Randy's Guide CCVIII (208)

Historic milestones: 24 years since the first performance of "The Phantom of the Opera"; 54 years since the only perfect game pitched during the World Series (Yankees' Don Larsen); 55 years since poet Allen Ginsburg's first reading of "Howl"; 91 years since the founding of Dutch airline KLM; 118 years since the introduction of "Pledge of Allegiance"; and 200 years since the first Oktoberfest.


Local News
It was a rollicking good time in Golden Gate Park for the 10th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I caught personal faves Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Basia Bulat, and the Indigo Girls in 45-minute sets, plus great performances from Randy Newman, the Del McCoury Band, Shelby Lynne, and Elvis Costello. Police estimate over 600,000 attended the three-day free music fest, with only one arrest and four citations issued by police. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/10/04/DDO51FNSD9.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free bottle of Advil. www.takeadvil.com


Change for Change
Charity: Curry Without Worry. Since 2006, this San Francisco-based nonprofit has served over 23,000 warm vegetarian Nepalese meals on Tuesday evenings in San Francisco's Civic Center. www.currywithoutworry.org

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, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Urban Solutions, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, and Shanti.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
A slight warming trend is expected for the weekend. A great TV showcase for San Francisco during the Giants playoff games!

THU-FRI
Highs: mid-60s (coast); upper-60s (SF); low-70s (bay); mid-70s (inland)
Lows: low-50s

SAT-SUN
Highs: upper-60s (coast); mid-70s (SF); upper-70s (bay); low-80s (inland)
Lows: mid-50s


Movies {domestic revenues for October 1-3}
"The Social Network," the fast-paced, must-see look into the first days of Facebook, friended $22.4 million [2771 theatres; $8,100 per theatre]. I highly recommend it. "Case 39" opened in seventh, with $5.4 million [2211 theatres; $2,420 per theatre]. The remake "Let Me In" predictably floudered into the eighth, with $5.1 million [2020 theatres; $2,548 per theatre]. Finally, the latest Bollywood film "Anjaana Anjaani" debuted in fifteenth, with $0.5 million [91 theatres; $5,688 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
-Life as We Know It (PG-13): Romantic comedy; co-starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel
-My Soul to Take (R): Horror; directed by Wes Craven
-Secretariat (PG): Drama; co-starring John Malkovich and Diane Lane

Art-house films:
-Enter the Void (NR): Drama
-Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods (NR): Documentary
-Hideaway (NR): Drama
-I Spit on Your Grave (NR): Horror
-It's Kind of a Funny Story (PG-13): Comedy; co-starring Emma Roberts and Zach Galifianakis-Redline

DVD Pick - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (PG): The beloved children's story received a fun cinematic update, with great voicework from Neil Patrick Harris, Bill Hader, and James Caan. Domestic box office: $124.9 million; foreign: $118.1 million.


Free Weekend Activities
* Fleet Week [Thu 1p - Mon 3p]: Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels, military band concerts, ships parade, guided tours, and more. Near Pier 39 and Fort Mason (SF). www.fleetweek.us

Dinka: Legendary Cattle Keepers of Sudan exhibit [Thu 5:30-7:30p]: Opening reception for an Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith's exhibit, which details the disappearing indigenous cultures of Africa. At Modernbook Gallery in Union Square (SF). www.modernbook.com

Hula concert [Thu 6-7:30p]: Featuring Bay Area musician Faith Ako, with Kumu Hula Shawna Alapa'i and Na Pua O Ka La’akea providing the hula dancers. In Jessie Square (SF). www.ybgf.org

Bass Derby & Festival [Fri 4-10p, Sat 10a-10p, Sun 11a-5p]: 63rd annual. Featuring a bass fishing derby, carnival rides, charity dunk tank, classic car show, and more. In downtown Rio Vista. www.bassfestival.org

Mission Dolores Fiesta [Sat 10a-5p, Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring a silent auction, food booths, sports bar, carnival games, and live entertainment. Benefits Mission Dolores School. At Mission Dolores School Auditorium (SF). www.missiondolores.org/events/upcoming_events.html

Pumpkins in the Park [Sat 10a-4p]: Featuring a giant pumpkin patch, scarecrows, apple tastings, kids' activities, and more. In Guadalupe Park's Discovery Meadow (San Jose). www.grpq.org

Pleasant Hill's Festival [Sat 10a-9p, Sun 10a-5p]: 8th annual. Featuring a live music stage, a children's stage, local artisans, and more. At Pleasant Hill Plaza. www.pleasanthillchamber.com/art-jazz-wine.php

San Carlos Art & Wine Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5:30p]: 20th annual. Featuring live music, local artisans, wine tasting and more. Along San Carlos Ave and Laurel St (San Carlos). www.sancarloschamber.org

Oaktoberfest [Sat 11a-6p]: Featuring two live music stages, kids' activities, and 20 local brewers such as Drake's, Trumer Pils, and Triple Rock. Near Fruitvale and MacArthur (Oakland). www.oaktoberfest.org

Art Walk Livermore [Sat 11a-5p]: 9th annual. Featuring local art boutiques, street musicians, wine bars, and outdoor diners. In downtown Livermore. www.artwaklivermore.org

Bicycle Family Day [Sun 11a-3p]: 4th annual. Featuring a scavenger hunt, parade, games, and bike maintenance. In Golden Gate Park near Stow Lake (SF). www.sfbike.org/familyday

Jewish To Life Festival [Sun 11a-5p]: Featuring local Bay Area Jewish organizations, live entertainment, authentic food, and more. Along California Ave (Palo Alto). www.paloaltojcc.org/tolife

Italian Heritage Parade [Sun 12:30p]: 142nd annual. Featuring a parade between Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, along with street musicians and open-air dining specials.

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th season. This week's theme - Jazz in the Park. At Golden Gate Park's Music Concourse (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org