One Night Only... My Sister's House 10th Anniversary Gala

2011-05-25T15:57:36Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson didn’t show, but Elvis did. Actually dueling Elvises, singing- or lip syncing - their hearts out to raise money and awareness for My Sister’s House, a one of a kind organization supporting survivors of domestic violence here in the central valley.

The 10th anniversary gala held at the Crest Theatre featured “talent you have never seen in Sacramento and some you never want to see again,” joked West Sacramento Mayor Cabaldon, the impressively funny Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

The line up of talent opened with “Beyonce,” aka Ruthie Bolton, WBNA star for the Monarchs, striking a pose in a white feather-trimmed jacket. The Mayor himself showed us his chops belting out song lyrics written for this evening’s event to the tune of “Luck be a Lady Tonight”.

“One night for 5001 nights of shelter” was the slogan for the evening’s event. Record attendance made this more than possible. Executive Director Nilda Valmores emotionally reported that more than 600 people attended the gala that evening, a big success compared to the usual 400 in years past.

The audience danced in their seats along with Little Eva lip syncing “Do the Locomotion”. People clapped in rhythm when Eagle Eye Cherry appeared on stage with guitar in hand MTV Unplugged style. Mayor Kevin Johnson’s Chief of Staff, Kunal Merchant, gave a fantastic rendition of “Save Tonight” showing his real talent with voice and guitar. Teo Torres of KCRA fame and his back up crew “Three Dog Night” belted out Joy to the World. Bing Crosby & Danny Kaye, dressed up in cocktail dresses singing “Sisters,” brought many laughs to their happy fans.

After Mr. Crosby and Mr. Kaye delicately danced off stage in heels, the event got down to business and we met Bonnie. Or rather - Bonnie met the many people who made the shelter and her success at My Sister’s House a reality.

Hers was a heart wrenching story of a Hmong girl, married young, who faced the terrible decision of leaving her family and her community to keep herself and her four children safe.

Safe Haven the six bed shelter run by My Sister’s House, opened in 2003 and has since provided 12,262 nights of shelter to Asian and Pacific Islander women and children, though they make it clear that women of all backgrounds are welcome. They are unique in their ability to support this immigrant population with a 24-hour multilingual help line, culturally appropriate assistance and community services specific to the issues they face.

Later the performances continued to delight. A young “Michael Jackson” entertained with an enthusiastic “Rockin’ Robin,” Eliza Doolittle impressed with a brilliant performance “I Could Have Danced All Night.” The enthusiasm was evident and infectious.

Moira Sharma, Board President, thanked the audience, “$80,000 raised at this one night event.“

This was a record sum, thanks in large part to Sharon Gerber owner of Six Degreez event planning here in Sacramento.

“I get local celebs to do silly things on stage for good causes.” Stated a glowing but frazzled Ms. Gerber. Clearly this night, a “Sacramento American Idol,” was a great success for all.

The Cast:

Start With a Little Art

2011-02-03T09:15:30Z

Crocker Museum glows. I enter on Friday night to preview Gottfried Helnwein’s exhibit: The Inferno of the Innocents. The name alone is hard to resist and a creepy photo of Marilyn Mason on the flyer seals the deal.

I grab a glass of wine first at the bar and mingle with scarf wearing patrons. Some are dressed up in gala attire, others for a casual viewing of pictures tonight. I almost chuckle at the white scarf suited for the opera tossed dramatically around a neck with hat to match and then I realize I too am wearing a scarf. I quickly decide it is a hip fashion statement to the arts. I mosey to the non wine friendly 2nd and 3rd floors toward the exhibit.

A ten year old’s face greets you on the stairs. Every hair on her head and downy fuzz on the cheeks is visible. I am astounded thinking that it is painted. Discovering Helnwein paints using ‘mixed media’ I wonder until a new friend Tom who, admiring the same, realizes it describes the technique of paint placed in many layers on top of a photo.

At the doorway to the exhibit we are greeted by a sign, “Content may be challenging for some viewers.” True enough. Helnwein’s theme of the child and “Disasters of War” series depicts children in different poses often in military dress and bloody rags as adornment. We learn growing up in the aftermath of World War II gave Helnwein much of his inspiration for this body of work.

“I’m above all fascinated by innocence- this expression of other worldliness which only a few children have, which adults have completely lost.” –Gottfried Helnwein

His painting “The Meeting” is otherworldly. It reminds me of Congress looking into another world, down into the light of the fires of Hell. There is blood and vicious icebergs in “The Silent Glow of the Avant Garde” A righteous man stares, yet his eye are bandaged. Add Marilyn Manson with painted face and metal teeth- perfect for the bedroom- I think and laugh- someone’s bedroom possibly.

What does this all mean? I wonder. The wine heightens the courage, a few groups of strangers find themselves asking the same. Turning to each other to offer insights, knowledge, questions. Opinions are well received here.

The Gottfried Helnwein exhibit will be on display until April 24th. An opportunity for a unique night out.

My idea: Grab a date and tickets to the Crocker. First mingle with the crowd on the ground floor. Eat at the café rated one of the ten best places for lunch in Sacramento, according to my new friend Tom. Head upstairs for a little culture. If Helnwein gets a little heavy check out the new exhibit of exquisite ink on paper drawings. Considered oldest in the West. Add a little light and color with Paul Jenkins, both nearby. Join a discussion about one of the works and impress your date with a couple facts- learned earlier on the Internet of course. But points for you, have to start somewhere. Then out into the cool night air. Chilly? Perfect! It is Always a cool move to give your date your coat. Trust me. Walking off the meal and chatting side by side is an easy way to keep conversation going. Walk a handful of blocks to the new hot spots on K St mall. Grab a drink at Dive Bar or District 30. Show a girl you have culture and an edge. You can enjoy fine things yet toss back a beer and relax.

Or do all of the above alone. A nice chance to take a breather from the annoyances of the work week. Learn the art of how to sit at a table in the café alone, a cup of wine or coffee, a notebook. In a museum it will look appropriate, smart and interesting. Stare off into space and think grand thoughts about the art you saw. No one will know if you play angry birds in the meantime. Someone is bound to ask, as did to me, with polite curiosity, “what are you jotting down in that book?” Perfect to start a conversation that can continue over a walk and a beer at another local joint.

Thursdays Crocker is open late: until 9pm. Tickets will set you back $20 for two. Nice way to start the weekend. Trust me.

http://crockerartmuseum.org/

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One Night Only... My Sister's House 10th Anniversary Gala

Start With a Little Art