For immediate release: Oct. 23, 2014 

Contact: Mindy Linetzky, 415-554-4829

CELEBRATE UNITED NATIONS DAY AT THE NIGHT MARKET 

Pianos, poetry and reggae to mark the anniversary of the signing of the 

UN Charter in San Francisco

San Francisco, CA – Public Works and the Market Street Association announce a special lineup at the weekly Friday Night Market at United Nations Plaza. In honor of United Nations Day, there will be a program of music and poetry reflecting the peaceful aspirations of the multinational organization.

On Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. –6 p.m., Sunset Piano is bringing mobile grand pianos, jazz and classical musicians, and songs of love and peace by Tom Jonesing to United Nations Plaza. There will be poetry by Mauro ffortissimo and San Francisco’s former Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman and more.

“UN Plaza is a special place because it commemorates the signing of the United Nations’ Charter,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “What a perfect venue to bring San Francisco’s diverse music and poets together for a community celebration.”

• What: Night Market
• Date: Friday Oct. 24
• Time: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Location: United Nations Plaza, Eighth and Market streets
• Entertainment: 4 p.m. –6 p.m. pianists and poets perform peace pieces
• 6 p.m. –8:30 p.m. IrieFuse, Bay Area reggae band
• Libations: Six to eight food trucks, plus beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks
• Fun: Games, face painting and more for all ages
• For sale: Bay Area makers, artists and designers goods
• Website: www.fridaynightmarket.com
• Video: http://vimeo.com/106040438
• Hash tag: #UNNightMarket
• Photo opportunity: Crowds of people listening to pianists and poets; Orange-lit City Hall to cheer on the Giants; and twinkling lights in historic UN Plaza

United Nations Day, marked annually on Oct. 24, is dedicated to the global efforts and achievements of the UN since its founding on this date in 1945. The UN Charter was signed at the War Memorial Veterans Building at Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street, a few blocks west of UN Plaza.

In his message for UN Day 2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted, “The United Nations is needed more than ever at this time of multiple crises. At this critical moment, let us reaffirm our commitment to empowering the marginalized and vulnerable. On United Nations Day, I call on governments and individuals to work in common cause for the common good.”

Located at UN Plaza, the Night Market is a weekly destination that showcases the plaza’s public space possibilities and historic grandeur. It is part of the City’s Make Your Market initiative that is inviting a new and vital public life into Market Street’s sidewalks and plazas. In partnership with community-based organizations, the City is aiming to make San Francisco’s busiest street into a place where creative and engaged people experiment with how to make a more beautiful, livable and vibrant city.

The Night Market is produced by the Market Street Association and Ansanelli Productions in partnership with San Francisco Public Works, San Francisco Beautiful, United Playaz, Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, Invest in Neighborhoods, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Recreation and Park Department, North of Market Tenderloin Community Benefit District and several community organizations. Sponsors (partial list) include Trinity Properties, UC Hastings, BART, Art Institute of California, Emerald Fund, Shorenstein Hayes Nederlander, NEMA, Macfarlane Partners, Keil Companies, Central Market Community Benefit District, Odd Fellows of San Francisco, Group i and Mardikian Enterprises.

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