August 2008

Arts and Entertainment

 

Through August 7

Film:    The Exiles

Kent Mackenzie’s film presents a day in the life of a group of Native American 20-somethings who left a reservation for downtown Los Angeles in the 1950s. Personal and painfully accurate, most of the plot reflects real-life stories the actors told Mackenzie.  Only now, 47 years after premiering at the Venice Film Festival, has the film found commercial distribution. $9.50 adults; $7 children and seniors. Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street. Information: 621.6120; www.thecastrotheatre.com.


August 2

Art:    Sembazuru, Temple of Community

Help raise money for the Temple of Community, a 30-foot tall origami crane constructed from wood, to be installed in the Black Rock Desert at Burning Man 2008. A silent auction will supplement performances from The Blood Vessel and Draya Monster and Crew, among others. $10 to $25, sliding scale. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Il Pirata, 2007 16th Street. Information: templeofcommunity.com/hp_wordpress.

Politics:  Assemblyman Mark Leno Discusses Health Care

Participate in a discussion about health care and state Senate Bill 840, which would create one plan and public trust fund to pay for Californians’ health care bills, with projected savings of $8 billion dollars in its first year of enactment. 3 p.m., Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission Street.


Through August 23

Film:    Exploratorium

Enjoy a varied selection of films as part of the Innovative Film Series. Highlights include the Academy Award winning animated short, The Moon and the Son (2005), an autobiographical tale of the filmmakers troubled relationship with his father; and The Explainers (2008), a documentary following the Exploratorium’s Explainer youth program. Ticket included in price of Exploratorium admission, 2 p.m., McBean Theater, 3601 Lyon Street. Information: 561.0363; www.exploratorium.edu.

 

August 3

Nature:  Honeybee Ballet Planting

Help choreograph the Honeybee Ballet with a public planting of marigolds at Alemany Farm. Join visual artist Jonathon Keats and farm volunteers to learn how bees communicate the location of pollen-rich flowers through their dance. Free, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Alemany Farm, 700 Alemany Blvd. Information: 568.1296; www.alemanyfarm.org.

Music:     Jerry Day

The sixth annual Jerry Day celebrates the birthday of South San Francisco native and Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia. Grateful Dead tribute performer and friend of Garcia, Melvin Seals will perform with a host of other artists. Don’t forget to wear your tie-dye! Free, Noon to 6 p.m., The Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, Mclaren Park. Information: www.jerryday.org.

 

August 4

Community:    University of California, San Francisco Mission Bay Hospital Landscaping Meeting

Plans for the hospital’s exterior design will be reviewed. 6 p.m., UCSF Mission Bay Campus, Genentech Hall, Room N-114. Information: 476.8318; www.community.ucsf.edu.

 

August 4 to 7

Computers:    LinuxWorld Conference and Expo

Learn everything you need to know about Linux, the open source challenger to Microsoft’s Windows, and the open source industry in general during this four-day event that features more than 100 educational sessions.  $50 to $1,995. Moscone Center North, 800 Howard Street. Information: 800.657.1474; www.linuxworldexpo.com.

 

August 8 to 14

Film: To the Limit

Academy Award winning filmmaker Pepe Danquart takes us on a journey into Yosemite National Park with mountain climbing brothers Thomas and Alexander Huber. The thrill-seeking duo take mountain climbing to a new level when they attempt to break the record in speed climbing at El Capitan’s 1,000 foot vertical nose. Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street. Information: 863.1087; www.roxie.com.

 

August 14 and 26

Education: Paying for College

Beacon College Funding Solutions, Inc. provides a free seminar on how to pay for colleges, including a presentation on how colleges evaluate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and how the Expected Family Contribution is calculated.  Free, reservations required, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fort Mason Center, Landmark Building C. Information: 550.8040; www.beaconcollegefunding.com.

 

August 15 to November 26

Art: Banned and Recovered: Artists Respond to Censorship

Fifty visual artists present their work reflecting their response to books that have been suppressed in the past.  Opening reception August 15th, 6 to 8 p.m. The San Francisco Center for the Book, 300 De Haro Street.  Information: 565.0545; www.sfcb.org.

 

August 15 to 17

Craft: American Craft Council Show

The American Craft Council celebrates their 33rd annual show in San Francisco by showcasing 250 artists from across the nation. New additions include Green Craft, a collection of artists using recycled and eco-friendly materials and techniques, and AltCraft, a loft space featuring work from 10 artists that specialize in the creative repurposing of materials.  $12; $18 two-day pass; children under 12 free; save $2 when you buy online, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fort Mason Center, Herbst and Festival Pavilions. Information: 212.274.0630; www.craftcouncil.org/sf.

Family: The Physics of Toys: Engineering in Motion

Explore the engineering process by designing and building your own paddleboat, film can racers and hovercraft. All materials are provided, and you get to take home what you make. Ticket included in the price of Exploratorium admission, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon Street. Information: 561.0363; www.exploratorium.edu.

Blogging: WordCamp

The annual WordCamp gathering of Wordpress developers and bloggers returns to San Francisco. Learn how blogging software is developing, meet other local bloggers and be part of the blogging revolution.  UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center, 1675 Owens Street. Information: 2008.wordcamp.org.

 

August 16 to 17

Family: Golden Gate Renaissance Festival

For two days in August Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park will be transformed into Elizabethan England. This year’s theme will be Shakespeare’s Muse, and in tribute the meadow will be filled with characters and performances from his plays. Joining them will be more than 900 costumed entertainers, 100 shopkeepers and the Knights of Avalon, a full contact jousting troupe.  $18 adult; $13 seniors, military and teens; $8 children 6 to 12; children under 6 free, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park. Information: www.sffaire.com.

 

August 21

Environment: Turning Green Into Gold

Hear John Chiang, California State Controller, Bob Balgenorth, President of State Building and Construction Trades Council, Jack Ehnes, CEO of CalSTRS, and Jerome Ringo, President of Apollo Alliance, discuss green jobs and sustainable economic growth at this first annual breakfast. All proceeds go to the labor advocacy nonprofit, Instituto Laboral De La Raza. $200; $1,500 for 10 seats, 8 to 10 a.m., Delancey Street Town Hall, 600 Embacadero Avenue. Information: 431.7522; www.ilaboral.org/breakfast2008/index.html.

 

August 24

Books:  Potrero Hill Book Swap

Are your CDs, books, and DVDs gathering dust? Refresh your media

collection while supporting the Potrero Hill Library Campaign.  A $10

donation enables you to swap your old books and media for others! Thinker’s Café, 20th and Connecticut streets, 2 to 6 p.m. Information:  626.7512, extension; 106; tina.tom@friendssfpl.org.

 

August 29 to September 4

Film: West Side Story

The sound will be clearer and the dance steps will be cleaner on the new 70 mm print of the musical classic, West Side Story. Sing-a-long to your favorite tunes and dance in the aisles as you revisit the war between the Jets and the Sharks. Tickets $9.50 adults; $7 children and seniors. Castro Theater, 429 Castro Street. Information: 621.6120; www.thecastrotheatre.com.
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