SF LIFE: Theater, Films, Chocolate, Opera, Ferry Building
If you are a tomato looking for live theater out of the ordinary, the San Francisco Fringe Festival will carry you away all month with 30 unique performances. Are you a Mrs. Robinson fan? (You know who I’m talking about), free outdoor screening coming up! Oh yes, it’s that time for the Ghirardelli Chocolate festival, lips are smacking, can’t you hear them? Take a tour of the Ferry building this month for something different to do, and SF Opera gives the city a gift with a preview of the fall season for free in Golden Gate Park – and so it begins – fall in San Francisco!
September 8 – 23. Fringe Festival
Artistic Creativity at its finest will be on display at the Fringe Festival. All the art forms are represented: dance, spoken word, puppetry, film and theater. Similar to the Fringe festivals world wide – the commitment is to free expression and creative openness. You never know what talent awaits. Almost any performance is allowed as long as it involves minimal tech setup and is completed in a timely manner.
This bold line up of eclectic theatrical offerings is selected via a lottery and this year the wild collection is comprised of local and non-local companies and artists. The motto is No Risk, No Art. Shows are varied – $wampland is a timely one, in which seven award-winning Bay Area playwrights present their visions of what “making America great” really means. Then there is Sex, Math and Seizures – a comedy about putting family members into mental institutions and old age homes – don’t know whether I would laugh or cry at that one. See all the plays here: www.sffringe.org
Free Outdoor Films
That famous tomato Mrs. Robinson (love her or hate her) will be gracing the great outdoors in Union Square at film night in the park tomorrow, September 9th. This 1967 classic film will play on an enormous outdoor screen. The San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation provides these free outdoor films with sponsorship by The Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The Foundation is a wonderful organization dedicated to preserving historic movie theaters. Our city is one of only a few American cities that retain a critical mass of neighborhood movie theaters. I can vouch that a movie in one of our many small theaters is a truly lovely night out, unlike a visit to the multiplexes! 11 neighborhoods throughout San Francisco boast 35 intimate and historic theaters. Movie night here: www.filmnightsf.org
Sept. 9-10. Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival
It’s here; it’s here – the yummiest weekend of the year – well for those with a sweet tooth that is. This weekend is the ever tasty and entertaining Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. Super fabulous is that 100% of the profits are donated to the non-profit Project Open Hand that provides meals to seniors and the critically ill.
You can sip and savor samples of goodies from wineries, breweries and more in the Chocolate Lounge. Or watch the Chocolate Earthquake ice cream eating contest – join in chocolate school where you will learn every step a bean takes to become the chocolate we so crave, and watch chef demonstrations of delectable delights. You will be entertained by live musicians and just enjoy being with others who love that cocoa bean!
Sept. 10. Opera in the Park
Arias al fresco can be heard Sunday at Sharon Meadow in Golden Gate Park. So much fun to grab a blanket, your friends, a picnic and head to the park for this free preview of the 2017-2018 SF Opera season. They won’t tell exactly what you will hear but the nine operas being produced this year are powerful journeys celebrating the stories of humanity. From ancient mythology to Bay Area History – including Turandot, Elektra, the classic La Traviata and Girls of the Golden West. Get the details.
Ferry Building Tour
Are you a Ferry Building Farmer’s Market Fan? Yummy tomatoes for tomatoes! I certainly am and although it is not in my “neighborhood”, I will make a day destination to visit. If you find yourself there, it is also fun to take a tour of the Ferry Building. You get to enjoy an hour-long walk and learn more about the rise, tragic fall, and modern rebirth of one of San Francisco’s most renowned historic landmarks.
You also visit the contemporary swirl of shops and learn the history of ferries, freeways and quakes. Of course, it is a great place to take those out of town visitors as well. Tours are offered year- round on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at noon. More info can be found at www.sfcityguides.org
Kim Selby, the SF life editor of The Three Tomatoes, is your gal for info on what’s hot and happening in the beautiful bay area. Having lived on the Left Coast for 27 years, after almost a decade in NYC, she has explored and continues to have adventures all over the San Francisco area. Passionate about fashion, formerly with GLAMOUR magazine and Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue , Palo Alto, Kim produced fashion shows in the bay area for over 20 years. She now creates events to empower, delight and inspire women, aka “Tomatoes”. Learn more about Kim at www.kimduffselby.com
Listen to her podcast, "Ignite Your Spark" wherever you listen to podcasts.
