Shopping, yes please, for Pink Ribbon Good, even better. A special shopping event is happening next week to benefit this important organization that assists women with breast and gynecological cancers. The Bay is buzzing with theatre, and we have two new must-see shows on the horizon. Love a good film festival? Head to Sonoma later this month or downtown Palo Alto to get your fill of films, and popcorn!

Pink Ribbon Good

We want to introduce you to an organization that does so much good not only in the Bay Area but across the country, and it is called Pink Ribbon Good. The organization was founded in Cincinnati in 2002 by three young women with breast cancer to support and empower other women in their courageous cancer fights. In 2011, Heather Salazar was named the Executive Director and had the vision to expand services to other communities. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she knew the challenges associated with cancer diagnosis and initiated programs to support clients and their families.

In 2019, PRG came to the Bay Area, and they ensure equitable access to care for individuals diagnosed with breast or gynecological cancer regardless of demographics. Tomatoes are invited to join us at the beautiful tomato owned boutique , GITANE, in Menlo Park. Heather Salazar will be on hand March 13^th from 5 – 7 p.m. to talk more about their mission and the work they are doing in the Bay Area. Malika, the owner of Gitane will graciously be donating 15% of all sales to PRG on Wednesday March 13^th and Thursday March 14^th. I will be on hand to help with any styling needs for all who come by.

https://www.pinkribbongood.org/bay-area-ca-region

https://www.gitanemenlopark.com/

Sonoma International Film Festival

Film Festivals are such a great way to connect with films you may not be familiar with, to see new genres and mingle. March 20 – 24, the Sonoma International Film festival once again heads to The Sebastian Theatre. The four days of the festival blend film, food, wine and fun as they promote the best independent film and filmmakers from around the world.  Two very special people are recognized at special events this year. Cookbook author, media personality, and restauranteur Susan Feniger will be honored at the Bay Area Premiere of Liz Lachman’s “Susan Feniger, Forked” on Thursday, March 21.

This memorable culinary special event includes the documentary screening, followed by the presentation of the SIFF2024 Culinary Excellence Award, a unique Chihuly art piece created exclusively for the Sonoma International Film Festival, a live Q&A with both Liz Lachman and Susan Feniger, followed by a Feniger-curated multi-course dinner, paired with Sonoma Valley wines. Another memorable event spotlights this year’s lifetime achievement honoree –  Beau Bridges. Friday March 22^nd this iconic actor will be presented with his award, followed by an on-stage conversation and the presentation of the timeless romantic comedy film, The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989). Of course, there are films too numerous to mention, but all appear to be incredible. For more info on all events, parties and films surrounding the festival: https://2024siff.eventive.org

Now-April 18. A Tribute to Fred Astaire at the Sandford Theater

Fred Astaire transformed dance in American Films and has always been a favorite of mine. Dancing in films before Astaire was unsophisticated and often featured nonprofessionals making halfhearted moves.  Once Astaire rose to prominence, he insisted that the camera show the dancers’ bodies from head to toe and that whole dances were shot in one take.  Now through April 18, the Stanford Theatre is holding a tribute to Fred Astaire. Each weekend, Friday – Sunday you can watch his graceful and athletic moves in such favorites as “Swing Time”, Shall we Dance”, “Easter Parade” and many more.

The Stanford Theatre is in Palo Alto and if you have not been, it is worth it to see the gorgeous interior. It is a Greek/Assyrian style movie palace which first opened in 1925. It still has a Wurlitzer organ in the “pit”. https://stanfordtheatre.org/calendars/Astaire%202024.html

Gateway Theatre Presents Falsettos

“FALSETTOS is about finding yourself, finding your faith, and finding your family – and how those things can be found in unlikely ways and in unlikely places,” said Executive Artistic Director Daniel Thomas. The Gateway theatre presents the hilarious, heartbreaking and utterly unique FALSETTOS. This is a contemporary musical about family, relationships, bar mitzvahs, baseball, and AIDS. FALSETTOS is the tale of a neurotic New Yorker named Marvin, who leaves his wife Trina and young son Jason to live with his lover, Whizzer. In time, Trina marries his psychiatrist, Whizzer leaves him, and Marvin ends up alone. Two years later, Marvin and Whizzer reunite on the eve of Jason’s bar mitzvah, just as AIDS is beginning its insidious spread. With the help of their neighbors, Charlotte and Cordelia, Marvin and his entire family learn to grow up and face their future with love and dignity. Playing now through March 17^th.  www.42ndstmoon.org.

San Francisco Playhouse Presents “The 39 Steps”

Devious murder meets madcap stagecraft in the San Francisco Playhouse’s latest production, “The 39 Steps”. If you know the story best from Hitchcock’s 1935 film, this stage adaptation ups the ante. Just four actors play a whirlwind of roles, sometimes even putting on and removing various caps, and personals as traveling salesman, or newsies or police- with each spoken line. This hilarious caper filled with antics and hijinks plays weekends, now through April 20^th. Hysterical, and we all need a good laugh to raise our endorphins! https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/