Randy's Guide CXCV (195)

Historic milestones: 7 years since the first official admission of Area 51; 48 years since The Rolling Stones' first concert; 55 years since the addition of "In God We Trust" to US currency; 63 years since the infamous Roswell crash; 121 years since the first publication of The Wall Street Journal.


Local News
Largemouth bass in a San Mateo County reservoir turned up some of the highest mercury levels in the state. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is investigating the source of the contaminant, with one hypothesis being that the mercury has flowed all the way from China. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/07/MNU41E4CR4.DTL


Change for Change
Charity: Shanti. Founded by Dr. Charles Garfield in 1974, the San Francisco nonprofit provides educational and supportive services to over 2,000 clients with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. www.shanti.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, and The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.


Weekend Weather
Persistent coastal fog, but seasonably warm inland.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for July 2-4}
As expected, Twi-hards came out in full force and pushed "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" to a healthy $64.8 million [4468 theatres; $14,510 per theatre; $157.6 million overall]. M. Night Shyalaman's latest "The Last Airbender" opened to $40.3 million [3169 theatres; $12,725 per theatre; $57.8 million overall]. "Toy Story 3," an excellent end to an excellent series, passed the $300 million mark on Monday.

Mainstream films:
-Despicable Me (PG): animation; co-voiced by Steve Carell and Jason Segel
-Predators (R): sci-fi action; co-starring Adrien Brody and Laurence Fishburne

Art-house films:
-Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo (NR): documentary
-Daddy Longlegs (NR): drama
-The Girl Who Played with Fire (R): thriller sequel
-John Rabe (NR): drama; co-starring Steve Buscemi
-The Kids Are All Right (R): drama; co-starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo
-Stonewall Uprising (NR): documentary
-Wild Grass (PG): drama

DVD Pick - The Damned United (R): A host of quality British actors, including Michael Sheen ("Frost/Nixon") and Jim Broadbent, usher us into a turbulent era for the British football squad Leeds United. It's a great complement to the final two World Cup matches this weekend. Domestic box office: $0.5 million; foreign box office: $3.6 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "Let It Be" at San Anselmo's Creek Park on Friday, and "Dirty Dancing" in SF's Union Square. www.filmnight.org

Palo Alto Clay & Glass Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-5p]: 18th annual. Featuring clay demonstrations and 180 juried artists. At the Palo Alto Art Center. www.acga.net

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p, Wed 7p]: Featuring the latest annual production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Glen Park (SF), Golden Gate Park's Peacock Meadow (SF), and Mill Valley Community Center. www.sfmt.org

World Cup final [Sun 9:30a-4p]: Either The Netherlands and Spain will claim the World Cup crown for the first time. Match is at 11:30am, but the beer garden, food stands, and music will be ongoing. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.worldcupsf.com

Sunday Streets [Sun 10a-3p]: The sixth of nine rounds this year, with free bicycle rentals and maintenance, outdoor World Cup screening, yoga garden, Circus Bella performance, and more. Along 19th St near Dolores Park, down Valencia, east on 24th St to Potrero, and Harrison between 17th St and 26th St (SF). www.sundaystreetssf.com

Family Day: Asian Theme [Sun 11a-3p]: Featuring Chinese lion dancers, taiko, hands-on wonton cooking demo, calligraphy, and more. In Courthouse Square (Redwood City). www.redwoodcity.org/events/targetfamilydays.htm

Petaluma Art & Garden Festival [Sun 11a-5p]: 9th annual. Featuring local musical artists, restaurants, vendors, and wineries. Near Kentucky & 4th St. in the historic downtown. www.petalumadowntown.com/artandgardenpetaluma.aspx

Jewish Music Festival [Sun noon-5p]: 25th annual. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. This week's theme: Bastille Day. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring the San Francisco Symphony, with all-American works by Copland, Gershwin, and Beethoven. Arrive early! At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Randy's Guide CXCIV (194)

Historic milestones: 14 years since the first cloned mammal (Dolly the sheep); 47 years since the introduction of ZIP codes; 75 years since the beginning of Chicago's Grant Park Music Festival; 82 years since the introduction of sliced bread; 145 years since the publication of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; 234 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.


Local News
Wednesday was not kind on San Francisco. First, the Civic Center BART station was shut down temporarily as police attempted to track down a fugitive on and around the tracks in the afternoon. Then, a man attempted to commit suicide at the Embarcadero BART station, which caused service to be disrupted for about two hours. Finally, a power outage struck the Diamond Heights and Castro neighborhoods and closed Castro station during the evening hours. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/30/BA741E7G1P.DTL www.sfexaminer.com/local/Castro-Station-closed-after-power-outage-97546089.html


Change for Change
Charity: Shanti. Founded by Dr. Charles Garfield in 1974, the San Francisco nonprofit provides educational and supportive services to over 2,000 clients with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. www.shanti.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, and The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.


Holiday Weekend Weather
Sunshine galore, with the warmest day being the Fourth of July.

THU-FRI
Highs: upper-50s (coast); mid-60s (SF); low-70s (bay); upper-70s (inland)
Lows: upper-40s (coast); low-50s (SF-bay); mid-50s (inland)

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


Movies {domestic revenues through June 27}
"Toy Story 3" held in the top spot with $59.4 million [4028 theatres; $14,731 per theatre; $226.9 million overall]. The Adam Sandler-led ensemble comedy "Grown Ups" tallied a decent $40.5 million [3534 theatres; $11,462 per theatre]. However, the Tom Cruise-Cameron Diaz action-comedy underperformed with $20.1 million [3098 theatres; $6,501 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
-The Last Airbender (PG): fantasy action; co-starring Dev Patel; directed by M. Night Shyamalan
-The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (PG-13): fantasy drama; co-starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner

Art-house films:
-Everyone Else (NR): drama
-Love Ranch (R): drama; co-starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci
-Restrepo (R): documentary; winner of Best Documentary at Sundance Film Festival
-Trash Humpers (NR): drama

DVD Pick - Coraline (PG): Largely overshadowed by the monstrous hit "Up," this animated dazzler evokes the creepy fun in Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas." The tale of a girl who wishes for a new family features the voices of Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher. Domestic box office: $75.3 million; foreign box office: $49.3 million.


Fourth of July Activities
Richmond [Sat 5-9:15p]: Featuring the Oakland East Bay Symphony, the Hilltop Community Choir, and a live fireworks display. At Craneway Pavilion. www.craneway.com/OEBS

Orinda [Sun 7:30a-2:30p]: Featuring a pancake breakfast, fun run, parade, and more. At Orinda Community Park. www.orindaassociation.org/fourthofjuly.htm

Concord [Sun 8a-3p]: Featuring a pancake breakfast, parade, festival, and live music. At Todos Santos Plaza. www.concordmainstreet.com/events.asp

Redwood City [Sun 9a-5p]: Featuring a battle of the college bands (Stanford vs. UC Davis), live entertainment, and more. In the downtown area near Broadway and Main. www.parade.org

El Cerrito [Sun 10a-6p]: Featuring live global music, carnival games, festival foods, and more. At Cerrito Vista Park. www.el-cerrito.org/recreation/4th_of_July.html

Berkeley Marina [Sun noon-10p]: Featuring dragon boat races, an Adventure Playground, sailboat rides, and a fireworks show. Along Berkeley Marina. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/4th-of-july/4th-of-july.html

Oakland [Sun noon-4p]: Featuring a petting zoo, a youth circus troupe, artisan marketplace, and more. At Jack London Square. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122681491107181

San Francisco Waterfront [Sun 3-9:30p]: Featuring the music of Tainted Love and Mustache Explosion, as well as a fireworks display. At Pier 39. www.pier39.com


Free Activities
World Cup quarterfinals [Fri-Sat 7a/11:30a]: Netherlands-Brazil, Uruguay-Ghana, Argentina-Germany, and Paraguay-Spain are the four quarterfinal matches to be broadcast from Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.worldcupsf.com

Fillmore Jazz Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 26th annual. Featuring five stages of live jazz, including Kim Nalley and the Marcus Shelby Orchestra. Along Fillmore, between Jackson and Eddy (SF). www.fillmorejazzfestival.com

Circus Bella [Sat noon/2:15p]: Featuring the San Francisco-based clown troupe performing various circus feats. In Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.circusbella.com

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Mon 2p]: Featuring the latest annual production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfmt.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. This week's theme: All-American Concert. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring the San Francisco Opera, with all-American works by Bernstein, Copland, Sousa, Gershwin, and Sondheim. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Tango in the Park [Sun 2p]: Featuring free tango and milonga lessons, then a live Argentine tango band to practice those moves. In Union Square (SF). www.unionsquarepark.us

Free Art Museums [Sun / Tue / Wed]: The usual array of San Francisco museums, including the Asian Art and MOMA, will offer free admission on various days this coming week. Check out their websites for details!

Randy's Guide CXCIII (193)

Historic milestones: 7 years since the Lawrence v. Texas ruling overturned sodomy laws; 40 years since the first pride parades in SF, NYC, Atlanta, and LA; and 41 years since the Stonewall riots began.


Local News
40 years and counting... check out a plethora of Pride activities around San Francisco during the next several days. www.sfbg.com/2010/06/22/your-big-queer-week www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/20/PK9I1DPMKB.DTL


Change for Change
Congrats to The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse for the latest Randy's Guide donation!

New Charity: Shanti. Founded by Dr. Charles Garfield in 1974, the San Francisco nonprofit provides educational and supportive services to over 2,000 clients with HIV/AIDS and breast cancer. www.shanti.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, and now The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.


Weekend Weather
One more day of below-normal temperatures before another wave of summer heat kicks in everywhere. Lather on the sunblock and stay hydrated for the USA-Ghana match on Saturday, as well as the parade and Backstreet Boys pride concert on Sunday!

Highs:
Coast - from mid-50s today up to low-70s Sunday
SF - low-60s -> mid-70s
Bay - mid-60s -> low-80s
Inland - low-70s -> low-90s

Lows:
Coast - from upper-40s today to low-50s Sunday
SF - upper-40s -> mid-50s
Bay - low 50s -> upper-50s
Inland - low-50s -> low-60s


Movies {domestic revenues through June 20}
"Toy Story 3" rang up the best Pixar numbers yet, with $110.3 million [4028 theatres; $27,385 per theatre]. "Jonah Hex" bombed with a paltry $5.4 million in seventh place [2825 theatres; $1,904 per theatre]. Meanwhile, "The Karate Kid" crossed the $100 million mark.

Mainstream films:
-Grown Ups (PG-13); comedy; Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, and Salma Hayek
-Knight and Day (PG-13); action; Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz

Art-house films:
-Air Doll (NR): drama
-The Bicycle Bride (NR): comedy
-Cyrus (R): drama; John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, and Catherine Keener
-8: The Mormon Proposition (R): documentary
-Have You Heard from Johannesburg? (NR): documentary
-I Am Love (R); drama; Tilda Swinton
-Killer Inside Me (R); drama; Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, and Kate Hudson
-The Message (NR): drama

DVD Pick - Milk (R): Sean Penn deservedly received an Oscar for his performance as gay-rights activist Harvey Milk. Even more touching is the acceptance speech from screenwriter (and San Franciscan) Dustin Lance Black. Domestic box office: $31.8 million; foreign box office: $22.7 million.


Pride Activities
Trans March [Fri 3:30-7p]: Featuring live performances and a march to UN Plaza in support of transgender issues. At Dolores Park (SF). www.transmarch.org

Pink Triangle Installation [Sat 7:30a-10:30a]: Featuring the unveiling of a massive pink triangle, with the official speakers to boot. At Twin Peaks (SF). www.thepinktriangle.com

LGBT Pride Celebration [Sat-Sun noon-7p]: Featuring live musical performances (including the Backstreet Boys and Erasure's Andy Bell), a video speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, entertainment from "Wicked" and CheerSF, massive parade, bear garden, leather alley, trans pavilion, and more. In the Civic Center area (SF). www.sfpride.org

Dyke March [Sat noon-7p]: Featuring live speakers, entertainment, and subsequent march to Castro in support of lesbian issues. At Dolores Park (SF). www.dykemarch.org

Pink Saturday [Sat 6p-midnight]: Outdoor street party hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. In the Castro District (SF). www.thesisters.org


Free Activities
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival [Sat 11a-3p; Sun 1-3p]: Featuring Venezuelan Music Project, AXIS Dance Company, and enCayapa. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

Oaklavia [Sun 10a-2p]: Similar to San Francisco's Sunday Streets program, only across the bay. Along Broadway and Telegraph between downtown and Jack London Square (Oakland). www.walkoaklandbikeoakland.org

Alice's Summerthing Concert [Sun noon-4p]: Featuring Lifehouse, Kris Allen, and One eskimO. At Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow (SF). www.radioalice.com

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. This week's theme: Salute to "The Park." At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring Hapa, a Hawaiian chant musical group, and Oakland-based hula group Academy of Hawaiian Arts. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org


Paid Activities
Keiko Matsui concert [Fri-Sat 8p/10p; Sun 2p/7p]: A dozen albums later, the contemporary jazzist still wows crowds. At Yoshi's (Oakland), $5-28. www.keikomatsui.com

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings concert [Fri 9p]: Former Randy's Guide musical artist. With The Heavy and DJ Harry Duncan. At the Warfield (SF), $22. www.daptonerecords.com

Goldfrapp concert [Sat 8p]: The electro-pop duo from England. With Kool Karlo opening. At the Fox Theatre (Oakland), $33. www.myspace.com/goldfrapp

Previous: Theatre - The Golden Girls: Pride Episodes [through Friday in SF]; Film - Frameline34 [through Sunday in SF/Berkeley]; Theatre - Hot Greeks [through Sunday in SF]; Theatre - In the Wake [through Sunday in Berkeley]; Opera - San Francisco Opera season [through July 2 in SF]; Theatre - The Tosca Project [extended through July 3 in SF]