Events Around the Bay – Week of August 24, 2018

2018 Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremony
September 16 at 6PM

Join me in paying tribute to the very best sports personalities in the Bay Area. This year’s inductees include Dick Gould, the legendary tennis coach of Stanford Men’s Tennis and Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame inductee; Chris Berman, celebrated, award-winning sportscaster and fan favorite for nearly 40 years; Matt Levine, world-class former Executive Vice President of Marketing & Broadcasting for the San Jose Sharks (1990 – 2000); Marty Lurie, veteran sportscaster currently on the air during the SF Giants season on KNBR 680 radio; Mike Silver, prolific sportswriter and television analyst for NFL and NFL.com. You actually don’t have to be Jewish to be inducted into this prestigious Jewish Sports Hall of Fame; Being a mensch (Yiddish for  “a person of integrity and honor”) as well as a phenomenal sports champion is the important criteria. Along with these outstanding sports representatives, the organization also inducts high school student-athletes who are awarded scholarships on the basis of their athletic, academic, and community service. See you there!

Tickets and Information
Price: $250 and up
415-584-6864
www.jshofnc.org
Four Season Hotel
757 Market Street in San Francisco

Photos courtesy of JSHOFNC

West Side Story Unfolds in Foster City
August 30 through September 16

Hillbarn Theatre, the Peninsula’s premiere theatre company, opens its 2018-19 season with the most spectacular musical production of West Side Story. The saga of two young idealistic lovers who are caught between warring street gangs and their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story features some of Broadway’s most iconic songs, including “Something Coming,” “Maria,” “America,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “One Hand, One Heart.” The original 1957 Broadway production ran for 732 performances and was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical, winning for Best Choreography and Best Scenic Design. The 1961 musical film, directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, won ten Academy Awards including Best Picture. Enjoy the show and its talented performers who may win Tonys, Emmys, and Oscars in the not too distant future. Remember, you saw them here first!

Tickets and Information 
Prices range from $35–$52
(650) 349-6411 ext. 2
hillbarntheatre.org
Hillbarn Theatre
1285 East Hillsdale Blvd. in Foster City
Photo courtesy of Hillbarn Theatre

The Face on the Barroom Floor Shines in San Jose
Friday, August 24 and Saturday, August 25 at 7:30PM
Sunday, August 26 at 2PM

Take a nostalgic trip without leaving the Bay Area as the San Jose Chamber Orchestra and Guggenheim Entertainment present The Face on the Barroom Floor  (a one-act opera) which will take viewers on a  historical, musical, and poetic journey in celebration of Henry Mollicone (a long-time San Jose resident) and the 40th anniversary of his opera, The Face on the Barroom Floor. Audiences will enjoy a live performance of the opera followed by clips from The Face on the Barroom Floor: The Poem, the Place, the Opera, a film directed by Rhode Island-based filmmaker Lawrence Kraman, written by David Patrick Stearns, and edited by an impressive young filmmaker, Dillon Poole. Other songs which Mr. Mollicone has written throughout his illustrious career will be performed during the celebration. Well, we definitely have more than just chips and technology to offer in the heart of Silicon Valley—this is truly a local original masterpiece.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $40 – $50
408-404-7711
3Belowtheaters.com
3Below Theaters & Lounge
288 So. Second Street in San Jose

Photos courtesy of The Face on the Barroom Floor

Luna Park Chalk Art Festival in San Jose
September 15, from 10AM to 5PM

Calling on all chalk art admirers, amateur and professional artists, and fun-loving families (Eureka! Your favorite pooches are allowed to join you as well!) as the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival celebrates its 11th anniversary. The festival attracts over 3,000 artists, students, vendors, and community members for a colorful day in San José’s Backesto Park. Artists, students, and chalk enthusiasts create over 250 pieces of diverse art throughout the park’s pathways, including original works, classical recreations, traditional Italian madonnari street paintings, 3D realistic works, cartoons, modern abstractions, and much more. In addition to the artwork, the festival features a main stage of local musicians, dancers, and performers, as well as local food trucks and vendor booths. The Luna Park Chalk Art Festival and Luna Park Arts Foundation are 100% volunteer run and benefit K-12 arts programs in local schools. I just hope they will leave enough chalk for the school teachers as the new school year starts.

Tickets and Information 
Free Admission
Backesto Park
551 N 13th Street in San Jose
Photos courtesy of LPCAF

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.