Hi Tomatoes, I like to bring you the unique, the fabulous, the wonderful and the “only in the bay”. So here is unique! The Maker Faire – what is it?  It’s coming to San Mateo and you will be enthralled with this festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. The fabulous – Global Cuisine series at The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. The wonderful –  Nudes, a must-see art exhibit and the Only in the Bay – a brand new musical event in the mission, Porchfest. Can I just say it again? The Bay Area ROCKS!

May 19-21. Maker Faire

Billed as the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth this faire is a celebration of the rather new Maker movement. Part science fair, part county fair and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.

Primarily designed to be forward – looking the makers involved are exploring new forms and technologies, but it runs the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft. Starting today through Sunday, you will be entertained by “The Traveling Spectacular”, illusions, vaudeville, dancing and fire breathing. You will be awed by a life-size mousetrap. Or you will be intrigued by the talk on “Making Money from Madness”. Honestly there are way too many really cool things happening here. So go see for yourself! San Mateo Convention Center For more info: www.makerfaire.com

Global Cuisine

If you adore the finest cuisine, in one of the most beautiful settings, with world class visiting chefs teaching you….this series is what you have been looking for.  Each month beginning in May through December, some of the most innovative talent of the culinary world will be at The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay.  Each month the visiting chefs will team up with Navio Chef Jason Pringle, for an exclusive culinary retreat weekend.

The weekend begins with a hands-on cooking class where the attendees will actually prepare a menu driven by the visiting chefs.  You then get to enjoy the fruits of your labor along with wine pairings to complement the global destination featured. Limited to 14 guests, the package included a cooking class, lunch, and stay at this magnificent property on the coast. Oh how I would love to partake…Would make a great Father’s Day gift if Dad is a foodie! Get the details.

May 20. Porchfest

What can be better than community, music, laughter and springtime?  Not much. You will find it all at SF Porchfest. This is an afternoon of music on the porches, backyards and stoops of the Mission. This family friendly event, open to all, not just residents of course, celebrates community, fun and music of every genre. It’s all for free and it is created by local artists.

Participating will be performing artists of all types, no one is turned away. As an audience, you rove from porch to stoop to yard.  Reflecting the creativity and diversity of San Francisco this third annual event will find you meeting new friends, dancing in the streets and smiling through the remainder of May.  For more information visit: www.sfporchfest.org

June 3. Nudes

Hey tomatoes at this point in our lives, I imagine we are all comfortable with nude portraiture. If not, this exhibit will change your mind. At the ever-enlightening Minnesota Street Project, this exhibition features the work of LA-based photographer Mona Kuhn, known for capturing modern and personal nudes. Inspired in part by the earthly delights of Hieronymus Bosch’s gardens of earthly delight along with some of the frescos on the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel, Kuhn displays figures engaged in innocent and unguarded joys.

She emits a natural and languid peace in her photographs, particularly enlightening in our era of politics and technology. Kuhn, a Brazilian Tomato, studied art at our own SF Art Institute. These surreal photographs are on display through June 10^th. You might want to go for the artist walk through on Saturday June 3^rd 6 – 8 p.m. Get more info.