City of Angels: Smart Broadway

San Francisco, widely known for its fascinating art scene and rich cultural life, is not that prominent for its theater productions. Indeed, in comparison to other cultural centers like New York or London, SF offers a relatively modest selection of theaters. However, the city got its small locally grown pearls definitely worth your time and attention.

The San Francisco Playhouse is evidentialy one of them. Nestled on the second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel, the theater company has been shaping and promoting performing arts in the Bay Area for 13 years. Their latest and probably the most ambitious production, City of Angels, features eleven talented artists representing thirty-six characters on one smartly designed stage. Walking up the stairs of an intimate 199-seat theater you do not expect to see such an ingenious and sophisticated show. Impeccably staged, absolutely spectacular, City of Angels brings you the Broadway-level entertainment in a cozy setting of a local theater. Proximity to the stage involves you into the story, blurring the line between the audience and the performance. Captivating plot line, fun and witty lines, combined with an outstanding acting and solid vocals, will keep you engaged until the final song.This delightful theatrical treat is served on stage of SF Playhouse until September 17th.

SF Play House

450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 677-9596

Filoli: Music in the Garden

   City life with its fast paced rhythm, noise and environmental pollution, and concrete surroundings might be tiring and stressful. It is essential to have breaks and feed your eyes with delightful colors and shapes, give your ears rest form the aggressive soundtrack of the city, and treat your sense of smell with a delicate flowers scent.
   England figured it out long time ago, with their fascinating tradition to plant gardens in every part of English cities. Apparently gardens served their citizens as places for relaxation and socializing. Not everyone knows that the nearest traditional English gardens are not ten hours by plane but, surprisingly, only half an hour drive away from San Francisco.

Filoli Gardens, located 25 miles south from the city, is a perfect weekend escape from the familiar urban landscape. Established in 1917 by the Bourn Family, gardens represent an outstanding example of the Anglo-American gardening style inspired by the family’s trips to Ireland. On the 16 acres you will find rose gardens, ponds with lilies, a tea house, green lawns and trees with spreading canopies.
The garden is built with particular attention to the details and transmits authentic, retro ambiance to its visitors. The location is protected by the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains, guarding gardens from the wind and the fog coming from the ocean.

If you want to make the most of your impression of the gardens, come over to enjoy one of the Sundays Jazz performances. For 26 years in a row producer Merrilee Trost has been bringing music to the gardens with sold out performances by the local and touring Jazz bands and singers. Complimentary drinks and snacks are served under the branches of massive oaks surrounding old tennis court serving as an event space while a band is playing on the stage with the backdrop of green leaves.

“Interesting fact: FILOLI stands for William Bourn's credo: "Fight for a just cause;

Love your fellow man; Live a good life."”

Check out all special events at the gardens and get your tickets in advance here.

Cindy Sherman: Imitation of Life.

Walking through the The Broad’s first special exhibition, Cindy Sherman: Imitation of Life, feels like turning covers of the magazines, switching movies and life stories, never existed but yet so real. It is a one-person show: she is a model, a photographer, a stylist and a producer – all in one face, or should I say faces? Her works are raw, deliberately imperfect, captivating and complete. Each picture provokes many questions in regards to the artist’s motivation, expression and statement. The funny fact is that most likely you will have answers to all of your questions by the end of the exhibition. What Cindy does best is providing a fruitful soil for growth and support to any of your theories about her work. She is the blank canvas not only for her own art but for your interpretation as well.

You can elaborate on Cindy’s role in her self-created stories until October 2nd at The Broad Museum, Los Angeles.

The Broad

www.thebroad.org

221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Untitled film Still #27 1979

Untitled Film Still #129 1983

Untitled Film Still #397 2000

BAMPFA - Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive

Text and Photos: ANZOR MAKHARADZE

With the opening of new BAMPFA (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive) we have one more good reason to visit Berkeley. Located in the downtown Berkeley, new museum building,  designed by New York–based firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro will catch your attention from the distance with its smooth futuristic shape and bright LED screen.  New attachment literally embracing the old printing plant build in 1930's, creating a beautiful and thoughtful juxtaposition of styles. The DS + R brought much needed diversity to the overall conservative architecture scene in the Bay area. The visitat BAMPFA starts from the inside where the building of the museum is a piece of the art on its own.

Once inside, you will find yourself in an area full of light and art space. While browsing the galleries and enjoying the art do not forget that you are at the Pacific Film Archive as well. Check the schedule and perhaps you will find something interesting to see later at night.  The pleasant surprise is the opening hours of the museum whose doors stay open till 9 pm. Don’t forget to stop by at Babette on the second floor for coffee and some treats. Find your seat next to the window above the street and observe the slow flow of local life.

The next stop is the recently renovated and re-branded "Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel". Take a 30 minute walk from the museum through the University of Berkeley campus or request a short ride from one of the car services. After you walk through the tastefully decorated lobby enjoy the drink at the lobby bar with the spectacular view of the bay. Take a spa menu on a way out to plan your future retreat.