Randy's Guide CCXXX (230)

Historic milestones: 26 years since the international release of "We Are the World"; 78 years since the first female Cabinet member (Frances Perkins - Labor); 88 years since the first publication of Time magazine; and 94 years since the U.S. Senate's adoption of the cloture rule.


Local News
This makes me mad. THQ and GameStop partnered to release 10,000 red balloons from Moscone Center as part of a new video game launch. Unfortunately, wind and rain carried thousands of the biodegradable balloons into San Francisco Bay. Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook became launchpads for the environmentally concerned to post pictures and complaints. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/03/BAU11I2LER.DTL


Change for Change
Charity: La Cocina. Low-income food entrepreneurs, particularly female minorities or immigrants, now have an outlet for their talents. Some products you may have seen at local farmers' markets or Rainbow Grocery include Kika's Treats or Clairesquares. www.lacocinasf.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, Shanti, Curry Without Worry, and SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation.


Bay Area Weekend Weather
Mostly cloudy, with a chance of rain on Sunday.

Highs: upper-50s (SF-coast); low-60s (bay); mid-60s (inland)
Lows: low-40s (inland); mid-40s (coast-bay); upper-40s (SF)


Music
"Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine (London, England)

24-year-old Florence Welch released a debut album that remains one of the top-selling albums in the UK after 1-1/2 years. I am utterly psyched to be attending her Berkeley show at the Greek on June 12. She'll also have stops in L.A., Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, and NYC. www.florenceandthemachine.net


Movies {domestic revenues for February 25-27}
"Hall Pass" eked out victory with $13.5 million [2950 theatres; $4,588 per theatre]. "The King's Speech" rode its Oscar coronation with $7.3 million [2386 theatres; $3,076 per theatre; $114.2 million overall]. "Drive Angry" became Nicolas Cage's nightmare with just $5.2 million [2290 theatres; $2,265 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
- The Adjustment Bureau (PG-13): Thriller; co-starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt
- Beastly (PG-13): Romance; co-starring Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, and Neil Patrick Harris
- Rango (PG): Animation; co-voiced by Johnny Depp, Abigail Breslin, and Alfred Molina
- Take Me Home Tonight (R): Comedy; co-starring Topher Grace

Art-house films:
- Carmen in 3-D (PG-13): Opera
- I Am (NR): Documentary
- The Last Lions (PG): Documentary; co-starring Jeremy Irons
- Machotaildrop (NR): Drama
- Nora's Will (NR): Thriller
- Of Gods and Men (PG-13): Drama
- Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (NR): Drama
- When We Leave (NR): Drama

Nic's DVD Pick: Muriel's Wedding (R). When it's cold and rainy out, and you need to feel good... count on Muriel! I have to concur with this pick, as it was a genuine surprise watching this Aussie import in theatres over a decade ago. Domestic box office: $15.1 million; foreign: $42.3 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Opening art receptions [Fri 6pm]: Deborah Oropallo's show "Tale Spin" and the 4th annual International Juried Plastic Camera Show are within a block of each other. At Gallery 16 and RayKo Photo Center (SF). www.gallery16.com www.raykophoto.com

Bay Area Now 6 talk [Sat 1-4pm]: Join the discussion about Bay Area culture and diversity. At YBCA (SF). www.ybca.org

Handel's Alcina [Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm]: The Conservatory Baroque Ensemble performs. At the Conservatory of Music (SF). RSVP at 415.503.6275. www.sfcm.edu

International Women's Day [Sun 11am-2pm]: Check out the guest speakers, great food, march, and more. At Dolores Park (SF). www.domesticworkers.org

Choreographer chat [Mon 8pm]: Choreographer Stephen Petronio discusses his new dance narrative and career in general. At Margaret Jenkins Dance Lab (SF). www.mjdc.org

Mardi Gras Celebration [Tue 5-7pm]: Juggling, stiltwalking, and a live performance are the free highlights. The party then continues at area jazz clubs such as Yoshi's and Rasselas until closing. At Fillmore Center Plaza (SF). https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:1354022.6266721781/rid:a80e58a70dae73f7471fe981203a6483

Our Soldiers' Stories exhibit [through April 22]: Featuring a photo exhibition by Maria Hohn and Martin Klimke focused on African-American GIs during the WWII era. At the African American Art & Culture Complex (SF). www.aaacc.org