Labor Day, the official federal holiday better known as the unofficial end of summer, is September 5, 2011. Because thousands of Bay Area folks have gone to Burning Man in the Nevada desert, the three-day Labor Day weekend in San Francisco is relatively empty and tranquil–with leisurely events and activities to match, such as art and wine festivals, outdoor theater and free fishing.
Don’t forget that Labor Day weekend includes the first Sunday of the month, when general admission to the Asian Art Museum and to the Oakland Museum of California is free. The Asian’s critically acclaimed exhibit Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance, which includes puppet-making demonstrations, closes the following week.
And for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders, on Sept. 3 and 4, general admission is free to the de Young, Legion of Honor, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, Zeum and Chabot Space & Science Center.
LABOR DAY 2011 IN SAN FRANCISCO
Free Fishing Day
Sept. 3
Fish free! Two days a year, the state Department of Fish and Game lets people fish without a fishing license—and Sept. 3 is the last chance for 2011 (the other day was in July). Note that all other regulations (e.g., bag and size limits, gear restrictions) are in effect.
At Lake Merced, piers in San Francisco, and other lakes and piers.
Millbrae Art & Wine Festival
Sept. 3 & 4, at 10 am – 5 pm
Original art works and craft items, specialty foods, craft beer tasting, a talent show, classic cars on display, home and garden exhibits, samples and demos of green products, and music by Big Bang Beat, other live bands and DJs. Rides, games and loads of activities for kids.
On Broadway Ave., Millbrae. Free.
Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
Sept. 3 & 4
Hammer, stone putt and other athletic events, a pipe bands competition, Scottish and Irish dancing, rugby and soccer matches, whiskey tasting, and food like Scotch eggs and fish and chips. Sheep dogs, Clydesdale horses, falcons and owls show their stuff. Mary Queen of Scots and her court, invading Vikings and other historical characters roam the grounds.
At Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton. Ticket prices vary.
Sausalito Artists @ Work
Sept. 3, 4, 5, at 11 am – 6 pm
Watch and meet about 20 artists at work as you tour their studios. Art specialists and gallery owners will give talks on how to collect and care for fine art.
At Industrial Center Building Art Studios, 480 Gate Five Rd., Sausalito. Free.
Sausalito Art Festival
Sept. 3, 4, 5
Meet some 275 artists and peruse their art. Wine, gourmet food, and sets by Kenny Loggins, Men Without Hats and other musicians, too. For something different, go by Golden Gate or Blue & Gold Fleet ferry.
At Marinship Park along the waterfront. Tickets: Free-$40.
2012 - The Musical!
Sept. 3, 4, 5 at 2 pm
San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2011 production satirizes “corporate funding and the art of mass distraction.” A starving political theater company gets a tempting offer: A “green” corporation will commission it to produce a musical. But will the theater troupe end up selling out? Is it possible to sell out just a little bit?
At Dolores Park. Free.
Free Shakespeare in the Park
Sept. 3 at 7:30 pm; Sept. 4 & 5 at 2:30 pm
Cymbeline, a tale of royals, mistaken identity, forbidden love, banishment, war, reconciliation and magic, is presented by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival.
At the Presidio Parade Ground Lawn (between Graham St. and Keyes Ave.), San Francisco.. Free.
Star Wars Day at AT&T Park
Sept. 4, at 1:05 pm
Pre-game (11 am-12:30 pm) costume contest, give-aways of a “Brian Wilson in Carbonite" statue (with Han Solo on another side), and post-game screening of The Empire Strikes Back. Sold out except for standing-room-only and VIP tickets.
At AT&T Park.
Field of Dreams 2011
Sept. 5, at 11 am-4 pm
Want to be the next Tim Lincecum or Buster Posey? Get a feel for their world by batting and pitching with pro coaches, touring the dugout and locker room and seeing your name in lights. For the younger set, there are face-painting, photos with Giants’ mascot Lou Seal and a bounce house. Food and drinks provided. Proceeds benefit Juma Ventures, a San Francisco-based program that combines employment, college prep, financial training and mentoring to help low-income youth get into and finish college.
At AT&T Park. Tickets $75-500.
