Thursday, June 2, 2011

Randy's Guide CCXLIII (243)

Historic milestones: 34 years since the release of the Apple II; 58 years since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; 62 years since the publication of George Orwell's "1984"; 74 years since the first drive-in movie theater (Camden, N.J.); and 123 years since the publication of "Casey at the Bat" (San Francisco Examiner).


Freebie of the Week
Score a pair of U2 tickets for Tuesday's concert by donating a gently used pair of boots or shoes at Pier 39's Hard Rock Cafe starting at 3pm on Monday, June 6. At least 100 pairs of tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Care to guess how early you have to show up? www.soles4souls.org


Local Restaurant Pick
Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen
2261 Shattuck Ave. (at Kittredge)
510-548-6900

Heavenly Creole is but one short block from the Downtown Berkeley BART. I've had great culinary experiences with the gumbo, hush puppies, jambalaya, and crawfish etouffee. I can't wait to return for a pre-concert dinner at the Greek later this month. 4 stars - 1209 reviews. www.yelp.com/biz/angelines-louisiana-kitchen-berkeley

Previous picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's.

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 $400,000. 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
Unseasonably cold. More rain is forecast for Friday night into Saturday, with a possibility for Sunday.

San Francisco: upper-50s
Coast: upper-50s
Bay: low-60s
South Bay: mid-60s
North Bay: mid-60s
Inland East Bay: upper-60s


Music
"Rulers, Ruling All Things" by Midlake (Denton, Texas)
Radiohead counts as one of the band's main influences. Three albums have led to another tour in Europe, where it's generally better known. www.midlake.net


Movies {domestic revenues for May 27-29}
1. The Hangover Part II (R). $85.9 million [3615 theatres; $23,775 per theatre; $117.6 million overall]
2. Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG). $47.7 million [3925 theatres; $12,142 per theatre; $53.5 million overall]
3. Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides (PG-13). $39.8 million [4164 theatres; $9,565 per theatre; $153.4 million overall]
7. Midnight in Paris (R). $1.9 million [58 theatres; $33,268 per theatre; $2.8 million overall]
Mainstream films:
- X-Men: First Class (PG-13): Sci-fi action; co-starring James McAvoy, Kevin Bacon, and January Jones

Art-house films:
- Blank City (NR): Documentary; co-starring Jim Jarmusch and Steve Buscemi
- Dumbstruck (PG): Documentary
- Empire of Silver (NR): Drama; co-starring Jennifer Tilly
- Mia and the Migoo (NR): Animation
- The Tree of Life (PG-13): Drama; co-starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn; directed by Terence Malick (The Thin Red Line)


Free Weekend Activities
Rotunda Dance Series [Fri noon]: Featuring Rumsen Ohlone Tribe's Humaya singers and dancers. At SF City Hall. www.dancersgroup.org

Architecture in Helsinki live show [Fri 6pm]: Catch this cool band for free instead of ponying up dollars for programs at Slims and the Great American Music Hall. At Amoeba Records (SF). www.amoeba.com

Friday Nights at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45pm]: Featuring live tango music by Trio Garufa, a screening of 1957's The Sun Also Rises, and artist talks by Kimball Artist Studios. At the de Young (SF). http://deyoung.famsf.org

SF Bike Party [Fri 7:30pm]: Start in the Panhandle and ride through Twin Peaks, Upper Haight, Castro, and Mission to honor Pride during this monthly event. www.sfbikeparty.org

Dancing under the Stars [Fri 8:30-10pm]: Salsa lessons by the Linden Street Dance Studio. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.jacklondonsquare.com

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Day [Fri]: Enjoy a free doughnut of your choice. www.krispykreme.com

Berkeley Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: Street chalk art (with prizes), chocolate samples for purchase, live music, face painting, and more. Along Shattuck Ave. www.chocolateandchalkart.com

Berkeley Family Fun Festival [Sat 10am-3pm]: With a bouncy house, farm animal area, carnival games, and more. At Civic Center Park. www.ecologycenter.org

Foster City Arts & Wine Festival [Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-5pm]: 39th annual. With a carnival, two live music stages, entertainment, and more. At Leo Ryan Park. www.fostercitychamber.com

Union Street Festival [Sat-Sun 10am-6pm]: 35th annual. With 150 artisans, 25 food booths, two stages of live entertainment, and more. Along Union St., between Gough and Steiner (SF). www.unionstreetfestival.com

Cliff's Variety party [Sat 10am-6pm]: Celebrate 75 years with vendor demos, a 75-cent matinee at the Castro Theater, AEF Awards, tea dance, and charity raffle. At Cliff's Variety (SF). www.cliffsvariety.com

Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: 37th annual. Live entertainment and numerous vendors. Along Murphy Ave. www.svcoc.org

Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival [Sat-Sun 11am-6pm]: 30th annual. Mardi Gras theme. At Heather Farm Park. www.walnut-creek.com

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon expo [Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 6:30am-2:30pm]: Check out the expo or the 2,000 participants who swim 1.5 miles, bike 18 miles, and run 8 miles. Expo at Marina Green, route through the Presidio and Golden Gate Park (SF). www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com

World Music Festival [Sat noon-9pm]: 8th annual. Cultural performances and craft bazaar. At People's Park and along Telegraph Ave. (Berkeley). www.berkeleyworldmusic.org

Ecstatic Dance East Bay [Sat noon-5pm]: 5 DJs. At Lake Merritt's Lakeside Park (Oakland). www.ecstaticdance.org

Israel in the Gardens [Sun 11am-5pm]: With music, theater, films, ethnic foods, and community resources. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Sonoma County Pride [Sun 11am-6pm]: 11am parade, followed by festival with live music, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, faerie village, and more. At Guerneville Lodge. www.sonomacountypride.org

Temescal Street Fair [Sun noon-6pm]: With the Circus Spire Youth Troupe, East Bay Depot Greening Oakland, foodie row, and more. Near Telegraph Ave. and 48th (Oakland). www.temescaldistrict.org

Civic Symphony concert [Sun 1pm]: Featuring works by Wagner, Schubert, Glazunov, and Honneger. At Sir Francis Drake's Empire Ballroom (SF). www.sfcivicsymphony.com

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1pm]: 129th season. Italian-American Day theme. At the Music Concourse (SF).www.goldengateparkband.org

Science at the Theater [Sun 7-9pm]: The focus is nanoscience, with four scientists speaking with the interim director of Molecular Foundry. At the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. www.lbl.gov/LBL-PID/fobl

Free Museum Day [Sun / Tue]: Oakland Museum of California or Asian Art Museum (SF) on Sunday; SFMOMA, Cartoon Art Museum, Legion of Honor, de Young, Conservatory of Flowers, or YBCA on Tuesday.

"As We Live It" exhibit opening [Wed 5:30pm]: Featuring 33 artists who participate in at least one of San Francisco's assistance programs. At City Hall (SF). www.sfartscommission.org

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