Pianos surrounded by flowers played by anyone and everyone – yes please at the Botanical Gardens. Want to try your hand at improv without a huge commitment. Join me for an evening of saying yes. Lots of film fests around for your summer viewing pleasure – pass the junior mints! And I had the honor of interviewing celebrity fitness guru, Denise Austin on this week’s Happy Hour Podcast.

Now-July 22. Flower Piano

Hurry and make your way to the Botanical Gardens to see the annual flower pianos. This uniquely interactive experience of music in nature has 12 pianos in some of the garden’s most beautiful locations. Anyone can tickle the ivories from 9 – 6 p.m. daily except during select performances.

This year is a 5^th anniversary celebration with more opportunities for you to play, more performances by professional musicians and three evenings of Flower piano at night – a special after dark event with food trucks and outdoor bars. Flower Piano transforms the garden into our city’s own alfresco concert hall now through July 22^nd.

Explore the Botanical Garden’s 55 acres as you search for the pianos tucked among the flower filled gardens.  Tomorrow you can enjoy poetry and music collaborations, hula accompanied by piano and listen to members of the SF Symphony as they delight with exquisite piano playing.

July 25. Improv Workshop

If you read this column regularly, you know that I am a Tomato who loves comedy, theatre, dance and all the performing arts. I have been studying the art of improv for many years now and am holding a workshop through the fabulous ReBoot Accel on July 25^th from 7 – 9 in Menlo Park. ReBoot is the wonderful company founded by local Tomatoes to help women looking to re-enter the workforce after time raising kids or just taking a break.

They offer workshops to assist you with writing resumes, creating a LinkedIn profile, presentation skills and now improv. We need it in every day life, whether in a job interview, a sticky work situation or dealing with kids. Studies show that improv is more therapeutic than therapy and of course it’s much more fun.

In this “Improv for Life” workshop, you will step outside of your comfort zone, laugh and learn to say “yes and…” Utilizing various improv games and exercises you will have the opportunity to play, and let go of control. Come reap the benefits of spontaneity and laughter. This mini class will set you on the path to increased confidence, improved public speaking skills, enhanced creative-thinking abilities, improved listening and observation skills and more. Ok, so you may not reap all of those benefits in one two-hour class, but why not join me and see? Get the details.

Simple Fitness Tips from Celebrity Fitness Guru Denise Austin

Need a little fitness motivation? Celebrity Fitness Guru DENISE AUSTIN is this week’s guest on The Three Tomatoes Happy Hour Podcast. She shares tips on how to get moving and stay fit every day in the simplest of ways. And at 62, Denise looks AWESOME, says she is “all natural” too, and she only does 30 minutes of exercise a day. Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Film Fests

Two completely different film festivals have arrived, something for every Tomato.

Now – July 21. Frozen Film Festival

The Frozen Film Festival focuses on independent filmmakers, youth, filmmakers of conscience and artists from under served communities. Named Frozen because the screenings are held every summer in the Mission District and well, you know what the weather is like in the summer! Here is their mission – love it. “With the decline in price of equipment, anybody can make a film, but we still believe that until a film gets seen on the big screen, it hasn’t been born yet. We aim to create a lasting and sustainable Film Network exhibiting films made by people without an overflowing Rolodex and 3-picture deal.” Frozenfilmfestival.com

Now – Aug. 4. Jewish Film Festival

One of the longest running events, the Jewish Film Festival is a leader in the curation and presentation of new film and media exploring the complexities of Jewish life around the world. There are dramatic and documentary features, television and web series, experimental, and animated features and shorts about Jewish history. Held in venues in SF, Palo Alto, San Rafael, Oakland and Albany, the SFJFF has created the opportunity for many budding artists to showcase their work, some of whom have gone on to international acclaim. Now through August 4^th. Jfl.org