Hey Kids! is a weekly feature looking at what’s coming up for families and kids of all ages.
Reader Aimee Ellis of 2 Girls, 1 Queen alerted us to a drowning hazard at Dolores Park. From her blog post:
“Yes — I think we can all agree Dolores Park really does need to be renovated. Danger toddlers! If the playground area is this dangerous right now for the babies, who cares if they shut it all down at once or not — somebody needs to do something immediately about the growing pool of stagnant water below the swing set! Not surprisingly, children find this newly formed pond to be very intriguing — much to this mother’s despair…”
Thanks, Aimee, for drawing attention to the recurring “cesspool” (as one visitor described it). Even if a sunny day or two has passed since rain, the water level can still be dangerously high for little people.
Volunteer community organization Friends of Dolores Park Playground is moving into the final stages of the project to create a world class playground (“with an emphasis on natural materials”) — something they’ve been busting their butts and jumping hurdles for since 2006. They encourage folks to attend a public SF Recreation and Parks meeting discussing renovation for remaining areas of the park. Here’s the info from their newsletter:
Please come to the first meeting to discuss the Parks Bond Project for Dolores Park, with Supervisor Bevan Dufty and Rec. & Park General Manager, Phil Ginsburg.
* Ask questions about the upcoming renovations
* Learn more about the project and planning process
* Learn how to become involved
* Have a voice in the process
Wednesday March 3, 2010
6-8 PM
Dolores Park Church, 455 Dolores at Dorland
Questions contact Mary Hobson, Project Manager at 415/581-3575 or mary.hobson@sfgov.org
Celebrate Black History Month at Dance Mission this weekend! The Black Choreographers Festival showcases next wave choreographers Jetta Martin, Michael Velez, Sheena Johnson and many more. Porsha Jefferson will also be presenting a tribute to Haiti in Saturday’s concert.
What is whiteness and blackness? Campo Santo and The Living Word Project present the world premiere of “Mirrors in Every Corner”, a genre-breaking theatre work by Chinaka Hodge. The play chronicles an Oakland-based African-American family after the mother gives birth to a Caucasian baby. Poet and emerging playwright Hodge helped develop literary arts organization Youth Speaks and was the inaugural recipient of the 826 Valencia Young Author Scholarship. “Mirrors in Every Corner” opened last Thursday and runs thru March 21st at Intersection for the Arts. Read Rachel Swan’s interview with Hodge in East Bay Express.
I’m excited to see that award-winning actor Margo Hall was cast in a key role in “Mirrors in Every Corner”. Last time I saw her perform was in Jessica Hagedorn’s “Fe in the Desert”, a loony Filipino-American melodrama in which Hall brilliantly played the title character Fe.
Lastly, Debbie Gish of Mission Parents Group invites parents to fill out this survey looking for input about the proposed budget cuts to public education. Please feel free to pass it on.
Upcoming events: (subject to change, confirm times)
Quinteto Latino Performs Mexican Masterworks
Dedicated to the classical and contemporary music of Latin America, Quinteto Latino brings its impeccable artistry and infectious energy to works of distinguished Mexican composers Carlos Chávez, Mario Lavista and Arturo Márquez. Sat., Feb. 27. 8pm. Free. Community Music Center, 544 Capp St. (btw 20th and 21st.)
Family Hip Hop Class
Doug Johnson will get your entire family moving to funky beats. In this high energy class, he will break down fun and easy movement with a hip hop twist. Suitable for all ages, bring grandma and baby. Sun., Feb. 28. 1pm-2pm. $5 per person/ $20 maximum per family. ODC Dance Commons, 351 Shotwell St. (at 17th)
Family Yoga & Meditation
Yes, there is meditation after parenthood! 40 minute all-family yoga class, two 20 minute guided meditations (one for each adult!), crafts & stories for the children (older kids welcome to meditate), social time with like-minded families. All ages, all levels and all configurations of families. If you come solo with your babe, you’ll be teamed up with another small family. Taught by Mission mommies Helen Fraser and Diana de Piñeres-Schooley. Sun., Feb. 28. 3:30pm-5pm (you can leave early if need be). $15 for family (up to 4/ $5 extra per person). San Francisco Buddhist Center, 37 Bartlett Street (at 21st)
Lunada
Bilingual full moon community performance ritual. This month’s line up includes Las Bomberas de la Bahia, the Bay Area’s only all-women’s Bomba ensemble and Las No Que No, the L.A. based all-women’s Son Jarocho collective. Bring your own poetry or music and sign up for the open mic. Sun., Feb. 28. 7:30pm. $5 or free with food dish. Galería de la Raza, 2857 24th St. (at Bryant)
The Greatest Bubble Show On Earth
Float into bubble bliss with Louis Pearl, the Amazing Bubble Man. Show run continues through Apr. 3. All shows at 11am. $7-10. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St. (near 22nd St.)