The Edit
The September Social Calendar
September is the opening accord of San Francisco’s social calendar after a summer away, recentering society’s attention on the fall arts season and putting everyone back in touch with their stylists for the perfect gala looks.
We’ve combed through the invites and made a few selections on your behalf: flowers at Filoli, pianos in the park, big boats on the Bay and no shortage of taffeta at Davies Symphony Hall. The dates worth keeping clear follow.
The Regatta All Eyes Will Be OnRolex Big Boat Series
Rolex Big Boat Series
At the St. Francis Yacht Club, September 16 to 20
The Rolex Big Boat Series is one of San Francisco’s signature sailing regattas, bringing competitive crews to the Bay for four days of racing against the Golden Gate. This year’s 62nd edition also hosts the ORC North American Championship, drawing offshore crews from across the continent. On the technical side of things, J/88, J/105 and Express 37 one-design fleets race alongside the ORC monohulls. On the social side, there are nightly gatherings at the club and plenty of stylish spectating along Crissy Field.
And if spectating inspires participation, The Huntington’s Summit to Sea offers a considerably more leisurely turn on the Bay aboard the 92-foot Diamond Seas, Champagne included.
The Floral Fantasy Worth the DriveFleurs de Villes: The Gilded Age
Fleurs de Villes: The Gilded Age
At Filoli, through September 18
Filoli Estate’s Georgian Revival house is the enviable backdrop for this seasonal exhibition, which pays homage to the characters of the beloved HBO series. Blooming gowns fit for Peggy Scott, Bertha Russell and company are installed throughout the historic house, giving an already rather grand setting permission to become grander still.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the exhibition stays open until 8 p.m., leaving time to take in the floral gowns as the sun sets over the estate.
The Concert Worth Wandering IntoFlower Piano
Flower Piano
At San Francisco Botanical Garden, through September 20
Every September, pianos begin appearing beneath trees and in hidden corners of the Botanical Garden, one of those ideas that requires very little improvement. Across the garden, the program moves easily between classical, jazz and rather more energetic diversions.
The wiser strategy may be no strategy at all. Pick an entrance, begin walking and let a pianist find you. There are worse ways to spend an afternoon.
The Night To Dress Up ForSan Francisco Symphony Opening Gala
San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala
At Davies Symphony Hall, September 24
If September marks San Francisco’s return to the social calendar, this is the evening that makes it official. The red carpet is famously top-notch, with an invite list that gathers the city’s arts patrons, familiar faces and best-dressed regulars under one roof. Onstage, Hilary Hahn takes on Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, and John Adams’ The Chairman Dances and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol rounding out the program.
The 47th All San Francisco Concert follows the next evening with the same orchestra and considerably less taffeta.
The Return Actually Worth RevisitingMuseum of the African Diaspora
Museum of the African Diaspora
September 30
After six weeks behind closed doors, the Museum of the African Diaspora returns September 30 with rather a lot to show for it. Its fall exhibitions arrive alongside the third annual Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week, bringing five days of programming across the city.
On view: After the Island, exploring ornament and ceramic practice in the Jamaican diaspora through work by PJ Anderson, Jacqueline Bishop and Sharon Norwood, plus a new Emerging Artist exhibition from Dorian Reid running through December 6. A worthwhile reason to leave the final evening of the month unscheduled.
Shop The Edit
They may be called opera glasses, but they are perfectly at home at the Symphony. Eschenbach’s black-and-gold Glamour 3×25 pair brings the details of a performance closer: a violinist’s fingers at work, the expressions that disappear beyond the first few rows, a conductor building toward a crescendo. Plus, they are compact enough for an evening bag, finished with a gold chain and just theatrical enough for opening night.