San Francisco – March 2003 – San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco – March 2003

March signals spring with tulips in bloom at Golden Gate Park, Giants tickets on sale for the 2003 schedule, and the triumphant return of refurbished civic treasures:

  • Waterfront icon and ‘06 quake survivor, the Ferry Building witnessed a good 50 million annual visitors during its prewar heyday. After decades of neglect, its deserved new lease starts March 22 with an $80 million upgrading, and the yummy new Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
  • Across town, the respected Asian Art Museum, 14,000 pieces strong, reopens in its new Civic Center home � the Old Main Library, converted by architect Gae Aulenti, of Paris’ Musee D’Orsay fame. Ascend the new grand staircase starting March 20.
  • Spring’s arrival brings parties: Brazilaphiles can indulge their inner carioca dancing samba and more at the Brazilian Carnival Ball (SF Design Center, 3/1). Chicago or The Hours? Film buffs gussy up to champion their picks at the 23rd Oscar Night Gala, a tremendously popular celebration of Hollywood’s night and HIV/AIDS benefit. Red carpet included. (Fort Mason, March 23)
  • Springtime for Hitler? So think two con artists who set out to produce an epic Broadway flop in “The Producers”, Mel Brooks mega-Tony winner running at the Orpheum Theater, 3/5-4/26.
  • Recent art openings explore masterworks, venerable and postmodern: Original Renaissance Man Leonardo da Vinci heads a roster of 15th and 16th-Century European masters from Poland and beyond touring in “Leonardo da Vinci & the Splendor of Poland”. March 8-18.

  • The SF Museum of Modern Art honors a lifelong patron and contributor with “Treasures of Modern Art: The Legacy of Phyllis Wattis”, which gathers works by Magritte, Duchamp, Giacometti and others donated by
    Wattis upon here 1997 death. (3/1-6/24)

  • SF Jazz kicks off its spring season under artistic director (and Bay Area native) Joshua Redman with a broad slate of billings running 3/21-6/13. March highlights include jazz pianist Marcus Roberts and his trio 3/21-22 at Herbst Theatre; legendary Herbie Hancock 3/28 at the Palace of Fine Arts; and Buena Vista Social clubber Ibrahim Ferrar crooning sweet Cuban songs 3/28-29 at Masonic Auditorium.
  • And get set for another tough traffic weekend mid-month, with anti-war marchers regrouping on Saturday, March 15 and St. Patrick’s Day Parade the next day.

    - Jay Cooke is a San Francisco-based travel, food, and culture writer, edits www.38geary.com.

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