The San Francisco Symphony's 98th Season opens with a twirl Sept. 9 with a spectacle of waltzes led by Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas at Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.AC = -->
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Before the 8:30 p.m. spectacle showcasing pianist Lang Lang, you can enjoy patrons' dinners and champagne acceptance on the Promenade. After the spectacle, the party continues at City Hall.
Promenade packages, which include pre spectacle champagne, spectacle and after party, range from $135 to $260 per person. To order, call 415-864-6000 415-864-6000. Dinner and spectacle packages cost $375-$2,500 and may be purchased by calling (415) 503-5500 (415) 503-5500.
For an overview of the symphony's 2009-2010 season, go to sfsymphony.org. The sympgony under Tilson Thomas will present a three week festival celebrating the music of Gustav Mahler Sept. 16 to Oct. 3. The festival comes on the heels of the release of the final symphony in their Mahler recording project.
— Diane Peterson
SAN RAFAEL: Metallica finally makes it to Marin
It's hard to believe, but they're saying the Metallica spectacle on Sept. 11 at Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium will be “the first time” the metal gods have ever performed in Marin County.
Legend has it that way back in the day, they even jammed at Volpi's in Petaluma before playing The Phoenix.
Evidently, all it took was a benefit for the Marin History Museum's “Marin Rocks” exhibition, celebrating the county's storied musical estate.
Tickets $100 $350 went on sale on Aug. 1 and quickly sold out. But hardcore fans are still looking for a way in the door. A scalper posted this on Craigslist last week: “Twelve hundred dollars or b/o.” How much is it worth to you?
— John Beck
NEVADA: Burning Man invades the desert again
Burning Man, the renowned annual celebration of self expression, returns Aug. 31 through Sept. 7 to the 400 square mile expanse known as Nevada's Black Rock Desert.
Participants will create the latest avatar of Black Rock City, a camp bedecked with innovative art installations and animated by different performances, commune for eight days and then leave the desert as they found it.
Current ticket prices for Burning Man 2009 are $300 and above. For an introduction to this complex ongoing phenomenon, which is much more than a festival, check out www.burningman.com. or call the event's hotline at (415) TO-FLAME (863-5263).
— Dan Taylor
