Events Around the Bay – Week of November 3, 2017

Dia De Los Muertos Concerts and Celebrations at Davies Symphony Hall 

November 4 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

 

Dia De Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a rich tradition that originated in Mexico and is celebrated annually in Mexican-American communities throughout the U.S. It is a celebration of the lives of the departed ancestors who are remembered with love and affection in vibrant and colorful of music from Mexico and Latin America at Davies Symphony Hall, which is beautifully decorated by local artists and talented kids for the occasion.  The 2PM concert begins with a neon Quetzalcóatl serpent dance performed by musical ensemble Canción de Obsidiana and theater group Casa Círculo Cultural. Conductor Alondra de la Parra and the SFS begin the concert with Mexican orchestral works including “Huapango” by José Pablo Moncayo, “Sensemayá” by Silvestre Revueltas, and “Danzón No. 2” by Arturo Márquez. Mexican cultural icon Eugenia León performs songbook selections with the orchestra during the second half of the concert, with pieces specific to the holidays and selections from her own catalogue of hits accompanied by the orchestra, including “Luz,” “La Sandunga,” “Amar y Vivir,” and many others. A second concert at 8PM will again begin with the neon Quetzalcóatl serpent dance, and will bring León back to the stage for an intimate acoustic-style evening of songs with only her band, featuring a program with an international flair. Pre-concert festivities in the Davies Symphony Hall lobbies include original art installations and altars by Bay Area visual artists as well as singing, dancing, sugar skull decorating, and other family-friendly activities. Please note: The Orchestra of the San Francisco Symphony does not perform at the 8PM concert.

 

 

Tickets and Information
Prices start at $25
Group discounts available; children 18 and under receive half-price tickets
415-864-6000
www.sfsymphony.org/dia
Davies Symphony Hall
Grove Street in San Francisco

 

photo courtesy of SF Symphony

 

 

Famous Authors Support the National Kidney Foundation

November 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Author! Author! Get to know and meet best-selling authors at the Bay Area’s premier literary event at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski, Christine Carter, Lee Child, Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket), Lisa Brown, Joyce Maynard, Lisa See – are just some of the famous authors scheduled to appear. Emceed by KQED-FM’s award-winning Michael Krasny, The National Kidney Foundation’s 29th Annual Authors Event is the largest literary event of its kind in the Bay Area. Featuring a luncheon and a dinner, the event brings together those who are passionate about literature and saving lives through kidney disease research, advocacy, and education. Meet each author during book signing sessions. They may even give you helpful advice on how to become a writer/author. The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.

Tickets and Information
Individual ticket: $135
415-543-3303
www.authorsluncheonsf.org
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
333 O’Farrell Street in San Francisco
Photo courtesy of National Kidney Foundation

 

 

Prelude to the Kiss in Sleeping Beauty 

November 9 

 

Aurora’s magical world and her beautiful costume can be yours!  For the first time ever, the San Francisco Ballet will be auctioning off costumes from the celebrated original run of The Sleeping Beauty at the Prelude to the Kiss, a cocktail party with the exclusive first look at the costumes for the revival of The Sleeping Beauty. Hosted by the SF Ballet Auxiliary at a private residence in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights, this elegant evening will give guests a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary choreographer and Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson’s spectacular production. Celebrated Bay Area chef Charles Phan, known for opening restaurants such as The Slanted Door, will design a vibrant and delicious menu of appetizers featuring his signature Vietnamese-inspired cuisine for the cocktail reception and costume preview. Leading up to the event, costumes from the original production will be available online for early bids. The costumes will be on display at the event on November 9 so you can get a closer look. Bidding will end that evening during the event. And remember: Aurora’s romance will bloom again on January 23 as the Prelude to the Kiss guests will be invited to opening night festivities for The Sleeping Beauty. This is truly a dream come true event for ballet lovers as well as for collectors of original costumes. The private location of the Prelude to the Kiss event will be revealed once the ticket is purchased.

 

 

Tickets and Information
Prices start at $500
415-865-2000
www.sfballet.org
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco

Photo courtesy of SF Ballet

 

The Duel of Wine (Il Duello Del Vino)

November 12 at 6 p.m.

 

There is some cheers-ful news from the city’s Italian Film Festival as they present a very exciting and happy celebration of wine on and off the screen at their closing night festivities. A perfect pairing for the Bay Area’s love of wine and its surrounding culture, The Duel of Wine is a comic portrait of a charismatic sommelier, Charlie Arturaola, who takes a mighty fall from grace when he temporarily loses his palate. Charlie tries to claw his way back into the world of competitive wine tasting as a ghost-taster for a handsome but buffoonish friend. It’s a gleeful satire of the obsessive world of drinking and dining contests. And we know it well in the Bay Area. Actor/producer Lino Pujia and actor Charlie Arturaola will attend the screening. The Closing Night film includes a glass of wine! Purchase film only tickets (including a glass of wine). The fun event is a part of The Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco and New Italian Cinema Events (N.I.C.E) of Florence as they present the New Italian Cinema Festival on November 8-12, 2017; November 8 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco and November 9-12 at the Vogue Theatre in San Francisco. Toast Charlie Arturaola and  Lino Pujia in person at an intimate Wine Tasting Party at Osteria Restaurant. Ciao, see you at Osteria!

 

Tickets and Information
Prices for film only range from $12 to $14 for general admission
Film & Wine-tasting Party (or Wine-tasting Party only): General Public $60; Italian Cultural Institute members, KQED members, talian Athletic Club members and pass holders $50. Must be 21 years of age or older!
415-552-5580
www.newitaliancinema.org

Party Venue: Sunday, November 12, 8:30pm-9:30pm;

Osteria Restaurant, 3277 Sacramento Street in San Francisco

 

Photo courtesy of New Italian Cinema

 

 

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.