There’s always the detractor out there who recalls the Mark Twain quote, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Fact of the matter is, he may have never said it and anyway we embrace our coldness. All the better to cozy up to a loved one (or just maybe anyone) and down an Irish coffee.
Here’s nine picks for August for your 49 Hours of SF:
August 3, 2012
Rotunda Dance Series: AXIS Dance Company
City Hall
This free public performance is part of the Rotunda Dance Series, a partnership between Dancers’ Group and World Arts West with San Francisco’s Grants for the Arts and San Francisco City Hall. This month’s featured group, AXIS Dance Company, is a pioneering contemporary ensemble of performers with and without disabilities. This free, informative and compelling dance performance under the dome of San Francisco’s majestic City Hall begins at noon.
August 3-19, 2012
Humor Abuse
American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St.
Just in time for International Clown Week (always the first week in August for those of you on the serious side), “Humor Abuse” returns to the American Conservatory Theater. Lorenzo Pisoni stars in this one-man show about growing up as the youngest member of the Pickle Family Circus. His 90-minute portrait of a very complex father-son relationship is laced with physically demanding tricks and extremely funny moments.
August 4-5, 2012
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Japantown
A celebration of the Asian and Pacific communities in the Bay Area, with an emphasis on the nonprofit organizations that provide vital services, the Nihonmachi Street Fair offers live musical and cultural performances, Asian artisans, food, information tables, exhibits and Children's World. This is also a good chance to scope out the neighborhood before the J-Pop Summit Festival arrives August 25-26.
August 5 and 15, 2012
Happy Birthday, Jerry and Julia!
The Excelsior comes out in force on August 5 for the 10th annual Jerry Day to celebrate its native son Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead with a concert in McLaren Park. Julia Child was a frequent visitor to San Francisco and on August 15 communities from coast-to-coast will be celebrating what would have been her 100th birthday. So maybe head to Tu Lan, the Vietnamese restaurant she favored on Sixth, or tuck into Claude Lane or Belden Alley for a touch of Paris by the bay. Bon appétit!
August 7 and 11, 2012
Olympic Games Viewing Party
Civic Center Plaza
Let the games begin! Come watch a live broadcast of the Olympic Games presented by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department in Civic Center Plaza 9-4 p.m. There will be Olympic skills games, gourmet food options, arts and crafts for the kids, activities and much more.
August 10-12, 2012
San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music & Art Festival
Golden Gate Park
With more than 60 bands playing over three days, the lineup for Outside Lands includes Stevie Wonder, Metallica, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Jack White, Foo Fighters, Beck, Skrillex, Sigur Ros, Justice and Norah Jones. Taste of the Bay Area will feature dozens of local restaurants; concertgoers will also have access to the Wine Lands, where some 40 wineries will be pouring.
August 18, 2012
San Francisco Street Food Festival
Mission District, Folsom Street between 20th and 26th Streets
The best of the bay all in a day. The fourth edition of the San Francisco Street Food Festival features more than 70 vendors, including more than La Cocina participants, some of San Francisco’s most-highly regarded restaurants, food trucks, carts, home cooks and chefs.
August 18, 2012
Civil War Living History Day
Fort Point
While San Francisco was far removed from the Civil War, it does have some historic landmarks related to it. Fort Point, built between 1853-1861, is one of them. Come see Civil War soldiers and experience history first hand. Demonstrations include infantry and artillery drill, musicians, medicine in the 1800s, and the daily life of soldiers and civilians of the era. Fort Point is a National Historic site located in the Presidio under the southern anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge.
August 21-26, 2012
America’s Cup World Series
San Francisco Bay
“Your Majesty, there is no second.” And thus it all began when the yacht America, representing the young New York Yacht Club, out sailed the best the British could offer on an August day in 1851. San Francisco is one of the first stops on the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series circuit. Teams from France, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and ORACLE TEAM USA will compete August 21-26, 2012. This marks the first time the teams will race in the host city of the 34th America's Cup in 2013.
What are you planning to do this month in San Francisco? Tell us in the comments below!
