This week, we mourned the loss of a Hollywood legend, Robin Williams. Also, Sir Paul McCartney shut down Candlestick park in a big way!  Polo season was in full swing at the prestigious Menlo Charity Horse Show, and save the date for many haute events on the way this fall. Here is the San Francisco week in review.

RIP Robin Williams

This week, we said goodbye to a beloved Hollywood legend, Robin Williams. The Bay Area resident passed away at age 63 of an apparent suicide at his Tiburon home. The Oscar winning actor was known for his comedic genius – along with his serious-side – in widely acclaimed roles like Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting. Williams spent much of his life helping others and will be missed.

Paul McCartney Closes Out Candlestick Park

This week, we paid another farewell to a San Francisco institution, Candlestick Park.  It all went down in a big way as Paul McCartney rocked the house on Thursday, August 14th for the venue’s final event.  The show ended at about midnight with about 50,000 people in attendance. The storied stadium was host to the city’s beloved Giants, 49ers and the Beatles final concert in 1966. Candlestick Park will be demolished to make way for new housing, retail and entertainment development.

Menlo Charity Horse Show

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography
The Menlo Charity Horse Show benefiting Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired held its 44th annual show from August 5 – 10 at the elegant Menlo Circus Club in Atherton. The six-day event attracted 450 exhibitors and featured non-stop Hunter and Jumper competitions from sunrise to sunset in three arenas. Spectators took a break from watching the equestrian action on the polo field and enjoy premier shopping with over 40 vendors providing luxury merchandise for the home, garden and stable, as well as clothing and jewelry.

Michael Mina to join Taste of America

Photo Credit: Photography Eric ItaAll-Star Paul Qui and Local Star Michael Mina will join forces for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary collaboration to kick off San Francisco’s James Beard Taste America weekend on Friday, October 24, 2014 at The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco.Dubbed A Night of Culinary Stars, the exclusive dining event will benefit the James Beard Foundation. The JBF Taste America evening will begin with a reception filled with bites and libations from local chefs, followed by a seated dinner prepared by Taste America All-Star Paul Qui and Michael Mina, who have been paired together to create a unique multi-course menu diners won’t forget.

Bravo! Club’s Gala Kick-Off

Photos by Moanalani Jeffrey Photography

The San Francisco Opera Bravo! Club hosted their annual gala kick-off, which Gala Kick-off, which included a private performance featuring soprano Sara Duchovnay and mezzo-soprano Molly Mahoney, who sang a variety of arias and duets. Ron Valentino accompanied as pianist. Bravo! Club’s Opening night gala will be held on Friday, September 5.

Save the Dates  

Helpers House of Couture Shopping Event

San Francisco Icon Joy Bianchi will hold her monthly Helpers Couture Shopping event this Sunday, August 17th, from 9:30am – 4:00pm, which will benefit those who are developmentally disabled. Choose from a plethora of new designer shoes, boots and clothes from designers like Alaia, Balenciaga, Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, and so many more.  Contact 415-387-3031 or helperssf@att.net.

Cocktails and Couture

Cocktails & Couture (formerly known as Wine, Women and Shoes) will be held at the private estate of Michael Uytengsu in Atherton. This is a visually stunning event with 350 Bay Area women and a lot of interesting partners including a Bulgari pop-up shop and a runway show with Wilkes Bashford. I attached photos from last year’s event as well as our press release. I would appreciate if we can be on your calendar, promoted ahead of time if possible and receive post event coverage. Most importantly, the event benefits a very special cause, the 49ers Academy which helps some of the most at-risk youth in the Bay Area.

Party For The Parks

Get ready for a warm and wild evening at the 9th Annual Party for the Parks.  Enjoy a festive evening on September 13th to support San Francisco’s open spaces, with special guest appearances by the wild animals of the Randall Museum. Enjoy cocktails and a spectacular views of the city, followed by a tented buffet with music and dancing, all to celebrate the magic of our urban wilderness. 

Foreign Cinema to Celebrate 15th Anniversary

One of San Francisco’s most enduring, iconic dining destinations, will celebrate their 15^th anniversary with a “Quintessentially Quixotic Quinceañera” on Thursday, September 18. The evening will be filled with visual delights, sensual bites, sultry libations, and unique burlesque and art performances from the evening’s emcee Heklina of San Francisco’s Tranny Shack and her world renowned drag queens as well as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, along with a few more extraordinary surprises.

Wine, Dine and Jazz

The Inaugural Wine, Dine and Jazz at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa will be held on October 25th. Enjoy palette-spoiling small bites, award winning local wines exclusively presented by Scheid Vineyards along with swingin’ jazz! This event salutes the education program of the Monterey Jazz Festival – the longest continuously running jazz festival in the world!

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