This weekend brings not just Mother’s Day, but National Garden Day, too! Find out some ways to celebrate them both – and where you can exercise your mind and body – in this week’s Arts/Culture/Weekend!
THURSDAY
Bike to Work Day // Scores of public officials and thousands of regular folks will take to the streets today for Bike to Work Day. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition organized the first of these days in 1994. The event has grown substantially in the past five years. // DETAILS: All day! See the East Bay Bike Coalition website for other ways to get involved.; Cost: The time and energy required to peddle to work on a bike
SFIFFS screening: Let the Fire Burn // Back in 1985, the home and headquarters of an African American radical group called MOVE was bombed by the Philadelphia police. Firefighters were on hand, but nothing was done about the fire for more than an hour; eleven people died and 61 homes burned. Let the Fire Burn, the documentary film of this dramatic true-life story, is one of the closing presentations of the 56th annual San Francisco International Film Festival – but this showing takes place in Berkeley. // DETAILS: 6:30PM at the Pacific Film Archive; 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley; COST: $9.50
FRIDAY
Author James Kennedy at Books, Inc. // Thirteen-year-old Jo lives in the desert, where she was deposited at her aunt’s doorstep, along with this note: “This is Jo. Please take care of her. But beware. This is a dangerous baby.” That’s the set-up for James Kennedy’s children’s book, The Order of Odd-Fish. Head to the Laurel Village location of Books, Inc. to meet author James Kennedy. // DETAILS: 6:30PM; 3515 California St., San Francisco; COST: FREE
National Public Gardens Day // Visit the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, in celebration of this national event honoring the importance of environmental awareness. // DETAILS: 9:00AM - 5:00PM; UC Berkeley campus, Botanical Garden; Docent tours: from11:00AM - 1:00PM, leaving from the Garden Shop; COST: FREE (with this coupon)
SATURDAY
Dance Out Diabetes // Diabetes is a growing problem in this country – and exercise is part of the solution. Dance Out Diabetes is a local non-profit organization that prevents and manages diabetes through dance, education, and fun. They’re hosting a Disco Dance and you’re invited. // DETAILS: 1:00PM - 3:00PM; The African American Art & Culture Complex; 762 Fulton St, San Francisco; COST: FREE
Oakland Youth Chorus // British music makers – from current (Adele) to vintage (Gilbert & Sullivan) – are celebrated in this year’s spring concert by the hundred-voice Oakland Youth Chorus show “Here Comes the Sun”. // DETAILS: 6:00PM; First Presbyterian Church; 2619 Broadway, Oakland; COST: $10 -25 (tickets here)
SUNDAY
Cal Sailing Club // It’s Mother’s Day, so how about taking Mom on a little spin around the Bay? The Cal Sailing Club’s monthly open house is this afternoon. These events are supposed to be lessons, but you can just go enjoy a little time on the water. Get there early: others may read this, too! // DETAILS: 1:00PM – 4:00PM; Cal Sailing Club; 124 University Ave., Berkeley; COST: Free.
Bolinas Museum // Settlers arriving in California in the 1800s were stunned by the area’s beauty. Many of the folks “back home” got their first impressions of The Golden State through paintings. Take mom on a scenic drive to the Bolinas Museum and experience both the real view and the painted view. “Historical Paintings of Coastal Marin,” is now on view. // DETAILS: Sunday hours: 12:00PM – 5:00PM, through June 23rd; Bolinas Museum; 48 Wharf Road, Bolinas; COST: FREE
Arts/Culture/Weekend is a roundup of our favorite events coming up around the Bay Area. Please do let us know if you have an event coming up in your neighborhood, and we'll try to include it.
