Dance along the waterfront at a free day party concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of San Francisco’s Om Records at Embarcadero Plaza (Market and Steuart streets) on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. Produced by Another Planet Entertainment in partnership with Rec and Park, the daytime event features DJs including Mark Farina, Colette b2b DJ Heather, Shiny Objects and J Boogie. This concert is part of the city’s ongoing effort to activate downtown with free, large-scale music events. For more information and to RSVP, click the link. 

Plan ahead for Stern Grove Festival’s 2026 season and enter now for a chance to see Peter Cat Recording Co. on June 14, with the ticket lottery open through Sunday, May 10 at 10 a.m. Lotteries open six weeks before each concert and remain open for one week, with one entry per person and the option to request up to four tickets. For more information and to enter, click the link below. 

Need a Mother’s Day plan? Golden Gate Park offers plenty of ways to celebrate, with events in the park to make the day special: 

The Art of the Rose Mother's Day Show in Golden Gate Park on May 10

Come out for the San Francisco Rose Society's 85th annual Mother's Day show at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, May 10 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. See beautiful blooms and award-winning displays. The show features categories spanning horticulture, arrangements, and photography, with something for everyone to enjoy. Bring mom for a rosy Mother's Day! Mother's Day Rose Show details. 

Golden Gate Park Band's Mother's Day Celebration at the Bandshell

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) on Sunday, May 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The Golden Gate Park Band will present its free concert celebrating moms, featuring a program of lively classics and familiar favorites with special guest clarinetist Sarah Jaegers. Mother's Day Celebration details. 

Mother’s Day Concert at the San Francisco Botanical Garden on May 10

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) with a concert by the Young Women’s Choral Projects of San Francisco on Sunday, May 10 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy an afternoon of music surrounded by 55 acres of spring blooms. Mother's Day Concert details. 

Larry Mazzola Sr., a legendary leader in San Francisco labor, passed away at 82 after a decades-long career advocating for working people and shaping public institutions.

As a longtime leader of UA Local 38, where he spent nearly 50 years, and a 26-year member of the San Francisco Airport Commission, including 18 years as president, he played a major role in shaping labor standards and relations across the city.

His legacy continues through colleagues and family, including his son, Larry Mazzola Jr., who serves on the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission. Learn more about Larry Mazzola Sr.’s life and career from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below.

Lauren Cockrell’s (pictured left in the photo of four) path to becoming a gameday operations coordinator with Major League Baseball (MLB) began with Rec and Park’s very own San Francisco Bay Sox under the mentorship of coaches Rocky Henley and Alex Oglesby. She played in the program’s inaugural season in 2015 and went on to win a Baseball For All (BFA) national championship in 2017.

After high school, she attended Western Washington University (WWU), where she founded a women’s baseball club team in partnership with BFA. Starting with just a handful of players, she handled everything from recruitment to fundraising and built the roster into an undefeated team in its first season.

She later gained experience through MLB’s Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program and other development initiatives, before working in MLB’s Timing Operations role supporting pitch clock enforcement and game data analysis. She now serves as a gameday operations coordinator with MLB, continuing to build a career behind the scenes while expanding opportunities for women in the sport. Learn more about her work with the WWU club team from Cascadia Daily News at the link below. 

Last week, the 10th Annual Kids’ Games at Kezar Stadium drew more than 600 youth for a day of track and field competition and community celebration. Hosted in partnership with the San Francisco Police Athletic League (SFPAL) and Rec and Park, the event featured 50- and 100- meter races along with shot put, javelin and long jump stations. Attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Washington High School Marching Band and lunch in the historic stadium. Learn more about the event from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below.

There are currently limited openings available for Camp Mather throughout the summer. View the most up-to-date availability at this link. If you are interested in securing a reservation or have additional questions about availability, email sfreconline@sfgov.org. 

Note that openings are first come, first served and availability is subject to change. Learn more about Camp Mather at the link below.

Thank you to everyone who attended the community meeting for the Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Renovation Project last week. The third design survey for the project is open through Thursday, May 21. Community members are invited to share feedback on the latest design concepts, which build on input gathered to date. View the meeting materials and take the survey at the link below.

For more information, visit the project webpage or contact Project Manager Eoanna Harrison Goodwin at eoanna.goodwin@sfgov.org or (628) 652-6645.

See emerging designers take the spotlight at the Bloom Fashion Show in Union Square (333 Post Street) on Friday, May 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. Presented by the Union Square Alliance, With Love Halston Foundation and the Academy of Art University, the event marks the public debut of 10 student designs. They were created for the With Love Halston challenge, honoring the legacy of the iconic American designer. A panel of judges will select the winning look, which will be named the 2026 Bloom Dress. RSVP for the free event at the link below. 

Join the Taiwanese American Professionals–San Francisco Chapter for the West Coast's largest Taiwanese American celebration at Union Square (333 Post Street) on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free, family-friendly festival will showcase Taiwanese culture, food, entertainment, activities and more. For more information, click the link below. 

The Friends of Duboce Park (Duboce Avenue and Scott Street) will host Duboce ParkJam on Saturday, May 9 from noon to 5 p.m. This free community event will bring live music to the park with performances by local musicians. For more information, click the link below.

Swing by the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts (50 Scott Street) to check out its Instructor Showcase, with an opening reception on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. The exhibit features works by Jo Balme, Charles Dabo, Jeanne Ichimura, Dave Morritt and Nicole Samarron, with pieces on view through May 31. Learn more about the center and its hours at the link below.

Explore "A Fearless Eye: The Photography of Barbara Ramos," on view at the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) through Saturday, May 16. The exhibition features photographs Ramos made in Los Angeles and San Francisco in the early to mid-1970s, printed for the first time from recently rediscovered negatives and revealing an intimate, direct vision of everyday places and overlooked moments. A special event to meet Ramos will take place at the center on Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. She will lead a guided walkthrough of the exhibit, take questions, and sign copies of her book. For more information, click the link below.

Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready for an afternoon of music, movement and celebration at Senior Prom. Open to adults ages 55 and up, it takes place at the San Francisco County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park on Wednesday, May 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Dress to impress, dance to a live band, and enjoy light refreshments. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. 

Join us for free weekly concerts in our parks, including with Illuminate Live and the Golden Gate Park Band at the bandshell, as well as Illuminate Live at Fulton Plaza. See upcoming shows below:  

Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin & Hyde streets)

May 7 | noon-3 p.m. - Kevin Coffey, Middle Dog, & Rebecca Chapa

May 12 | noon-3 p.m. - Joe Burke, Just Float, & JW Blunt

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

May 8 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday Happy Hour featuring the Oakland Jazz Funk Project

May 10 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: Mother's Day Celebration

May 10 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Reggae Sunday featuring Dalwayne, Rik Jam & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep & Irie Dole

May 13 | 4-7 p.m. - Midweek Melodies featuring Hollow Mind Band, Jim Bruno, & Strawberry & Sushi

Join En2Action for its pop-up series at the India Basin Waterfront Park Food Pavilion (900 Innes Avenue), held on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chef Tara of West Coast Roux takes over in May, bringing more than 17 years of experience and a menu rooted in bold, soulful Southern flavors. Inspired by her upbringing and time spent cooking with her grandparents in Blakely, Georgia, her dishes highlight comfort, culture and connection, from cast iron classics to slow-smoked meats. Learn more at the link below. 

Our Video of the Week comes from the San Francisco Human Services Agency and highlights the launch of its Mobile Benefits Center (MBC), a new grant-funded program that will bring essential services including food assistance, cash aid, employment services, and health coverage support directly to neighborhoods across the City beginning this spring. Housed in a customized vehicle, the MBC is designed to reach people who are less likely to visit a fixed location or government office to access services. Learn more about the program at the link below.