Good Day for Wednesday, December 31st
Staff Report
December 31, 2008
 |
| Fireworks will burst over the Ferry Building in The City tonight. (AP file photo) |
Off with a bang: The S.F. waterfront is the place to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks, which launch from barges in the Bay. Recommended viewing areas include along The Embarcadero between Mission and Folsom streets, Aquatic Park and Pier 39. [11:59 p.m.]
Who’s in town
Joy Behar, co-host of “The View,” performs a New Year’s Eve show of comedy and commentary. [10:30 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F.]
Dining out
Millennium: Chef Eric Tucker is planning a five-course New Year’s Eve menu. Scheduled dishes include black-chanterelle soup dumplings with Asian broth; steamed nettle arancina with matsutake mushroom and ouzo mustard green salad; and Latin-inspired beggar’s purse over chocolate black-rice risotto with ahi-chile coconut cream. For desert: “lots of chocolate.” A Champagne toast tops off the night. [580 Geary St., S.F. (415) 345-3900]
At the museums
Museum of the African Diaspora: Exhibits include “The Hewitt Collection of African American Art,” “Celebrations: Rituals and Ceremony” and “Slavery Passages.” [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 685 Mission St., S.F.]
De Young Museum: Exhibits include “Yves Saint Laurent,” “Martin Puryear Prints” and “Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes.” [9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
Literary
Writers’ group: Meets Wednesdays. [2 p.m., Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 2550 Taylor St., S.F.]
Tours
New Year’s Eve vampire tour: Mina Harker leads this lighthearted exploration of the Gothic side of Nob Hill. [8 p.m.; meet at California and Taylor streets, across from Grace Cathedral; tickets: www.sfvampiretour.com]
S.F. Architecture Walking Tour: Attractions include famous downtown buildings and hard-to-find unique open spaces. [11 a.m.; meet in Galleria Park Hotel lobby, 191 Sutter St., S.F.; RSVP/info: (415) 264-8824; info: www.architecturesf.com]
At the public library
Business counseling: The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free one-hour sessions. [10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Main Library, Business Center, 100 Larkin St., S.F.; appointments: (415) 744-6827]
‘Afternoon Storytime’: Session, for ages 3 to 5, features stories, songs and rhymes. [3:30 p.m., Eureka Valley Branch, Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood St., S.F.]
Local activities
Silent screen: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” with Lon Chaney as the bell-ringer Quasimodo, screens at Grace Cathedral. Organist Dorothy Papadakos provides accompaniment. [7 and 10 p.m., 1100 California St., S.F.]
‘The Music of Garland and Rooney’: Closing of the musical tribute to the careers of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Catered dinner, dancing and a midnight Champagne toast follow. [7 p.m., Hillbarn Theater, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City]
Welcoming 2009
Out with the old: The Asian Art Museum hosts its annual Japanese New Year Bell Ringing Ceremony. Museum-goers can say goodbye to 2008 by taking a swing at a huge temple bell. [11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 200 Larkin St., S.F.]
Ritz kids New Year’s Eve party and teen lounge: Activities at Ritz Carlton. [6 to 12:30 a.m., 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay]
Brother Buzz Band: Celebrates New Year’s Eve with rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and funk, plus Champagne at midnight. [9 to 1 a.m., Pacifica Performances, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica]
Y&T: Celebrating New Year’s Eve with their high-energy set of hard rock at Little Fox. [9 p.m., 2209 Broadway, Redwood City]
The Cheeseballs: Nonstop ’70s disco dance hits and ’80s and ’90s pop classics at the Big Fox Dance Party. [9 p.m., 2215 Broadway, Redwood City]
New Year’s Eve senior bash: Celebrate with dancing and a buffet lunch. [11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Palo Alto Senior Center, Palo Alto]
Bart Shea Band: Celebrate the music while dining at Mountain House. [9:30 p.m., 13808 Skyline Blvd., Woodside]
New Year’s Eve show: With Jenny Kerr playing Americana roots rock at Sam’s Chowder House. [4210 N. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay]
