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DEAR FRIENDS,

I have long been a fan of the non-fiction work of Frederick Wiseman. When I was in college at San Francisco State College he was a visiting filmmaker who taught a fascinating class. He and his camera are like a fly on the wall, eavesdropping without introducing and we see and hear things so unexpected. With LA DANSE, we not only experience rehearsals and performances of the Paris Opera Ballet but gain insight into the complexities of keeping an arts organization moving forward. LA DANSE has been a huge surprise hit in New York and we believe San Francisco audiences will also love it.

Read Mary Ellen Hunt’s Q & A with Wiseman in the SF Chronicle.

DANCE AND THEATER TICKET GIVEAWAYS

For you dance fans, throughout our engagement of LA DANSE we will be giving away tickets for Mark Morris’ beloved THE HARD NUT at Zellerbach, AURELIA’S ORATORIO at Berkeley Rep and THE VELBETEEN RABBIT at ODC and CATHERINE GALASSO….only at the Balboa. Details in the lobby. No purchase required.

WIN A BLIND SIDE POSTER SIGNED BY SANDRA BULLOCK AND LEAD CAST!

Enter our drawing in the Balboa lobby. No purchase necessary. Deadline December 11. Winner to be drawn at random. Signed also by Tom McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Lily Collins and Jae Head

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About This Week's Films

LA DANSE

Documentary master Frederick Wiseman’s 38th film in a career that has spanned more than that number of years, turns his attention to one of the world’s greatest ballet companies, the Paris Opera Ballet. John Davey’s camera roams the vast Palais Garnier, an opulent 19th century pile of a building: from its crystal chandelier-laden corridors to its labyrinthine underground chambers, from its light-filled rehearsal studios to its luxurious theater replete with 2,200 scarlet velvet seats and Marc Chagall ceiling. LA DANSE devotes most of its time to watching impossibly beautiful young men and women — among them Nicolas Le Riche, Marie-Agnès Gillot, and Agnès Letestu — rehearsing the choreography of Mats Ek, Wayne McGregor, Rudolf Nureyev and Pina Bausch. For balletomanes and the curious alike, LA DANSE serves up a scrumptious meal of delectable moments, one more glorious than the next, made even more precious by their ephemeral nature.

The Paris Opera Ballet is one of the world’s great ballet companies. The film follows the rehearsals and performances of seven ballets: Genus by Wayne McGregor, Le Songe de Medée by Angelin Preljocaj, La Maison de Bernarda by Mats Ek, Paquita by Pierre Lacotte, Casse Noisette by Rudolph Noureev, Orphée and Eurydice by Pina Bausch, and Romeo and Juliette by Sasha Waltz.

Visit Website

Wiseman’s Zipporah Films Site

"One of the finest dance films ever made, but there's more to it than that."
- A.O. Scott, New York Times

"Glorious! The American documentary master’s typically rigorous and compelling study of all that goes on in the rehearsal rooms, offices and finally on the legendary stage of the Paris Opera Ballet. A superb portrait of the perennial pas de deux between art and commerce."
– Jason Anderson, Eye Weekly (Toronto)

"Mr. Wiseman’s best movies, despite their aura of vérité purity, also have the heft and intricacy of great drama." - Dennis Lim, New York Times

"What Edgar Degas, that master of French Impressionism, did for the little "ballet rats" of the Paris Opera in the late 19th century, Frederick Wiseman, a master of American documentary filmmaking, has done for the radically different world of the same company in the early 21st century. In fact, he has done far more." - Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"A joyous experience!" - David Denby, The New Yorker

Interview with Frederick Wiseman from arts-meme

Become a Fan on Facebook

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THE BLIND SIDE (PG-13)

Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates.

"The Blind Side" depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

Rated PG-13 for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references.

Official Website

Win a poster signed by Sandra Bullock! Enter our drawing n the Balboa lobby. No purchase necessary. Deadline December 11. Winner to be drawn at random.

"Bullock’s likeability has been an unsung virtue of American movies for the past decade. It’s key to the enjoyment of movies that could be better (Crash, While You Were Sleeping, The Lake House) and movies that are superb, such as Infamous (the good Truman Capote biopic), The Thing Called Love and now The Blind Side. All Bullock’s films promote an edifying sense of human experience—she has an instinct for what people like to see."
-Armond White, New York Press

"Bullock may have found her Erin Brockovich in Tuohy, commanding the screen with grit and determination in an Oscar-worthy role if ever there was one."
-Pete Hammond, Box Office

"An uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama."
-- Joe Leydon, VARIETY

"Writer-director John Lee Hancock wisely lets the true story of Michael Oher speak for itself."
-- Glenn Whipp, ASSOCIATED PRESS

READ an article on Sandra Bullock and her role in the film

Sandra Bullock On Leigh Anne Tuohy

"Everything that I wore... every nail polish color, every sunglass collection... every Gucci bag... was from her closet of suggestions. She told me I needed to get a life. And I said, 'Lady, I'm playing you for three months - so I need your life.' And she gave it. Everything that you see is absolutely true to Leigh Anne."
Watch the entire video interview with Bullock and others at ETOnline.

The Rookie

Check out the video interviews with young star Quinton Aaron at Teen.com and MovieWeb!

Highly Coachable

That's what director John Lee Hancock told ESPN about the team of famous coaches he assembled for roles in the movie - including Nick Saban (Crimson Tide), Lou Holtz (Notre Dame), Houston Nutt (Ole Miss), Tommy Tuberville (Auburn), Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee), Ed Orgeron (Ole Miss) and others.
Read More

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FREE POPCORN WITH YOUR "I’D RATHER BE AT THE BALBOA" DISCOUNT CARD! NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Now, as an added treat for our most regular movie-goers, each discount card gets you one free complimentary size popcorn per card. You choose the visit that you would like to redeem it--just bring your card to the concession stand to receive your free popcorn on us. Thank you.

For a limited time through the holidays, the Balboa Discount Card can be purchased online! The “I’d Rather Be At The Balboa” Discount Card admits the holder to five shows and costs $32.50 (plus Brownpapertickets fees of $1.74); for a gift value of $42.50! That is a savings of nearly $10.00!

Two people can use the card at each visit. Good for 6 months from date of purchase.

Order as many Gift cards as you wish. Give one to yourself too.

Upon receipt of your order we guarantee that we will mail the gift card with a classic movie gift card on or by the next business day (we pay the postage.) We make no guarantees about holiday arrivals once we've put it in the postal services hands. Please remember when placing your order to include the mailing address with zip code or we can't stuff your stocking.

Available anytime at our box office or online here:

The Balboa has the lowest prices in town and you get to see the hottest new movies in the comfort of an independently owned neighborhood theater with history…it was built in 1926…..and, we are told over and over…we’ve got the friendliest staff in town!

Just a reminder, that on your Birthday, you are our guest. That’s right. You get in free with proof of your birth date.

And at all other times you can get the “I’d Rather Be At the Balboa” Discount Card.

What a deal! 5 tickets to the Balboa for $32.50. That is only $6.50 per show. Good every day and night. And two people can use the card at once. You can go on a date even when you are low on cash with your Balboa Card. A savings of up to $12.50! Makes a perfect gift as well.

Available anytime at our box office or online here

CATHERINE GALASSO: LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES THE SAME PLACE TWICE Presented by San Francisco Film Society

December 12-13 at SOMArts Cultural Center

Tickets and program information at SFFS.org

Catherine Galasso: Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice is a multimedia dance/ theater/projected video program comprised of two performances created by choreographer, dancer and video artist Catherine Galasso.

Simmer is a solo dance performance by Galasso, an homage to her father, composer Michael Galasso. Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice is a virtual journey through the psyche of Roy Sullivan—the real-life person who purportedly holds the world record for being struck by lightning seven times. The work, featuring four dancers, covers Sullivan's many tribulations through elliptical narrative, humor and movement.

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THE HARD NUT- WIN TICKETS TO OPENING NIGHT

It’s hip. It’s hilarious. It’s utterly enchanting… It’s not your average Nutcracker.

You can win tickets to Opening Night of THE HARD NUT by entering the sweepstakes in the Balboa lobby.

We have 5 pairs to give away between Friday, Dec. 4 and Monday, December 7. Winners will be drawn at random on Monday night. No purchase necessary.

• The Hard Nut–The Nutcracker with a Twist
• Mark Morris Dance Group
• Berkeley Symphony Orchestra
• Robert Cole, conductor
• Children of the Piedmont Children’s Choirs
• Robert Geary, director
• Dec 11-20
• Zellerbach Hall Tickets start at $36
• Ages 16 & under: Half Price for Fri, Dec 11, and Thu & Fri, Dec 17 & 18 performances

Tell Tchaikovsky the news! One of the Bay Area’s most beloved traditions is home for the holidays. Mark Morris’s whimsical and heartwarming masterpiece, set to Tchaikovsky’s complete original score, will leave you laughing breathlessly one moment and holding back tears the next through its ‘60s holiday party antics, leaping snowflakes, wayward waltzing flowers, and a deeply moving pas de deux.

Website

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WIN TICKETS TO A BELOVED HOLIDAY TRADITION!

ODC/Dance presents The Velveteen Rabbit

A Tale of Love, Loyalty & Hope

JOIN US FOR OUR 23rd SEASON!


We will be giving away pairs of tickets before afternoon and evening showings of LA DANSE this weekend.

Through December 13, 2009

Join us for this beloved Bay Area holiday tradition. ODC/Dance enlivens Margery Williams’ classic tale of a well-worn nursery rabbit that becomes real. Told though music, dance and a powerful narrative, The Velveteen Rabbit celebrates the unique relationship between a little boy and his stuffed rabbit, and the enduring power of love.
 
Brimming with wit, festive costumes, madcap characters and the perfect amount of holiday cheer, ODC/Dance — one of America’s most exciting and acclaimed contemporary dance companies, returns to Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to present their 23rd season of the beloved Bay Area production!

More Information

A short film about ODC Dance and "The Velveteen Rabbit"

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DISCOUNTS TO SEE THE AMAZING “AURELIA’S ORATORIO- WIN TICKETS

The Balboa will be giving away pairs of tickets to “Aurélia’s Oratorio” at select shows during the opening weekend of LA DANSE.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites fans of Balboa Theater to an intoxicating performance of Aurélia’s Oratorio—at 20% off!
Prepare for some mesmerizing illusion.

Berkeley Rep invites you to see Aurélia’s Oratorio at a special discounted price. Aurélia Thierrée literally grew up in the circus and has enthralled audiences around the world with this topsy-turvy time of tricks and transformations. Set to a quirky score of chamber music and gypsy jazz and conceived and directed by Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, this 70-minute fantasy has been described by The Australian as having “more magic than all the special effects of a Hollywood blockbuster.” Don’t miss this bewitching international sensation.

This discount is good for the following performances of Aurélia’s Oratorio:

• December 10th 8pm
• December 11th 8pm
• December 13th 2pm
• December 13th 7pm
• December 16th 7pm

For access to discounted tickets, just select one of these performances from the calendar on our website and enter the promotional code 4945 when you log in.

This offer is subject to availability. Unfortunately the discount is not available retroactively.

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MURDER, MYSTERY, MAYHEM & LAUGHS! Just in Time for the Holidays!

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have...(mystery chords!) THE 39 STEPS, Broadway's most intriguing, most thrilling, most riotous, most UNMISSABLE comedy smash! The mind-blowing cast of 4 plays over 150 characters in this fast-paced tale of an ordinary man on an extraordinarily entertaining adventure.

As a supporter of the Balboa Theatre, when you purchase tickets using special offer code 11STEP to any of the select performances below save up to $30 on Orchestra and Mezzanine seats.

A limited number of $39 seats are available for Tue, Wed, Thu & Sun eve and Wed mat, December 9-17 and $50 for Fri and Sat eve, Sat and Sun mat, December 11-13. To purchase tickets, Click Here or call 415-512-7770 and use SPECIAL OFFER CODE: 11STEP when purchasing.

To take advantage of this special offer go to shnsf.com, ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone 415-512-7770. Tickets may also be purchased with special offer code in person, without convenience fees, at the Orpheum Theatre Box Office (1192 Market at 8th St. , Mon - Sat 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-6pm). The Curran Theatre Box Office (445 Geary Street), will open on Monday, December 7.

Tickets subject to availability. Convenience fees apply. NOT available at Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Offer not valid on previously purchased tickets. Restrictions apply. No refunds, cancellations or exchanges. Offer begins on November 30, 2009

"The 39 Steps,” the absurdly enjoyable, gleefully theatrical riff on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film."
-Ben Brantley, New York Times

SHN presents 39 STEPS at the Curran Theatre Dec 9, 2009 - Jan 3, 2010. For much more information, video clips and ticket information: www.SHNSF.com

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SAN FRANCISCO FOOD BANK

At this time of year we usually are thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves. Unfortunately people are homeless and hungry all year. But it is during the holidays that the San Francisco Food Bank has collection barrels available for us to place in our lobby.

For several years we have had tremendous success collecting food for the Food Bank's program to feed those in need. The Balboa's audience is made up of compassionate people who want to help and we appreciate your cooperation. You can bring food during operating hours. There is no limit and no purchase necessary of course.

The foods most needed are rice, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna and meats, soups, stews, chili, peanut butter and cereal. They must be in unopened containers and not be perishable. No glass containers or items that require refrigeration please.

From the SF Food Bank: HUNGER SHOULDN'T BE AN OPTION

Skipping dinner. Eating less - or eating less well. Giving up food in order to pay rent. This is what 150,000 people in San Francisco face every day.

The San Francisco Food Bank is the critical link between food and people. We provide food to over 132,000 people every year through 600+ community food programs.

Hunger impacts people in all walks of life. We reach them all - from working families to senior citizens. Together, we will distribute over 33 million pounds of food this year to meet an ever-growing need in our community.

Our mission is to end hunger in San Francisco. Join us today.

We also urge you to make a monetary donation. With every $1 donated, the Food Bank can distribute $9 worth of groceries, fresh produce, bread, dairy products and meat into the community.

For more information: www.sffoodbank.org

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NOW PLAYING AT THE VOGUE

Our friends at the Vogue Theatre, on Sacramento St., are playing

TWILIGHT: NEW MOON.

PG-13 for some violence and action. Running Time: 2 hours-10 minutes.

Friday, Saturday: 2:00, 4:40, 7:30, 10:10

Sunday: 2:00, 4:40, 7:30

Monday through Thursday: 2:00, 4:40, 7:30

Special Baby Matinee Show Tuesday, December 8th @11AM

More Info

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JACK TILLMANY PRESENTS: THE GREAT WHITE WAY: SAN FRANCISCO'S MARKET STREET AND ITS THEATRES

• The Date: Saturday December 5, 2009
• The Time: 3PM
• The Place: Niles Essanay Film Museum
• 37417 Niles Boulevard
• Fremont, California 94536
• (510) 494-1411

An ALL COLOR (slides and motion pictures) reality tour of San Francisco's Market Street and the theatres that made it great during the golden years of the mid-20th Century.

Also on the same program: The Gary Lee Parks Theatres of San Jose Show!

ADMISSION FREE!

Book signing by both of these world famous authors (THEATRES OF SAN FRANCISCO, THEATRES OF OAKLAND, THEATRES OF SAN JOSE) will follow, while supplies last!

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LOST LANDSCAPES OF SAN FRANCISCO 4

Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm (doors 7:00 pm)
Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister, San Francisco.

Rick Prelinger, a guerrilla archivist who collects the uncollected and makes it accessible, presents the fourth of his annual Lost Landscapes of San Francisco screenings. As in past years, Lost Landscapes 4 will be an eclectic montage of rediscovered and rarely-seen film clips showing life, landscapes, labor and leisure in a vanished San Francisco as captured by amateurs, newsreel cameramen and industrial filmmakers.

This year's Lost Landscapes will include much new and unseen material from Prelinger Archives and other collections, including newly discovered films shot by longtime San Francisco residents. Unlike most film screenings, Lost Landscapes relies on audience members for the soundtrack -- we encourage viewers to interact with the film, shout out questions and identify mystery scenes.

How we remember and record the past reveals much about how we address the future. Prelinger will preface the screening with a brief talk on how historical memory is shifting away from mass culture towards individual expression, and what consequences will arise from the emerging massive matrix of personal records.

Rick began collecting ephemeral films -- advertising, educational, industrial, and amateur works -- in 1983. In 2002, his collection of over 200,000 items was acquired by the Library of Congress; many key films are available online at the Internet Archive.

In 2004 Rick and Megan Prelinger opened the Prelinger Library in downtown San Francisco, which includes over 60,000 pieces of print ephemera, books, periodicals, maps and zines and is open to the public. Library information and hours are at prelingerlibrary.org.

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PHOTOS IN THE LOBBY
QUANG-TUAN LUONG’S NATIONAL PARKS

Quang-Tuan Luong celebrates the splendor and variety of the natural and human heritage with his photography. He has been privileged to travel through an immense geographic range, from the top of the coldest mountain on earth to under tropical seas.

Born to Vietnamese parents in Paris, France, he was trained as a scientist (PhD U. Paris). The revelation of the high Alps led him to become a mountain climber and wilderness guide. When he came to the US to conduct research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing for what was to be a short stay, he chose UC Berkeley, because of the proximity to Yosemite--a world class rock climbing destination.

There, he felt in love with the National Parks and decided to photograph all of them with a 5x7 large format camera, a single-handed, self-financed, monumental project that had not been completed by anyone before. To that effect, he settled in the San Francisco Bay Area and started criss-crossing this country to capture it's diverse beauty. Luong's in-depth coverage of the Parks often dictated long hikes into the backcountry, with a 75 lb backpack, and only his passion and dedication to keep him company. By 2002, he had visited each of the 58 National Parks. He subsequently left his distinguished career as a scientist to work as a full-time photographer.

His photographs have been published in many books, and have appeared in several publications from National Geographic, Time, Life, Outside, Scientific American, GEO, and many others in dozens of countries around the world. However, he reached his largest audience through www.terragalleria.com, one of the most extensive and most visited of all individual photographers websites.

In the course of researching locations for their new documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (aired on PBS), Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan saw the images on that website, and used them to help plan their production. Impressed by their wealth and quality, they used some of his images to fill missing sequences in their cinematography. Intrigued by the story of Luong's life and project, they featured him as one of the few living characters in the film, a newcomer who was deeply moved by America's natural beauty, who has dedicated his efforts to raise awareness and respect for our national treasures.

All photographs are available as limited edition prints. To view them, or contact Quang-Tuan Luong, please visit www.terragalleria.com

To learn more about Ken Burns’ THE NATIONAL PARKS

Local showings on KQED

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KIM SON VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT DISCOUNT

With Balboa ticket stub 10% off food at Kim Son. Our staff and customers think this Vietnamese restaurant in one of the best places to eat in the neighborhood. Want to eat there before the show? Buy your ticket at the box office first and then show it at dinner. Make sure you keep it to get into the theater. This is an ongoing discount so you can also use it on your next visit to the neighborhood. Kim Son is just a few doors away from the Balboa at 3614 Balboa St

Read what others say.

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS

One of the strengths of the Balboa is our neighborhood. Other than the bank, all the businesses are family owned and operated. The restaurants are especially wonderful. On the outer Balboa strip there are 24 eating establishments by my count. You can eat Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian, Italian, American, Mexican, Seafood and Vietnamese cuisines. The foods are fresh, distinctive and all reasonably priced. The media food critics have only discovered a few of them but the locals know a good thing. We encourage you to enjoy a meal at one of these fine eateries while visiting the Balboa. All are within easy walking distance. And please send us reviews and recommendations we can share with our other guests. Send reviews to balboafans@yahoo.com

We love it when you send us a review of a neighborhood restaurant you've enjoyed. We encourage you all to write about your culinary adventures in the Outer Richmond.

Check out the Menu Book in our lobby and our COMPLETE NEW RESTAURANT LIST.

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BALBOA THEATRE INFO

3630 Balboa Street (37th Ave)
San Francisco 94121
(415) 221-8184
www.BalboaMovies.com

Bike Rack in front of the Balboa
Muni Bus #31 or #38 Ocean Beach
Also #5 Fulton and all Geary Street buses stop two
(long) blocks from Balboa.
Relatively easy Parking

San Francisco's Favorite Neighborhood Theatre
Voted by the Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, SF Gate's A List and San Francisco Magazine

General Admission: $9.00
Seniors (60+) and Children (11-) $6.50
Bargain Matinees: All Seats $6.50 for shows in ( )

SCHOOL NIGHT - Mondays are School Days and Nights. With proof of being a student, faculty or staff member, your admission is only $6.50 on Mondays.

The Balboa is Wheelchair and Handicapped Accessible

On Your Birthday, You Are Our Guest.

YOUR FAVORITE SNACK BAR

Great Snack Bar selection at reasonable prices. Your favorite candies including Lindt, Toberlerone, and Ghirardelli chocolates.

We serve Caffe Trieste Coffees, fine Tazo teas, chai, hot chocolate, Hebrew National Kosher hot dogs, Aidells' poultry Sausages, Veggie Dogs, IT'S-IT ice cream sandwiches, Ben and Jerry's Ice Creams, and Delicious Cookies.

We are proud of making a great fresh popcorn with real butter.

No More Naked Popcorn.

Have you tried our complimentary popcorn seasonings?

We have a wide assortment from Kernel Seasonings.

Try White Cheddar, Caramel, Parmesan, Garlic and more...

We also have Nutritional Yeast that has proven to be one of our most popular toppings. And now hot sauce!

Questions, comments, complaints, compliments, gossip? Send us a note

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