Thursday, June 18, 2009

Randy's Guide CXLI (141)

Today is film critic Roger Ebert's 67th and Cambodia's Queen Mother's Birthday; Friday is Juneteenth and singer Paula Abdul's 47th; Saturday is Australian actress Nicole Kidman's 42nd; Sunday is Summer Solstice, Father's Day, World Music Day, and American Idol winner Kris Allen's 24th; Monday is activist Erin Brockovich-Ellis' 49th and El Salvador's Teacher's Day; Tuesday is Midsummer's Eve and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' 61st; and Wednesday is Quebec's St-Jean-Baptiste Day.


Local News
Mayor Gavin Newson announced an outsider, George Gascon, to lead San Francisco's police force for the first time in over three decades. Cuban-born Gascon most recently led 800 officers in Mesa, Ariz., as a strong advocate for illegal immigrants' rights. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/17/MN29188GUH.DTL




Change for Change
Congrats to Ashoka, the latest recipient of a Randy's Guide donation! Please check out the group's Web site, and open up your pocketbooks. www.ashoka.org

New charity to consider: Old Skool Cafe. This San Francisco group, started and operated by Teresa Goines, trains and mentors at-risk youths for the restaurant and entertainment industries, in the hope of opening a 1940s-era supper club. In the meantime, they are available for event and catering services. www.oldskoolcafe.org

Donate through the nonprofit's Web site or your corporate donation program.

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, and now Ashoka.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Warm start, but ending with a cooler Father's Day.

Highs: coast (low-70s -> low-60s); bay (low-80s -> upper-60s); inland (low-90s -> mid-70s)
Lows: upper-50s -> low-50s


Deal of the Week
Well, today's the last day. Claim your free coffee beverage (mochas and lattes qualify) at any Borders bookstore with Seattle's Best. www.bordersmedia.com/coup/erewardssbc0612.asp



The Environment
Home Green Home is a worker-owned cooperative that uses natural, non-toxic cleaning products for San Francisco homes. Sister cooperatives include Eco-Care (San Jose/South Bay), Emma's Eco-Clean (Peninsula), and Natural Home Cleaning Professionals (East Bay). Mention the Earth Day door hanger for the special offer. www.homegreenhomesf.com

Previous:
Instead of puttering in traffic along Highway 101, try out CalTrain as a neat driving alternative. Express trains in the morning and early-evening hours can get you from San Jose to downtown San Francisco in less than an hour. www.caltrain.com




Music Videos
"The Blood and the Wine" by David Berkeley (Brooklyn, N.Y.)





His third independent release hit stores a few weeks ago, with comparisons to Nick Drake and David Gray. One of his songs was featured on CBS' "Without a Trace." His next few shows will be in Scotland and England before performances in the Carolinas and Atlanta, Ga. in July. www.davidberkeley.com


Previous:
"Destination Unknown" by Crystal Waters (Silver Spring, Md.)






Put your dancing shoes on! Ms. Waters made a stop by San Jose's Pride Festival last Sunday. www.theoneandonlycrystalwaters.com


Movies (domestic revenues through June 14)
"The Hangover" continued its run at the top with $32.8 million (rated R, 3355 screens, $9,775 per screen). Disney-Pixar's "Up" racked up another $30.8 million (rated PG, $187.4 million overall, 3rd weekend, 3886 screens, $7,916 per screen). "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," with Denzel Washington and John Travolta, debuted with $23.4 million (rated R, 3074 screens, $7,603 per screen). Eddie Murphy's "Imagine That" bombed with $5.5 million (rated PG, 3008 screens, $1,830 per screen). And the delightful indie comedy "Away We Go" impressively expanded its viewership with $0.6 million (rated R, $0.8 million overall, 2nd weekend, 45 screens, $12,463 per screen).


Herb & Dorothy (NR): Documentary; about a married couple specializing in contemporary art collection

Katyn (NR): Drama; about Polish officers murdered by the Soviet secret service during WWII

Moon (R): Science fiction; about an astronaut who encounters some difficulties while wrapping up his mission living on the moon; co-starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey

The Proposal (PG-13): Comedy; about a top book executive and her assistant who head to Alaska to stage a marriage as a way to avoid deportation; co-starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds

Sleep Dealer (PG-13): Science fiction; about a young Mexican man who loses his family to drones and migrates to Tijuana for electronic transport across the border

Tetro (NR): Drama; about an immigrant family in Buenos Aires who faces fierce generations-long rivalries; co-starring Vincent Gallo; directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Year One (PG-13): Comedy; about two men living during biblical times; co-starring Jack Black and Michael Cera

DVD Pick - Beaufort (NR): This elegant tale centers on the Israeli army's withdrawal from a historic fort in Lebanon. Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Film; winner of Best Director at Berlin Film Festival. Domestic box office: $103K; foreign box office: $153K.


Free Activities
Temescal Street Cinema [Thu 8p]: "Bay Area Icons" is a series of short films focusing on eccentric Bay Area characters such as Frank Chu of 12 Galaxies sign fame. Free popcorn and live music. At the Bank of the West Building on Temescal Street (Oakland). www.temescaldistrict.org/cinema.html

Total Wellness Event [Fri 11a-2p]: Featuring complimentary massages, fitness demonstrations, health screenings, and more. At Embarcadero Center (SF). www.embarcaderocenter.com

SalmonAid [Fri 6:30p, Sat-Sun noon-7p]: Featuring a free traditional tribal salmon bake on Friday at Ocean Beach (SF), followed by the weekend festivities in Jack London Square (Oakland). www.salmonaid.org

Sacramento Pride [Sat 9:30a-6p]: 22nd annual. 9:30a rally from State Capitol and parade to Southside Park for festivities (Sacramento). www.sacramentopride.org

San Francisco's Juneteenth Celebration [Sat-Sun 10a-7p]: Featuring Saturday's parade at 11:30a. Celebrate African-American history and culture with live music, performing arts, and other cultural activities. Parade from Union Square to Civic Center Plaza, for festivities (SF). www.sfjuneteenth.org

Rock Art by the Bay [Sat 10a-5p]: Hosted by the Rock Poster Society as a celebration of poster art both young and old. At Fort Mason (SF). www.trps.org

NorCal Pirate Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 3rd annual. Featuring pirate entertainers, sword fights, craftspeople, nautical music, and more. Along the historic waterfront (Vallejo). www.norcalpiratefestival.com

Summer Sailstice [Sat 11a-10p]: Featuring free sailboat rides, a boat-building contest, four live bands, a kid's treasure hunt, and more. At Treasure Island's Clipper Cove (SF). www.summersailstice.com/sf


King of the County BBQ Challenge & Music Festival [Sat-Sun 11a-6p]: 3rd annual. Featuring an amateur BBQ competition, 100+ arts vendors, live bands, a car show, and more. At Waterfront Park (Martinez). www.countybbq.com

Solar Fair [Sat 11a-6p]: Featuring speakers, panels, vendors, and workshops about solar energy and energy efficiency, in honor of Summer Solstice. Live music provided by a solar-powered stage, and green jobs offered by several groups. At Finley Community Park (Santa Rosa). www.solarsonomacounty.com

San Jose's Juneteenth in the Park Festival [Sat-Sun noon-7p]: Featuring Church in the Park, a fashion show, live jazz, and more. At Plaza de Cesar Chavez (San Jose). www.bayareajuneteenth.org

Venezuelan music conert [Sat 1-3p]: Featuring Maestros of the Joropo Oriental and the Bay Area's Venezuelan Music Project. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Vietnamese-American Family Festival [Sat 2:30-6p]: Featuring traditional Vietnamese food, a qigong demonstration, calligraphy, raffle, and more. At the Asian Cultural Center (Oakland). www.vacceb.net

Film Night in the Park [Sat 8p]: Featuring "Goldfinger." At Dolores Park (SF). www.filmnight.org

Save Our Parks Festival [Sun 10a-3p]: Featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, field games - all in the hope of identifying alternatives to proposed park funding cutbacks. At Moscone Recreation Center (SF). www.saveourparkssf.org

Native Contemporary Arts Festival [Sun 11a-3p]: Includes a prayer ceremony, traditional song and dance performances, and children's activities. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Alice's Summerthing Concert [Sun noon-5p]: 7th annual. Featuring Gavin Rossdale (of "Bush" fame), Matt Nathanson, Sugar Ray, and Parachute. At Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow (SF). www.radioalice.com

Stern Grove Festival - Roberta Flack [Sun 2p]: The 72nd season of free outdoor concerts kicks off with Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Roberta Flack, best known for her song "Killing Me Softly." New Orleans pianist Davell Crawford opens. At Stern Grove Amphitheatre (SF). www.sterngrove.org

World Music Day [Sat 1-7p, Sun 5-8p]: Featuring impromptu musical stages along MacArthur Boulevard (Oakland) on Saturday, and University Avenue (Palo Alto) on Sunday. www.laurelsummersolsticemusicfestival.org www.pamusicday.org

Lindy in the Square [Wed 6-8p]: Introductory dance lessons followed by an open dance floor. At Union Square Plaza (SF). www.unionsquarepark.us


Paid Activities
Circus Center's Annual Showcase [Thu-Fri 7p, Sat 2p/7p, Sun 1p/4p]: Great performance at Haight Street Festival = plug for top students at the Clown Conservatory. At the Circus Center (SF), $10-25. www.circuscenter.org

Marin Art Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p}: Featuring 250+ artisans, taiko drummers, swing and salsa live musicians, cultural dancers, and more. At Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds (San Rafael), free-$10. www.marinartfestival.com

Grizzly Bear [Sun-Mon 8p]: Folk rock with strings and choirs. With Here We Go Magic opening. At the Fillmore (SF), $22. www.grizzly-bear.net

Frameline33 - San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival [through June 28]: The world's largest and oldest LGBT film festival. Featuring 210 films from 20 countries, filmmaker discussions, and opening and closing night parties. At Castro, Victoria, and Roxie Theatres (SF); the Elmwood Theatre (Berkeley); and Terra Gallery (SF). $7-725. www.frameline.org/festival


You, Nero [through June 28]: About the ruthless Roman emperor Nero and a playwright sought to dramatize his life. At the Thrust Stage (Berkeley), $16-52. www.berkeleyrep.org

Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata [through July 5]: Featuring soprano superstar Anna Netrebko as a courtesan seeking love. At the War Memorial Opera House (SF), $10-290. www.sfopera.com

Previous: Theatre - Faust, Part 1 [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Art - Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans [through June 27 in SF]; Opera - The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess [through June 27 in SF]; Theatre - Monty Python's Spamalot [through July 5 in SF]


Upcoming July Activities
City of San Francisco Fourth of July Waterfront Celebration [July 4 in SF]; Midsummer Mozart Festival [July 16 in Santa Clara and July 23 in San Jose]; Free Shakespeare in the Park - Comedy of Errors [begins July 18 in Pleasanton]

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