Spearheading the country’s ECO conscious urban movement on so many levels it comes as no surprise that one of San Francisco’s largest and most prestigious free annual street events recently incorporated the residents’ affection and demand for sustainable living.  Promoting “the value of Green thinking in all aspects of our day to day lives” the UNION STREET ECO-URBAN FESTIVAL on Saturday, June 4th & Sunday, June 5th from 10am to 6pm now dedicates two out of six city blocks to educational exhibits, environmentally conscious businesses and arts and crafts from recycled and eco-friendly materials. An additional 150 booths along this popular stretch of the city’s most famous neighborhood shopping district offer a wide variety of decorative merchandise, seldom seen accessories and clothing.  Two stages featuring continuous live entertainment and two dozen gourmet stalls sizzling up your favorite street fare complete this inspiring festival experience.  Curious?  Then please go ahead and check the official event site at http://www.unionstreetfestival.com/ for further information.

The second weekend of June traditionally has been reserved for one of the best opportunities to people-watch during the open air season.  “Everyone in the world is invited” to this neighborhood once famous around the globe for its socially progressive movement and its liberal legacy following the Summer of Love in 1967.  The Haight undeniably underwent some gentrification in recent decades but still today visitors from all over curiously flock to the Panhandle eager to find remnants of long-gone hippie culture or visible traces of once prevailing bohemian influence.  Nevertheless, if you are looking for an event celebrating “Peace, Love and Happiness” and truly showcasing the City’s whole range of colorful diversity of styles, class, and self expression the HAIGHT ASHBURY STREET FAIR on Sunday, June 12th   11am – 5:30pm is it!  You are even encouraged to bring your kids to this family-friendly street party.  They will love “Children’s Alley” featuring free entertainment and creative involvement like hippy headbands, circus workshops (juggling, stilts, face-painting), bookmobile with story time, a petting zoo, obstacle course and jump house. Searching for a couple of unique items to decorate your balcony or bay windows?  Look no further and choose from an array of unusual pieces of art and utensils, handmade by several local artists, who (unlike most vendors) do not display or offer their craft at other major fairs.  Three performance stages spread out across six blocks have visitors grooving and dancing up and down Haight Street.  Talking about music, don’t miss checking out the independent Red Vic Movie House which will be converted into a music hall for one day, hosting a benefit concert of local jug bands.  One more tip before you go:  this is a one day event only so it can get very crowded in the afternoon, meaning “the early bird catches the worm”.  To find out more please go to http://www.haightashburystreetfair.org/.
 
Another fair icon known across state borders casts its shadow onto a neighborhood nestled between Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill.  For the 57th time this season the annual NORTH BEACH FESTIVAL (Saturday, June 18th & Sunday, June 19th  10am – 6pm) is held in a district which became world renowned for a generation of progressive writers, modernist poets and anti-authoritarian intellectuals. The Beats’ free spirits challenged the establishment to think outside the apparent socially oppressive box of the fifties and sixties and gained international popularity by discussing, printing, publishing and promoting their ideas for a better society right here in North Beach.  Of course, among various gourmet food stalls you will find an intriguing entertainment mix of live music, arts and craft displays and local vendors.  But make no mistake, the actual star here is the neighborhood.  North Beach is not only referred to as “Little Italy” and considered the heart and soul of San Francisco but widely rated as one of the prime urban neighborhoods in the US.  While strolling across the festival allow to wander off and literally get side tracked by the vibrant streets and colorful alleys off of Columbus.  Cruise along tree-lined sidewalks with an ever changing pace waiting around the next corner and find vintage and local fashion in charming Victorian villas now housing beautiful boutiques.  Soak in that small town like flair and grant yourself the time to enjoy a good cup of Joe looking out the window of a bohemian café, watching people flipping through the tables outside an antique book store or sitting in front of a barber shop discussing local and world politics with the neighbors.  Before heading off to explore the bustling nightlife around just accept the hostess’ invitation to a relaxing patio dinner at one of the check-clothed Italian trattorias.  Can city life get any better?  Detailed event info and parking recommendations at http://www.sresproductions.com/north_beach_festival.html
 
Every year live stage enthusiasts across all music genres and the San Francisco Bay look forward to the City’s open air season and especially to this admission free summer concert series.  Starting June 19th every Sunday through August 21st the non-profit STERN GROVE FESTIVAL features locally and internationally highly recognized live acts, bands, songwriters, orchestras and vocalists.  In a park like setting you are invited to enjoy a great mix of various music styles ranging from classic Motown, “genre-defying fusion of jazz, funk, hip-hop, electronica, and symphonic music” to “reggae and dub-infused ska” and, yes, even opera and ballet.  What a great way to spend a splendid afternoon experiencing excellent live performances in a natural amphitheater gently guarded by majestic redwood, eucalyptus and fir trees.  So why not go ahead and pick the gig that’s up your alley, save the date and plan to arrive early for best seating.  Come that Sunday pack a picnic (or pick some up at one of West Portal’s panini shops), bring a blanket and savor the show.  FYI, there even is a lottery you may enter to win seats at picnic tables...  Due to the festival’s location at 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd you are well advised to use public transportation.  Just get on MUNI Metro, Bus or BART and avoid endless circling around the neighborhood looking for a parking spot.  Find more FAQ as well as details about the individual concerts and artists at http://www.sterngrove.org/.
 
One of the world’s major LGBT events is rocking the City again on Saturday, June 25th & Sunday, June 26th.  With a regular (international) crowd of more than 1 million participants and party-goers descending on the City each June, in forty years the SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE has grown into the arguably largest annual street fest in the Bay.  To understand the origins of the gay pride movement here in Northern California we need to take a quick journey back in time and travel to New York City of the late 1960s when discrimination and brutal police raids of gay establishments were widespread.  One very early summer morning  in late June 1969 some brave patrons at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, a West Village dive bar without a liquor license run by the Mafia, resisted attempts to arrest by the authorities and physically responded to imposed acts of violence.  Triggering six nights of furious protests and raging riots this event is still remembered today and considered the birthday of the modern gay rights movement.  One year later in commemoration of this incident and to channel and organize the fight for gay rights here on the west coast Golden Gate Park once more witnessed the birth of a soon to be strong and highly visible social movement.  What started out as a small gathering of activists has transformed into a widely recognized and supported non-profit organization whose mission is “to educate the World, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture, and liberate our people.”  Today the SF Pride not only guarantees worldwide media exposure but also a welcome cash injection into the veins of businesses all across town.  The vast Celebration section at Civic Center features more than 20 community-run stages and venues as well as 300 exhibitors, artists and vendors entertaining, educating and feeding the crowd.  Since the main stage has been hosting acts like Lady Gaga, The Backstreet Boys, BoA, Margaret Cho, Kat DeLuna and Crystal Waters in recent years you might want to check the organizer’s website again by the beginning of June for this year’s lineup.  Sunday is the actual day of the world famous parade unrivaled in colorfulness and free-spirited diversity.  As it kicks off at 10:30am (Market St & Beale) in downtown get into the groove and follow some 200 bass pumping political floats and artistic contingents down Market to its finale at 8th Street.  Although the event is technically for free a $5 voluntary donation is requested at the entry gates to the Celebration area - a considerably small contribution for what you get in return from this extraordinary and fun-filled weekend (http://www.sfpride.org/).