Around the Bay in March 2011

On March 18, dancers worldwide will come together simultaneously in dance to create a global public art performance.

Published: March, 2011 

Dancing in the Streets

On March 18, dancers worldwide will come together simultaneously in dance to create a global public art performance. In its seventh year, this worldwide public art event will take place at noon pacific daylight time (PDT), 3 p.m. EDT, and 8 p.m. in Paris and Rome. Since 2005, dance anywhere has had thousands of performers participate on the streets, bridges, in schools, subway stations, museums and galleries. Dance anywhere integrates art into everyday public spaces and exposes unsuspecting audiences to dance. It brings everyone’s awareness to the space they are in: the street, the office, the library, the grocery store or park. Anyone is encouraged to participate, and the project involves people of all ages, abilities, nationalities, and backgrounds. Last year, the program was an enormous success – dancers participated on six continents in 27 countries from the United States to Slovenia, Tanzania, Turkey, Estonia, Sweden, Spain, Ireland New Guinea, Namibia, to name a few. For more information about participating go to www.danceanywhere.org or email Beth Fein at bethfein@danceanywhere.org.

Beers to You!

Marin’s favorite rite of spring, the 16th Annual Fairfax Brewfest, will take place on Saturday, March 19. The event features 17 of the best California microbrewers (and one cider maker) personally pouring the freshest batches of their award-winning ales, lagers and special limited brews alongside live music and delicious pub food at the historic Fairfax Pavilion. Presented by Iron Springs Pub & Brewery and the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the festival brings you a day of great beer, music, food and friends!  Taste the brews … and meet the brewers who make these amazing libations during this annual rite of spring in Fairfax! Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit www.fairfaxbrewfest.com for more information.

Flower Power

The San Francisco Orchid Society invites you into a world of natural wonders, a world where the lines of fantasy and reality are blurred, a world where you can practically taste the colors of each bloom, and what you see is too extraordinary to believe … this world is the Pacific Orchid Exposition. The 59th annual Pacific Orchid Exposition, held at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion on March 3-6, is themed “Natural Wonders,” encouraging all attendees to plunge into a scenic wonderland and be awed by the raw power of Mother Nature. The Pacific Orchid Exposition is the largest orchid show in the country and is aptly named for the extraordinary, lush displays of organic beauty that are showcased every year.  The event boasts more than 150,000 orchid flowers from all over the world and offers educational exhibits from local, national and international orchid growers. Because of its diverse microclimate, the Bay Area is widely acknowledged as one of the best orchid growing regions and is home to an array of exotic species. Each day, docent tours and cultivation tips are given to thousands of visitors as they peruse this magical orchid extravaganza, perfectly pairing visual beauty with expert horticultural education. Professional and amateur growers, as well as orchid societies from across the state, will be displaying their unique orchids and rare hybrids, allowing any nature lover the chance to purchase a one-of-a-kind treasure. The event begins Thursday, March 3 with the anticipated Gala Benefit Preview night, giving collectors and orchid enthusiasts the first chance to browse and purchase some of the best selections of orchids before the show opens to the general public. The Gala Benefit Preview will feature live music, delicious hors d’oeuvres, fabulous raffle prizes, a silent auction, and wine tasting from over 20 of northern California premier wineries, including winners from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of American wines in the world. Tickets for the Gala Benefit Preview are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets for the Expo are $12 in advance or $14 at the door and $8/$10 for seniors. Children under 12 are free (except preview night). For more information, call (415) 665-2466 or visit www.orchidsanfrancisco.org.

It’s Not Easy Being Green

The San Francisco Green Film Festival being held March 3-6 will be the first-ever festival of its kind on the West Coast, presenting inspiring programs and discussions that link films and media arts with environmental advocacy and activism. Promoted as the Bay Area’s new, leading festival for innovative film, television, and digital media that explore green and sustainability issues, the Festival will include screenings of over 60 premieres from around the globe during four days of film showcases, panels, workshops, networking and special events. Meet with filmmakers and green experts to discuss, share and inspire change and see how you can get involved! The events kick off with an Opening Night Green Carpet Gala on Thursday, March 3 at the beautiful LEED-certified Bently Reserve (formerly the City’s U.S. Federal Reserve). In celebration of the Opening Night’s “plastic pollution theme,” the Festival will screen the Bay Area premiere of the award-winning film BAG IT, in partnership with Berkeley’s Plastic Pollution Coalition. Other highlights of the festival include a live satellite feed Q&A with iconic writer and environmentalist Margaret Atwood; the West Coast premiere of Werner Herzog’s new feature documentary Happy People; visiting filmmakers from China, Sweden, UK, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany and across the USA and more. Festival screenings and events will take place at the Landmark Theatres Embarcadero Center Cinema and the Bently Reserve. These venues, in close proximity to each other, will create a dynamic hub at the Embarcadero, with an exceptional inaugural line-up including Bay Area premieres of award winners and audience favorites from the world’s top film festivals including Sundance, Berlin, SxSW and Toronto.For more information visit www.sfgreenfilmfest.org.

The Wearing of the Green

The 160th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Francisco is a well established event with historic ties to the city. The parade itself is a huge draw for attendees from all different demographics and ethnicities and the addition of a festival after the parade provides a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Irish history and culture while having fun experiencing the event. A full day of activity is planned for the St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Civic Center Plaza and on Grove Street, Polk to Larkin Street. The colorful festivities surrounding the parade will showcase Irish Culture through live performance and entertainment, arts and crafts exhibitors, food and beverage concessions, children’s rides and inflatables, cultural displays, a petting zoo and pony ride and a number of non-profits booths representing the Irish community. The festival will take place before, during and after the Parade on Saturday. The Parade begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 12 at the corner of Second and Market, where more than 5,000 participants will reel about with laughter and revelry all the way to City Hall. This is the largest St. Patrick’s Day event west of the Mississippi!