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ANYWAY…As 2008 arrives, take note that Fort Mason Center has been open for 30 years and is not only home to some of the Bay Area’s greatest nonprofit resident organizations, but has hosted some of the most exciting people and events anywhere.
IN THE ‘70S AND EARLY ‘80s…The People’s Republic of China peeked out from the Bamboo Curtain to put on its first exhibition outside its borders. The Guardsmen started their Christmas Tree Sale, the Friends of the SF Public Library held their first Big Book Sale, and the Venice Biennale occupied both the Herbst and Festival Pavilions. Sam Shepard and Michael McClure presented at the Magic Theatre. The Dalai Lama and Marcel Marceau performed together. Greens Restaurant opened, as did the SF Museum of Modern Art Rental Gallery. There were fairs: The Pacific States Crafts Fair, the Dickens Fair, and the San Francisco Fair.
IN THE ‘80s…The great San Francisco Fall Antiques Show was born. Western Public Radio presented drama. Spalding Gray and Boz Skaggs performed here. Danny Glover helped open the Cowell Theater. The Irish Arts Fair, Macy’s Passport Show, and Burning Man were here. The Names Project Quilt was put on display on our campus and the Museo ItaloAmericano moved here.
IN THE ‘90s…The Tribal and Folk Art Show was held here. Trade shows from Israel, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet, and Sweden were held here. The Zinfandel Festival arrived. There was poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Robert Hass, Ken Kesey, and Isabel Allende. Magic Johnson, Elizabeth Taylor, and Tina Turner came for Macy’s Passport. Eugene McCarthy read poetry at the Bayfront Theater. The Orchid Festival came. So did the Celebration of Craftswomen.
IN THE 2000s…NextFest began here. The Academy of Friends Oscar Night Gala brought elegance and fun. Premieres of plays by David Mamet and Edna O’Brien were performed at the Magic. Michael Chabon, Dave Eggers, and Amy Tan spoke. The Pickle Family Circus performed. Brian Eno spoke for the Long Now Foundation, who moved here. The Alternative Press held their Expo here. Korean War Veterans returned for the 50th anniversary of the end of combat. More wine tastings — Cal-Italia Wine and Food Festival, Rhone Rangers Wine Tasting, and Pinot Days.
AND MORE…City College has its Arts Campus here. Lily Cai (Chinese Cultural Productions) and World Arts West have their offices here. California Lawyers for the Arts does much of its good work through its space on campus. SF Childrens Art Center, Radio Bilingue, Resource Renewal Institute, Animal Switchboard, BATS Improv, Ploughshares Fund, Tuolomne River Trust, Young Performers Theatre, Blue Bear School of Music and Environmental Traveling Companions all make this the wonderful place it is.
– Staff
Image: "Fort Mason Center" by Michael Schwab
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