Bay Area Weekend Picks for Sept 30-Oct 2. Hans Hoffman, SF Giants and more

The weekend will get off with a roar on Friday with the SF Giant’s victory parade and Halloween.Eric Fischl has some critical words about American art in the Guardian, Lee Krasner and Nicki de Satint Phalle were born this week and it’s the 3rd weekend of SF’s Open Studios

Weekend 3 (11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 1-2): Mission, Castro, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley, Upper Market, Glen Park

http://www.examiner.com/article/san-francisco-open-studios-2014


It's Alfred Sisley's birthday as well! 

Happy birthday to Alfred Sisley, born on this day in 1839. Enjoy "The Seine at Bougival." http://met.org/1nQeFN9 

More at: http://www.examiner.com/article/bay-area-weekend-picks-for-nov-30-oct-2-hans-hoffman-sf-giants-and-more 

'Houghton Hall; Portrait of an English Country House' at the Legion of Honor

Have you ever dreamed of living in a sumptuous English country estate, being served tea by a liveried footman, going to grand balls and sleeping in 4-poster beds, covered with rare Chinese silk? The current exhibit at the Legion of Honor, "Houghton Hall; Portrait of an English Country House" should satisfy even the most avid lover of Downtown Abbey and of a particular kind of very upper class, very elite English life style.

Houghton Hall brings to San Francisco a wonderful array of objects from one of Britain’s great country houses, and reflects the history of this magnificent estate across nearly 300 years, from the 18th century to the present day. The show features more than 100 pieces from the estate, including old-master paintings from their once-lost collection, Sèvres porcelain, and pieces from the eighteenth-century interiors and furniture designed by William Kent.

More at: http://www.examiner.com/article/houghton-hall-portrait-of-an-english-country-house-opens-at-the-legion

Día de los Muertos and more events for October 10 - 12

October at the Oakland Museum of California: A new exhibition opened at OMCA this Wednesday, October 8, honoring the Mesoamerican and Californian traditions of Días de los Muertos.

"Songs and Sorrows." Días de los Muertos 20th Anniversary marks two decades of OMCA exhibitions devoted to the evolution of this tradition. Spanning three galleries and including immersive new installations, "Songs and Sorrows" offers many ways to revel in the history of this celebration.

The 20th anniversary of the exhibition at OMCA will explore the tradition from its pre-Hispanic origins to its present expressions in California. Pre-Hispanic funerary artifacts, Mexican folk art, contemporary art, and installations will convey the iconic imagery and the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of this festival.
Friday, October 1, 7 - 8 p.m. Opening Artist Ritual for "Días de los Muertos"

For more information: http://museumca.org/   

SOMArts' 15th annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, "Visions at Twilight." Each year, more than 80 Bay Area artists from diverse cultural backgrounds acknowledge the cycles of life and death in the Day of the Dead exhibition at SOMArts. Through their installations and altars, they look at local and global issues, ranging from the deeply personal to the political and emphasize viewer interaction.

This year the exhibition pays special attention to cycles of change and the loss of people and culture being felt in the Bay Area now.

More information about the exhibition & accompanying events: http://www.somarts.org/visionsattwilight
Tickets are $15 each. Opening this Friday, October 10, 6–9 p.m.

Yerba Buena Night. This free outdoor arts festival includes more than 40 performances on five stages throughout Jessie Square, Yerba Buena Lane, the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts and Annie Street Plaza. The event kicks off with the Yerba Buena Alliance Art Walk at 4 p.m., during which galleries and institutions will be free; area restaurants and bars will offer discounts. 4-10 p.m. Saturday. Check website for schedule and locations. http://ybnight.org.

Litquake. The biggest literary festival in San Francisco celebrates its 15th anniversary with a quinceanera at 7 p.m. Friday at Z Space, 450 Florida St. (tickets: $15). Then, the nine-day affair kicks into high gear, with some 30 events around the area on Saturday alone. Through Oct. 18; check website for schedule. www.litquake.org.

Flourish Oakland. Oakland Art Murmur’s annual fundraising party-auction presents works by emerging and mid-career artists as well, chosen from member galleries and donated by the artists themselves. There will also be live music from the Oakland Manouche Project and cameos by Oakland Ballet dancers. 6-10 p.m. $75. Saturday. Classic Cars West, 411 26th St., Oakland. http://bit.ly/1rG9vV4.