Author: Alfredo Casuso

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 18, 2018 
Contact: Erica Kato 
erica.kato@sfmta.com

**PRESS RELEASE**
Ride Muni Free on New Year’s Eve
Free rides and extra service around San Francisco to ring in the new year

 SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will offer free rides on New Year’s Eve from 8 p.m. on Monday, December 31 through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1. This year’s Ride Muni Free New Year’s Eve is sponsored by 76.

“We wish all San Francisco residents, workers and visitors a safe and happy New Year. That’s why we’ve partnered with 76, to once again make Muni free on the last night of the year,” said Ed Reiskin, SFMTA Director of Transportation. “So celebrate the end of 2018 without the worry of drinking and driving. Free Muni service will be provided to get you around the city and safely home on New Year’s Eve.”

“76^® is proud to support Ride Muni free on New Year’s Eve! Leave the driving to Muni from 8p.m. To 5a.m. We wish you a safe, joyful holiday season by being a passenger, not a driver. Happy holidays! We’re on the driver’s side” said Bree Januhowski, 76 Brand Director.

This program supports San Francisco’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities.

Ride Muni Free New Year’s Eve includes all Muni lines and routes. All information, including schedules and stops, will be posted on www.sfmta.com/nye. Clipper Card customers should NOT tap their cards to make sure they don’t get charged a fare. Muni Mobile passes will not be necessary. Metro fare gates will be open that night.

Don’t drink and drive, let Muni do the driving.

New Year’s Eve Muni Service:

·         Complimentary Muni service from 8 p.m. on Monday, December 31 to 5 a.m. on Monday, January 1.

·         Owl service frequency is doubled on the 5 Fulton, 14 Mission, 22 Fillmore, 24 Divisadero, 25 Treasure Island, 38 Geary, 44 O’Shaughnessy, 48 Quintara-24th, 90 Owl, 91 Owl, L Owl and N Owl routes.

·         Extra LRV Metro shuttles will run from West Portal to 4th and King until 2:15 a.m.

·         Extra LRV Metro service between Embarcadero and West Portal will run until 5 a.m.

·         Service on cable cars will be provided by buses after approximately 6 p.m.

·         Service on the F Market & Wharves will be provided by buses in the evening.

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, a city-sponsored fireworks show from a barge off of The Embarcadero, south of the Ferry Building will take place. Motorists should anticipate delays in the area from approximately 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. No closures or re-routes are planned. SFPD and SFMTA will monitor for any necessary re-routes. For details, please visit www.sfmta.com.

BART will provide additional service until approximately 3 a.m., January 1. After 8 p.m. BART service to and from the East Bay will be split between Embarcadero and Montgomery stations. Antioch and Richmond line trains heading into San Francisco will not stop at Embarcadero Station. Exit at Montgomery Street Station for the fireworks show. Dublin/Pleasanton and Fremont/Warm Springs line trains will not stop at Montgomery Street Station. After the fireworks, Dublin/Pleasanton and Fremont/Warm Springs trains will not stop at West Oakland. The first East Bay stop is Lake Merritt Station. Millbrae and Daly City passengers should use Montgomery Street Station. Full fare pricing will be in effect. For more details, please visit www.bart.gov.

Caltrain service will be free after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and continue until 5 a.m. For more details, please visit www.caltrain.com.

SamTrans will offer free rides on all buses beginning at 8 p.m. on December 31 until 5 a.m. on January 1. For more details, please visit http://www.samtrans.com.

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

Dezart Performs Continues 11^th Season with Perfect Arrangement
Secret Lives Set in midst of 1950s Red Scare is focus of dark but witty comic work by Topher Payne

Michael Shaw Directs Second Show of 11^th Season for Award-Winning Ensemble in Palm Springs
www.dezartperforms.org

14 December 2018 – Palm Springs, CA: Imagine I Love Lucy with Ricky and Fred sharing a bed and Lucy and Vivian as lesbian lovers with State Department credentials. In a nutshell, that’s the recipe for the improbable secret high-wire act brought to life in Topher Payne’s darkly comic Perfect Arrangementfrom the award winning Dezart Performs of Palm Springs. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s “Red Scare” and the burgeoning gay rights movement, the play runs January 11 – 20 at thePearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club / 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs) and is directed by Dezart Performs founding artistic director Michael Shaw.

“In an age of unequally dispersed marriage equality, Perfect Arrangement is an object lesson about how far we’ve come, but still how far we have to go,” said Shaw. “Topher Payne’s richly witty and deeply nuanced script is at once laugh-out-loud hilarious, but yet movingly heartbreaking. It may look like a sitcom on the outside, but on the inside, it’s a poignant history lesson based in fact.”

The plot thickens quickly as two married – but secretly gay — U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, are tasked with identifying “sexual deviants” within their ranks. The result: classic situational comedy of the “Golden Age of TV” style with razor sharp dialogue and societal exploration.

“Literally, the cast spends a lot of time jumping in and out of the closet,” says Shaw. “We laugh at their antics, but our hearts clutch at their moral choice every minute: life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness.”

The cast for Perfect Arrangement features Hanz Enyeart as Jim Baxter, Deborah Harmon as Kitty Sunderson, Phylicia Mason as Mille Martindale, Hal O’Connell as Theodore Sunderson, Olivia Saccomanno as Norma Baxter, Adam Jonas Segaller as Bob Martindaleand Yo Younger as Barbara Grant.

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.

Sponsors of Dezart Performs’ 2018/19 Season include The Riviera Palm Springs, Desert Care Network, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Acqua at the River, TRIO Restaurant, Hotel Zoso and the Desert Sun.

Showtimes for Perfect Arrangement: Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays @ 2pm.  Ticket prices are $45 Opening Night with Post Show Reception; $35 Evening; $30 Matinee. Performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Season discounts available. Tickets may be purchased online www.dezartperforms.org 

11^th Dezart Performs Complete Season Listings

Perfect Arrangement
A comic tale of closeted lives by Topher Payne
Directed by Michael Shaw
January 11 — 20, 2019

It’s 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door.

“A clever canape of a comedy…Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.” – The New York Times

“Usually a playwright has to choose between writing a laugh-out-loud comedy and a very serious drama. Topher Payne has written both with Perfect Arrangement.” – TheatreMania

*   *   *

White Guy on the Bus
A new drama by Bruce Graham
Directed by Michael ShawMarch 1 — 10, 2019

Week after week, a wealthy white businessman rides the same bus, befriending a single black mom. As they get to know one another, their pasts unfold and tensions rise, igniting a disturbing and crucial exploration of race.
“A scalding take on race.” -New York Times

“White Guy on the Bus is a play with guts. This one goes for the jugular.” – Chicago Tribune

*   *   *

The Maytag Virgin
A southern love story by Audrey Cefaly
Directed by Deborah Harmon
April 5 — 14, 2019

Alabama high-school teacher Lizzy Nash is on a leave of absence after the sudden death of her husband when a mysterious new neighbor moves in next door. Jack and Lizzy, both hiding a world of secrets and pain, excite and confound each other. Maytag Virgin explores the ideas of moving forward and self-enlightenment, and the bridge between the two.

“….unflinchingly honest. Cefaly’s writing is richly-layered, creating compelling characters that must balance love and heartache, the safe with the unfamiliar.”– DC Metro Theatre Arts

“…it’s the emotional journey of Maytag Virgin gives it such a wallop. Cefaly writes with sympathy and a finely-sharpened wit.” – BroadwayWorld.com

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

Dezart Performs Garners Rave Reviews for Church & State

“Honest to God” comedy by Jason Odell Williams opened 11^th Season for Award-Winning Ensemble in Palm Springs

www.dezartperforms.org

(press photos available online at:

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/160126022@N05/sets/72157675497140678

19 November 2018 – Palm Springs, CA: Coming off a record-setting 11 Desert Theatre League Awards for their 10^th season, Dezart Performs kicked off their 11th on November 9 with the “serious comedy, honest to God,” Church & State. Just closed after eight packed houses, the show received near rhapsodic critical reviews from the local press. 

“Told passionately by Dezart Performs in a professionally-designed production (Church & State) is compelling.” said Bruce Fessier of The Desert Sun. “The audience belly-laughed for a solid 60 minutes. The other 30 we sobbed,” summed up Kay Kudukis in Broadway World. “It is very, very powerful.” Jack Lyons of the Desert Local News praised Michael Shaw for his “intelligent and sensitive direction” and noted that its “relevancy in today’s chaotic, ‘ripped from the headlines’ environment is spot on….a powerful play with poignant performances by an outstanding cast — a splendid production.” Bonnie Gilgallon of the Coachella Valley Independent opined that “Dezart Performs’ production of Church and State is what good theater is all about—it’s not just an entertaining evening watching really good actors; it also has a story line that makes the audience think. It makes us debate important issues on the way home, and maybe consider a viewpoint we’ve never had before. The production of Jason Odell Williams’ Church and State goes beyond special; it’s spectacular.”

The cast for Church & State featured Beau Marie as Senator Charles Whitmore; Kelley Moody as Sara Whitmore, the Senator’s wife; Tammy Hubler as Alex Klein, the campaign manager; and James Owens in multiple roles including the clueless and lovable page, Tom.

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. 

The 11^th Season for Dezart Performs continues with Perfect Arrangement – a comic tale of closeted lives by Topher Payne, January 11 — 20. 

Sponsors of Dezart Performs’ 2018/19 Season include The Riviera Palm Springs, Desert Care Network, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Acqua at the River, TRIO Restaurant, Hotel Zoso and the Desert Sun.

All performances for Dezart Performs take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Season discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org 

11^th Dezart Performs Complete Season Listings

Perfect Arrangement
A comic tale of closeted lives by Topher Payne
Directed by Michael Shaw
January 11 — 20, 2019

It’s 1950, and new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: Both Bob and Norma are gay and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap classic sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two “All-American” couples are forced to stare down the closet door.

“A clever canape of a comedy…Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.” – The New York Times

“Usually a playwright has to choose between writing a laugh-out-loud comedy and a very serious drama. Topher Payne has written both with Perfect Arrangement.” – TheatreMania

*   *   *

White Guy on the Bus
A new drama by Bruce Graham
Directed by Michael Shaw
March 1 — 10, 2019

Week after week, a wealthy white businessman rides the same bus, befriending a single black mom. As they get to know one another, their pasts unfold and tensions rise, igniting a disturbing and crucial exploration of race.
“A scalding take on race.” -New York Times

“White Guy on the Bus is a play with guts. This one goes for the jugular.” – Chicago Tribune

*   *   *

The Maytag Virgin
A southern love story by Audrey Cefaly
Directed by Deborah Harmon
April 5 — 14, 2019

Alabama high-school teacher Lizzy Nash is on a leave of absence after the sudden death of her husband when a mysterious new neighbor moves in next door. Jack and Lizzy, both hiding a world of secrets and pain, excite and confound each other. Maytag Virgin explores the ideas of moving forward and self-enlightenment, and the bridge between the two.

“….unflinchingly honest. Cefaly’s writing is richly-layered, creating compelling characters that must balance love and heartache, the safe with the unfamiliar.”– DC Metro Theatre Arts

“…it’s the emotional journey of Maytag Virgin gives it such a wallop. Cefaly writes with sympathy and a finely-sharpened wit.” – BroadwayWorld.com

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

International Ocean Film Festival “Seas the Night” Fall Benefit for the Festival’s Student Education Program

Thursday, November 8: 5:30pm – 10pm @ Gallery 308 / Fort Mason Center for the Arts & Culture

Dr. Jeff Boehm, Executive Director of The Marine Mammal Center to Receive “Ocean Champion” Award

16th Annual Festival runs March 7 – 10, 2019

www.intloceanfilmfest.org

2 November 2018 – San Francisco, CA: To the Romans, the Mediterranean was Mare Nostrum – “Our Sea.” And while their other Latin motto, Carpe Diem may have meant “Seize the Day”, the ocean – as we know all too well – belongs to all of us: a shared responsibility highlighted by the work of the San Francisco based International Ocean Film Festival.  Thursday, November 8, the acclaimed nonprofit committed to “Saving the Oceans One Film at a Time” will “Seas the Night” – their fall fundraiser benefiting the Festival’s student education programs. Taking place at Gallery 308 in the Fort Mason Center for the Arts & Culture (2 Marina Blvd. San Francisco), the evening features fine wine, sustainable seafood stations provided by Waterbar, Fog Harbor Fish House and The Grotto in addition to a live auction, sneak previews of the films from the upcoming 2019 festival and music by DJ Ryan Mannix. Also honored that night will be this year’s “Ocean Champion”, The Marine Mammal Center’s Executive Director Dr. Jeff Boehm. Individual tickets start at $ 150 and can be purchased online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org. 

“Perhaps no organization has done more to call to the forefront the shared heritage between humans on land and our warm-blooded siblings in the ocean than The Marine Mammal Center,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival.  “For 28 years as a volunteer and for the last decade as its leader, Dr. Jeff Boehm has and continues to be the definition of ‘an ocean champion.’ ”

Dr. Jeff Boehm joined The Marine Mammal Center as its Executive Director in 2008. He was formerly the Senior Vice President of Animal Health and Conservation Science at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where he worked for 16 years. There, he oversaw the veterinary medical program and led and coordinated the aquarium’s conservation science division, including conservation partnerships, in-house programs, and educational and advocacy programs and partnerships.

Dr. Boehm traces his career path back to a volunteer position he held at the Center back in 1980. As is the case for many current volunteers (there are more than 1,200 on the Center’s roster) or staff members, the Center experience influenced him greatly. For him, the opportunity to work with incredible wildlife in the context of conservation inspired him to pursue a nontraditional route in veterinary medicine and led him, ultimately, back to The Marine Mammal Center.

Dr. Boehm received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at San Diego and his veterinary medical degree from the University of California at Davis. He is a diplomat of the American College of Animal Welfare.

“The International Ocean Film Festival is dedicated to using film as a medium to increase public awareness of the environmental, social, and cultural importance of marine ecosystems and foster a spirit of ocean stewardship,” said Blanco. “Commonly referred to as the ‘Sundance of the ocean film festivals,’ We are now in our 16^th year as the premier ocean event in North America for ocean-related films. The Seas the Night gala raises funds to allow us to reach middle school and high school students through special daytime programs with film screenings and Q&A sessions with filmmakers, marine scientist, and industry experts.”

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.

Sponsors for the 16^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival thus far include BigBus, the Port of San Francisco, and the Parker Foundation

The 16th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will take place March 7 – 10, 2019 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.