Happy April Tomatoes – I hope you didn’t get tricked too badly this week, and no it is not an April Fools, there is a Goatchella. The goats are coming – to the Ferry Plaza, so head on over and feast on some delish goat cheese while you enjoy these feisty creatures. We all have those visitors who descend yearly and we have found some unusual places to take them that you may never have heard of. F.E.A.S.T, an immersive and interactive dining experience is only here for a short time at Onedome. – A rather interesting mixed reality event just for us who call the Bay area home.

April 13. The Goats are Back!

It’s baaack! Join CUESA for the Tenth Annual Goat Festival (formerly known as Goatchella), a celebration of all things goat. Discover the wonders of goats, meet local ranchers and food crafters, sample artisan cheeses, and unleash your inner “kid” at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market to get Goaty. There are goats to pet and arts and crafts, but most important is the goat cheese tasting.

You can pre-order a sampler plate which pairs goat milk cheese with preserves from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. If for some reason you have not visited the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building, you will definitely want to “graze” your way through it during their regular hours from 8 – 2. CUESA – to remind you, is the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture and is dedicated to cultivating a sustainable food system through farmer’s markets and educational programs. www.cuesa.org

Unique SF Spots

It’s that time of year when relatives and friends come from nowhere to visit those of us who are fortunate to call SF home. Perhaps you are weary of the tried and true tourist spots, not that they aren’t amazing, but how many times can you float to Alcatraz or wind down Lombard street. We have found a few unique places that you might want to visit, either on your own or with your great Aunt Mildred. Stay tuned for even more ideas over the following weeks.

Audium

The theatre of Sound – Sculptured space is one of those rare finds in our city. It’s a building inside of a building, conceived and built specifically for the art form of sound-sculptured space. Every Thursday – Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. listeners sit in concentric circles in the theater, enveloped by speakers built inside of sloping walls, a floating floor and a suspended ceiling.

Compositions are performed live each night by a conductor who directs the sounds through a custom-designed console. The conductor uses any combination of the 169 speakers, sculpting the sound through direction, speed, movement and intensity. www.audium.org

The Wave Organ

One of my personal favorites in SF and located on a jetty in the bay, this acoustic sculpture amplifies the sounds of the waves in the bay. Created in 1986 in collaboration with the Exploratorium, the organ’s jetty was constructed with carved granite and marble from a demolished cemetery.

The instrument is comprised of more than 20 PVC and concrete pipes that extend down into the water at various elevations. The sound is created by waves crashing against the ends of these pipes. Know that the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide. Located near Crissy Field. Get the details. 

Tiny Theatre

Hidden in an alley in the heart of the Mission District lies a literal, hole in the wall theatre. Peeking inside the small peephole reveals a cinema that plays a constant stream of silent film vignettes. Yes you do have to crouch down and crane your neck, but you will be rewarded with an endless loop of short films. Easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there, but a small sign with an eye on it dangles down from a red wall.

Created in 2013 by a female animator who wanted to find a way to bring animations to a wider audience. Short films and animations stream 24 hours a day. 280 Orange Alley. Get the details.

Now – April 13. ONEDOME

Onedome was a new find for us and it is uber special. It’s a museum, kind of sort.  Onedome in and of itself is a fascinating place to visit. It is a community space and no ticket is required to enter and enjoy the cafe and lounge. They create and curate interactive arts and immersive entertainment. Currently they have an “exhibit” titled  F.E.A.S.T. which is a pop up dinner and event.

Now through April 13^th, this thrice-weekly event centers around a five-course gourmet dinner. The 32-person table is high tech and digitally interactive, meaning it is perpetually awash in various lights and designs during the dinner service. All of the images are based on the tastes, colors, sounds and sights of spring. After the final course, you can walk through a labyrinth of high concept art projects. Their high-tech sculpture garden is sure to amaze. 1025 Market Street. http://www.onedome.global