The world premiere of Yang Bao’s Sol One on November 8, 2023 marked the debut of a new collaboration between Opus One and Festival Napa Valley: Opus One Premieres. According to the composer, “Sol One” translates to “Martian Day One” and conveys what it feels like to land on another planet. The site-specific performance was inspired by the vineyards’ beauty during Bao’s visit to Opus One last summer.

The performance was part of Festival Napa Valley’s Olivia Decker Power of Music Series and marked the Festival’s contribution to the statewide “California Festival: A Celebration of New Music.” Before the concert, the Festival board gathered at Opus One for a meeting at which several new initiatives were announced, including the Suzanne Deal Booth Visual…

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On Saturday, September 30, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Northern California Chapter celebrated the 25th anniversary of the JDRF Hope Gala at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francsico and raised more than $1.2 million for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.

The high-profile fundraising event was celebrated with a video game “Gala On! End T1D!” theme and brought the T1D community together, drawing social, business and healthcare leaders from around the Bay Area and Northern California. The event included vintage and current video games, cocktails, a gourmet dinner, the presentation of the Living & Giving Award, an extraordinary live auction, an inspirational Fund A Cure speaker, and live entertainment by the popular Bay Area dance band Notorious.…

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Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation celebrated its five-year anniversary on October 26th, 2023. The Bay Area’s most influential artists and innovators, performers and politicians, thought-leaders and change-makers gathered for a party to benefit Saint Joseph’s Arts Foundation’s mission to elevate our shared human experience through the cultivation of art & design, conversation & creativity.








Lady Cookie Couture 
Devlin Shand For DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY Juanita MORE! 
Devlin Shand For DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

















TAGS: DESIGN, DREW ALTIZER, SAINT JOSEPH'S ART FOUNDATION

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GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam: Keep On, a live benefit concert took place on Thursday, November 9, at The Masonic in San Francisco. The GLIDE Holiday Jam celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Reverend Cecil Williams’ arrival to GLIDE with an all-star gathering. The evening also celebrated GLIDE’s brand-new President & CEO, Dr. Gina Fromer. (For more information about Dr. Former: https://www.glide.org/glide-appoints-dr-gina-fromer-as-next-ceo/). In attendance were supporters of GLIDE’s and changemakers like SF Mayor London Breed, activist Honey Mahogany, SF City Attorney David Chiu, Chair and Founder of Tipping Point Community Daniel Lurie, and many more.

Illustrious songwriter and performer Valerie Simpson led the celebration. Alongside the nationally renowned…

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Monterey Bay Aquarium held its bi-annual David Packard Award Dinner on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. More than 235 guests gathered at Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park where Schmidt Ocean Institute co-founder Wendy Schmidt received the Aquarium’s David Packard Award in recognition of her wide-reaching philanthropic leadership and commitment to ocean restoration around the world. The Award honors leaders whose scope and achievements embody the qualities of thought and action that David Packard held dear, and who have effectively worked to ensure a sustainable future of our planet. It was given in recognition of Schmidt’s two decades creating innovative philanthropic organizations dedicated to clean air, renewable energy, resilient food systems, healthy…

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American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) and gala co-chairs Heather Stallings Little & John Little and David Jones & Joe D’Alessandro hosted Zombie Ball, the second annual All Hallows’ Gala that was held on Friday, October 27 at San Francisco’s August Hall. Hailed as San Francisco’s best costume party fundraiser, the All Hallows’ Gala Zombie Ball presented guests with a frightfully elegant and theatrical night full of fun, gourmet food and wine, and dancing and games. The evening is the sole annual fundraising event for A.C.T., providing essential funds for the theater’s artistic, actor training, and education and community programs. Guests at this year’s Zombie Ball were encouraged to dress in costume or cocktail attire.

The wonderfully frightening…

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On October 28, 2023, Juma celebrated its 30th Anniversary at their annual fundraising event, Paths to Possibility. The event welcomed over 300 guests at the Four Seasons Hotel for a night filled with music, dancing, and stories from Juma’s inspiring young people. The night, emceed by Warriors’ Hype Man Franco Finn, was a phenomenal success and raised over $620,000 to support Juma’s young people as they work toward building a career and a better future for themselves.






















TAGS: DREW ALTIZER, JUMA VENTURES, PATHS TO POSSIBILITY

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Bask in the epitome of luxury this holiday season at POP! Lounge, an exclusive pop-up champagne and caviar bar gracing the heart of Union Square at The Westin St. Francis. Open from November 24 to December 31, POP! Lounge is set to become the go-to destination for those seeking a sophisticated respite from bustling Union Square.

Tucked away off the Powell Street Landmark Lobby adjacent to where the grand Sugar Castle takes center stage, POP! Lounge features an elegant ambiance with expansive windows that offer grand views of the Macy’s Holiday Tree, the ice rink, and the iconic cable cars. Guests can place their orders at the bar and then unwind on plush velvet sofas or at intimate candlelit tables, creating a festive atmosphere to celebrate the…

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Bay Area Treasures Honored at Annual Event

One of the highlights of the 2023 Mill Valley Film Festival, The 9 Lives of Barbara Dane, directed by Maureen Gosling, features the incredible life of legendary Bay Area singer and social activist Barbara Dane. The film and Dane herself encapsulate the spirit and import of the Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF), a cultural cinema event held annually for almost a half-century. Inspirational, informative, and entertaining, the film celebrates the powerhouse blues/jazz/folk singer, activist, feminist, and record producer Barbara Dane, whose life has spanned over nine decades—and she’s still singing. Dane was also celebrated with the Performances in Honor of An American Hero tribute concert.

Mill Valley Film…

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The energy was high in City Hall – North Light Court as the third annual Pathways to Parity economic rights summit came to a close with a fun and festive reception on Friday, October 6, 2023.  Civic and community leaders, economic scholars, and friends gathered to celebrate the closing of the innovative, multi-site, two-day convening to create transformational economic impacts for all.  Dr. Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, gave remarks, and a special performance by Bay Area hip hop’s own Suga-T kept things going as attendees danced into the evening.


















TAGS: DREW ALTIZER, SF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, SUGA-T

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