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Thursday, June 29, 2017

Coming Up: Stern Grove 2017

The Stern Grove festival started last Sunday. That's one down, with plenty of free summer concerts to go! This is Stern Grove's 80th season. Here's what's happening there this summer:

July 2 - Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers plus FantasticAMADOU & MARIAM Ibibio Sound Machine Negrito
July 9 - San Francisco Symphony (Mozart and More)
July 16 - Eric Burden and the Animals, plus the Stone Foxes
July 23 - Los Angeles Azules
July 30 - the San Francisco Ballet
August 6 - Amadou and Mariam plus Ibibio Sound Machine
August 13 - War plus Malo
August 20 - Brazilian Girls plus Moon Hooch
August 27 - Mavis Staples plus Key Choice Ensemble

Here's a guide to Stern Grove with kids. Of course the dates have changed, but it will give you an idea of other things going on there, like kids days, kids stage and kids camp.

Monday, June 26, 2017

$500 Youth Grants for Volunteer Projects - Disney Summer of Service


Youth Service America (YSA) and Disney are sponsoring $500 grants to support youth community volunteer projects. It's part of the Summer of Service youth campaign.

Use fun summer activities including arts, sports, reading and doing outdoor activities to make the world better. Kids in the U.S., ages 5-18 can apply for a $500 Be Inspired Summer of Service grant to create a project or expand an existing project throughout the rest of the year. They'll be awarding 250 grants for youth-led service projects. The money will be awarded to the organization to support that project.

They're accepting applications through September 30, 2017, but you must begin the application process by September 15. Find details about the Disney Be Inspired Summer of Service program here. Also, here are some examples of projects that were awarded grants last year:


  • Splish Splash, led by a 13-year-old in Clayton, Missouri, engages experienced youth swimmers to teach swimming to and form friendships with kids with autism.

  • Hack Night, created by a 17-year-old in New York, is an initiative to introduce middle and high school students in underprivileged communities to the computer science industry through panels, workshops, and demos of software development projects.

  • Peace, Love, and Chess, organized by a 12-year-old in Sturgis, South Dakota, aims to build a supportive learning community based on love of chess, composed of students who might not normally know each other or socialize together.

  • Make Good Decisions Soccer Game, an effort of a 16-year-old and his teammates from Carmel, Indiana, uses soccer to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Kid-Friendly SF Symphony Concerts in July

If you're symphony fans and want to take your kids to a family-friendly concert with the symphony, here are a few summer options:

Stern Grove
The SF Symphony performs yearly at Stern Grove, in a free concert in this gorgeous outdoor location. While you'll be packed in with your picnic blanket, you'll still be comfortable (and able to leave if the kids need to go). They're performing on July 9 at 2 p.m. The program is still TBA.

John Williams Music
Listen to the Symphony perform John Williams music, ranging from Star Wars to Jurassic Park to Harry Potter and Indiana Jones movies. Note that there will be no film clips playing. Plus a special 40th anniversary celebration of Star Wars. Tickets are $20-85. This is at Davies Symphony Hall on July 6 and July 7 at 7:30.

It's Jaws! Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan


Jaws - Feature Film with Live Orchestra
Probably not for the young ones! Enjoy a screening of Jaws with the live orchestra. Did you know the shark used in the film is named Bruce, after Steven Spielberg's lawyer? You can see Bruce at Universal Studios Hollywood (look for our review!). Jaws will be on July 13 and July 14 at 7:30. Tickets are $39-139.

Pixar in Concert
Enjoy a musical celebration of the entire canon of Pixar’s feature length films, including selections from Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars and Inside Out. It's on Saturday, July 15 at 7:00 and Sunday, July 16 at 2. Tickets are $35-139, with half-price tickets for kids.

Waterfront Free Symphony Concert
Listen to the Symphony in the great outdoors, at James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27. The concert is free (program TBA) on July 23 at 12 noon. No tickets required.

For concerts requiring tickets, you can get them at San Francisco Symphony's website or box office.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Coming Up: USA Football Protection Tour - Free Half-Day Camp

USA Football has a Protection Tour to make football safer for players. They're hosting a free half-day football camp to get youth players on an NFL field to learn the fundamentals, get their helmet fitted and more.

Where: Santa Clara
When: July 18, 2017 from 9-12
Who: ages 7-14
Register: begins June 15, 2017
Register here.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Horseback Riding at Golden Gate Park

SF Rec and Park is exploring whether to offer horseback riding in Golden Gate Park. Sign up to try it until June 30th. They're evaluating public interest in it, and it's run by the concessionaire who provides horseback rides at Camp Mather. The rides are guided. They'll have 15 horses available at the Bercut Equitation Field for guided trail rides.

Where: Golden Gate Park at Bercut Equitation Field (Chain of Lakes Drive East, near JFK)
When:  7 days a week, 8 am to 7 pm, weather permitting.
Age: 5 and older
Call for current availability: 844-967-4653 or visit the website
Rates:
Golden Gate Park
30 minutes: $40
60 minutes $60
90 minutes $80

McLaren Park
30 minutes: $35
60 minutes $55
90 minutes $75

25% discount for SF residents - must show valid I.D.