SF LIFE: Litquake, Open Studios, Women and Aging, Anxiety
We are such a literary city – agreed? And now through the 30th celebrate Litquake – SF’s Literary festival at venues everywhere across the gorgeous (and well-read) bay area. SF Open studios presented by Artspan kicks off this weekend – stroll the city while admiring or even purchasing local art. And NY Times columnist Gail Collins talks at the JCCSF on women of a certain age – do we know any of those my fellow Tomatoes? And listen in to this week’s Happy Hour Podcast – it’s all about dealing with anxiety.
Oct. 10-19. Litquake
Words matter – that is the premise behind our yearly Litquake month long festival. Starting this weekend expect conversations to be sparked, inspiration to be found and interactive workshops all amid a festival atmosphere. Litquake connects readers to writers and writers to each other and is all about community.
Anyone out there love “The Nightingale”? Of course you do. Hear author Kristin Hannah as one of the headliners at this year’s festival along with Ann Patchett, Louise Aronson and other favorite literary greats.
Don’t forget one of the most anticipated literary nights of the year, San Francisco’s Lit Crawl. This is a massive, one-night literary pub-crawl throughout the city’s Mission District. Lit Crawl SF brings together 500+ authors and close to 10,000 fans for the world’s largest free pop-up literary event.
Expect smart and silly, worldly and wacky events presented in venues such as the usual (bars, cafes, galleries, and bookstores) and unusual (police stations, tattoo parlors, barbershops, and laundromats). Comedy, satire, fiction, memoirs, Moms getting an MFA from San Jose State – the list of enticing programs is endless and there isn’t nearly enough time to listen to everything. How about Grace Notes – Poetry at Grace Cathedral, or Words around the World, or Susan Straight talking about the Country of Women. Get out those cute reading glasses and enjoy Litquake. http://www.litquake.org
Suffering from Anxiety? Well kick it goodbye.
Anyone out there suffer from anxiety? Yes, us too! So, listen to my interview this week with Stephanie Dalfonzo, author of Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom. Stephanie helps people move from anxiety to freedom, peace of mind and joy.
Listen in here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or just say “Hey Siri,” play “The Three Tomatoes Happy Hour Podcast.”
Artspan Open Studios
This weekend marks the start of SF open studios presented by ARTSPAN. We had the opportunity to attend last year and were wowed by the talent on display. But don’t wait until the last weekend, because there are so many sites to visit and artists to appreciate. ARTSPAN is committed to cultivating a vibrant, accessible, and world-class art community in San Francisco and to promoting the city’s unique creative energy locally and globally.
Hundreds of local artists showcase their work and we, as the audience, have the opportunity to meet and engage with them. This is art up close and personal. Navigating the open studios is easier than ever as you can put the guide on your phone. If you have the energy you can visit over 800 emerging and established SF artists. Really everything is on view – painting, photography, printmaking, glass, metal sculpture and more. This weekend the artists opening their “homes” to us are in Hunters Point Shipyard – where we visited last year. Amazing is the word.
The subsequent weekends through November 3rd will take you on a journey all across the city, from the Richmond to Dogpatch, Fort Mason to NOPA, the tenderloin to Bernal Heights. If you have limited time head to the SFOS exhibition in the main gallery at SOMARTS Cultural Center, 934 Brannan. This features 400 plus artworks from premier artists who are registered for SFOS. It’s a great way to get a sneak peek and see where you want to spend time. http://www.artspan.com
Oct. 24. Gail Collins “Women of a Certain Age”
Women and aging: as subjects go, it’s a combination akin to oil and water – or maybe oil and a lit match. But we know all about that – right Tomatoes? Join celebrated New York Times columnist Gail Collins as she explores how attitudes toward older women have shifted in America over the centuries – from the Plymouth Colony view that women were marriageable if “civil and under fifty years of age,” to quiet dismissal of post-reproductive females, to woman’s role as perpetual caretaker (even when she might need caretaking herself), to the first female nominee for president. Hear why women can, and should, expect the best of their golden years.
Gail Collins has been a columnist with the NY Times since 1995 and her keen insights and considerable wit have made her commentary must read material. She was also editorial page editor of the paper (first woman to do so) and she has authored a myriad of books. Her latest is No stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History. She will be interviewed byLauren Schiller of Inflection Point – a nationally syndicated weekly public radio show and podcast about how women rise up. Thursday October 24th at 7 p.m. JCCSF. http://www.jccsf.org
Kim Selby, the SF life editor of The Three Tomatoes, is your gal for info on what’s hot and happening in the beautiful bay area. Having lived on the Left Coast for 27 years, after almost a decade in NYC, she has explored and continues to have adventures all over the San Francisco area. Passionate about fashion, formerly with GLAMOUR magazine and Fashion Director at Saks Fifth Avenue , Palo Alto, Kim produced fashion shows in the bay area for over 20 years. She now creates events to empower, delight and inspire women, aka “Tomatoes”. Learn more about Kim at www.kimduffselby.com
Listen to her podcast, "Ignite Your Spark" wherever you listen to podcasts.