Nature Calls – Take Your Dad for a Walk in the Presidio

Father’s Day is celebrated every day. But this will be a special gift for Dad: your family’s outing after being cocooned at home for the past four months. And the Presidio of San Francisco is the most fabulous place to enjoy this festivity. Let’s start with hiking, picnics, the scenic vistas and meeting the most exciting new addition: a family of coyotes and their new cubs.

Many people are looking to their parks as a place to get outside and experience nature during this stressful time. So it’s more important than ever that we recreate safely and give each other space. Here are some things to keep in mind to behave like a “Presidio Pro:” If you’re sick, stay home; stay six feet apart; share the space; wear a face covering; some Presidio parking lots are closed, and select roadways are closed or slowed; Always carry out your trash; Avoid closed areas, especially sections of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Park Trail that are off limits to dogs during coyote pupping season; and protect the park! Note that dogs must be on leash at all times in the park. Happy Father’s Day!

Information
Free admission
415-561-5300
presidio.gov

Photos courtesy of Presidio Trust

Smuin Ballet Presents Indigo in Hump Day Ballets Series
June 24-26

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces Stanton Welch’s critically-acclaimed Indigo as the next installment of its Hump Day Ballets series, which aims to brighten mid-week spirits with free video streaming of a ballet from the company’s archives. Indigo examines the vagaries of romantic relationships as four couples come together, fall in love, fight, and exchange partners. The recorded performance will be available for 48 hours only, with streaming instructions announced through Smuin’s email list or via Smuin’s Facebook (facebook.com/smuinballet) and Instagram (Instagram.com/smuinballet).

Smuin’s Hump Day Ballets series was created to share inspiring art and enable the Company to stay connected with its community during the Shelter-in-Place order. Every Wednesday, a different ballet from Smuin’s repertoire, introduced by a current Company dancer or guest artist, is released to the public. Since 2003, Australian Stanton Welch has been Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, America’s fifth-largest classical ballet company. He has produced more than 25 works at the company including new versions of Swan Lake, La Bayadère, and The Rite of Spring. Welch has also created works for prestigious international companies such as San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and The Royal Danish Ballet. If you love ballet or if you wish to see one of the best ballet companies – this is a must see!

Information
Free Streaming
Sign up at smuinballet.org
smuinballet.org

Photos courtesy of Smuin Ballet Co.

ReActs Highlights Center Rep’s Award-Winning Productions in Walnut Creek

Michael Butler, Artistic Director of the most extraordinary REPertory Companies in the Bay Area, wants to stir your emotions by creating special venues for us to enjoy the artistry of his talented actors and performers and highlight the plays which graced the stage of the Center REPertory Company in Walnut Creek. “ReActs Videos in which actors revisit a role from a production here, and re-act it from shelter at home,” explains Michael Butler. “The first segment was of Monique Hafen doing Anne Frank’s opening monologue about going into hiding, that’s really beautiful, very simple and very moving. And some are very sophisticated. Molly Bell has two from Sweet Charity and they’re like mini movie musicals – “Bravest Individual,” where they’re stuck in a halted elevator, and “Something Better Than This,” where the three taxi dancers sing about “getting out” of their lousy situation.” This is truly a culturally enriching program at a time when we are not able to see live theatre. Thanks Michael Butler!

Information
CenterRep.org
http://www.centerrep.org/?reloaded=true
https://www.facebook.com/CenterREP/videos/?ref=page_internal
All these videos can be found on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijAbzRvMZa_R6frWrS-08A/videos

Photos courtesy of Center Repertory Company

Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival (SVJFF) Goes Online
August 23 to September 7, 2020

Enjoy the very best films of Jewish and Israeli content from the comfort and safety of home. Become a sponsor of the only Jewish film festival in Northern California which will be streamed 100% online. No evening gown or tuxedo required, unless you wish to sparkle and shine and feel as if you are in Hollywood! To be eligible for all the exclusive offerings and be listed as the festival’s sponsor or donor, sign up before July 20. The organizers are exploring the opportunity of offering Zoom discussions with actors, directors and other creative personnel connected to the movie industry after the movies. Become a 2020 Streaming Online Supporter to be recognized on the SVJFF web site and in the film program. In my experience as an amateur movie aficionado, SVJFF is the best film festival in the Bay Area.

Information
408-600-8667
svjff.org

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.