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America 250th Celebration Aftermath

With Mother Nature delaying many grand finales celebrations after government & media outlets spent zillions of dollars to create spectacular events the observance of America’s 250 anniversary fell a bit flat. It makes you kind of wonder who planned these elaborate displays that would have probably made the founding fathers cringe. The idea should have been not to celebrate founding of the United States but the people who have spent generations making its promise more real. Angelica Salas, Executive Director, for Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights stated, “This anniversary arrives at a defining moment for the United States of America. We honor the ideals of liberty & equality, while we also confront painful contradictions. In this moment, we have witnessed attacks on civil rights, the rollback of reproductive freedom, relentless assaults on LGBTQ+ & transgender communities & increasingly inhumane treatment of asylum seekers & families seeking safety. Temporary Protected Status holders continue to face rejection & uncertainty despite decades of contributing to this country they call home & although the Constitution's guarantee of birthright citizenship was reaffirmed this week, efforts to deny that fundamental promise reveal how fragile our democracy can become when fear is allowed to replace freedom. The story of America has never been about who can wield the greatest power. It has always been about ordinary people finding the courage to expand liberty, justice & opportunity for those who come after them. America was not built by spectacle...” So 250 years later the American experiment remains unfinished. Let’s not forget to continue to keep moving America forward towards the promise of justice & liberty for all. 
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Help Is On The Way Broadway & Beyond

The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation is presenting its 32nd Anniversary "Help Is On The Way" fundraising event on Sunday, August 2nd at the Marines' Memorial Theater in San Francisco with the  VIP After Party hosted by Stephanie Block & the cast at the Beacon Grand Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 450 Powell St. (formerly Sir Francis Drake). "Help Is On The Way" is one of San Francisco’s longest-running benefit concerts featuring stars from Broadway, TV, film & the recording industry. The concert will feature cast members from the Broadway touring cast of Disney’s “Beauty & The Beast” & while you won't hear the music from the touring show you can expect to hear some other fabulous songs as cast members join guest performers from Broadway, TV & Film. Additional entertainers will include Leanne Borghesi, David Burnham, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Paula West, Nita Whitacker & Alliana Lili Yang. Ken Henderson, Executive Director of the Richmond/Ermet AID Foundation stated, “It’s hard to believe this will be our 32nd annual "Help is on the Way" Concert & Gala. With all the proposed cuts to funding for LGBTQ+ causes as well as food distribution programs like Project Open Hand, we are proud that 100% of ticket sales will go directly to support our cause & we know our ticket buyers will still be getting one hell of a great show.” To date REAF has raised well over $4.5 million dollars to support AIDS/HIV services, hunger programs & programs for homeless & disenfranchised youth. The 32nd Gala event consists of a Broadway-style performance & a nightclub-themed after party with the cast. The event benefits Project Open Hand & REAF’s Small Emergency Grants Program. 
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Wreckage A New Musical Tragicomedy

Celebrating 67 years the Tony winning San Francisco Mime Troupe (SFMT) new show WRECKAGE: A Musical Tragicomedy runs July 3rd through Sept 7th in the Bay Area for free & open to the public unless otherwise listed. Wreckage addresses the political question about our survival & rebuilding the rubble left from the economic, social & psychological devastation of the idiotic kleptocrats. The 4 person cast includes veteran SF Mime Troupe collective members Michael Gene Sullivan (Security, Nestor, Bobby, Paul); Jed Parsario (Gideon, Business Man, Bertrand, Karl, Lance); Keiko Shimosato Carreiro (Stage Manager, Mari, Jeribeth)& Chloris Li (Felicity, Business Woman, Fredericka, Claudine, Sergeant Nicola, Mari’s Mother). Wreckage: A Musical Tragicomedy questions is it just us or does it feel like everything is falling apart with hallucinating robots, economic collapse, protesting frogs & people praying for the End of the World. Wreckage was written by Michael Gene Sullivan, music & lyrics by Daniel Savio, directed by Lisa Hori-Garcia with music direction by Daniel Savio & Will Durkee. When asked why call yourself a Mime Troupe if you talk & sing, SFMT stated, “We use the term “mime” in its classical & original definition, 'The exaggeration of daily life in story & song.' It is a form of popular theater that is as old as the marketplace itself. From the ancient Greek & Roman farces to the Renaissance commedia dell'Arte to modern Chinese Opera, using archetypes comically to illustrate people's issues is a time-honored worldwide tradition. Our broadly drawn characters are instantly recognizable allowing the audience to immediately engage in the action. Our work is political satire & anything but silent.” 
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A Tribute To Leslie Cohen & Beth Suskin

As we celebrate the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion that took place on June 28th in 1969 I pay tribute to my friends Leslie Cohen & Beth Suskin who were the models for the iconic sculpture “Gay Liberation” in Greenwich Village which commemorates the Stonewall riots. Back in 2019 when I asked Leslie what the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots means to her Cohen stated, “First of all it’s a celebration of how far we’ve come & it’s also a reminder of how precarious the rights that we have achieved have become under Trump who is consistently chipping away at everything we have fought for over the last 50 years…We should also be very vigilant because these rights can be taken away. It’s important to stay visible & it’s important to be out there. Write your books, tell your stories, make sure that we are part of history & people can refer to it especially young people. This is so important for young people to see that there are many gays & lesbians who fought for their rights & have found joy & happiness. I’m happy being a lesbian. I’ve had a lot of joy & a lot of fun & I want young people to know that. I have found love. I’ve been with my now wife for over 40 years & it’s possible. You will find happiness.” Sadly Leslie passed away in 2022 & her wife Beth left us in 2025. In this exclusive 2019 podcast I talked to Cohen about the legendary nightclub Sahara that she established in NYC with Michelle Florea, Linda Goldfarb & Barbara Russo in 1976 & her spin on our issues. LISTEN
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National Youth Day Filmmakers Event

National Youth Day is spotlighting emerging filmmakers in Chicago as part of Nationwide Youth250 celebration ahead of America's 250th anniversary at the Gene Siskel Film Center 164 N. State Street in Chicago, IL on Saturday June 27th at 4P. The event is hosted by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation celebrating the voices, creativity & civic leadership of the next generation through the 2026 Latest Generation Film Contest Premiere. The event is part of Youth250 a national initiative led by Made By Us that is helping ensure young people are active participants in shaping how the country understands its history & imagines its future. Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director of Made By Us stated, "National Youth Day is about recognizing that young people are already helping shape the American story. These films demonstrate the creativity, curiosity & civic imagination that young people are bringing to conversations about our history, our democracy & our future." 18-year-old Cameron Kirkegaard one of this year’s Special Recognition winners from Grand Junction, Colorado added, “Being selected for the Latest Generation Film Contest is an incredible honor. History & more importantly progress, is made & by people who take risks & think anew.“ The Latest Generation Film Contest is a partnership between the Lincoln Presidential Foundation & The Better Angels Society & is supported through the Amy Margerum Berg Education Fund. National Youth Day is a nationwide celebration of youth leadership held during Civic Season & organized in partnership with Youth250 with events taking place across the country on June 27th to elevate young voices through storytelling, public history, arts, civic engagement & community participation as America approaches its 250th anniversary. 
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MBCC Against The Tide Benefit Event

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition’s Against the Tide fundraising events attracts participants from across the state & region to support MBCC’s mission of breast cancer prevention. Online registration is still open for the 27th Cape Event on Saturday June 27th at DCR’s Nickerson State Park in Brewster, MA with virtual events happening now through June 27th. Athletic events include a USMS-Sanctioned 1-mile swim, 1-mile recreational & competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, USATF-Certified 5K & 10K runs & a 3-mile fitness walk. Cheryl Osimo, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition Executive Director stated, “I feel so honored to invite everyone to support MBCC's mission of breast cancer prevention. Funds raised for Against the Tide are used to continue & expand our unique programs to prevent breast cancer. We collaborate with research organizations, both local & national & academic professionals, to identify & educate about toxic chemicals in our environment that may cause breast & other cancers. We make our webinars & educational modules available free. We also advocate for changes to public policy in order to eliminate these chemicals from the places where we work & live. We strive to change the legacy of breast cancer for future generations. People from all over New England & the country come to support MBCC's work & the athletic components offered at Against the Tide & you can too!” Funds raised will support MBCC’s mission of changing the legacy of breast cancer for future generations & will support important community education programs including Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures, the MBCC Webinar Series & their expanded student environmental health program. 
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Filmmakers Speak Out Part 2 (AUDIO)

This week I conclude our 2-part series talking to filmmakers at the 28th Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF). First I talked with multi-award-winning director, producer & executive producer Marc Smolowitz who had 2 films at PIFF this year that couldn’t be more different. “Lady Champagne” is a bold, irreverent comedy directed by D’Arcy Drollinger. This feature film embraces camp, absurdity & unapologetic humor, drawing comparisons to classic spoof comedies. Then the documentary “Uncle Roy” traces the remarkable life of skater & photographer Roy Blakey through the eyes of his niece. Next we chatted with filmmaker Keri Pickett who directed “Uncle Roy” that chronicles 9 decades of Roy Blakey’s personal & professional archives. She discovers Blakey’s groundbreaking 1972 book about his legacy as a pioneer of gay photography & when Roy’s health declines Keri cares for him while preserving the stories he kept so carefully guarded. Then we chatted with directors Kade Atwood & Megan Rico about their film “Edie Arnold is a Loser” also written by Rico. This award-winning feature film tells the story of a timid dork Edie accidentally taking the spotlight when she starts a punk band becoming an icon to the rest of the losers at her all-girls Catholic school. “Edie Arnold is a Loser” won Best Film at the Seattle International Film Festival. I concluded our coverage with “100-Years of Schooner Hindu” a Provincetown legacy directed by Angela McNearney about the sailing schooner Hindu which has shaped the wind, water & mariners devoted to her for more than 100 years. LISTEN  
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America 250th Celebration Aftermath

With Mother Nature delaying many grand finales celebrations after government & media outlets spent zillions of dollars to create spectac...

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