De Young Museum Celebrates First Anniversary

The M.H. de Young Memorial Museum re-opened in Golden Gate Park to worldwide acclaim on Oct. 15, 2005. One year and more than 1.6 million visitors later, the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco will thank Bay Area residents with community-wide festivities, including music, dancing and art programs.

The Oct. 13 event, located at 50 Tea Garden Drive in Golden Gate Park, celebrates the 300,000-square-foot state-of-the-art building designed by San Francisco's Fong & Chan Architects and the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron. The museum attracted more than 50,000 visitors during its opening weekend and has won numerous awards for its architecture and accessibility.

In its inaugural year, the de Young's popularity swelled, as evidenced by both its increased membership, to nearly 80,000 member households, and by the new commissions, acquisitions and landmark exhibits it acquired.

The anniversary party kicks off on Friday, Oct. 13, from 5 p.m. to midnight, with an admission fee of $5. All galleries and special exhibits will be open, accompanied by a no-host bar and cafe dining. The evening will start with spoken word performances and a book signing by "Voices of Latin Rock" author Ron Sansoe. At 9 p.m., Chuy Valera and KFOG radio will host a dance party featuring special performances by the Salvador Santana Band, Drum Circle and the Voices of Latin Rock All Stars, which is comprised of members of Malo, Santana and Sly and the Family Stone.

The following day, Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the de Young offers free admission to all galleries. Remarks from city officials and the serving of a birthday cake are scheduled for noon. A few of the bands performing include: The West African Highlife Band, Manuia, Marcus Shelby Jazz Trio, Stairwell Sisters, Brazilian jazz and Vinyl Funk Band.

For more information, call 863-3330 or go to the Web site at www.thinker.org.