un bel di

July 2014

July 9: San Francisco Opera MADAME BUTTERFLY

A selfish American naval lieutenant who marries a Japanese child bride knowing he will never see her again once he leaves Japan. His credulous young wife is so blindingly smitten that she gives up her religious faith for him and is disowned by her family. Even after three-year of not hearing from Lieutenant Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-San deludes herself into believing he will return and rashly rebuffs a solid marriage proposal to cling to this fantasy.

AND . . .

“One beautiful day“, they will see a puff of smoke on the far horizon.

Photo Gallery – July 2014

July 2. — I registered for the Presidio tour on Wednesday, July 2. I was supposed to catch the 11:30am FREE PresidiGo shuttle from the corner of Washington and Drumm near Embarcadero BART. It is a temporary bus stop. I couldn’t find bus stop.

July 2: I arrived late at Presidio by muni buses. I just enjoyed riding free shuttle around the park. You can get off at any stop and explore, then catch another round of shuttle. You can spend all day at beautiful Presidio.

July 2: Golden Gate Bridge — Hop-off at the GGB Plaza, visitors can relax and stroll through award-winning perennial gardens.

July 2: Golden Gate Bridge — Don’t miss the view from Flag Pole Hill.

July 2: Golden Gate Bridge — From Flag Pole Hill, a view of the southeast visitor area and downtown San Francisco in the background.

July 2: Hyatt Regency Hotel — I got on The Downtown express route shuttle to return to Embarcadero. This shuttle is for Presidio Employees and Residents, however, visitors can ride on non-peak commute hours.

July 2: Hyatt Regency Hotel — Majestic atrium lobby. Dramatic architecture. Panoramic views.

July 2: I worked many years in financial district. This place was one of my lunch hour relaxations.

July 4: Pride and Prejudice — (1)Get off at Berkeley BART Station (2)Walk to bus stop (Center St. & Shattuck Ave.) (3)Get on bus 7 towards 7 E C Del Norte Bart (4)Get off at Arlington Av:Southampton Av (5)Walk to Amphitheatre

July 4: Pride and Prejudice — follows the romantic adventures of the Bennet sisters in Georgian England and their mother’s humorous quest to marry them off to the best candidate she can find for them.

July 4: Jane Austen’s novels “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility” have many similarities. — It was 4th of July. I watched fireworks from my street in the night. Huge fireworks by neighbors and city of Pittsburg.

July 5: Opera at the Ballpark — For best seating, register for early entry. Beginning at 6:30 pm, registered fans can enter the park; you must bring your barcoded confirmation printout. Gates open for general entry at 7 pm.

July 5: Opera at the Ballpark — Saturday’s performance delighted not only the patrons in the War Memorial Opera House, but also the 26,000 fans who packed AT&T Park for the company’s free live simulcast.

July 5: Opera at the Ballpark — Here is the culmination of the KDFC Star Spangled Sing-Off before 26,000 opera fans. Vanessa Bousay sings the national anthem

July 5: Opera at the Ballpark — How did I get a premium seat? There was no vacant seat by the time I walked up there, however, a lady came up to me and directed me to a vacant sent. They are wonderful family.

July 5: Loved it! What a great gift to the people of SF Bay Area. This is an experience for everybody to share. Up-coming event at GGPark Sept. 7 1:30pm is a free SF Opera’s new productions for the coming season.

July 5: — Traviata Second Cast Home Run – I saw first cast’s performance on June 25 at opera house. I loved this second cast: Ailyn Pérez (Violetta) and her husband, tenor Stephen Costello (Alfredo). They were better-voiced, more photogenic, dramatically convincing.

July 5: I was excited to enter into a large, major-league baseball stadium. It was my first time at AT&T Park. Bring a big blanket. I bought garlic fries, it was cold in center and soggy. I couldn’t eat.

July 5: Beach Blanket Babylon’s Tammy Nelson in singing “Take Me Out to the Opera.” It has become a Fourth of July weekend tradition. Verdi’s La Traviata, simulcast live from the historical War Memorial Opera House just two miles across the city.

July 6: SF Symphony at Stern Grove Festival — The first classical concert with conductor Edwin Outwater explores the fusion of jazz and orchestral music with music by Bernstein, Gershwin, and Ravel, featuring virtuoso Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone.

July 6: Guest soloist, Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone, performs with the SFS improvising on Ravel’s well-known classical pieces Bolero and Pavane pour une infant défunte, including SFS principal musicians Mark Inouye (trumpet), Scott Pingel (bass), and Jacob Nissly (percussion) forming a solo jazz quartet with Ozone.

July 6: Stern Grove Fest — Located 43 miles away, super easy to get there. I go everywhere by myself. I get off BART at Civic, get on metro M or K line, get off at St. Francis Circle stop. Walk 1 block to the park entrance at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard.

July 6: Enjoy the natural beauty of the area and the smell of the eucalyptus trees and full of tall redwood trees. This time, I found a spot in meadow. Free but well worth the suggested $10 donation.

July 9: Opera Madame Butterfly — Colorful visual design and inventive production. Puccini’s heartbreaking tale of innocence, betrayal and sacrifice returns in a bold and beautiful production by Jun Kaneko.

July 9: Opera Madame Butterfly — Sharpless asks the child his name, and Butterfly answers for him, “Today my name is Sorrow. But write and tell Daddy that, the day he returns, my name will be Joy.” I cried. so did other audiences.

July 9: At final scene, white canvas hangs behind butterfly. Large red sun projected. “To die with honor” The knife clatters to the floor. Rising sun, slowly bleed. I loved this pure Japanese sensibility. Everybody cried.

July 9: Opera Madame Butterfly — Wed 07/9/14 7:30pm final day performance. Standing ovation.

July 9: — Cast: Cio-Cio-San (Patricia Racette) Lt. B.F. Pinkerton (Brian Jagde) . . . . . . . . P.S. I saw tenor Brian Jagde played Don José in Bizet’s Carmen for Families (Sung in English with English supertitles) with SF Opera.

July 9: — It was final performance night, great to see so many people dressing up in full, formal attire to attend a performance of a true art form. San Francisco is lucky to have such a high-caliber opera company.

July 9: — People believe that Butterfly is naïve, psycho 15 year-old girl. This was Meiji Era (moved from being an isolated feudal society to its modern form) Japan needed to catch up with the West. It was trend in Japan to naively embrace western culture, values, religion, etc.

July 12: This Magic Show was not ready for prime time. A man next to me said ‘They are great magicians. My money disappeared’ and he left middle of the show. It was that bad. I wonder anybody asked for money back.

July 13: Alex Ramon #NewMagic — After a two-year run as Ringling Bros.’ first-ever magician-ringmaster, the Richmond-raised illusionist created his own cabaret show, Illusion Fusion.

July 13: Alex Ramon #NewMagic — At age 29, Ramon is the youngest magician to receive The Milbourne Christopher “illusionist” Award on July 2014. This summer, he began a West Coast tour with his new show, “#NewMagic.”

July 13: Alex Ramon #NewMagic. Raised in Richmond, California. I like him a lot because he is great magician, and he bring smiles, and wonder to people of all ages.

July 13: — You can see YOUTUBE videos. Disney LIVE!® presents “Mickey’s Magic Show”, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Zing Zang Zoom. January 2012 at the Horizon Casino Resort and ran for over 2 years in Lake Tahoe, NV.

July 13: Alex Ramon #NewMagic — He’s cute, and very handsome. I was most impressed by how personable, funny, and humble Alex was. (me, without make-up)

7/16: It was fun socializing with other singles. — My face is red, a few sip of Margarita did it.

7/17: The group performs music that evokes the festival spirit and character of Japan’s diverse rural communities. With lively vocals accompanied by fue and shakuhachi (bamboo flutes), shamisen (a string instrument) and the beat of the taiko drum.

7/17: Music and dance reminded me of fun time I had in my early age. — nos•tal•gia – a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

7/17: I didn’t stay long enough to see real light show. You may find a cool moment, if you happen to be sipping your bowl of cappuccino at the La Boulange. and look up . . .

7/18: — Nelson Mandela born on July 18, 1918, died on Dec. 2013 South Africa. He was an anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician who served as President from 1994 to 1999. — I pretend I’m an Afro-Japanese with head wrap.

7/18: — African Drumming: the Heartbeat of the Tribe. Many of the musicians here who drummed so powerfully for Mandela’s appearance in 1990 at the Oakland Coliseum.

7/18: — Happy birthday to Nelson Mandela. . . African dance movements are mainly a lot of kicks, leaps, and wide and rapid swings of the arms. Very different from other ethnic dance forms.

7/18: — I joined tour of City Hall, led by volunteer docent. Marvelous architectural details, history, murders in the City Hall. — SF’s motto “Oro en paz y fierro en guerra” “Gold in Peace and Iron in War”

7/18: — Friday Nights at the de Young. . . Celebrate the special exhibition Modernism from The National Gallery of Art: The Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Collection with Argentine tango!

7/18: — My acquaintance showed up close to the end of the show. He pulled me to the floor. I never danced TANGO before. He wrote: “The experience of your communicating back to me when we did the best we could with tango dance, I will never forget it.”

July 19, 2014 — Features extended scenes from six operas: Thomas’ Mignon; Handel’s Semele; Verdi’s Luisa Miller; Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia and La Cenerentola; Puccini’s Madama Butterfly; and Bizet’s Carmen.

July 19, 2014 — I enjoyed Rossini’s comic opera IL Barbiere di Siviglia and of course Puccini’s tragic Mme Butterfly. Even though there were no Supertitles, no elaborate sets.

July 19, 2014 — This concert is named in memory of Merola’s late Chairman, James Schwabacher. Merola Opera Program is Named for Gaetano Merola, San Francisco Opera’s first General Director.

July 19, 2014 — The Merola Opera Program is dedicated to the continuing education and training of the finest young operatic talent and the development of this talent into professional of the highest artistic caliber.

July 19, 2014 — Unusually warm (hot) summer day, today. Musicians had trouble with strong Wind blowing music sheets. Many string instruments wore clothes to prevent unwanted sound vibration by wind.

July 19, 2014 —

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — The hotel was nearly completed before the earthquake of 1906. Although the structure survived, the interior was damaged by fire. Architect Julia Morgan was hired to repair the building.

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — Ornate, gold-leaf bas-reliefs decorate the walls, while indoor balconies reach up to the coffered ceiling. Crystal chandeliers, wall sconces, and hand-painted murals add authentic turn-of-the-century accents.

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — View from Gold Room. Alcatraz Island, North Beach neighborhood (Saints Peter and Paul Church, Coit Tower)

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — The Venetian Room, once used as the location for San Francisco’s elite Venetian Supper Club, the Venetian Room’s Stage has hosted various famous performers throughout the century.

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — Over 50 years ago, iconic singer Tony Bennett took the stage of The Fairmont San Francisco’s famed Venetian Room and performed “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” for the first time.

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar — The “Band Barge” floats in the lagoon. $$$$ You pay for the ambience. But where else can you dine around a indoor swimming pool, rain, a floating band boat, tiki lights.

July 23: The Fairmont Hotel SF at Nob Hill — Someday, I will have a sip of Mai Tai here Hurricane Bar in Fairmont, and then Martini at “Top of the Mark” in Mark Hopkins.

7/23 — Mark Hopkins Hotel was acquired by Fairmont Hotel across the street in 2014. Top of the Mark – 19th-floor sky bar offers nearly 360-degree views and “100 Martinis” menu features the hotel’s hallmark specialty martinis.

7/24/14 – Concord Summer Concert – Foreverland 14 piece band Tribute to Michael Jackson

7/24/14 – Concord Summer Concert – Foreverland 14 piece band Tribute to Michael Jackson

7/25/14 — Enchanting summer evening in the City

7/27/14 –I know I am a bit serious with pessimistic personality. Almost every senior citizens say that they are “very happy”. I wonder how their emotional brains are wired up. I could imitate Elsa’s carpe diem behavior. It is never too late to live. Right?

7/29/14 Oakland – City Center — I should be here tomorrow, not today! I got the date mixed up. I will be back here tomorrow for “The Sun Kings – Beatles tribute band” — This place is the heart of Downtown Oakland.

7/29/14 Oakland — City Hall marks 100 years – This is 3rd building. First building was destroyed by fire (1869-1877) Second building was meant to be temporary.

7/29/14 Oakland — City Hall Rotunda – San Francisco City Hall is far magnificent, and far spectacular. Well, Oakland City Hall is not shabby at all. It’s still bigger and grander Hall than many other bay area City Halls.

7/29/14 Oakland —

7/29/14 Oakland – Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon and wildlife refuge. Walking and jogging path (3.5 miles). Children’s Fairyland, octagonal bandstand, Boating Center, Garden Center (include the Bonsai Garden)

7/29/14 Oakland – 3.5-acre Roof Garden — There is a whole new world above the Kaiser Garage (3rd floor). Lake Merritt is just across the street. Too bad, it is not on the top of 28th floor Kaiser Building.

7/29/14 Oakland —

7/30/14 Oakland City Center — Okay, I am wearing Oakland Raiders Hat (American Football League).

7/30/14 Oakland City Center —

7/31/14: Dan Ashley and his band PUSH —

7/31/14: Dan Ashley and his band PUSH —

7/31/14: Dan Ashley and his band PUSH —

****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ****** ******

Alex and his assistant are touring very light. No animals. No big illusion devices. Maybe he brought Magnetic Levitation Device to float things midair. He is good.

Below video is elaborate show at Stateline Nevada, the horizon Casino.

From the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love and beyond, Corazón Under the Dome lets you journey into the extraordinary. Watch as the elegant 1908 glass dome is transformed into a state-of-the-art surround sound theater using the latest in projection mapping technology by Obscura Digital.