Featured: California Artisan Cheese Festival
Marin and Sonoma are especially blessed with cheese makers. Every March, California cheese makers and their fans come together throughout Sonoma wine country for the California Artisan Cheese Festival to celebrate the glories of cheese in the context of the broader culinary landscape and within the terroir of the two counties. Of course, there is cheese to sample and discover as well as a marketplace and tasting for all ages. Mar 23-24, artisancheesefestival.com
THEATER
King of the Yees
Through March 2
When her father goes missing, playwright Lauren Yee is forced to dive into the rabbit hole of San Francisco’s Chinatown and confront a world both foreign and familiar.
San Francisco Playhouse (SF)
415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
These Shining Lives
March 8–31
Based on the life of Catherine Donohue, this play explores the meaning of work in the United States of the 1920s and ’30s as women strove for the chance at a well-paying job.
Barn Theater (Ross)
415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.co
Fiorello!
Through March 17
The story of New York City mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia.
Gateway Theatre (SF)
415.255.8207, 42ndstmoon.org
Hello, Dolly!
Through March 17
Tony award–winning Broadway actress Betty Buckley brings her Broadway chops to the San Francisco production of the Tony-winning revival.
Golden Gate Theatre (SF)
888.746.1799, shnsf.com
The Skin of our Teeth
March 2–17
The College of Marin drama program presents Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play.
James Dunn Theatre (Kentfield)
415.485.9385, pa.marin.edu
Falsettos
March 19–April 14
Marvin, a charming but neurotic gay man, is at the heart of this portrayal of a family that includes Marvin’s wife, his lover, their psychiatrist, and the lesbians next door.
Golden Gate Theatre (SF)
888.746.1799, shnsf.com
The Who & the What
Through March 24
The latest from Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Ayad Akhtar explores the intersection of identity and religion. When a Pakistani-American writer, Zarina, meets Eli, the ideals of her traditional conservative upbringing clash with his modern ways.
Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley)
415.388.5200, marintheatre.org
The Jungle
March 26–May 19
Named for the moniker of 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
DANCE
Path of Miracles
Through March 2
Returning to Grace Cathedral for an encore show, this dance and choral performance was inspired by Spain’s Camino de Santiago and created in collaboration with Volti, a 17-member vocal ensemble.
Grace Cathedral (SF)
415.549.8519, odc.dance
The Sleeping Beauty
March 9–16
Tchaikovsky’s rendition of the fairy tale about a century-long sleep has choreography by Helgi Tomasson.
Opera House (SF)
415.865.2000, sfballet.org
COMEDY
Durst Case Scenario: And They’re Off
March 3
The final performance in the Best of San Francisco Solo Series features comedian and political satirist Will Durst. Fresh from his Time of Trump tour, he chronicles the pitfalls and polarization of what he calls Trump’s Reign of Error.
Showcase Theater (San Rafael)
415.473.7000, marincenter.org
Colin & Brad
March 28
Known for their work on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood play with the crowd in this interactive performance.
Marin Veterans’ Auditorium (San Rafael)
415.473.7000, marincenter.org
EVENTS
Barrel Tasting Weekends
March 1–3, 8–9
Pack a picnic basket and blanket, then head to one of northern Sonoma’s 100-plus wineries to sip current-release wines and future releases straight from the barrel.
Various locations (Healdsburg)
800.723.6336, wineroad.com
Cinderella and Cinderella
March 1–31
Back-to-back screenings of Disney’s Cinderella (1922) from his first business, Laugh-O-gram Studios, and Cinderella (1950) the classic from the Walt Disney Company.
Walt Disney Museum Theater (SF)
415.345.6800, waltdisney.org
Smuin Ballet Annual Gala
March 3
Mingle with Smuin dancers before a gourmet dinner catered by McCall’s and paired with wines from Grgich Hills Estate. The evening continues with performances by Smuin’s dancers, a live auction and after-dinner dancing.
Design Center Galleria (SF)
415.912.1899, smuinballet.org
ODC Dance Around Town Gala
March 8
Savor a remarkable dinner at the St. Regis before a performance by ODC choreographers at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. Afterward, return to the St. Regis with ODC dancers and fellow art enthusiasts for an after-party.
St. Regis and YBCA Theater (SF)
415.863.9834, odc.dance
Bolshoi Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
March 10
From the new season of Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet, this cinematic Sleeping Beauty is adapted from Perrault’s original to include famous fairies and characters.
Lark Theater (Larkspur)
415.924.5111, larktheater.net
Ferlinghetti
MAR 24
On the 100th anniversary of the poet’s birth, filmmaker and friend Christopher Felver presents this documentary screening focused on Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s life, with discussion to follow.
Rafael Theater (San Rafael)
415.454.5813, rafaelfilm.cafilm.org
Team Trivia Night
MAR 27
Bring along some friends or make some new ones at this monthly trivia event.
Mill Valley Public Library (Mill Valley)
415.389.4292, millvalleylibrary.org
Sonoma International Film Festival
MAR 27–31
From soirees to back-lot parties and the ever- popular Chefs & Shorts dinner, this festival showcases independent features, documentaries and short films and supports the media arts program at Sonoma Valley High.
Various locations (Sonoma)
707.933.2600, sonomafilmfest.org
Opulent Temple and the Sacred Dance Foundation
MAR 30
Glam it up in your most fabulous white attire, then get ready to participate in an interactive production and performance. Belly dance, traditional Balinese dance, and hoop and aerial action are all scheduled, before and after midnight.
Regency Ballroom (SF)
Marin Teen Girl Conference
MAR 31
Sponsored by the Marin Women’s Commission, this day of interactive activities and workshops focuses on empowering Marin teens in grades 8–12. Workshops include a Girls’ Empowerment Guide and vision-boarding.
Embassy Suites (San Rafael)
415.473.6189, marinteengirls.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.
