April 17, 2006 - 1906 Centennial Opening Party At The Palace Hotel

San Francisco Rising. 1906 Centennial Event at the Palace Hotel to benefit the San Francisco Historical Museum and Society and the Chinese Historical Society of America.

The mythical phoenix rose from the ashes with renewed life.

Like the infamous bird, the city of San Francisco emerged after the 1906 earthquake and fire with unbridled spirit. It became one the of the world's most glamorous and vibrant municipalities. April 18, 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of that event.

On April 17, 2006 The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society and the Chinese Historical Society of America will host a benefit at the historic Palace Hotel. It will celebrate the rebirth of the great city of San Francisco.

The 1906 Centennial at the Palace will launch the city's series of commemorative events entitled San Francisco Rising. Guests at the April 17th dinner dance will enjoy a reception beginning at 6:00PM. Dinner will follow at 7:00PM with seating in the Grand Ballroom, The Garden Court and the Ralston Ballroom. The dinner menu features historic Palace inspired dishes. Some items include Pacific Northwest Oysters, Dungeness Crab Cakes, Salad dressed with the famous Green Goddess Dressing and a Trio of Traditional American Fruit Pies. The elegant menu will be complimented by Earthquake Label Wines from Michael & David Winery of Lodi California.

Entertainment includes period dancing to the music of Swing Fever, fabulous look-alikes of Mark Twain, Lola Montez, Enrico Caruso, the "Big Four" and more. A dance hostess, costumed Chinese Peony opera divas, performers from the Cantonese opera and a strolling guitarist will transport guests to a bygone era.

On April 18, 2006 immediately following the early morning Lotta's Fountain ceremony, there will be a 1906 breakfast event at the Palace Hotel. Guests will enjoy a traditional Palace bountiful buffet and rag time piano entertainment. The dicor by renowned San Francisco designer Lewis Sykes transforms the environment into a post quake setting. Packages for the April 17th gala include breakfast. Individual tickets to the Centennial Breakfast are available for $75.00 each.

The opening events are receiving strong support and generating a great deal of city excitement. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is Honorary Chair for the event. The host committee includes members of some of San Francisco most prestigious families, representatives from historic, prominent businesses and outstanding members of the San Francisco community. The presenting sponsor for the event is Lloyd's of London, who played an enormous role in the rebuilding of the city after the quake.

Sponsorship packages with overnight accommodations are available. Packages include: Shake $25.0; Rattle $10.0; Roll $5.0 and Temblor at $1.5 per couple. Individual tickets for the dinner dance can also be purchased for $500. Monies raised will support historic preservation in the San Francisco community.

The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society is spearheading efforts to restore the magnificent Old Mint and transform it into an exciting, state-of-the-art museum, showcasing the remarkable heartbeat of San Francisco. The museum will tell the fascinating stories of how San Francisco came to be, how it survived the earthquake of 1906 and what lies in its future, through visually stunning, technologically sophisticated and intellectually stimulating exhibitions. The goal is to create a dynamic center of learning, using exhibitions and educational programs that not only teach, but also continually learn from the museum's visitors and participants in the museum's myriad public programs.

Established in 1963, the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) operates a Museum and Wells Fargo Foundation Learning Center in the landmark Julia Morgan-designed Chinatown YWCA. As the primary historic gateway for