This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the Power to the Peaceful Festival and Golden Gate Park is pleased to host this free event on September 6th, from 11am to 5pm. Bringing people together and creating awareness through the beauty of creative expression and sound, Power to the Peaceful is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting "cultural co-existence, non-violence and environmental sustainability through the arts and music."

This year, you will have the pleasure of jamming to the likes of:

• Rebelution (12pm - 12:45pm)
• Warren Haynes (1pm - 2pm)
• Ziggy Marley (2:15pm - 3:15pm)
• Michael Franti and Spearhead (3:30pm - 5:00pm)

Accompanying the enlightening musical lineup, the Power to the Peaceful Festival promises an array of unforgettable international foods and healthy products. If you're interested in fully experiencing the festival and receiving rock star treatment, consider springing for the VIP individual ticket ($250), which entitles you to backstage privileges; access to a stage viewing platform; light catering; a PTTP gift pack (with PTTP 08 poster, T-shirt and PTTP DVD); and more.

Beyond the musical aspect of the festival, Power to the Peaceful is offering many other features. For more information on the Yoga Jam, Film Festival, Food Drive, and After Party – pay a visit to http://www.powertothepeaceful.org/


Michael Franti of Spearhead Skates in Golden Gate Park
(A man of many talents)

How does a free Labor Day weekend extravaganza sound? Head for Golden Gate Park this Sunday and you will not only find one, but two music-filled events to help you celebrate a work-free Monday.

At Elk Glen Cove (Meadow), located near 25th Avenue, Doin’ It in the Park ‘08 kicks off the festivities on August 31st, 2008 at 12pm and continues until sunset. All ages are encouraged to come and enjoy endless tunes and DJ-inspired music throughout this family-friendly afternoon. Thanks to Triple Threat, Norm Ferreal, Papalote and Local 1200, Doin’ It in the Park ‘08 promises to have you dancing all day long with the sounds of hip hop, soul, and reggae. Other fun stuff to look forward to includes a free BBQ, arcade games, and much more. For more information, contact normferreal(at)gmail.com.

Another free event in Golden Gate Park taking place on the same day is Bang The Drum – at Peacock Meadows at JFK Drive – from 1pm to 5pm. Join the infamous Bay Area hip hop DJ, Kevvy Kev, as he celebrates 24 years on the air, making him part of the longest continuously running hip hop radio show in the world. To mark the occasion, there will be 24 DJs and 24 MCs. Want to know more? Contact get(at)kevvykev.com.

No more waiting – the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival at Golden Gate Park is finally here…starting Friday, August 22nd until August 24th. With tickets in hand, head for the Polo Field, as well as Speedway and Lindley Meadows to embrace the sounds of artists, such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Beck, and Ben Harper. Beyond the extraordinary musical talent gathering in one spot, there will also be plenty of other attractions to consider during this unforgettable weekend extravaganza.

The Outside Lands Music Festival promises to awaken your senses, as the very presentation of musicians is a colorful, eye-opening experience. Performers will deliver musical memories to last a lifetime upon stages decorated by one of six spectacular visual artists, including Thomas Campbell and Monica Canilao. There's truly something for everyone, as the Market Place offers some of the best shopping of the region. While there's never a shortage of official festival and artist merchandise to go around, don't count out the assortment of craftsmen, artisans, and vendors setting up shop for the weekend.

And, what better setting for a day of wine tasting than to explore the regional blends found at Winehaven, an artisan winery tent drenched in local history – with the melodies of whatever music piques your interest– from Lupe Fiasco to Steve Winwood. The festival is also the perfect opportunity to witness history in the making, as no artist has ever played in Golden Gate Park at night. Radiohead will rewrite the books and you can be there to catch all of the action. A complete list of artists is found below.

SF Outside Lands Daily Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 @ 5PM

RADIOHEAD
BECK
MANU CHAO
THE BLACK KEYS
COLD WAR KIDS
STEEL PULSE
LYRICS BORN
BLACK MOUNTAIN
BENEVENTO/RUSSO DUO
THE FELICE BROTHERS
HOWLIN RAIN
THE DYNAMITES FEATURING CHARLES WALKER
CARNEY


SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 @ 1PM

TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS
PRIMUS
CAKE
STEVE WINWOOD
CAFÉ TACVBA
LUPE FIASCO
REGINA SPEKTOR
GALACTIC’S CRESCENT CITY SOUL KREWE
M. WARD
DEVENDRA BANHART
MATT NATHANSON
TWO GALLANTS
DREDG
ABIGAIL WASHBURN & THE SPARROW
QUARTET FEATURING BÉLA FLECK
THE WALKMEN
KAKI KING
THE COUP
LIARS
DONAVON FRANKENREITER
NELLIE MCKAY
GOAPELE
SEAN HAYES
RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES
THRIVING IVORY
EVEREST


SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 @ 1PM

JACK JOHNSON
WILCO
WIDESPREAD PANIC
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
ANDREW BIRD
SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS
STARS
ROGUE WAVE
ALO
JACKIE GREENE
LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES
MIKE GORDON
THE COOL KIDS
GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS
LITTLE BROTHER
BON IVER
VIENNA TENG
THE MOTHER HIPS
THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS FEATURING GIFT OF GAB, LATEEF AND HEADNODIC
NICOLE ATKINS & THE SEA
SILA & THE AFROFUNK EXPERIENCE
K’NAAN
CULVER CITY DUB COLLECTIVE

Breathe life into this weekend with a trip to the Dahlia Society of California Flower Show – a treasured event that presents a bloom known to take on many different shapes and colors. Don't worry – you don’t have to cultivate your own specimens or run a flower shop to enjoy this get-together, as it is open to the public on Saturday, August 16th (10am - 5pm) and Sunday, August 17th (10 am - 4pm).

While some people come to simply take in the sights, others tote cameras by their side – seeking the perfect shot. Whatever your pleasure – head for the Golden Gate Park's Hall of Flowers (San Francisco County Fair Building - 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way) to become a part of the magic.

Native to Mexico, Central America, and Columbia – the dahlia was named after Anders Dahl – a Swedish botanist of the 18th century. Depending on the species, the flower showcases shades of white, maroon, red, pink, and yellow with fascinating color combinations and petal arrangements. For example, San Francisco has seen the bloom take on various forms of nature, such as the Juul's All-Star (resembling an orchid), the Alpen Pearl (visually similar to an anemone), and Waterlily Dahlias.

At Golden Gate Park, keep in mind that the show isn’t the only place to capture the intriguing shapes and colors of this particular flower. Make your way to the Dahlia Dell at the Conservatory, where the best time to enjoy blooming dahlias is from July through September.