The San Francisco Citizen

It’s on! It’s fantastic. It’s you. It’s Power and Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty running through September 21, 2008 in the first floor Lee, Hambrecht, and Osher Galleries at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum. Take a look at the show here and learn more about it here, courtesy of kultural kommissar Kenneth “you need me” Baker.

You see, all this stuff isn’t merely decorative, it actually means something. That’s why the  heavy accompanying book costs $18 to ship from Amazon - this whole show is just chock-a-block full of culture. To wit, check out cover boy Prince Zhu Youyuan in his ceremonial uniform. His shoulder patches represent the moon and the sun, and you can also see green dragons blue vessels, green algae, red fire, white rice, blue axes, and blue bows. Dude’s got more icons than an iPhone 3.0. Click to expand:

Click on this one and see that they played golf in China back in the day, LPGA style. Court ladies in the inner palace, by Du Jin (active middle 15th century). Handscroll, ink and colors on silk:

Ming bling wasn’t just muddy red or brilliant blue on white - we’ve got a whole palette here:

So what’s your move? Get on over there before it closes next month. The only rational way to beat the crowds on August 3rd, 2008, Target First Free Sunday, would be to get in line before they open at 10:00 AM. But then you’d miss the opportunity to get in on the docent tours offered on all non Target Sundays at 10:30 AM,  12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.

Here’s what you do if you go on a day when you actually have to pay admission: Arrive early to check things out on your own and then take the free one-hour tour with a docent like Anthony Pan:

There’s lot’s of stuff to learn at The Asian’s best show ever. See you there!

The Asian Art Museum special exhibition Power & Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty really packed them in yesterday. Target First Free Sundays might have had a role, but this thing appears to be popular even on days when you can’t get in for free. And remarkably, Kenneth Baker likes it!

The line to get in yesterday went down Polk, Grove, Hyde (pictured), and McAllister. It was phenomenal, perhaps 500 people waiting? The museum is claiming 10,000 people dropped by on Sunday.

Click to expand:

See you there!

What’s the first thing to do once you get a free ice cream cone on the birthday of Ben & Jerry’s? Eat it, of course.

But you might as well get back in line so that when you’re done eating you’ll be at the front and ready to choose another flavor. Some might take the time to finish their cones before queuing up to attempt to get some more, but carpe diem, you dig?

Your behavior might hack off the people behind you, but only slightly.  

The best way to pass the time waiting for free ice cream is eating free ice cream in an endless loop:

Speaking of free (or almost free) ice cream, Baskin Robins is having their 31 Cent Scoop Night today, April 30, 2008, starting at 5:00 PM. Sadly, not all BRs will offer this deal and you will be limited to buying only just ten cones.

(And there’s always frogurt from Tuttimelon, still having their temporary 99-cent special. If you swing that way)

Find a participating store near you or check this list below and after the jump:

West Bay

2250 Irving St
San Francisco , CA 94122
 
570 Battery St
San Francisco , CA 94111 
 
1539 Sloat Blvd
San Francisco , CA 94132  

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