Randy's Guide CXCVIII (198)

Historic milestones: 29 years since the Prince Charles-Lady Diana wedding; 35 years since the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa; 80 years since the first World Cup final (won by Uruguay); and 109 years since the founding of the Socialist Party of America.


Local News
It turns out $2.50 is enough of a disincentive for thousands of carpoolers. Since the new pricing policy went into effect July 1, the number of carpoolers on Bay Area bridges has dropped 30%. Three major factors are involved: fewer cheaters; more drivers during off-peak hours; and more riders on BART. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/29/MN1R1EL9I0.DTL


Deal of the Week
Free Museum Week! Sunday - Asian Art Museum (SF) and Oakland Museum of California. Tuesday - MOMA (SF), Cartoon Art Museum (SF), de Young (SF), YBCA Gallery (SF), Museum of Craft and Folk Art (SF), Conservatory of Flowers (SF), and Legion of Honor (SF). Wednesday - Exploratorium (SF) and Bay Area Discovery Museum (Sausalito). Thursday - Berkeley Art Museum and Pez Museum (Burlingame). Hours tend to be 11am-5pm, but check museum sites for more details.


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
More of the same... cooler than normal everywhere, especially coastal areas socked in with fog and low clouds.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for July 21-23}
"Inception" had the smallest second-weekend revenue drop for any major film this summer, holding onto first spot with $42.7 million [3792 theatres; $11,267 per theatre; $142.9 million overall]. Angelina Jolie's action film "Salt" premiered with $36.0 million [3612 theatres; $9,970 per theatre]. The kiddie comedy "Ramona and Beezus" debuted weakly with $7.8 million in sixth place [2719 theatres; $2,873 per theatre].

Mainstream films:
-Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (PG): animated comedy; co-voiced by Christina Applegate, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, James Marsden, Bette Midler, Nick Nolte, Chris O'Donnell, and Paul Rodriguez
-Charlie St. Cloud (PG-13): drama; co-starring Zac Efron
-Dinner for Schmucks (PG-13): comedy; co-starring Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Ron Livingston

Art-house films:
-Countdown to Zero (PG): documentary
-Dark House (R): horror
-Farewell (R): drama
-Kisses (NR): drama; co-starring Stephen Rea
-Orlando (PG-13): drama; co-starring Tilda Swinton and Billy Zane (reissue)
-Winnebago Man (NR): documentary

DVD Pick - The Duchess (PG-13): Time to go classy. Keira Knightley plays the title character with aplumb, and the costumes are spectacular enough to merit the Oscar. Domestic box office: $13.8 million; foreign box office: $29.5 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Much Ado About Nothing [Fri 6p; Sat-Sun 1p]: Featuring Woman's Will, the Bay Area's all-female Shakespeare company. At Hillside Lawn (Rossmoor), San Felipe Park (Hayward), and Rengstorff House (Mountain View). www.womanswill.org

Critical Mass [Fri 6:30p]: Drivers, be forewarned. Starts at Justin Herman Plaza (SF) and proceeds around town.

Oakland Underground Film Festival [Fri 7:30p]: Featuring filmmaker Tracy Snelling. At Jack London Square (Oakland). www.oakuff.org

Film Night [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "Fantastic Mr. Fox" on Friday and "Jaws" on Saturday. In Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

Fremont Festival of the Arts [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 27th annual. Featuring a live music stage (including U2 tribute band Zoo Station), Kid City, gourmet marketplace, artisans, and more. Along Paseo Padre Parkway (Fremont). www.fremontfestival.net

Bicycle Music Festival [Sat 10a-Sun 2a]: 4th annual. Featuring four different stops with 15 bands, and the bicycles provide enough power for the roving sound stage. At Golden Gate Park, Dolores Park, Precita Park, and Showplace Triangle (SF). www.bicyclemusicfestival.com

Renegade Craft Fair [Sat-Sun 11a-7p]: 3rd annual. Featuring 225 do-it-yourself artisans, craft workshops, live music, and more. At Fort Mason's Festival Pavilion (SF). www.renegadecraft.com/san-francisco?site=sf

Indonesia Day 2010 [Sat 11a-4p]: 17th annual. Featuring Indonesian music, dances, food, and crafts. In Union Square Plaza (SF). www.indodaysf.com

Free Shakespeare in the Park [Sat-Sun 7:30p]: 28th annual. Featuring "Two Gentlemen of Verona." At Bernal Park (Pleasanton). www.sfshakes.org

Jerry Day [Sun 11a-6p]: 8th annual. Featuring three bands honoring Jerry Garcia. At McLaren Park (SF). www.jerryday.org

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. Featured soloist is Adam Fry. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring Grammy Award-winning Rickie Lee Jones, with local favorite Meklit Hadero opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Wed-Thu 7p]: Featuring the latest annual leftist production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Lakeside Park (Oakland). www.sfmt.org

Randy's Guide CXCVII (197)

Historic milestones: 32 years since the birth of the first test tube baby; 57 years since the Korean War armistice; and 114 years since the incorporation of Miami, Fla.


Local News
Ocean Avenue, a major economic center during the 1890s, has fallen into disrepair over the past several years. Two major redevelopment projects will usher in a supermarket, affordable housing, public space, and underground parking. And the Ocean Avenue Revitalization Collaborative is planning a September street festival and neighborhood art walks to encourage the support of local businesses. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/22/BUT21EHS2B.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
San Francisco froze in record-cold temperatures on Wednesday, hitting just 56 degrees. The persistent coastal fog should continue, with below-normal weather for most Bay Area communities.

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


Movies {domestic revenues for July 14-16}
"Inception" proved Leonardo DiCaprio's largest opening ever and continued director Christopher Nolan's hot streak with an excellent $62.8 million [3792 theatres; $16,557 per theatre]. "Despicable Me" held decently with $32.8 million, good for second [3501 theatres; $9,370 per theatre; $118.4 million overall]. Nicolas Cage couldn't lift "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" beyond $17.6 million [3504 theatres; $5,028 per theatre]. And the Marisa Tomei-Jonah Hill comedy/drama picked up another $1.1 million in its fifth weekend [446 theatres; $2,451 per theatre; $5.1 million overall].

Mainstream films:
-Ramona and Beezus (G): comedy
-Salt (PG-13): thriller; co-starring Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber

Art-house films:
-Agora (NR): action; co-starring Rachel Weisz
-Anton Chekhov's The Duel (NR): drama
-Great Directors (NR): documentary; co-starring David Lynch and John Sayles
-The Lottery (NR): documentary

DVD Pick - State of Play (PG-13): This underperforming thriller starred Russell Crowe as a persistent police detective in hot pursuit of the murderer of a congressman's wife. The congressman is none other than Ben Affleck, and other smaller roles are well-done by Helen Mirren, Jeff Daniels, and Robin Wright Penn. Domestic box office: $37,0 million; foreign box office: $50.8 million.


Free Weekend Activities
Dancing under the Stars [Fri 7:30-11p]: Featuring American tango lessons, followed by a live band and open dance floor. In Jack London Square (Oakland). www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125811787436180&index=1

Film Night in the Park [Fri-Sat 8p]: Featuring "The Blob" (1958) and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" at Creek Park (San Anselmo). www.filmnight.org

San Jose Thai Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-7p]: 1st annual. Featuring Thai kickboxing demos, regional dance and music performances, a Buddhist ceremony, authentic Thai food, a parade, and more. At Discovery Meadow (San Jose). www.thaidecorusa.com/Festival/SJT.htm

Benicia Fine Art & Jazz Festival [Sat 11a-8p; Sun 11a-6p]: 3rd annual. Featuring live jazz on the main stage, gourmet foods, artisan wines and beers, and juried vendors including local glass artists. At First Street Green (Benicia). www.beniciamainstreet.org

Urban Youth Arts Festival [Sat 1-6p]: 14th annual. Featuring 2,000 square feet of artist wall space for free expression, live musicians, performance artists, break dancers, and refreshments. At Precita Park (SF). www.precitaeyes.org

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p; Wed 7p]: Featuring the latest annual leftist production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Ho Chi Minh Park (Berkeley); Todd Grove Park (Ukiah). www.sfmt.org

Free Shakespeare in the Park [Sat-Sun 7:30p]: 28th annual. Featuring "Two Gentlemen of Verona." At Bernal Park (Pleasanton). www.sfshakes.org

Up Your Alley Fair [Sun 11a-6p]: A celebration for those in the leather, bondage, and fetish communities. Along Dore Alley, near 9th St. and Folsom (SF). www.folsomstreetfair.com/alley

Golden Gate Park Band [Sun 1p]: 128th annual. Weekly concert series. Theme: The Great American Song Writer. At Golden Gate Park's Bandshell (SF). www.goldengateparkband.org

Merola Opera [Sun 2p]: Semi-staged opera excerpts al fresco. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

San Francisco Symphony [Sun 2p]: In honor of Mexico's Bicentennial, featuring conductor de la Parra. At Dolores Park (SF). www.sfsymphony.org

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring Italian hip-hop fusion artist Jovanotti, with Columbian cumbia band Bomba Estereo opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Much Ado About Nothing [Sun 5p]: Featuring Woman's Will, the Bay Area's all-female Shakespeare company. At Civic Park Community Center (Walnut Creek). www.womanswill.org

Lindy in the Square [Wed 6-8p]: Featuring swing dance lessons and an open dance floor with a live band. At Union Square Plaza (SF). www.unionsquarepark.us/JewelsJuly.html

Randy's Guide CXCVI (196)

Historic milestones: 7 years since the establishment of the Mozilla Foundation; 34 years since Hank Aaron's final home run; 41 years since Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon; 42 years since the founding of Intel Corporation; 55 years since the opening of Disneyland; 59 years since the publication of The Catcher in the Rye; and 75 years since the world's first parking meter (Oklahoma City).


Local News
31-year-old Stanford graduate student Christina Chan plunged to her death while descending from Yosemite's Eichorn Pinnacle without ropes. Chan, who was co-president of the Stanford Alpine Club, had been in the midst of obtaining a PhD in political science after finishing undergraduate work in biochemical sciences at Harvard and her master's degree in civil and environmental engineering at Stanford. Her service will be at Stanford Memorial Church on Sunday at 1pm. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/15/BARC1EE95P.DTL


Deal of the Week
On Tuesday at 7pm at San Francisco's Embarcadero Cinema, check out a free movie screening of "Life During Wartime," along with a post-film Q&A session with director Todd Solondz. Solondz has previously directed the art-circuit hits "Happiness" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse." http://sfntf.org/images/wartime.pdf


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
Limited fog will keep things cool coastside, but it'll be hot inland.

Highs: low-60s (coast); upper-60s (SF); upper-70s (bay); low-90s (inland)
Lows: low-50s (coast); mid-50s (SF); upper-50s (bay); low-60s (inland)


Movies {domestic revenues for July 7-9}
"Despicable Me" premiered strongly with money-toting families to draw $56.4 million [3476 theatres; $16,225 per theatre]. "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" held for second place with $31.7 million [4468 theatres; $7,097 per theatre; $235.4 million overall]. Adrien Brody led the "Predators" charge with a decent $24.8 million [2669 theatres; $9,277 per theatre]. "Toy Story 3" took the lead as the top-grossing film so far in 2010, while "Grown Ups" and "The Last Airbender" have both crossed the $100 million mark.

Mainstream films:
-Inception (PG-13): Sci-fi thriller; co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, and Ellen Page; directed by Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight")
-The Sorcerer's Apprentice (PG): Action comedy; co-starring Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, and Alfred Molina

Art-house films:
-Let It Rain (NR): Comedy-drama
-[Rec] 2 (R): Horror sequel
-South of the Border (NR): Documentary; directed by Oliver Stone
-Spring Fever (NR): Drama
-Standing Ovation (PG): Musical comedy

DVD Pick - Moon (R): In honor of the 41st anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing, this moody drama centers on a single astronaut who manages an energy-resource site on the Earth's moon. Sam Rockwell does an admirable job of acting in a film that essentially only has one other character, the omnipresent robot computer, which is voiced by Kevin Spacey. Domestic box office: $5.0 million; foreign box office: $4.0 million. Winner of a BAFTA award and a National Board of Review award.


Free Weekend Activities
De Young Museum Family Celebration [Fri 5-8:45p]: Featuring a live ballet performance (in honor of Degas exhibit), live music, art lectures, and free general admission. Extra surcharge for the Impressionism exhibit. At the de Young Museum (SF). www.deyoungmuseum.org

Reception for Dave Eggers/David Byrne Exhibit [Fri 6p]: I'm not sure if the artists will be there, but the works from the local San Francisco writer (his first solo exhibit) and the former Talking Heads' lead musician will be showcased through August 14. At Electric Works (SF). www.sfelectricworks.com

Asian Art Museum Family Celebration [Sat 10a-5p]: Featuring Korean and Vietnamese dance workshops, hands-on art making, family storytelling, and free general admission. Extra surcharge for the Shanghai exhibit. At the Asian Art Museum (SF). www.asianart.org

San Anselmo Festival [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 27th annual. Featuring cover bands of The Beatles, The Who, Tom Petty, and more... along with the usual food and arts/crafts vendors and a first-time magic show. Along San Anselmo Ave. www.sananselmochamber.org

Connoisseur's Marketplace [Sat-Sun 10a-6p]: 24th annual. Featuring a collector car show, organic/green products showcase, chefs' demos, specialty foods, live music, and more. Along Santa Cruz Ave. (Menlo Park). www.miramarevents.com

Art Walk SF [Sat noon-5p]: With a dozen art galleries featuring artist talks, performance art, refreshments, live music, film screenings, and more. Along Post and Sutter St. in Union Square (SF). www.artwalksf.com

San Francisco Mime Troupe [Sat-Sun 2p, Wed 7p]: Featuring the latest annual leftist production, "Possibilidad, or Death of a Worker." At Cedar Rose Park (Berkeley) and Veterans Memorial Park (Napa). www.sfmt.org

Peruvian Festival [Sun 10a-5p]: Featuring local Peruvian chefs and bands. In Civic Center Plaza (SF). www.festivaldecomidaperuana.com

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Celebration [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring hands-on art activities and free admission to the museum. At SFMOMA. www.sfmoma.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum Celebration [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring acrobats, storytelling, hands-on art activities, and free admission to the museum. At the CJM (SF). www.thecjm.org

Zeum Celebration [Sun 11a-4p]: Featuring free carousel rides, interactive arts and crafts, and free admission to the museum. At the Zeum Children's Museum (SF). www.zeum.org

Museum of African Diaspora Celebration [Sun 11a-5p]: Featuring dances of Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and the Carolina Islands, as well as hands-on art activities and free admission to the museum. At MoAD (SF). www.moadsf.org

Sugartown Festival [Sun 11a-6p]: Featuring a live music stage, a karaoke sing-off, and more in a small-town atmosphere (pop: 3,200). In downtown Crockett. www.communityconcerts.com

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival [Sun noon-3p]: Brazilian carnaval celebration with live music. At Yerba Buena Gardens (SF). www.ybgf.org

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

Stern Grove Festival [Sun 2p]: Featuring the French electro-swing band Caravan Palace, with Spanish solo guitarist DePedro opening. At Stern Grove (SF). www.sterngrove.org

Salsa in Union Square [Wed 6p]: Get free salsa lessons, then dance to the tunes of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble. In Union Square (SF). www.unionsquarepark.us