San Francisco Ballet at Stern Grove. Photo by Scott Wall

Watching the ballet outdoors offers all kinds of surprises, courtesy of mother nature.  The experience also calls into question the practice of sitting in a dark theater to watch concert dance.  On Sunday, August 8 the chiffon skirts of San Francisco Ballet dancers flutter in the wind, the air misty, permeated by the smell of eucalyptus trees. The ampitheater experience is distinct from the usual hushed indoor theater going ambiance and my guests, who are somewhat new to dance, love the arrangement.  Picnic spreads abound and people comment about the dancing as they would point out a great play at a sporting event.  During Mark Morris’ Sandpaper Ballet a friend pulls out the iPhone and uses the Shazam music program to capture and identify the familiar Leroy Anderson music.  The afternoon is social, without the theater-as-church conventions and serves as a welcome invitation to ease up a little on the rules.