Bay Lights, the world’s largest LED light sculpture, will come to life on Tuesday, March 5 at 9 p.m. The Bay Lights is a monumental light sculpture inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Bay Bridge.
Published: March, 2013
Light Up the Night!
Bay Lights, the world’s largest LED light sculpture, will come to life on Tuesday, March 5 at 9 p.m. The Bay Lights is a monumental light sculpture inspired by the 75th anniversary of the Bay Bridge. Artist Leo Villareal will network 25,000 individually programmable, white LED lights to create complex algorithms and patterns across the 1.8-mile western span. The energy-efficient lights will be mounted in single strands on the bridge’s vertical cables. Together, the lights will use 150 to 175 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy while operating for approximately seven hours each night. The Bay Lights sculpture will be on display daily from dusk to 2 a.m. for two years. The installation will be viewable from San Francisco and points north, but not by drivers crossing the bridge.
Local Saint Paddy’s Day Honors Women
The San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival celebrates and showcases our Irish community, Irish culture and character in all its forms. Celebrating its 162nd year, the parade is one of the City’s most popular events. The theme of this year’s festival is "Honoring the Celtic Women" with this year’s grand marshal being San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White. Featured groups from throughout the Bay Area’s Irish community including schools, youth organizations, labor unions, cultural groups as well as the San Francisco police and fire departments will march down Market Street starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday March 16. The popular festival will be held at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall before, during and after the parade. The festival gives you an opportunity to learn more about our Irish history and culture. There will be live music, Irish food and beverages, dancing, and cultural and business exhibits for the entire family to enjoy. For more information, visit www.saintpatricksdaysf.com.
Beer Here!
Marin’s favorite rite of spring, the 18th Annual Fairfax Brewfest, will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event features 20 of the best California microbrewers 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.
Music in the Valley
The Napa Valley town of Calistoga will usher in the spring season with the Annual Calistoga Music Festival: Mustard, Mud & Music on Saturday, March 9. The Calistoga Chamber of Commerce has coordinated a full roster of musical talent ranging from the sultry jazz of Maxx Cabello Jr. to the rock n’ roll of the Beatles Flashback and everything in between. Main Street will turn into an Avenue of Experiences as you stroll from stop to stop to enjoy music, food, wine, art and wellness. Music venues will range from outdoor stages to intimate gatherings hosted by local downtown businesses. Enjoy Calistoga’s emerging art scene as many galleries host musicians and wineries. The restaurants will prepare special menu items and even to-go bites so you can continue to stroll and shop along the avenue. Stop in at the wellness center for a five-minute neck massage and learn about the varied wellness offerings unique to Calistoga. Tickets cost $35 in advance and $40 the day of the event. General admission tickets include 10 tasting tickets, good for wine and food tastes (additional tasting tickets 2 for $5) and an event program with map. For more information, visit www.calistogavisitors.com.
Exploratorium ‘On the Move’
The iconic Exploratorium has packed up more than 43 years of exhibits, gadgets, laboratories and archives in order to move into its new home at Pier 15 on San Francisco’s Embarcadero. In celebration of this historic move, on March 10, the Exploratorium launches "On the Move," a pre-opening festival that’s part road show, part street festival, and all Exploratorium. A fleet of 10 "On the Move" trucks, each outfitted with different museum exhibits and experiences, will travel to three sites: the Embarcadero outside Pier 15, the Bayview neighborhood and the Mission District. The roving event brings the Exploratorium’s curious blend of sensation, surprise and discovery to neighborhoods and city streets prior to the museum’s opening day on April 17. Highlights at various locations include mobile versions of popular exhibits and activities. Look for art cars, science activities, performances, food, films, music and more. The day of festivities will culminate with evening programs and a spectacular finale at Pier 15. Activities on March 10 will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the Embarcadero in front of Pier 15; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre, 4705 Third Street, San Francisco; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mission District at Buena Vista Horace Mann School, 3351 23rd Street, San Francisco. All "On the Move" activities are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.exploratorium.edu.
Tall Ships Visit Bay Area
Exciting cannon battles, walk-on tours, and a family-oriented sailing excursion are on the agenda for a visit to Jack London Square in Oakland by the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain. The vessels arrived in the Bay Area in late February and will stay in Jack London Square through Wednesday, March 6. The ships offer a public sailing schedule as well as walk-on tours throughout their stay in the Bay Area. Battle sails on March 2-3 are three-hour excursions in San Francisco Bay featuring real cannons firing real gunpowder (but not cannon balls) in a re-creation of a typical 18th century-style naval skirmish. Tickets are $60 adults, $50 students/seniors/active military, and $40 children 12 and under. The adventure sail aboard Hawaiian Chieftain on March 3 offers an opportunity for guests to help raise a sail, sing a sea shanty, hear maritime stories and take the wheel, conditions permitting. Tickets for the adventure sail are $39 for all ages. Walk-on tours are a chance to explore the vessels at the dock and speak with the crews. A $3 donation per person is appreciated. The ships will also be in Redwood City from March 8-19 and in Sausalito March 21 to April 1. Tickets for all sailings can be purchased online at www.historicalseaport.org or call (800) 200-5239.
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