Summertime in San Francisco - not the hot beach weather many people associate with summer, our "Cool Gray City of Love" celebrates summer with its own special activities.
One of the most revered activities is the Stern Grove Festival, celebrating its 78th season this year. Gifted to the City of San Francisco by Rosalie M. Stern in 1931 and named to honor her husband, Sigmund, Mrs. Stern declared the grove was to be preserved as a park offering free music, dance, and theater performances for the enjoyment of the public. The first performance was in 1932, when the San Francisco Symphony performed in the open air bowl, with its fine natural acoustics. The tradition continues today, with a performance schedule of wide variety, something to please every taste.
On concert days, this tranquil setting will be packed with thousands of people spending happy afternoons, enjoying the offering of the day. In 2015, the big kick-off concert will be held Sunday, June 14, with the last concert of the season set for Sunday, August 16. All concerts begin at 2:00 PM, but a word of warning: if you haven't reserved a picnic table, plan to arrive hours early to avoid sitting high up the hill, with trees blocking your view, and the steep slope threatening to slide you down the hill, onto you neighbor!
The 2015 line up:
June 14 - The Doobie Brothers; the California Honeydrops
June 21 - Pacific Mambo Orchestra; Salsamania
June 28 - Randy Newman; Hot Club and San Francisco
July 5 - San Francisco Symphony, Edwin Outwater, Conductor
July 12 - Amy Hanaiali'i and the Stern Grove Festival Orchestra
July 19 - tUnE-yArDs; DakhaBrakha
July 26 - San Francisco Ballet, Helgi Tomasson, Artistic Director
August 2 - Mary Chapin Carpenter; Bhi Bhiman
August 9 - Morris Day and The Time; Con Brio
August 16 - Talib Kweli; Zakiya Harris, featuring Elephantine
As you Live your San Francisco Dream, include a concert at Stern Grove in you summertime fun, a time-honored San Francisco tradition.
Comments(30)