Golden Gate Park Gems – the Great Outdoors

At the Golden Gate Park, the weekend weather is still suitable enough to take in fresh air and get a bit closer to the earth and environment. This Saturday, explore two opportunities that allow you to absorb the beauty of glistening local waters and breathtaking woodlands.

From 10am to 12:30pm, you can contribute to Golden Gate Park Oak Woodland Restoration Project Work Day, held every second Saturday of each month. Simply meet up with others in front of the Conservatory of Flowers to make a difference. For more information, contact Robert Bakewell (rcbakewell [at] yahoo.com, 415-221-1137 or 415-710-9617).

Hopefully, you'll learn to catch more than just your reflection the next time you go fishing after paying a visit to the GGACC Angler's Ponds at Golden Gate Park (9:30am to 12 pm). Here is your chance to take advantage of free casting lessons – offered no matter what the weather conditions are. When you arrive, you will be assigned to a group based upon your previous experience: Beginning to Intermediate, or Intermediate to Advanced. Don't forget to bring along protective eyewear! To learn more about this event, call 650-348-1216.

Pet Pride Day at Golden Gate Park

Hook the leash up your favorite furried friend, slip the sparkly collar on, and if you’re looking for a special someone to call your own, make your way to Golden Gate Park for Pet Pride Day on Sunday, October 26th, 2008. Registration for this Animal Care and Control agency event is from 11am to 12pm, which is when the pet costume pre-judging will also take place.

Throughout the afternoon, Sharon Meadow will serve as a watering hole for the owners of pampered felines and man’s best friend. To ensure the safety of your companions, free microchipping is offered at this family-friendly event for licensed cats and dogs located within the city. This is also a chance to see what the ACC is all about and to become aware of their many services.

Some of the events held for Pet Pride Day (from 12pm to 3pm) include:

• Parade of Pets (12:00-12:25 pm)
• Pet Camp Pet Trick Contest (1:00-1:20 pm)
• Disc Dogs of Golden Gate (1:50-2:10 pm)
• Pet Camp Halloween Contest (2:15-2:35 pm)
• Carnival Games (2:40-2:55 pm)

Looking for more information? Contact Deb Campbell at deb.campbell [at] sfgov.org

All-Skate Jam at Metson Lake

Calling all skaters! This weekend, pay a visit to Golden Gate Park’s Metson Lake (located close to Polo Field on Middle Drive West), to enjoy high-flying tricks and non-stop shredding action. On October 12th, 2008, from 10am to 2pm, the park plays host to an event open to all skaters – no matter their specialties – freestyle, slalom, old school flavor, or new school flair.

Joining a host of other Sk8Kings Freestyle Team members, the “Brown Bomber” himself, Richy Carrasco will show off his skills. This is your chance to set eyes on a live performance by the Guinness Book World Record holder for consecutive 360-degree spins on a skateboard.

Food and refreshments will be provided at this event. The All-Skate Jam will also include product tosses and exciting giveaways. You are additionally encouraged to bring your own board to receive a free raffle ticket. After the festivities, remember to head on down to the Purple Skunk Board Shop (5820 Geary Blvd – 3pm to 5pm) for in-store discounts and raffle results.

To avoid getting lost when making your way to this adrenaline-infused occasion, don’t forget to enter from Lincoln on 25th or 41st avenues to reach the front of Metson Lake. Best of all – this is another thrillingly free event at Golden Gate Park. For more details, check out http://www.purpleskunk.com/category_s/269.htm.

Maori Art and Culture at the de Young

This Saturday and Sunday at de Young's Wilsey Court and Koret Auditorium (between 10am and 3pm), the beauty and intrigue of the Maori people will come to life with a celebration of their culture and exquisite arts. An assortment of activities are slated to engage guests of the museum, including Maori tattooing (better known as Ta Moko), demonstrations in weaving, interactive art activities, and tours of the Oceanic Art Gallery led by Maori artists.

At the Contemporary Maori Market, handmade goods created by Maori artists are on display in the Piazzoni Murals Room. Also, if you plan your visit for Sunday, a fashion show highlighting the contemporary Moari cloaks will serve as part of the festivities.

This program is free to enjoy, but if you wish to tour the rest of the gallery, keep in mind that paying the regular museum admission is required. So, mark your calendars for October 11th and October 12th, 2008 to enjoy this cultural event soon taking place at the de Young Museum at Golden Gate Park.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2008

Golden Gate Park is certainly the place to be this weekend, as an assortment of musical acts come to town for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, held Friday, October 3rd to Sunday, October 5th. Rain or shine – various stages will accommodate the likes of Robert Plant, Bonnie Prince, Asleep at the Wheel, and MC Hammer. Additionally, this is a free event – so no worrying about scrambling to get a ticket in order to enjoy the festivities.

Stretched across the Speedway, Marx, and Lindley meadows, people from near and far come to take in the sights and treat their ears to something special. Throughout the park, vendors will set up shop selling food and non-alcoholic drinks, making sure you don’t wilt from dehydration or starvation. In order to maximize the experience, you are allowed to bring blankets, short-back chairs, and coolers.

If you've enjoyed the festival in the past, then you may have taken a shuttle to reach the park; however this particular service is not offered this year. Since many streets will be closed – planning a carpool, dusting off the roller skates, or getting familiar with the bus schedule is suggested.

A sample of acts invading Golden Gate Park this weekend, includes:

Friday: (10:30am – noon; 2:30pm – 6:45pm) – Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (featuring T Bone Burnett) at 5:15pm on the Banjo Stage.

Saturday: (10:45am – 7:15pm) – Carlene Carter (11:15am) on the Rooster Stage, 12:00pm Los Cenzontles featuring Santiago Jimenez (12:00pm) on the Arrow Stage; Odetta (4:40pm) and Steve Earle & The Bluegrass Dukes (6:00pm) on the Banjo Stage

Sunday: (11am – 7pm) – The Opera Dukes (3:20pm) on the Porch Stage and Loudon Wainwright III (4:40pm) on the Rooster Stage.

For a complete list of acts, check out http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/

Re-Opening of California Academy of Sciences

This weekend, come to Golden Gate Park for the long awaited, highly anticipated reopening of the new and improved California Academy of Sciences. Here you will find an event that showcases knowledgeable conservationists, the talents of highflying Chinese acrobats, dance performers, eco-friendly experts, and incredible live music. Saturday provides a free ticket into one of the most innovative museums in the world – an outing for the entire family to enjoy.

This joyous event begins at 8:30am with an opening ceremony that highlights the architect, executive director, mayor, and other public officials responsible for making this dream come true. Some of the exciting festivities and features to look forward to include:

• A band that uses "found" objects (bottles, birdcages, saws, etc) to make sweet music.

• Tasty sustainable food samples from all over the world.

• Enlightening and fun kid-friendly activities – like face painting.

• Ben & Jerry's sweet frozen treats.

• Continuous entertainment situated in the Music Concourse, such as the Nigerian Masquerade Drummers, Cotton Candy Express, and Circus Center.

Once you step inside the Academy, it's time to rediscover all of the natural treasures awaiting your curiosity, including a rainforest measuring four stories, breathtaking Philippine coral reef, and close to 38,000 live animals, including penguins, butterflies, and the rare white alligator. Have you ever caught sight of living roof? Here is your chance! Don't miss out on the official re-opening of the California Academy of Sciences on Saturday until 9pm. Keep in mind that a Sunday visit this weekend (9am to 5pm) requires an admission fee. For more details, visit http://www.calacademy.org/.

de Young Museum – Jazz at Intersection

On Sunday, September 21st, 2008, jazz enthusiasts and locals looking for a good time will gather just outside of the de Young Cafe Terrace in Golden Gate Park to enjoy an afternoon filled with music. Intersection for the Arts and the de Young has collaborated for a third consecutive year to provide eight reasons to spend Sunday afternoons at the museum. Perfect for a family-friendly outing, a lineup of talented Bay Area jazz musicians will take their turn filling the Golden Gate Park air with the sweet sounds of sizzling saxophones, Afro-beats, and folk music percussion.

This week, Lovely Builders takes the stage with Ross Hammond on guitar and Scott Amendola manning the drums and electronics. This new ensemble delivers a sound that combines the rhythm and reverberation of combined jazz, rock, and electronics.

Keep in mind – this event takes place rain or shine…and if the weather doesn’t wish to cooperate this weekend, the entertainment will relocate inside the de Young at Wilsey Court.

Polo in the Golden Gate Park