Well friends: orange skies, floating ash, unpredictable weather – that’s what we live with these days. In our world where things seem out of control, grab a cup of “cute coffee” from two local new business owners, stream some quality entertainment or head to Fort Mason for movies, and learn about an organization of Moms and Artists who have joined forces for democracy.

Sept. 13. Hershey Felder Brings George Gershwin to Life

Theatre Works Silicon Valley never disappoints with their in person and virtual events. This Sunday you can begin to stream the inimitable Hershey Felder at 5 p.m. Pacific. The broadcast is live from Florence, Italy and is a fan favorite. George Gershwin Alone tells the story of America’s great composer, who with the groundbreaking Rhapsody in Blue, made a “Lady out of Jazz.”

The show incorporates the composer’s best-known songs from “The Man I Love” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” through the hits of An American In Paris and Porgy and Bess, to a complete performance of Rhapsody In Blue. As the only actor-musician to create the role of George Gershwin on the stage, and with over three-thousand performances, from California to Broadway to London’s West End, for the first time, Hershey Felder will bring George Gershwin to life on the stage of one of Europe’s oldest and most famous theatres.

Purchase includes access to the live broadcast and a week of extended “on-demand” viewing access to the recording of the live broadcast. Viewing access ends on Sunday, September 20th. $55 per household

Also coming up and streaming for free is a Greek Myth retold – Pandora. The show that asks the questions, what if a new adult female person was suddenly created and dropped into the middle of the world now? Someone with no preconceived notions of anything; what beauty is, what love is, what violence is. And what if the rest of humanity and the gods could suddenly see the world through those clear eyes. Available to view anytime
starting September 24 at 6pm Pacific Time through September 28 at 6pm Pacific Time. http://www.theatreworks.org

Cute Coffee for Serious Coffee Lovers

From the beginning, Bianka Brunson and Sabreen Wilkes, co-owners of West Oakland–based Cute Coffee, have stood strong against the tyranny of the bean. In the cold steel-and-marble aesthetic dominating coffee shops around California, the two knew something was missing. They met in Southern California, Brunson an artist, musician and a barista and Wilkes, her coffee customer and designer. They soon became fast friends and briefly had a coffee company in Long Beach, but moved to Oakland last year and opened CC (cute coffee). They wanted people to feel light and happy when they saw their bag of coffee.

With their artistic and design backgrounds, the two incorporated their sense of fun and vitality into the company’s Instagram friendly branding, opting for a playful logo of a striped heart-shaped sun emerging from a cup of Cute Coffee; bags of beans are sealed with rainbow glitter and hologram stickers. They had me at glitter. They only work with fair trade and sustainably grown beans and purchase from primarily women-led farms in Central America. They are serious about their beans and the aromas and flavors are delish. They sell through their website and onsite at Oakland’s The Cat House. http://www.ilovecutecoffee.com

Moms Get Out the Vote

Since early March, the Get out the Vote Moms have been laboring for democracy, but when the pandemic erupted, what began as a plan among six outer sunset friends to help register voters during their spring and summer travels was forced down a more socially distanced path. And like so many other things over the past 6 months, they have brought newness and creativity to the forefront.

GOTV Moms has become a hub of get out the vote info for grassroots activists. Their website and Instagram shares advice and information on postcard writing parties. And here is where more creativity was born. They created a set of voting themed postcards featuring illustrations by 10 local artists. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Fair Fight 2020. To purchase a set of 20 4×6 artist-designed postcards ($15) head to gotvmoms.com

Drive-in Movies in Fort Mason

Fort Mason Flix – isn’t that clever? Drive-in movies have been popping up all across the country and now, for a month at least, the city has its own. On September 18th, Fort Mason Flix will launch as a pandemic friendly pop-up with a picturesque backdrop to boot. You can expect family favorites, current and throwback films. September is now sold out but head to the website for October listings.

The outdoor theater will also host screenings in partnership with local nonprofits and film festivals. One ticket covers as many people as you can legally fit into your car and choose from a 6 p.m. or 9 p.m. showing six days a week. Parking Spots on a first come basis. $49 per showing. Fortmason.org/flix