Designers get on the Ball with creative window displays

Merchants in the Hayes Valley and Fillmore Street neighborhoods in San Francisco designed special windows in celebration of the SF Symphony's Black & White Ball at the War Memorial Performing Arts complex Saturday, May 22. The challenge was to come up with the best-looking window display--in black and white, naturally. The entries are fun and unusual - including an assortment of sake bottles at True Sake (560 Hayes St.) and dancing couples at Invision Optometry (1907 Fillmore). Check out the photo album - do you have a favorite?

Among the merchants participating are vbkirk Flowers and Events (227 Fell St)., Acrimony (333 Hayes St.), Nancy Boy (347 Hayes St.), Painters Place (371 Hayes St.), Bibliohead (334 Gough St.), Verunica (437-B Hayes St.), Through the Hayes (529 Hayes St.), Alla Prima (539 Hayes St.), Lemon Twist (537 Octavia St.), Residents Apparel Gallery (541 Octavia St.), OxenRose (448 Grove St.), F. Dorian (370 Hayes St.), Lava 9 (542 Hayes St.), Gimme Shoes (416 Hayes St.), The Black Fleece (2223 Fillmore St.), Clary Sage Organics (2241 Fillmore St.), and Limu (2237 Fillmore St.)

A panel of judges led by Black & White Ball Chair Patricia Sprincin will select the winning display on Monday, May 17 and award that store owner a pair of Black & White Ball party passes. The party pass includes performances by 10 bands on five stages, including Kool & The Gang, Royal Crown Revue, Faith Evans, Michael Jackson tribute band Foreverland, Candela, Tiempo Libre, and Zepparella, plus delicious food and drink throughout the evening.

Read more on Black & White Ball, and to find out how you can get tickets.