Are you ready for some outdoor dining? Today is the day that outdoor service begins in San Francisco while several other bay area counties have already been serving patrons in outdoor settings! Very exciting, but of course social distancing and masks are the norm. Check local listings of your fav places to see where you can grab a bite if you are ready to do so. Basically, any restaurant that has outdoor seating is eligible and hopefully the streets and sidewalks will be utilized as well. The Windrider film forum goes virtual this year and Berkeley Rep at home has a new offering. City Arts and Lectures brings us more virtual enlightenment and how about an online choral class for women of a certain age! Check out the new panels and speakers now playing at our Renewal Summit. And this week’s podcast is another fun one.

Now Playing at The Virtual Renewal Summit

We posted three new videos this week. Dr. Gerry Curatola discusses the importance of our airway passages. Did you know if you have sleep apnea (which is undiagnosed in up to 75% of Americans) you are at great risk from dying from COVID-19? And heart disease is the #1 killer of women, and a very impressive panel discusses how to minimize your risks. And three executives from some of the top spa resorts are ready to welcome you. WATCH NOW!

Windrider Film Fest

The popular Windrider film fest that has brought so many compelling films to the Peninsula is bringing a virtual film festival. The event starts June 27th with a showcase of three short films along with a moderated discussion with the filmmakers. For the next seven Saturdays, screenings of a short film and conversation with the filmmaker will be presented.

They hope to accomplish their goal of bringing films and filmmakers to an ever-expanding audience to serve as a catalyst for compassionate understanding. Windrider’s goal is to bring films and filmmakers who inspire us with their stories and show that there are ways to find solutions to even the most difficult problems. Something we can understand given our current situation. The “Lens of Hope” offered by these artists might be needed now more than ever. Windriderbayarea.org

Online Choral Class

A few months I ago, I had the opportunity to interview Jeanne Kelly and we spoke about creativity, particularly singing and its benefits for “older” adults. Due to Covid, their summer choral programs are canceled but they have come up with a great way to involve others across the country Encore Creativity for Older Adults is the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over 55 (hardly older in my opinion!) and they have kept the music going.

The Annapolis, Md.-based nonprofit has come up with a fun and enriching virtual experience, The Encore University Summer School, a six-week semester of over 20 unique offerings of singing, music courses and vocal instruction led by noted conductors. The program will meet over Zoom from July 6 to August 13, 2020 and is open not only to Encore singers, but also to all men and women over 55. No prior music experience is needed. Encore has established a low all-inclusive tuition of $50 per person, so participants will have unlimited access to the program. Registration deadline is July 3, 2020. http://www.encorecreativity.org.

LISTEN IN.

What’s in a Play?

The Berkeley Rep, Rep@home program has a new free virtual play discussion group coming to where else, ZOOM! Titled “What’s in a Play” you come together with other play lovers to read a script and discuss it online. The next discussion will be about In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Register for the event, read the play, then take part in an informal hour-long conversation led by members of the Berkeley Rep staff.

The conversations will take place via Zoom on Monday, June 22 at 6:30pm and 8pm, and on Tuesday, June 23 at 12 noon and 1:30pm. Each session is limited to 30 participants. You must register for one session in advance to reserve your spot. Registration is free.

About the play: Written by Berkeley Rep favorite McRaney (Oscar winner for screenplay for Moonlight) In the Red and Brown Water, is first in a trilogy called The Brother/Sister Plays. With a lyrical style that feels modern and ancient at once, the play tells the story of Oya, a rising track star who navigates sacrifice, unrequited love, and failure to live up to

Participants are encouraged to purchase from one of the following Black-owned independent bookstores:

Kizzy’s Books and More: https://www.kizzysbooksandmore.com

The Lit Bar: https://bookshop.org/shop/thelitbar

Marcus Books in Oakland – local phone orders only 510-652-2344

GET THE BOOK.

City Arts & Lectures

City Arts &Lectures brings us another important topic on Monday June 15th at 7:30 p.m. This webcast features David Sheff and Jarvis Jay Masters in conversation with Rebecca Solnit. In The Buddhist on Death Row, David Sheff explores the transformation of Jarvis Jay Masters. Sheff describes Masters’ gradual transformation from a man consumed by violence to one who has helped those around him find meaning and peace in their lives. This event is a benefit for the GRIP Training Institute that transforms violence and suffering into learning and healing.

Its year-long program guides life-sentenced, violent offenders, through a deeply transformative journey, wherein they effectively “leave prison before they get out.” The program prices itself on its extremely low rate of recidivism for the graduates of the program. Cityarts.net