Around the bay in March 2009

Published: March, 2009 

Take BART to Check Out Some Cool After Dark Art

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Community Art Program is presenting After Dark, Photos by Tom Paiva, through April 30^th at the LunchStop Café at the Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter, located at 101 Eighth Street in Oakland just across from the Lake Merritt BART Station. The show features Paiva’s stunning photos of recent work on the San Francisco Bay Bridge East Span reconstruction, shot at twilight and at night in large format. Also included in this show is new, unseen work shot in the last year of Paiva’s urban industrial night images. The show is open for viewing from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays free of charge.

Learn about the WWII Home Front for free at Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park Ranger Tours and on free bus tours. Just meet a park ranger at the Rosie the Riveter Memorial Marina Bay Park at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday March 7^th or March 14^th for a free 45-minute program exploring civilian contributions on the Home Front during World War II. Plus, free National Park Bus Tours are available on March 14^th and April 11^th to the first 16 people to sign up by calling (510) 232-1542. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/rori and click on Free Ranger Tours 2009.

Green with Envy, Pacific Orchid Exposition Highlights Environmental Preservation                                                            

The San Francisco Orchid Society (SFOS) has been leading the green pilgrimage since its inception.  This year the SFOS continues to focus on environmental preservation and educating flower enthusiasts on how to grow green at the 2009 Pacific Orchid Exposition (POE), March 5-8 at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. The 57th annual fundraiser will offer a unique look at the importance of respecting the environment in all aspects of horticulture and emphasizing the importance of conserving the varied natural habitats that orchids need to survive. These amazing plants, garnered from all over the world, will be presented in spectacular displays. More than 150,000 orchid flowers from all over the globe are displayed in educational exhibits from local, national and international orchid growers both professional and amateur. The show boasts coveted plants with extreme diversity in color, shape and sizes. More than 50 commercial growers will be displaying their unique species and rare hybrids, allowing anyone who is a lover of nature the chance to purchase a one-of-a-kind treasure. The POE is praised every year for maintaining its position as one of the top three orchid shows in the country, so don’t miss the opportunity to grow green with envy at the 2009 Pacific Orchid Exposition. More than 20,000 people attend this annual fundraiser, which is kicked off by its glorious Gala Benefit Preview on Thursday, March 5^th that brings the bay area glitterati together and features wines from 24 wineries. Tickets for the preview are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets to the show are $12 in advance and $14 at the door or $8/$10 for seniors. For more information, visit www.orchidsanfrancisco.org or call (415) 665-2468.

FLOAT, the only floatation center and art gallery in the San Francisco Bay Area, will present A Rare Alchemy. This show presents two very different artists and mediums that dabble in the mysterious effects of chemistry, with impressive results. The show will feature pinhole photography by S. McGrath Ryan and the glass sculptures of David Roth, and runs from March 2^nd through May 2^nd, with the Opening Party on March 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. FLOAT is located at 1091 Calcot Place, Unit 116 in Oakland. For more information visit www.thefloatcenter.com or call (510) 535-1702.