Preview & Party: Thursday, May 16, 6-10:30p.m.
Fair: Fri–Sun, May 17–19
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center
The Bay Area’s premier contemporary and modern art fair features 70 highly reputable galleries from around the globe, bringing some of the world’s most intriguing artists and galleries to S.F. Opening night reception benefits the Fine Arts Museums of S.F. $20–$150, 212-518-6912, www.art-mrkt.com
Sunday, May 19, 7 a.m.
Start line: Howard Street at Beale
The City’s best-known athletic spectacle returns with world-class runners leading a pack of jogging centipedes and jiggling Elvises over the treacherous Hayes Street hill to the finish in Golden Gate Park. $53–$58, 415-864-3432,
www.baytobreakers.com
Sat–Sun, June 1–2, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Union Street (Gough to Steiner)
Featuring arts and crafts created with recycled and sustainable materials and eco-friendly exhibits with over 150 arts and crafts booths, gourmet food booths, and two stages of live entertainment. Free, 800-310-6563,
www.unionstreetfestival.com
Yerba Buena Gardens, one of San Francisco’s premiere urban parks, will present its 13th annual festival from May through October with music, theater, dance, poetry, international cultural celebrations, and children’s programs. It’s an exciting array of live performances and it’s absolutely free of charge. All programs take place outdoors in Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between Third and Fourth Streets.
Upcoming in May is the Los Angeles-based rock group La Santa Cecilia with the Bay Area’s Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeno Band, Anna Halprin’s Planetary Dance, Asian Improv aRts, Balinese music from Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Taipei Folk Dance Theater, violinist Anthony Blea and his Cuban charanga ensemble, and Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers.
Poetry is represented with Poetry Tuesday, curated by Litquake’s Robin Ekiss and featuring Alejandro Murguia, San Francisco Poet Laureate. Salsa Thursdays will be featured, too, and will include salsa lessons.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: Mission Street (btw. Third & Fourth), May 4–Oct. 15, free, 415-543-1718, www.ybgfestival.org
— E. Beyl
Photo:Yerba Buena Gardens Festival