Randy's Guide CCXXXVIII (238)

Historic milestones: 10 years since the first space tourist; 33 years since the first spam e-mail; 40 years since the formation of Amtrak; 60 years since the first televised Kentucky Derby; 65 years since the Alcatraz riots; 84 years since the first celebrity footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theater; and 111 years since Hawaii becomes a U.S. territory.


Event Reminder
Dining Out For Life is coming to San Francisco tonight, April 28. Good options still remain on OpenTable (party of 2 @ 7:30pm), including Hyde Street Bistro, Indigo, Catch, and Firefly. All restaurants will donate 25% of your bill to area HIV prevention and care programs. Other cities participating today (April 28) include Denver, LA, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and Boston. www.diningoutforlife.com


Local Restaurant Pick
Limon Rotisserie
1001 South Van Ness (at 21st St.)
415.821.2134
www.limonrotisserie.com

The Peruvian whole roasted chicken with two sides ($17.95) remains one of the City's best values. The lomito saltado, ceviches, and sangria are also great for sharing a convivial meal with friends and family alike. www.yelp.com/biz/limon-rotisserie-san-francisco


Deal of the Week
Free Museum Days. Sunday features the Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF), Oakland Museum of California, and Asian Art Museum (SF). Tuesday means the de Young, Cartoon Art Museum, Legion of Honor, SF MOMA, and YBCA. Wednesday is free for the SF Zoo (residents only), Exploratorium, and Sausalito Discovery Museum.


Change for Change
Charity: Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California. Founded in 1973, the JCCCNC typically offers programs, sports leagues, events, and community services for over 80 different national non-profits. The March earthquake and tsunami has led the JCCCNC to start the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, which will donate 100% of proceeds to a three-prong approach of immediate relief, mid-term recovery, and long-term rebuilding. The goal is $1 million; to date, the cause has raised over $380,000. www.causes.com/campaigns/97128?cause_id=590211

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, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, and La Cocina.


Bay Area Weekend Highs
Warmer and sunny - it's spring time!

~ THU-FRI ~
Coast: low-60s
SF: mid-60s
Bay: mid-60s
Inland: upper-60s

~ SAT-SUN ~
Coast: mid-60s
SF: low-70s
Bay: mid-70s
Inland: upper-70s


Music
"Dynamite" by Keenan Cahill (feat. Brian Wilson and Cody Ross)

The viral-video star is up to 93 YouTube entries, including collaborations with 50 Cent, David Guetta, and Pauly D. The SF Giants are holding a Maroteaux Lamy Syndrome charity night in honor of Keenan on Wednesday, May 25.


Movies {domestic revenues for April 22-24}
1. "Rio" - $26.3 million - 3842 theatres - $6,851 per theatre - $80.8 million overall
2. "Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family" - $25.1 million - 2288 theatres - $10,957 per theatre
3. "Water for Elephants" - $16.8 million - 2817 theatres - $5,979 per theatre
6. "African Cats" - $6.0 million - 1220 theatres - $4,921 per theatre

Mainstream films:
- Dylan Dog (PG-13): Thriller; co-starring Sam Huntington and Taye Diggs
- Fast Five (PG-13): Action sequel; co-starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Tyrese Gibson, and Dwayne Johnson
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (PG): Animation sequel; co-voiced by Hayden Panettiere, Bill Hader, Glenn Close, Amy Poehler, and Martin Short
- Prom (PG): Comedy

Art-house films:
- Cave of Forgotten Dreams (NR): Documentary
- Legend of the Fist (R): Action
- My Perestroika (NR): Documentary
- The Princess of Montpensier (NR): Drama
- The Robber (NR): Thriller
- Stake Land (NR): Suspense

Randy's DVD Pick: Invictus (PG-13). It's the rare Hollywood film that out-performed in its foreign markets. Morgan Freeman does the serious leader role again quite well, gaining an Oscar nod for his portrayal of a newly elected Nelson Mandela. Matt Damon co-stars as a rugby captain who starts to understand the importance of sport to a divided nation. Clint Eastwood is the director. Domestic box office: $37.5 million; foreign: $84.7 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Sidewalk Arts Expo [Fri-Sun 10am-5pm]: 66th semi-annual. Along North Main and Locust St. (Walnut Creek). www.walnutcreekdowntown.com

New Living Expo [Fri 3-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm]: Guest speakers include Daryl Hannah, Starhawk, and Julia Butterfly Hill. 300+ exhibits on higher consciousness, green living, and spiritual healing abound. At Concourse Exhibition Center (SF). RSVP at http://barttonewlivingexpo.eventbrite.com

Alexander String Quartet concert [Fri 6pm]: Award-winning quartet! At Community Music Center (SF). www.sfcmc.org/site/calendar/event-single?id=1226

Lao New Year Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: 3rd annual. Green papaya salad contest, southeast Asian cultural performances, Lao Kato tournament, and more. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.laonewyear.org

Cherry Blossom Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-5pm]: Check out taiko, karate, judo, origami, bonsai, hula, and chado (tea ceremony). At Memorial Park (Cupertino). www.cupertinotoyokawa.org

Streets Alive San Mateo County [Sun 8am-3pm]: Reader Eric P. points out this event taking place in several cities across San Mateo County, including San Mateo, Belmont, Millbrae, Redwood City, and Pacifica. www.streetsalivesmc.org

Glen Park Festival [Sun 10am-4:30pm]: 13th annual. Live music, local restaurants, food carts, artisans, and more. Along Diamond St. (SF). www.glenparkfestival.com

May Day March [Sun 11:30am-2:30pm]: March and speak out. Starts from 24th St. BART to Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.maydayunited.org

Art in the Alley [Sun noon-6pm]: 25+ emerging artists are featured in this award-winning festival. In North Beach's Kerouac Alley (SF).

How Weird Festival [Sun noon-8pm]: Nine blocks of colorful costumes, electronica music, food, drinks, and fun. Near Howard and Second St. (SF). www.howweird.org

Bay Area National Dance Week [through Monday]: A wide range of dance options, from lessons to performances. Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. www.bayareandw.org

Kitchen Table Talks [Tue 6:30-8:30pm]: Five youth food activists share stories about opening a grocery coop, a mushroom business, and various educational endeavors. At UC Berkeley School of Journalism Library (Berkeley). RSVP at www.civileats.com