Things To Do In Clayton

This week: giant fish fly over Berkeley, Rufus Wainwright plays at Stern Grove, Rob Delaney proves that he’s just as funny off the web, travel agents plan outer-space vacations, and Eat Drink SF showcases chef favorites. As always, check Groupon for even more things to do in San Francisco. Berkeley Kite Festival Berkeley | Saturday, July 26–Sunday, July 27 Every year, the Berkeley Kite Festival turns the world upside-down, transforming the sky into an ocean where gigantic sea creatures ride the air currents. The family-oriented fest also has free kite-making and kite-flying lessons, so anyone can add to the spectacle. (César Chávez Park at the Berkeley Marina, 11 Spinnaker Way; free) Rufus Wainwright at the Stern Grove Festival Merced Manor | Sunday, July 27 Rufus Wainwright only needs a piano to perform his trademark marriage of pop and classical music—and that’s all he’ll have at this intimate outdoor concert. Arrive at 2 p.m. to hear Quartet San Francisco open with their genre-jumping instrumental songs. (19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard; free) Rob Delaney Russian Hill | Wednesday, July 30 Rob Delaney wears many hats, all of them hilarious: he’s a legendary Twitter presence, a memoir author (Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.), and a standup comedian. Catch him in that third role at Cobb’s Comedy Club on Wednesday, as long as you’re OK with foul language and a two-drink minimum. (915 Columbus Ave.; $20–$25; buy tickets here) Intergalactic Travel Bureau SoMa | Wednesday, July 30–Friday, August 1 Even if you have the budget for space tourism, it can be tough to decide on a single destination. That’s where the Intergalactic Travel Bureau comes in. Its agents—a team of actors versed in astronomical research—will tell you where to go and what to do there, whether it’s skiing on Pluto or hiking the red canyons on Mars. Stop by [freespace] between noon and 8 p.m. for your consultation. (1011 Market St.; free) Eat Drink SF Marina | Friday, August 1–Sunday, August 3 One of many food festivals scheduled for this summer, Eat Drink SF certainly sets the bar high. The first day kicks off the celebration with My Big Obsession: Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop. Eatin’, a gathering of dishes beloved by the city’s best chefs. Expect bites from restaurants such as Casey Thompson’s Aveline, Flour + Water, Delfina, and Spruce. (Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd.; prices vary depending on the event; save on regular or VIP admission with a Groupon, or buy regular tickets here) Image credits: Berkeley Kite Festival photo by _e.t, Rufus Wainwright photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Intergalactic Travel Bureau photo by Olivia Koski, Eat Drink SF photo by Gamma Nine.

This week: gourmet chocolate floods Ghirardelli Square, a kimchi expert teaches you to jar your own cabbage, a pop-up film festival screens nine shorts, the San Francisco Improv Fest enters its second week, and Disney’s leading ladies are on display. As always, check Groupon for more great things to do in San Francisco. Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival Russian Hill | Saturday, September 13, and Sunday, September 14 A ticket to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival doesn’t just get you in—it also gets you 15 gourmet chocolate tastings. More than 30 vendors will be offering their sweets to sample, and special events range from chef demonstrations to a messy sundae-eating contest. (Ghirardelli Square, 900 N. Point St.; $20–$40; buy tickets here) Learn to Make Kimchi SoMa | Saturday, September 13, and Thursday, September 18 Like your cabbage fermented? Ellen White, owner of Ellen’s Kimchi, will be hosting a class on making your own jar of this famed Korean food, complete with some decorative twine, a label, and a recipe you can use at home whenever that craving strikes. (739 Bryant St.; $50 with a Groupon; buy tickets here) Future Shorts Film Festival Nob Hill | Friday, September 19 Future Shorts, a pop-up film festival known for its mold-breaking short films, celebrates summer’s end with nine pieces at Firehouse 8. The films range from the bizarre music video for Bonobo’s “Cirrus” (shown above) to the locally made Typist, about a man and his typewriter navigating a technophile’s world. (1648 Pacific Ave.; $10; buy tickets here) San Francisco Improv Fest Financial District | Tuesday, September 16, to Saturday, September 20 The second week of the San Francisco Improv Fest kicks off with Speechless, a show that provides performers with a PowerPoint presentation that they’ve never seen before, and demands that they wow the audience. Also on the schedule: the all-women group Chick Flick, the guitar-toting duo Huge, and 30 Rock’s Scott Adsit. (215 Jackson St.; ticket prices vary based on the event; buy tickets here) Leading Ladies and Femmes Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis Presidio | Mondays, Wednesdays–Sundays through November 3 Animator Marc Davis was behind some of Disney’s most memorable women, including Tinkerbell, Maleficent, and Cruella de Vil. This exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum showcases these extraordinary ladies and the talent that brought them to life, displaying artwork from Davis’s personal collection in addition to other sources. (104 Montgomery St.; $12–$20; buy tickets here) Image credits: Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival photo by James Hall Photography, Marc Davis photo courtesy of WDW News Today

San Francisco is a photographer’s dream for both amateurs and pros alike.  It is a lively city that always has something going on day or night.  And she is a pretty lady too, the perfect subject for any photograph. There are endless quantities of photos taken by locals and tourists all year round detailing the multiple personalities within. Colors, peoples, foods – you name it.  But how many people have taken the time to capture a photo at night? It is a little more difficult to do but well worth the extra effort, as not everyone will take the time.  Touristy spots are less crowded at night and the lights on the water and in the city offer a little personality to any photo that you capture. There are a ton of locations within the city (and just outside) to take really great nighttime photos.  Some of them include:  the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street (pictured above, by Sel & Poivre Photography), the Transamerica Pyramid, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Bay Bridge, the Painted Ladies, Treasure Island, and Coit Tower to name a few.  These are all very well known shots that produce incredible images, but they can often be crowded (although less so at night). If you are looking to take photos from lesser known spots, check these out: The Vallejo Street Garage located at 766 Vallejo St (in North Beach/Telegraph Hill) – go to the 5th floor and check out the eastern-facing slit in the wall to see a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge. While you are waiting for your long-exposure photo you can amuse yourself with smart phone photos of the the fortunes (think fortune-cookie style) on each of the parking spots. Photo by Scott Hess Photo After enjoying a calorie-ridden Bi-Rite Creamery ice cream scoop, burn off a few calroies by walking up the hill to the bench at the topmost corner of 20th and Church in Delores Park - there is a spectacular view of  the city.  You can take a photo that encompasses the entire park mixed in with city skyline that includes a panoramic view of the city, the Bay Bridge, the Bay itself, it’s pretty cool. If you can handle a little hike, then not only is the star-gazing incredible at night from Bernal Hill, but it has a great view of the city as well, one that looks great in photos. You can see the entire Mission district which sprawls in front of you, as well as the bay and the Financial District off in the distance. Go during a full moon for a really dramatic photo. Photo by Todd Lappin For a great shot of the TransAmerica Building from a relatively unknown spot check out the catwalk atop the Mandarin Hotel. The hotel is the tallest hotel in San Francisco and with the catwalk that connects its two towers on the top floor, you can catch a shot of North Beach and the Transamerica (just hope the windows are clean!). These photos require long exposures so besides your camera you’ll need a tripod, and if you have a camera remote it certainly makes things easier.  Have a good bag to carry your equipment as some of these places require a bit of a hike. Another piece of equipment I would suggest is a flashlight. Besides cool lighting features like trailing car lights, you can create your own cool effects or even spell out words with a flashlight, also known as light painting. A final word, San Francisco gets cold at night!  Bring a warm jacket, gloves and something hot to drink, it will make those long exposure waits more bearable!