Featured: Spring Fling at Slide Ranch
It is Slide Ranch’s biggest fundraiser of the year but the opportunity to frolic with baby goats and lambs in the lush green fields of a Marin farm is like your favorite internet dream come true. Experience myriad events at the ranch, from guided hikes and goat milking to live musical performances and nature crafts, while celebrating the glorious green pastures emblematic of Marin’s spring season. Did I say baby goats? Slide Ranch (Muir Beach) 415.717.7410, slideranch.org
THEATER
The Jungle
Thru May 19
Named for the makeshift home of thousands of immigrants and refugees in Calais, France, from January to October 2016, this play is a reminder of a massive human rights crisis that stoked fears about the dangers of mass migration.
Curran (SF)
415.358.1220, sfcurran.com
A Night of Shakespeare Shorts
Apr 6
This celebration of the Bard’s plays takes the form of a competition for the title of best scene of the evening. Shakespeare-savvy judges from Marin Shakespeare, San Francisco Shakespeare and ACT will adjudicate, but guests can decide for themselves and have a slice of Shakespearian birthday cake.
Phoenix Theater (Petaluma)
707.287.1766, petalumashakespeare.org
Scott & Zelda: The Beautiful Fools
Apr 12–28
In 1939, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, embark on a whirlwind trip to Cuba to try and repair their fractured marriage.
Barn Theater (Ross)
415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Apr 16–May 12
Charlie Bucket and four other children win admission to the mysterious chocolate factory, where Willy Wonka serves as their guide to an epic adventure.
Golden Gate Theatre (SF)
888.746.1799, shnsf.com
Vanity Fair
Apr 17–May 12
Ambitious Becky Sharp is as determined as ever to attain status in this new production based on William Makepeace Thackeray’s 19th-century novel. Playwright Kate Hamill reinvigorates Ms. Sharp with a spirit that is decidedly 21st century.
Geary Theater (SF)
415.749.2228, act-sf.org
Yoga Play
Thru Apr 20
When apparel giant Jojomon is hit with a scandal, new CEO Joan stakes everything on a plan to recover the company’s earnings and reputation.
San Francisco Playhouse (SF)
415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
Jazz
Apr 25–May 19
Adapted from Toni Morrison’s novel set in 1926 Harlem, this production explores themes of revenge and unforgiveable acts. Underscored by Bay Area musician Marcus Shelby.
Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley)
415.388.5200, marintheatre.org
An Evening with C.S. Lewis
Apr 26-28
Spend time in the living room of the author of The Screwtape Letters and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as he recalls his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, the near abandonment of The Narnia Chronicles, and the American woman who turned his life upside down.
Marines’ Memorial Theatre (SF)
888.746.1799, shnsf.com
DANCE
Creative Minds
April 12–21
Choreographer Alonzo King and musician/composer Van-Anh Vanessa Võ’s shared passion for cooking lead to Creative Minds, their collaborative new ballet. Though no food is included in the performance, the dance does explore ideas that every cook encounters – storytelling, food traditions, and identity. Part of the LINES Ballet’s Spring Season, the San Francisco performances are the world premiere collaboration between King and Võ.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF).
415.863.3040, linesballet.org.
Bellwether Dance Project
Apr 4-6
Featuring works by Artistic Director Amy Foley and guest choreographer Robert Moses, the San Francisco–based troupe presents Let Slip the Witches
ODC Theater (SF)
415.549.8519, odc.dance
Unraveled
Apr 11-13
The world premiere by the Alyssandra Katherine Dance Project blends movement with spoken word, exploring stories of dependency and addiction.
ODC Theater (SF)
415.863.9834, odc.dance
The Little Mermaid
Apr 19–24
This ballet version of the story by Hans Christian Andersen about a mermaid heroine explores the divergent worlds of serene underwater life and the flamboyant lives of humans with mature themes and subject matter (not recommended for children under 12).
War Memorial Opera House (SF)
415.865.2000, sfballet.org
The Wait Room
Apr 19-27
The world premiere of this site-specific, apparatus-based dance installation from Flyaway Productions honors women who have an incarcerated loved one, while exploring the ideas of waiting and weighting.
Empty lot opposite Civic Center/UN Plaza (SF)
415.672.4111, flyawayproductions.com
Dance Series 02 and Best of Smuin
Apr 26 – Jun 1
Loosely inspired by the 385-mile protest wall of women in India on New Year’s Day 2019, Smuin Ballet celebrates the end of its 25th season with a groundbreaking work from Amy Seiwert, along with the return of Michael Smuin’s favorites.
YBCA Theater (SF)
415.912.1899, smuinballet.org
COMEDY
Marincomedyshow presents Don Friesen
Apr 5
Straight off his one-hour Showtime special Ask Your Mom, Friesen captures the absurdities of parenting and the ironies of marriage in his many characters, parodies and voices.
Showcase Theater (San Rafael)
415.473.7000, marincenter.org
Great American Sh*t Show
Apr 18
An evening of laughing and thinking with Brian Copeland and Charlie Varon as they explore life in the age of Trump.
Marin Center (San Rafael)
415.473.6800, marincenter.org
Marc Cordes
Apr 20
In this one-man show, journey along with Cordes, a.k.a. the Spouse Whisperer, as he discusses “love at first sight,” “’til death do us part,” and other marriage tropes.
Showcase Theater (San Rafael)
415.578.3856, marinarts.org
Andy Borowitz
Apr 25
Known for his long-running satirical “Borowitz Report” now found in the New Yorker, Borowitz brings his acute observations and searing wit to a live audience.
Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium (San Rafael)
415.473.7000, marincenter.org
EVENTS
Immigrant Yarn Project
Thru May 15
Celebrate the diverse citizenry of the United States at the nation’s largest crowdsourced art installation, featuring thousands of yarn-based art pieces by over 600 contributors from California to Maine and everywhere in between.
Fort Point (SF)
Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change
Apr 2–June 1
This special exhibition on California’s wildflowers features photographs by Nita Winter and Rob Badger and addresses the effects of climate change on a universal emblem of beauty.
Bay Model Visitor Center (Sausalito)
650.608.1274, cnpsmarin.org
Family A.R.T.S. Day
Apr 7
This annual event celebrates young Sonoma artists with a student exhibition, art-making stations, refreshments and a special midday performance by the Valley Vibes Orchestra.
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (Sonoma)
707.939.7862, svma.org
The Garagiste Wine Festival
Apr 13
Taste micro-production (1,500 cases or less) wines from 40 vintners in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills, and stay for a tasting seminar on the new West Sonoma Coast AVA.
Sonoma Veterans Building (Sonoma)
Outdoor Antique French Market
Apr 14
French music by Michel Michelis and made-to-order crepes accent rows of booths laden with vintage clothing, retro and antique furniture, art and garden decor.
Marin Center Parking Lot (San Rafael)
415.383.2252, thefrenchmarketmarin.com
TEDxMarin: The Future of Democracy
Apr 18
Legal scholar Lawrence Lessig digs into what causes the corruption at the heart of American politics, with special guest Will Durst.
Angelico Hall at Dominican University (San Rafael)
415.785.8873, tedxmarin.org
Easter at Bon Air
Apr 20
Bring your bunny ears and pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny in his Bunny Burrow at Free balloons for all children with demos and sidewalk specials from participating merchants.
Bon Air Center (Greenbrae)
(415) 461-0200, www.bonair.com
Carnaval San Francisco Competition
Apr 27
The Bay Area’s most talented samba, salsa, cumbia, bachata, merengue, mambo, cha cha cha, tango, bomba, plena, jive, rumba and soca dancers are invited to compete for the titles of Carnaval King, Queen, and Drag. Winners will become the official ambassadors for Carnaval San Francisco 2019.
Mission High School (SF)
Tomato Market
Apr 27
The annual Tomato Market features a curated selection of 2,500 tomato starts from the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. Grown from seed at San Rafael’s Falkirk greenhouse, nine heirloom and eight hybrid tomato varieties, selected for their exceptional taste and performance in Marin’s microclimates, will be available.
Bon Air Center (Greenbrae)
415.461.0200, bonair.com/events
Decorator Showcase
Apr 27–May 27
With proceeds benefiting the financial aid program of San Francisco University High School, this annual event tasks 45 designers with remodeling each of this San Francisco manse’s 45 rooms.
Le Petit Trianon (SF)
415.447.5830, decoratorshowcase.org
FILM
Disneyland: The Donald Duck Story
Apr 1–3
On film since 1934, Donald Duck is the main character in this 1954 retelling of Donald’s career.
Walt Disney Museum Theater (SF)
415.345.6800, waltdisney.org
The Met: Die Walküre
Apr 3
See this installment of the second opera in Wagner’s monumental Ring cycle from your theater seat.
Lark Theater (Larkspur)
415.924.5111, larktheater.net
San Francisco International Film Festival
Apr 10–23
From an opening-night party to dancing on the final night, experience cinematic discovery and the magic of film.
Castro Theatre (SF)
415.561.5000, sffilm.org
Circles
Apr 13
In this lauded documentary, Hurricane Katrina survivor and pioneer of the restorative justice movement Eric Butler relocates to Oakland, where he works to counsel vulnerable teens in Richmond; discussion and Q&A with Butler to follow.
Rafael Theater (San Rafael)
415.454.5813, rafaelfilm.cafilm.org
Monty Python’s Life of Brian
Apr 18
For one night only, celebrate the 40th anniversary of this politically incorrect satire from the acclaimed British comedy troupe.
Rafael Theater (San Rafael)
415.454.5813, rafaelfilm.cafilm.org
Christina Mueller is a long-time Bay Area food writer. She hails from the East Coast and has spent way too much time in South America and Europe. She discovered her talent as a wordsmith in college and her love of all things epicurean in grad school. She has written for Condé Nast Contract Publishing, Sunset, and the Marin Independent Journal, among others. She volunteers with California State Parks and at her childrens’ schools, and supports the Marin Audubon Society, PEN America, and Planned Parenthood. When she is not drinking wine by a fire, she is known to spend time with her extended family.
