Cultural Celebrations San Francisco

FRANCE CULINARY EXPLORER~Food, Wine, Cheese. Cooking Lessons, Tastings & MORE!

Join us on this gourmet gastronomic holiday as we rendezvous with the cuisine & culture of France. This is a foodie’s dream. Around every corner we will find open-air markets, artisanal chocolatiers, macaroon shops, boulangeries, cheesemongers, local butcher shops with the finest cured sausages and hams . . . and YES - world-class wine shops where we can savor the flavors! We will start in Paris, home of some of the world’s most prestigious museums, including the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Pompidou, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and so much more. Of course, we get to visit some of them...BUT French cuisine is such a huge part of this country's culture and history! Learning about it and experiencing it, is the main goal of this tour. In Paris, we will savor the culinary artistry of Michelin-starred chefs and indulge in the city's iconic pastries. We will journey to Normandy, where lush landscapes yield exquisite cheeses and apple-infused delights. We will follow the Loire River to discover the vineyards and châteaux of the Loire Valley, where fine wines and gourmet experiences await. Let the flavors of France enchant our palate as we explore these culinary treasures! Cooking classes, gourmet food tastings, wine tours, and enough free time to explore to our heart’s desire with centrally-located first class accommodations. ***The Itinerary in brief:*** **Day 1 Paris** arrival and Welcome Dinner with Corsican Cuisine **Day 2 Paris** sightseeing tour, Seine river cruise,French bread making class **Day 3 Paris** Museum Day. Dinner along Canal Saint-Martin **Day 4 Paris-Auvers Sur Oise Auver.** Pay homage to Van Gogh and the many famous painters who lived there. Paint our own masterpiece! On to Giverny for a visit to the Gardens of Monet. Overnight in Rouen. **Day 5 Rouen - Camembert - Caen.** Cheese tasting **Day 6 Caen - Mont St Michel.** Stop in Calvados. Apple brandy, anybody? **Day 7 Mont St Michel - Rennes - Nantes.** Cooking Class **Day 8 Nantes - Tours** with stops at 3 Chateaux Vineyards for wine and chocolate tastings **Day 9 Tours - Orleans.** Stops at Château of Clos Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci's home. Visit an underground cave for farming mushrooms. And yes, some mushroom tastings! **Day 10 Orleans - Paris** On the way, a stop at an artisan chocolatier and more wineries **Day 11 Paris.** Visit the famous Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen (the flea market) for some amazing shopping. Farewell Dinner in the Montmartre Area Join us for an unforgettable feast for the senses! For a detailed Day By Day itinerary: **[Click Here](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8)**[ to fill out our info request form](https://forms.gle/cQdqYw74gAYqphXX8) **Price per person, double occupancy: $5320** (we match roommates for those willing to share and save) **Price for single room: $6720** Limited capacity of 24 total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly. RSVP does not hold your space. **The only way to secure your spot is a $500 deposit.** **[Click here for Secure Deposit Link](https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/V6PKYK8VEWPHJ)** Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees). *[Click Here](https://forms.gle/Qxx6eSy9tbjezXYg6)*[ and Fill out this Form if you are making a Deposit](https://forms.gle/Qxx6eSy9tbjezXYg6) **\*\*\*Airfare from/to the US is not included\*\*\*** ***[Click Here](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062)***[ to Message Direct to Anna with any questions including airfare quotes.](https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=131297062) She can help you arrange the airfare and answer any logistics questions. We do a monthly Zoom with Q & A on all our overseas events. [https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/296044209/](https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/296044209/) Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet us and other attendees. [Click here for General Policies](https://www.meetup.com/MoreToExplore/events/282719353/) and useful info about our international trips. The MAIN Meetup post for this event is here: **[France Culinary Explorer](https://www.meetup.com/fork-n-cork/events/298965454/)** (RSVP there for any conversation and comments) We believe in good decent social. This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too. [Click Here to see all our other fun events](https://www.meetup.com/CulturalArts/Events) Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it! SOT 2000318-10

Bollywood Nights at Salesforce Park - Free

**Bollywood Nights at Salesforce Park 🎉** Join Rang De Bollywood for some high-energy, outdoor, bollywood fun! This event is sure to leave you feeling loved, lighter, and delighted in excitement after every session. 🌈 Open to all ages, all levels, all backgrounds. ✨ Come casual or dressed, no pressure! 🎁 Free to attend – just bring your joy, your people, and your dancing feet! 🚶🏼‍♂️‍➡️Register for free so we can prepare at rang.eventbrite.com 🕔 5:30 – 7:00 PM – we’ll start with a beginner friendly dance lesson, followed by an open dance party! 💫 This is a repeating event, happening every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, May through October and you can register for as many dates as you like. Register now: [rang.eventbrite.com](http://rang.eventbrite.com) **About Rang De Bollywood** Hailing from the dream dance city of Mumbai and Amritsar, which is also home to Bollywood and Holy Vibes, our energetic, charismatic, and fun dance instructors-performers-entertainers, Manpreet (Certified in Indian Folk by India's Best and also an author) and Amit (percussionist, actor, dancer), have spread Indian dance music and moves across the length and breadth of India, USA, and Europe. Their recent performances were at National Center of Performing Arts in Mumbai and Herbst Theater in San Francisco. **Important Notes:** * Enter through transit center building and take the elevator to rooftop. We will be close to the elevator. * No solicitors allowed. * Classes might be video taped for marketing purposes. * All choreographies are Copyrighted and Original Works of Manpreet Komal/Rang De Bollywood. *"I recently had the pleasure of attending Manpreet’s Bollywood dance class, and I must say, it was an absolute blast! Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, this class caters to everyone's skill level. The highlight of the class was undoubtedly her teaching style. With a knack for breaking down complex steps into manageable chunks, even the most intricate routines felt attainable. The pacing was just right, ensuring that beginners didn't feel overwhelmed while keeping experts engaged. Highly recommend!" — Kavneet Bindra* **We can't wait to dance together, see you soon!**

Celebrate 5 years of First Saturday Urban Sketchers!

Come celebrate the 5 yr anniversary of our group by drawing some toilets or any of the million other objects! I'm bringing doughnuts to celebrate, so please RSVP so I order enough. We'll meet at 10:30 in front of the building, and meet back there at 12:15pm for the sketchbook throw down.

Bollywood Nights - Salesforce Park - Free

**Bollywood Nights at Salesforce Park 🎉** Join Rang De Bollywood for some high-energy, outdoor, bollywood fun! This event is sure to leave you feeling loved, lighter, and delighted in excitement after every session. 🌈 Open to all ages, all levels, all backgrounds. ✨ Come casual or dressed, no pressure! 🎁 Free to attend – just bring your joy, your people, and your dancing feet! 🚶🏼‍♂️‍➡️Register for free so we can prepare at rang.eventbrite.com 🕔 5:30 – 7:00 PM – we’ll start with a beginner friendly dance lesson, followed by an open dance party! 💫 This is a repeating event, happening every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, May through October and you can register for as many dates as you like. Register now: [rang.eventbrite.com](http://rang.eventbrite.com) **About Rang De Bollywood** Hailing from the dream dance city of Mumbai and Amritsar, which is also home to Bollywood and Holy Vibes, our energetic, charismatic, and fun dance instructors-performers-entertainers, Manpreet (Certified in Indian Folk by India's Best and also an author) and Amit (percussionist, actor, dancer), have spread Indian dance music and moves across the length and breadth of India, USA, and Europe. Their recent performances were at National Center of Performing Arts in Mumbai and Herbst Theater in San Francisco. **Important Notes:** * Enter through transit center building and take the elevator to rooftop. We will be close to the elevator. * No solicitors allowed. * Classes might be video taped for marketing purposes. * All choreographies are Copyrighted and Original Works of Manpreet Komal/Rang De Bollywood. *"I recently had the pleasure of attending Manpreet’s Bollywood dance class, and I must say, it was an absolute blast! Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, this class caters to everyone's skill level. The highlight of the class was undoubtedly her teaching style. With a knack for breaking down complex steps into manageable chunks, even the most intricate routines felt attainable. The pacing was just right, ensuring that beginners didn't feel overwhelmed while keeping experts engaged. Highly recommend!" — Kavneet Bindra* **We can't wait to dance together, see you soon!**

Japanese-English language exchange Berkeley

Make international friends & speak in Japanese and English. Members of all ages, from university students to working adults, are welcome to participate. 現役の大学生から社会人まで幅広い年齢の方が参加します。 どなたでも参加可能です！ 是非お越し下さい！お待ちしております。 Please order a drink directly upon arrival to participate (beer or soft drinks etc.)

Mahjong Community Night + Karaoke 🎤 @ Downtown Oakland

Come and join me at the 13 Orphans for Community Day to play Mahjong and listen to people sing karaoke and maybe you'll sing too. Please note you have to have some experience playing Mahjong, since they will not have any coaches onsite.* To give as many guests as possible a chance to play, we operate on a rotation system. If all mahjong tables are full and there is a waitlist, our team may ask players who have been seated for a while to take a short break so we can rotate new guests into the game. If you're asked to rotate off a table, we appreciate your patience—we will do our best to seat you again within 20–30 minutes. During that time, feel free to grab a drink, mingle, observe other games, or cheer on fellow players. Thank you for helping us create a fun and welcoming experience for everyone! Community Day is one of the ways we honor ancestral legacy and traditions. A love letter to culture, rooted in nostalgia. Come one, come all. Entry is free! * Also please RSVP for the event in advance to get sitting at a table. Website Event Link: [https://www.exploretock.com/babas-house-13-orphans-oakland/event/574380/community-day-canto-club-karaoke-mahjong](https://www.exploretock.com/babas-house-13-orphans-oakland/event/574380/community-day-canto-club-karaoke-mahjong)

Thursday Kirtan and Supper

#### Thursday, 6:30–8:00 PM KIRTAN & SUPPER * Kirtan, or mantra meditation, is a call-and-response chanting practice, blending sacred mantras with music and dancing. It fosters ecstatic joy and deep collective participation. No experience needed. Suggested donation: $15. **Registration is not required.** Bhakti SF [https://bhaktisf.com/](https://bhaktisf.com/) 3250 17th Street San Francisco, CA 94110

Opera dans le parc @ San Francisco

Venez célébrez l’ouverture de la saison opéra de SF entre gaulois! Nous ferons un potluck sur la pelouse. Chacun doit prévoir: * De quoi manger / snacker et surtout de quoi boire car il peut faire assez chaud. * Une couverture ou serviette pour s’assoir. * Crème solaire: même si la météo prévoit des nuages, il faut se protéger car nous serons en plein air et sans abri pendant plusieurs heures. Important: les parapluies, paravents, et grands chapeaux ne sont PAS autorisés (pour que les gens assis derrière vous n’ai pas la vue obstruée!). Donc par exemple mini-chaise de camping sont ok si elles sont sans pieds donc au raz du sol). Sachez qu’il y a beaucoup de gens qui arrivent plusieurs heures à l’avance pour avoir de meilleures places, même pour l’espace pelouse. Donc c’est ce que je ferai mais il serait bien que je ne sois pas la seule pour qu’on garde assez de places et que tous les gaulois inscrits puissent s’assoir ensemble. Merci de me contacter directement si vous pouvez arriver tôt pour m’aider à garder un espace pour notre groupe. Elisabeth

dinna and karaoke !!

Bollywood Nights at Salesforce Park

**Bollywood Nights at Salesforce Park 🎉** Join Rang De Bollwyood for some high-energy, outdoor, bollywood fun! This event is sure to leave you feeling loved, lighter, and delighted in excitement after every session. 🌈 Open to all ages, all levels, all backgrounds. ✨ Come casual or dressed, no pressure! 🎁 Free to attend – just bring your joy, your people, and your dancing feet! 🚶🏼‍♂️‍➡️Walks ins are more than welcome. But we encourage you to register before hand. 🕔 5:30 – 7:00 PM – we’ll start with a beginner friendly dance lesson, followed by an open dance party! 💫 This is a repeating event, happening every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, May through October; and you can register for as many dates as you like. Register now: [rang.eventbrite.com](rang.eventbrite.com) Donation via PayPal → rangdebollywood@gmail.com **About Rang De Bollywood** Hailing from the dream dance city of Mumbai and Amritsar, which is also home to Bollywood and Holy Vibes, our energetic, charismatic, and fun dance instructors-performers-entertainers, Manpreet (Certified in Indian Folk by India's Best and also an author) and Amit (percussionist, actor, dancer), have spread Indian dance music and moves across the length and breadth of India, USA, and Europe. Their recent performances were at National Center of Performing Arts in Mumbai and Herbst Theater in San Francisco. **Important Notes:** * Enter through transit center building and take the elevator to rooftop. We will be close to the elevator. * No solicitors allowed. * Classes might be video taped for marketing purposes. * All choreographies are Copyrighted and Original Works of Manpreet Komal/Rang De Bollywood. By signing up for this event, you acknowledge that you have permission from your doctor to participate in this activity and will go at your own pace and waive all rights on behalf of instructors, assistants, staff, and event location. Please sign [waiver](https://waiver.fr/p-xcPjX) (mandatory) pre-class to confirm. *"I recently had the pleasure of attending Manpreet’s Bollywood dance class, and I must say, it was an absolute blast! Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, this class caters to everyone's skill level. The highlight of the class was undoubtedly her teaching style. With a knack for breaking down complex steps into manageable chunks, even the most intricate routines felt attainable. The pacing was just right, ensuring that beginners didn't feel overwhelmed while keeping experts engaged. Highly recommend!" — Kavneet Bindra* **We can't wait to dance together, see you soon!**

Mini-Meetup: Fun and Games at Jila's House

Mini-Meetup: An Exotic Lunch at Middle East Cafe in Berkeley