The Bay Area springs forward with countless diversions to love this month.
Shop chic, textural Erik Lindström rugs now at Natalie Mize.
Rug dynamo Erik Lindström debuts luxe new floor coverings at SF’s high-end interiors studio Natalie Mize. Each piece is crafted by artisan weavers with only the fi nest of materials (think Tibetan and New Zealand wool, fi ne silk, bamboo and linen) and can be customized to virtually any preference. Look for contemporary, textural pieces designed to stand out in the crowd. 2 Henry Adams St., Ste. 2M-69, 915.872.4377, nataliemize.com; eriklindstrom.com
Pork tenderloin from Sobre Mesa
Explore Oakland’s diverse culinary scene during Oakland Restaurant Week. From March 16 to 26, take advantage of lunch and dinner seatings at six different price points with special offers, custom menus and unique dishes created exclusively for the event. From Michelin-starred eateries and neighborhood favorites to food trucks and more, the city’s rich epicurean offerings are on full display. oaklandrestaurantweek.org
Refreshingly smooth agave tequila from Loco
The Bay Area may be known for wine, but Loco is making sure it’s known for its tequila too. The brand produces three signature sips—Loco Puro Corazón, Loco Ambar and Loco Blanco—all crafted with Weber blue varietal from Mexico’s El Arenal. Says maestro tequilero Alberto Navarro, “The essence of Loco represents the essence of agaves, not oak or any other added flavors.” loco-tequila.com
Sudsy sips complement the relaxing environs at b Spa.
Shake off the winter blues with b Spa’s latest offerings. Located inside the Bardessono Hotel, the spa recently announced a new partnership with luxury skincare line Arêmês Fermentis, including serums and body oils. Spring treatments include a bioactive botanical facial designed to brighten, hydrate and restore balance to skin alongside a bioactive botanical massage. 6526 Yount St., Yountville, 707.204.6000, bardessono.com
Decadent spreads of artisanal delights await at the Artisan Cheese Festival.
The California Artisan Cheese Festival is back for its 17th iteration, and dairy has never tasted better. Expect myriad tours, tastings and seminars that tout the creamy delicacy. Friday boasts farm and producer tours, letting guests get up close and personal with the day-to-days of various Bay Area creameries, breweries and wineries. Saturday will see seminars and pairing demos, including a charcuterie board workshop and a lesson on pairing cheese with chocolate. Finally, Sunday will host the artisan cheese tasting and marketplace with more than 100 vendors, plus a VIP Bubbles + Bites breakfast. March 24-26, Sonoma County Event Center, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, 707.953.3909, artisancheesefestival.com
Watch as everyone’s favorite Disney tunes are brought to life by the city’s premier gay chorus.
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has a new director in town. This season Jacob Stensberg takes the helm to start season 45 with Disney PRIDE in Concert, featuring 250 voices singing new arrangements of childhood classics—think tunes from The Lion King and Cinderella, among others. “A 30-piece orchestra, nonstop Disney/PIXAR animation and personal narratives from storytellers within the chorus make this the most immersive experience we’ve ever off ered to our audiences,” says Stensberg. March 16-17, Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., sfgmc.org
Trevor Logan’s House of Better’s cooking and wellness series makes it easier than ever to make health a top priority. Offered every second Thursday, the classes feature topics like fermentation, gut health, medicinal tea tastings and pie-making. This month, Logan is taking on immune health, tackling everything from the inflammatory response to bone marrow and anti-inflammatory foods to boost immunity and support healthy aging. March 9, 1507 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707.942.6257, houseofbetter.com
Enjoy the very best of film and food at this year’s Sonoma International Film Festival.
The Sonoma International Film Festival is beloved for its incredible lineup, from full-length features and short films to documentary and animation. The five-day festival also boasts plenty of opportunities to interact with industry professionals, while delicious culinary events like the Chefs & Shorts Dinner (March 23) and chef Joanne Weir’s Wine Country Cooking (March 25) celebrate the best of film and food. March 22-26, 103 E. Napa St., Sonoma, 707.933.2600, sonomafilmfest.org
Childhood board game Clue is brought to life in this riveting thriller.
It was Miss Scarlett in the study with a candlestick—or was it? Find out when San Francisco Playhouse stages Clue, based on the childhood board game and iconic 1985 film. Watch six childhood favorites from Colonel Mustard to Professor Plum experience the world’s strangest dinner party rife with madness, murder and comedy. March 9-April 22, 450 Post St., 415.677.9596, sfplayhouse.org
Ashkenaz celebrates cultures, including the vibrant African dance pictured here.
West Berkeley’s Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. The beloved nonprofit music venue and dance hall will host two special events to commemorate the occasion: the Golden Genre and the 50th Anniversary series. Exciting programming includes The Women Who Built Ashkenaz (March 30) and a captivating journey into archival images and footage (March 26 to 30). 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, 510.525.5099, ashkenaz.com
Shop Vanguard Properties’ newest Napa showroom.
Vanguard Properties recently landed in Napa Valley. The SF-based real estate firm is now in St. Helena and headed by Josh Dempsey. The venue is a knockout: Built in 1884, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts an interior design by Birch and Taylor. The move to Napa follows in the footsteps of locations downtown as well as in Marin, Sonoma and East Bay. 1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, 707.637.6123, vanguardproperties.com
Alanis Morissette
With Grammy Award-winning musician Alanis Morissette headlining, “You Oughta Know” the 14th annual Notes & Words benefit is going to totally rock. Raising money for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals (over $15 million since its inception in 2010!), the night will also feature performances by R&B artist Tulani, drummer YOYOKA and Oakland School for the Arts alongside readings from myriad bestselling authors. Start the night with the VIP Bubbles & Banter and Pre-Show Party featuring food and cocktails, and cap it off the VIP After Party with libations and late-night dancing. Party on. March 25, Fox Theater Oakland, notesandwords.org
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRAND; DANA PLUCINSKI; COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF BARDESSONO HOTEL & SPA; COURTESY OF ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL; STEFAN COHEN;
COURTESY OF BRAND; COURTESY OF SIFF; MURIEL STEINKE; COURTESY OF ASHKENAZ; COURTESY OF VANGUARD PROPERTIES; COURTESY OF BRAND
