M. B. Curtis is coming right up in Oakland and Marin - Two Local Talks
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March 16, 2025.?.? THIS COMING SUNDAY.?Immigrant actor M. B. Curtis's magical effects on Oakland in the 19th and early 20th centuries. 672 11th St, Oakland, CA 94607. 3pm. The one-hour talk and question period will be followed by a one-hour catered reception with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and sweets. Please reserve a place as soon as possible a space is limited?by calling Richelle Lieberman at 510.381.1973 at the Pardee House Museum?($25 if calling the?museum- all proceeds go to the Governor Pardee House Museum; or $28.50 through Eventbrite).?
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Award-winning Bay Area author Richard Schwartz speaks about the grand cultural and physical impacts made by the forgotten immigrant actor M. B. Curtis on the Nation and his consequential ties with and effects on Oakland.??Richard will share all these forgotten culture-changing stories in this fascinating Oakland-centric talk on the life and times of actor M. B. Curtis.?
The talk is based on Richard¡¯s national medal-winning biography of the actor,?The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty, The Extraordinary Rise and Fall of Actor M. B. Curtis.
Governor Pardee, an Oakland native, was the Governor of California during the 1906 Earthquake, where M. B. Curtis performed soon thereafter to entertain the Oakland residents with his cosmically comic play and help them forget their problems. Curtis, too, had problems he wished to move on from.
An early?poster for M. B. Curtis's 1880s run-away?theatrical hit play?"Sam'l of Posen" (NYPL)
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The Novelty Theatre in Oakland, where Curtis gave a vaudeville version of "Sam'l of Posen" with his actress wife Albina de Mer, months after the 1906 Earthquake with many refugees still present. (OPL History Center)
Governor George Pardee House Museum Refugees outside of Courthouse after 1906 Earthquake when Gov. Pardee rushed back to Oakland.
Refugees outside of Courthouse after 1906 Earthquake when Gov. Pardee rushed back to Oakland
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Richard Schwartz delivers the fascinating life story of immigrant actor M.B. Curtis.
M. B. Curtis¡¯s meteoric rise to fame in his play?Sam¡¯l of Posen?broke all records and made him extraordinarily famous and wealthy overnight in one tour of the country in 1880-1. Curtis chose the Bay Area as the most beautiful place in America and settled here, desiring to ¡°belong.¡± What he?did with his wealth and culturally transforming powers around the?Bay Area and the nation boggles the mind, even more so when one learns that he was pursued by Mark Twain to work together;?that he was the only person in American history to personally pay to light the State of Liberty when Congress shut it down;?that Curtis strongly promoted positive portrayals of immigrants in his plays; that he?was the first male Jewish actor allowed to portray a male Jewish character on the American stage; that he built the tallest hotel in the Bay Area in 1890; that M. B. Curtis took his wealth, his play and his time to fund things like a Bay Area firehouse, train station, street lighting, and paving, sponsoring bands, sports teams, offering help for injured or ill people and civic organizations; that he?took one of the most talented troupes of African American performers ever assembled to the Antipodes;?and that Curtis became a pioneer in the silent movie industry. Even film historians do not realize there is proof he worked with Fatty Arbuckle in 1910. M. B. Curtis was accused of murdering a San Francisco police officer on 9/11 of 1891 and endured three trials on the charge. The actor and man who loved being loved was never the same. Still, through it all, he managed to pursue his art, always?¡°returning¡±?to the beloved character Sam¡¯l of Posen. Even President Theodore Roosevelt was compared to Sam¡¯l of Posen twenty-five years after the play was released and there is plenty of proof everyone wanted to be Sam¡¯l in one way or another.
Curtis's mind-bogglingly impactful, eventful, and dramatic life left a deep impression on the culture of Oakland and the Bay Area. Richard will reveal the details of these stories in his talk.?
M. B. Curtis's rise to fame and tragic fall embody the complexities of celebrity, identity, and the costs of success.?
"An outstanding new biography of one of the most talented characters of his time."
--Barry Moreno, historian & author, the Bob Hope Memorial Library at Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty National Monument
"I came so close to passing on an opportunity to talk with Richard Schwartz.
It is one of the most phenomenal books I have ever read. Phenomenal story of
the guy who wrote it. Unbelievable story about the guy who is the subject of
the book.
And how can a guy be universally known in 1900 and unknown in probably 60
years later, certainly, a century later, nobody knows M. B. Curtis.
...It is written by a guy who is a construction worker who has such a great
command of the English language that after reading this book,?I don't even have the desire to challenge a book.
-- Dan Manly, Radio Broadcaster WMST, Mount Sterling, Kentucky
April 3, 2025.?
The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty and his ties to Marin County. Award-winning author Richard Schwartz shares the biography of M. B. Curtis, a 19th-century immigrant actor who funded the Statue of Liberty¡¯s lighting, starred in America¡¯s longest-running play, and faced fame, scandal, and reinvention.?Curtis¡¯ ties to Marin will surprise you.? The talk takes place in the?Livermore Pavilion at the Marin Art & Garden Center. 30 Sir Francis Drake Bvd., Greenbrae, CA 94904. Doors open at 10 am. The talk begins at 11 am. 415-235-9162.
Learn the previously hidden history of the Bay Area and the nation created by one immigrant actor and of his interaction with and support of a renowned Marin institution?which affected the whole country and has now vanished.
"Yes, this is a very charismatic man with magical eyes.
Your book is wonderful. I read it in a flash...It's also a feat of archival research...Bravo for a great book!
It would indeed make a great movie."
¡ªDR. HARLEY ERDMAN
Chair, Department of Theater
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
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M. B. Curtis as Sam'l of Posen, the traveling salesman in the play?Sam'l of Posen. (Both photos Harvard University, Houghton Library TCS 1)
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Champion boxer Joe Choynski, the first Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. Lightweight Champion Joe Gains. Both boxers trained at Billy Shannon's in San Rafael, CA
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Boxers, including national champions, who trained at Billy Shannon's training facility in Marin County.?(Alice T. Kent California Room, Marin County Library)
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Biography:
Richard Schwartz is a historian and the author of Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley; Earthquake Exodus, 1906; Berkeley 1900; and The Circle of Stones. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Temple University with a bachelor¡¯s degree in English Literature. An outdoor enthusiast and animal lover, Schwartz worked on a Pennsylvania Dutch farm for two years before heading west to find higher mountains. He fought forest fires for the US Forest Service in Tahoe National Forest. He now lives in Berkeley, California, where he worked as a building contractor and now documents early Native American sites in the Bay Area. The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty (April 2017) is his fifth book and was selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library to be included in their special collection.?
Richard's website is www.richardschwartz.info
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??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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PUSH/PULL is a SF Chronicle Datebook Pick!
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written by Harry Davis & directed by Gary Graves
featuring:
Andre Amarotico* & Matthew Kropschot
March 2-March 31
*member Actors Equity Association
with costumes by Tammy Berlin, lights by Gary Graves, set by Joe Nemeth & sound by Gregory Scharpen
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FRI 3/7 & SAT 3/8 ARE ALREADY FULL!
Grab your tickets now!
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YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW! | |
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AND DON'T FORGET
?SEASON SUBSCRIPTION PASSES START AT ONLY $72
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See you soon our 35th Season! | |
Central Works at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, 94704 | | | | |
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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BabShad Jazzz at Tipsy Yeti on Saturday!
Friends of
BabShad Jazzz ~~
We are
so excited to be playing at a brand-new venue this
Saturday!? TIPSY YETI, located in the former
Longbranch space, has a FULL BAR to go along with
their amazing Nepali dishes.? Their momo are
delicious; the Tipsy fries are a spicy taste treat!? Great
soups, salads, pizza, lots of vegetarian selections,
California comfort food too.? We're hoping to make
this a regular gig, so PLEASE come for dinner, snacks,
and/or drinks, and jazzz.? Let's make it a St. Patrick's
Day weekend!? No cover charge:
BABSHAD JAZZZ
SATURDAY, MARCH 15th, 7 TO 9 P.M.
TIPSY YETI Restaurant and Bar
2512 SAN PABLO AVE
(just south of Dwight Way)
510-989-9078
Featuring
BARBARA HADENFELDT (vocals)
BENNY WATSON (keys and vocals)
CARLA KAUFMAN (bass)
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Persian Fire Festival - Tuesday, March 18
LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Civic Art grants closing soon & other resources!
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Upcoming Civic Art grant deadlines and other resources
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Berkeley Civic Arts Newsletter |
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The supports a culturally vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem within the City of Berkeley by:
- Funding grants to artists, arts organizations, and festivals.
- Providing opportunities for artists to create and display work in the public realm.
- Ensuring equitable access to high quality arts and culture for residents and visitors alike.
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Apply for a Civic Arts Grant |
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Two Civic Arts grant opportunities are still open with deadlines fast approaching. Get assistance and find application resources on the?.?
Community Festivals?
The Community Festivals grant supports festivals and special events in Berkeley. Grant-funded events must be open to the entire public and have a free component. Grants in this category are awarded annually.?
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- Grant Amount: up to $7,000?
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Applications due by: March 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM (CLOSED)
- Grant Activity Period: July 1, 2025 ¨C June 30, 2026?
General Operating Support?
The General Operating Support grant provides general operating funding for Berkeley-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations. Grants in this category are awarded on a two-year cycle and applications are only accepted every two years. ?
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- Grant Amount: up to $10,000 (up to $20,000 over two years)?
- Applications due by: March 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM
- Grant Activity Period: July 1, 2025 ¨C June 30, 2027?
NEW: Applicants using a Fiscal Sponsor must be registered with the as a Nonprofit Corporation.
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Check out the Anchoring Artists Fund from CAST! |
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The Community Arts Stabilization Trust¡¯s (CAST) Anchoring Artist Fund is a rapid response, short-term loan available for individual artists, for-profit culture makers, and informal collectives to acquire space, providing critical financing for those who are often turned away or don¡¯t qualify for support from banking institutions or philanthropy.
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Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund Program Application Opening March 10 |
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Attention nonprofit performing arts organizations ¨C you may be eligible for funding from the State of California to help with payroll costs!
The Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund Program supports small nonprofit performing arts organizations with adjusted gross revenue under $2 million to hire and retain employees. The Fund reimburses a portion of payroll costs on a quarterly basis, using a tiered reimbursement schedule where the smallest organizations receive the highest percentage of reimbursement.
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Upcoming Civic Arts Commission Meetings
- March 7, 10:00 - 11:00 AM: Joint Subcommittee on Affordable Housing for Artists
- March 14, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Policy Subcommittee
- March 26, 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Civic Arts Commission
- April 3, 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Public Art Subcommittee
- April 4, 10:00 - 11:00 AM: Joint Subcommittee on Affordable Housing for Artists?
See more for?
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Banner Image Credit: Detail from Michael Arcega¡¯s artwork Wildflowers, Bloom! at San Pablo Park.
You received this message because you signed up to receive email news from the City of Berkeley Civic Arts Program. If you have questions or problems, contact communications@....
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| This email was sent to LBullwinkl@... using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: City of Berkeley ¡¤ 2180 Milvia Street ¡¤ Berkeley, CA 94704 ¡¤ 510-981-2489 |
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Upcoming Concert - Tell es-Sakan - March 15, 2025
You are cordially invited to the premiere of
Tell
es-Sakan:
Saturday, March 15, 8pm, CMC Concert Hall, 544 Capp Street, San Francisco.
Strident, strange and
often violent but also full of exuberance and joy, Tell es-Sakan (Hill
of Ash) is a protest, pacifist, concert-length piece for string quartet
and percussion. Intended
as a ballet, motivated by the current war in Gaza, and named after the
oldest known settlement in the area, it follows on one side a couple
that meets, falls in love, vows trust to each other, and on the other
the War Machine, an ominous presence that eventually
takes over in a fury of destruction. The piece comes from a place of
sorrow and yearning for a better human future.
Played by the Friction String Quartet, and Haruka Fuji and Anne Szabla, percussion.
or visit my youtube channel
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Shawl Anderson: Intro to Balinese + Weekly Balinese Dance Classes
You are invited to two new offerings in Balinese Dance starting in March at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley led by Gamelan Sekar Jaya. Sign up via the website: . 5-week weekly course begins Sat 3/1. And weekly ongoing class begins Wed 3/5.?
Have you always dreamed of learning Balinese dance but don¡¯t know where to start? Or maybe you started learning once upon a time, but life got in the way?
Then this course or class for you! More than ¡°just a dance class¡±, Balinese Dance is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, find joy in movement, and celebrate YOU!
With expert guidance from Dr. Anak Agung Anom Putra, S.S.T and Ayu Sukmawati, S.H., you will learn the foundations to continue studying after course completion.
All are welcome! All levels, no dance experience needed.? About the instructors:?Dr. Anak Agung Anom Putra, S.S.T is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, artistic director, performance jurist, and arts theorist from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia who has won many awards and accolades. In 2022 the government of Bali awarded Gung Anom the island¡¯s highest honor for performing artists, the Adi Sewaka Nugraha Award. Early in his career he was a star dancer with the venerable ensemble Gamelan Gunung Sari of Peliatan and won the island-wide award for Baris (he is still known as ¡°Anom Baris¡±). He is an outstanding all-around male dancer and teaches both male and female dance. Gung Anom is the director of Semara Ratih of Ubud, which he founded in 1988 with fellow graduate students and faculty of the national arts institute in Bali. He serves on juries judging Jauk, Barong, Baris, and other dance competitions and is a lecturer at the Hindu University of Indonesia and an occasional guest lecturer at ISI, the Indonesian Arts Institute. He holds a doctorate degree in the religious aesthetic power of the Baris Tunggal dance.
Ayu Sukmawati, S.H., from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, is a dancer and choreographer who specializes in classic Balinese female roles and is the dance director of Semara Ratih, which she helped found. From a young age, she performed with Gamelan Gunung Sari of Peliatan, following in the footsteps of her mother, Ni Gusti Ayu Rai, and her aunt, Ni Gusti Ayu Raka Rasmi, who was the famous first dancer (with I Sampih) of the classic Oleg Tamulilingan dance. She studied with the esteemed leader of Gunung Sari, Anak Agung Gede Mandera, and is one of the several great dancers of her generation from Peliatan. As a young dancer, Bu Ayu won first prize in the island-wide dance competitions for Oleg and Belibis and in the district-wide Legong Pelayon competition. She specializes in Legong, Oleg, and Teruna Jaya and stands out for the astonishing dramatic power of her dance. For the 2002 Gong Kebyar Festival and competition, she served as the master teacher for the first-place winning Legong dancers.
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Ireich¨ Book of Names dates at Berkeley Historical Society Museum
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The Berkeley Historical Society and Museum is honored to announce that we will host the Ireich¨ Book of Names on June 2, 3 and 4.
??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Central Works: PUSH/PULL opens in 1 week!
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PUSH/PULL OPENS IN ONE WEEK! | |
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written by Harry Davis & directed by Gary Graves
featuring:
Andre Amarotico* & Matthew Kropschot
March 2-March 31
*member Actors Equity Association
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YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS SHOW! | |
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AND DON'T FORGET
?SEASON SUBSCRIPTION PASSES START AT ONLY $72
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See you soon our 35th Season! | |
Central Works at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, 94704 | | | | |
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Luna Dance: SAVE the DATE - 30 Points of View
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30 Points of View: A Peek into Dance Making
is one month away!
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Join Luna in Process, Improvisation, Risk-taking, Inquiry, Creation, and Feedback on March 18, 20, and 26. 30 artists from the Bay Area will be sharing their creative process for three days of dance, research, and play.
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Here are some of the amazing artists sharing work at 30 PoV! | |
Aja Randall + Patricia West of DAP | |
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Afia Thompson founded in 2011 with her daughter Nafi Thompson-Artistic Director of Bahiya Movement.?It was established for dancers looking to deepen their ongoing artistic practice, create connectivity within urban communities, and instill skills to succeed as professional artists. Afia received her acclaim 20 years ago in West African dance, and has performed nationally and internationally in genres including Afro-House, Hip-Hop, freestyle, and African dance. Afia has ignited her commitment to be dedicated to urban communities as a BIPOC leader, activist, and equality seeker for all. She is also a current Artist in Residence at Luna! | |
Visit for 30 minutes or all three days! . The event will also be livestreamed with the help of ! | | |
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Thank you to 30 Points of View sponsor California Humanities for supporting arts education. | |
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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M. B. Curtis's Special Relationships with Oakland and Marin County in two local talks
LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
----- Forwarded Message -----
Lisa Bullwinkel, Hoopla CEO Another Bullwinkel Show 510-334-6523 Cell Lisa@... facebook.com/AnotherBullwinkelShow ? @BullwinkelShows
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Also infectious are love, patience, kindness and laughter...
----- Forwarded Message -----
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March 16, 2025.?.? 672 11th St, Oakland, CA 94607. 3pm. The one-hour talk and question period will be followed by a one-hour reception with hors d'oeuvres and champagne. Please reserve a place as soon as possible by calling Richelle Lieberman at 510.381.1973 at the Pardee House Museum?($25 calling the?museum- all proceeds go to the Governor Pardee House Museum; or $28.50 through Eventbrite).?
Governor Pardee, an Oakland native, was the governor of California during the 1906 Earthquake, where M. B. Curtis performed soon thereafter to entertain the Oakland residents with his cosmically comic play and help them forget their problems. Curtis, too, had problems he wished to move on from. Richard will reveal Curtis, a world-famous immigrant actor, had a very deep connection to and effect on Oakland from the late nineteenth century into the 20th century. Richard will reveal all these forgotten culture-changing occurrences in this entertaining Oakland-centric talk on the life and times of actor M. B. Curtis.?
 
M. B. Curtis as his comic character Saml of Posen, the immigrant traveling salesman. (TCS 1. Houghton Library, Harvard University)
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The Novelty Theatre in Oakland, where Curtis gave a vaudeville version of "Sam'l of Posen" months after the 1906 Earthquake.
Governor George Pardee House Museum Refugees outside of Courthouse after 1906 Earthquake when Gov. Pardee rushed back to Oakland.
Refugees outside of Courthouse after 1906 Earthquake when Gov. Pardee rushed back to Oakland
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Richard Schwartz delivers the fascinating life story of immigrant actor M.B. Curtis.
As the Statue of Liberty stood unlit and unloved by American politicians in 1886, one of her saviors was creating a theatrical sensation at New York's Fourteenth Street Theater. Actor M. B. Curtis, who had achieved overnight success in Sam'l of Posen, a groundbreaking play that transcended the common stereotypes of Jewish characters at the time, was basking in public accolades at every curtain call when he came to Lady Liberty's aid. Curtis, the immigrant, jumped up to become the only private citizen in our nation's history to pay for lighting the Statue of Liberty's torch while Congress dodged the funding issue and international embarrassment.
Curtis's rise to the top of his profession and his resulting fall from grace is a dramatic arc that rivals anything created for the stage. Actor, producer, real estate developer, promoter, hotelier, benefactor, and murder suspect M. B. Curtis's life encompassed the highs of celebrity and fame as well as the lows of failure, illness, and a faltering career.
?The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty rescues M. B. Curtis's story from the silent archives of forgotten history and reexamines an actor whose creativity and cultural influence still resonate invisibly today.
"I came so close to passing on an opportunity to talk with Richard Schwartz.
It is one of the most phenomenal books I have ever read. Phenomenal story of
the guy who wrote it. Unbelievable story about the guy who is the subject of
the book.
And how can a guy be universally known in 1900 and unknown in probably 60
years later, certainly a century later nobody knows M. B. Curtis.
...It is written by a guy who is a construction worker. Who has such great
command of the English language that after reading this book I wouldn't
I don't even have the desire to challenge a book. I wouldn't even begin to
try and write a book."
??? Dan Manly, Radio Broadcaster WMST, Mount Sterling, Kentucky
April 3, 2025.?
The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty and his ties to Marin County. Award-winning author Richard Schwartz shares the biography of M. B. Curtis, a 19th-century immigrant actor who funded the Statue of Liberty¡¯s lighting, starred in America¡¯s longest-running play, and faced fame, scandal, and reinvention.?Curtis¡¯ ties to Marin will surprise you.? The talk takes place in the?Livermore Pavilion at the Marin Art & Garden Center. 30 Sir Francis Drake Bvd., Greenbrae, CA 94904. Doors open at 10 am. The talk begins at 11 am. 415-235-9162.
"An outstanding new biography of one of the most talented characters of his time."
Barry Moreno, historian & author, the Bob Hope Memorial Library at Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty National Monument
"Yes, this is a very charismatic man with magical eyes.
Your book is wonderful. I read it in a flash...It's also a feat of archival research...Bravo for a great book!
It would indeed make a great movie."
¡ªDR. HARLEY ERDMAN
Chair, Department of Theater
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
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M. B. Curtis as Sam'l of Posen, the traveling salesman in the play?Sam'l of Posen. (Both photos Harvard University, Houghton Library TCS 1)
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Champion boxer Joe Choynski, the first Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. Lightweight Champion Joe Gains. Both boxers trained at Billy Shannon's in San Rafael, CA
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Boxers, including national champions, who trained at Billy Shannon's training facility in Marin County.?(Alice T. Kent California Room, Marin County Library)
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Billy Shannon
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Biography:
Richard Schwartz is a historian and the author of Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley; Earthquake Exodus, 1906; Berkeley 1900; and The Circle of Stones. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Temple University with a bachelor¡¯s degree in English Literature. An outdoor enthusiast and animal lover, Schwartz worked on a Pennsylvania Dutch farm for two years before heading west to find higher mountains. He fought forest fires for the US Forest Service in Tahoe National Forest. He now lives in Berkeley, California, where he worked as a building contractor and now documents early Native American sites in the Bay Area. The Man Who Lit Lady Liberty (April 2017) is his fifth book and was selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Margaret Herrick Library to be included in their special collection.?
Richard's website is www.richardschwartz.info
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??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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The Amazing Bubble Man | Sunday, March 9th @ 3pm at Rhythmix in Alameda
| The Amazing Bubble Man?has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed?14 years of sell-out success. Theater-goers will experience the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, as the Amazing Bubble Man?combines comedy and artistry?with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines to people inside bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.
¡°The Greatest Bubble Show on Earth!¡± ¨CSan Francisco Chronicle Sunday, March 9th?| 3pm
Rhythmix Cultural Works
2513 Blanding Ave,?Alameda
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Call for Art: ACCI Gallery
ACCI Gallery Call for Art:A Black and White Show? June 14 - July 13, 2025
Deadline to Apply:?Sunday, April 13, 2025 |
Eligibility: Artwork must be?black, white, and/or gray¡ªno additional colors. Open nationally?to artists of all backgrounds and ages.
Exhibition: The boundaries between light and dark, certainty and ambiguity¡ªwhere do we find meaning in the in-between??We invite artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to submit works that embrace the monochromatic spectrum. Whether stark contrasts or soft gradients, abstraction or realism, this exhibition seeks to highlight the power of the grayscale in storytelling, emotion, and expression. |
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends | Saturday, March 1st @ 7pm at Rhythmix in Alameda
Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends |
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| Inspired by Michelle Jacques¡¯ deep love for the folklore of her Louisiana birthplace,?Daughters of the Delta?invites audiences on a journey through the?rich musical heritage of the Louisiana Gulf. This powerful project celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of women whose voices and stories have helped shape the region¡¯s unique sound. From the groundbreaking jazz of Lil Hardin Armstrong to the soulful blues of Blue Lou Barker and the powerful gospel of Mahalia Jackson,?Daughters of the Delta?honors the?women who have played a vital role in Louisiana¡¯s musical culture. Their artistry continues to bring people together, reflecting the depth and spirit of a tradition that remains one of the most vibrant in the country. Through music and storytelling,?Daughters of the Delta?shares the legacies of these extraordinary women, recognizing both the hardships they faced and the joy they found in community and celebration. Join us for an unforgettable experience that ensures their voices continue to inspire for generations to come. ¡°Michelle Jacques brings her velvety, hypnotic sound to the songs?she¡¯s curated for Daughters of the Delta. She sings in English, Creole or Kouri-Vini so we can actually hold space for both the haunting history these women composers and singers experienced as well as the ways they still managed to create joy.¡±
¨C?Rachel Medanic, Producer Agile Vocalist podcastDaughters of the Delta is performed by CHELLE! & Friends with special guest vocalists:
Vocals: Michelle Jacques
Vocal: Rhonda Crane
Vocals: Bryan Dyer
Guitar: Eric Swinderman
Alto Sax: Donna Viscuso
Drums: Michaelle Goerlitz
Bass: Kevin Scott
Vocals: Tammi Brown
Vocals: Jay Lamont Saturday, March 1st | 7pm
Rhythmix Cultural Works
2513 Blanding Ave,?Alameda
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Berkeley Symphony Presents: Spring's Awakening
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The Berkeley Symphony invites you to our?next?symphonic concert,?Spring's Awakening, coming up next month!?Please see the details below:
When:?Sunday, March 16, 4:00PM Where:?First Congregational Church of Berkeley (2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704) Program details:??Spring¡¯s Awakening presents a musical commentary on the natural world. Einojuhani Rautavaara¡¯s innovative work Cantus Arcticus features recordings of arctic birds in dialogue with the various instruments of the orchestra, creating harmonious fusions that express the longing for unity between humans and nature. The dynamic and introspective Tipping Point by Huang Ruo is a work that reflects on the delicate balance between humanity and the environment, and contrasting percussive rhythms, representing the urgency of our ecological crisis. Robert Schumann¡¯s Symphony No. 1, the ¡°Spring Symphony,¡± is a jubilant expression of renewal and rebirth. From its exuberant opening to its triumphant finale, Schumann captures the essence of springtime with lush orchestrations and joyous melodies, reminding us of the eternal cycle of life and the promise of new beginnings. Joseph Young, Conductor RAUTAVAARA?Cantus Arcticus (Concerto for Birds and Orchestra) RUO Tipping Point (A Climate-Crisis Symphony for Orchestra) SCHUMANN?Symphony No. 1, Op. 38
We also invite you to join us one hour prior to the concert for our Pre-Concert Lecture, led by composer Paul Dresher.
Tickets can be purchased through our website?.?Please email?info@...?with any questions you may have. We hope to see you at the concert!
-- Giulia Chiappetta (she/they) | Marketing & Administrative Assistant Berkeley Symphony 1919 Addison Avenue, Suite 201 Berkeley, CA 94704
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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SADC: Ginkgo Giving Online Auction is open!
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Dear?Friends of the Center,
We are thrilled to invite you to participate in the Ginkgo Giving Online Auction, an exciting event celebrating the vibrant community of Shawl-Anderson Dance Center (SADC).
This year, we are honoring the sixth anniversary of the Queering Dance Festival. FROLIC! is QDF's annual extravaganza of newly commissioned work by Queer and Trans Bay Area choreographers. Join the fun and support our campaign while bidding on unique items and experiences. The auction benefits both QDF and SADC!
Now more than ever, the arts need greater community support. By participating in this auction everyone wins! - Bidding is?open and closes on February 24, 2025. Featured Items: - One Ticket to the Queering Dance Festival's FROLIC! 2025 - Weekend Yoga + Mindfulness Retreat in Muir Beach, California - Personalized choreography, live class, and recorded lesson - Explore art with a loved one Why should you join us for our Online Auction?? Every bid helps fund our mission to make dance accessible to all and foster creativity and community in the East Bay. This year, we highlight the Queering Dance Festival, Frolic! 2025. Each year, SADC supports QDF, fiscally sponsored artists, and the community by operating daily and holding space for everyone who enters. Your support
will help the center remain open and operational 7 days a week for classes, workshops, rehearsals, performances, and community gatherings. This auction allows us to work together to raise funds for our beloved center.? Discover and bid on exclusive items that you won't find anywhere else. These items come directly from the SADC community and friends of the Elmwood District. You may even find some hidden gems to add to your collection of favorites or gifts for loved ones.? You can participate from home at your convenience. Winning bidders can retrieve their items from the studio or have them shipped to their location.? Here's how to participate:? 1. 2. Register if you haven't already - it's quick and easy! 3. Browse through our catalog and place your bids on your favorite
items. 4. We hope you'll join us for this art, dance, and community celebration. Your participation will support SADC and bring joy to many through our shared love of dance. I appreciate your interest in joining our auction. Let's work together to make this a memorable event! Warm regards,
Development Associate & ?Co-Producer,
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Check out?the Queering Dance Festival's FROLIC! 2025. You do not want to miss this incredible event.
Shawl-Anderson Dance Center was founded in 1958 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1967. Donations are tax-deductible above the estimated good faith value of any goods or services received.
Our 501c3 tax ID number is 94-1630594.
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Concert February 21st with Jim Malcolm, the ultimate Scots troubadour
Friday, February 21 ¡¤ 7:30; doors open at 7pm The Hillside Club,?2286 Cedar Street Berkeley, CA 94709 Tickets:
Jim Malcolm is the ultimate Scots troubadour. Travelling the world with his guitar, harmonicas, and engaging wit, he sings the traditional songs of Scotland and his own masterfully crafted songs in a style which is modern and accessible, yet utterly authentic.?He is highly regarded as an interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, and has been described as ¡°one of the finest singers in Scotland in any style¡±. Though he now works solo, Jim was lead singer with the world-renowned and multi-award-winning Old Blind Dogs for eight years, a fantastic experience with some of Scotland¡¯s finest musicians, taking him to the most prestigious festivals in North America and around Europe. Alongside his original work, Jim has recorded a great many Scottish songs, from early ballads through Burns and Tannahill to William Soutar and his great hero Jim Reid. He enjoys reworking old songs that form the kernel of Scotland¡¯s great folk tradition.
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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CALL FOR ARTISTS - Rising Seas Climate Arts Workshop
CALL FOR ARTISTS
Rising Seas Climate
Arts Workshop |
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| Rhythmix Cultural Works?is seeking?artists?whose work has a focus on the?environment and/or climate change?to create and oversee interactive community workshops at various?Alameda Housing Authority (AHA) locations. In order to better serve the diverse communities at these sites, preference will be given to artists with fluency in Korean, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Spanish or Arabic. Workshops will be held in April and May. Workshop stipend and materials fee will be provided.?Selected?artists will also be invited to exhibit their work in the Rhythmix?K Gallery?from June to August.
For more information about the?Rising Seas Climate Arts Project,?please check out this?.? Applications are due Friday, February 28th by 5:00pm.?
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Pacific Pinball Museum February Events & More News!
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Join us for special events this month! Pinball & Pints returns and we partner with the Alameda Boys & Girls club!
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February News
We've arrived at the tail end of winter and the Pacific Pinball Museum's events are heating up!? Read below to learn about our first Women's Tournament, upcoming Alameda Boys & Girls Club partnership and the ever popular Pinball & Pints!
It always helps the museum reach new patrons and supporters when?you share our newsletter with your friends and family. You can also follow our weekly social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and now BlueSky! We dearly?appreciate your?continued donations, support and interest in the nonprofit Pacific Pinball Museum and our mission to?"Play & Learn"
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Get your tickets now! Pinball and Pints returns for SF Beer Week 2025, coming up Sunday Feb 23rd! (Our 10th Anniversary of Pinball & Pints!)
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Play unlimited pinball on over 100(!) pinball machines and drink beer from some of the Bay's best brewers. Tickets available
We'll have yet-to-be-released beers from some up-and-coming breweries alongside some of the best established breweries. You get a nifty collectible Pacific Pinball Museum tasting glass and tastings with all our brewers.
We'll have some fun and casual tournaments with great prizes to test your pinball skills. The event is a fundraiser to support the programs of the Pacific Pinball Museum, a non-profit organization.
Confirmed breweries are Mercurius, Copper, Faction Brewing, Alameda Brewing & dahoam1516 - Beer served from 2:00 - 5:30 pm. The event is 21+; no entry without valid ID. No infants, children or anyone under 21. Tickets are non-refundable. Breweries in attendance are subject to change.
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Celebrate the Alameda Boys & Girls Club's 75th Anniversary
at Alameda's own Pacific Pinball Museum!?
Tickets pre-purchased online by Thursday, February 20th at 5:00pm or at the Museum by 1:00pm on Saturday, February 22nd will receive the youth ticket rate of $12 so the whole family can enjoy the games. Guests can exit and re-enter for the full day! Tickets purchased after 1:00pm on the 22nd will be at the regular museum price. Ticket purchases support both of these valued community non-profit organizations.?
The discounted tickets are available
*To purchase multiple tickets, please add $12 for every additional ticket.
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Seattle Pinball Wars Article
Check out this fascinating article from Brad?Holden's "Vice Files" about the pinball politics of Seattle, WA from the 1930's to the 1980's -? read more via this
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Our very first Women's Tournament since our pandemic
reopening "Museum Madness"?is in the books!?
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The tournament was also the Pacific Pinball Museum's first IFPA sanctioned event in years, we had (22) players enjoy competitive (but friendly) contests on a variety of games from different pinball era's - we'll definitely be doing this again soon! ?Thanks so much to Jackie and Brianna for running, and to Katie for the amazing custom patches!
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Board Treasurer Needed
With the retirement of our longtime Treasurer, we need to fill this important position to function as a nonprofit. If you have Accounting, CPA, Nonprofit Board or Board Treasurer experience we would love to talk with you! Email us HERE
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We can accept your donations anytime?via mailed check to the museum's address, or easily online through our red DONATE button below (Either one time, or monthly) Remember, all of your donations are tax-deductible! We are vetted by Guide Star -- please review?our impressive non-profit profile
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- Ask your place of employment if they will match your donations to a non-profit (We¡¯re listed on Benevity, GuideStar Platinum-Seal Rated and Three-?Star rated on Charity Navigator)
- Consider buying a duplicate game from our online listings, or stopping by our museum store to purchase? gifts, memberships or gift certificates.
- Donations of Stocks or inclusion in Estate Planning are always welcome!
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Purchase Your Own Pinball
Need a home pinball fix? during the winter months? Have fun at home and support the Museum at the same time! Checkout the?current surplus games listed for sale?at "PacificPinball"?on Pinside.com? (with descriptions and?photos!)? ?? Machines can be picked up from our Alameda Warehouse or shipped?anywhere in the world - check the site often for new additions!
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New Sponsor Program
Would you like to help support the Pacific Pinball Museum's Mission of Preservation and Education? Reach out to us and see how you can become an invaluable sponsor and be listed with our other supporters in our newsletters, social media and website. Email inquiries?HERE
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Pinball Pirate Sponsorship
Chris, the owner of Pinball Pirate in Benicia has generously donated his time every week to lead our group of volunteer fixers. Without Chris and our?team of volunteers, the museum would be hard pressed to keep up with the maintenance?needed to keep our games in tip-top shape. Chris has over 30 years of pinball/arcade knowledge, and we are fortunate to have him and our devoted crew of fixers committed to the well being of the PPM games.??Learn more about the Pinball Pirate's pinball services?
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Mitchell Lighting Sponsorship
Mitchell has developed 6V LED replacement lamps for pinball machines that are made from real glass in both the popular #555 & #44 Types.? Home of the Vapor metallic LED! To learn more, visit?
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The Pinball Resource Sponsorship
The Pinball Resource stocks the broadest range and deepest solution of pinball parts in the world, the most manufacturers, and largest quantity within each maker. ¿ªÔÆÌåÓý the pinball hobby since 1977, the Pinball Resource is dedicated to keeping pinball affordable. Learn more
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Marco Specialties?Sponsorship
Marco Specialties Pinball offers over 30,000 individual parts for thousands of pinball machines to customers around the world. With thousands of rare parts, large inventories of common parts, industry-leading fulfillment, and trusted customer service, Marco Specialties is the central pillar of pinball communities worldwide. First-time pinball machine owners to large arcade operators will find everything they need at Marco Specialties. Search parts?
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We are so grateful to all of those who volunteer,?donate, and to those who are considering donating - you're integral to making the PPM succeed and function.
We can't wait to see you soon!
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??? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ???
-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends | Saturday, March 1st @ 7pm at Rhythmix in Alameda
Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends |
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| Inspired by Michelle Jacques¡¯ deep?love for the folklore of her Louisiana birthplace,?Daughters of the Delta?shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women to the region¡¯s rich musical heritage. Their influence spans generations, shaping a sound deeply rooted in resilience, tradition, and cultural expression. From the groundbreaking?jazz of Lil Hardin Armstrong to the soulful blues of Blue Lou Barker?and the powerful gospel of Mahalia Jackson,?Daughters of the Delta?pays tribute to the women who have helped define Louisiana¡¯s musical identity. Their artistry continues to shape a tradition that remains one of the most influential and vibrant in the United States. Through their voices and stories, this project weaves a narrative of?artistic achievement and perseverance?in the face of challenges like hurricanes, poverty, and hunger. At the same time, it embraces the joyful celebrations of community life, ensuring that the legacy of these extraordinary women continues to inspire future generations. ¡°Michelle Jacques brings her velvety, hypnotic sound to the songs?she¡¯s curated for Daughters of the Delta. She sings in English, Creole or Kouri-Vini so we can actually hold space for both the haunting history these women composers and singers experienced as well as the ways they still managed to create joy.¡±
¨C?Rachel Medanic, Producer Agile Vocalist podcastDaughters of the Delta is performed by CHELLE! & Friends with special guest vocalists:
Vocals: Michelle Jacques
Vocal: Rhonda Crane
Vocals: Bryan Dyer
Guitar: Eric Swinderman
Alto Sax: Donna Viscuso
Drums: Michaelle Goerlitz
Bass: Kevin Scott
Vocals: Tammi Brown
Vocals: Jay Lamont Saturday, March 1st | 7pm
Rhythmix Cultural Works
2513 Blanding Ave,?Alameda
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-- LISA BULLWINKEL
Berkeley Art & Culture Hotline
www.AnotherBullwinkelShow.com/BACHotline
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