At the In Defense of Animals benefit at Bacchus and Venus Wine Bar in Sausalito, guests gathered to raise money for the group, which is dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights, welfare and habitats.
More than 50 local restaurants and wineries and 500 guests came together for the 20th annual Lifehouse Great Chefs and Wineries event at the Fireman’s Fund headquarters in Novato. Proceeds from the event support Lifehouse, which provides residential and support services for more than 300 individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco.
At the Larkspur Hotel Mill Valley opening party guests were treated to a performance by a fire dancer, toured the new hotel’s rooms and devoured s’mores made by the regional director of sales and marketing Joey Miranda.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cancer Center at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco, San Rafael resident Bruce Burtch greeted Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
Jewish Family and Children's Services held its 160th Anniversary Gala and Fammy Awards at the San Francisco Ritz-Carlton. The Fammy Awards program honored community members of strength and generosity. All proceeds from the event benefit children, families, and elderly in crisis.
At the annual Raccoon Ball, presented by the Raccoon Branch of Marin General Hospital Volunteers, guests donned their best saris for a Mumbai Magic theme and an evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing. Proceeds supported the Marin General Hospital Programs.
At Bread & Roses' recent benefit concert at Teatro ZinZanni guests were treated to a performance by Lara Johnston and her father, Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers. Bread and Roses' produces over 600 concerts a year that help to bring live music to audiences throughout the Bay Area.
Photographer Henrik Kam showed his latest work, "Roman Ruins," on opening night at Mill Valley's The Image Flow.
American Conservatory Theater's Crystal Ball at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts's Forum raised more than $670,000 for A.C.T.'s conservatory programs. Guests were treated to a performance by Tony Award winner and A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program alumna Anika Noni Rose.
Over 1,000 guests attended Marin Catholic High School's annual fashion show at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall. The event featured 275 Marin Catholic student models who wore clothing donated by 25 local stores and boutiques. Over $300,000 was raised to benefit Marin Catholic High School.
At the Redwoods 18th annual Senior Prom residents of the Mill Valley retirement community and students from the Tamalpais High School leadership class danced the night away and then crowned their 99-year-old prom queen Jean Murphy and their 96-year-old prom king Martin Friedman.
Foodies (and our own local celebrity chefs) gathered at Hotel Healdsburg and Dry Creek Kitchen for the sold-out Pigs and Pinot event. The weekend kicked off with a tasting of over 50 Pinot Noir's alongside pork-themed appetizers. All proceeds from Pigs and Pinot benefited Share Our Strength and local Healdsburg education programs.
Best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert attracted a crowd of more than 500 to the Dominican University of California for a spring lecture series. Gilbert was on a national book tour to promote Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage.
Marinites celebrated Nancy Svendsen's documentary-in-progress, The Glass Ceiling, which tells the story of the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest.
At WildCare's annual gala, master of ceremonies Arianna Huffington and various wildlife ambassadors—including Sequoia, a Northern Spotted Owl—helped make the evening a sold-out success. All proceeds go directly to support WildCare programs in wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education.
Film buffs descended on the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center the California Film Institute for Oscar Night America, an Academy Awards live-feed telecast as a fundraiser for their education programs.
With almost 30 years in the Bay Area, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra held its annual gala and auction at the St.Regis Hotel. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the orchestra’s many artistic initiatives and education programs.
Recently, the Marin History Museum celebrated Ross residents John and Maria Pitcairn, who donated a violin painted and signed by The Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick and an electric guitar signed by all members of the Rolling Stones. The pieces will become part of the collection for the museum’s Marin Rocks exhibition scheduled to open this fall in downtown San Rafael.
At Sak's Fifth Avenue in San Francisco, Tod's creative director Derek Lam hosted an afternoon tea to benefit the Orangutan Foundation International. Later that night, Lam and Connie Nielsen chatted at a dinner at Foreign Cinema in honor of the designer.
More than 150 people dusted off their '80s attire to celebrate Hotel Diva's 25th birthday. Guests danced to jams by DJ Trevor Simpson, while sipping on specialty SKYY Vodka cocktails handcrafted by the owners of Rye bar, Michael David Wines, Trumer Pils and Bagrationi sparkling wine.
Big Brothers Big Sisters hosted a kick-off reception for the 100 Bigs in 100 Days campaign. The group has 200 kids waiting for a Big Brother or Sister and they are looking for volunteers! This year the campaign is held in honor of the 2010 Heart of Marin award winners Edward Kaufman and John and Mille Barrett who received the Volunteer of the Year award.
At Family Service Agency of Marin's 65th anniversary, 350 guests were entertained with a Doctor Zhivago’s Winter Castle theme. The evening included dancers and musicians from Ballet Russe, four-foot Faberge eggs, Russian balalaika players and more. The event raised $100,000 for the agency’s mental health, education, and support services that help 5,000 at-risk Marin children and families each year.
At WildCare's annual gala, master of ceremonies Arianna Huffington and various wildlife ambassadors—including Sequoia, a Northern Spotted Owl—helped make the evening a sold-out success. All proceeds go directly to support WildCare programs in wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education.
At the recent Open Studios at the ICB Building in Sausalito, artists and supporters gathered for the VIP Opening Reception.
Girotondo Italian School's Biennial Gala Dinner and Auction was held at Cavallo Point. The successful fundraiser was attended by members of the Italian Consulate of San Francisco.
Event and luncheon gathered for a photo at the recent San Francisco Nutcracker luncheon.
A.C.T. celebrated the successful completion of The Next Generation Campaign at a leadership dinner for donors who have made commitments of $25,000 and more. The Next Generation Campaign raised over $31 million for the theater to create an endowment while sustaining artistic excellence and high quality actor training. The event was hosted by Artistic Director Carey Perloff, Campaign Committee.
Over 450 guests enjoyed an evening of dinner, prizes, silent and live auctions, and dancing to the popular band, Tainted Love, at the 14th annual Marin Valentine's Ball. Each year the event raises awareness and support for charities that benefit children, families, and older adults in need throughout the North Bay. This year's proceeds benefited Whistlestop, North Bay Children's Center, Sunny Hills Services, and The Godmothers of the Timothy Murphy School for Boys at St. Vincent's.
At the San Anselmo Teapod holiday party owners Chris and Jaimie Nguyen celebrated the season with their new baby Maddox.
Families, friends, and coaches of the Marin FC Alliance, gathered at Guaymas Restaurant in Tiburon for their inaugural fundraiser to support soccer players needing financial assistance. The evening highlights included a casino night, silent auction and raffle.
