Sunday, January 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Looking for family-fun activities that everyone will enjoy for the Chinese New Year? Then check out Lunar New Year at the San Francisco Zoo on Sunday, January 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To commemorate the Year of the Dragon, Lunar New Year at the San Francisco Zoo features interactive, culturally-themed family entertainment for all ages. Come see Chinese acrobatic performances, traditional Lion and folk dancing, Chinese yo-yo tricks and more.



Zoo visitors can also take a self-guided Zodiac tour through the Zoo. This fun-filled scavenger hunt adventure will lead guests to the animals found on the Chinese calendar. Plus, everyone who completes the Zodiac tour will receive a lucky red envelope with a surprise inside.



The Zoo's Chinese New Year festivities will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Zoo's Event Tent. Activities and entertainment at the Zoo's Chinese New Year celebration is free with paid admission. However, guests born in the Year of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012) will receive free Zoo admission to the event. 

For more information, please call (415) 753-7080.

           
Registration begins December 1 for the free weekend winter art workshops at the Richmond District Neighborhood Center for kids age 5 to 12 years. This winter’s courses include:

Saturdays in January with Donna Ozawa
Every Saturday from 1-3pm, artist Donna Ozawa will show students how to create fun artwork using a variety of mediums. Students will learn how to make marble mazes, scribble monsters, portable landscapes and cardboard automata (simple machines).

Saturdays in February with Lyall Harris
Artist Lyall Harris will lead art projects in book making, valentine’s day cards, map making and printmaking. Every Saturday in February from 10am until 12noon.

Fun with Photography Scavenger Hunt | January 15 & February 12
Photographer Jan Nicholas is back with more inventive photo challenges for young shutterbugs. Each day from 1pm until 2:30pm, kids will explore the neighborhood around the RDNC, as well as Mountain Lake Park, as they participate in a photo scavenger hunt.

To register for the free RDNC winter art workshops, download and complete the Multicultural Arts Program application and turn it in at the RDNC offices at 741 30th Avenue, or fax it to 751-5606. You can also register by phone at 751-6600.

There is a limit of two workshops per child, who must be between the ages of 5 and 12 and reside in San Francisco. Registration opens December 1 but spaces fill up fast so get your application in as quickly as you can.

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Ortega Branch Library
Ortega Branch Library and West Sunset Playground opens after renovation
Sept 10th ceremony at 11am, opens at 12 noon - 3223 Ortega Street (at 39th Ave)

Chocolate Festival
16th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival
Sept 10-11 12-5pm - Ghirardelli Square $20 for 15 chocolate samples




Family Day Kite Festival

http://www.fdkf.org/
Sept 17-18 11am-6pm - Marina

AnimalPalooza
Get back to nature and discover a universe of wild with an ocelot, serval cat, ring-tailed lemur, porcupine, hedgehodge, fennec fox, alligator, skink, native snakes, frogs, turtles, birds, walking sticks, hissing cockroaches, rabbits, ducks and many other amazing creatures representing the diversity of life. Touch and learn about bio-facts like pelts, whale bones, a preserved mountain lion, and owl pellets. Activities include: Wildlife origami, insect mask making, owl pellet exploration, animal face painting, ask a scientist. Discover how kids can roam outside in nature to save nature. http://www.fortmason.org/events/events-details?id=1992&-09-24&end=2011-09-24
Sept 24, 11am-5pm - Fort Mason $8-$10


Thank You, Tatiana for great info!

Asian Art Museum Free Admission Day | SF

The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian Art, with a collection of over 17,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. The museum is a public institution whose mission is to lead a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture.

Normally $12, the museum is open free for the first Sunday of each month thanks to Target.

Free Shakespeare in the Park 2011 | The Presidio

Bring your friends, dates, a blanket and a picnic (don’t forget a bottle of wine) to enjoy the 29th season of free professional theater throughout the summer thanks to The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival.

The play for 2011 is Cymbeline. Follow Princess Innogen on her search for reconciliation against the backdrop of a colorful and magical journey. Forbidden love, mistaken identities, banishment and a magic potion – Shakespeare combines multiple styles in this endlessly inventive fairy tale.

San Francisco Performance Schedule
September 3-25, 2011
The Presidio’s Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, SF
(between Graham St & Keyes Ave)
- All performances free and open to the public

Saturday, Sept 3 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, Sept 4 – 2:30 PM
Monday, Sept 5 (Labor Day) – 2:30 PM
Saturday, Sept 10 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, Sept 11 – 2:30 PM
Saturday, Sept 17 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, Sept 18 – 2:30 PM
Saturday, Sept 24 – 7:30 PM
Sunday, Sept 25 – 2:30 PM

7th Annual Autumn Moon Festival

Date: 09/03/2011
Irving Street between 22nd and 25th Ave
Irving and 23rd Ave, San Francisco Ca 94122
Cost: Free

This family-friendly event will include lion dancers, arts and crafts, traditional performances and artistic cultural demonstrations. The fair will also feature tasty food from around the world and goods from local businesses.

The 2nd Annual Jazz Fest at the Park | AT&T Park
Join the Giants for a jazz festival celebrating African-American arts and culture at their 2nd Annual Jazz Fest at the Park on Saturday, September 3.

Saturday, September 3, 2011 - 3:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
Lefty O'Doul Plaza, AT&T Park | AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA

A free, outdoor pre-game event held outside the park and along McCovey Cove, you can enjoy music by live jazz musicians with stunning views of the Bay in the background. There will also be over 15 cultural vendors featuring arts & crafts and tasty food and drink at this community festival, which will have you all jazzed up for the Giants’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and ready to cheer on Wilson, Lincecum and the rest of the team roster.

Bank of America Free Museum Weekends

September 3&4
October 1&2
November 5&6
December 3&4

Participating Museums include:

Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF)
Legion of Honor (SF)
de Young Museum (SF)
Museum of African Diaspora (SF)
Zeum – San Francisco Children’s Museum (SF)
San Jose Museum of Art (SJ)
The Tech Museum of Innovation (SJ)
Chabot Space & Science Center (OAK)

All you need to do is show the ticket booth a photo ID and your BofA card and you’re in for free!

Click on the image to go to Russian Center website for more details.