Calling all tomatoes who love to read – Litquake is back, and coming up is an entire week chock full of activities and events for fans of literature. I also love to create, but need guidance, and the Make It Festival at Fort Mason is the perfect place for others like me. DIY projects abound. SEARED is the world premiere of a sizzling, delicious new play illuminating the battle between art and commerce. Following in the create mode of this week, the bay area is lush with locations for you to create your own 3-D art, we are so avant garde…yes?

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Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Make-It Summit and Festival

I am loving this event happening this weekend – more than simply learning how to make a necklace or arrange flowers, this event tomorrow offers so many opportunities to express yourself. Held at the Festival Pavilion in Fort Mason Center, you can investigate free DIY (do it yourself) workshops led by some of the finest artisans in the bay area. Don’t want to make your own? Shop handmade goods from over 100 makers.

There is unusually beautiful and unique jewelry, hand woven items, knotted rope creations, premium hand crafted cocktail mixes, honestly anything you can think of and many you wouldn’t dream of, will all be available. There are amazing finds for any tomato who enjoys wearing one of a kind fashion, finding just the perfect gift for a mother-in-law, or fabulous food creations for the foodies amongst you. Get tickets and info.

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October 7- 15. Litquake

Calling all literary tomatoes! Author readings, workshops, panel discussions, tours and of course food are all a part of this long standing literary event in San Francisco. Each day you will find activities all over the city, in churches, book stores and even bars. Opening night celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare at the War Memorial.

Other highlights that intrigue me include a talk on A Celebration of Female Poets, Eat, drink and Be Literary, A Two-Wheeled Tour of the City and a lunch with John Lescroart – “Suspense in SF”. There are so many amazing and informative sessions. You can learn how to get your book published, the science of literature and basically spend the entire week immersing yourself in literature. Get the full schedule of events.  

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Seared

Oh a tasty treat awaits your senses with the world premiere of this new play by Theresa Rebeck. Commissioned by the San Francisco Playhouse, SEARED explores the delicate balance between a creative spirit navigating success, recognition and responsibility to a financial bottom line. OMG, between the caramelized onions and sizzling garlic frying up in the onstage kitchen, you will witness tempers boiling over. This play is the battle between the Chef and the Investor.

Time to visit this unique playhouse on Post Street where you will witness superb acting along with a beautifully written script. Word of advice, you may just want to head to your favorite late night dining spot upon leaving the show! Get details.

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3-D Delights

Once just a novelty, 3D printing is now available all over the bay area.  Click a few times and you can bring almost any idea to multidimensional life.  Art work, yup –  toys, you got it – a miniature of your favorite person, done.  My thoughtful offspring visited one of the following print shops and created an image of Mr. Tomato – looks exactly like him, down to the last gray hair (oops!) and it’s only 6 inches tall.

PocketMe

Once you see a tiny version of yourself, spouse, grandchildren, you will desire mini-me’s of everyone you know and love! You schedule an appointment then head into the PocketMe’s 3D photobooth, were 20 cameras capture your image from all angles, all at once. This takes just a tenth of a second and then voila, an in-house digital artist perfects the image. Well it does take 2 – 3 weeks, but such an amazing gift or spectacular cake topper for a special bride and groom! Located at Fisherman’s Wharf of course. Get your mini-me here.

Blu-Bin

For tomatoes on the peninsula, you can head to Blu-Bin in San Jose or Redwood City to create your 3D items. Opening soon in SF and Milpitas, this is one of the first 3D chains – welcome to the future. Blu-Bin takes any shape you want and creates a 3D item. From toys, to prototypes, replacement parts to scale models. You can bring your own design, download one, or they design for you. You select the color and size and your idea becomes reality. I mean, really this is just the coolest. Check it out.