The Contemporary Jewish Museum is presenting the first major exhibition to examine Houdini’s life, legend and enduring cultural influence.
Published: January, 2012
Houdini’s Art and Magic on Display
The Contemporary Jewish Museum is presenting the first major exhibition to examine Houdini’s life, legend and enduring cultural influence. Houdini: Art and Magic includes more than 160 objects including magic apparatus, historic photographs, dramatic art nouveau-era posters, theater ephemera and archival and silent films that allow visitors to fully explore the career and legacy of the celebrated entertainer. The exhibition also features 26 contemporary works of art by Jane Hammond, Vik Muniz, Raymond Pettibon and more that bring to light Houdini’s lasting impact on contemporary art and culture. Handcuffs, shackles, straitjackets, milk cans, packing trunks – nothing could hold Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the renowned magician and escape artist who became one of the 20th century’s most legendary performers. With a talent for self-promotion and provocation, this immigrant son of a poor Hungarian rabbi rocketed to international fame and grabbed front page headlines with his gripping theatrical presentations and heart-stopping outdoor spectacles – often dangling high above huge crowds or being lowered dramatically into an icy river locked inside a crate. His daring stunts come alive through wall-sized video projections and examples of original magic apparatus – rarely exhibited together – including a straitjacket, milk can, and metamorphosis trunk used by Houdini. Also featured is a re-creation of the famous water torture cell (much of the original was destroyed in a fire in 1995). The exhibition does not expose the "how-to" secrets of Houdini’s magic performances. Rather, it describes his innovation in endowing common items with magical qualities – everyday items such as trunks, crates, and boxes that had real- life significance to other recently-arrived immigrants in his era. Personal effects such as two of Houdini’s private diaries (never before shown in a public exhibition), along with family photographs, posters, film footage, and more, reveal the showman’s compelling life story. The exhibit runs through January16th at the Contemporary Jewish Museum at 736 Mission Street in San Francisco. For more information visit www.thecjm.org.
Dine About Town…Only in San Francisco Returns
The 11th annual Dine About Town San Francisco returns from January 15 to 31. Diners may select from more than 100 Bay Area restaurants, each offering prix fixe lunches for $17.95 and/or dinners for $34.95, exclusive of tax and gratuity. A la carte menus will also be available. Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. Reservations are encouraged and may be made online through a partnership with OpenTable.com. On January 12 at 6 p.m., celebrate the 11th year of Dine About Town at City View at Metreon on 101 4th Street. With a $25 donation to Meals on Wheels, you can sample delicious food or beverage offerings from over 25 participating restaurants. The evening will also include wine tastings and a keepsake San Francisco wine glass. Tickets for the launch must be purchased in advance and space is limited. For more information or to view the extensive restaurant list, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste/dineabouttown. Information is also available by calling (415) 391-2000.
Oakland Launches Restaurant Week
More than 30 Oakland businesses will celebrate Oakland Restaurant Week January 20 to 29. This ten-day event provides visitors and locals with an opportunity to taste some of Oakland’s finest cuisines, with special meals and deals from more than two dozen of the city’s top restaurants. Prix fixe menus at $20, $30 and $40 will be included, and many restaurants will also include drink specials to supplement the meal. Oakland’s cuisine is unique in that the restaurants often focus on sustainable practices, purchasing ingredients from local farmers markets and designing menus based on what is in season. As one of the most diverse cities in the country, many restaurants also incorporate foods and flavors from different cultures. For more details and information on participating restaurants, see Visit Oakland’s Restaurant Week webpage at vwww.visitoakland.org/restaurantweek. Tickets and special passes are not required, but reservations are strongly recommended.
Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival
PIER 39 commemorates the 22th anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival at PIER 39. Through the years, California sea lions have taken over PIER 39’s K-Dock to the delight of spectators. Each January, these marine mammals return in droves for herring season in San Francisco Bay. In celebration of the anniversary, from Thursday, January 19 to Sunday, January 22 visitors can watch the sea lions in close proximity and become sea lion savvy as they discover facts about our California sea lions, marine life and bay conservation on the "Sea Lion Encounter," a walk and talk tour in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the arrival to PIER 39. Tours start on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by Aquarium of the Bay and The Marine Mammal Center Naturalists, the tours begin at the Sea Lion Statue near PIER 39’s Entrance Plaza, and last approximately 30 minutes. Immediately following the tour, guests will be treated to cookies and a meet-and-greet with PIER 39’s sea lion mascot Salty. Plus, you’ll receive 50% off admission to Aquarium of the Bay, Bay Cruises on Blue & Gold Fleet, and will have the chance to win some great prizes!
Free Concert for Kids
Mission Cultural Center presents Concierto de Reyes on Saturday, January 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mission Cultural Center Main Gallery, 2868 Mission Street, San Francisco. Coro Hispano de San Francisco celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings with their annual festive Dia de los Reyes Kids’ Concert. The concert is free but donations are gratefully received from all who can. For more info see www.missionculturalcenter.org or call (415) 821-1155.
Historic Harlem Globetrotters Bring Spectacular Basketball Antics to Oakland
For 84 years, the Harlem Globetrotters have thrilled audiences around the world, playing over 25,000 games and entertaining everyone from presidents to popes. Some of the most recognized names in basketball history have entertained audiences in the Globetrotter uniform including Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal. Today a new generation of stars carries on this storied tradition with timeless basketball exhibitions. The Harlem Globetrotters dribble into the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Saturday, January 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information visit www.coliseum.com.
Tour USS Iowa in Richmond
The USS Iowa will be open for weekend shipboard tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. while final preparations are being made for the planned trip to the Port of Los Angeles this spring. The Battleship Expo at the Port of Richmond includes a visit onboard USS Iowa and access to exhibits that include a short film on the battleship, 16" shells, a Sheridan tank and half-track displayed by the Military Vehicle Foundation, the Blue Angels F-4 Phantom flight simulator from Pacific Coast Air Museum, and numerous other exhibits. The Battleship Expo entrance donation is $10 per adult, $5 per child 12 years or older, and children 11 and under are free. All proceeds are going to help bring the famed battleship back to life. Currently the forward portion of the main deck with a view of turrets 1 and 2 is open to guests. As work is completed, additional exhibits and areas on the battleship may be open to the public for visitation. It is encouraged to return to see the progress. Reservations are not required. USS Iowa is located at Terminal 3, 1411 Harbour Way in Richmond. The Battleship Expo can be accessed via the northeast gate. For more information visit www.pacificbattleship.com.
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