Events Around the Bay – Week of September 15, 2017

International Opera Stars Shine in La Traviata
September 23 through October 17, 2017

This fall the San Francisco Opera presents one of my two all time favorite operas: Verdi’s La Traviata. The company’s Music Director Nicola Luisotti will lead an international cast featuring three artists making their debuts in leading roles: Romanian soprano Aurelia Florian as Violetta Valéry, Brazilian tenor Atalla Ayan as Alfredo Germont and Polish baritone Artur Rucinski as Giorgio Germont. La Traviata premiered in Venice, Italy on March 6, 1853. The opera’s first performance in San Francisco took place on October 4, 1924. The classic 1987 San Francisco Opera production, which evokes the opulence of mid-19th century Paris in lavish, detailed settings and costumes, will be revived by original director John Copley along with stage director Shawna Lucey. Artistic Director of Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco—Carola Zertuche—is contributing new choreography in her debut.  The San Francisco Opera’s production of La Traviata encompasses all of the spectacular nuances of music, singing, acting, and dancing which the world’s grandest opera houses have to offer. We are very lucky to see it and listen to the best arias right here in our beautiful City by the Bay.  Find me in the audience and I will reveal to you the secret of what my second favorite opera is.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $26 to $270
415-864-3330
www.sfopera.com
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco
Photo courtesy of SF Opera

The Veterans Community Plaza Debuts in Los Altos
September 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The city of Los Altos and its citizens including, the Student Veterans at the Veterans Resource Center at Foothill College in Los Altos, are joining other towns and cities across America by establishing a Veterans Community Plaza dedicated to the women and men who have served with bravery, heroism, and distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Thank you for your service! This is a public celebration and all are invited. Please join the members of the Los Altos Rotary Club, Los Altos Kiwanis Club, Los Altos America Legion Post 558, Foothill College, Los Altos Village Association, Los Altos Town Crier, and Los Altos Chamber of Commerce in their salute, tribute and heartfelt gratitude to our Veterans. It is with great pride and honor the existing Community Plaza will be re-named The Veterans Community Plaza.

Tickets and Information
Free admission
Intersection of Main and State Streets in downtown Los Altos
Light refreshments will be served
Splendor in the Glass
September 26 – October 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
September 26 – 29, Exhibition dates (no pumpkin sales)
September 30 – October 1, Pumpkin Sales
Candlelight Cocktails reception on September 28, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Palo Alto Art Center, Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) and Palo Alto Art Center Foundation are at it again as they present the most colorful and awe-inspiring 22nd Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch. Come early before the masses of fans and collectors of these spectacular glass pumpkins take over the entire exhibition area. Watch live glassblowing and flame working demonstrations by the famous and talented artists and craftsmen from around the globe as they create the magnificent treasures for you to take home just in time for the holidays. Children are welcome to observe, admire and learn but not to touch.  I am among the devoted glass pumpkin collectors and have a dozen of the most spectacular glass pumpkins all sparkling with gorgeous colors and flickering lights. Start your collection now.

Tickets and Information
Free admission
650-329-2366
greatglasspumpkinpatch.com
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road in Palo Alto

Photo courtesy of Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Golf Classic
October 2, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.

The world-renowned Olympic Club in South San Francisco, home of the 2012 U.S. Open, will be the stunningly beautiful setting for the sport stars and you, the avid golf aficionados, to tee off at the 22nd Annual Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF) Golf Classic, the premier charity event in the Bay Area, benefiting the BASHOF Youth Fund, while helping kids play sports. Matt Williams, the former SF Giant and the Bay Area sports Hall of Fame 2017 Inductee will serve as the Honorary Tournament Host. Golfers will enjoy a full day of golf, mingle with many celebrities, and participate in the 19th hole celebration with live and silent auctions.  Past attendees have included: Brent Jones, Owen Nolan, Dave Casper, Jim Hines, Vida Blue, Johnny Mosey, Jim Plunkett, Gene Washington, Rick Barry, Anne Cribbs and many more, all past BASHOF inductees. This will definitely be an unforgettable day on the links. Your foursome can enjoy playing either the Lake Course or the redesigned and newly renovated Ocean Course.

Tickets and Information
Reserve your foursome today by contacting: Anthony Savicke by phone at 650-576-6370  or email at asavicke@bashof.org.

Photo courtesy of BASHOF

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.