Events Calendar: March / April 2023

“In like a lion, out like a lamb.” The proverb reminds us that spring brings a robust season of galas, events, music, dance, film, theater and more. Note: Recognized by the United Nations since 1977, Women’s Day is March 8 and Easter Sunday falls on April 9.

MARCH

Through May 1
Asian Art Museum | Color Trip: Yoshida Hokada’s Modern Prints

courtesy Asian Art Museum

Fifty colorful works by an influential Japanese artist. From a family famed for travel and nature prints blending Japanese and Western artistic styles, this is a first-ever U.S. solo exhibition by Yoshida Hokada. Exhibitions.asianart.org

Through May 14
Legion of Honor | Sargent and Spain

Majorcan Fisherman by John Singer Sargent, (Julia Feathergill Photography, courtesy of Fine Art Museums of San Francisco)

Churches, coastlines, gardens, royal palaces, dancing — vibrant works by the prolific artist John Singer Sargent (1856 – 1925. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Spain in this exhibition’s exclusive stop on the West Coast. famsf.org

3
Women Behind Wente Dinner

In support of Dress For Success, featuring Food Network Chef Kathy Fang of Chef Dynasty: House of Fang. A four-course meal paired with Wente Limited Release wines. 6 p.m. 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore. wentevineyards.com/events/women-behind-wente-dinner

3 -5
Barrel Tasting Weekend

See you in the cellars. This annual three-day event is an opportunity to buy “futures” in wine while learning about the process directly from winemakers representing 60+ Sonoma County wineries. WineRoad.com  

5
Wine Country Women Brunch & Wine Tasting 

Margareth “Maggie” Henriquez, newly appointed CEO of French luxury glassmaker Baccarat, is keynote speaker at the inaugural International Women’s Day event, an intimate fundraiser to benefit Wine Country Women scholarships. Stanly Ranch, an Auberge Resort Collection property. winecountrywomen.com/product/womens-day-brunch

9-12
SFJAZZ | Women’s History Month Celebration

Female artists: Trumpeter Kate Williams making her debut as a bandleader; singer and harpist Destiny Muhammed returns with her latest project; Citizens Jazz is led by Oakland bassist, composer and creative catalyst, Caroline Chung; and singer Lori Carsillo sheds new light on the American Songbook. sfjazz.org  

16-26
Oakland Restaurant Week

Explore, indulge, dine in, or take out. Special offers, custom menus, and unique menu items created especially for Oakland Restaurant Week. Enjoy neighborhood gems, favorite food trucks, Michelin star restaurants, and everything in-between. visitoakland.com

18
Dress For Success

Casino Royale is an evening of fun festivities to celebrate 18 years and the more than 11,000 women served by Dress For Success San Francisco. Palace Hotel, 2 Montgomery St. sfdress.org/fundraising-events/casino-royale-gala

18 through Oct. 15
de Young Museum | Kehinde Wiley: An Archeology of Silence

WILEY_Sleep, courtesy of the artist and Templon Paris-Brussels-New York. Photo: Ugo Carmeni

The first U.S. institution presenting the artist’s meditation on violence against Black bodies, a collection of 26 large-scale works. Kehinde Wiley is also known for her official presidential portrait of Barack Obama. famsf.org 

20
Opera House Tour 

In a once-a-year event, book to go behind the scenes. Dennis Hudson, former SF Ballet master electrician, escorts a tour of the War Memorial Opera House, a 1932 Beaux-Arts building. 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. 455 Franklin St. sfballet.org/productions/opera-house-tour 

22-26
26th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival

Dive into the best in film, food, wine, and fun. The nonprofit event is dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world, and inspiring film lovers — all in a walkable setting in Downtown Sonoma. ‘SIFF|Devour! Chefs & Shorts Dinner’ on 3/23 with special guest and honoree, Chef Martin Yan; Chef Joanne Weir’s Wine Country Cooking Luncheon on 3/25. sonomafilmfest.org

22 – 26
Golden Gate Theatre | Fiddler on the Roof

North American Tour of Fiddler on the Roof, photo: Joan Marcus

A heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and timeless traditions around faith and family. The original production has won 10 Tony Awards, including one for the longest-running Broadway musical of all time. 1 Taylor St., broadwaysf.com

24
28th Annual American Red Cross Gala

In support of its humanitarian mission, “Hope in a Changing World” is the theme for this year’s signature fundraiser for 300+ notables and honorees. Haute Living, San Francisco is a proud media sponsor. California Academy of Sciences. redcross.org/redcrossgalasf

24-25
San Francisco Symphony | Films With Live Orchestra

Anthony Parnther, SF Symphony, image: (c) Konstantin Golovchinsky

In 2018, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther became a global sensation. Anthony Parnther conducts the symphony orchestra in Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar®-winning score. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org

24 -26
17th Annual California Artisan Cheese Festival

Say cheese! Three full days of tasting, education, and celebration bringing together artisan cheesemakers, farmers, chefs, brewers, winemakers, distillers and cheese enthusiasts for events throughout Marin and Sonoma counties. artisancheesefestival.com 

25
14th Annual ‘Notes & Words’ Benefit 

Alanis Morissette, courtesy of USCF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
Notes & Words Benefit

Grammy-award winning musician Alanis Morissette headlines as musicians and best-selling authors gather for an evening of entertainment with 100% of the proceeds to benefit UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. At the historic Fox Theater, Oakland. notesandwords.org/tickets

31 through Jul 10
Asian Art Museum | Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art

For the first time in a U.S. museum, audiences can experience the critical interplay between visual arts and dance in the Indian cultural sphere, from ancient rituals to the glamor of Bollywood. exhibitions.asianart.org

APRIL

2
SMUIN

The contemporary ballet presents an afternoon family style luncheon catered by The Girl & The Fig, followed by a private performance. Fundraiser at The Barrel Room, Roche Winery, 22097 Bonness Road, Sonoma. classy.org/event/friends-of-smuin-april-2023-fundraiser/e460414

3
Stanford Live | Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott 

After a chance meeting in 1978, acclaimed pianist Kathryn Stott and renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma continue their decades-long collaboration. Bing Concert Hall, 327 Lasuen St., Stanford University. live.stanford.edu 

11-23
Golden Gate Theatre | Come From Away

Broadway’s hit musical from Canada takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. 1 Taylor St. broadwaysf.com  

14
San Francisco Performances | Emerson String Quartet

Emerson String Quartet, photo: Jurgen Frank

One of the world’s great musical ensembles in a final tour to close out 40-plus years with a program featuring Purcell/Britten, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Herbst Theatre. 401 Van Ness Ave. sfperformances.org 

19
SFMOMA | Art Bash

Art Bash 2022, courtesy SFMOMA

To support the museum’s education and community programs, this year’s party kicks off with cocktails, dinner, and an art auction. All seven floors of the museum provide surprising encounters, musical performances, and immersive art experiences until 1 a.m. sfmoma.org/event/series/artbash 

20–23
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay | Global Cuisine Series 

Chef Rachel Haggstrom of The Restaurant at Michelin starred JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles collaborates with Navio’s Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón. exploretock.com/navio

25-30
Orpheum Theatre | Pretty Woman: The Musical

Pretty Woman, image: Matthew Murphy for Murphymade

Based on the hit 1990 movie, the contemporary romantic story comes to life on the live stage following a record-breaking run on Broadway. 1192 Market St., broadwaysf.com

26
The Commonwealth Club | Saving the City

Ron Blatman in conversation with author George Hammond, Conversations with Socrates, focuses on urban development in an effort to create better places. “You will never look at cities the same way again.”  110 The Embarcadero. commonwealthclub.org/events

27-30
San Francisco Symphony | Joshua Bell Plays Sibelius

Joshua Bell, photo: Phillip Knott

Two of the composer’s perennial favorites include Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, one of the greatest showpieces of all time. Celebrated Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell performs in a program led by Dalia Stasevska in her local debut. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org

28-30
6th Annual Sonoma Valley Authors Festival

Isabel Allende at the Sonoma Valley Authors Festival, photo: Bob Stender

Stimulating the mind, nurturing the soul. A three-day weekend lecture series bringing people together to hear authors from a variety of literary genres. Main tent speakers include Isabel Allende, Dave Barry, Frank Brown, John Hering, Ada Limon, Bill Milliken, Abraham Verghese, and Hugo Vickers. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. svauthorsfest.org

29 through May 29
44th Annual San Francisco Decorator Showcase

West Coast’s premier design showhouse event is renowned for featuring the work of the region’s top interior and landscape designers to benefit the University High School financial aid program. 625 El Camino Del Mar, Sea Cliff. decoratorshowcase.org