Events Around the Bay – Week of June 8, 2018

Dia de Portugal Festival in San Jose 

June 9 at 10PM to 5PM  
Parade at 12PM

 

Have fun at the Dia de Portugal festivities presented by the the Portuguese Heritage Society of California at History Park at Kelly Park in San Jose. This annual celebration of Portuguese culture includes a full day of activities of music and dance entertainment, a variety of Portuguese food, children’s carnival, art and book exhibits, and a traditional parade. Wear a colorful Portuguese costume as the Dia de Portugal Festival showcases proudly the preservation of the Portuguese heritage for generations to come!

 

Tickets and Information 

Free admission and free activities
408-293-3053
www.diadeportugalca.org
History Park at Kelly Park
1650 Senter Road in San Jose

 

Photo courtesy of Portuguese Historical Museum

 

 

Laptop Orchestra Performs in Palo Alto

June 9 at 7:30PM

 

Where else if not in the heart of the Silicon Valley? For 10 years the Stanford Laptop Orchestra – aka SLOrk – has been re-imagining orchestral music: instead of playing strings, woodwinds, and brass, this ensemble builds its arrangements with laptops and new computer-generated instruments. Celebrating its decade of composing on computers, SLOrk is presenting a high-tech performance at the architecturally stunning Bing Concert Hall at Stanford. The concert is Directed by Ge Wang, an associate professor of music at Stanford University and co-directed by Matt Wright, Christopher Jette, and Trijeet Mukhopadhyay. To learn more about this orchestration come early to listen and learn at the pre-show talk with SLOrk’s Wang at 6:45PM. Good news: no exams to follow this presentation. Everyone gets an “A” for attending this event.

 

Tickets and Information
Free Admission
650-724-2464
stanfordlive@stanford.edu
Bing Concert Hall
327 Lasuen Street at Stanford

 

Photo courtesy of Bing Live

 

 

Presidio Kite Festival in San Francisco 

June 16, from 12PM to 5PM

 

Go fly a kite! Let your imagination soar at this colorful, family-friendly festival featuring all things kite. The artistry, diversity, and loads of fun of modern flying will take your breath away! The all-day event features a free build your-own-kite booth, hands-on learning from kite experts, a kite art exhibition, giant kites, mega team flying, Taiko drummers, and food trucks. Offered in partnership with Highline Kites. Registration is appreciated but not required. Free kites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration does not guarantee a seat in the kite-making tent. Conclusion: come early! Presidio Parade Grounds are the most picturesque and beautiful locations in the City by the Bay.

 

Tickets and Information
Free admission
415-561-5300
presidio.gov
Presidio Parade Grounds
Sheridan Street in San Francisco

 

Photo courtesy of Presidio Kite Festival

 

 

 

Sacramento French Film Festival

June 15 – 17; June 22 – 24

 

Make Sacramento French again. The Royal Exchange is the June 15th opening night film by Marc Dugain at the 2018 Sacramento French Film Festival (SFFF). Based on the eponymous best-selling historical novel by Chantal Thomas, The Royal Exchange  is a stunning costume drama with an unusual story. For those of us who stayed up all night on May 19, 2018, a royal marriage looked like a fairy tale: Prince Harry fell in love with a beautiful commoner, Meghan Markle, and their marriage was celebrated around the world. Things were different in the past, when princesses were used as pawns in the political games of the day. This is one of those true stories. True but probably not entirely accurate—you be the judge, if you are a history aficionado. Nevertheless, it is the kind of fascinating historical romance that says a lot about power. Presented in French with English subtitles. The SFFF is a unique cultural event that brings people together around French films and French culture in a festive atmosphere. The SFFF opens each year on a Friday night. Opening festivities include a film and a catered reception. Films continue all day long Saturday and Sunday for two consecutive weekends. The SFFF concludes on June 24th, Sunday night, with a champagne party following the closing film.

 

Tickets and Information
Price of $17 includes the film and the opening night party
916-455-9390
www.sacramentofrenchfilmfestival.org
Crest Theatre
2013 K Street in Sacramento

 

Photo courtesy of SFFF

 

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.