Monday 20 February 2017

10 MORE THINGS TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMMER OF LOVE

2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, which occurred when about 100,000 people flocked to the Haight-Ashbury area of San Francisco in 1967. We know these free thinkers as hippies, and they’re responsible for one of the 20th century’s most transformative cultural movements. If you want to relive that summer of 50 years ago, take a look at 10 more things to do in San Francisco in 2017.

1. Enjoy the San Francisco Jazz Festival

This festival is hosted in the Miner Auditorium of the SFJAZZ Center and features one to two live jazz bands per day from June 7 to 19. So if you're into jazz music, be sure to attend at least one day of this festival during the Summer of Love 50th anniversary. www.sfjazz.org


2. Relive the Music of the Summer of Love

During the 50th anniversary, the Monterey International Pop Festival will be held on the same dates as it was in the Summer of Love: June 16 to 18. It will even be hosted on the same stage, which is the John Phillips Memorial Main Stage at the Monterey County Fair Grounds. So make plans to come watch a dozen bands on Saturday and another dozen on Sunday, with most being tribute bands playing songs of the 60s.

3. Celebrate the Solstice

Summer solstice is worth celebrating since it's when the sun gets to its highest point in the sky, resulting in a longer period of sunlight than usual. You can rejoice over the summer solstice by participating in artistic activities involving light on June 20 and 21. illuminatesf.com

4. Watch Free Concerts

If you want to enjoy amazing performances for free every Sunday from June 25 to August 27, Stern Grove Festival is for you. This outdoor concert series takes place in Sigmund Stern Grove and is meant to make it easy and affordable for San Francisco residents to witness the beauty of live music in-person. www.sterngrove.org

5. Head North to the Fair

The Marin County Fair: Let the Fun Shine In will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love and the spirit of 1967 with music, art, fashion and more featuring tie-dye and macrame competitions, Flower Power horticulture, Groovy/Psychedelic and Abstract art and photography, and daily '60s fashion parades. As always, there are carnival rides, free concerts and fireworks every night, June 30-July 4, 2017.

6. Hear More Jazz on Fillmore

If you’re a jazz fan, you’re in luck, since you can hear even more music of this kind at the Fillmore Jazz Festival. This outdoor event takes place on July 1 and 2, and most of the artists you hear will be playing songs to honor David Bowie, Natalie Cole, Frank Sinatra, Jr. and numerous other musicians we lost in the last year.

7. Sing at the Flower Piano Summer of Love Sing-Along

When you head to the 55-acre San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park you just might see several pianos located in the many smaller flower gardens if you're lucky. These pianos will be available for visitors to play and sing along to songs from 1967, making it easy to reminisce about the great tunes of the time. www.sfbotanicalgarden.org

8. Remember Jerry Garcia

What better way to celebrate the Summer of Love than with a day dedicated to Jerry Garcia? Held on August 6 at McLaren Park - at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, of course - the 15th Annual Jerry Day will allow you to listen to live music from bands that do great justice to Jerry's songs. His relatives are usually at this event to greet his many fans, and people who have attended in years past claim that Jerry Day offers a good idea of what Grateful Dead concerts felt like during the Summer of Love.

9. Stay Outdoors for the Weekend

The Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival features constant live music, food, beer, wine and more. There are even comedy performances, mini golf, arcade games and dancing, keeping you busy all weekend long. This popular festival goes from August 11 to 13 and is located outdoors at Golden Gate Park.

10. Spend a Night at the Symphony

The San Francisco Symphony’s 105th Season Opening Night Gala is scheduled for September 7, so get ready to listen to performances from some celebrated musicians. The excitement in the atmosphere of the gala tends to be infectious! www.sfsymphony.org

No comments:

Post a Comment