Stern Grove Festival
The popular free outdoor festival, which was set to run on Sundays from June 14 to Aug. 16 at lovely Stern Grove in San Francisco, has been canceled for the first time in its 83-year history. The series was set to feature a diversely appealing lineup, including reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, East Bay funk stars Tower of Power, both the San Francisco Symphony and Ballet, Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus, soul singer Macy Gray, pop-rockers Hanson, indie-pop favorites Animal Collective and others. Organizers hope to reschedule some of these acts for 2021. Visit sterngrove.org for more information.
What to watch: Check out Tower of Power’s “Look in My Eyes,” the legendary Oakland troupe’s first new music video in 30 years. Then go on a nostalgic run through some memorable videos of yesteryear, stopping at Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achy Breaky Heart,” Hanson’s “MMMBop” and Macy Gray’s “I Try.” And if you didn’t watch Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” when we recommended it in the earlier California Roots write-up, what are you waiting for?
What to listen to: Push play on the San Francisco Symphony’s memorable live collaboration with mighty Metallica from 1999 — “S&M” — before switching over to North Mississippi Allstars with “Boulderado: Live at the Fox” (2010) for a spell. Finish up with Tower of Power’s “Live and in Living Color” (1976).
What to eat: Pack a picnic, just like you’d do for an actual trip to Stern Grove.
What to wear: A sunhat plus a warm sweater, because you just never known what the weather will be like when its summertime in San Francisco.