In 2006, a group of elite Chinese artists came together to revive traditional culture and share it with the world.
Photo by Shen Yun
Published: January, 2019
Ancient Chinese Performance Art
In 2006, a group of elite Chinese artists came together to revive traditional culture and share it with the world. They created Shen Yun and brought a slice of majestic culture back from the brink of extinction. Shen Yun combines ancient legends with technological innovations, and historically authentic costumes with breathtaking animated backdrops. Letting classical Chinese dance do the storytelling, it shares beautifully diverse ethnic and folk traditions. Filled with an enchanting orchestral sound, this is a mesmerizing experience you won’t find anywhere else. Performances will be held in San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House December 31 through January 6. For more information and tickets, visit www.shenyun.com.
29 Years of Sea Lions at PIER 39
This January, celebrate the 29th anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival to PIER 39. The boisterous barking pinnipeds began arriving in droves shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco in October 1989. With a protected environment and plentiful supply of food from the Bay, the sea lions quickly decided to make PIER 39’s K-Dock their new home. The marina staff turned to the Marine Mammal Center for advice about their new tenants and after much debate and research it was recommended that the sea lions stay in their newfound home. The number of sea lions has varied from 300 to over 1700 depending on the season, food supply and migration patterns. Stop by on January 19-20 to celebrate with free Sea Lion Encounter Walking Tours given by Aquarium of the Bay naturalists. Tour participants also receive a complimentary beverage and special discounts at select PIER 39 businesses. Visit www.pier39.com for more information.
Vallejo Decades Dance Party
Enjoy all the hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s at the Decades Dance Party at 350 Georgia Street (formerly The Hub) in Vallejo on Friday, January 11 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJs Mr. Washington, Porter and Jackie will feature 70s disco and funk from 9-10:30 p.m., 80s new wave and pop from 10:30 p.m. to midnight and 90s dance and hip hop from midnight to 2 a.m. Admission at the door is just $8 all night long. Admittance limited to 21 and over, ID required.
Oakland Restaurant Week
From January 11 to 20, participating Oakland restaurants will celebrate the most diverse restaurant week in the region. Oakland Restaurant Week runs over two weekends for foodies to take full advantage of dining deals. Participating restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus at $10, $20, $30, $40, $50, $60 and $70 price points. Oakland Restaurant Week is your opportunity to experience the trendy culinary scene everyone is talking about. That’s two weekends of awesome deals to feed your inner foodie. For more information and a listing of participating restaurants, visit www.oaklandrestaurantweek.org.
Globetrotters Visit Oracle
The Original Harlem Globetrotters are on the road for an action-packed world tour. A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. Join Globetrotter stars after the game where they will stay for autograph, photograph and high-five sessions for fans (subject to availability). There will be performances at 2 and 7 p.m. on January 12 and January 19 at the Oracle Arena. Ticket prices start at $25. For more information, visit www.oraclearena.com.
Patti Smith Exhibition
San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) and Kurimanzutto are honored to announce Wing, an exhibition of photographs by international artist, writer and musician Patti Smith. Presented from January 14 to 19 at the Diego Rivera Gallery at SFAI’s historic Chestnut Street campus, the exhibition features a selection of over 30 photographs centered on Smith’s reverence for fellow artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The exhibition, which runs concurrently with the FOG Design+Art fair, is open and free to the public. This show focuses on Smith’s connection to the artistic movements she discovered during frequent travels to Mexico. Presented in the same space as Rivera’s 1931 fresco, The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City, the exhibition sparks a direct dialogue between Smith’s imagery and the subjects of her intimate gaze. The artist expresses her kinship to Mexico and its flourishing artistic community, a sentiment demonstrated during her many performances and visits to the country over the years.
Truffles Galore!
The American Truffle Company returns to Napa with the ninth annual Napa Truffle Festival from January 18 to 21. This event brings together two complementary aspects of European truffles—the best chefs in the world known for their truffle cuisine, and the best truffle experts/scientists in the world recognized for their expertise and data on truffle cultivation. Gourmands and aspiring truffle growers alike will find a bounty of activities throughout the festival weekend to satisfy their appetite and curiosity for the flavor and knowledge of one of the world’s most prized and delectable foods. Napa Valley will again serve as the host for the festival weekend, partnering with the Westin Verasa Napa as “truffle central” for check-in and programs. The hotel also extends exclusive, special room rates for festival guests. Unique to this festival is the Michelin-starred team of chefs led by Ken Frank of La Toque, who will present culinary demonstrations and showcase extraordinary skills and talents in a stunning truffles and wine dinner on Saturday evening. There will also be truffle experts and scientists, a master truffle dog trainer, wild mushroom foragers and—everyone’s favorites—Rico and Lolo the truffle dogs. The festival concludes on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the lively Napa Truffle Festival marketplace at Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa, showcasing local artisan vendors and their specialty food products. Also featured will be cooking demos, fresh truffles for sale and a chance to win a real black truffle. For more information on the festival, visit www.napatrufflefestival.com. The marketplace is free to the public to browse and purchase truffle menu items à la carte.
To have your event or announcement considered for the Bay Crossings Around the Bay listings, please send information or a press release to: joel@baycrossings.com.
