Events Around the Bay – Week of March 13, 2017
Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom in Saratoga No need to travel to Tokyo or Kyoto. Enjoy a tranquil place of peace and harmony at Saratoga’s Hakone Estate and Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Stroll through eighteen acres of magnificent cascading cherry blossoms in full bloom, nestled in the verdant […]
Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom in Saratoga
No need to travel to Tokyo or Kyoto. Enjoy a tranquil place of peace and harmony at Saratoga’s Hakone Estate and Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere. Stroll through eighteen acres of magnificent cascading cherry blossoms in full bloom, nestled in the verdant hills overlooking Silicon Valley. Hakone offers visitors an international cultural and botanical venue to celebrate, admire, relax, and experience the elixir of nature’s beauty. Have tea overlooking the koi pond garden, the moon bridge, and the stunning scenery of this enchanting place. Guided tours are available.
Tickets and Information
Prices range from $8 to $10
First Tuesday of the month free admission for Saratoga Residents
408-741-4994
www.hakone.com
21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Photo courtesy of Hakone
AustenFest 2017: Celebrating Jane Austen’s Life and Times
March 25, Noon to 4 p.m.
The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) returns to the San Mateo Main Library for an afternoon filled with three tracks of Austen-inspired programming. Dr. DiAnn Ellis, who drew a standup audience for her “Jane Austen to Downton Abbey” presentation last year, will return with her new overview, “Jane Austen 101.” From Regency fashion and letter writing to silhouette making and kaleidoscopes, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your dancing shoes (yes, there will be dancing to live music!) and needlework to keep your hands busy during the panels. Costume is admired, but not required. Tea and scones will be available for purchase in the Library’s third floor cafe. Relive the good old times of Jane Austen.
Tickets and Information
Free admission
650-827-5795
www.smplibrary.org
San Mateo Main Library
55 West 3rd Avenue, San Mateo
Photo courtesy of JASNA
Monet: The Early Years
On view through May 29
Welcome back to San Francisco, Claude Monet! The city’s spectacular Legion of Honor Museum is the setting for a unique selection of the renowned impressionist’s paintings. This time, it’s not the famous water lilies or the numerous views of the Rouen and the haystacks. This exhibit focuses on Monet’s paintings from his early years, when he was only seventeen years old and developing as an artist progressing on the way to greatness. This is a splendid exhibit of close to 60 paintings for the art aficionados who will explore the journey of the young genius as he becomes, in later years, one of the greatest painters who has ever lived. This is truly a must see exhibit. “Monet: The Early Years” is an overture to a future exhibit of “Monet: The Late Years” coming to the Legion of Honor Museum in 2019. And yes, you will see his lilies then.
Tickets and Information
Prices range from $20 to $35
415-750-3600
www.legionofhonor.famsf.org
Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco
Photo courtesy of Legion of Honor
Trashion Fashion Week in Sonoma
March 18 – 26, 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Sonoma has something new and exciting to offer, and it’s not just wine and roses this time. Style meets trash as The Trashion Fashion Show in Sonoma showcases the outrageous, beautiful, theatrical, and humorous fashions created by artists, ecologists, and dumpster divas from recycled materials. This is where art, fashion, and ecology come together and put on a great show at Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall. The new feature this year includes Sonoma’s first Trashion Fashion Show for your pets. Dress your pooches in original creations from recycled materials and sashay them on the “Dogs on the Catwalk” runway at Sonoma Community Center on March 26 at 11 a.m. Owners may dress up as well.
Tickets and Information
Prices range from $25 to $75
“Dogs on the Catwalk” admission is free
707-938-4626
scc@sonomacommunitycenter.org
Photo courtesy of the Trashion Fashion Week
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.
