HAUTE CALENDAR

EventsCALENDAR

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

San Francisco knows spring has sprung when the magnificent saucer-sized pink, white, and magenta magnolias burst into bloom at San Francisco Botanical Garden. Across the city, a busy social calendar also blossoms this spring, including fashion highlights: Dress for Success Gala, SF Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show, and the Guo Pei exhibition at the Legion of Honor.

#BreakTheBias: International Women’s Day is March 8.

Cal Performances

MARCH

Select dates Ninety-minute magnolia curated tours through

the Botanical Garden (March 3, 12, 17, and 26) at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Or, hear from botany experts (webinars on March 3 and 17). Learn the ancient art of grafting (March 26) or take a garden docent tour. More information at sfbg.org

Through March 27 Imagine Picasso: The Immersive Exhibition

The U.S. premiere of a multi-sensorial celebration of 200+ works depicting Picasso’s evocative images from the Blue and Rose periods, to forays into Cubism, and on to the prolific output of his mature years. Skylight at the Armory, 1800 Mission St. imagine-picasso.com

4-6 Cal Performances | The Joffrey Ballet

A crown jewel of America’s homegrown dance companies, the esteemed Joffrey Ballet returns to Berkeley to conclude its six-year campus residency. Calperformances.org

7 San Francisco Performances | Isata KannehMason

Recipient of the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Award, the internationally acclaimed pianist performs in her SFP solo debut at Herbst Theatre. 7:30 p.m. sfperformances.org

13 Joshua Bell & Academy of St. Martin-in-theFields

Bell leads the ensemble in violin concertos by Bach and Barber, closing with Beethoven’s Third Symphony, Eroica. Louise Davies Symphony Hall, 7:30 p.m. sfsymphony.org

15 San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program | Taube Atrium Theater

The 38th Schwabacher Recital Series kicks off 2022 with the first of four recitals highlighting global emerging artists and unique musical programs in an intimate setting. Additional dates: April 6, April 27 and July 28. sfopera.com/srs

16-17 and 18-19 San Francisco Symphony | Films With Live Orchestra

The sensuous score of this James Bond spy thriller features the Academy Award- winning title song as the action unfolds on the big screen in Skyfall. The Disney and Pixar film Toy Story features an Oscar®- and Grammy® Award-winning score. sfsymphony.org

18 Dress For Success Sweet 16 Event

“Casino Royale” is the theme. More than 9,000 clients have been served over the past 16 years. This annual gala helps empower and support women so they may develop and thrive. Palace Hotel. sfdress.org/sweet16

18 - 27 Oakland Restaurant Week

Eat. Drink. Repeat. From neighborhood gems to food trucks to Michelin star restaurants, “Feast Your Way Through the East Bay.” Participating restaurants offer special lunch and dinner menus to showcase the city’s diverse cuisine. VisitOakland.com

EventsCALENDAR

Imagine Picasso Exhibition

19 27th Annual Red Cross Gala

“Heroes Unmasked” is the theme as this signature black tie event returns to its iconic setting at San Francisco City Hall. rdcrss.org/3As0mXd

19 and 20 Cal Performances | London Symphony Orchestra

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO in a rare Bay Area visit. Bing Concert Hall on the Stanford University campus is the first night’s venue followed by Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley the following evening. calperformances.org

23-27 Sonoma International Film Festival

The 25th Annual Sonoma International Film Festival presents the best in 100+ films, food, wine, and fun for five days. Downtown venues are entirely walkable in person and completely accessible online. Special culinary guests: Chef Jacques Pépin and Chef Joanne Weir. sonomafilmfest.org

24 San Francisco Ballet 89th Repertory Season Gala

La Grande Fête, curated by Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson is performed at the magnificent War Memorial Opera House. At 5 p.m., a gala sparkling wine reception precedes the performance (rescheduled date). sfballet.org

24 and 26 Chase Center | March Madness

On the road to the Final Four, 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship West Regional marks the first time the event is in San Francisco since its inaugural at California Coliseum on Treasure Island in March 1939. chasecenter.com/2022-ncaa-tournamentwest-regional

26-27 United States Sail Grand Prix

The final action is in San Francisco, hosting a $1 million winner-takes-all Grand Final as SailGP Season 2 concludes. The eight-nation fleet of high-flying F50s battle it out in San Francisco Bay. bit.ly/3FT3IUc

29 Chase Center | Billie Eilish

“Happier Than Ever, The World Tour” comes to San Francisco for one show performed by the 19-year-old sensation from Los Angeles, youngest-ever winner of a Grammy for Album of the Year. chasecenter.com

29 - April 3 Cal Performances | Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Zellerbach Hall at UC Berkeley is like a second home to this world-famous modern dance ensemble founded in New York City in 1958. Under the leadership of artistic director Robert Battle, expect daring new works. bit.ly/3KBQy1u

Red Cross Gala at City Hall

30 San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary Fashion Show

A long-awaited return features the stunning designs of Haute Couture designer Maison Rabih Kayrouz in a San Francisco debut. Presenting sponsor is Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury. Fairmont Hotel and Saint Joseph’s Arts Society. sfballet.org/support-us/specialevents/fashion-show

29 - May 8 San Francisco Ballet | Swan Lake

Timeless and achingly beautiful, Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet Swan Lake has been beloved for more than a century since its American premiere by the San Francisco Ballet. Choreography by Helgi Tomasson. sfballet.org

EventsCALENDAR

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

APRIL

6 and 27 San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program | Taube Atrium Theater

The 38th Schwabacher Recital Series performs the second and third in a series of four recitals highlighting global emerging artists and unique musical programs in an intimate setting. Additional date: July 28. sfopera.com/srs

8 SFMOMA Art Bash

Netting $2+ million to support the museum’s education and community programs, this year’s party kicks off with cocktails, dinner, and an art auction. After dinner, all seven floors of the museum will burst to life to welcome guests for surprising encounters, musical performances, and immersive art experiences until 1 a.m. sfmoma.org/event/series/ artbash

16 - Sept. 5 Legion of Honor | Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy

Extraordinary designs from couturier Guo Pei, known for blurring the lines between fashion and art. Exquisite craftsmanship, lavish embroidery, and unconventional dressmaking techniques define works that are like artistic sculptural statements. First major museum exhibition to show the Chinese designer’s work. legionofhonor.famsf.org/ guo-pei

18 An Evening With Itzhak Perlman

Learn more about the legendary violinist, the “man behind the music” and music-making with Perlman’s longtime pianist and friend, Rohan De Silva. The Great Performers Series at Davies Symphony Hall. sfsymphony.org

21 -24 Dudamel Conducts Mahler

Gustavo Dudamel leads the SF Symphony in a program that balances Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s dramatic Symphony No. 38, Prague and Gustav Mahler’s masterful Fifth Symphony. At Davies Symphony Hall. sfsymphony.org

24 Orpheum Theatre | Il Volo: Sings Morricone

The Italian pop-opera trio is touring America in a moving celebration of the famous composer, Ennio Morricone. Expect to hear some of the greatest hits from their repertoire, including ‘My Way’, ‘Grande Amore’ and of course, ‘O Sole Mio!’ orpheumtheatersanfrancisco.org

30 Golden Gate Theatre | RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles

RAIN has mastered every song, gesture, and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a note-for-note live performance that’s infectious. Get back to where you once belonged. One night only. Broadwaysf.com