Castro News Briefs

Castro Area Playwright to Have Work Performed at Marsh Theater
Local playwright Liza Raynal is having her play “American Joe” performed at the Marsh theater on Valencia Street for a summer run.

The playwright, who resides on 18th Street in the Castro, wrote a play about the struggles she went through watching her 19-year-old brother join the army and how this conflicted with her liberal political beliefs.

From boot camp to Joe’s imminent deployment, “American Joe” traces the back-and-forth connection and rejection between brother and sister, soldier and pacifist, warrior and writer. Born to the same liberal Bay Area parents, both Joe and Liza are trying to exercise their rights.  For Liza, her brother’s choice puts her love and loyalty to the test.

Directed by David Ford, the show plays Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. through August 15 at the Marsh Studio Theater located at 1074 Valencia St. For tickets, the public may call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006 or visit themarsh.org.

Raynal is a Bay Area native and a graduate of Brown University.

SF Jewish Film Festival Begins July 24
The 28th annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival (SFJFF) will open on July 24 at the Castro Theater with the new film “Strangers,” and continue with the largest SFJFF ever – 70 films from 19 countries over 114 screenings.

This year’s festival will present the Freedom of Expression award to filmmaker Peter Forgacs, and will feature a large number of documentaries. Special programs will be presented on “Italian Jews Under Fascism” and “Diversity in Israel.”

Directed by Guy Nattiv an Erez Tadmor, “Strangers” is a powerful film of lovers, one Israeli, one Palestinian, who meet in Berlin. Closing night film on July 31 at the Castro Theater is “Emotional Arithmetic,” directed by Canadian director Paolo Barzman. Documentaries include “Jerusalem Is Proud to Present,” about how orthodox Jews, evangelical Christians, and conservative Muslims joined forces to stop the LGBT World Pride event in 2006; “Tulip Time,” the story of Trio Lescano, three Jewish sisters singing close harmony, and “Being Jewish in France,” tracing Jewish life in France from the 19th century to the present day.

Information on SFJFF programs are listed at the festival Web site sfjff.org and tickets are available at the web site or by calling (925) 275-9490.
- Tom Mayer

Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation to Hold Annual Benefit Aug. 3
Northern California’s largest annual AIDS benefit concert will be held on Sunday, August 3, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco for the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation.

Called “Blame It on the Movies,” this year’s program features music from the movies with film and TV star Ricki Lake and American Idol recording stars Kimberly Locke and Constantine Mouralis. Other stars include Maureen McGovern, Rita Moreno, Marilu Henner, Carole Cook and Broadway and TV personalities Jai Rodriguez, Vicki Lewis, Bruce Vilanch and Danny Gurwin.

In addition, the line-up includes cabaret and recording stars Paula West and Lauren Wood, international ballroom champions Cate Caplin and Gary Franco, and the cast of The Drowsy Chaperone. Proceeds will benefit Aguilas, Larkin Street Youth Services, Meals of Marin, Positive Resource Center, and Vital Life Services.

The foundation was born of the efforts of two mothers, Barbara Richmond and the late Peggy Ermet, who lost their only sons to AIDS, as a way to honor their memories and to help alleviate the suffering of others living with HIV and AIDS. The Foundation has become one of the leading sources of funding for many local AIDS service providers.

Tickets and further information may be obtained at 415-273-1620 and HelpIsOnTheWay.org. For more information on the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation, visit richmondermet.org.

Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park Aug. 22-24
San Francisco will pay host to one of its biggest music festivals in years when the three-day Outside Lands show is held in Golden Gate Park Aug. 22-24.

Taking place at the Polo Fields, the show will feature headliners Beck, Radiohead, Wilco, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Widespread Panic among many others. Local acts such as Primus, Two Gallants, The Coup, The Mother Hips, Rogue Wave, Goapele, ALO, Matt Nathanson and Sean Hayes will also be featured.

VIP tickets to the show will include access to an exclusive viewing area and massage services.
A portion of all ticket sales will go towards benefitting Golden Gate Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sfoutsidelands.com.

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