Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

Lindblad Expeditions Donates $ 17,000 Expedition to Galapagos for November 2 OFF THE REEF Fall Benefit for International Ocean Film Festival

17^th Annual Event Salutes Dr. Sylvia Earle,
In Attendance to receive “2019 Ocean Champion” Award

Swedish Eco Activist Greta Thunberg Honored with “Next Generation” Award accepted on her behalf by Swedish Consul General Barbro Osher

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

25 October 2019 – San Francisco, CA: Call it traveling for a cause.  On Saturday, November 2, San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) “Off the Reef” Fall Benefit will not only feature a preview of the Festival’s upcoming films for March 2020, but also raise money through a number of silent and live auction items including a luxury 10-day expedition to Galapagos aboard the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II. Valued at more than $ 17,000 the adventure cruise has been graciously donated by Lindblad Expeditions.

Click here for a video about Lindblad’s expedition to the Galapagos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsYOmt3Ttak&feature=youtu.be

“What better way to raise funds and awareness about our precious ocean habitat than by auctioning a splendid eco-friendly expedition to the Galapagos,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival. “Lindblad Expeditions is the definition of sustainable tourism and a true friend of the oceans, and the Festival.”

“We are delighted to support the International Ocean Film Festival. Film is a great platform for telling the stories of our endangered oceans,” said Sven Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions.  “We are equally excited to celebrate our friend, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and her tireless efforts for ocean advocacy.”

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.

Thunberg will receive the award after having recently completed a Trans-Atlantic journey by sail to minimize her own carbon footprint while attending global forum on Climate Change. The Next Generation Award recognizes not only Thunberg’s thought leadership on the urgency of addressing global climate change, which is causing a higher extinction rate in the seas than on land, but also her leading by example in her climate strike and individual actions to reduce carbon emissions. 

The 17^th Annual “Off The Reef” Gala takes place Saturday, November 2 at The Bently Reserve (301 Battery Street, San Francisco and feature a vegan dinner, fine wine and a live auction, and the following schedule: 5:30pm – 7pm cocktail reception; 7pm-9pm dinner and program; 9pm ‘til 10:30pm music by DJ Bryce Williams. Highlighted during the evening will be teasers of the Festival’s upcoming films. Individual tickets are $ 250 and can be purchased online starting Wednesday, September 3, 2019 at www.intloceanfilmfest.org/benefit

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

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

WHAT: This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse
Iconic Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Emergency Fund Marks 15th Anniversary

Liam Mayclem / KCBS’ Radio “Foodie Chap” Featured Emcee / Guest Auctioneer

WHERE: San Francisco Fairmont Hotel950 Mason Street

WHEN: Friday, October 25: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

WEB: www.bcef.org

WHY: For 15 years, the San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Emergency Fund has understood “the power of the purse.” 

Friday, October 25at Francisco’s historic Fairmont Hotel the 15th Anniversary “This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse”  fundraiser will bring together fashionistas, philanthropists and those for whom cancer is a personal and professional cause to raise funds – and awareness – in the fight against breast cancer. 

The now iconic event brings together men, women, fashion icons, celebrities from sports, politics and the entertainment industries all with one goal in mind: donate, display and sell fabulous handbags for a good cause: helping people with breast cancer. 

This year, in addition to a record number of new designs and international contributions, Liam Mayclem, award-winning “Foodie Chap” of KCBS / KCBS 5, will serve up British wit and continental charm as celebrity emcee and auctioneer.

“For the past 15 years This Old Bag has truly demonstrated the ‘power of the purse:’ people helping people through their time of financial and health crisis,” said Cynthia Hester, President of Breast Cancer Emergency Fund’s Board of Directors. “Every bag we sell – handbags, men’s bags, tech bags, travel bags, and more – provides a crucial safety net for our clients by keeping a roof over their head or keeping the lights on. BCEF has never had to turn a qualified client away for lack of funds, and we’ve never had a waiting list. THAT is the ‘power of the purse.’”

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. 

A small sampling of bags already donated this year include:

• An elegant grey Longchamp tote donated by Sharon Stone
  
• A shoulder bag with autographed CD from Linda Ronstadt
  
• A black shearling Valentino bag donated by Ayesha Curry
  
• A red Proenza Schouler satchel donated by Mindy Kaling
  
• Two exquisite vintage Hermès bags donated by Julian Lopez
  
• A Stella McCartney bag donatedby Chelsea Handler
  
• A Salvatore Ferragamo bag donated by Kristen Bell
  
• A one-of-a-kind couture shoulder bag designed & handmade specially for THIS OLD BAG by April in Paris
  
• A “Rocker’s Dream Bag” donated by Deborah Harry and signed by members of Blondie, Cheap TrickandThe B-52s

Those donated handbags have a huge impact. “The average monthly income of our clients is $825,” said KarenEdwards, 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 more information about Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, and further to-be-announced details about the 15th Anniversary This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse at San Francisco’s storied Fairmont Hotel in Friday, October 25, please go online to www.bcef.org

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

Dezart Performs Wins Nine Desert Stars Awards

Maytag Virgin scores seven including Outstanding Production Comedy Professional,
Best Director and Best Actor & Actress
Awards also for Perfect Arrangement and Church & State

12^th Season for Dezart Performs Opens November 8 with Hand to God

14 October 2019 – Palm Springs, CA: Heading into its 12^th landmark season, the acclaimed Dezart Performs won nine Desert Star Awards at last night’s 32^nd Annual Desert Theatre League Awards. Of the nine, including the categories of Outstanding Production Comedy (Professional), Director, Lead Actor and Actress, and Set, Sound and Lighting Design, Audry Cefaly’s Southern romantic comedy Maytag  Virginracked up the majority with Dezart Performs also winning Best Lead Actor in a Drama (Professional) for its production of Church & Stateand Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy (Professional) for Perfect Arrangement. In three weeks, Dezart Performs will open the season with the raucous Tony Award nominated dark comedy Hand to God by Robert Askins (November 8 – 17).

“Love won,” laughed Dezart Performs Founding Artistic Director Michael Shaw referring to last season’s unabashedly romantic Maytag Virgin. “Plus, political debate with a touch of levity and a comedic take on the ‘lavender scare’ of the 1950s rounded out a winning season for us. We’re so grateful to the incredible talents that made all this possible: onstage, backstage and in our audience.”

The complete list of Desert Theatre League / Desert Star Awards winners for Dezart Performs are as follows: 

Outstanding Production – Comedy – Professional

Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Director of a Comedy – Professional

Deborah Harmon, Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional

Joel Bryant, Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy – Professional

Kay Capasso, Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy – Professional

Yo Younger, Perfect Arrangement

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Professional

Beau Marie, Church & State

Outstanding Set Design – Professional

Thomas L. Valach, Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Sound Design – Professional

Clark Dugger, Maytag Virgin

Outstanding Lighting Design – Professional

Phil Murphy, Maytag Virgin

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.

12^th Dezart Performs Complete Season Listing

HAND TO GOD

Written by Robert Askins

Directed by Michael Shaw

Dark comedy

November 8-17, 2019

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

Drama

January 10-19, 2020

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

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

“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 (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH  U.S. OLYMPIC SAILING TEAM, LEADERSHIP & JOHN KILROY

Wednesday, 16 October 2019: 9am – 1pm

St. Francis Yacht Club / 700 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, California

WHO/WHAT:  Introducing the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team to San Francisco along with team sponsor John Kilroy and opportunity to visit sailing craft

(Bios at end of this release)

WHEN:  Wednesday, 16 October:  9am – 12pm #

# one-on-one interviews at journalist request: 

WHERE:  St. Francis Yacht Club / 700  Marina Boulevard / San Francisco

US Sailing Team – Kilroy Realty Media Summit Attendees:

• Jack Gierhart – CEO, US Sailing

Jack is the Chief Executive Officer of US Sailing. He has over 20 years of sales, marketing, and general management experience in the technology and marine industries.  In his 5+ years at US Sailing, Jack has lead the organization through several initiatives, focusing on driving Olympic success, growing the organization’s membership base, marketing US Sailing’s broad array of services and products, growing sponsorship and licensing programs, as well as improving the overall information technology infrastructure, content management and outgoing communications initiatives. He sails both competitively and recreationally. In addition to circumnavigating Alaska and sailing much of the east and west coasts of the US, he has participated in the Fastnet race, numerous Bermuda races and enjoys racing Lasers, H12s, Shields, J/105s, and J/80s.

• John Kilroy – CEO, Kilroy Realty Corporation

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Kilroy Realty Corporation, John Kilroy Jr. guides the creation of collaborative workspaces for the world’s most dynamic tech and entertainment companies. Kilroy Realty’s portfolio spans redevelopment and build-to-suit, with ownership of more than 13 million square feet of premium commercial real estate in the hearts of San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego and Seattle. For John, partnering with the US Sailing Team is a natural fit. Not only is he an avid sailor, but he also highlyvalues programs that promote the ideals of Olympic class racing, including: the pursuit of excellence, sustainable initiatives, innovative technology, and women in leadership.

• Luther Carpenter – Senior Olympic Coach, US Sailing

Luther is the most decorated Olympic sailing coach in American history. He is a seven-time Olympic Games coach and has led American athletes to five medals (1992 Bronze, 1996 Bronze, 2000 Bronze, 2008 Gold, 2016 Bronze). In 1989, Luther was hired by US Sailing as the first full-time coach in the organization’s history. He has been working continually for the US Sailing Team for the past 30 years.

ATHLETES

• Stephanie Roble – US Sailing Team 49erFX Skipper

2014 US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year

2019 Pan Am Games Silver Medalist, 49erFX

2019 Genoa World Cup Bronze Medalist, 49erFX

2018 49erFX European Championship, 5th

2014 US Women’s Match Racing Champion

Gold & Silver Medalist, Women’s International Match Racing Series

2014 Match Racing World Champion.

2x Bronze Medalist, Women’s World Match Racing Championship

Etchells World Championship, 1st, 5th & 11th Place

Melges 20 World Championship, 3rd & 4th Place

Ranked #1 in USA, #10 in World, 49erFX

• Maggie Shea – US Sailing Team 49erFX Crew

2019 Pan Am Games Silver Medalist, 49erFX

2x US Match Racing Champion

2x US Women’s Match Racing Champion

2019 Genoa World Cup Bronze Medalist, 49erFX

2018 49erFX European Championship, 5th

2017 M32 North American Championship Bronze Medalist

2014 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championships Bronze Medalist

Ranked #1 in USA, #10 in World, 49erFX

• Erika Reineke – US Sailing Team Laser Radial Skipper

2017 US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year

4x US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Finalist

4x College Singlehanded National Champion, Laser Radial

4x Collegiate All-American – Women’s and Coed

2019 50^th Trofeo S.A.R Princesa Sofia Iberostar Regatta Bronze Medalist, Laser Radial

2017 ASAF Cup – Enoshima Olympic Week (Enoshima, JPN) Gold Medalist, Laser Radial

2011 World Championship Gold Medalist, Laser Radial

2010 World Championship Gold Medalist, Laser Radial

Ranked #1 in USA, #16 in World, Laser Radial

• Riley Gibbs – US Sailing Team Nacra 17 Skipper

2019 Pan American Games Gold Medalist

2018 World Cup Series Final – Marseille, 4^th place

2017 Formula Kite World Championships, 4^th place

2016 505 North American Championship Gold Medalist

2014 29er ISAF Youth World Championship Silver Medalist

• Anna Weis – US Sailing Team Nacra 17 Crew

2019 Pan American Games Gold Medalist

2016 Women’s Singlehanded National Champion

2016 Laser Radial Youth Worlds, 8^th place

2015 Laser Radial Youth Worlds, 7^th place