Author: Alfredo Casuso

“Queer the Vote” Ads Aim to Increase Voting Among LGBTQ+ Community Members Younger than 30

Written on October 30, 2022.

Media Contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
Frank Rodriguez: (213) 793-1244 / frankdrodriguez808@gmail.com

“Queer the Vote” Ads Aim to Increase Voting Among LGBTQ+ Community Members Younger than 30

31 October 2022 — San Francisco, CA: Queer the Vote is a series of 8 online ads aimed at getting under-30 LGBTQ+ to vote on November 8th.

With a conservative wave threatening our rights, photographer Blake Little, graphic artist Sean Adams and copywriters Jeffrey Hilbert and Frank Rodriguez felt compelled to do something.

Blake Little explains, “If every single young LGBTQ+ American voted, this could make the crucial difference in tight elections around the country. I want queer youth to know they have a powerful voice in our political arena.”

The group is hoping people will repost and retweet the ads to get the message out before the election. The diverse group of individuals pictured in the ads were happy to approve the use o their images for our little grassroots campaign.

Why is this effort important? Many midterm races are going to be close and we need every vote to safe LGBTQ+ rights and our Democracy.

According to a 2022 HRC study, in the 2022 Midterm election, “LGBTQ+ identified people account for one-in ten (11.3%) people in the voting eligible population (adults age 18+) in the United States. Younger generations are much more likely to identify as LGBTQ+, including 27% of Generation Z (born 1997-2003) 15.6% of Millennials (born 1981 – 1996)”

Ken Borelli of “Italifornians” Raves About “Upon This Rock”

Written on October 20, 2022.

I want to share this book from an author who lives in San Francisco and Palm Springs. It’s called Upon This Rock, by first-time novelist David Eugene Perry.

Upon This Rock won a Silver Medal Ben Franklin Independent Book Publishers Award for 2020 and first prize for Best Gay Novel of the Year (2021) from the San Francisco Book Festival. Now, the book is in development as a screenplay and the author is at work on the sequel with three of the same characters, inspired by Grazalema, a small town in southern Spain.

I am just finishing a second reading of the book. I think The Italifornian membership would enjoy hearing about the novel. To sum up a key theme, and to paraphrase an old Mexican dicho: “Poor Mexico so far from God, so close to the United States.” One could say the very same thing about Italy: “Poor Italy so far from God so close to the Vatican.” The novel certainly reinforces that observation! Likewise, the new research in recently released archives around the world and especially the Vatican is drawing a lot of attention.

Personally, I was curious about the book because it takes place in a favorite location in Italy, Orvieto in the Province of Umbria. and set among the amazing frescos of Luca Signorelli at the Duomo. Once into the book I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of tourist stereotypes about Italy as the novel unfolded.

For those who have visited the Cathedral, it really leaves a lasting impression and, of course, enhances the backdrop of the storylines. The tale also includes a leitmotif of Pope Clement’s refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527 and weaves this theme into the current refugee crisis in Europe today.

It’s also a very well-crafted story that goes beyond a married couple, Lee and his partner Andrea, who intended to spend a sabbatical in Orvieto and then off to Ireland to lay to rest the ashes of a friend and mentor, who was a Gay Episcopal Bishop from San Francisco. Lee and Adriano soon learn of a tragic event a year prior to their visit that still resonated with the community – the death of a well-liked novitiate who was denied entry into the priesthood for mysterious reasons and under direct orders from Rome. He became so distraught he committed suicide. The tragic event held special significance for Lee who lost his family in the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

As the story unfolds, the couple finds themselves in a very complex conspiracy that reflects many layers of modern Italy and its relationship to Citta Vaticano, including the role of women in the church, Gay clergy, and the intrigue of both liberal and conservative dissidents. There are some Gay-themed romances afoot and conspiratorial mayhem. culminating in a conversation with Pope Francis. By the time you are at the Duomo in Orvieto you are skillfully hooked into the whole whodunit and the preverbal “why”.

The promo for Upon This Rock was written by Armistead Maupin and Ericka Atkinson, among others. (The novel itself has as many memorable characters as a Maupin novel.) Mr. Perry, the author, was also the host and producer of 10% TV, an LGBTQ-themed TV show.

Upon This Rock is also now very timely as new elections in Italy are predicting a move to a consolidated nationalist government, formed by the Fratelli D’Italia coalition led by Giorgia Meloni. It is extreme rightist, and concern has been raised about what this means for human rights in Italy among other issues. Upon This Rock helps to appreciate some of the complexities of modern Italy along with telling a timely and well-honed tale. It is also an engaging way to understand the many levels and complexities of post-World War II Italy. I could easily envision the book as a mini-film series

Ken Borelli / Executive Editor, The Italifornian

Click here to purchase your copy of “Upon This Rock”

The 75th Anniversary of Saving the Cable Cars

Written on October 20, 2022.

Media Contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 – 11AM

WHO:

Market Street Railway in partnership with
the Union Square Alliance, Fisherman’s Wharf CBD,
and San Francisco Beautiful present
“Empowering Women who Empowered San Francisco,”
The 75^th Anniversary of Saving the Cable Cars.

WHAT:

The 75^th Anniversary of Saving the Cable Cars

WHEN / WHERE:

Wednesday, October 26: 11am – 1pm

11am: Remarks at Powell & Market Cable Car Turnaround and display of newly restored 1947 Muni bus that was supposed to replace the Powell cable cars

Speakers:

Emcee, Marisa Rodriguez, Union Square Alliance
Mayor London N. Breed
Gwyneth Borden, SFMTA
Tilly Chang, SFCTA

11:25am: Cable Car Ride to Friedel Klussmann Memorial Turnaround in Aquatic Park

11:50am: Remarks, Rededication of the Klussmann turnaround, and official launching of San Francisco’s newest Cable Car # 8. Speakers:

Emcee: Carmen Clark, Market Street Railway
Darcy Brown, San Francisco Beautiful
Sina von Reitzenstein, Fisherman’s Wharf CBD
Melita Issa, Ghirardelli Square

WEB:

www.visitunionsquaresf.com

www.streetcar.org

WHY:

Friedel Klussmann was a pioneering civic activist, a woman taking on a male-dominated government and business community to save what we now understand to be our most precious civic asset, the SF Cable Car. In 1947, Klussmann led the way in establishing the cable cars as the rumbling heart of San Francisco. Years later, this resulted in her founding of the esteemed San Francisco nonprofit San Francisco Beautiful.

Klussmann’s campaign took off, gaining international publicity and swelling support for the Cable Cars, now the first National Historic Monument that moves and carries passengers. The measure they got on the November 1947 ballot to save the Powell cables passed better than 3-1, a stunning result. The momentum from this led to the City buying the California and Hyde lines when the private company that owned them went broke in 1951. By 1957, the system was consolidated into what we enjoy today. Just a few years after her campaign, the iconic ballad “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was written that talked of “little Cable Cars that climb halfway to the stars.”

In recent years, SFMTA has significantly improved the appearance and maintenance of the Cable Car fleet and machinery. Cable Car 8 (behind Cable Car 1 in the setup) is their latest triumph, rebuilt from the frame up and painted in Muni’s 1947 cable car colors. Had Friedel Klussmann’s campaign not succeeded, Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf would likely not be the vital areas they are today. The Cable Cars continue to play a critical role in connecting key destinations in San Francisco, for All to enjoy.

Today’s event serves to remind San Franciscans of the importance of continuing to make excellent operation and maintenance of this priceless civic asset a top priority. On the same 1947 ballot as the Save the Cable Cars measure was a bond issue to rebuild Muni, which heavy use during World War II had left worn out. That measure passed and created the zero-emission trolley bus network Muni enjoys today, with many other benefits. Voter support for transit funded projects is critical to San Francisco’s recovery, starting with renewal of the half-cent transportation sales tax, Prop. L, on the ballot this coming November 8. Please vote “yes” on Prop L.

About Market Street Railway
Market Street Railway is a nonprofit advocate for preserving historic transit in San Francisco. In its 45-year history, it was the driving force behind the return of vintage streetcars to Market Street and their extension to Fisherman’s Wharf: the F-line, which is today America’s most popular traditional streetcar line. It has helped Muni acquire more than two dozen vintage streetcars, cable cars, and buses for the City’s heritage transit fleet and undertaken many collaborative projects with SFMTA, which it serves as nonprofit preservation partner. Named for a series of past transit companies that served generations of San Franciscans, today’s Market Street Railway also operates the free San Francisco Railway Museum at 77 Steuart Street, across from the Ferry Building, and offers access to hundreds of stories and thousands of photographs about transit history in San Francisco on its website, www.streetcar.org

About the Union Square Alliance:
The Union Square Alliance serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the district’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors come to enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and on the west Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go to www.visitunionsquaresf.com

Hotel Council of San Francisco Announces New Board Members: Franco Finn, Gail Isono, Sheena Way

Written on October 19, 2022.

Media Contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Hotel Council of San Francisco Announces New Board Members:
Franco Finn, Gail Isono, Sheena Way

19 October 2022— San Francisco, CA: The Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) today announced three new board members: Franco Finn (Alaska Airlines), Gail Isono (Harbor Court Hotel), Sheena Way (Golden State Warriors)

“These three new additions to our Board expand our reach and our expertise,” said Terry Lewis, Board Chair for the Council. “These professionals are well known in their respective fields and know how vital tourism is for our economic recovery.”

“I’m excited to announce our newest additions to the Hotel Council’s Board of Directors: Franco Finn, Gail Isono and Sheena Way,” said Alex Bastian, President & CEO of the Council. “This pivotal moment in our city’s history highlights the importance of creating partnerships that benefit our industry, its workforce, and the city of San Francisco. Our collaboration with our Allied Partners, the world champion Golden State Warriors and Alaska Airlines, is incredibly valuable because it is representative of San Francisco’s tourism industry. We will be working collectively to fast-track our city’s recovery by doubling down on tourism in 2023.”

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. With a membership roster of over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations, the Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support its growth and success.

Franco Finn is a first-generation San Francisco native. Born and raised in the Mission & Excelsior districts in Francisco and eventually settled in the Sunset District. Franco attended French American International School (FAIS) in grade school, then Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep for High School, and then received his B.A. in Communications at Santa Clara University. For nearly a decade, Franco has been an aviation professional, working in many capacities within the airline industry from Brand Marketing, Communications, External Relations & Employee Engagement. Currently, Franco manages the Community Relations & Engagement for the state of California at Alaska Airlines.

Franco is an active member in the San Francisco community where he also serves on the Executive Board of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not working his full time job, many people may also recognize him and his voice over the last 20 years as the in-arena MC/Host and TV Personality for the NBA World Champion Golden State Warriors. Now in his 20^th season, many fans of the beloved sports franchise, fittingly know him as the “Hypeman” at the new Chase Center in San Francisco, where he energizes and entertains the sold out crowd of 18,000+ fans each and every night. You’ll hear him introducing the team’s starting lineup, hosting the pre-game show “Warriors TV” and conducting all the contests and promos at the arena.

Franco Finn is also a well-known professional auctioneer, the “Hypeman Auctioneer”, where he shares his voice and influence at many charity benefits, galas, and fundraiser events all around the San Francisco Bay Area & beyond. He’s a graduate of the Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in North Carolina, a member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) with a Benefit Auction Specialist (B.A.S.) designation. Franco has been involved in a multitude of fundraising events for many years, working with some of the most recognizable non-profit charities and organizations from the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, The Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a handful, helping to raise millions of dollars and counting, in his career!

His media background and experience includes being a segment host on KRON 4 TV and freelancing as an MC/host for the San Francisco Giants’ special events for the past 13 seasons. He is a local and national MC, hosting a variety of sporting events from NASCAR to Red Bull’s extreme sports events. His previous stints include being an on-air personality and host for TV and Radio for CBS, Comcast SportsNet, the Oakland Raiders (NFL Network), KOFY-TV, Radio Disney, KGO AM 810, and guest appearances on ESPN Radio.

Gail Isono is the General Manager for the Harbor Court Hotel. Prior to joining the Harbor Court Hotel, Gail was the General Manager for the Hotel Abri, and previously, the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa for over 16 years, her pride in working in San Francisco has been a focal point in the guest and employee experience. She has been a member of the Hotel Council and was previously involved in the Union Square Business Improvement District, Nob Hill Association and Vistage. Gail attended the University of Hawaii, majoring in Travel industry Management and worked in the hotel industry i n Hawaii before moving to San Francisco. Her upbringing i n Hawaii has been a strong influence for the importance of “ohana” (family) that we share in our industry.

Sheena Way joined the Golden State Warriors organization during the 2020-21 NBA season as Vice President, Content and Programming, and is now in her second season. In her current role, Way’s primary responsibilities include oversight over Chase Center and Thrive City programming opportunities, as well as concerts, sporting events, premium live events, special events, and outdoor plaza activations. Way has focused on new ways to bring the different communities of the Bay Area together through unique specialty events such as Lunar New Year Celebration, Black History Month Celebrations, Women Small Business Market, and Hanukkah Celebrations. Under her direction, Chase Center and Thrive City have welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests for live entertainment of all kinds. When Chase Center reopened for fans coming out of the pandemic in 2021, she orchestrated the bookings of the rescheduled and new concerts and performances highlighted by Tame Impala, The Eagles, Dave Chappelle, Luke Combs, Metallica and back-to-back sold-out Trevor Noah shows. Prior to joining the Warriors, Way served as Vice President, Live Entertainment for the Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), where she oversaw the bookings for Rogers Place—home to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers—the Downtown Community Arena, ICE District, and all Premium rental spaces within OEG. There she managed the grand opening of Rogers Place, including the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and public house, along with 11 shows in its first 60 days. Way’s experience expands over 25 years in Talent Management and Live Entertainment Programming; previously she served as Director of Live Entertainment for Canucks Sports and Entertainment. She was responsible for all bookings at Rogers Arena, home to the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. She spent additional time in the Vancouver market in positions with Live Nation Entertainment, House of Blue Concerts, and the Sam Feldman Agency. A native of Vancouver, Canada, Way spent her childhood in the British Columbia Province, where she started in the entertainment industry as an artist manager at 16 years old. In her free time, Sheena is an avid skier and cyclist and enjoys Bay area adventures with her husband, Mike.

Dezart Performs Wins 8 Desert Stars Awards for landmark productions The Mountaintop and Every Brilliant Thing

Written on October 19, 2022.

media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@acasusodavidperry-com

Dezart Performs Wins 8 Desert Stars Awards
for landmark productions The Mountaintop and Every Brilliant Thing
www.dezartperforms.org

19 October 2022 – Palm Springs, CA: The Desert Theatre League has honored the critically-acclaimed 14^th season for Dezart Performs (www.dezartperforms.org) of Palm Springs with Eight Desert Star Awards in the 35th annual occurrence in honoring outstanding performances and productions. The emotionally-charged The Mountaintop exploring the final night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took home six awards including Outstanding Props and Special Effects, Greg Thorneycroft; Outstanding Sound Design – Professional, Clark Dugger; Outstanding Set Design – Professional, Thomas L. Valach; The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama, Professional, Michael Shaw; Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, Shante Deloach; and Outstanding Production of a Drama – Professional. The one-person dramatic comedy performed in the round, Every Brilliant Thing, garnered two awards: Outstanding Director of a Comedy – Professional, Deborah Hamon and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional for Joel Bryant.

“The evening of awards was a long-overdue gathering of all of our friends in the theatre community,” said Dezart Performs Founding Artistic Director Michael Shaw. “The joy of seeing everybody in one room after three long years of separation, and basking in the glow of the night was magical and so missed! Receiving the recognition from the Desert Theatre League was the icing on the cake.”

Below is the full schedule for the upcoming 15^th Season for Dezart Performs, beginning on October 28.

15th Dezart Performs’ Season Listing

CHOIR BOY

October 28 – November 6, 2022

Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney

Drama with music

2019 Tony nominee for Best Play

2019 Drama Desk winner for Outstanding Music in a Play

“… the choral music is rich and rousing.” – New York Stage Review

“[CHOIR BOY] registers with potency, examining its themes with a mixture of poignancy and humor…it soars.” – The New York Post

“CHOIR BOY is a drama so infused with emotion that it can’t help breaking into song.”

– Hartford Courant

—————

A BRIGHT NEW BOISE

January 13 – 22, 2023

Written by Samuel D. Hunter

Dark comedy

2011 Obie Award winner for Playwriting

2011 Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Play

“[Samuel D. Hunter] is one of the finest playwrights at work today.” – The Wall Street Journal

“… the playwright brings humanity and humility to his repressed characters as they struggle to connect and find a means of self-expression.” – Theatermania

“Hunter’s sense of place is richer and more peculiar than any other American playwright working today.” – The New York Times

—————

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY UNIT AT THE MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER OF NEW YORK CITY

March 3 – 12, 2023

Written by Halley Feiffer

Comedy

“[A FUNNY THING HAPPENED…is] a play that is as deeply felt as its name is long. – The New York Times

“The play is as defiantly unconventional as its title, but it is also satisfying in traditional ways.” – The Los Angeles Times

“Feiffer again demonstrates a talent for crafting caustically sharp comic dialogue.” – The Hollywood Reporter

—————

THE GARBOLOGISTS

April 14 – 23, 2023

Written by Lindsay Joelle

New comedy/drama

“THE GARBOLOGISTS takes us on a ride of sadness, joy, anger, disbelief, and understanding.” –Grid Magazine

“Lindsay Joelle’s finely crafted play is laced with wit and wisdom.” – Broadway World

“[THE GARBOLOGISTS] is delightfully intimate, surprising, and profound, filled with sometimes unexpected laughter and even tears..” – onStage Pittsburgh

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.

# #