Author: Alfredo Casuso

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 767-1067 / news@davidperry.com 

November 2 OFF THE REEF Fall Benefit for International Ocean Film Festival Raises over $ 150,000 for Nonprofit Festival

17^th Annual Event Honored Dr. Sylvia Earle Swedish Eco Activist Greta Thunberg 

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

11 November 2019 – San Francisco, CA: It was an evening of generational inspiration at San Francisco’s Bently Reserve on Saturday, November 2 as San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) honored two “Ocean Champions”: Dr. Sylvia Earle and Swedish Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg. In addition, the 17^th annual “Off the Reef” Fall Benefit previewed upcoming films for the Festival, taking place in and around San Francisco March 12 – 15, 2020 and also raised over $ 150,000 to further its nonprofit mission: Saving Our Oceans, One Film at a Time.

“We were thrilled with all the positive energy in the room,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival of the sold-out event. “Honoring the legacies of these two ocean champions, Sylvia Earle and Greta Thunberg, was an inspiration to everyone there.”

“Our highest priority must be to keep the world safe,” Earle said in remarks to the crowd. “How do we do that?  Protect the air, protect the water, protect the fabric of life that makes our existence possible. The ocean is what makes Earth: no ocean, no life, no blue. no green, no us.”

“It is a great privilege for me to stand in front of you here representing one of the most powerful — and brave — young people on this planet,” said Swedish Consul General Barbro Osher, accepting Thuberg’s Award. Osher will deliver the award to Thunberg in Sweden.  “Thank you so much for acknowledging the power of a very young, and very, very thoughtful and very clever young woman with a lot of climate courage in her.  She’s been demonstrating outside of the Swedish Parliament every Friday — rain or shine or snow. That message has left Sweden and now gone around the world. Greta Thunberg stands up in all of her 150 centimeters and says ‘wake up world, wake up!’”

Later, in a nod to her fellow honoree Earle remarked: “I think about Greta and her insight as a child who has taken the distillation of what now is known and she sort of cuts through it all and asks the question ‘Why aren’t we taking seriously the knowledge that is there?’That the planet that existed 100 years ago is not the same planet that we have now in ways that are alarming in terms of our capacity to go forward with the air, the water, the fabric of life that keeps us alive.’”

Osher quoted from Greta Thunberg’s book No-one Is Too Small To Make A Difference:  “Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to have hope.  But I don’t want your hope. I don’t want you to be hopeful, I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day and then I want you to act. I want you to act as you would in a crisis.  And then, I want you to act as if our house is on fire, because it is.”

As is its eco-friendly tradition, the “Off The Reef” Benefit featured sustainable, vegan food and drink, lively entertainment and a series of sought-after auction items including a luxury 10-day expedition to the Galapagos aboard the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II. Valued at more than $ 17,000 the adventure cruise was graciously donated by Lindblad Expeditions. 

Commonly referred to as “The Sundance of ocean film festivals”, since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 50 films from 15 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Current sponsors for the 17^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary, BigBus of San Francisco, Gray Line Tours, SSA, Alcatraz Cruises, the Port of San Francisco and Pacific Gas & Electric. 

The 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival takes place March 12 – 15, 2020 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit. www.intloceanfilmfest.org and social at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest
• Twitter @oceanfilmfest
• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

4  November 2019
By Laura Ricci (English translation by Erika Bizzarri)

Upon This Rock: A Searing Thriller Set In Orvieto.

Novel Published in 2020 in US and Europe

In America if a publisher decides to invest in an author, it generally has to be someone with whom the public is already acquainted, someone capable of creating an original and innovative plot that is well documented and credible, and whose author is enterprising with an eye to the future.  This explains why the novels of so many English-language authors fall into specific categories dealing with subjects with which they are thoroughly acquainted.  Take Michael Crichton, who trained as a doctor and is known for his medical fiction, and John Grisham, an attorney and politician best known for his legal thrillers, while John Le Carrè worked for the Secret Service Intelligence and his novels deal with espionage.

David Eugene Perry, though a first-time author, has written a novel that meets all requirements for success, and puts him in the category of what sometimes goes by the name of a “high concept author.” A Californian, who lives in San Francisco and Palm Springs with his husband, Alfredo Casuso, he is CEO of the public relations firm David Perry & Associates Inc., and is host/producer of the TV show 10 Percent.  He has traveled widely but like so many other American expats who have chosen Orvieto as their second home he keeps returning to this Umbrian town. His first novel, Upon This Rock,to be published by Pace Press in 2020, reflects his vast web of contacts, his passion for historical-literary studies and his gift for storytelling. 

Upon This Rock is being launched in the United States, while an Italian translation will be published more or less contemporaneously with the English original.  A pre-launch party in Orvieto gave me a chance to meet the author and discuss his novel, which is bound to cause a stir among the Orvietani. 

Orvieto is the setting: that small Italian town with its fascinating history and lively present steeped in tradition. The reader will be captivated by the spectacular plot of Upon this Rock, a title that alludes not only to the tufa cliff on which the city stands but also to the founding of the Christian Church by Peter. Intrigue, history, art, the secrets of the Church and powerful conspiracies will rivet the reader’s attention before arriving at the surprising denouement.  In its breathtaking succession of events, Orvieto is not simply the backdrop for the story, but the protagonist. 

As the chapters unfold, we move from Rome to Ireland to Civita di Bagnoregio and the Church of San Donato.  Historically it has been thoroughly documented, with attention centered on the real figures of three popes, Clement VII of the Sack of Rome, who then took refuge in the natural fortress of Orvieto, Benedict XVI, and today’s Pope Francis. Very much a work of fiction, Upon This Rock is grounded deeply in history. An important part is played by the conflicts between the American and the Roman Catholic Church, of particular interest to the author. But, you may ask, what of the the plot itself?  Here’s a summary so as not to give away the exciting finale.

In an attempt to come to terms with the death of a dear friend, Lee Maury, public relations executive in San Francisco, and his husband, Adriano, arrive in Umbria’s crown jewel, Orvieto.  They fall in love with the town and its inhabitants. Lee is particularly intrigued by a tragic event that took place a year ago but whose effects still linger on: After being refused ordination, the beloved young deacon, Andrea, committed suicide by throwing himself from the cliff. The coincidences between Lee’s life and that of Andrea begin to haunt him. They were the same age, both wanted to become priests, both were haunted by death. Lee’s obsession with Andrea turns him into an amateur detective. 

All those Lee and Adriano meet in Orvieto are connected to Andrea in one way or another and feel responsible for his tragic leap from “the rock”: The handsome Grigori, ex Swiss Guard turned bisexual hustler; Don Bello, Orvieto’s gentle elderly priest; Lady Peg, the gossipy American blogger; Luka, the young and enigmatic German doctor; La Dona Volsini, the irascible ninety-year old baker and her grandson Marco, enamored of the Unites States; Dawud the immigrant musician and his sister Maryam, a victim of black market smugglers; the gutsy Episcopal priest Reverend Vicki; the new Catholic bishop of Orvieto, Arnaud, a member of Opus Dei; Cardinal Maltoni, powerful head of the Vatican press office; and Magda, mysterious and beautiful US bureaucrat. There is even a cat named Clemente whose role is anything but minor. 

As Lee and Adriano try to understand what ties all these figures to Andrea’s suicide, they stumble on a terrorist conspiracy, an international sex and human trafficking ring and a plot, to literally, bring down the Roman Catholic Church. Before they know it, their sabbatical turns into a race to save innocent lives – including their own — in this incredible page turner.

Anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with Orvieto’s Medieval history and its current day-to-day life can’t help but be aware of the fact that there is a strong resemblance between the real-life figures of today and their imaginary counterparts in Perry’s fictional narrative. Upon This Rock is dedicated to the real-life deacon Luca Seidita, who put an end to his life the night of November 30, 2010. Exactly four years later — November 30, 2014 — Perry and Casuso, coincidently, arrived in Orvieto and found the locals still buzzing about the story. Thus, was literary inspiration given voice. 

When asked what attracted him to Orvieto, and why he keeps returning “to this Rock” (Perry and his husband return to Orvieto once or twice a year)– aside from documenting his book – the answer was  simple: The people.  Like so many Americans who stop here briefly or for a greater amount of time, Perry notes that what singles the city out is its livability, the fascinating atmosphere of history and culture, its welcoming friendly inhabitants, and its strategic location. 

With memories long lived in Orvieto, the subject of Perry’s Upon This Rock, will undoubtedly cause a stir. Just as inevitable, is the light that it will shine on Orvieto and on this emerging author. 

Media Contact: David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Kilroy Realty Uses Creative Visualization Strategies to Market Brand and Portfolio.

New Content on Media Wall at 100 First Street Takes Viewers
Onto San Francisco Bay with the US Sailing Team.

8 November 2019 – San Francisco: This week, Kilroy Realty unveils a progressive new visual on the Okta Media Wall at 100 First Street’s lobby in San Francisco. This larger-than-life feature showcases world-class athletes, bringing the public as close as possible to the US Sailing Team without getting wet.   

“Kilroy’s new content on the Okta Media Wall at 100 First uniquely showcases our brand and our partnership with the US Sailing Team,” says John Kilroy, Kilroy’s Chairman and CEO, noting that the video loops throughout the day, Monday through Friday during high-volume times. “The content is artistic, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind. Kilroy is committed to delivering innovative strategies that elevate social spaces, amplify our brand, and create immersive digital experiences within our properties.”

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/371730114

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfALoTzCbQA

The Okta Media Wall at 100 First is one of three such large-scale media installations within Kilroy’s San Francisco portfolio. The others are located at 350 Mission, which showcases public art, and Kilroy’s Innovation Center used to market their pipeline development projects, including the San Francisco Flower Mart and Kilroy Oyster Point. Large-format media walls are an example of how Kilroy uses technology and state-of-the-art visualization to market their brand and portfolio.

Kilroy’s media wall at the Kilroy Innovation Center allows viewers to virtually step into the future properties without the use of VR equipment. It is set up to visualize spaces at a 1-to-1 scale. The wall’s stats are impressive:

• 35’5” wide by 15’9” tall
• 2.5-millimeter pixel pitch (very tight resolution for a display of this magnitude)
• 8.3 million pixels 
• Over 4K resolution
• Multi-zone audio system with 5.1 surround sound
• Curved at 90 degrees for inclusive, immersive viewer experience

“The scale and complexities of our projects are ever-growing,” Kilroy continues. “To communicate the true experience of our developments requires a multitude of touch-points. We integrate cutting-edge technologies, such as our media walls, as a way to showcase our project’s programming through virtual experiences.”

“Thoughtful and awe-inspiring content curation for these large media walls is incredibly important to capture people’s imaginations,” Erik Altman of Zoetic, co-owner of the creative agency commissioned by Kilroy to produce the public video for the Okta Media Wall at 100 First.  “Content at this scale works best when slowed down, almost stopping time. It’s meant to feel surreal. These pieces are powerful branding opportunities.”

Photos of the 350 Mission and Kilroy Innovation Center: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5awyh3y7cz0v7qg/AABrfYpcoWFvod3m5uveRCeua?dl=0

About Kilroy Realty Corporation (KRC), Kilroy Realty Corporation (KRC), a publicly traded real estate investment trust and member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, is one of the West Coast’s premier landlords. The company has over 70 years of experience developing, acquiring and managing office and mixed-use real estate assets. The company provides physical work environments that foster creativity and productivity and serves a broad roster of dynamic, innovation-driven tenants, including technology, entertainment, digital media and health care companies.

At September 30, 2019, the company’s stabilized portfolio totaled approximately 13.3 million square feet of office space located in the coastal regions of Los Angeles, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Seattle and 200 residential units located in the Hollywood submarket of Los Angeles. The stabilized portfolio was 92.1% occupied and 97.3% leased. In addition, KRC had six projects totaling approximately 2.3 million square feet of office and life science space that were 63% leased and 564 residential units under construction. KRC also completed 237 residential units, with a third of the units leased, and had two projects in the tenant improvement phase, The Exchange on 16th, totaling approximately 750,000 square feet, with the office space fully leased to Dropbox, and 96,000 square feet of retail at One Paseo, which was 100% leased.

The company’s commitment and leadership position in sustainability has been recognized by various industry groups across the world. In September 2019, the company was recognized by GRESB as the sustainability leader in the Americas across all asset classes for the fifth time. Other sustainability accolades include NAREIT’s Leader in the Light award for the past five years and the EPA’s highest honor of ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence award for the past four years. The company is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. At the end of the third quarter, the company’s stabilized portfolio was 61% LEED certified and 72% of eligible properties were ENERGY STAR certified. More information is available at http://www.kilroyrealty.com.

K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS

in association with Dimensions Dance Theater presents

ReDzONE: A Choreopoem and Transmutation Ritual

by the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble and Jennifer Johns

Two Performances Only: November 16, & 17

Compelling and timely work created around stories of women who have been sexually assaulted “moving and intense”  — Johanna Harris

Choreography: Kendra Barnes

Music & Poetry: Jennifer Johns

KKDE Dancers Lydia Clinton, Jhia Louise Jackson, Linda Steele II

www.kkde.net

6 November 2019 – Oakland, CA: Transmutation is defined as “the action of changing or the state of being changed into another form” or “the conversion or transformation of one species into another.” Over two transformative performances ripped from the headlines and the #MeToo Movement – November 16 & 17 – the acclaimed dancer and choreographer Kendra Barnes returns to the stage in collaboration with singer and writer Jennifer Johns, to share ReDzONE: A Choreopoem and Transmutation Ritual at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts (1428 Alice Street, Oakland). ReDzONE features dancers Lydia Clinton, Jhia Louise Jackson and Linda Steele II.

“ReDzONE is a work created around the stories of women who have been sexually assaulted,” says Barnes, known for her evocative and politically charged performances and dance creations.  “This piece is a healing mechanism for all involved and explores various healing rituals for survivors of sexual violence.”

Framed by selected poems and music by producer, lyricist and vocalist Johns, ReDzONE  lends further artistic voice to an epidemic that affects a third of women across the world. 

“What is powerful about the way we are approaching this issue of sexual violence against women in ReDzONE is our desire to transmute trauma into freedom. True healing is a process, not a destination. We are committed to honoring the journey of healing through movement, song, sisterhood, and affirming joy together. 

“While working on the creation of this piece we consulted with many women who had the all too common experience of being violated,” Barnes continues.  What we saw was the power not only in telling the stories but also in finding ways to model and move beyond them.”

Currently in ongoing development, in its final form, ReDzONE will be an evening-length production that will tour to US cities. 

“The structure is such that excerpts can be performed beyond the proscenium settings of theater and taken into the streets and quads of college campuses,” Barnes notes

KKDE’s artistic mission is to bridge diverse cultures and communities through thought-provoking performances that address the common human experiences of its audience. The Company represents a range of ages and body-types and incorporates a variety of dance styles to inform audiences about a variety of sociocultural issues. The choreography is largely influenced by Barnes’ existence as an African American woman, but also builds upon a wide array of dance genres, including fusing modern dance with movement from African, Brazilian, and North Indian cultures.

Performing socially conscious works like In The Meantime, a dance-drama about breast cancer prevention and awareness as well as ANGST: 3 AM an intimate look at anxiety in and among African American boys, during their self-identity formation, and how it affects the relationships within their families and the community (both in creative collaboration with Delina Patrice Brooks) validate that collective witnessing spawns healing catharsis.

ReDzONE: a transmutation ritual will have two performances: November 16 @ 7:30pm and Sunday, November 17 @ 3pm. All performances take place at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street in  Oakland.  Onsite parking is limited. Public Transportation / Ride Share is recommended. The closest BART is 12^th Street Oakland. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.kkde.net or by calling (510) 560-5533: $10 – $50