Feeling lucky? March in the Bay Area means green hills and green beer. In San Francisco, Marin County and beyond, there are a wealth of food fairs, film festivals and cultural events. Take a photo with Lou Seal at Giants FanFest. Try a new dish during Oakland Restaurant Week. Ride a float in San Francisco’s 175- year-old St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Join By the Bay Health for a special evening with former Beach Blanket Babylon entertainer and host Ellen Toscano, modern cuisine by McCalls, and dancing to the beat of Entourage. Their annual gala aims raise funds in support of its Community Care Fund, which helps patients and families in need with equal access to quality, compassionate care and support programs. This year’s theme, Black and Gold, is a tribute to the organization’s 50th anniversary. Photos by Steven Gregory Photography
Support ocean education and outreach through the International Ocean Film Foundation’s (IOFF) annual Off the Reef benefit. During this elegant night, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, sustainable dinner and trailers from the upcoming IOFF film festival selections. Proceeds from the silent and live auctions will go towards IOFF’s continued efforts to raise environmental awareness through film and storytelling.
Vinnies Sip Shop Socialize Luncheon April 11 2024 Steven Gregory Photography-6372
Vinnies Sip Shop Socialize Luncheon April 11 2024 Steven Gregory Photography-6059
Vinnies Sip Shop Socialize Luncheon April 11 2024 Steven Gregory Photography-5375
3- Bryna Holland, Ramona Mays and Carla Daro-Kaliski
1- Samantha Leung, Soraya Aughney, Kathleen Woodcock, Lori Frugoli, Anne Russell and Petra Higby
Each year the St. Vincent de Paul Auxiliary Board hosts its annual Ladies’ Boutique, Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Meadow Club to draw in supporters and raise money to help end senior homelessness in Marin. Last year’s luncheon raised over $100,000 to combat homelessness. Photos by Steven Gregory Photography
The annual Bay Area Red Cross Gala is one of the Bay Area’s most sought after fundraiser tickets. All proceeds from the event will go toward funding Red Cross Blood Services, which supports much needed blood drives and donations to save lives across the country. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner plus live entertainment and dancing.
This new exhibit at the Bartolini Gallery in San Rafael highlights the work of six female photographers—Peg Hunter, Suz Lipman, Toni Lobsenz, Margo MacArthur, Stephanie Mohan and Jenny Sampson—who have all taken inspiration from what they’ve seen and encountered on streets.
The game of love is on! This madcap musical at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco centers on a wildly popular reality dating show called Nobody Loves You, in which eager contestants compete for love and social media stardom.
Through a series of displays, this exhibit shares the story of Marin City’s Black residents, highlighting their courage, resilience and contributions to American history — shown at Dominican University’s Archbishop Alemany Library.
The colors, costumes and music of Mardi Gras light up February, and the city’s Mission District is taking part. Music, costume and dancing are hitting the Mission District on Fat Tuesday. Organized by Carnaval San Francisco, multiple venues host live music and performances all night for Fat Tuesday. Practice your steps for salsa, cumbia and all sorts of Latin stylings.
Photo courtesy of Katie Carrin Designs and Marin Arts & Crafts Show
Witness the Marin Center’s Exhibit Hall turn into a market of handcrafts and artisan wares for the Marin Arts and Crafts Show. With jewelry, decor, textiles and more, the show is a hotbed of original designs and craft.
Get in the spirit of the upcoming MLB season at the final stop of the Giants’ FanFest Tour. Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, will be full of fans, players and broadcasters and Lou Seal during this fan-favorite and free event. Reserve your free ticket now to sidle up next to a trophy or get a rare view of the field from the home dugout.
Catch the final days of this exhibit at the SFMoMa featuring nearly 50 of Amy Sherald’s luminous paintings—including her iconic portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, poetic early works, and new works on view for the first time.
With a brass band, pie slices and a parade that circles the Pi Shrine 3.14 times, the Exploratorium’s 38th annual Pi Day celebration is packed with activities themed around the irrational number. How many digits do you know?
A nearly 175-year old San Francisco tradition, this annual parade emphasizes cross-cultural connection as it winds from 2nd and Market to the Civic Center, where a music festival and traditional Irish food stands will follow. Along the parade route, there are Irish dancers, marching band performances, appearances from city officials and more than 120 vibrant floats made by community members and celebrants from all over.
SF-based Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, renowned for its amazing 11-piece, horn-driven powerhouse orchestra which plays blues and soul music of the ’60s and ’70s, brings its captivating and award-winning sound to Marin Center’s Showcase Theater.
Jump over the fire and into Spring! Visitors can expect an evening of music, lively dancing and delicious food at this celebration of Nowruz, or Persian New Year, at San Rafael’s McNears State Beach from 6–10 p.m.
The 28th annual Sonoma International Film Festival draws in filmmakers and film lovers from around the world. It shows over 100 international films while also celebrating the food and drink that makes Sonoma Wine Country world-famous.
As the drama unfolds during this atypical production, the audience members are immersed in Mrs. Krishnan’s Party at the Marin Theater. Audience members ‘step’ into the back room of Mrs. Krishnan’s convenience store, where they become the invited guests to a lively South Indian harvest festival as preparations for the event take place.
Experience 10 days of unexpected pairings and fusion-style flavors within Oakland’s vibrant food scene. During this yearly event, a range of eateries ranging from food trucks to neighborhood eateries to Michelin rated restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus showcasing the city’s diverse food culture.
Explore the mysterious wonders of the deep sea at this new exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences, consisting of glowing supersized models of plankton, an interactive deep sea submersible experience, ancient marine fossil replicas and mesmerizing videos of life sized blue whales, giant squid and manta rays.
Photo courtesy of California Artisan Cheese Festival
Ever been on a cheese crawl? A crawl through The Barlow in Sebastopol is just one of many events, along with pairings and seminars, during this three-day cheese festival showcasing the best of the California cheese scene.
Laszlo Horner as Gary Panko in Pet Lingerie. Photo by Robin Jackson
The Ross Valley Players present the brand new musical, Pet Lingerie — the quirky story of Gary Panko’s Crowdfunding Seminar at an airport hotel in Indiana where a motley crew of characters has descended upon a conference room to present their outlandish, ridiculous, and downright silly kickstarter ideas.
Martha Blanding and Tim O’Day at Disneyland. Photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Museum
Join Disney Legend Martha Blanding and author Tim O’Day as they discuss Groundbreaking Magic: A Black Woman’s Journey Through The Happiest Place on Earth, a book detailing Blanding’s incredible half-century career journey at the Walt Disney Company—beginning with her job at Disneyland in 1971 as the park’s first-ever Black tour guide.
Tulips, tulips and more tulips are coming to Union Square, and nothing says “Spring” quite like them. Pick your favorites from the 80,000 Dutch flowers that will spring up for one day only. We advise showing up right when the garden opens, as these beauties are snapped up quickly.
The Marin American Indian Alliance hosts the county’s annual Marin Powwow, bringing the community together to celebrate the cultural diversity of several indigenous peoples. The festivities include a number of indigenous arts and crafts vendors, plus performances that can include intertribal dancing, traditional California Indian dancers, Azteca dancers and Hawaiian dancers.
Every year, Marin Ballet’s upper division dancers show off their work in spring concerts. Tickets for the main performances on March 28 & 29 are sold only to students’ parents, but there are still tickets for this public Thursday evening performance. This rendition of Peter and the Wolf is a completely new production, choreographed by the assistant school manager, Charlie Martin. Says Martin on Peter and the Wolf: “[It’s] a story about overcoming challenges with a positive outcome through bravery and teamwork.”
This fun-filled, family-friendly event is bursting with festive vibes and exciting activities for all ages. Explore a vibrant array of vendors, let the little ones enjoy the Toddler Zone, and dive into a world of games, crafts, and interactive activities.
You know what they say about “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure?” Uncover your own treasures at the Margaret Todd Senior Center in Novato, which will be filled with second-hand merchandise for sale at its annual spring flea market.
A chamber group with the range of an orchestra minus percussion, the nine-member Frisson Nonet is a string quartet with bass, plus a woodwind quintet. The unusual program will include Walter August’s “Octet for Strings and Winds,” Gershwin’s “Three Preludes for Clarinet and Strings,” Martinu’s “Nonet for Strings and Winds” and, for a rousing finale, Ravel’s “Bolero” transcribed for Nonet.
Looking for more ways to give back to our community by volunteering your time? Here’s a list of Marin County nonprofits supporting a variety of causes — ranging from helping our most vulnerable residents to keeping our environment healthy — where your assistance can really make a difference.
