, light hearated tour for the Undead or prospective undead with a sense of humor. For more information , call 650 279-1840 or 866-4-BITTEN (424-8836).
BOO!
This year marks the 400th anniversary of when Galileo Galilei, the Italian astronomer, trained his crude telescope on the sky and saw four moons revolving around the planet Jupiter. His discovery provided proof that the Earth revolves around the sun, not the other way around as was common belief at that time. This weekend Bay Area astronomers and stargazers celebrate with public star parties, outdoor lectures, and other events. In the Bay Area, clear skies are forecast for the Bay Area this weekend. Public events begin tonight, October 23, when the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department holds a special free evening. Other planned events include:
* At UC Berkeley’ s Campbell Hall on the east side of campus, graduate students will demonstrate how to assemble “Galileoscope” kits that will be on sale for $10. Visitors can set up their own telescopes outside the building to stargaze. 7-8:30pm
* At Foothill College Observatory, the observatory’s 16-inch telescope will be open to the public, and visitors can set up their own telescopes for viewing. 8-11pm.
* San Francisco Amateur Astronomers will hold two events, one at San Francisco’s Lands End – also known as Point Lobos – and the other on Mount Tamalpais, both at 6:20pm Saturday. Amateur astronomers can set up their telescopes so visitors can peer at the sky and focus on Jupiter. The Mount Tamalpais event will begin with a free public lecture in the Mountain Theater, followed by viewing through a cluster of telescopes in the park’s Rock Springs parking area.
* San Francisco’s Sidewalk Astronomers will set up telescopes so anyone passing by can take a look at Jupiter. Tonight at 24th Avenue and Irving Street starting at 6:15pm; and Saturday at Ninth Avenue and Irving Street starting at 6:15pm.
* Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland will be open this weekend at regular admission prices, and viewing through the center’s three powerful telescopes will be free tonight and Saturday from 7:30-10:30pm.
What’s your Halloween tradition? Looking for things that go bump in the night, getting lost in a maze of maize, or celebrating the night in scary style? It’s the season of fun and whether you’re looking for kid friendly or grown up approved, we can certainly point you in the right direction for events near you in Wine Country!
NAPA VALLEY
October 31 — Downtown Calistoga Halloween Parade
This year the Lion’s Club is putting on the Downtown Calistoga Halloween Parade! It will start by Pacifico’s on Lincoln Avenue. After the parade there will be a costume contest for the children at the fairgrounds.
Location: Downtown Calistoga
Fee: Free; Time: 6pm; Phone: 707-942-9384
SONOMA
October 27-November 1–Dr. Hooper’s House of Horror
The best haunted house in Sonoma County takes place in the former Hunter’s Steakhouse restaurant north of town. Opening at dusk, visitors walk through rooms full of scary creatures and noises designed to make your hair stand on end. There is also a ride that simulates being in a coffin.
Location: 3785 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa
Fee: $6; Time: 6-10pm; Phone: 707-239-5272
October 24–Canine Costume Contest
Kids in costume are cute, but dogs in costume, so cute! Winners of the contest will take home doggy bags full of treats and prizes.
Location: 2200 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
Fee: Free; Time: 3pm; Phone: 707-778-9300
October 24–Fall Harvest Festival
Celebrate the fall harvest at this annual event featuring food booths, autumn-inspired arts and crafts, scarecrow building and pie-eating contests; plus tractor rides and a pumpkin patch.
Location: 19990 East Seventh Street, Sonoma
Fee: Free; Time: 11am-5pm; Phone: 707-815-4871
October 30–Halloween Spooktacular Concert
This spook-themed concert will feature Sonoma State University’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble playing J. S. Bach’s Fantasia in G Major and the hauntingly beautiful “Allerseelen” by Richard Strauss. Also on the program: Daniel Bukvich’s “Voodoo” and selections from the Harry Potter film scores. Costumes encouraged.
Location: 1801 E. Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
Fee: $8-$12; Time: 7:30pm
October 31 — Petaluma Downtown Trick or Treat Trail
Parents, be sure to gather your little ghosts & goblins, and join the participating downtown merchants for the annual “Trick or Treat Trail” (follow the orange & black balloons) Merchants will be handing out candy to costumed children. Call for more information.
Location: Downtown Petaluma
Fee: Free; Time: 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Phone: 707-762-9348
SANTA CRUZ
October 23-24 — Halloween Ghost Train
Ride the train through a redwood forest as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated. Designed for children and young-at-heart, this event is a light and lively adaptation of the famous tale. Reservations required. This is a family and children’s Halloween event. Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
Fee: $27 per ticket; Time: 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. Phone: (831) 335.4484
October 30 — Halloween Party at Vino Tabi Winery
Come if you dare on our Spooky Friday night celebration! Live music, wine raffle, Best Costume award and great fun!Location: Vino Tabi Winery, 334 Ingalls Street, Santa Cruz
Fee: Free; Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Phone: (408) 813.8384
MONTEREY
October 31 — 6th Annual Pumpkin Pandemonium & Community Trick-or-Treat
This celebration combines family, friends and the community trick-or-treating in a safe environment. Farmer Mike, a true “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers,” will reveal the 3-dimensional face “hidden” in the side of a magnificent Heavy Weight Champion Pumpkin weighing over 700 pounds. Costumed children are invited to have their photo taken with the Giant Pumpkin, and parents should be sure to bring their cameras.
Location: Del Monte Center, 1410 Del Monte Center, Monterey
Fee: Free; Time: 1-6pm; Phone: 831-373-2705
For Halloween, Kryolan will open up their San Francisco showroom to offer professional make-up applications for any costumes’ need. On Halloween between 10am – 4pm, customers can get their make-up professionally done for $25 / session (30 minute sessions and basic makeup included).
Saturday, October 31st
10am – 4pm
Kryolan Showroom
132 Ninth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-863-9684
Kryolan is the world’s oldest and largest professional make-up company making it the go-to brand in costume make-up as well as cosmetics make-up. Most recently, Kryolan was the official cosmetics sponsor for the 2009 Miss Universe pageant and throughout the years have worked with organizations such as the San Francisco Opera, GenArt, the San Francisco Ballet company and many others.
The Annual Art Auction benefiting Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR) will be held on Sunday, November 1. This event is part of Fall Open Studios at the Hunters Point Shipyard, taking place on Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1. Funds raised by the auction will support STAR’s programs, including grants for studio space as part of the 18-month Artist in Residence Program, as well as upcoming projects such as free art workshops in the surrounding Bayview-Hunters Point community. Over 100 artworks are donated by the talented shipyard artists whose collections will be on view during the 2-day event. Come bid on a wide range of works, including painting, printmaking, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, and wearable art. Arrive at 4:30 to enjoy hors d’oeurves, wine from Layer Cake, and live music. New this year is a raffle, offering a chance to take home various gifts, such as cases of wine, art books, tickets to Alcatraz, and gift certificates to local stores.
• SILENT AUCTION: View art and make silent or proxy bids on Saturday, Oct 31 from 11am to 6 pm, and on Sunday, Nov 1 from 11 am – 4:00 pm.
• LIVE AUCTION: Sunday, Nov 1 at 5:00 pm. Bid Numbers require a $10 donation.
• LOCATION: Hunters Point Shipyard, Building 101, 2nd floor, in “Gallery 101â€
• OPEN STUDIOS is a free event with free parking. Visit the studios of over 150 artists.
• RAFFLE DRAWINGS throughout the weekend for non-art items.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact STAR at 415-822-0922 or online at www.shipyardtrust.org
ABOUT SHIPYARD TRUST FOR THE ARTS:
STAR is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and expanding affordable studios and workspaces at Hunters Point Shipyard, supporting the arts and arts education in the nearby community. Founded in 1995, it grew out of artist involvement in San Francisco’s redevelopment planning process. STAR serves the nation’s largest artist community and the surrounding Bayview-Hunters Point community through a variety of arts activities.
It must be fall if the Blue Angels have returned—Fleet Week is here! Starting Thursday, October 8th—Sunday, October 13th, San Francisco welcomes the men and women of our armed forces including a weekend of family events featuring the Navy Blue Angels (of course), a Parade of Navy ships and other exciting demonstrations.
“One of the purposes of our annual Fleet Week celebration is to remind us of this history and to keep the role of the Navy in the forefront of our consciousness. Of course the story of the Navy, like the story of San Francisco, is the chronicle of individual people, and Fleet Week gives Northern Californians the opportunity to express their gratitude to those individuals currently serving in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.”
Fleet Week activities include:
Thursday: Blue Angels practice from noon-5 p.m.
Friday: Air show practice from 1-3 p.m.; Blue Angels practice from 3-4 p.m.
Saturday: Parade of ships, opening ceremony, 11:30a.m.-12:30 p.m.; air show from 12:30 -3 p.m.; Blue Angels from 3-4 p.m.; “Navy in Space” exhibit at Fort Mason, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: Ship tours from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Piers 27 and 30/32; air show from 12:30-3 p.m.; Blue Angels from 3-4 p.m.; Italian Heritage Day Parade from 12:30-3:30 p.m. from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach; “Navy in Space” exhibit at Fort Mason, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Blue Angels autographs at Pier 39, 7:15-7:45 p.m.; “80s Dance Party” concert at Pier 39, 7:45-10 p.m.
Monday: Ship tours from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
On Halloween, October 31, bring your family to Zeum: San Francisco’s Children’s Museum dressed as Emerald City Citizens (wear all GREEN!) for a special costume contest at 11am in front of the Zeum Carousel. Come in your snazziest, most Oz-some GREEN garb for a chance to win FREE tickets… with a peek at the real Emerald City costumes before the show! The event takes place from 11am-5pm and includes special appearances by Patty Duke and WICKED cast members. Check out the WICKED-infused exhibits and participate in one of our hands-on WICKED family workshops.