Maybe you’re from the bay and just want to kick it at home. Maybe someone’s coming up to visit you! Maybe you’re an international or out of state student and the cost of going home is simply out of the question. Or maybe you simply procrastinated on buying plane tickets and your parents don’t want to drive and pick you up (hey, that’s growing up!). Regardless of the situation, you’ve found yourself in the Bay for this upcoming spring break: without access to meal points, (maybe) alone and wondering what’s out there in the bay to enjoy. Have no fear, the Clog is here!
Music
March 23 — Matt Costa @ Slim’s: If cheery folk rock is your thing, check out Matt Costa at Slim’s in SF. It’s on the first “real” night of break and it’s pretty cheap! If you feel like putting some more cash down, Slim’s are known for their catered dinners at the venue beforehand. Who knows, you might bump into Mr. Costa himself?
March 25 — Iceage @ Popscene: Popscene at the Rickshaw Stop in SF has built up a reputation for being the premier “indie dance club” of the area. The many times we’ve been there, it’s lived up to that moniker. During this break, they’re hosting a dance party featuring Danish noise punk band Iceage, plus their resident DJ spinning tunes between sets. Get your mosh-dance on!
March 28 — 4th Annual Haight/Ashbury Battle of the Bands: The second installment of a 5-part series culminating in the final duke-out, this BOTB show features some of the best local acts from the city, shredding hard to make it to the final round. Like any Battle of the Bands competition, the winner is up to the audience. Winner goes to the act with the loudest applause. It’s a super fun interactive thing.
Comedy
March 25 — Funny Mondays @ the Deco Lounge: Local comedy master Victor Torres hosts a weekly open mic comedy show at a swanky lounge in the Tenderloin. Nothing too fancy, but it’s sure to be a laugh! Plus there’s some cheap drinks, so something unfunny could become funnier as the night goes on …*wink*.
Film
March 24 — Hitchcock’s “The Man Who Knew Too Much“ @ the PFA: It’s a well-accepted fact that Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense and our very own Pacific Film Archive realizes this. All this semester, they’ve hosted a Hitchcock film series and during the break they’re showing his classic spy suspense thriller made in 1956. Plus, compared with the normal price of movie tickets, it’s quite a deal at $5.50!
March 24 and March 31 — Berkeley Underground Film Society : So maybe it’s not underground, but it must be like Fight Club, ’cause we’ve haven’t heard anyone talking about it. But it’s a thing! It’s simply a gathering from film buffs and anyone with an interest in film in general to come together and watch/discuss films. During the break, they’re showing Chinatown and The Warriors.
Arts
March 27-31 — Ongoing exhibits @ the Berkeley Art Museum: If you haven’t yet checked out our own art museum conveniently located right across from campus, then this is the perfect time to do it! They have a plethora of ongoing exhibits, plus admission is completely free for students. FREE.
March 30 — Open Mic Night @ Nick’s: If you’ve been writing some poetry to show off to that special someone, or brushing up some acoustic Katy Perry covers — or would like to see any of this go down — then this open mic’s for you! Free of charge (well, except for drinks) and 20 open mic slots, so get there early to ensure your place.
Sports
March 23 — Spring Football Game: The season may be over (a good or bad thing, depending on who you talk to), but the Cal football team hasn’t been taking any breaks! Now that Tedford’s been given the axe (not the good one), the team has been practicing under new coach Sonny Dykes for the semester. See how they’re shaping up at the Spring football game! For free!
March 25 — Salsa Social Dance Class @ I-House : Mmmm. Sizzle. No, we’re not talking about IHOP, but pretty close! I-House is hosting some extra sizzling salsa classes with professional instructor Timea Potys from Sizzling Latin (we’re assuming that’s highly esteemed in the Latin dance world). You may just find your soul mate there! (well, that’s how it happens in movies, right?)
March 28 — Argentine Tango Practica @ Hearst Gym: Speaking of dance classes, here’s one that’s for an even cheaper price to Berkeley students! For just $1, you can learn another awesome dance form. Exercise is always better when it’s fun, right?
The Great Outdoors
March 23-24 and March 30-31 — Constellations Tonight, Lawrence Hall of Science: So this isn’t technically outdoors, we know. But perhaps it is the greatest of great outdoors. In this hands-on planetarium extravaganza, participants locate constellations in the planetarium sky. And planetariums are cool. It’s like seeing the night sky without all those pesky city lights!
March 23-24, March 28 and March 30-31 — Botanical Gardens Docent Tour: Did you know our campus has its very own Botanical garden? It’s a ways up the Northside hill — sore legs! — so it’s no wonder why it’s such a well-kept secret. If you have the time, they offer free tours three times a week!
March 23 and March 30 — Free Yoga in Golden Gate Park: Free things are good. Sunshine is good. Exercise is … good (depending on what mood we’re in). If you dig all these things too, then you’ll really enjoy the free Saturday morning yoga classes right in GG Park. The perfect combination of good thing.
Food
March 29 — Off the Grid: Perhaps you’ve seen the row of trucks and picnic tables in Downtown Berkeley on Thursday nights and wondered what the deal was. This is Off the Grid, the Bay Area’s own “mobile” food festival. Making a stay in SF, their vendors include delicacies like fish tacos, chicken adobo and gourmet cupcakes. NOM. The last time we were there, they had s’mores cupcakes, just to give you a figurative taste.
Beach
Ocean Beach, SF — It wouldn’t be a break without a beach! Or so the movies say. And yes, contrary to popular belief, the bay has sandy beaches. If you’re in the mood for some classic sandy fun, this is the go-to spot in SF city. So very conveniently named.
Image source: WSK_2005 under Creative Commons.
Contact Hailey Simpson at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @hailey117.