Fillmore, Street of San Francisco

                                                    

Fillmore, a historical jazz district in San Francisco is one of my favorite streets in the  city. It is filled with a menagerie of custom stores, restaurants, cafes, health / wellness care, specialty and chain stores. I am sure there is a business on Fillmore that does not fit into any of these categories.  Fillmore is a long street that stretches from near Market Street to the Marina. The area of Fillmore that I am referring to is between Eddy and Jackson Streets where the Fillmore Jazz Festival will take place July 2 – July 3, 2011 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM on both days).

The 3^rd Annual Fillmore Art Walk consisting of more than 60 local talented artists will showcase their works from 6:00 PM – Midnight on July 1, 2011. Also, on on July 15 – July 16, the Salsa Festival will take place on Fillmore between Eddy / Geary streets. There will be free live concerts on the street with salsa lessons and featured concerts at cost. Go to http://salsaonfillmore.com/ for tickets / additional information.

Read Wikipedia’s history of the Fillmore District at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fillmore_District,_San_Francisco  for an interesting and varied history of
this area.



The Fillmore Jazz Festival is a well-attended affair. Taking public transportation to this event if at all possible is a good idea, parking spots are hard to come by during the festival. This is the largest free jazz concert on the west coast. I attend every year and can tell you that the music is always great and there is no shortage of food and arts /  craft vendors. The air fills with sangria, grilled chicken teriyaki on a stick, veggie delights, huge barbeque turkey legs, hundreds of different kinds of food and of course the sounds of jazz…

This year, some of the jazz artists will include, Marcus Shelby Trio, Mingus Amungus, Jenna Mammina, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Renee Wilson, Jackeline Rago, Marco Benevento, Faith Ako, the Nigerian Brothers and the Smooth Blues Band. See http://www.fillmorejazzfestival.com/  for additional details.

The Fillmore Auditorium

The Fillmore Auditorium is a live concert hall made famous by Bill Graham and now operated by Live Nation who plans to open other concert halls around the country with “The Fillmore” brand name. See http://thefillmore.com/event-calendar for a current list of engagements. The Fillmore Auditorium is located at 1805 Geary Blvd (corner of Geary / Fillmore). The marquee on the building is often blank, but there is scheduled musical talent at the auditorium.

Sundance Kabuki Cinema

Sundance Kabuki Cinema is located at 1881 Post @ Fillmore. Telephone (415) 346- 3243 or view http://sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html

The following movies are currently playing:
Transformers (in 3D), Buck (documentary about a horse whisperer), Midnight in Paris and Cars (in 3D, Dolby Digital).  July 14th opening with a special midnight show, Harry Potter 7, Part 2 will be showing. Sundance kabuki is a very comfortable theatre with special amenities that other theatres do not have and the staff is very welcoming.

See Harry Potter 7, Part2 trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NYt1qirBWg

The Clay Theatre is located at 2261 Fillmore; great staff at this movie theatre and always fresh popcorn; now showing The Trip and Rocky Horror Picture Show. On August 18th, the movie The Room will air. Preview The Room at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCj8sPCWfUw




Food / Beverage

Yoshi’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar, 1330 Fillmore St. - jazz club with Japanese cuisine; features major headliners as well new artist in lounge; wonderful full course meals and finger foods; relaxed atmosphere with courteous staff; George Clinton / Parliament, Funkadelic will rock the house at Yoshi’s on July 7-10. See website for additional headliners and hours at http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco .

Check out the Jazz Heritage Center located adjacent to Yoshi's for beautiful art and jazz history!

 1300 Restaurant and Lounge, 1300 Fillmore - French trained chef, David Lawrence creates French and Southern inspired dishes that dance on the palate and nourish the soul; romantic, elegant and calm setting with professional staff. See their website for hours and events http://www.1300fillmore.com/ . In the evenings, you might catch live music in the lounge. (415) 771-7100

 Other Places to Eat on Fillmore – mostly everything to eat on Fillmore is good, but here are some places that I remember.

Dosa, 1700 Fillmore (@ Post), voted as one of the best Indian food restaurants in the city; South Indian Cuisine, use of local, organic / sustainable ingredients; modern, comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, nice staff; http://www.dosasf.com/fillmore_home.htm 415 441 3672.

Gussie’s Chicken and Waffles, 1521 Eddy St. (@ Fillmore St.), Southern, Cajun / Creole food. Delivery is also available. Gussies has FLASHBACK FRIDAYS with $3 drink specials, happy hour, DJ and $10 buffet. See website at http://www.gussieschickenandwaffles.com/ for additional information (415) 409-2529

Rasselas Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1534 Fillmore; Ethiopian cuisine with live music most nights a week; http://www.rasselasjazzclub.com/ ; great food; (415) 346-8696.

Elite Café, 2049 Fillmore St., serves a nightly dinner and Saturday-Sunday brunch; nice booths and fresh seafood; reservations recommended; see website for additional information www.theelitecafe.com/ (415) 673-5483

Harry’s Bar, 2020 Fillmore; Brunch, Burger Specials; romantic, relaxing, classic, casual atmosphere, some outdoor seating; DJ / TV broadcasting sports events; http://harrysbarsf.com/index.php ; (415) 921-1000

Woodhouse Fish Company, 1914 Fillmore; fresh seafood (clams, oysters, crab…), a bowl of clam chowder for those foggy San Francisco days, calamari, cioppino, crabcakes and ahi tuna burgers; reasonable prices; casual, comfortable atmosphere with wonderful staff.

SPQR Restaurant, 1911 Fillmore St.; Italian cuisine, fresh ingredients, serving dinner, wine club options and brunch Sat-Sun.; owner / wine director, Shelley Lindgren / Executive Chef, Matthew Accarrino; relaxing and lively atmosphere with professional staff;

http://www.spqrsf.com/menus/ .

Florio Café, 1915 Fillmore; Mediterranean cuisine with special care from owner, Doug "Bix" Biederbeck set in a cozy, romantic and comfortable atmosphere designed by Brayton + Hughes Design; sample menu – Seafood Stew a’La Provencal (saffron/tomato broth, salmon, shrimp, mussels/ clams), Wild Alaskan King Salmon, Le Hamburger Tartine (ground chuck, w/ carmelized onions and manchego cheese). The menu makes me hungry!

There are quite a few other restaurants / cafes on Fillmore like:

Citizen Cake, 2125 Fillmore St., (415) 861-2228, http://www.opentable.com/citizen-cake .

La Mediterranee, 2210 Fillmore St., (415) 921-4061. 

http://www.cafelamed.com/fillmore_new/LaMed_Fillmore-home.html

Johnny Rockets, 1946 Fillmore St., (415) http://www.johnnyrockets.com/index2.php

The Grove, 2016 Fillmore St., (415) 474-1419; I have heard great things about this restaurant. I have not eaten there yet. They receive good reviews on their American Cuisine, prices and quality of service.

Bun Mee, 2015 Fillmore St., (415) 800-7696, http://www.bunmee.co/?page_id=32

Jane, 21 23 Fillmore St., (415) 931-Jane http://janeonfillmore.com/ (great place for coffee)

*There is good pizza on Fillmore at Pizza Inferno (1800 Fillmore), Extreme Pizza (1730 Fillmore St) and Bruno’s Pizzeria (1375 Fillmore).

Unique Apparel / Accesories

Enough about food, there are very unique Apparel and Shoe Shops on Fillmore as well.

 I love Mio (especially their shoes) with their helpful staff and very original items. The items can be a bit pricey, but the occasional sales are helpful; women’s apparel and accessories; 2035 Fillmore St, Tel: (415) 931-5620; http://mio-sf.com/

James Perse – beautiful soft, casual yet elegant clothing for men / women; furniture / accessories (you have to see the limited edition pieces - ping pong table / dog bed and bowl as well as the surf boards, paddle boards and limited edition tricycle; expensive, but unique.

Blu [Cielo], 2225 Fillmore, (415) 776-0641 http://www.cielo-boutique.com/ ; modern clean lines, European style design clothing /apparel; nice staff / well stocked with beautiful clothing / store design

Elizabeth Charles, 2056 Fillmore St., (415) 440 2100 http://www.elizabeth-charles.com/ ; very unique women’s clothing / apparel; something for most occasions; pricey, but beautiful / original pieces.

Limu, 2237 Fillmore, (415) 567-9500; http://www.limusf.com/ great selections, personalized fittings and wardrobe consultations; comfortable store / nice design.

Black Fleece, 2223 Fillmore St., (415) 292-5914; http://www.blackfleece.com/ ; modern clothing; chain of stores (two in San Francisco); nice online sale; nice attentive store staff. 

Mudpie, 2185 Fillmore St., (415) 771-9262; http://www.mudpie-sf.com/ ; beautiful classic European / American style clothing for children; expanding to include furniture, adult items, bedding / antiques.

Lilith, 2029 Fillmore, (415) 913-7600; http://www.lilith.fr/ (cool website); French boutique with modern clothing, nice staff / store esthetics.

Sun Hee Moon - 1833 Fillmore, (415) 928-1800; http://www.sunheemoon.com/aboutus.html ; modern, simple, classic wear / moderately priced.

There are quite a few shoe salons, dog grooming, make-up counters, card shops, banks, Peets and Starbucks coffee (where I drank tea while I recharged my telephone and took a break / the bathrooms are clean – importantJ) There’s Haska (beautiful leather goods), Betsey Johnsons(beautiful lingerie) and Cielo - clothing / accessories).

Then, there are the furniture / household design stores that I love like Zinc Details (terrific staff and store owners), Bo Concepts, Ruby Living Design, Jonathan Adler and Design Within Reach. There is also Crossroads Trading (recycled / new clothing / accessories at 1901 Fillmore and Cottage Industry at 2326 Fillmore.

                                                                                






Clary Sage located at 2241 Fillmore St., was a nice find. The staff is wonderful in explaining the apparel which entails the following; all designed in the bay area, all fair trade items and natural
dyes. See the yoga and after yoga collection / take
the wellness quiz on their website at
http://www.clarysageorganics.com/apparel_after_yoga.html . I have to say that their website does not do justice to the beautiful items in the store. Clary Sage also offers the following services: Nutrition and Wellness Coaching, Group Classes, Lab-based Weight Loss Programs, Female Hormone Testing, Digestive Health Assessment, Detoxification Programs, Nutritional Lab Analysis; founders Patti Cazzato and Daniel Kalish; (415) 673-7300. (There is a 50% off sale at this time on selected items.)

 Health/ Wellness

The Fillmore has many health  related institutions in the area including California Pacific Medical Center and Mt. Zion / UC clinics and hospital. On Fillmore Street, you will find the following:

Women’s Community Clinic

Women’s Community Clinic located at 1833 Fillmore St., is a welcomed recent arrival to The Fillmore. The clinic offers free gynecological health services, physicals, acupuncture, counseling, outreach and career training. They provide services to girls 12 years old and older, women, transgender and gender variant individuals who are non-insured, underinsured or who need confidentiality from someone who shares their insurance. A wonderful team of dedicated and well trained volunteers mostly staff the clinic at Women’s Community Clinic. Other remarkable staff includes, but not limited to Director of Volunteers / Policy Programs Director - Katie McCall, Clinic Manager - Maureen Boland, Clinical Director – Anita Zamora, Executive Director – Carlina Hansen and Medical Directors – Karen Meckstroh, MD and Eve Zaritsky, MD. Telephone 415.379.7800 to make an appointment or see website at http://www.womenscommunityclinic.org/ for additional information.


Smith – Kettlewell Eye Research Institute is located at 2318 Fillmore Street. This program occupies several additional buildings mostly at California Pacific Medical Center. The institute specializes in diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Their interest includes, development of devices to aid the non-sighted, partially sighted and hearing impaired. See http://www.ski.org/General/About/index.html for additonal information including lectures or call (415) 345-2000.

**Did you know that the therapeutic usage of Botox, or botulinum toxin, was pioneered at Smith-Kettlewell as a treatment for crossed eyes (strabismus), as well as for blepharospasm, facial muscle disorders, leg cramps, and wry neck (torticollis)?


This is definitely a mixed-use street, with residents, business owners, health / fitness, cosmetic and beauty supplies (Jurlique, / Kiehl’s). There are wonderful bookstores on this street which include, Marcus Books and Browser Books.

Browser Books is located at 2195 Fillmore St., http://www.browserpublishingsf.com/contact.html and not only a seller of books, but a book publisher as well and now accepting poetry and prose manuscripts.

 Marcus Books, 1712 Fillmore St.; the oldest independent bookstore in the United States; http://www.marcusbookstores.com/ ; founded in 1960 by Drs. Raye and Julian Richardson; carries many titles including children books; book readings, signings / events. There is always great music in front of Marcus Bookstore during the Jazz Festival.

Have fun at the Fillmore Jazz Festival ! My next blog will be in two weeks.

 

.

San Francisco Museum Mecca

                                        

San Francisco is a museum mecca. With a land mass of 46.7 square feet, the city of San Francisco is home to over 30 museums. The art exhibitions displayed in these museums are incredible to say the least and many of the buildings that house these museums are marvels of their time.

One of these incredible museums is the M.H. De Young Memorial Museum (called, the De Young) was designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron of  the Swiss architect firm, Herzog and Meuron and is located in Golden Gate Park at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, SF, CA 94118. The principal architects of these 950,000 pounds of copper were David G. Fong and Chiu Lin Tse-Chan of Fong and Chan, San Francisco architects. The California sun and San Francisco fog is forever present in the changing face of the copper patina that adds to the mystery of this incredible building. Some San Francisco residents were cautiously optimistic as they watched the birth of the brown monolith as it peaked its head above the Golden Gate Park landscape. Now, The De Young stands like the mystical Calafia watching over park patrons like a true warrior queen.  

M.H. De Young Memorial Museum

 “Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,” was a remarkable exhibit at the De Young last year. Presently, the Picasso exhibit will be at The DeYoung until October 9, 2011. Rupert Garcia: The Magnolia Project will be there until July 17^th, Balenciaga and Spain until July 4^th and Marco Breuer: Line of Sight will be on exhibit until October 2^nd. 


The museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesday – Sunday (open 9:30 AM – 5:15 PM), Fridays – mid January – November (open 9:30 AM – 8:45 PM. Admission is free the first Tuesday of the month, children 12 and under are admitted free and muni riders receive a $2.00 discount by showing a muni transfer. View the museum website at http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/visiting  for detailed admission prices, including senior and student discounts as well as Espana at Twilight (Wednesday night Discount with a Spanish inspired menu).  There is an additional cost for some exhibits and most exhibits are free for museum members.

Friday nights at the museum can be an exciting time with lectures, live music, dancing, poetry, film, cocktails and other activities. June 24, 2011 Friday Night at the Museum features a lecture on Picasso by Dakin Hart, live music by Betty Roi and Open Studios featuring Kevin Epps, Todd T. Brown and Campo Santo. Kevin Epps is a local filmmaker who made “Straight Outta Hunters Point” and “Straight Outta Hunters Point II”.  Todd T. Brown is an artist whose work entitled “Invisible Passage” is definitely worth seeing. Campo Santos is a theatre located in the Mission that has graced the stage with plays like “Mirror in Every Room” and “Pieces of the Quilt”. Go to http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/artist-in-residence/campo-santo-intersection-arts to obtain additional information about the artist in residence.

The California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive, SF, CA, 94118 in Golden Gate Park and includes the Kimball Natural History Museum , Planetarium, Aquarium, Library, Exhibits, Research Rooms     

and Cafes.

Hours of admission are Monday – Saturday (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM) and Sunday (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM). There are also member only hours. Admission is free every third Wednesday of the month and there are SF Resident Free Days. Go to the website to compare your zipcode to the schedule to see what day of the month your neighborhood is admitted free.  The California Academy of Sciences can be reached at (415) 379-8000 or view http://www.calacademy.org/visit/  for additional information on parking and visits to the California Academy of Sciences.


I can never say enough about this wonderful place. I am in awe every time I visit and walk through the Rainforest Dome (with butterflies and incredible bird life flying about my head). You feel the humidity as you venture higher up the dome into the rainforest and you can’t wait to see what’s around the corner.


Summer of Slither features a 15 feet albino python, gila monsters (Heloderma Suspectum) and a red spitting cobra among other reptiles that will be on display until September 5, 2011. See posting ( ) for additional information on The California Academy of Sciences. 

Check out this Live Webcam at the Farallones Island and see if you can identify the seabirds that fly by. http://www.calacademy.org/webcams/farallones/

SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is located at 151 Third Street, SF,           CA,94103. Admission is free to SFMOMA members, U.S. Military and children under 12 years old accompanied by an adult. It is also free the first Tuesday of each month.  Admission on Thursday (6:00 PM – 8:45 PM) is half-price. Admission is free the first Tuesday of the month and the museum offers free tours for non-profits and colleges by calling (415) 357-4095. View their website at http://www.sfmoma.org/visit for ticket price information or telephone (415) 357-4000. The hours of operation are Monday – Tuesday / Friday - Sunday (10:00 AM – 5:45 PM), Wednesday (Closed), and Thursday (10:00 AM – 8:45 PM).

The Stein Collection, currently at SFMOMA includes works of Picasso, Matisse and Parisian Avant Garde. Avant Garde is often defined as pushing the boundaries which is characteristically accurate when describing the beautiful Stein collection that will be on exhibition until September 6, 2011. The David Claerbout exhibition is also on display until September 6^th.  David Claerbout’s exhibit explores the relationship between photography and cinema. There are curator talks, lectures, films and other activities that will increase your knowledge about art and art history.  On June 23, (Thursday) at 7:00 PM, the 1968 film, “I love You Alice B. Toklas will be showing in the Phyllis Wattis Theatre. There is a $5.00 admission charge or no charge with a museum admission. 

SFMOMA is planning a major expansion to house their increasing permanent collection, which includes over 26,000 works.
Go to http://www.sfmoma.org/projects/artscope/#r=64 and click on 5,000 of the museum’s collections and view them up close (incredibly cool…)

Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD)

The MOAD is located at 685 Mission Street, SF, CA 94105. Telephone MOAD at (415) 358-7200 or visit their website at http://www.moadsf.org/  for additional information.  Their hours of operation are the following: Wednesday - Saturday (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM) and Sundays (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM). The works of Romare Bearden will be on display until July 3, 2011. The film, “From the Quarters to Lincoln Heights” will be shown and a discussion of the movie with director and producer, Mark Oliver and co – producer, James Langford will take place after the movie.  The movie depicts the 1920 migration of blacks from the South to work in large lumber mills and the aftermath.

Note: From July 15 – September 18, 2011, see Patchwork Quilts by Africans living in India at the MOAD.

Contemporary Jewish Museum

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is located at 736 Mission Street, SF, CA  94103. They are open daily 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM except Thursdays when they are open 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM and closed on Wednesdays. View their website at http://www.thecjm.org/ or call (415) 655-7800 for additional information on hours and admission.

The Gertrude Stein exhibition is on display until September 6, 2011. Works by Charlotte Solomon entitled, “Charlotte Salomon Life? or Theatre?” is on exhibit until July 31, 2011. This is a group of paintings completed by the artist between 1940 and 1942 while Solomon and her family were hiding from the Nazis in the South of France. In 1943, she and her husband and unborn child were captured and taken to Auschwitz where they were killed.  Charlotte Solomon created over 700 paintings while she was hiding in the South of France and gave them to a friend for safe keeping when the search for Jews intensified. Solomon’s paintings are autobiographical and reflect her life and relationships with those around her.


The Contemporary Jewish Museum is the first museum to incorporate the StoryCorps – Story Booth into its on-going exhibits. StoryCorps is part of an oral history project that primarily consists of a booth where you can bring important people in your life and interview them in a recording studio. You receive a copy of the interview and with written permission; chosen interviews are aired on local and national radio stations. See http://storycorps.org/  for additional information on Story Corps.

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is located at 200 Larkin St., SF, CA 94102. The museum is open Tuesday – Wednesday and Friday – Sunday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Thursday (Oct. – Jan.) 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thursday (Feb. – Sept.) 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM and closed on Mondays. Children under 12 years of age are admitted free as well as members of the U.S. Armed Forces w/ ID, SFUSD students w/ ID and admission is free the first Sunday of each month. The museum also provides Community Access tickets, which distributes free tickets to groups of Bay Area non-profit agencies that serve the community. To apply for tickets email groupvisits@asianart.org  and  include attachment of letterhead stating number of tickets needed and date your group wishes to visit. You can also fax requests at (415) 581-4720 or call (415) 581-3531. See the website at http://www.asianart.org/ for additional admission information.


The “Bali: Art, Ritual Performance” exhibition is on display until September 11, 2011. It consists of 131 works of art, including shadow puppetry and masked dances. Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts will be on exhibit at the museum from October 21, 2011 – April 8, 2012. The museum showcases over 2500 pieces of incredible art in their on-going collection and has tea gatherings / tastings, lectures, and documentary showings. On Thursday nights (5-9) for $10.00, come to Matcha to experience a relaxing and fun time with cocktails, music, gallery tours and more.

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4roG0EhmyDw&feature=channel_page see the making of the SF Asian Museum tearoom.








Exploratorium

Exploratorium, the museum of science, art and human perception is located at the Palace of Fine Arts at 3601 Lyon St., SF, CA 94123. The museum is a hands-on exploration of science, art, and human perception for children and adults. If you are looking for a fun family place, this would be it. They are open Tuesday – Sunday (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM). You can purchase tickets online for general admission as well as for the Tactile Dome. Go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/  for additional information. Admission to the museum is free on the first Wednesday of the month.   


The museum often has very interesting presentations as well as on-going science displays. On July2, 2011 (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) there will be a presentation entitled, “Oaxacan Dyes / Textiles”, which will feature artists, Elena Gonzalez Ruiz, Fidel Cruz and Maria Luisa Mendoza who will create handmade rugs from natural materials and dye made from cochineal insects.  See a preview of this process by going to http://www.exploratorium.edu/tv/index.php?project=107&program=1235&type=clip/ .


Note: The Exploratorium is moving to the Embarcadero (Piers 15 and 17 by year 2012).

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

                                             Photo: Legion of Honor _Wikipedia Commons

The Legion of Honor is a fine arts museum located in Lincoln Park at 100 34^th Avenue, SF, CA, 94121. The museum is opened Tuesday – Thursday (9:30 – 5:15 PM) and closed on Mondays. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of the month and there are senior and student discounts. Children under 12 years old are admitted free. View the website at http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/legion/visiting for additional information on admission. The Legion of Honor is located at a beautiful site in the city.  The grounds as well as the building that occupies the collections are a tranquil sanctuary. There are three French period rooms, a large bronze cast of Rodin’s Thinker, early photography as well as some of Annie Liebowitz’s work and Japanese prints. There is a Faberge’ tea service, lectures, pipe organ concerts, films and performances.

The museum is a member of the French Regional / American Museum Exchange (FRAME), which promotes cultural exchange between France and the United States.  They often share exhibits and promote the cultural needs of each country. View the shared website at http://www.framemuseums.org/ . You can reach the Legion of Honor at (415) 750-3600.


Note: The San Francisco Holocaust Memorial designed by George Segal is located in Lincoln Park near the Legion of Honor.

Mexican Museum

The Mexican Museum is located at Fort Mason, Building D, SF, CA 94123.  They are open Wednesday – Saturday (12:00 noon-4:00 PM). Admission is free of charge / donations and memberships are accepted. The museum exhibits a12, 000 piece art collection that is categorized into Pre-Conquest, Colonial, Popular, Modern Contemporary Mexican / Latino and Chicano Art.  The current exhibition is entitled, Independence and Revolution.  

Architect, Ricardo Legorreta, designed the new Mexican Museum scheduled to be built across from St. Patrick’s Church / next to the Jewish Museum. An underground 460 space garage is also scheduled to be built.  The ground breaking ceremony for this project occurred in 2003. Construction on the new building is scheduled to begin in 2013. Call (415) 202-9700 for additional information on the museum or tour their website at  http://www.mexicanmuseum.org/index.asp?language=english or http://www.mexicanmuseum.org/index.asp?language=spanish .

Zeum

Zeum is a children’s interactive museum located at 221 Fourth St., SF, CA 94103. They are open Wednesday – Friday (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM) and Saturday / Sunday (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The Zeum Carousel is open every day (11-6). They can be contacted at (415) 820-3320 or http://www.zeum.org/ . In October, Zeum will officially become, the Children’s Creativity Museum. Children will have the opportunity to participate in activities involving animation, digital arts, and music videos. Zeum staff will assist you with publishing your animation online or making a DVD. There are workshops, camps, and birthday parties. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUqsCgF9V7c for more information on this wonderful family place.

Museum of Craft / Folk Art

Museum of Craft / Folk Art (MOCFA) is located at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, SF, CA 94103. This is the only folk art museum in Northern California. Call (415) 227-4888 or visit the website for additional information at http://www.mocfa.org/visit/index.htm . They are open Wednesday – Saturday (11::00 AM – 6:00 PM) and closed Sunday-Tuesday. Wrapping Traditions: Korean Textiles Now is on exhibit until October 22, 2011.

Italian American Museum of San Francisco is located at 38 Fort Mason, Bldg. C, SF, CA, 94123. They are open Tuesday – Sunday (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) and Monday by appointment. Admission is free while donations / memberships accepted. The museum features an Italian language class, cultural enrichment classes, films, a children’s Italian Art Enrichment program and lectures. One of the current exhibits is Icons & Visions: Works by Lisa Venditelli and Margaret-Ann Clemente which is on exhibit until July 31, 2011. Go to http://museoitaloamericano.org/ for additional information.  

Museum of Performance and Design is located at in the Veteran’s Building at 401 Van Ness, Suite 402, SF, CA 94102. Admission is free with a $5.00 suggested donation. The MPD is dedicated to performing arts and theatrical design. It houses over 3.5 million items and programs including, oral histories of performing artist, archives, books, playbills, radio plays, video tapes, sheet music, photographs, interviews, design collections and much more. It was founded over sixty years ago by Russell Hartley, a SF ballet dancer and costume designer. The museum provides educational programs for children and has an extensive Performance Arts Library. Appointments are recommended to access the library by calling (415) 255-4800. Go to http://www.mpdsf.org/PAGES/MAIN/about.html for additional information.

                   

 GLBT History Museum is located at 4127 18^th Street, SF, CA 94114. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday (11:00 AM – 7:00 PM) and Sunday-Monday (12:00 PM-5:00 PM). Admission is $5.00 and free for members.  The museum is operated by the GLBT Historical Society and consists of archives, film, video, personal collections, periodicals, oral histories and more dedicated to the GLBT experience.  To obtain additional information, call (415) 621-1107 or view website at http://www.glbthistory.org/index.html .

                            Randall Natural History Museum is located at 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114.  The museum is open 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. This museum is a wonderful family museum with many classes, exhibit, camps, fieldtrips and the like, but could be difficult to locate if you are unfamiliar with the city. Go to the website at info@randallmuseum.org to obtain additional admission information, time of operation and directions / or call (415) 554-9609.

Other Museums include:

SF Cable Car Museum – 1201 Mason St., SF, CA 94108; (415) 474-1887; http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/info.html

Walt Disney Family Museum - 104 Montgomery Street, SF, CA, 94129; (415) 345-6800; http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/visit/location_hours.html

Railway Museum – 77 Steuart Street, SF, CA, 94105; (415) 974-1948 http://www.streetcar.org/museum/

SF Fire Department Museum – 655 Presidio Ave., SF, CA 94115; (415) 558-3546; http://guardiansofthecity.org/sffd/index.html  

 Cartoon Museum – 655 Mission St., SF, CA, 94105; (415) CAR-TOONS; http://cartoonart.org/