Yahoo Travel says this about the Smuin Ballet :

Michael Smuin (1938-2007), founder of the Smuin Ballet, passed away earlier this year but his spirit lives on in his ballets and through his company. The Smuin Ballet breezes into town at the Palace of Fine Arts with their Fall/Winter Program. The program is a two and a half hour spectacle of emotion, movement and color. Amy Seiwert, a dancer in the company, debuts her Objects of Curiosity – an enchanting exploration of bodies and their movements.

Seiwert’s piece studies the human body by accentuating and dismembering its movements. Performed mostly in pairs, bodies are contorted and reassembled unabashedly for their audience. Duettino, the first number by Michael Smuin is minimalist and classical. It focuses on the physical aspect of dancing, in other words, attention is paid to the dancer’s body and movement. Visually stunning, it is a harmonious follow up to the program’s starter. Stabat Mater, the program’s pinnacle, is a dramatic response to September 11th.

In Latin the lyrics of Stabat Mater refer to Mary’s sorrow and anguish as she watches the death of her son, Jesus – emotions reflected in the color of costumes and scenery. Smuin’s passing provides another (mournful) layer to this heart-clenching performance. Vanessa Thiessen and Aaron Thayer excel as the female and male leads who battle between life and death. Renin’ in the Hurricane, choreographed by Kirk Peterson, is a series of performances set to the music of Gene Autry, Cole Porter, David Byrne, Randy Travis, and k.d. Lang. Renin’, loosely connected by a western theme, excels in capturing each song’s mood and in storytelling.

While campy, in this final act dancers become individuals engrossed with personality. This vivacity makes each performance light hearted and enjoyable, a sharp turn from Stabat Mater. The program overall is well rounded. Lighthearted numbers, which surround Stabat Mater, keep the program balanced, manageable and enjoyable. Bravo, Smuin Ballet. — Marissa Mejia Performances: Through October 14th Tickets $15-$47

3301 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

+1 415 567 6642

info@palaceoffinearts.org

Open Hours: 6a-9p M-Su
http://www.smuinballet.org/

- Mick Orton

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If you’re up for a day trip and enjoy skiing, there is still a lot of snow and great spring skiing at Sugar Bowl. Only about an hour and a half out of Sacramento on I-80, take the Norden, Soda Springs exit and turn right at the stop sign. About 3 miles up the road is the entrance to Sugar Bowl.

A friend and I went yesterday and the runs were well groomed, though a little icy early morning and late afternoon. For a day trip this resort is perfect because it’s much closer than Alpine or Squaw and has longer runs than Boreal or Soda Springs (so I’m told). We like to go mid-week to avoid the crowds. And if we get more rain next week as predicted, there’s a chance some of it will end up as snow at the higher elevations!

Visit their website at http://www.sugarbowl.com/home.

- Mick Orton

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By now you should be getting the idea that there are LOTS of things to do when visiting or living in San Francisco!

- Mick Orton, Marketing Director

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Yahoo Travel says this about the Wok Wiz Chinatown Tours and Cooking Company:

Acclaimed chef and cookbook author Shirley Wong Torres offers an insider tour of Chinatown. You can take a tour that stops at markets and restaurants known only to Chinatown experts. In addition, specialized tours focusing on the food and history of Chinatown can be arranged. Tour dates and times vary, call ahead for information and reservations.

Neighborhood: Chinatown

654 Commercial Street
San Francisco, CA 94111-2504

+1 650 355 9657
wokwiz@aol.com

Open Hours Tours: 10a-1:15p M-Su

http://www.wokwiz.com

- Christine Serventi

Previous things to do:

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Yahoo Travel says this about Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Gardens:

This is a living museum in Golden Gate Park that is home to a wide array of rare and exotic plant life from around the world. Visit the 70-acre garden and explore seemingly endless trails past duck ponds, an arbor, herbs, flowers, blooming trees and redwoods, and smaller, specialized gardens with names like the Garden of Fragrance. Also on hand is an education center that provides different gardening, horticulture, botany, and environmental classes for adults and children, plus a horticulture library and bookstore. The public is allowed to stroll through the garden anytime, although they are asked to keep on the paths.

Neighborhood: Golden Gate Park

9th Avenue at Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122

+1 415 661 1316
library@sfbotanicalgarden.org

Open Hours 8a-4:30p M-F, 10a-5p Sa, Su
http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/

- Christine Serventi

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Yahoo Travel says this about HANG:

The objective of this gallery near Union Square is to link emerging artists with emerging collectors. Within the modern floor space of steel and canvas this place features work by the best up coming talent in the Bay area at reasonable prices. Find a wide range of styles that are continually rotated. A great choice for young and/or new art connoisseurs, this gallery offers a rental program so buyers can be 100 percent sure they want a piece before they make the commitment. A rewarding experience all-around; unknown artists receive the exposure they deserve, while patrons view art in a pleasant and casual environment.

Neighborhood: Union Square

556 & 567 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4901

+1 415 434 4264
sales@hangart.com

Open Hours 10a-6p M-Sa, noon-5p Su
http://www.hangart.com/

- Christine Serventi

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Yahoo Travel says this about the Lincoln Park Golf Course:

Possibly the most beautiful views of any public golf course in the United States. This par 68 course, hard by the Golden Gate, is on the short and hilly side. A bit of Scotland, perhaps with fresh ocean breezes and sometimes challenging greens. There is a short range at which you must shag your own balls. Tee times can be made up to a week in advance, a necessity on weekends. Admission fees are $23 on weekdays and $29 on weekends.

Neighborhood: Richmond District/Sea Cliff

300 34th AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94121-1681

+1 415 221 9911

Open Hours
Dawn to dusk

- Christine Serventi

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Yahoo Travel says this about the Flower Power Haight-Ashbury Walking Tour:

Take a tour of this historic neighborhood with two insiders. This walking tour of the Haight-Ashbury lasts about two and half hours and is led by a brother-and-sister team who are long-time neighborhood residents. In addition to visiting the traditional neighborhood landmarks, the tour stops at restaurants, bars and shops that remain largely unknown by tourists. The tour concludes with a look at the Victorian architecture of the neighborhood houses. Call ahead for departure locations and times. Cash only.

Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA 94117

+1 415 863 1621

Open Hours 9:30a Tu & Sa
http://www.hippygourmet.com/

- Christine Serventi

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The Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Japantown during two weekends in April. It showcases traditional Japanese arts with continuous demonstrations of, among others, tea ceremonies, martial arts, taiko drumming, and traditional dancing on an outdoor stage in the Japan Center. There are also parades, Asian food kiosks, and live music. Fewer street merchants attend than at most street fairs, but the merchandise offered, such as Kanji calligraphy scrolls, are of good quality and some are unique to this festival. Event is free; some vendors may accept credit cards.

+1 415 563 2313
Open Hours 10a-6p Sa-Su  

+1 415 705 8200 / +1 415 705 5555 (Tickets)
info@pier39.com

Open Hours Spring & Summer: 8:30a-6p Tu-Th, 8:30a-7p F-M
http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/