SF LIFE INSIDERS GUIDE: Laughs, Theatre, Music, Art, Rejuvenation
Time for some laughs friends, we can always use that endorphin rush don’t ya think? Comedy day is this Sunday in the park. Also in the park where the buffalo roam, you can head to the bandshell for free concerts. We have more live theatre offerings off the beaten path in SF and San Jose and art always lifts our spirits so check out what we have found for you! Everyone loves Bernadette Peters…watch her interview with Brian Stokes Mitchell.
The Fabulous Bernadette Peters
Don’t miss Tony and Golden Globe Winner, Emmy and Grammy nominee, Bernadette Peters as she joins Host Tony award-winning Brian Stokes Mitchell on Crossovers LIVE! an innovative live streaming talk show. Make sure the watch the pre-show which is sponsored by Gayle Martz founder of the SHERPA Bag. Get details and tickets here: https://bit.ly/397TWj9 And we’re giving away free tickets too.
Sept. 19. Comedy Day at Golden Park
HAHAHA, those laughs we all need are back at the annual Comedy Day at Golden Gate Park. This Sunday from 12 – 5 in Robin Williams Meadow in the park, celebrate the 40th anniversary of this endorphin raising event with some of the bay area’s best comedians as they perform live. The event is a thank you to the community from our local funny peeps. Food vendors will be on hand and in the past the event gets very crowded. So arrive early and be prepared to exercise those stomach muscles as you laugh your cares away. http://www.comedyday.org
Oct. 9-Nov. 7. LIVE: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
San Francisco’s Landmark Musical Theatre presents the opening production of their in-person season with the Tony Award winning favorite THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. The production takes place at the Children’s Creativity Museum Theater (221 4th Street, San Francisco). We have been wanting to see this show for years and this production should be worth the visit.
SPELLING BEE is a force field of theatricality that champions eccentric young people dealing with the trials and tribulations of adolescence. With great humor, it addresses the challenges that almost every kid faces in feeling that they are just slightly different than everyone else. Most important, it leaves us with the understanding that winning ISN’T everything and that sometimes even the losers are winners. The production also includes a novelty not often seen in a Broadway musical, as four members of each night’s audience get a chance to shine when they are invited to the stage to compete as spellers during the first act of the show! I won my school’s spelling bee in 6th grade, so wish me luck! LandmarkMusicals.com.
Sept. 29-Oct. 17. More Live Theater at San Jose Stage
Live theatre also returns to San Jose Stage with their 39th Season of Lauren Yee’s THE GREAT LEAP. When an American basketball team travels to Beijing for a “friendship game” in 1989, this comedic drama goes deeper than the strain between countries. Through the game of basketball, laughter ensues as cultures meet head on and tensions rise right up to the final buzzer as a pivotal moment in history collides with the action in the arena.
Driven by rapid-fire dialogue, THE GREAT LEAP explores the cultural and political risks of raising your voice and standing your ground. THE GREAT LEAP gives insight and perspective to our undaunted resilience, individually and collectively according to the director. The show will run from September 29 – October 17, 202 at San Jose Stage Company (490 South 1st Street, San Jose, CA, 95113). www.thestage.org
Free Concerts from the Golden Gate Park Band
The old timey Golden Gate Park Band has been performing free concerts in the park on Sundays since 1882. Find them in the Band Shell in the Music Concourse between de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. Concerts begin at 1 p.m. and last about an hour and a half. This Sunday get ready for an Irish Jig as they present an Irish Cultural Celebration. On the 26th Jazz and America’s music will be wafting through the air and the season finale takes place on October 3rd with a show stopping surprise. www.goldengateparkband.org
Sept. 17-18. West Coast Craft
In our vibrant art scene, the bay area always shines. Fort Mason is home to West Coast Craft this weekend, arts and crafts from the area – never too early to start holiday shopping. Also this weekend at Fort Mason is a Night Watch floating installation created by Shimon Attie and entitled Night Watch. This spectacular outdoor exhibit will be visible from many points along the SF waterfront today and tomorrow 9/17-9/18. www.fortmason.org
Kids and Art
At the unique Analog Gallery you will find a celebratory exhibit as San Francisco puts on display the artworks created during a special Kids & Art online workshop that paired Bay Area artists with pediatric cancer patients and siblings. The professional artists have also created original pieces of art inspired by the young artists with whom they worked, an exceptional addition to this touching display. A collection of artwork by these children and artists will also be on sale.
Anälog gallery is an underground community exhibition space established in April 2019 by owner Guy Campbell and curator Don Ross. The gallery was constructed by Campbell in the ground floor of his 19th century victorian town house, created to exhibit art and performance from local artists in the Bay Area. It is a gem of a location and this exhibit proves to be inspiring and tear inducing as well! 886 Capp Street in San Francisco. Gallery showings are this weekend and next. Get details here.
Read an excerpt.
Reconnect and Rejuvenate
Reconnect and rejuvenate with yourself, friends and loved ones in the redwoods this season with 1440 Multiversity Community Learning Events, presenting new and engaging opportunities to explore their 75-acre campus in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Immersive educational experiences, mindful movie nights, live music under the stars and delicious globally inspired meals comprise just a sample of their day guest offerings. I have attended an event there, and the minute you step on the campus you are immersed in a peaceful ambiance. A great way to re-energize in the fresh mountain air while enjoying fulfilling moments with those around you. www.1440.org
Kim Selby, the SF life editor of The Three Tomatoes, is your gal for info on what’s hot and happening in the beautiful bay area. Having lived on the Left Coast for 27 years, after almost a decade in NYC, she has explored and continues to have adventures all over the San Francisco area. Passionate about fashion, formerly with GLAMOUR magazine and Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue , Palo Alto, Kim produced fashion shows in the bay area for over 20 years. She now creates events to empower, delight and inspire women, aka “Tomatoes”. Learn more about Kim at www.kim-selby.com
