Summer is here, or will officially arrive in a few weeks, and the festivals prove that it’s time to wander outside, sip a beverage and purchase local art. Then there is the theatre – so many great performances at our favorite venues – The Magic Theatre presents a reading series extravaganza and a world premiere. San Jose Stage brings a smash hit comedy and more. The SF Jazz festival hits the stages, the Union Street Festival arrives, and the Black Film Festival entertains. New walks can be found on the cross-town trail, Grace Cathedral celebrates light and its Pride month too. So much to do, so little summer – get out and enjoy!

Now-June 23. Garuda’s Wing at Magic Theater

The Magic theatre is known for presenting world premieres and this month the show is “Garuda’s Wing”. This is a complex and crafted ensemble drama about claiming home, family devotion and the loss of lineage through colonialism’s many effects. This is a ghost play fueled by quests and questions of personal journeys and losses, while simultaneously questioning how we devalue and destroy this earth and its ecology. Now through June 23 . Get Tickets.

In addition, Rainbow Zebra Productions presents a 6 month series of new play readings taking place at The Magic Theatre. The readings are free of charge and highlight new works of playwrights that intrigue the producer and director Andrea Gordon. First up is Michael Lynch’s “Crows Landing Gently, Gently” on June 16^th. Lynch has produced over 39 plays and has won three Bay Area Critic’s awards. This morality tale is sure to be intriguing. GET MORE DETAILS.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at San Jose Stage Company

The smash hit comedy goes up this weekend. Based on the 1988 film, we go to the French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity as two con men compete for the heart—and the wallet—of an American heiress. Sophisticated, suave, and delectably mischievous, this hysterical, Tony Award-nominated comedy features a seductively jazzy score by David Yazbek (The Full Monty). A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, toe-tapping, and guessing to the end! www.thestage.org.

Now – June 30. Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration

Sondheim fans rejoice because a world premiere revue is taking the stage at Theatre Works in Mountain view, opens this weekend. A towering giant of musical theatre, Stephen Sondheim chronicled the loves and losses, breakdowns, and breakthroughs of human relationships in a wealth of unforgettable musicals, from Into the Woods and A Little Night Music to Follies, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, Company—and many more.

With brilliant wit, exquisite melodies, and astonishing lyrics, he became TheatreWorks’ most-produced composer of all time. In this revelatory world-premiere revue, his profound understanding of the human heart takes center stage once again. Now through June 30^th. https://theatreworks.org/mainstage/being-alive/

June 15-16. North Beach Festival

We tomatoes may not be donning crop tops and crochet but it is festival season, and no one does them better than the bay area. This is the 70^th anniversary of the North Beach Festival and the 150 local makers, artists and merchants will fill the 10 closed to traffic blocks with the best of North Beach and beyond. There is a newly created Art, Culture and Heritage Zone, live music on three stages and the deliciousness of North Beach restaurants. https://www.northbeachfestival.org/

Now-June 16. SF Jazz Festival

Falling into the festival genre is the SF Jazz Festival. 40 concerts over 12 days now through June 16^th will celebrate 41 years of great jazz performances.

Steve Grove Kicks off Season

Starting June 23 with Tegan and Sara, a Canadian indie pop duo made up of twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin. Recognized globally for their unique harmonies and introspective lyrics, their music delves into themes of love, identity, and personal growth.

June 3oth you can groove with Chicano Batman, an LA-based band, has a highly creative musical imagination. Their prismatic musicality is infused with soulful yet unflinching honesty in their lyrics. Concerts go through August 25^th and tickets are still free but must be acquired online in advance. At 2:00 p.m. 12 days before each event, an online portal will be opened to offer free passes on a first-come, first-served basis.  https://www.sterngrove.org/

Pride Events

SF is proud to take its PRIDE celebrations very seriously. Now through the end of this month, the events are spectacular culminating on the 30^th with Billy Porter, Grammy, Emmy and two-time tony winner, as the Celebrity Grand Marshall and the headliner on the main stage. All month you can celebrate with Pride events throughout the city. A human rights summit on the 27^th and a Pride LGBTQ parade are just a few of the ways to celebrate. https://sfpride.org/

TILT at Grace Cathedral

Try a different angle on music for TILT – an intimate concert in celebration of light, taking place in the marvelous ambiance of Grace Cathedral on the longest day of the year. 2024 marks the centennial of the premiere of George Gershwin’s iconic jazz concerto “Rhapsody in Blue.” In honor of this milestone and TILT’s 5th anniversary, Grace Cathedral presents, A Blue Solstice: Rhapsody in Blue Celebrates 100 Years.

As the sunlight fades from the glittering-stained glass windows, revel in a gorgeous rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue,” then enjoy a “blue”-themed program including classic Gershwin hits, while an aerialist performs on a trapeze in mid-air above the cathedral labyrinth. Then the sunset heads indoors courtesy of Mad Alchemy, a company that has been mesmerizing audiences with its Analog Liquid Light Show since 1971. https://gracecathedral.org/tilt-2024/

Crosstown Trail Walk

One thing tomatoes love is a good walk. And the Crosstown Trail Walk has opened new trails in recognition of their 5^th anniversary. This month guided walks take place to help you discover more of the city. You can walk the full 17 miles or any length you choose at your own pace or at the moderate group pace. Different dates will explore the various walks that comprise the entire trail. June 8^th, meander along the Coastal Trail and Lobos Creek Valley Trail, over to Golden Gate Park and the tiled staircases nearby, and through the Laguna Honda trail network and down Glen Canyon. Friday, June 14 the 10 a.m. to afternoon, Explore the “Top of the Town”, a 5.1 mile hilly walk combining the Glen Park section of the Crosstown Trail with the Twin Peaks and Buena Vista section of the Double Cross Trail.  More walks can be found on the website and the usual suggested donation is only $10. GET THE DETAILS.