San Francisco Carnaval
Memorial Day Weekend in San Francisco traditionally means the Carnaval festival in the Mission District. Sunshine will greet festival goers as they enjoy a parade on Sunday, May 30 that runs on Bryant Street and starts at 24th. There is much more information at the SF Carnaval website; be sure to check it out, as there will be a whole lot going on during the festivities.
The Grand Marshals of the parade, which starts at 9:30 on Sunday, will be actor Benjamin Bratt and his brother, director Peter Bratt, who also brought to the screen the locally filmed "La Mission". Also leading the parade will be King Miggy and and Queen Carmen, the Festival King and Queen.
There will also be musical performances and dance troupes on stages at 17th Street, 18th, and 22nd, on Harrison Street. Here, you can enjoy musical sounds from the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Africa, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and Polynesia, among others. Highlights on Saturday include Sambada on the the 17th St. stage at 4:00; Pellejo Seco on the 22nd St. stage at 1:00, and Manicato on the same stage at 4:00. On Sunday, keep your eyes open for MuchoAxe on the 17th St. stage at 11:00; Energia do Samba at 3:00 on the 18th St. stage; and Fogo na Roupa on the 22nd St. stage at 5:15.
At 17th & Harrison, there will be a special Havana Village Dance Pavilion set up to enjoy salsa music and free salsa dancing lessons all day; DJ WaltDigz will be spinning his signature tunes here from 4:00-6:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
New this year is the addition of an Eco Zone on Harrison between 20th and 22nd Streets to learn about holistic health, alternative vehicles, eco art, and all sorts of sustainable practices. There will be a "Niñolandia" area for kids and a Health Pavilion to learn about good health practices. Over 200 vendors will be lining the streets hawking their goods.
Be sure to enjoy the fun and festivities this weekend in the Mission!
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