Civic Center
San Francisco' s widest street, Van Ness Avenue, runs down the middle of Civic Center, a Beaux Arts architectural wonder. A short distance from Civic Center lies Hayes Valley boasting galleries, antique shops, restaurants and book nooks. The Polk Street district parallels Van Ness Avenue and extends all the way to Fisherman's Wharf, where it terminates in front of the historic Maritime Museum. Catering to a diverse population, Polk Street is one of the oldest shopping districts in San Francisco.
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San Francisco CIty HallThe Civic Center is an area of a few blocks north of the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Avenue that contains many of the city's largest government and cultural institutions. It has two large plazas (Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza) and a number of buildings in classical architectural style. The United Nations Charter was signed in the War Memorial Veterans Building's Herbst Theatre in 1945, leading to the creation of the United Nations. It is also where the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco (the peace treaty that officially ended the Pacific War with the Empire of Japan, which had surrendered in 1945) was signed.CIty Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Docent led 45 minute tours are available Monday - Friday 10:00 am, 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. The sign-up location for tours is the Docent Tour kiosk, located in the Goodlett Place lobby next to the elevators 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco 94102
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San Francisco SymphonyThe San Francisco Symphony sets the highest possible standard for excellence in musical performance at home and around the world; Enriches, serves, and shapes cultural life throughout the spectrum of Bay Area communities; Maintains financial stability and gains public recognition as a means of ensuring its ability to fulfill its mission.Join the San Francisco Symphony and music director Michael Tilson Thomas for classical music at its best. Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 94102
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San Francisco OperaSan Francisco Opera is the second largest opera company in North America. David Gockley became San Francisco Opera’s sixth general director in January of 2006 after more than three decades at the helm of Houston Grand Opera. David Gockley’s partner in artistic programming and musical issues is Music Director Nicola Luisotti, who recently began his tenure in August 2009. Under Gockley’s leadership, San Francisco Opera has announced plans for three world premieres and two Bay Area premieres in upcoming seasons by composers Christopher Theofanidis, Mark Adamo, Jennifer Higdon, Jake Heggie, and John Adams. War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 94102
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San Francisco BalletSan Francisco Ballet, the oldest professional ballet company in America, has emerged as a world-class arts organization since it was founded as the San Francisco Opera Ballet in 1933. Helgi Tomasson’s arrival as artistic director in July 1985 marked the beginning of a new era for San Francisco Ballet. In 2005, Tomasson was awarded the prestigious Lew Christensen Medal in honor of his 20th anniversary as artistic director of San Francisco Ballet, and that same year, the Company won its first Laurence Olivier Award, for its 2004 fall season at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. In 2006, in a readers’ poll conducted by Dance Europe magazine, San Francisco Ballet was the first non-European company to be voted “Company of the Year” by the publication. It continues to enrich and expand its repertory and presents approximately 100 performances annually. 455 Franklin Street, San Francisco, 94102
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SHN(Shorenstein Hays Nederlander) presents the Best of Broadway theater series, and own and operate the Curran, the Golden Gate, and Orpheum Theatres—San Francisco’s premier theatrical venues. Currently offerings include WIcked, Fiddler on the Roof, Peter Pan, and In the Heights. 182 Market Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, 94102
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Asian Art Museum
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Chanticleer "An Orchestra of Voices"Chanticleer was founded in 1978 by tenor Louis Botto, who sang with the group until 1989, and served as Artistic Director until his death from AIDS in 1997. Chanticleer contains twelve men including two basses, one baritone, three tenors, and six countertenors (three altos and three sopranos). Over the last three decades, Chanticleer has developed a grand reputation for its interpretation of Renaissance music, but it performs a wide repertoire of jazz, gospel, and other venturesome new music and is widely known as an "Orchestra of Voices". 44 Page Street, Suite 604, San Francisco, 94102
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San Francisco GIrls ChorusFor more than 30 years, the San Francisco Girls Chorus has been recognized as one of the world’s most respected vocal ensembles. SFGC’s 30th Anniversary season, 2008-2009, culminated in a performance in President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, and a debut concert at Alice Tully Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center. SFGC has won many honors, including the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award and two ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming in 1999 and 2004. The Girls Chorus is invited annually to perform with musical organizations including San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and others. 44 Page Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, 94102
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Audium- Theatre of SoundThe only theatre of its kind pioneering the exploration of space in music. For 75 minutes 179 speakers bathe listeners in sounds that move past, over and under them. "Sound sculptures" are performed in darkness in a 49-seat theatre. F-Sa 8:30pm. Latecomers not admitted. Call for performance schedule. 1616 Bush Street, San Francisco, 94109 |
