When Supreme Court Justice Scalia died in February, talk show host Bill Maher suggested that any new president should consider one logical replacement: Wavy Gravy. And why not? Other than the lack of a legal background, one could do much worse than the activist, poet, clown and icon of the ’60s counterculture movement. Gravy has just turned 80 years old—a milestone to be celebrated in a benefit concert this Sunday for the Seva Foundation, an organization that has restored the eyesight of more than 3.5 million people since 1978.
But if appointed, would Wavy Gravy serve? And if so, what might he do? “Well … ” he says with a pause, “That may be too abstract a concept even for me! But I guess I’d just follow my old pal Ken Kesey’s rule and ‘Always try to put my good where it would do the most.’”
As indeed he has done. Co-founding Seva in 1978, Gravy has relentlessly helped to keep the good work going. “Fun-raising” is so important to him that when asked what he wants to do with the rest of his life, he simply says, “I’d like to see more and more blind people not bump into shit.
“I was a teenage beatnik, and didn’t know what to do with my life,” Gravy says. “My high school counselor told me to volunteer for the draft, and I wound up in the military for two years. Then on the GI Bill, I got to theater school in Boston and then to New York, starting jazz and poetry shows after reading about what was happening in San Francisco with Allen Ginsberg and all that.”
Gravy has opened for the likes of Bob Dylan and Thelonious Monk. By the early ’60s, he was in California, met Kesey, co-founded the Hog Farm mobile commune and helped conduct the fabled “acid tests” featuring the fledgling Grateful Dead—where he began helping people on “bad trips.”
Beyond service, Gravy has ventured into politics. In the 1960s he ran a giant pig, Pigasus, for president (“He actually got lots of votes,”), and then in the 1970s his candidate was ‘Nobody,’ who might seem a logical option this year. But, Gravy says, “This time, I’m supporting ‘anything but Trump.’ We are so much bigger as humans than what he holds out.”
Thus, Gravy remains both a hippie icon and a man of today. “Doing service is a high not available from a pharmaceutical cabinet—I still get a buzz,” he maintains. “As the famous saying goes, ‘If you remember the sixties, you weren’t really there.’ Robin Williams said I said that first, but I think it was him. But hey, I’m 80, and forget lots of stuff. Old age is not for sissies, they say. The first 100 years are the hardest, and then it’s all downhill.”
WAVY GRAVY’S 80TH BIRTHDAY, Sunday, May 22; 2pm; SOMO Village Event Center, Rohnert Park; seva.org.
One of the characters in Lolita Chakrabarti’s gripping biodrama Red Velvet says, as she tries to explain what makes the theatrical world turn, “We know what we like, and we like what we know.” The play has begun a debut Bay Area run, ending June 25 at the San Francisco Playhouse, just up Post Street from Union Square.
For many people, change is disturbing. It means giving up something known, even if imperfect, for something whose impact is yet to be determined. And yet, not to act if conditions warrant is also risky. That’s Hamlet’s dilemma in a nutshell. Those who look at choices from a historical perspective, however, enjoy the luxury of being able to measure results, which Chakrabarti has done in her treatment of what happened April 10-11,1833 at London’s Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.
The circumstances are these: In an effort to improve lackluster box office receipts at Covent Garden, then one of the city’s two (with Drury Lane) major theaters, manager Pierre LaPorte engaged one of England’s most popular actors, Edmund Kean, to assume the title role in Shakespeare’s Othello. When Kean collapsed while performing, the desperate LaPorte recruited Ira Aldrich, who had portrayed the Moor in numerous well-received productions around the country, to replace him. This provoked a firestorm of protest among the chauvinistic defenders of traditional English culture. Without investigating further, they saw him as a boorish American interloper who couldn’t be expected to understand or interpret the nuances of Shakespearean blank verse. But what really damned him was the fact that he was a black man when all previous Othellos had been whites whose faces were rubbed with burnt cork.
While all this clamor unnerved company members, the run continued as scheduled and (according to contemporary observers) Aldrich was enthusiastically embraced by the audience. Instead of diminishing, however, the negative pressure became even louder, including complaints about how his naturalistic acting during Desdemona’s murder clashed with the customary, more restrained “tea party” style. Critics invoked visions of African savages roaming London’s stages.
Backed into a corner and fearful of losing the group’s management contract, a reluctant LaPorte felt compelled to close the show down after his second performance. Aldrich left London and went on to fame and some fortune touring the continent (especially Eastern Europe) and Russia. He died in Poland in 1867. While he never returned to London, the theatrical color barrier had been permanently breached and the prevailing exaggerated artifice employed by actors began to erode—transitions that almost everyone agrees have had positive effects on theater as an art form.
In one way or another, all of this is included in Chakrabarti’s wide-ranging script. It’s a lot of material to digest—perhaps too much. Red Velvet is the British author’s first produced stage play, and it suffers from the problems of content overload that such ventures often have. But it also offers a rich environment for directors, designers and actors to put their talents on view.
The Playhouse doesn’t disappoint. Carl Lumbly is breathtakingly powerful as Othello in the “handkerchief scene” with Susi Damilano’s Desdemona that concludes Act 1. Strong as that is, his versatility is visible in quiet moments that convey the insecurities that lie beneath Aldrich’s bravado. Damilano supplies strong support in the scene just mentioned and in her assertive role as the Covent Garden company’s leading actress, Ellen Tree. Putting aside his difficulties with a French accent, Patrick Russell offers a convincing portrayal of LaPorte, the manager faced with difficult choices. Elena Wright is splendid in a number of roles, and the remainder of the cast keeps the somewhat overlong play moving under Margo Hall’s crisp direction.
Notable also are Gary English’s set in the grand early 19th century Baroque style and period-appropriate costumes by Abra Berman. In sum, Red Velvet is a promising beginning for Chakrabarti as a playwright and another achievement for San Francisco’s most consistently provocative mid-size theater.
NOW PLAYING: Red Velvet runs through June 25 at the San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, San Francisco; 414/677-9596; sfplayhouse.org.
“Being hit by a superhero has got to hurt—and it’s definitely going to make a big sound on contact,” notes fight choreographer Zoe Swenson-Graham, striding past a cardboard lobby display featuring a massive Captain America preparing to be wailed upon by a large, metallic Iron Man. Then she adds, “Being hit by Captain America, though, is a lot different from being hit by an actor pretending to be a gang member from New York.”
Swenson-Graham, while confessing to never having been actually punched—by either a superhero or an angry drunk in a bar—definitely does know what a fistfight ought to look, feel and sound like.
A trained stage combat choreographer, her job is to design violent confrontations that are as scary and realistic to watch as they are safe and comfortable for actors to perform. Last year, she used swords, projectiles and other fanciful weapons in pitting pirates against lost boys and Indians, in the Mountain Play production of Peter Pan. This year, she’s back on the mountain choreographing the epic fist-and-knife fights—and the sprawling Jets vs. Sharks gang battles—that are a major part of the beloved musical West Side Story.
“I personally like unarmed combat,” says Swenson-Graham, laughing as we exit the movie theater and head out for a cup of coffee. “It’s more fun than combat with weapons. It’s a lot more personal.”
“That’s a key factor in hitting someone?” I ask. “Keeping it personal?”
“Absolutely! I trained in the U.K.,” she explains, “and a lot of what we learned in school is how to stage full-contact hits. I really like full-contact hits. They look good, they sound good and when they’re done right on stage, they are very, very satisfying to watch.”
Speaking of which, we’ve just watched Captain America: Civil War, a splashy, high-energy 3D film that was pleasantly packed to the rafters with combat—armed, unarmed and otherwise, including whatever it’s called when a mutant teenager shoots spider webs at people while dangling upside down from a crane.
The first full-on blockbuster of the summer, the Disney-Marvel extravaganza shows what happens when several key members of the Avengers find very strong reasons to disagree with each other. What follows are a number of epic battles, including what could easily be called the best superhero-on-superhero gang fight ever put on film.
“I’ve never actually watched the Avengers films,” admits Swenson-Graham. “Well … I saw Ant-Man, which I really liked, mostly because I’ve always liked Paul Rudd, who played Ant-Man. But the movie turned out to be really good.”
“So, it must have been a nice surprise when Ant-Man suddenly appeared in this movie,” I remark, referencing one of the film’s best and funniest twists.
“I loved that,” she says. “There’s something about Ant-Man I just really appreciate. He’s an underdog, I guess. It’s always fun to watch little guys take on bigger guys and win.”
And you don’t get much littler than Ant-Man. But where were we? Oh, right.
In addition to staging fights, Swenson-Graham is also an accomplished actor, having worked on stage for several years in England before returning to the States last year, almost immediately taking on the fight choreography of Peter Pan. As an actor, she was seen earlier this year in Ross Valley Players’ Arches, Balance and Light, and has just wrapped an independent horror film in the East Bay.
“I have a really dramatic death,” Swenson-Graham says with a smile.
Admitting that choreographing an act of violence in a movie is much different than staging the same act of violence for the benefit of a live stage audience, Swenson-Graham says that the secret to making it look real on stage is the clarity of the reactions each actor gives to being hit.
Or kicked. Or stabbed. Depending.
“And,” I comment, “I assume that the bigger the audience watching someone punch another person …
“The bigger the reaction of the actor being punched,” she completes the thought. And yes, for the Mountain Play, where the stage is the size of a small shopping mall and the audience often numbers two- to 3,000 people, it means that everything is bigger. “My style of choreography is to try and make it look as realistic as possible,” she says. “Obviously, with West Side Story—a musical about gangs, based on Romeo and Juliet—you’ve got knife-fighting, too.
“We’re doing it in a very stylized way,” she says, “but a very visceral and immediate way. It’s pretty scary, when those knives come out, even when you are sitting in the audience a long way away.”
“In Captain America,” I point out, “the filmmakers obviously worked very hard, during the big rumble scene where 10 superheroes are battling all at once, to make sure we didn’t get lost in all the mayhem.”
“That was pretty impressive,” Swenson-Graham agrees. “There were so many different kinds of fights happening simultaneously.”
“In West Side Story,” I say, “you don’t have the benefit of a film editor to show the audience what to look at from moment to moment. So how do you choreograph a massive gang fight with lots of actors, and make it clear where the important dramatic moments are taking place?”
“Well, a little bit of chaos going is realistic,” she says. “And since I’m all about realism, I’m OK with that. With stage fighting, we still have to stage it in a way where the audience doesn’t ever get confused by all of the action.”
“So, as someone who knows how to fake a fight,” I ask, “does a movie like Captain America, or a play like West Side Story, make you want to jump in and start pretending to hit people?”
“It does!” she says with a laugh. “And you know, with West Side Story, since I’m the fight choreographer, I can jump in—and I do. So I’m one of the Jet girls in the big rumble scene.
“It’s the best of both worlds, for me,” Swenson-Graham says, laughing again. “I didn’t just choreograph the punching and fighting—I get to be right there in the middle of it.”
COMING SOON: West Side Story runs Sundays, May 22-June 19 (and one Saturday, June 11), at the Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, 801 Panoramic Hwy., Mill Valley; 2pm; $20–$40; 415/383-1100; mountainplay.org.
When news surfaced that Michelin-starred chef Ron Siegel had joined forces with West Marin’s Rancho Nicasio, Bay Area food lovers were both delighted and confounded. Envisioning fine dining at the aging roadhouse known for its lively music and bar scene was, to put it mildly, a stretch.
But given that Siegel—who most recently was the executive chef at San Francisco’s Michael Mina—lives in Marin County and has school-age children, it’s quite conceivable that the celebrated chef was ready to trade in the bridge commute and late hours for more bucolic environs and a civilized work schedule. In April, Rancho’s newly renovated Western Room rolled out a spring menu of hyper-local ingredients, incorporating cooking techniques the likes of which may never have been seen before at this 75-year-old historic tavern.
In keeping with the existing décor, the separate dining room maintains Rancho Nicasio’s lodge feel, but the addition of a leather banquette, dark wood floors, burgundy-hued ceiling (it used to be white) and more leather booths elevates the room from shabby to comfortable and casual. Pretty purple tulips on the tables (there is seating for 46) add a pop of color and warmth. Plenty of early-evening light streams into the room, which opens to an outdoor patio that seats another 40.
Brickmaiden bread ($4) is offered in the Small Bites section of the menu, and I was prepared to be annoyed at the charge. However, an accompanying house-made butter infused with plenty of lemon zest made me bite my tongue. A bright tarragon salsa verde offered a complementary acidic balance to a bite-sized buttery Dungeness crab ($7) —the size of a tournedo enrobed in thinly sliced avocado.
Our server showed his pedigree (he had been at Aqua) with his enthusiastic and eager responses to questions about preparation and ingredients. A nicely portioned Mount Lassen Trout ($15) arrived, and another server carefully poured delicate dashi over the fish, mushrooms and daikon—making for an exquisitely layered dish.
Five main (or second) courses include an herb-roasted chicken with ramps, Bolinas black cod, a steak option and a memorable Sonoma County duck breast ($30) with pickled cherries, pork confit and turnips.
A chef of Siegel’s caliber landing in West Marin is nothing short of a coup. But if his plates, which regale us with recently plucked miner’s lettuce, edible flowers and ice cream dotted with candy cap mushrooms are any indication of his state of mind, I’d guess that he too, is pleased to be there.
It’s that time again—summer! Well, almost. In anticipation of long days and warm nights, we present our annual Hot Summer Guide to help you make the most of the season from May to September.
MAY
Friday Night Jazz at the Marin Country Mart
Enjoy great jazz while you sit in a lovely courtyard; choose from a variety of dining options, or bring your own picnic. Fridays, 6-9pm, May 20 through July 24. Free. Marin Country Mart, 2257 Larkspur Landing Circle, Larkspur. marincountrymart.com.
Sonoma Arts Live
Community-produced musicals and plays take center stage at this series of performances. The smash hit comedy Calendar Girls runs through May 29. The suspenseful Venus in Fur plays over four nights only, June 16–19. A musical version of a classic tale comes to life when Helen of Egypt runs June 30–July 17, and Broadway favorite The Fantasticks plays Aug. 25–Sept. 11. Performances take place at the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Sonomaartslive.org.
Musica Marin
A quartet of one-of-a-kind string instruments gets a world premiere with award-winning composer Clint Borzoni and the San Francisco Boys Chorus also on hand. May 22 at a private residence in Belvedere (address given with ticket purchase). 3pm. $110. 732.261.7737.
The Mountain Play
The magical outdoor theater adventure returns for a 103rd season, presenting the classic musical West Side Story under a canopy of trees, with special themes each day and pre-show entertainment before each performance. May 22–June 19, at Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, 801 Panoramic Hwy., Mill Valley. $20–$40. 415.383.1100. Mountainplay.org.
Free Concerts at Montgomery Village
Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village Shopping Center offers a free, three-month-long music series. Look for afternoon and evening shows with bands and performers like Caravanserai, Jess Petty, Sh-Boom, Paperback Writer and others. May 22 through October. 707.545.3844. Mvshops.com.
Marin Greek Festival
Eat, drink and enjoy all things Greek at the Marin Greek Festival. Great food, dancing, ethnic vendors, cooking demos, children’s activities and more. Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Christian Church, 1110 Highland Dr., Novato. nativityofchrist.org.
Ross Valley Players
Operating since 1930, the players wrap up their exciting 86th season with two popular productions. The evocative Anna in the Tropics, running May 27–June 19, won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in drama. And the action-packed Robin Hood, playing July 16–Aug. 7, takes to the stage in an adaptation that more closely follows the legend than any Hollywood film has dared. Productions take place at the Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. $29; seniors, $25; kids $14. 415.456.9555.
BottleRock Napa Valley
The biggest concert festival to hit Napa brings headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stevie Wonder, Florence + the Machine and others to town. In addition, the best of Napa Valley food and wine feeds the masses, and the culinary stage matches artists and chefs for lively demos. May 27–29 at the Napa Valley Expo Center. 575 Third St., Napa. Sold-out. bottlerocknapavalley.com.
Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue
Festive fundraiser for the whole family boasts delicious food, activities for the kids, live music from IrieFuse and André Pessis and more. May 29 at Santos Meadows, Muir Woods Road, Muir Beach. Noon–5pm. Free attendance; $20 parking. 415.381.8793.
Live at Lagunitas
Everyone’s favorite Sonoma County brewery has lots of music on tap this summer in its Petaluma amphitheaterette. Starting out the season is spirited songwriter Langhorne Slim with his band the Law (May 30). The rest of the schedule boasts some of the hottest indie rock and folk acts, like Thao & the Get Down Stay Down on July 19, Deer Tick on Aug. 9, Blind Pilot on Aug. 15, Parquet Courts on Aug. 23 and many others. Free tickets are limited and go on sale three weeks before each show on the bands’ websites, so set your calendars accordingly. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma. lagunitas.com/live.
BBQ on the Lawn Music Series
Nicasio’s annual cookout features performers like Charlie Musselwhite, Pablo Cruise, Shana Morrison and Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express. May 29-Sept 18 at Rancho Nicasio, 1 Old Rancheria Rd, Nicasio.Gates open 3pm. 415.662.2219.
Friday Nights on Main
Stroll along Main Street in Tiburon (which is closed to traffic) and enjoy live music while you dine at one of the food booths set up by local restaurants (with tables and chairs), and mingle with friends and family. FNOM starts on the last Friday of May and runs through September, from 6-9pm. tiburonchamber.wildapricot.org/.
JUNE
Jazz & Blues by the Bay
Enjoy your TGIF on the Sausalito waterfront with great music, great company and great food. You get a different jazz or blues bands every week. Bring a picnic or buy from local food vendors. Beer and wine also available. Fridays, June 3 to August 26, 6:30-8pm. Free. Gabrielson Park in downtown Sausalito. Ci.sausalito.ca.us.
Concerts Under the Oak
Live music, vendor booths, and food and drink are featured at this 7th annual concert series, taking place at Northgate Mall; Fridays, June 10 through August 5, 6-8pm. 5800 Northgate Mall, San Rafael. shopatnorthgate.com.
Marin Art & Garden Center Summer Concerts
Now in its 10th year, this popular series features different musicians each week, and guests can purchase a picnic dinner, beer and wine. What a great way to enjoy the good old summertime. Fridays, June 23 to August 11. Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. magc.org.
Country Summer
The biggest country music event in the North Bay also features Western-themed attractions, country-inspired culinary delights and an array of libations. Headliners this year include Lady Antebellum, the Band Perry, Billy Currington and local phenom McKenna Faith. June 3–5, at Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. One-day passes start at $79. 707.543.0100. Countrysummer.com.
Mendocino Film Festival
Eleventh annual event features a program of Oscar winners, Sundance selections and several special events. June 2-5, at various locations in Mendocino County. mendocinofilmfestival.org.
Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Sound the trumpets and walk that bass right on up to Healdsburg for the 18th annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival. There are over a dozen concerts scheduled, and this year features a tribute to drummer Billy Hart, with two performances by the legendary musician and his current band. There are also shows with the Charlie Hunter Trio, the Claire Daly Quintet and others, and a New Orleans celebration to wrap up the event. Concerts take place June 3–12 at various locations in and around Healdsburg. Prices vary. 707.433.4633. healdsburgjazzfestival.org.
California Beer Festival
This traveling festival expands into a two-day extravaganza that pits brewmasters against each other for the benefit of the beer-loving public. Saturday is a craft-beer heaven of tastings, and Sunday gets fun with family activities and live entertainment on hand while Golden State brewers bring their finest ales, stouts, porters, pilsners, saisons, lagers and more. June 4-5 at Stafford Lake. Novato Boulevard, Novato. 12:30–5pm. $12–$75. californiabeerfestival.com/marin.
Mill Valley Wine, Beer & Gourmet Food Tasting
Annual fundraiser is looking more exciting and delicious than ever with 70 wineries, 30 gourmet food products, 12 restaurants and 15 breweries participating. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. June 5 at Depot Plaza. 85 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 1–4pm. $50–$60. Age 21 and over only. 415.388.9700.
Railroad Square Music Festival
North Bay Hootenanny hosts a day of local music and community. The Easy Leaves headline and release their new EP at the show. Other highlights include the West End Farmers Market in the morning, performances from Royal Jelly Jive, the Dixie Giants and many others, a shop party with local vendors, food, beer and wine, art and fun for all. June 5 at Railroad Square, Fourth and Wilson streets, Santa Rosa. 9am to 8pm. Free admission. railroadsquaremusicfestival.com.
Town Center Corte Madera Summer Music Series
The town center’s courtyard sets the mood for music as bands and performers like the Black Olive Jazz Band, Bobby Jo Valentine, Stephanie Teel Band and others play in the family-friendly, outdoor atmosphere. Sundays, June 5-Aug. 28, 100 Corte Madera Town Center, 2pm. Free. shoptowncenter.com.
Fairfax Festival and Ecofest
Now in its 39th year, this festival offers something for everyone, including great local music, arts and crafts, delicious food, beer, organic wine tasting and entertainment for kids.The Ecofest features exhibitors, organic goods and services, art and more. June 11 and 12, downtown Fairfax. fairfaxfestival.com.
Huichica Festival
Two days of music, food and wine features a lineup that includes veteran and rising stars like Mystic Braves, Dengue Fever, Vetiver, Silver Apples, Giant Sand and Fruit Bats. Amazing culinary options from Farmshop, Zuzu, Ramen Gaijin and plenty of beer and wine round out the weekend. June 10–11 at Gundlach Bundschu Winery. 2000 Denmark St., Sonoma. $40–$90. Kids 12 and under are free. 707.938.5277. huichica.com.
Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music
Thirty-third annual music fest features art and crafts vendors, good things to eat and drink, a wine garden and live music on two stages. Musical acts include Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs, Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express and the Mother Truckers on Saturday; and Luvplanet and Jimmie Dale Gilmore with his son, Colin, on Sunday. There’s also a kids’ area with art projects, petting zoo, train rides and more. June 11–12 at Old Town Novato, Grant between Redwood Avenue and Seventh Street. Free. 415.472.1553.
Great Race
Rally cars roar out of San Rafael and make their way to Moline, Il in this longrunning competition. June 14, downtown San Rafael. greatrace.com.
Sierra Nevada World Music Fest
The world is a big place, so a world music festival, by default, must also be big. This festival doesn’t disappoint, with dozens of musical acts and a summer solstice celebration. Artists at this year’s festival include Don Carlos, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Alpha Blondy, Cocoa Tea and others. June 17–19 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville. $60–$175. 916.777.5550. snwmf.com.
Rodney Strong Concert Series
The 26th annual live music series in the sunny grasslands behind the vineyard features adult contemporary favorites and music legends. This year’s lineup includes Boney James (June 18), Smokey Robinson (July 23), Huey Lewis & the News (Aug. 21) and others. Rodney Strong Vineyards, 11455 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg. 5pm. $89–$129. 800.514.3849.
Sonoma-Marin Fair
This year’s music lineup features Tower of Power (June 22), Joe Nichols (June 23), Hinder (June 24) and country music star LeAnn Rimes (June 25). Don’t forget the classics too: The world’s ugliest dog contest, the destruction derby, carnival rides, fair food and livestock. The fair runs June 22–26, at Petaluma Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Noon to midnight. $15, adults; $10, kids and seniors; under three, free. Sonoma-marinfair.org.
MarinScapes
Annual fine art exhibit and fundraiser turns 28 this year, and benefits Buckelew programs like the Family Service Agency of Marin and the Helen Vine Recovery Center. There’s a dinner under the stars, catered by Insalata’s. There’s a talk and demonstration with artist Tom Killion and a show with featured artist Christin Coy, all happening June 23–26, at Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. $15 and up. Buckelew.org.
Marinwood’s Music in the Park
Bring the whole family for live music, delicious BBQ and a bar for adults. Don’t forget your picnic blanket, and be prepared to kick back and soak in the sounds of summertime. Fridays, 6-8pm, June 24 through August 19. Free. Marinwood Park, 775 Miller Creek Rd., San Rafael. marinwood.org.
Kate Wolf Music Festival
This festival always draws excellent musical acts to honor the work of the late singer-songwriter it’s named for. This year includes performances by Harry Belafonte, Neko Case, k.d. lang, Trampled by Turtles, the Head & the Heart, Calexico and many others. Camping is the best way to experience this festival. June 23–26 at Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville. $45–$325; children under 10, free. Katewolfmusicfestival.com.
Italian Street Painting Marin
More than 100 street painters converge on downtown San Rafael to celebrate the beauty and splendor of Rome’s art, architecture and culture. A magnificent 3D interactive street painting of Rome’s iconic Trevi
Beginning on June 25, more than 100 street painters will converge on downtown San Rafael for the Italian Street Painting Marin event. Photo by Bob Morris.
Fountain highlights the weekend, and the children’s avenue lets kids get artistic. Bay Area bands, food and vendors are also on hand June 25–26, Fifth and A streets, San Rafael. Saturday, 10am–8pm; Sunday, 10am–6pm. $10–$15; kids under 12, free. italianstreetpaintingmarin.org.
Small Town Comedy Festival
Popular standup comedians from around the country descend upon Healdsburg once again for this fun, funny festival, hosted by Sonoma Cider. Returning comics like Rory Scovel, Karen Kilgariff and Allen Strickland Williams will be there, as will a slew of up-and-comers and breakout stars. The fest hits several small spots on June 25 and gathers at the Sonoma Cider warehouse space, turned into an awesome venue complete with food trucks and live bands in between laughs on June 26, 30 Mill St., Healdsburg. $20–$25. smalltowncomedyfestival.com.
San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival
Tens of thousands of folks converge on the small town each year—hungry, thirsty, craft-starved folks. As usual, a section of the fest will include more than 200 artists and their various works. There will also be food booths, wine, a merchant marketplace, an emphasis on live music and a kids’ area. June 25–26. San Anselmo Avenue between Bolinas and Tamalpais streets, San Anselmo. 10am–6pm. Free admission. 415.454.2510.
SOMO Concerts
Rohnert Park’s grand outdoor venue, the SOMO Village Event Center, once again packs a powerhouse lineup of performers for its seasonal series. On June 30, self-described “hippie soul” singer Allen Stone hits the stage with support from Bay Area rockers the Monophonics. Things get spacey on July 10, when the greatest Pink Floyd tribute show on the planet, Brit Floyd, play as part of their “Space & Time Continuum” world tour. Dynamic alternative rock singer Grace Potter plays on July 22, and reggae stars UB40 and the Wailers share the stage on July 27. There’s also a lineup of ’80s bands, including Flock of Seagulls and Berlin on Sept. 2, and the annual Earle Fest brings Lucinda Williams to the North Bay on Sept. 17. 1100 Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park. somoconcerts.com.
Rockstar University’s House of Rock
Santa Rosa’s newest recording space and live music venue debuts this summer with a stellar lineup of legends and contemporary favorites. First up are classic rockers Quiet Riot on June 24 and Blue Öyster Cult on June 25. Next up, San Francisco rock band the Tubes perform on July 8, ’70s hitmakers the Babys play on July 16, British jazz guitarist Peter White joins forces with saxman Euge Groove on July 23, and the official Blues Brothers Revue comes to town on Aug. 12. 3410 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa. rockstaruniversity.com.
Marin County Fair
This year’s 75th annual fair gathers art, agriculture and community for the theme “What a Ride!” In addition to traditional fair exhibits and events, concerts this year include the Wallflowers, Kool & the Gang, Sheila E, Plain White T’s and Foreigner. June 30–July 4 at the Marin County Fairgrounds, adjacent to the Marin Center. Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $13–$15; under four, free. 415.499.6400. Marinfair.org.
JULY
Summer Nights
Great music and food await on the lawn at the Marin JCC’s summer nights. Saturdays, July 9 through August 6. 7pm. Marinjcc.org.
Shakespeare in the Cannery
Santa Rosa’s outdoor theater experience, set in the brick ruins of a former canning warehouse in the Railroad Square district, returns for a third season and expands from one production into two. First up, the cannery players present Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s best-known works, July 1–23. Then, the cannery produces a new play by Sonoma County playwright David Beckman, The Plot Against Shakespeare, running Aug. 12–27. Set in 1600s London, the play finds Shakespeare suffering from writer’s block when his own characters come to life and join forces to help the Bard create again—or kill him trying. 3 West Third St., Santa Rosa. Shows run Thursdays through Saturdays, gates at 5pm, shows at 7pm. shakespeareinthecannery.com.
Green Music Center Performance Series
Sonoma State University’s superb Weill Hall hosts 23 concert events that span rock ’n’ roll, country, Latin and even standup comedy. The season kicks off with a Fourth of July concert featuring vocalist Steve Tyrell and the Santa Rosa Symphony, followed by fireworks. The GMC Bluegrass Festival returns on July 10 with David Grisman leading the way. Other highlights include Boz Scaggs and the Robert Cray Band (July 14), Alice Cooper, Joe Perry and Johnny Depp performing as the Hollywood Vampires (July 22), “Weird” Al Yankovic (July 30), The Daily Show host Trevor Noah (Aug. 20), a Star Wars movie marathon (Aug. 26–27) and Southern rock siblings the Avett Brothers (Sept. 15). 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 866.955.6040.
Napa County Fair
Farm fun, rides, clowns and food, this fair’s got it all, in one svelte day of blistering excitement. Culminating in spectacular fireworks in the evening, the fun starts with a parade at 11am through downtown Calistoga. July 4 at the Napa County Fair. 1435 N. Oak St., Calistoga. Noon–9:30pm. $5–$25. napacountyfair.org.
Petaluma Art & Garden Festival
Presented by the Petaluma Downtown Association, The fest brings local eats, beer and wine and plenty of music to town for the 15th year. Vendor booths offer charming items for the home and garden, plus animal mobiles and fun fairy clothing for the wee ones. The event also includes the annual chalk art competition. July 10. Downtown Petaluma, Kentucky and Fourth streets. 11am–5pm. 707.762.9348. petalumadowntown.com.
Diana Ross
The international superstar and living legend returns to the North Bay for another spectacular performance.
Diana Ross, founding member of the Supremes, performs on July 13 at the Marin Center.
This time, the founding member of Motown icons the Supremes performs as part of her In the Name of Love tour, offering up an endless list of incredible hits and extraordinary talent. July 13 at Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 8pm. $66 and up. marincenter.org.
Festival Napa Valley
Formerly called the Festival del Sole, this 11th annual fest still offers over 60 events at nearly a dozen wineries. Opening night’s gala features Kristin Chenoweth and her amazing voice. There’s also an Americana concert featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with special appearances by soprano Kathleen Battle and actor Chris Noth. Other concerts bring worldly talents like violinist Sarah Chang, soprano Yelena Dyachek, tenor Michael Fabiano and saxophonist Dave Koz. July 15–24, at various venues in the Napa Valley. festivalnapavalley.org.
Rivertown Revival
The Friends of the Petaluma River once again present the “Greatest Slough on Earth,” with live music, arty boat races, local food and drinks, crafty vendors and family fun. As in past years, this summer event also boasts local color and is one of the most eco-friendly fests in the North Bay, happening on July 16 at the McNear Peninsula at D and Copeland streets, Petaluma. rivertownrevival.com.
Sonoma County Fair
This year’s fair goes Hollywood, with the theme “Lights, Camera, Fair” offering the largest themed flower show in the country and horse racing, rodeo, destruction derby, carnival rides, local art and agriculture. Separate admission is required for some events. The fair runs July 22 through Aug. 7. Horse racing: July 28–31, and Aug. 4–7 and 12–14. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 11am–9pm; closed Mondays. $6–$12; children under six, free. sonomacountyfair.com.
San Rafael Twilight Criterium & Run
Downtown San Rafael is transformed into a bike racetrack as pros take over the main downtown streets in this 18th annual event. No waiting for hours to see cyclists pass in seconds, here—this 1km loop brings the action back around right away while a DJ pumps the beats and your beer disappears faster than you thought it would. Watch several races with different age groups on July 30. Fourth and C streets, San Rafael. 1–10pm. sanrafaelsunset.squarespace.com.
Music in the Vineyards
Now in its 22nd season, this nationally acclaimed chamber music festival brings together 35 renowned classical musicians from around the world to perform at the most picturesque locations in the Napa Valley. This year, the Escher, Jupiter and Pacifica string quartets and the San Francisco Piano Trio perform as the festival’s ensembles-in-residence. Special guest performers include clarinet virtuoso Burt Hara of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, 17-year-old cello phenom Oliver Herbert and many others. July 29–Aug. 21, at 13 winery venues in the Napa Valley. $50 and up. musicinthevineyards.org.
AUGUST
Reggae on the River
Presented by the Mateel Community Center, the 32nd annual incarnation of this laid-back, family-friendly festival features Sizzla Kalonji & the Fire House Band, Protoje & the Indiggnation Band, Soul Syndicate with Mad Professor, Big Youth and King Yellowman among many others. A new camping opportunity is also on deck this year, adjacent to the festival Aug. 4–7 at French’s Camp. 657 Hwy. 101, Piercy. $200 (three-day) to $250 (four-day); $75 camping per person. reggaeontheriver.com.
Petaluma Music Festival
The ninth annual festival benefiting music programs in Petaluma schools features its biggest and best lineup yet. Headlining are North Bay favorites Jackie Greene, Steve Kimock and friends, the Mother Hips, David Nelson Band, Moonalice, Mark Karan, David Luning, the Sam Chase and many others. Aug. 6 at the Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds. 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Noon. $45–$110. petalumamusicfestival.org.
Gravenstein Apple Fair
Billed as the “sweetest little fair in Sonoma County,” the 43rd annual event, presented by Sonoma County Farm Trails, celebrates the locally found Gravenstein apples in all their delicious glory, with several food vendors, live music from Dgiin and the Hubbub Club, and local arts and crafts. Look for the artisan tasting lounge, the farm life arena, kids’ activities, and games and contests throughout. Aug. 13–14 at Ragle Ranch Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol. 10am to 6pm. gravensteinapplefair.com.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Mixing together live music, microbrews and enough barbecue to fill a pickup truck, this summertime party is not to be missed. There’s a rib-eating contest, a kids’ area and, of course, blues artists all along the streets. Aug. 27 at First and Main streets, Napa. Noon–6pm. Free admission; beer tasting tickets available for purchase. donapa.com.
Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival
Dozens of culinary companies come together to offer delicious seafood specialties at the 22nd annual event. Aside from the art and the eats, there are four stages of entertainment. The Main Stage features rockin’ blues, jazz, swing, bluegrass and more, including Tommy Castro & the Painkillers and Pride & Joy. There is also a Food Stage with chef demos and tastings, a Wine Stage with entertainment from bands like the Bootleg Honeys and an Entertainment Stage showcasing jugglers, magicians and other nonmusical acts like the beloved Captain Jack Spareribs and the Sebastopol Ballet School. The festival takes place Aug. 27–28 at Watts Ranch, 16855 Bodega Hwy. Saturday, 10am–6pm; Sunday, 10am–5pm. $8–$15; under 12, free. bodegaseafoodfestival.com.
SEPTEMBER
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Winemaker meals take place all Labor Day weekend, but here are some highlights of this annual bacchanalia. First, the Sonoma Starlight event kicks off the weekend and includes dining, drinks and dancing on Sept. 2 at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. 300 Via Archimedes, Geyserville. 6:30–10pm. Next, Taste of Sonoma offers samples from over 200 wineries and several chefs on Sept. 3 at MacMurray Estate Vineyards. 3387 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg. 11am–4pm. Finally, the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction offers a chance to bid on exclusive items and mingle with Sonoma’s first families on Sept. 4 at Chateau St. Jean. 8555 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood. 12:30–7pm. Sonomawinecountryweekend.com.
Sausalito Art Festival
One of the most prestigious art events in the country returns to the Sausalito waterfront for a 64th year, attracting collectors, aficionados and enthusiasts alike. Fine art in every medium from some 260 artists pairs well with gourmet food, sumptuous wines, children’s entertainment and more. Sept. 3–5, Marinship Park, Sausalito. Saturday–Sunday, 10am–7pm; Monday, 10am–5pm. $25; $20 seniors; $5 juniors; kids under six, free. 415.332.3555.
Marin Theatre Company’s 50th Anniversary Season
Presenting world-class theater for half a century, MTC celebrates the big five-oh with another season of inventive original works and gutsy adaptations of beloved plays. Their 2016/2017 season opens with the Pulitzer Prize–winning drama by Tracy Letts, August: Osage County from Sept. 8 to Oct. 2. Their next production, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, comes from new resident playwright Lauren Gunderson and is a continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Later shows in the season include Nambi Kelley’s dramatization of Richard Wright’s classic Native Son and Peerless, a new take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415.388.5208. marintheatre.org.
Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival
The summer’s biggest party on the river celebrates 40 years with legendary artists and bands, sizzling food vendors, an indulgent wine garden and more. And if the music gets too hot, just take a dip in the water, sit in the shade of a beach umbrella or rent a canoe or kayak to paddle down the river. Sept. 10–11 at Johnson’s Beach, 16215 First St, Guerneville. $80–$180. Russianriverfestivals.com.
Sound Summit
Enjoy an amazing lineup of musicians high atop Mt. Tam with gorgeous views of the bay. Graze on delicious local food and drink at this event that honors the spirit of the mountain. Saturday, September 17, Mountain Theater, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley. Soundsummit.net.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Now in its 60th year, this fest features music, sculpture and plenty of children’s activities in the serene setting of the redwoods. Sept. 17–18, at Old Mill Park, 320 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 10am–5pm. $5–$10; kids under 12 are free. mvfaf.org.
Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival
One of the oldest and biggest parties in the Sonoma Valley is back for its 119th year with live music, amazing food, spectacular wines and family activities like the traditional grape stomp, a light-up parade and more. With a focus on local culture and community, this vintage fest is organized by local volunteers and benefits several Sonoma County nonprofits and projects. Sept. 23–25 at Sonoma Plaza, First St. E., Sonoma. valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.com.
Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival
Sip on local brews, delight in local bites, listen to local music and walk the local promenade on Sept. 17, Water St., Petaluma. 1pm. $40. petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org.
Hero: A good neighbor helped police snag a suspect in a San Rafael robbery. The hooligan grabbed the victim from behind and forcibly removed the man’s watch from his wrist. Our alert hero read a social media post about his neighbor’s mugging in the Dominican area and realized that he may have the key to the thug’s identity, as he had witnessed a gold-colored Kia driving erratically near the scene of the crime. Better yet, he had written down the license plate number—just in case. The San Rafael police determined that the Kia, a rental car, had been rented by a parolee from Oakland. GPS coordinates placed the vehicle on I-5 in Kern County. Busted. The suspect was nabbed, arrested and returned to Marin.
Zero: A child, Justin Kai, was elected to the Marinwood Community Services District board and serves as president. Another youth, Marinwood resident Stephen Nestel, lost his bid for a board seat last year. The two kids now feud with each other at district meetings. Stephen doesn’t follow the rules of order and becomes disruptive. Justin pulls power plays and calls the Marin County Sheriff to fight his battles. Last month, the prez stopped the proceedings and requested that sheriff’s deputies remove the troublemaker. This might amuse us, except these badly behaved boys, chronologically, are adults. We suggest that Stephen shut his mouth when his turn to speak ends and that Justin stop wasting the cops’ time. As Prince said, “Act your age, not your shoe size.”
Q: I’m a guy in my late 20s. Two years ago, I started a friends-with-benefits thing with a woman, which honestly has turned into one of the most relaxed, comfortable relationships I’ve had. Unfortunately, the sex isn’t that great. I’ve tried to get her to work with me on that, but she just isn’t very physical. I also get the sense that she’s holding out for a serious relationship with me (babies/marriage/house). I’m just not in love with her that way. I don’t want to hijack her uterus, but I’m having trouble breaking up with her. The relationship isn’t broken, and I don’t want to hurt her. I’m not sure I have it in me to say, “You’re bad in bed, so I’m out.”—Shallow
A: Surely, you wouldn’t find the bunny-hugging vegan “shallow” for not being up for the long haul with the guy who electrocutes the cows.
The rational decision is clear: You don’t have what you need; you should move on. The problem is what the late Nobel Prize-winning cognitive scientist Herbert Simon deemed “bounded rationality.” This describes how our ability to make rational decisions is limited—by, for example, incomplete information about our alternatives, how much time we have to decide, or, as in your case, our emotions: Dreading hurting somebody and feeling like kind of a pig for dumping a perfectly nice woman just because her sexual spirit animal is the paperweight.
Simon didn’t just point out the decision-making problem; he came up with a solution—his concept of “satisficing.” This combo of “satisfy” and “suffice” means making a “good enough” choice—as opposed to incurring the costs of endlessly searching for the best choice. (Think of somebody who spends an hour looking for the primo parking space by the store entrance—in order to save time walking to and from their car.)
To decide what’s “good enough,” figure out the minimum stuff (good sex, etc.) that you absolutely must have to be satisfied in a relationship, and keep searching until you find somebody who has it. Forget about what you “should” need. If your life is not complete unless a woman will, say, wear a doorbell on each nipple, well, ring on, bro.
As for breaking up, this means telling somebody it’s over, not that their sexual technique is a ringer for hibernation. Give her only as much info as she needs to make her way to the door, like, “I love you, but I’m not in love with you, and I need that.” Though she won’t be happy to hear it, what’s cruel isn’t telling her; it’s waiting to tell her. As that mildewed saying goes, “If you love something … ” don’t hang onto it until its uterus sends you to the drugstore for a box of mothballs.
Q: Last week, I went out with a guy I met on a dating site. He was very attentive and affectionate, and he even texted me the next day. Well, I think I screwed up, messaging him at the same frequency and intensity as before our first date, which was quite a lot, and mentioning seeing him again before he suggested it. His responses were infrequent and short. I haven’t heard from him for five days, and he hasn’t made plans for a second date. Is there any way to remedy this? Should I message him with some witty banter?—Faux Pas?
A: Sadly, our genes have not been introduced to Gloria Steinem.
As I frequently explain, there’s a problem with a woman overtly pursuing a man, and it goes back millions of years. It comes out of how sex leaves a man with about a teaspoon less sperm but can leave a woman “with child” (an adorable term that makes pregnancy sound like a quick trip to the drugstore with someone under 10). From these rather vastly differing costs, explain evolutionary psychologists David Buss and David Schmitt, come differing sexual strategies. Women evolved to be the choosier sex—looking for men to show signs that they’re willing and able to commit themselves and their resources—and men coevolved to expect to work to persuade them. So, when women turn the tables and act like the, well, chase-ier sex, it sends a message—of the “FREE!!! Please take me” variety you’d see taped to a toaster somebody’s put out on the curb.
In other words, no, do not contact him. Not even with “witty banter.” Seeming amusingly desperate is not any more of a selling point. The way you “remedy” this is by turning it into a learning experience. In the future, sure, go ahead and be flirtatious—just not with the, um, eagerness of that guy in the hockey mask chasing people through the woods with a machete.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Russian writer Anton Chekhov was renowned for the crisp, succinct style of his short stories and plays. As he evolved, his pithiness grew. “I now have a mania for shortness,” he wrote. “Whatever I read—my own work, or other people’s—it all seems to me not short enough.” I propose that we make Chekhov your patron saint for a while. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you are in a phase when your personal power feeds on terse efficiency. You thrive on being vigorously concise and deftly focused and cheerfully devoted to the crux of every matter.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Approximately 30,000 sites on the internet attribute that quote to iconic genius Albert Einstein. But my research strongly suggests that he did not actually say that. Who did? It doesn’t matter. For the purposes of this horoscope, there are just two essential points to concentrate on. First, for the foreseeable future, your supreme law of life should be “creativity is intelligence having fun.” Second, it’s not enough to cavort and play and improvise, and it’s not enough to be discerning and shrewd and observant. Be all of those things.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Western culture, the peacock is a symbol of vanity. When we see the bird display its stunning array of iridescent feathers, we might think that it’s lovely, but may also mutter, “What a show-off.” But other traditions have treated the peacock as a purely positive emblem: An embodiment of hard-won and triumphant radiance. In Tibetan Buddhist myths, for example, its glorious plumage is said to be derived from its transmutation of the poisons it absorbs when it devours dangerous serpents. This version of the peacock is your power animal for now, Gemini. Take full advantage of your ability to convert noxious situations and fractious emotions into beautiful assets.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Clear moments are so short,” opines poet Adam Zagajewski. “There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.” Here’s what I have to say about that: Even if it does indeed describe the course of ordinary life for most people, it does not currently apply to you. On the contrary. You’re in a phase that will bring an unusually high percentage of lucidity. The light shining from your eyes and the thoughts coalescing in your brain will be extra pure and bright. In the world around you, there may be occasional patches of chaos and confusion, but your luminosity will guide you through them.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Dear Smart Operator: My name is Captain Jonathan Orances. I presently serve in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. I am asking for your help with the safekeeping of a trunk containing funds in the amount of $7.9 million, which I secured during our team’s raid of a poppy farmer in Kandahar Province. The plan is to ship this box to Luxembourg, and from there a diplomat will deliver it to your designated location. When I return home on leave, I will take possession of the trunk. You will be rewarded handsomely for your assistance. If you can be trusted, send me your details. Best regards, Captain Jonathan Orances.” You may receive a tempting but risky offer like this in the near future, Leo. I suggest you turn it down. If you do, I bet a somewhat less interesting but far less risky offer will come your way.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Some things need to be fixed, others to be left broken,” writes poet James Richardson. The coming weeks will be an ideal time for you to make final decisions about which are which in your own life. Are there relationships and dreams and structures that are either too damaged to salvage or undeserving of your hard labor? Consider the possibility that you will abandon them for good. Are there relationships and dreams and structures that are cracked, but possible to repair and worthy of your diligent love? Make a plan to revive or reinvent them.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Once every year, it is healthy and wise to make an ultimate confession—to express everything you regret and bemoan in one cathartic swoop, and then be free of its subliminal nagging for another year. The coming days will be a perfect time to do this. For inspiration, read an excerpt from Jeanann Verlee’s “Genetics of Regret:” “I’m sorry I lied. Sorry I drew the picture of the dead cat. I’m sorry about the stolen tampons and the nest of mice in the stove. I’m sorry about the slashed window screens. I’m sorry it took 36 years to say this. Sorry that all I can do is worry what happens next. Sorry for the weevils and the dead grass. Sorry I vomited in the wash drain. Sorry I left. Sorry I came back. I’m sorry it comes like this. Flood and undertow.”
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): According to the British podcast series “No Such Thing as a Fish,” there were only a few satisfying connubial relationships in late 18th century England. One publication at that time declared that of the country’s 872,564 married couples, just nine were truly happy. I wonder if the percentage is higher for modern twosomes. Whether it is or not, I have good news: My reading of the astrological omens suggests that you Scorpios will have an unusually good chance of cultivating vibrant intimacy in the coming weeks. Take advantage of this grace period, please!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Some days I feel like playing it smooth,” says a character in Raymond Chandler’s short story Trouble Is My Business, “and some days I feel like playing it like a waffle iron.” I suspect that you Sagittarians will be in the latter phase until at least May 24. It won’t be prime time for silky strategies and glossy gambits and velvety victories. You’ll be better able to take advantage of fate’s fabulous farces if you’re geared up for edgy lessons and checkered challenges and intricate motifs.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Author Rebecca Solnit says that when she pictures herself as she was at age 15, “I see flames shooting up, see myself falling off the edge of the world, and am amazed I survived not the outside world but the inside one.” Let that serve as an inspiration, Capricorn. Now is an excellent time for you to celebrate the heroic, messy, improbable victories of your past. You are ready and ripe to honor the crazy intelligence and dumb luck that guided you as you fought to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You have a right and a duty to congratulate yourself for the suffering you have escaped and inner demons you have vanquished.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “To lose weight or regain patience, learn to love the sour, the bitter, the salty, the clear.” The poet James Richardson wrote that wry advice, and now I’m passing it on to you. Why now? Because if you enhance your appreciation for the sour, the bitter, the salty and the clear, you will not only regain patience, but also generate unexpected opportunities. You will tonify your mood, beautify your attitude and deepen your gravitas. So I hope you will invite and welcome the lumpy and the dappled, my dear. I hope you’ll seek out the tangy, the smoldering, the soggy, the spunky, the chirpy, the gritty and an array of other experiences you may have previously kept at a distance.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “A thousand half-loves must be forsaken to take one whole heart home.” That’s from a Coleman Barks’ translation of a poem by the 13th-century Islamic scholar and mystic known as Rumi. I regard this epigram as a key theme for you during the next 12 months. You will be invited to shed a host of wishy-washy wishes so as to become strong and smart enough to go in quest of a very few burning, churning yearnings. Are you ready to sacrifice the mediocre in service to the sublime?
Homework: Whether or not we believe in gods, we all worship something. What idea, person, thing or emotion do you bow down to? FreeWillAstrology.com.
The good news is that Berkeley’s intimate Aurora Theatre is currently hosting one of the most sublime evenings of classic farce that the Bay Area has seen in years. When I began this column I was about to add the bad news that unless you already have tickets, you might not be able to get in before David Ives’ The Heir Apparent closes on May 15. Then, word came that the show is being extended a week, to May 22. Better hurry, though, because the venue is small and unclaimed seats are going fast.
Ives is a genuine American literary phenomenon. Born in 1950 and educated in Catholic schools, he was heading toward a career in the priesthood when he decided in his 20s that he didn’t have much to say about God, but a lot to say about people’s lives. Ever since, there has been a cascade of words: Novels, short stories, children’s fiction, film scripts, opera librettos, books for musicals, poetry, non-fiction articles for national magazines … The list is endless.
Probably, his best-known works have been for the stage. These include a pair—All in the Timing (six thematically linked one-acts that had their debut New York run in 1993-94) and Venus in Fur (full-length, 2013-14); both, excepting Shakespeare, were the most frequently produced plays around the country (including the Bay Area) during the seasons mentioned.
While those are originals, Ives has also frequently adapted classic plays for modern audiences. The Heir Apparent’s ancestry stretches through thousands of years of Western theatrical history, from Ancient Greece’s Aristophanes, to ancient Rome’s Plautus, to Renaissance Italy’s commedia dell’arte, to Moliere and the French school, to Jean Francois Regnard, whose boisterous, overtly scatological Le Légataire Universel (1708), is cited by Ives as the basis for what he calls his “transladaptation.” Same situations, similar characters, but they are accompanied by a new rhymed script that is generously sprinkled with contemporary references and potty-mouthed asides. Without doubt, a few fall flat, but many are thigh-slapping hilarious, and even the groaners add to the pleasant sensation that we have entered a parallel, highly entertaining absurd universe.
The setting is early 18th century Paris. Crusty septuagenarian Geronte (Julian López-Morillas in a role that fits him like a second skin) is nearing his final days on earth—or so it seems to those who have their eyes fixed on his considerable fortune. In a nicely detailed performance, Kenny Toll is Eraste, Geronte’s nephew, who dreams of inheriting his uncle’s millions so he can persuade his fortune-hunting mother Madame Argante (an imperious Elizabeth Carter) to bless his marriage to the lovely Isabelle (Khalia Davis). A pair of servants, Lisette (Katie Rubin) and Crispin (Patrick Kelly Jones) also share the dream, but for them it’s that when the old man finally gives up the ghost, a few scraps from the estate settlement will enable their own union.
While Geronte’s continual complaints about the state of his bowels, lungs and heart raise everyone’s hopes, he stubbornly recovers from every episode until, one glorious day, Lisette reports that he died in his sleep. The ensuing celebration is cut short by the realization that their reluctant benefactor, irascible to the end, has left no will. A dwarf-sized lawyer named Scruple (Lawrence Radecker, who, to fit the character’s description, is compelled to shuffle along on his knees) is summoned, and Crispin, disguised as Geronte, requests that he draft a will that will satisfy the group’s aspirations. Just then …
No spoiler. All of the forgoing nonsense would fail if Aurora’s production lacked a director and actors who didn’t know how to present classic farce. Fortunately, Josh Costello’s staging is impeccable and the whole ensemble performs with the energy and craft that the play requires.
As for David Ives, scuttlebutt has it that his next project is a collaboration with Stephen Sondheim on a musical based on the surreal visions of Spanish film auteur Luis Buñuel. Can’t wait.
NOW PLAYING: The Heir Apparent runs through May 22 at the Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley; 510/843-4822; auroratheatre.org.
Many people intuitively feel that music has a healing effect, but singer, composer, harpist and bodyworker Christine Tulis has no doubt about it—she felt a calling from a very early age to channel healing and spirituality through music. “I’m a healer at my core and the harp and my voice are an expression of the healing arts for me,” she says.
Tulis’ music combines the celestial sounds of the harp with her beautiful voice, and recordings include an array of other instruments, many of which are played by her partner, Kem Stone. Tulis, who has long blond hair, teal blue eyes and a warm smile, composes her own music and writes lyrics for some of it; she also uses sacred text by mystical poets including Rumi. The results are ethereal, peaceful and mesmerizing. “I want the music to take them on an inner journey that is beautiful,” she says of listeners.
Tulis grew up in Massachusetts, but always yearned for California; at 21, she crossed the country and settled in Arcata. It was there that she experienced her first massage, which was life-changing. When she got off the table, she knew that she wanted to “put people in this state of supreme peace.”
Tulis’ second “epiphany” came a year later when she heard someone playing the Celtic harp while she was walking in a grassy meadow at a Harmonic Convergence gathering in southern Oregon. “I had a really profound emotional reaction, where I felt like my heart just broke open into a million pieces,” Tulis recalls.
She returned to Massachusetts to study both harp and bodywork, and after attending a 2007 sound healing conference in San Francisco, established and ran a healing circle in New England that explored the healing nature of sound and music.
In 2011, Tulis and Stone settled in Marin, which Tulis calls a “magical” and “deeply spiritual” place. She has recently officially launched her own bodywork practice—Sound Temple Healing Arts—where she uses techniques that include sound-healing tuning forks and anointing with holy oils.
Tulis has recorded two CDs, Sea of Dreams, and Portal, which won a spiritual music award from the Moondance International Film Festival in Boulder. She has performed all over the world, including at two United Nations events and at Chartres Cathedral in France.
“I have a profound spiritual calling to help people awaken to the beauty of who they are,” Tulis says. “We are spiritual beings of love. It’s our destiny to awaken to that.”
Tulis will be performing on May 15 as a guest artist for the worship service at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco at 11am, 1187 Franklin Street at Geary, San Francisco; 415/776-4580. To learn more, visit christinetulis.com.
By Steve Heilig
When Supreme Court Justice Scalia died in February, talk show host Bill Maher suggested that any new president should consider one logical replacement: Wavy Gravy. And why not? Other than the lack of a legal background, one could do much worse than the activist, poet, clown and icon of the ’60s counterculture movement. Gravy has just turned...
By Charles Brousse
One of the characters in Lolita Chakrabarti’s gripping biodrama Red Velvet says, as she tries to explain what makes the theatrical world turn, “We know what we like, and we like what we know.” The play has begun a debut Bay Area run, ending June 25 at the San Francisco Playhouse, just up Post Street from Union...
By David Templeton
“Being hit by a superhero has got to hurt—and it’s definitely going to make a big sound on contact,” notes fight choreographer Zoe Swenson-Graham, striding past a cardboard lobby display featuring a massive Captain America preparing to be wailed upon by a large, metallic Iron Man. Then she adds, “Being hit by Captain America, though, is a...
By Tanya Henry
When news surfaced that Michelin-starred chef Ron Siegel had joined forces with West Marin’s Rancho Nicasio, Bay Area food lovers were both delighted and confounded. Envisioning fine dining at the aging roadhouse known for its lively music and bar scene was, to put it mildly, a stretch.
But given that Siegel—who most recently was the executive chef at...
By Charlie Swanson
It’s that time again—summer! Well, almost. In anticipation of long days and warm nights, we present our annual Hot Summer Guide to help you make the most of the season from May to September.
MAY
Friday Night Jazz at the Marin Country Mart
Enjoy great jazz while you sit in a lovely courtyard; choose from a variety of dining options,...
By Nikki Silverstein
Hero: A good neighbor helped police snag a suspect in a San Rafael robbery. The hooligan grabbed the victim from behind and forcibly removed the man’s watch from his wrist. Our alert hero read a social media post about his neighbor’s mugging in the Dominican area and realized that he may have the key to the thug’s...
By Amy Alkon
Q: I’m a guy in my late 20s. Two years ago, I started a friends-with-benefits thing with a woman, which honestly has turned into one of the most relaxed, comfortable relationships I’ve had. Unfortunately, the sex isn’t that great. I’ve tried to get her to work with me on that, but she just isn’t very physical. I...
By Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Russian writer Anton Chekhov was renowned for the crisp, succinct style of his short stories and plays. As he evolved, his pithiness grew. “I now have a mania for shortness,” he wrote. “Whatever I read—my own work, or other people’s—it all seems to me not short enough.” I propose that we make Chekhov...
By Charles Brousse
The good news is that Berkeley’s intimate Aurora Theatre is currently hosting one of the most sublime evenings of classic farce that the Bay Area has seen in years. When I began this column I was about to add the bad news that unless you already have tickets, you might not be able to get in before...
By Lily O’Brien
Many people intuitively feel that music has a healing effect, but singer, composer, harpist and bodyworker Christine Tulis has no doubt about it—she felt a calling from a very early age to channel healing and spirituality through music. “I’m a healer at my core and the harp and my voice are an expression of the healing arts...
