Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

San Francisco’s Alliance for Smiles Heads To Africa & Asia in November

November 2 – 16: China

November 3 – 17:  Egypt 

November 15 – 21: Nigeria 

4 November 2019 —  San Francisco, CA: This month,  Alliance for Smiles (www.allianceforsmiles.org), the San Francisco-based global organization providing sustainable cleft-palate treatment and support worldwide, continues with its global missions with trip to China (November 2 – 16), Egypt (November 3 – 17) and Nigeria (November 15 – 21)  having worked for 15 years in 15 countries.

“Our mission is about so much more than repairing smiles for young people around the world,” said Alison Healy, Executive Director of Alliance For Smiles. “Through the incredible contributions of our volunteer doctors and medical training teams, we not only heal bodies, but we build and foster ongoing international friendships.” 

In addition to organizing and sending two-week medical missions of surgical teams comprised of approximately 15 medical volunteers, supported by approximately 5 non-medical volunteers to a country, AFS also works side-by-side with local medical practitioners to exchange ideas on proper medical techniques and procedures, as well as to provide follow-up care.  Additionally, the organization also works to build sustainability in country, through the establishment and maintenance of Medical Treatment Centers that provide follow-up and continuing care to children who receive surgery.  

Alliance For Smiles has served almost 7,000 children worldwide. 

AFS provides care to all patients, regardless of sex, age, economic status, educational background, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity or marital status.

Upcoming Medical Missions

• November 2 — 16, 2019 – Wenzhou China, Teaching Mission
• November 3 — 17, 2019 – Aswan, Egypt Medical Mission 
• November 15 – 21, 2019 — Lagos, Nigeria Medical Mission 

Learn more at: www.allianceforsmiles.org

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Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Manny’s Celebrates One Year Anniversary on Election Night 

1^st Annual “Manny’s Doer Award” Given to Melba Maldonado from La Raza Community Resource Center

Community Space and Café for Fostering Community Dialogue To Focus on “Defeating Donald Trump”

4 November 2019 – San Francisco, CA:  One year since the mid-term elections and one year until the 2020 President Election,  Manny’s (3092 16^th Street at Valencia, San Francisco – www.welcometomannys.com) celebrates its first birthday tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, by asking for one thing only.

“Defeat Donald Trump,” sums up Manny Yekutiel, 30, who founded and runs the eponymous community engagement space and café. “That’s what I want for our birthday, and that’s what we’ll be doing every day, every hour, between now and Election Night 2020.”

Since opening its doors on Election Night 2018, Manny’s has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 400 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities and become “the New Hampshire of California” (KCBS Radio) by hosting 17 presidential candidates. Also, besides receiving copious media and public attention, Manny’s was recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the Year.” 

“Instead of celebrating our accomplishments we are utilizing our one-year anniversary to start the charge to Defeat Donald Trump in true Manny’s fashion,” Yekutiel said, noting that 11 of the remaining Presidential candidates will be sending representatives to sign folks up and donate over the ensuing few months. Additionally, Manny’s will provide voter registration in English and Spanish, a mock “Voting Booth”, live music, Trump Pinatas and more.

“In addition, the 1^st Annual Manny’s Doer Award will be given to a local unsung hero,” said Yekutiel who promised a “special surprise” at 9pm tomorrow. “We’re excited for this inaugural honor to go to Melba Maldonado from La Raza Community Resource Center.”

 “Creating a central place for folks to go to become better informed and more involved citizens, has been the core of our mission since the beginning,” said Yekutiel. “My father came to North America with 23 dollars in his pocket and little English, originally from Afghanistan. He pumped gas, sold coffee on the street of Sudbury in below freezing temperatures, and worked the assembly line at a refrigerator plant, eventually saving up enough to open up a restaurant with his brother. My mother’s family, immigrants from Poland and Russia, owned a small grocery store in Brooklyn. Small business is in my blood. I was raised in a small business household and I’m proud of the hard work that both of my parents set as an example.”

“By the Numbers” About Manny’s 1^st Year

• 55,257 cups of coffee and tea sold
• 30,000 people attended and engaged in our civic programming
• $20,000 raised for local non-profits
• 5,400 free cups of coffee and tea given out to those who can’t afford it
• 785 people participated in Manny’s ‘pay if forward’ program to fund the above
• 450 civic events and gatherings hosted in the space
• 300 individual sponsors who support the space’s programming monthly
• 115 number of local organizations and non-profit given free or low cost space
• 20 Members of Congress have visited Manny’s
• 17 Presidential candidates have visited Manny’s
• 16 formerly homeless or incarcerated individuals now have full time job via Manny’s non-profit training kitchen
• 16 hours of continuous reading of the Mueller report at Manny’s
• 6 debate watch parties hosted in the space
• 1 year in operation
  

Manny’s is a people powered, community focused meeting and learning place in the heart of San Francisco that combines a restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space. Manny’s goal: to create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen. Manny’s offers its events space to nonprofits, activists and civic organizations to spread their message and do their work as well as hosting its own civic and arts related programming. Manny’s kitchen is run by the non-profit, Farming Hope, which hires formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them in the food skills needed to work in the restaurant industry.

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Over $ 160,000 Raised for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund

15^th Annual “This Old Bag” Auction of Purses by Celebs such as Sharon Stone, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling, Linda Ronstadt, Kristen Bell, Chelsea Handler, Kate Moss, Ayesha Curry,and a “Rocker’s Dream Bag” donated by Deborah Harry and signed by members of Blondie, Cheap Trick andThe B-52s 

Brought Together Enthusiastic & Generous Crowd at
San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel on October 25

www.bcef.org 

1 November 2018 – San Francisco: They came, they saw, they bid themselves into a stupor at the 15th Annual “This Old Bag” Gala, Friday October 25th at San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel.  When the fashionistas and philanthropists cleared, the result was over $ 160,000 raised for the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (www.bcef.org) assisting low-income men and women facing breast cancer.

 “What a perfect way to close out October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month” said Cynthia Hester, President of Breast Cancer Emergency Fund’s Board of Directors, noting that this year’s auction raised 20 % more than last year.  “I am always at a loss for words at the incredible, creative and generous philanthropy of our supporters, and last Friday, they outdid themselves.”  

The 15^th Anniversary “This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse” fundraiser took place on Friday, October 25 at San Francisco’s historic Fairmont Hotel. This year, in addition to a record number of new designs and international contributions, Liam Mayclem, award-winning “Foodie Chap” of KCBS / KCBS 5, served as emcee for a variety of high end live auction items.

Since its inception in 2005, This Old Bag has sold over 2,500 bags to help Bay Area women and men during their challenging diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. The idea: fundraising for breast cancer need not be dull. In fact, it should be fun and life-affirming. Over the last 15 years, artists, artisans, celebrities, politicians, and local fashion mavens have all been inspired by the “power of the purse,” donating glamorous, unique and one-of-a-kind handbags for the benefit of the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund. 

“The average monthly income of our clients is $825,” said Karen Edwards, BCEF’s Interim Executive Director, a number that sits in stark contrast to the soaring rents in the Bay Area. “Unfortunately, a diagnosis of breast cancer often means losing your job, your insurance, and your home. Breast Cancer Emergency Fund provides a safety net that no one else provides, paying essential bills like rent, utilities, and insurance premiums that make it possible to maintain a stable living situation during treatment.”

Breast Cancer Emergency Fund exists to fill that very need: providing immediate financial assistance to low-income people battling breast cancer when they are too sick to work. Since 2001, Breast Cancer Emergency Fund has served over 4,000 people in San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, providing over $3.6 million dollars in assistance to help our clients maintain financial stability during a devastating illness.

For Media: Event Photos Below:
https://drewaltizer.com/event/19534-this-old-bag-the-power-purse/lightbox/5db334b4e694aa86db3d1d32-pjIALHkHEH09c0qYjiCYSNOwkUgmnFza-5db334b444ada7-86711440

photo credit: Arthur Kobin of Drew Altizer Photography. 

For more information about Breast Cancer Emergency Fund please go online to www.bcef.org 

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com  

HAND TO GOD Opens 12^th Season for Dezart Performs of Palm Springs: November 8 – 17

www.dezartperforms.org

30 October 2019 – Palm Springs, CA:  When the puppets – and puppeteers – of the Tony-nominated HAND TO GOD take to the stage November 8 – 17 as the 12^th season opener for Dezart Performs, it’s definitely not Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. 

“Imagine Sesame Street in a mashup with The Exorcist, and you’ve got the flavor of this hilarious but very-much-for-adult audiences play,” said Michael Shaw founding artistic director for Dezart Performs.  “You’ll laugh for sure, but leave the kids at home. It’s a dark but dishy comedy.”

After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother, are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own.  The result: a play “so ridiculously raunchy, irreverent and funny it’s bound to leave you sore from laughing. Ah, hurts so good.” (New York Daily News)

Written by Robert Askins, the production is directed by Shaw and features 

Yo Younger (Margery); Eddie Vona (Jason/Tyrone), Danny Gomez (Timothy), Brenna Williams (Jessica), and Roy Abramsohn (Pastor Greg)

After HAND TO GOD, the season switches to drama with the acclaimed off-Broadway hit DANIEL’S HUSBAND by Michael McKeever (January 10 – 19). Rounding out the season are the Pulitzer Prize-winning working class drama SWEAT by Lynn Nottage (February 28 – March 8) and the comedy/drama EVERY BRILLIANT THING written by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe (April 3 – 12). A full list of shows including casts follows at the end of this release.

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

Season package prices: (4-Show Season Packages $124-164; 3-Show Season Packages $96-126)

All performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org, or by calling (760) 322-0179

Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm.

12^th Dezart Performs Complete Season  & Cast Listing

HAND TO GOD

Written by Robert Askins

Directed by Michael Shaw

Dark comedy

November 8-17, 2019

Cast:

Margery – Yo Younger

Jason/Tyrone – Eddie Vona

Timothy – Danny Gomez

Jessica – Brenna Williams

Pastor Greg – Roy Abramsohn

The Tony-nominated Broadway hit comedy, where The Exorcist Meets Sesame Street! “HAND TO GOD is so ridiculously raunchy, irreverent and funny it’s bound to leave you sore from laughing. Ah, hurts so good.” —New York Daily News

After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. (note: for mature audiences)

*   *   *

DANIEL’S HUSBAND

Written by Michael McKeever

Directed by Darin Anthony

Drama

January 10-19, 2020

Cast:

Daniel – Michael Shaw

Mitchell – David Youse

Barry – Chuck Yates

Trip – Hanz Enyeart

Lydia – Deborah Harmon

Off-Broadway’s Latest Hit Drama! One of The New York Times plays to see! “A profound look at love and commitment.” —The Daily Beast

Daniel and Mitchell are the perfect couple. Perfect house, perfect friends – even a mother who wants them married. They’d have the perfect wedding, too, except that Mitchell doesn’t believe in gay marriage. A turn of events puts their perfect life in jeopardy, and Mitchell is thrust into a future where even his love may not prove to be enough. DANIEL’S HUSBAND is a bold reflection of love, commitment, and family in our perilous new world. Starring WHITE GUY ON THE BUS’ David Youse and Dezart Performs Artistic Director, Michael Shaw.

*   *   *

SWEAT

Written by Lynn Nottage

Directed by Michael Shaw

Drama

February 28-March 8, 2020

Evan – Eddie Stephens

Jason – James Owens

Chris – Cortez Johnson

Stan – Mike Truelock

Oscar – Miguel Arballo

Tracey – Theresa Jewett

Cynthia – Desireé Clarke

Jessie – Leanna Rogers

Brucie – Cary Thompson

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize. SWEAT exposes the collapse of the American working class in the new millennium. “Sharp and threatening as a box cutter blade…ferociously engrossing…SWEAT never feels less than authentic—and crucial.” —Deadline.com

It’s the year 2000 in Reading, Pennsylvania and a group of friends go to work at the steel mill and then decompress at the bar like they’ve been doing for over 20 years. But, unbeknownst to them, their lives are about to be uprooted. Their steel mill is making some changes and the blood, sweat and tears of generations of loyal workers don’t seem to amount to much. SWEAT dissects the insidiousness of privilege and entitlement, reminding you that there’s always someone on a lower plane to blame for your troubles, and there will always be someone who stands to profit from your loss. 

*   *   *

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Deborah Harmon

Comedy/Drama

April 3-12, 2020

Cast:
Narrator – Joel Bryant

“A heart-wrenching, hilarious play…One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop!” —The Guardian

You’re six years old. Mom’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. A play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love.

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2: 5:30PM – 9PM (Awards at 7pm)

WHAT:
International Ocean Film Festival Gives “Ocean Champion” Awards to:

WHO:
Dr. Sylvia Earle & Greta Thunberg
(Swedish Consul General Barbro Osher Accepts Award for Greta Thunberg)

WHEN:
Saturday, November 2: 5:30pm – 9pm +

+ 5:30pm reception
7pm: Awards
7:30pm: Dinner 

WHERE:
The Bently Reserve
301 Battery Street / San Francisco

WEB:
www.intloceanfilmfest.org

WHY:
As always, this year’s “Off The Reef” Fall Benefit  will feature sustainable, vegan food and drink, lively entertainment and pay tribute to those people whose lives and work reflect a commitment to ocean preservation This year, internationally acclaimed oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Sylvia Earle,84, will receive the Festival’s annual Ocean Champion Award—past awardees include Kip Evans, director of Expeditions for Mission Blue, Academy-Award winning director Louie Psihoyos of “The Cove” and Jeff Boehmn, Executive Director of The Marine Mammal Center.Swedish environmentalist and climate change activist Greta Thunberg,16, will be honored with the International Ocean Film Festival’s inaugural Next Generation Award, which recognizes extraordinary leadership from a young advocate raising environmental issues on a global stage. Accepting the award on her behalf will Swedish Consul General Barbro Osher.

About The Year’s Honorees:

Oceanographer,National Geographic explorerand founder of Mission Blue, Dr.Sylvia Earle is an American marine biologist and considered “The Godmother of ocean preservation” and the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Time Magazine named her as its first “Hero for the Planet” in 1998. Earle is also part of the elite group Ocean Elders, which is dedicated to protecting the ocean and its wildlife.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen who, in August 2018 and at age 15, began spending her school days outside the Swedish parliament demanding immediate action to combat modern-day climate change. Her “school strike for the climate” began attracting media attention and she has since become an outspoken climate activist.  In response to the publicity, her strike spread globally after the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December of last year. On 15 March 2019,an estimated 1.4 million students in 112 countries around the world joined her call in striking and protesting. A similar event involving students from 125 countries took place on 24 May 2019.  Thunberg has received various prizes and awards for her activism. In March 2019, three members of the Norwegian Parliament nominated Thunberg for the Nobel Peace r In May 2019, at the age of 16, she was featured on the cover of Time Magazine. Some media have described her impact on the world stage as the “Greta Thunberg effect”. 

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