San Francisco Ballet Launches the 2021 Digital Season With George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
January 21 through February 10

Yes, my dream will come true as the San Francisco Ballet will infatuate and mesmerize me and you with a tale of love, magic, and revelry that’s fun for the entire family. A Midsummer Night’s Dream – the two-act and six-scene full-length ballet which includes some of Shakespeare’s best-known characters, including Titania, Oberon, Puck, and donkey-headed Bottom, provides more than 100 roles in all, including 14 leading parts and a cast of 25 children.

On March 6, 2020, SF Ballet gave one performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Company’s first performance of the ballet in 34 years, before the production abruptly closed as a result of COVID-19. Luckily, this original performance was filmed on stage at the War Memorial Opera House and is now available for your viewing pleasure in the comfort of your own home.

“I think Balanchine did such a superb job with Midsummer,” says Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson, who danced as Oberon, King of the Fairies, with New York City Ballet in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. “It has humor. It has suspense. It has love. With the beautiful music by Felix Mendelssohn, performed by the SF Ballet Orchestra and Bay Area-based vocal ensemble Volti under the direction of SF Ballet Music Director Martin West and brilliant choreography by George Balanchine – this is a magical fantasy experience for all even for those who are not the ballet aficionados.

Information
Single stream tickets are $29
The Premium Plus Digital Package, with access to all seven programs in the 2021 Digital Season and exclusive bonus content, are $289.
Tickets and packages may be purchased at sfballet.org
415-865-2000

Photos courtesy of photographer Erik Tomasson

MasterClass Video Classes with Basketball Champion Steph Curry

Learn from 100+ plus of the best minds, artists, chefs, actors, writers and athletes. Interested in having video sessions with Steph Curry, the most famous basketball player in NBA? Watch on your desktop, iPhone or TV and learn his tricks of the trade. The Stephen Curry Masterclass consists of 17 topics covering the basics and advanced game techniques. He also analyzes NBA footage to unravel the various moves used by the pros. With his basketball training, an aspiring player will definitely improve her or his skills in shooting, ball-handling, and scoring a basket. No guarantee you will sign an attractive contract with the Golden State Warriors, but your basketball game will definitely be improved and you’ll score high achievements on the basketball court in your neighboring park, or you may become a star on your basketball teams in high school and college.

Information
$15 per month
masterclass.org
Additional new classes are added every month

Photo courtesy of MasterClass

Hit the Presidio Trails and Enjoy the Bird Watching at Mountain Lake

Times are tough but the news is improving and we all need to de-stress! Kick off a new year by hiking the Presidio Trails in San Francisco, getting out of your hibernation, and enjoying the picturesque scenery of the many trails all around us. And for those who are interested in seeing gorgeous birds, hike to Mountain Lake, the bird watchers’ paradise. Local birding enthusiasts and many photographers find it inspirational to capture the colorful photos by the lake. Join the citizen scientist community and share your own photos on the iNaturalist.app or tag it on social media at @presidioSF. Did you know that 323 different bird species use the Presidio? Located along the Pacific Flyway at the edge of one of the most productive estuaries in the country, and with wonderful bird-friendly places like Mountain Lake, El Polin Spring and Crissy Marsh, the Presidio is a fantastic place to visit, enjoy, and breathe fresh air.

Information
415-561-5300
presidio.gov
103 Montgomery Street in San Francisco

Photo courtesy of Presidio San Francisco

Persian and Central Asian Dance Classes Online
January 26, at 5 p.m.

No need to travel abroad. Have a Zoom date with dance teachers from around the world including Iran, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Dancing is one of the best and most pleasant exercises to keep in shape and now you can do it right in your living room. Design a colorful costume and capture a glamorous photo to share with your family and friends. About the class: All levels are welcome. This class is 100% technique. Be ready to sweat. Dancers will learn hand and body positions, footwork, special movements, and spins central to Persian dance. All levels are welcome, but know that class is at a fast (but accessible) pace. ⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠

Information
Prices range from $10 to $20
pomegranategardendance.com
Zoom link will be sent to your email after purchase

Photo courtesy of Pomegranate Garden Dance Company

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.