Botanicals and Brews Beer Garden: Oktoberfest
September 20, 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

It’s that time of the year again – Oktoberfest! What better place to celebrate it than at this month’s beer garden, which will feature beers curated by Standard Deviant Brewing, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, and Plow Brewing with live music by Fog City Trio, a polka band. Umpapa! Enjoy food offerings by The Little Red Riding Truck and Roadside Rotisserie to complete the night. Spend a day in the stunning setting of San Francisco’s Botanical Gardens and the magical Conservatory of Flowers and see its giant water lilies famous for their enormous leaves, which allow them to absorb as much sunlight as possible. The individual leaves can grow 4-6 feet in diameter. Ein Prosit to the Conservatory of Flowers!

Tickets and Information
415-831-2090
conservatoryofflowers.org
SF Botanical Gardens
Conservatory of Flowers
100 John Kennedy Dive
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

Photos courtesy of Conservatory of Flowers

Broadway’s Anastasia Finds Her Home in San Francisco

September 3 though September 29, 2019

This dazzling show transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya (Anastasia) enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. Sounds intriguing and definitely worth spending a few entertaining hours at the architecturally exciting SHN Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco. Anastasia features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a lush, new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and direction by Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak. Enjoy a journey to the past and find out if the rumors about the supposedly lost daughter of Czar Nicholas II of Russia are real.

Tickets and Information
Price ranges from $56 to $256
888-746-1799
shnsf.com
Golden Gate Theatre
1 Taylor Street in San Francisco

Photo courtesy of SHN

Jon Nakamatsu Launches Steinway Society’s 25th Season
September 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Pre-concert lecture at 6:45 p.m

Noted Bay Area native and winner of the distinguished Van Cliburn Gold Medal Competition, Jon Nakamatsu headlines the opening concert for the Steinway Society’s 25th Anniversary Season. The event is also the inaugural performance of the annual Frieda Ann Murphy Memorial Concert. Murphy,  a native Californian, was an accomplished concert organist, as well as a member of the American Guild of Organists, and of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC.) The concert’s program features compositions by Chopin, Schubert, and Brahms.

A native of San Jose, California, Jon Nakamatsu claimed a distinguished place on the international musical scene in June 1997 when he was named the Gold Medalist of the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition–the only American to have achieved this distinction since 1981. A former high school German teacher, he became a popular hero overnight in the highly traditional medium of classical music. Nakamatsu is a graduate of Stanford University and he performed on the most famous concert halls stages worldwide.

“Nakamatsu evinced brilliant musicianship. His tone and articulation sparkled and shimmered, while his use of dynamics and energy brought out the lifeblood of each and every phrase.”
– Daniel J. Kusher, The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

The Steinway Society is a non-profit organization based in Silicon Valley. Now entering its 25th season, this dedicated group of musicians, pianists, teachers and arts lovers promotes excellence in piano performance and music education. Each season, Steinway Society presents a series of classical piano concerts featuring international award-winning pianists, as well as an active school program.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $40 to $60
408-990-0872
www.steinwaysociety.com
McAfee Performing Arts Center
20300 Herriman Avenue in Saratoga

Photo courtesy of Steinway Society

Die Fledermaus in San Jose
September 14, 15, 19, 22, 27 and 29, 2019

A practical joke. A secret rendezvous. One man’s elaborate plan for revenge leads to a rousing evening of mistaken identities, flirtations, and light-hearted deceit in Johann Strauss’s most celebrated operetta, Die Fledermaus. Set in 19th-century Vienna, this delightful farce is filled with effervescent melodies, lilting waltzes and charming sentiment. From the sparkling overture to the rollicking tribute and the bubbles of champagne, the Waltz King’s madcap masterpiece is the jewel of the golden age of operetta. Sung in German with English dialogue and English subtitles. General Director Larry Hancock will present a free 45-minute talk to ticket holders about the opera before each performance of Die Fledermaus. The talk begins at 6:30 p.m. prior to evening performances and at 1:30 p.m. prior to Sunday matinees.

Tickets and Information
Prices range from $55 to $185
408-437-4450
operasj.org
California Theatre
345 South First Street in San Jose

Photo courtesy of Opera San Jose

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.