San Francisco Event Concierge

We “Spring Forward” this weekend.  Set your clocks ahead one hour when you go to bed Saturday(Oh no! 1 hour less sleep!).

The 158th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 13th
The parade will begin on Saturday at 11:30am at the corner of Market and 2nd Street.  The parade will continue down Market Street to Jones, where it will then proceed onto McAllister, ending at Civic Center.  There will be a “festival” at Civic Center plaza on Saturday, 10– 5pm.  This is ideal for families, as the festival includes a petting zoo, pony rides, entertainment, concessions, arts & crafts, etc. For info www.sresproductions.com/sfstpatricksday.html

“Sunday Streets” (Embarcadero Street Party & Closure) Sunday, March 14th
This Sunday, 3.3 miles of The Embarcadero will be closed to traffic, from China Basin/Mission Bay to Fisherman’s Wharf.  This “giant block party” will have festivities from 10am – 3pm.  Festivities will include free bike rentals, free salsa lessons (I always wanted to know how to make salsa!!), yoga, kids’ games & activities, etc.  For more specific details, please visit http://sundaystreetssf.com/
Street closures both days, which will effect buses and the F Streetcar along Market Street and the Embarcadero.

ODC/Dance performs at Yerba Buena Center Friday March 12-Sunday March 28th
YBCA Novellus Theater, 700 Howard St. Phone: 415-978-2787 Tickets are $10-$45
From San Francisco to Southeast Asia and back again. After a hugely successful tour as part of the US State Department’s inaugural DanceMotion USA program, ODC/Dance, the Bay Area’s internationally acclaimed contemporary dance company, returns to Novellus Theater at YBCA for its 39th annual spring season. With two world premieres on offer—Labor of Love choreographed by KT Nelson and Waving Not Drowning choreographed by ODC Founder and Artistic Director Brenda Way—you have your pick of top-notch performances. www.odcdance.org

Traffic Watch- Alcatraz Landing is located at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero. The Embarcadero will be closed to vehicle traffic Sunday, March 14, 2010 for Sunday Streets. The closure will be in effect from 10:00AM – 3:00PM. This will affect your travel time to Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing. Please plan to arrive at Pier 33 at least one hour prior to your scheduled Alcatraz tour departure on Sunday, March 14, 2010.
More traffic still in effect- while this probably won’t affect too many, please be aware of the Doyle Drive/Park Presidio connection closures. Ask the concierge for details if you’re driving between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park.

The 28th Annuak SF International Asian American Film Festival
showcases the best Asian and Asian American films from around the globe takes place March 11-21, 2010 in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works featuring thrilling films from the United States, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, China, and more. Film screenings, filmmaker tributes, and panel discussions take place at the Castro Theatre, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, Clay Theatre, and VIZ Cinema in San Francisco, Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley, and the Camera 12 Cinemas in San Jose. For more information or tickets please visit: http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010 San Francisco, Berkeley, & San Jose

How about something to do in wine country?…
Napa Valley Mustard Festival through March 27th
Celebrate Napa Valley’s food, wine, art, agricultural and cultural bounties during the Mustard Season, January through March. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival offers a full palette of food, wine, art, entertainment; a perfect reason to visit The Legendary Napa Valley during winter. This weekend special event is: The Marketplace-A Signature Event for Connoisseurs, at the Riverfront in Downtown Napa Saturday/Sunday March 13/14 from 11-5:00 pm. Celebrate the mustard season, taste regional foods and wine, gourmet products and mustards from around the world along historic Napa Mill and other river walk locations. Highlights include a live remote broadcast of Martha Stewart Living Radio live performances of jazz, world, and classical music. www.mustardfestival.org
Www.WineRoad.com links to Russian River wineries and the Barrel Tasting Weekend!

The 4th Annual Salt & Sparkling Wine Dinner Sunday, March 14, 2pm
Proudly presented by  the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar and Gloria Ferrer
$95 per person (includes wines) Call for reservations 707.931.2042now.

Fight Fans… The Pacquiao-Clottey fight is being shown next door at Jillian’s sports bar. First fight is 7:00pm, $25. They have a 50 foot video wall! 101 4th street. Come early!

Here are more San Francisco fun facts…There are over 350 wineries in the nearby Napa Valley…Muir Woods, an unspoiled stand of giant redwoods, is just across the Golden Gate bridge. Yosemite National Park is only a couple of hours drive from the city…Soon after the Golden Gate Park opened in 1890, John McLaren, the park’s designer added a free-range zoo that was home to elk, bears, goats, and buffalo. The buffalo are the only ones that remain.

Vital information about Alcatraz tour tickets and Sunday BART service…
It’s important to book ahead for Alcatraz. For advance tickets go to Www.AlcatrazCruises.com or call 415-981-7625. Tours depart from Pier 33 at Fisherman’s Wharf. If they are sold out, 150 tickets (total) are released each day at 8am for the first three tours. Every passenger must be present at the time tickets are purchased. BART service begins later in the morning on Sundays and holidays. BART is not recommended if you have flights before 9:30am.