Tag Archives: Civic Center

Broadway’s Best at The Orpheum Theatre

Take one glimpse at the majestic carved doors of San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre and you’ll see the sparkle of an architectural gem. Designed in the 1920s by renowned theater architect Picture 56B. Marcus Priteca as a showcase for the silent films and vaudeville productions of impresario Alexander Pantages, the elaborate Spanish-style Civic Center cathedral boasts all the ingredients required to cook up an evening of glitz and entertainment. From the baroque, vaulted ceilings to walls brimming with folkloric lion figurines, the palatial venue is well-deserved of its designation as a San Francisco Historical Landmark.

Though the theater’s delicate balconies endured years as a first-run movie house, it’s been reinvigorated by some of the nation’s most acclaimed Broadway shows. These days its rich red carpets and chairs accommodate crowds of musical enthusiasts for the box office record-breaker Wicked, but this beautiful building has also set the stage for Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Rent and The Lion King. No doubt, it has a long history to come as host to the most prized performances.

Kung Fu & King-Sized Collection at the Asian Art Museum

If you think of Asian Art as just orchids, bamboo, and cast iron teapots, Picture 5you haven’t been to the Asian Art Museum in the Civic Center – and you need to go! Not only does the museum have priceless artifacts like the oldest Chinese gilt-bronze Buddha in the world (photographed in textbooks everywhere), but they offer some pretty cool interactive programs such as yoga inspired by the sculpture poses, storytelling for the kids (“How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head”), and learning the art of Japanese Tea Ceremonies.

The museum even has exhibitions for the night owls with their Thursday night after-hours parties called MATCHA.  Observe the Shaolin Temple monks demonstrate some high-kicking kung fu while you listen to Shanghai Jazz.  Always changing and never a dull moment, this Asian Art Museum will keep you exploring  over 6,000 years of history.

Glitz and Grammy’s for The San Francisco Symphony

For the Vivian and Edward in all of us (Pretty Woman fans?), your romantic evening awaits at the San Francisco Symphony.  With eleven Grammy wins, this ensemble features the most talented musicians in the world and is appropriately situated in the magnificent Davies Symphony Hall, which neighbors the Opera House and Capitol Buildings of the Civic Center.Picture 23

Whether an anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or birthday, the San Francisco Symphony continues to excite and lure even the most jaded of guests to fall in love with classical music year-round.  The Symphony’s passion for music and award-winning Chorus & Youth Orchestra will inspire you to not just listen to the music, but emotionally become part of the experience.

Davies Symphony Hall even offers a free after-hours party for some of its concerts, allowing you to enjoy popular bay area music in a nightclub atmosphere.  The folks at SFS really know music, from classical to contemporary, and hope to inspire the same appreciation in their guests, even if it requires drinks and socializing from the balconies that offer spectacular views of City Hall.

A Century of Music at This Great American Hall

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The Great American Music Hall has been described many ways: opulent, warm, friendly, even sanctified.  Whatever your adjectives, this place is just plain fun, from the smiles at the red velvet-draped front door to the energy of the crowd buzzing off the ceiling frescoes.  Having hosted such diverse big names as Duke Ellington, Billy Joel, The Grateful Dead, and Van Morrison, this gracious Victorian hall has charmed San Francisco throughout the twentieth century.

MusicHall2This 5000 square foot concert hall has seen many changes since its opening in 1907. Constantly upgrading the sound system and restoring anything that begins to lose luster, the Great American Music Hall takes pride in providing you with the best intimate music experience.  You can even book the venue for private wedding receptions, product launches, holiday parties, and bar mitzvahs.

When spending the evening here you have no choice but to leave the hustle of the city behind, grab a drink at the restored Victorian bar, and let go of your troubles on the oak dance floor.  Why not enjoy one hundred years of history and modern entertainment all in one evening?

Brenda’s Comfort Food Has French Soul

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On the outskirts of the Civic Center district lies San Francisco’s favorite breakfast and brunch hole-in-the-wall, Brenda’s French Soul Food.  On any given day Brenda’s produces a line of adoring patrons around the block, waiting in anticipation among the smells of buttery Cajun shrimp and grits with salty warm biscuits.  ConsPicture 5idering this gem is among the Top 5 Bold Newcomers from the New York Times and one of Travel & Leisure’s Top 50 US Restaurants of 2009, the hour wait is no surprise.

Since 2007, Brenda Buenviaje has charmed the city with her closet-sized open kitchen, a total of seven tables, and an old-fashioned diner-style counter.  Her New Orleans fare never rises above $10 and the portions are served with a heavy hand and plenty of love. And that’s exactly what you’ll get here, along with the best beignets west of France (try the Godiva chocolate or paprika crawfish).  Wash it all down with Brenda’s special watermelon sweet tea and you’d swear you’re in the French Quarter.

Classical Art Made Modern at San Francisco Opera

If you think of opera as long, boring, and hard to follow, you haven’t been to the San Francisco Opera.  From the bellbottoms to ball gowns dress code, and SFotellowith subtitles above the stage, a night at the opera isn’t just for the world-traveling elite anymore.  The San Francisco Opera does justice to this classic art form by making it accessible and entertaining to modern society.

In the heart of The Civic Center next to the Capitol Building, every grand staircase and facade of the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House seems to have been carved out of marble and gold, and the set designs are always elaborately impressive.  Taking in the spectacle is even better while enjoying a pint of beer or a high-end wine.  And don’t think the crowd is going to be boring either, since the opera is attended more these days by 20-50 something’s in the peak of their social lives, with great fashion sense to boot.

Tickets can range from $10-$120, but if you’re looking for an old-fashioned night out on the town don’t be afraid to play “Pretty Woman” dress-up, make reservations at one of the many nearby fine restaurants (like Absinthe), and go all out with a box seat and opera glasses.