Highlights, News & Announcements | |
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Stern Grove Festival's Lineup for its 87th Season
Check out Stern Grove Festival's amazing lineup of FREE concerts for the summer that includes Sylvan Esso, the Commodores, Chaka Khan and more. You can RSVP for free tickets one month before each show date at the link below, with the first RSVP date on Thursday, May 22 at 2 p.m. for Tegan and Sara.
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SF Live Concert: Tony Lindsay & Friends Featuring Bill Ortiz on May 16
Join SF Live for its second show at Fulton Plaza on Thursday, May 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Mr. Tipples and Illuminate, the free show will feature the captivating vocals of Tony Lindsay and the soulful trumpet melodies of Bill Ortiz, both of whom performed with Santana. Join us for an evening filled with timeless classics and electrifying performances celebrating the rich musical heritage of the Bay Area! For more information, click the link below.
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Sundown Cinema Kicks Off 2024 Season at Dolores Park on May 17
From Duboce Park to India Basin Shoreline Park, Sundown Cinema is returning to San Francisco parks for its 2024 season! Join the San Francisco Parks Alliance and DoTheBay for these free film screenings at the park, with the first being a sing-along on Friday, May 17 at Dolores Park (Dolores and 19th streets) featuring "Selena." For more information, click the link below.
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Summer Class Registration Opens on May 18
Rec and Park's summer class registration begins on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. From dynamic classes such as parkour and international folk dance, to activities including power soccer with the Golden State Ducks and bingo, we have something for everyone! To view and register for our spring offerings, click the link below.
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Balboa Park Playground Completes Repairs, Family Carnival May 19
The children's play area at Balboa Park (34 Sgt John V. Young Lane) has reopened after repairs to its play surface, which had become worn down. Be sure to check it out soon, including at the Family Connections Centers' free carnival taking place at the park on Sunday, May 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information about the event, click the link below.
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Activity and Class Schedule for Civic Center Plazas
Check out all of the amazing drop-in activities and scheduled classes available at the reimagined UN Plaza and surrounding Civic Center area. From the Heart of the City Farmers' Market and live music at Fulton Plaza to to mahjong and chess at UN Plaza, we have something for everyone to get out and play in San Francisco's core. See the workout class schedule from Rae Studios, as well as the full amenity list and schedule at the link below.
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Bayview Safety Swim & Splash Program Receives Donation from Amazon
The Bayview Safety Swim and Splash (BSSS) program has received a $50,000 donation from Amazon to support this free learn-to-swim initiative for youth in Bayview-Hunters Point. A check presentation ceremony was held last week with the program’s participants and partners to commemorate the donation.
The program, a partnership between Rec and Park and the YMCA of San Francisco, offers free swim lessons and water safety instruction to youth K-5 who live or attend school in the 94124 ZIP code.
The goal of the program is to ensure that Bayview-Hunters Point youth are comfortable and confident in the water, meaning that they can swim, float, breathe, and get to safety if needed.
The BSSS program was outlined in the India Basin Waterfront Park Project's Equitable Development Plan to help local youth become water safe ahead of the completion of the park. Learn more about the program and its significance from Axios at the link below.
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Tenderloin Greenager Class Graduates, Celebrates Accomplishments
Congratulations to our 2024 Tenderloin Greenager class, which celebrated their accomplishments from the past year at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. These 11 graduates worked nearly 500 hours in six different parks to serve their communities, while going on fun adventures including archery, sailing and more. Thank you for your contributions to our parks this past year and we look forward to your continued growth and leadership in our San Francisco community and beyond! Learn more about the program at the link below.
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Padel in the Park is a Big Hit at Embarcadero Plaza
Park Padel's one-year pop-up courts at Embarcadero Plaza hosted its Padel in the Park tournament and celebration last weekend. With the iconic back drop of the Ferry Building and Vaillancourt Fountain, there were Padel exhibition matches, free clinics and a tournament, as well as a DJ, food trucks, a beer garden and more. Thank you to everyone who came out on this beautiful day!
Frequently described as a cross between tennis and squash, it's one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Padel was invented in Acapulco in 1969 and its popularity skyrocketed during the pandemic alongside pickleball, as people turned to socially distanced activities. For more information about Park Padel, and how to play at the courts, click the link below.
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Bayview United Soccer Team Wraps Up Historic Season
Bayview United's girls and boys soccer teams wrapped up their spring season at Youngblood Coleman Playground earlier this week, capping a historic season for the program. The boys team went undefeated, while the girls team finished with a record of 6-2. They celebrated with a community BBQ after their final games.
Bayview United, a program of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, is San Francisco's first primarily Black youth soccer team for boys and girls, grades K-5. Since 2019, this free, equity-driven program aims to increase access in the Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP) community to the world’s game. It has set out to create a top tier soccer program with its home field at Youngblood Coleman Playground, and is open to players of all backgrounds and experience levels in the BVHP community. If interested in getting involved, contact Fulton Mitchell at (415) 361-2872.
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22nd Street Steps Project Community Meeting on May 22
Join the Friends of the Potrero Hill Recreation Center (801 Arkansas Street) and the San Francisco Parks Alliance for a community meeting on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss a project for new stairs that would be located between Connecticut and Missouri streets along the 22nd Street dirt path. The meeting will take place at the recreation center. For more information, click the link below.
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Call for Artists for the Future Park at 11th and Natoma by May 24
The San Francisco Arts Commission, in partnership with Rec and Park, invites artists and artist teams to submit their qualifications for public art at the 11th and Natoma Park Project. The artist contract is for design only, with the budget of $25,000. It's inclusive of all artist's fees, as well as associated expenses for design and consultation during fabrication and installation. The budget does not include costs associated with travel. Note that the deadline to submit has been extended to Friday, May 24. For more information and to apply, click the link below.
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Call for Artists for India Basin Waterfront Park by May 31
The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is looking for Artists in Residence for the future India Basin Waterfront Park. The SFAC is looking for two San Francisco-based artists, with the deadline to apply on Friday, May 31 by 5 p.m. Artists will work with the India Basin Waterfront Park project partners and the Bayview-Hunters Point community to develop new works for the park. The total honorarium for each artist is $40,000. The production budget for each Artist is $15,000. For more information and to apply, click the link below.
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Bay Area Musicians: Submit a Recording to Bay Beats by May 31
The San Francisco Public Library is looking for Bay Area musicians to submit recordings for Bay Beats, the library's free streaming music platform featuring the exciting, diverse sounds of Bay Area musicians. Selected artists will receive $250, with their work going out to thousands of new listeners on the platform. For more information, click the link below.
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Randolph & Bright Design Survey Open Through June 14
Thank you to everyone who came out to the Oceanview, Merced Heights, and Ingleside (OMI) community cleanup day at Randolph and Bright Mini Park last weekend, as well as to those who provided feedback on the future improvement project at the park.
Rec and Park, in partnership with KABOOM!, will be making improvements to Randolph and Bright Mini Park, which will include a new children’s nature exploration area, paved areas, seating, plantings, and fencing. Those that were unable to attend the cleanup day can provide feedback by taking the design survey, which is open through Friday, June 14.
For more information, visit the project page at the link below.
Questions? Contact the project manager by email at keri....@sfgov.org or by phone at (628) 652-6642.
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We Players: Adventures with Alice in Golden Gate Park through June 2
We Players' hit performance “Adventures with Alice” has returned to Golden Gate Park with shows running through June 2.
While strolling through the park along with performers, audience members will be immersed in the story and the scenery. The production leads the audience on a one-mile exploration through the park to places such as Lindley Meadow, Hellman Hollow, JFK Drive, and Portals of the Past at Lloyd Lake.
The story is a mash-up of the books “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass,” both written by Lewis Carroll. Audience members will enjoy seeing familiar characters such as Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Hare, and the Red Queen, among others, as they jaunt through the iconic city park.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, click the link below.
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Civic Center Soundtrack Concert Series on May 17 and 21
Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series by Illuminate Live, is at Fulton Plaza between San Francisco Main Library and the Asian Art Museum this spring and summer. These diverse musical performances will be held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
With the SF Live performance on Thursday, Fleeting Trance, Jonathan Burnside, and Troubadour Fools will wrap up the week at the plaza on Friday, May 17 from noon to 3 p.m.
Next week we have Ken Newman, Martha Groves Perry, and Peter Webster on Tuesday, May 21 from noon to 3 p.m. For more information and the full concert schedule, click the link below.
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Ikebana Floral Demonstration in Golden Gate Park on May 17
Join Ikebana International's San Francisco Bay Area Chapter for its demonstration on Friday, May 17 at noon in the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park. Ikebana, or Japanese flower arrangement, is an ancient Asian art vibrantly practiced in contemporary interpretations by this organization's members. Friday's demonstration will contrast the beauty of the traditional Enshu School of Ikebana with the contemporary Ichiyo School. For more information, click the link below.
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Hip Hop on the Plaza at UN Plaza on May 17
Join All the Way Live Foundation for Hip Hop on the Plaza this May at UN Plaza (Market and Hyde streets). We have a program every Friday this month, with the next on May 17 from 4 to 7 p.m., which will feature a breaking workshop starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by a dance session with DJ Precise. For more information, click the link below.
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Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell May 17 and 22
Join us for free concerts with Illuminate Live at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive).
For Friday Happy Hour on May 17, we have an evening with Nina Causey from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Next week, we have Singer/Songwriter Wednesday on May 22 with Chris Peck and Tom Finch from 4 to 7 p.m.
For more information and the full concert schedule, click the link below.
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"Ralph Chessé: A San Francisco Century" Exhibit Opening Event May 18
Join the San Francisco Public Library for the opening of its new exhibit "Ralph Chessé: A San Francisco Century." It will be on view at the Main Library (100 Larkin Street) starting on Thursday, May 16 with an opening event on Saturday, May 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. The exhibit celebrates the life of a true San Francisco renaissance man—Ralph Chessé. The bulk of his 91 years was spent in San Francisco, and his artistic endeavors— painting, sculpture and notably, marionette production and performance—reflected numerous touchstones of the Bay Area’s cultural and social life, from WPA, theater, television and rock and roll. He has a notable mural in Coit Tower and worked for the rights of artists. For more information, click the link below.
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Golden Gate Park Band: Cast of Characters Concert on May 19
Join the Golden Gate Park Band for its Cast of Characters concert on Sunday, May 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive). This free concert invites you to see the cast of characters at Bay to Breakers, before heading to the bandshell to experience a musical cast of characters in song choice and performance. For more information, click the link below.
Photo credit: Scott Strazzante/SF Chronicle
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American Sign Language Celebration Day on May 25
Join Rec and Park, ASL Love, the Presidio of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Parks Alliance for our American Sign Language (ASL) Celebration Day on Saturday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will take place at Presidio Tunnel Tops (210 Lincoln Boulevard) and will feature ASL games and activities, resources, local vendors, educational groups and more. For more information and to register, email con...@asllove.com.
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Rock Climbing Passes Now Available for Glen Park Recreation Center
We're excited to share that we now have rock climbing passes available for purchase for Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center's (70 Elk Street) climbing wall. Save money and time by getting these passes ahead of your climbing workouts through our free Play Pass system. For more information and to purchase passes, click the link below.
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Lottery for Senior Camp Mather Getaway Open Through May 24
Registration for the Senior Camp Mather Getaway lottery is now open and runs through Friday, May 24 at 5 p.m. This four-night trip will take place from August 18 to 22, providing an opportunity for ages 55 and up to relax, lounge, enjoy nature, and have a good time. Activities include arts and crafts, sing-alongs, exercise classes, nature hikes, a one-day trip to Yosemite National Park, and more. For more information, including cost, requirements and how to register, click the link below.
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"SF_retake" at the Harvey Milk Photo Center Through June 8
Swing by the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) to check out its SF_retake exhibit, which is on display through Saturday, June 8.
In 2004, a small creative team invited 20 established photographers from the art and editorial world, as well as a handful of newly emerging photographers, to document that post-internet megaboom-to-bust moment in time.
In 2024, the change is evident in this new collection of photos. Fear of earthquakes has given way to fear of fiery air. Skepticism around powerful tech ownership has turned into skepticism around personal data ownership. Swing by to see this photo retake of San Francisco 20 years later. For more information, click the link below.
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Bean Sprouts Family Days at the San Francisco Botanical Garden
Join the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) for Bean Sprouts Family Days on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon, and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Help start seeds and explore all of the growth that happened in the garden over winter. Grab some tools at the garden's welcome station or bring your own to dig, water, pick, build and explore. Heavy rain will cancel programs. All programs are free of charge with admission and no preregistration is required. For more information, click the link below.
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Chess Club Thursdays in Glen Park
Join the San Francisco Public Library and Rec and Park for chess club Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Sessions take place at the Glen Park Branch Library (2835 Diamond Street) on the first, third and fifth Thursdays of the month, while sessions on the second and fourth Thursdays take place at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street). These sessions are for players of all skill levels including kids (6 and older), teens and adults. Improve your memory, concentration and logical thinking skills through this time-honored game! For more information, contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.
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Drop-In Wheelchair Basketball at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center
Glen Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) is hosting a free drop-in wheelchair basketball session every Saturday from 9 to 12:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. You don't have to have a mobility disability to participate, but you must be able to maneuver a wheelchair. Wheelchairs are available (will fit people at least 5-feet tall). Let's get hooping!
Additional questions? Contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.
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Heron Watch at Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park on May 18
San Francisco Nature Education (SFNE) is hosting heron watch events at Blue Heron Lake in Golden Gate Park throughout the spring nesting season in April and May. The last event takes place on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please note that all SFNE programs have moved to the observation site next to the Blue Heron Lake Boathouse. Meet SFNE staff there to see the three heron nests and chicks! Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information and to register, click the link below.
(Photo Credit: Helene Sobol)
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Mobile Rec at Tenderloin Recreation Center on May 18
Mobile Rec comes to Tenderloin Recreation Center (570 Ellis Street) on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to free BMX biking and skateboarding, our rock wall will be available for aspiring climbers to reach new heights! Equipment will be provided. For more information, click the link below.
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Sundays at the Beach on the Great Highway: Tai Chi on May 19
Join the Friends of Great Highway Park for its Sundays at the Beach programming. These free activities, from Mat Yoga to live music, will be hosted four times a month. The next program will be Tai Chi on Sunday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at Judah Street and the Great Highway. For more information, click the link below.
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Swing into Stories at Hilltop Playground on May 21
The San Francisco Public Library's (SFPL) YouthMobile is coming to parks around the city. Movement and play are essential building blocks in fostering literacy and a love of reading and the SFPL is bringing stories and song to San Francisco's parks through its Swing into Stories program. It takes place at a different park each Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The next will take place on May 21 at Hilltop Park (Newcomb Avenue and Whitney Young Circle). Join us for a high-energy story time in our beautiful outdoors!
The YouthMobile offers a diverse selection of children’s library materials available for check-out with an SFPL library card. From the city’s only kid-focused bookmobile, staff circulates materials, creates library cards and provides the public with information about library services and programs. For more information and the Swing into Stories schedule, click the link below.
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Movie Night at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center on May 21
Join our staff at Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center (70 Elk Street) for classic movie nights! The next will take place on Tuesday, May 21, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature the 1939 film "Gulliver's Travels." Come out to meet your neighbors and to enjoy these vintage films. For more information, contact the recreation center at (415) 239-4007.
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The Kids' Games at Kezar Stadium Wrap Up Video
Our Video of the Week comes from the San Francisco Police Activities League (SFPAL) and highlights the Annual Kids' Games at Kezar Stadium that took place earlier this month. The event is a free Olympic-style track meet for kids ages 5 to 14 and features the 50-meter dash, 100-meter dash and long jump. Congratulations to the more than 450 youth that participated, and thank you to the partners and volunteers that make this event happen!
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