1397. The Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco, California

[@rk41gator]

Nice. It is like Red Rocks without the rocks. But with trees! So Northern California.

[@robertmiller9207]

Sigmond Stern Grove....a little treasure in the middle of the chaos. Have been there many times. All varieties of artists. One of the best days ever was seeing The Preservation Hall Jazz band. It's a true festival with much of the audience dressed up like it was Mardi Grai. The ladies in their puffy dresses and big hats spinning their parasols making a big circle dancing in front of the stage and around the seating as more and more would join in. Proper gentlemen in Top Hat and Tails.....LOL, People made a lot goodies you would expect to find in New Orleans and the champagne would be popping at 10 am.....LOL, maybe even earlier. Good times, yep, great times in fact and FREE to boot.

[@FreedomRock44]

That place is COOL!!!!! Like a mini Woodstock! You will have fun playing today.

[@RU-HDD-4-HVN]

One of the nicer places in the SF Bay area for sure. Very quaint little town down below in the valley just below the coastal mountains Lee's in. You can't really tell what's up in them hills where Lee is, now we both know. Very cool place indeed.

[@artemisXsidecross]

‘The Stern Grove Festival is an admission-free series of performing arts events held during the summer months in San Francisco. Established in 1938, the festival is held at Sigmund Stern Grove, a eucalyptus-wooded natural amphitheater on a 33-acre (130,000-square-meter) site about two miles (three kilometers) south of Golden Gate Park that ranges from 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard west to 34th Avenue. This festival went on hiatus in 1942-45 due to World War II and in 2020 due to COVID-19.’ wiki The free price to attend is my memory of S.F. music in the Golden Gate Park and The Panhandle in the my days of lore. ☮

[@artemisXsidecross]

Oh the memories: 1967 Be In, free music in The Pan Handle, and the Diggers. The Diggers were a radical community-action group of activists and street theatre actors operating from 1966 to 1968, based in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Their politics have been categorized as "left-wing." More accurately, they were "community anarchists" who blended a desire for freedom with a consciousness of the community in which they lived. The Diggers' central tenet was to be "authentic," seeking to create a society free from the dictates of money and capitalism. The Diggers were closely associated and shared a number of members with the guerrilla theater group San Francisco Mime Troupe. They were formed out of after-hours Mime Troupe discussions between Emmett Grogan, Peter Coyote, Peter Berg, and Billy Landout. They fostered and inspired later groups like the Yippies. Wiki In addition: ‘The Diggers were a group of religious and political dissidents in England, associated with agrarian socialism. Gerrard Winstanley and William Everard, amongst many others, were known as True Levellers in 1649, in reference to their split from the Levellers, and later became known as Diggers because of their attempts to farm on common land. Their original name came from their belief in economic equality based upon a specific passage in the Acts of the Apostles. The Diggers tried (by "levelling" land) to reform the existing social order with an agrarian lifestyle based on their ideas for the creation of small, egalitarian rural communities. They were one of a number of nonconformist dissenting groups that emerged around this time. The Diggers were driven from one county after another by the authorities.’ Wiki But that is an old story, isn't it. ☮

[@skoughtw]

Give to the Grove and the Grove will give back to you! Audience sponsored entertainment!

[@RockandRollWoman]

​@@artemisXsidecrossThe Diggers! Such a San Francisco thing. No wonder my folks refused to help me go to college in California. Of course, I wound up embedded here anyways 😂😂😂

[@artemisXsidecross]

@@RockandRollWoman We are an open-armed community, your folks should have never worried 😉

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

@Xsidecross Thank you Artemis.

[@saxMD2008]

Ahhhhhh SF!! I loved living there!!! Enjoy!!

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Beautiful space and venue!! Thanks, Lee! Enjoy!

[@mazzysmusic]

So many great shows at Stern strove over the years ✌🏼

[@kennonmoen4424]

What a fantastic place and what an amazing history! We need more of this everywhere.

[@kennonmoen4424]

@lelansklar6363 Thanks for taking us beyond “NO ADMITTANCE”

[@artemisXsidecross]

@@kennonmoen4424 I saw that too with a smile 😉

[@lavatar3562]

San Francisco is an amazing city and to put on a free concert in one of their famous parks typifies its altruism and deep love for live music.

[@stonephilips9361]

Lots of rain this past winter. The soggy ground made the trees unstable. So down they went ☮️

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Will Lyle be able to take his venue photo? Looks like a lovely place to play... and in the daytime! You have a bit over an hour to showtime. Enjoy! Plus enjoy your day off tomorrow.

[@k9road]

`let it grow` .. love from a nursery...

[@JimFothergill]

Elvin Bishop let it flow!!! Love it!!!

[@lbshore]

San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the world.

[@danrae1737]

Leland, I am guessing that you are feeling right at home here. Not sure why, but this Festival gives off the same giving-loving vibe as you do! Congrats in advance for episode 1400. I subscribed at around 30K and have enjoyed all of these tour vids! Cheers from Canada!!

[@suecorrigan]

Hi Lee! These outdoors venues are the best. All over the country. Love the feeling of being in the woods with music. 🪵 🌳 🎶🎸😎

[@hippydippy]

Cool hearing Elvin Bishop during the walk. Hadn't heard that in a long time.

[@hankharty9673]

Stern Grove Festival - "We are a non profit with a mission to bring the gift and magic of FREE live music in nature to unite, educate, inspire and engage our community."

[@Mark_Brooks]

Rosalie M. Stern purchased Stern Grove and gave it as a gift to the City of San Francisco in 1931, in memory of her husband Sigmund, a prominent civic leader. George Greene originally homesteaded the Grove, a tract of sand dunes and marshes, in the 1840’s. The Greene family planted the first eucalyptus trees in the Grove and built the Trocadero Inn, a popular recreation spot until its closure in 1916. Marveling at the Grove’s natural acoustics, Mrs. Stern determined that the site would be preserved as a park in which the public could enjoy admission-free music, dance, and theater performances. On June 4, 1932, Stern Grove was dedicated. Two weeks later, the San Francisco Symphony played the first concert in the Grove. Mrs. Stern, then President of the San Francisco Recreation Commission, formed the non-profit Stern Grove Festival Association in 1938, stipulating that all concerts were to be free to the public and designed for everyone’s enjoyment.

[@Mark_Brooks]

Mrs. Stern chaired the Festival until her death in 1956. Her daughter, Elise Stern Haas, served as Board Chair until 1969, and was succeeded by her daughter, Rhoda Haas Goldman. Following Rhoda Goldman’s untimely death in 1996, her son, Dr. Douglas E. Goldman, became Festival Board Chair. Dr. Goldman served for 24 years and retired as Board Chair in 2020. His son Matthew Goldman then was named the new Chairperson, becoming the fifth generation of his family to lead the Stern Grove Festival Association. Today Stern Grove, a natural amphitheater surrounded by giant eucalyptus, redwood, and fir trees, is one of Northern California’s favorite concert sites, presenting Grammy Award winners, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and exciting new artists to thousands of attendees each year. In keeping with Mrs. Stern’s vision, the wide selection of performers reflects the Festival’s commitment to exceptional programming and to serving diverse audiences. A beloved Bay Area tradition, every summer Sunday, family and friends gather to relax, picnic, and enjoy performances by some of the world’s greatest artists in this glorious natural setting. While Stern Grove itself is still owned and operated by the City of San Francisco, and Mrs. Stern’s descendants remain actively involved, today the Festival is truly a community institution. Each year, the Festival must raise nearly $3 million to produce concerts and related outreach and education programs. Individual donors, volunteers, foundations, government agencies, and businesses provide the generous support that makes it all possible. Stern Grove Festival has brought eight decades of the best performing arts - completely admission-free - to the people of the Bay Area.

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Thanks for providing the history of this venue. Appreciate it :)

[@artemisXsidecross]

👍

[@kateconway-hickman5945]

Thank you, Mark.

[@splashesin8]

❤😊

[@calsurflance5598]

Looks like a mini Woodstock!

[@thor8580]

This place looks AWESOME looks like the kind of place to check out maybe stay awhile. Thanks Leland.

[@steini6771]

How Wonderful. Love from the Norwegian -

[@SoundsFair--M-and-J]

😃😃 Thanks for the mini non-staycation! Amazing that you get your out in the woods experience and your music festival experience at the same time at that venue.

[@frankzahn1860]

"Oh, the places you'll go..." And Leland takes us there! Whoohoo!

[@Padoinky]

Lee being a Wisconsinite at heart, was probably strolling the grounds in a beard T-Shirt, where as all the audience out amongst the trees, in the woods communing w/ nature, are bundled up…. kinda cool place actually

[@Larkpine]

Good Afternoon 💜👩💜 Sounds fun! Tons of people 😊 Have a great night 🌙

[@TheCrazyAztec]

Such a magical place, I miss Home…

[@artemisXsidecross]

Welcome to the S.F. Bay Area where we are still waiting for ‘Spring Weather’ or as Mark Twain wrote: "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer San Francisco". ☮

[@Mark_Brooks]

They're in your general neighborhood, Artemis.

[@artemisXsidecross]

@@Mark_Brooks 👍

[@pierheadjump]

⚓️ Thanks Lee 🌈

[@andreamorse6064]

Leland, I got to watch the live stream of the concert in total. Listened in my studio on a great pair of speakers and a crisp monitor. Wonderful to see such an awesome venue and truly enjoy the band. And truth be told, I really dig your tone. Have to admit that Dingwall sounds great. Of course the fingers behind it makes all the difference. Thank you for the videos. I truly enjoy them although they make me so damn envious. Dreaming of a road gig…

[@TheMixClub]

This looks like a great gig. wish i was there chillin...

[@senorbe]

The trees came down in the huge windstorm we had earlier this year.

[@gustavoviveros8394]

Thanks Lee ✌🏻

[@splashesin8]

Another fortifying and edifying thing to hear! ❤Thank you for bringing us❣️

[@91Kingscrib84]

Incredible park! To think it's a free concert for the folks. Love that they're playing Elvin Bishop's 'Let It Flow', perfect. Every day that I have a chance to catch up with your posts, Leland, you offer a glimpse of something or somewhere new. That's why it's such a joy to follow your rambles. I just watched a video of Lyle introducing the band (incl. you, natch!) and listen to his conversation with each of you. I always learn things & enjoy the banter between all of you in his Large Band. Travel safe. Enjoy the day off before Napa. Catch you on the fly, next time. ♬

[@SM-ln4ud]

Stern Grove was flooded & storms recently brought the trees down.

[@jeffblackie6196]

Thank you Lee, may i ask what was the sound like there?

[@marygiuranna6817]

Looks great Lee

[@annirvin6555]

Good evening Leland and everybody ✋

[@onefatstratcat]

Cool venue

[@kingmanarizona2661]

3 Buses and a semi? You are travelling in style....but I always wondered if you pack up right after show and hit the road. Summer in San Fran as you know can be cold....I have no idea how the large band stays so fresh each night!

[@lelandsklar6363]

Hit the last note pack up and head to next town.

[@saritaschwedes8393]

it sounded like church to me!! how wonderful. i can’t wait to hear how you liked playing there Leland . 🌸

[@annirvin6555]

Sounds great ❤

[@47heritage]

Hi Lee!! I lived over in San Ramon which just East of SF from 1978 till about 1989. Did a lot of writing and recording during that time. Unfortunately, the wonderful city of San Francisco is not the jewel it was in the past. I can only hope it returns to its former glory one day soon. Looks like a fun venue. I'm really enjoying your videos and seeing the places you're playing. Did Arnold sing with you at the Saban?? I hope he did. Take care my friend!! Bob Love here.

[@jamesgoddard2321]

I live in San Ramon now and while the homeless problem is definitely worse than before the city is still there and still has that old charm. The media makes it seem worse than it really is.

[@kevinstrabley3816]

Let it roll brother!!

[@Tobias1985]

We'd love to see you here in Germany again!

[@kingtwich]

Serenity now, serenity now!!.

[@slipperynoodle20]

Amazing site thanks to an equally amazing family, thanks again Mark. You might be thankful for wearing the suit today. Extraneous thought about yesterday. Ì had an image of you having name tag for all of us also attending Ringo's party. They weren't stuck to you, just our names circling you like an aura. 😮 Thanks ❤️👍❤️👍

[@Mark_Brooks]

Hi Tom. Thanks.

[@slipperynoodle20]

@@Mark_Brooks 👍

[@kedb]

Regarding the trees, we had a thing called a "bomb cyclone" hit us this past winter. It was aptly named. I live down in the South Bay (San Jose area), but I will never forget the night of that storm. The craziest winds I've known in my 30+ years of living in the area. We lost a lot of trees that night, all over the Bay Area.

[@BP-ww9fp]

Reminds me of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you, thank you for making content.

[@ditchgator1]

😎✌👍❤🖖 Love Brother

[@judykeeler5051]

Looks like fun ! 😊

[@Ajgreetings]

This would be fun

[@TFinSF]

Musically memorialized as "Sigmund Stern Groove" by Cal Tjader on his 1958 album "San Francisco Moods": kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6XGfaKFr5iVfdk (live version)

[@brachialmusiker]

Hi all😊

[@Mark_Brooks]

Eucalyptus and olive trees.

[@RU-HDD-4-HVN]

Lee blends in with the crowd too well....... like a Star Wars character at a Southern Baptist Convention tent meeting. "This is not the bassist you're looking for....... he is at the Cantina Bar playing a theme song." Have fun Lee, I know the smell of the redwood forest stays with you... so "May the forest be with you!" I'm really not a Star Wars geek but the cool "light cycle scene" was filmed just about 60 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge in Armstrong Woods Grove in Guerneville Ca aka: Home of "Bohemian Grove." If you're heading to Napa like you've said then it's not far timewise to Sonoma County's Armstrong Woods Grove/Bohemian Grove at about an hour plus one way. Gorgeous area for sure....... p.s. Bass players are deep thinkers, always getting to the bottom of the matter.

[@Gina-ly5bp]

😎 Oh! Love it, that’s cool!

[@Bobstern]

No relation but if I was I would do it just like this.

[@desertfox486]

What's Brad gonna do? No place to sneak off and practice.

[@Joseph_Greco]

My hometown....notorious marine layer of fog in the early summer.....as Mark Twain once said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

[@KapilaSudesh]

lovely 💓💓

[@bobzubb]

Elvin Bishop...!!!

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Evening Leland

[@lelandsklar6363]

✋🏼

[@carolmoline6490]

Hazy. But love the west!

[@FreedomRock44]

Yep I think that guy Recognized you!!!!

[@toneman501]

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.....or beard....

[@tobisimmons9889]

Hello Lee

[@Mark_Brooks]

🏆 Tobi!

[@pamr4040]

♥

[@gustavocaetano3456]

✊✊✊😏

[@mack56]

Elvin Bishop

[@notinternettype]

That's in San Francisco

[@mdturnerinoz]

Interesting you guys are missing Turd City (San Franshitzko)!

[@carolmoline6490]

Be Fire aware. Please… please….

[@joewilliams4142]

Hopefully hey have moved all the homeless people out of your view for the event. That’s the usual thing.

[@andytaylor5476]

You're a riot.