Tasteable Television Series, Episode Intro, Season 5 Ep 503, featuring the Spanish Table in San Francisco, China Live in San Francisco, and a recipe from California Figs.
TASTEABLE can be watched on these PBS-affiliate television stations in Northern California, reaching over 2.5 million households from the San Francisco Bay Area to Wine Country
Lauren Meyer (“Amber Von Tussle”), Scott Taylor-Cole (“Corny Collins”), Kamren Mahaney (“Link Larkin”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
The San Francisco Bay Area Musicals’ organizers have got a certified hit on their hands with their rendition of Hairspray, directed and choreographed by Matthew McCoy. This production proves that local theater can often be just as good and as entertainingly fulfilling as any off-Broadway production.
Hairspray as many know is a Tony-award winning musical based on the famous 1988 movie directed by John Waters (of “Pink Flamingos” notoriety), Baltimore is divided by segregation, but there are two things that bring young people together, and those are hit music and dancing. Specifically, on the “The Corny Collins Show”, an “American Bandstand” type television dance show where teenagers shimmy to music from their favorite artists.
Cassie Grilley (“Tracy Turnblad”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio
Set in 1962, the television dance show is still segregated, although some of the music isn’t, and the viewers definitely are not. The challenge is for these young people to be able to enjoy their favorite artists, regardless of race, on the same show together at the same time. There is romance, there is intrigue, there is justice, and there is fun. That’s oversimplifying the plot a bit, but you get the picture.
Says Bay Area Musicals, “It‘s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!”
Of course, Hairspray is not just a term that is used for jokes, it’s a real thing. The coolest style that the most revolutionary kids could wear at the time was a gravity-defying beehive bouffant held in place with a ton of this ubiquitous product. The Corny Collins Show show even holds an annual “Miss Teenage Hairspray” pageant, which of course we all hope our plus-sized, integration-oriented and uber-talented heroine, Tracy Turnblad, might win. If not for her, then for the Cause (because the Struggle is Real).
Cassie Grilley (“Tracy Turnblad”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
We have to give much credit to the cast and crew, because they are extremely well chosen for their roles, and equally talented. Not only do they reflect the diversity of Baltimore, but they also reflect the diversity of the modern acting and theater community.
This production of Hairspray makes you forget that there aren’t $10 million stage sets involved, or celebrity voices involved, because the cast’s singing and dancing and joy is contagious to the audience.
Kennedy Williams (“Little Inez”) and Company in Bay Area Musicals’ 2019 Production of HAIRSPRAY. Photo: Ben Krantz Studio.
It was said by several attendees that this is such a great value, instead of spending $200 or $300 per ticket, we can get fantastic the seats at well under $100, and feel it is worth every penny.
We agree! Run, don’t walk, to get your tickets to see Hairspray at the Victoria Theatre in San Francisco while this show runs.
The cast of HAIRSPRAY features Cassie Grilley as “Tracy Turnblad,” Melissa Momboisse as “Penny Pingleton,” Scott Di Lorenzo as “Edna Turnblad,” Kamren Mahaney as “Link Larkin,” Elizabeth Jones as “Motormouth Maybelle,” David Abrams as “Seaweed J. Stubbs,” Kennedy Williams as “Little Inez,” Paul Plain as “Wilbur Turnblad,” Lauren Meyer as “Amber Von Tussle,” Sarah Sloan as “Velma Von Tussle,” Scott Taylor-Cole as “Corny Collins,” Bonnie Lafer as “Prudy Pingleton/Others,” Kim Larsen as “Principal/Male Authority,” Stephen Kanaski as “Brad, NC,” Ronald James as “Fender, NC,” Emma Sutherland as “Brenda, NC,” Brendan Looney as “Sketch, NC,” Claire Pearson as “Tammy, NC,” Steven McCloud as “I.Q., NC,” Peli Naomi Woods as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” Smita Patibanda as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” Chanel Tilghman as “Detention Kid/Dynamite,” April Deutschle as “Detention Kid,” Carlos Carrillo as “Detention Kid,” Zoe Hodge as “Detention Kid” and Ajay Prater as “Detention Kid.”
Where: Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Tickets: www.bamsf.org/hairspray
TasteTV visited Feast it Forward in Napa Valley to enjoy a recipe demo from the new cookbook “Hero Dinners”, presented by Anolon.
This year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase is presented in the Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, with views of San Francisco Bay. More than fifty top interior designers, landscape designers, architects, artists, creators and teams of accomplish crafts specialists have transformed the interiors and gardens.
Looking for a travel destination that is relaxing, nature-oriented, and full of ways to chill? Mendocino in Northern California meets all of these must-haves.
From the peaceful canopy of ancient Redwoods to the emerald meadows dotted with frolicking lambs and the blazing show of colorful flowers all around, spring is a stunning time to be in Mendocino on the coast of Northern California. Tender shoots and young vegetables are gathered to incorporate into fabulously fresh dishes while wines bottled in 2017 make their much-anticipated debut.
The creeks that run through Maple Creek Winery in Mendocino’s Yorkville Highlands are bursting their banks thanks to a wonderfully wet winter, promising juicy vintages to come, while their handcrafted premium Artevino wines from previous years have been collecting prizes. The 2017 Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs won Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the American Fine Wine Competition.
In addition, Maple Creek’s 2016 Maple Creek Estate Chardonnay was chosen to represent Mendocino at 46 Whole Foods stores from Sacramento to Santa Cruz. But the best way to experience the boutique wines, crafted by winemaker Tom Rodrigues, is to stop by their friendly tasting room on Mendocino’s famed wine highway, Route 128. Maple Creek Winery, 20799 Hwy 128, Yorkville, CA 95494, (707) 895-3001, www.maplecreekwine.com.
The Japanese practice of “Shinrin-yoku,”or “forest bathing,” involves immersing oneself in the forest’s atmosphere, a proven technique for care and healing of the body. Since there’s no better place to take in the forest than surrounded by Mendocino’s ancient Redwoods, the Brewery Gulch Inn—which always tops lists of the best inns and resorts in California—has two new packages incorporating “Shinrin-yoku.” Constructed in 2001 from 150-year old redwood reclaimed from the nearby Big River, the Inn is an architectural masterpiece and itself a relaxing haven for mind and body, renowned for locally-focused haute cuisine, indulgently comfortable rooms and impeccable, personalized service.
The team at Brewery Gulch brings this revitalizing experience to the next level with the help of Delphine Davidson, a certified yoga instructor, Clinical Traditional Family Herbalist and Health Coach, who has studied with such luminaries as Andrew Weil and Deepak Chopra. Delphine leads guests on two different Shinrin-yoku journeys. Brewery Gulch Inn, 9401 N. Highway One, Mendocino, CA 95460, (707) 937-4752, www.brewerygulchinn.com.
Those life-giving forests, fertile soil and clean waters of the Mendocino coast furnish plentiful delicacies if you know where to find them. The area boasts more than 3,000 kinds of mushrooms—some of which can only be found on this stretch of coast—salmon, crab and sea urchin, several varieties of seaweed, hard-to-find huckleberries and olallieberries, edible seeds, roots and more. The historic family-owned and operated Little River Inn has a package that teaches how to find this bounty and prepare and preserve it.
This is the second year for their popular FORAGE AND FERMENT package which pairs guests with local foraging experts to gather fodder for a feast that they will learn how to cook. This 3-day/2-night experience is from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12, 2019, and has a limited number of spots. The Inn itself is a charming ocean view Inn, where you will find an award-winning restaurant, an Audubon-certified golf course, regulation tennis courts, and a day spa and full-service salon. Designed in tandem by Cally Dym, 5th generation owner and innkeeper, and her husband Marc Dym, Executive Chef at the property, this adventure in foraging and fermenting with local experts will help attendees uncover everything from mushrooms and herbs to seaweed and sea urchin.
The hands-on odyssey starts on Friday night at a welcome reception and cooking demonstration with Greg Fonts of Freedive Shop/Triton X, who will dive in the morning with his team for the evening’s appetizers. In previous years, Greg has come back with scallops, rock fish, box crabs and urchins. He explains where he found each sea creature, and how to prep and cook it.
Delectable cocktails, wine, and appetizers emphasizing locally gathered comestibles will be served. The next day, Saturday’s activities will feature mining the forest for treasures such as mushrooms, roots and berries with Kevin Smith, Countryman Forager, and later, guests head to the beach to collect savory seaweed and explore tide pools with Larry Knowles and Erica Fielder of Rising Tide Sea Vegetables. That night a communal feast will feature the day’s harvest with tips for preserving the hard-won delicacies. For more information, please visit https://www.littleriverinn.com/forage-and-ferment/. Little River Inn, 7901 N. Highway One, Little River, CA 95456, (707) 937-5942, www.littleriverinn.com.
For the most complete access to the deepest Redwood forests you have to ride the historic Skunk Train, one of California’s most cherished family attractions, or power yourself along the train tracks on one of their new railbikes. The railroad was built in the 1880s to move logs from the coastal town of Fort Bragg to the inland cowboy country of Willits. Steam and diesel-powered trains still chug through dense woods and zigzag along the lively Noyo River, providing unparalleled access to the Pacific Coast Temperate Rainforest. Young and old delight as the trains travel through tunnels and cross over trestles, all while sending clouds of steam skyward.
There are two scenic rides, the Pudding Creek Express and the Northspur Flyer, in addition to annual themed trains for holidays such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Now there’s a new way to experience the Redwood Route, on a custom-built railbike. These two-person railbikes sit securely on the track, allowing passengers to make their journey in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere unlike anything else found on a railway. Travelers depart from a special railbikes launch area, with a trained guide overseeing everything and leading the way along the track. Since the track is owned and operated exclusively by the Skunk Train, they are able to guarantee no trains or other traffic along the route.
The bikes are incredibly easy to ride – perfect for all ages and skill levels. They even come with an electric assist—ideal for taking a relaxing breather while still moving along the track, or for a little bit of extra oomph while you make your way up the gentle grade on the return trip. These quiet conveyances provide a unique peak at rare spring wildflowers and shy forest critters. Skunk Train (California Western Railroad), 100 W. Laurel St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, (707) 964-6371, www.skunktrain.com.
Coastal Mendocino is a riot of color, with flowers basking in the sun after a generous rainy season. The area is particularly famous for their rhododendrons. Over 124 species thrive there, some of which even have heavenly scents to match their vibrant beauty, unusual for these intense yet stately flowers. The Inn at Newport Ranch invites visitors to revel in these spectacular blooms with their Spring Bloom Special.
From April 15 through June 15, guests who book a two-night stay at the Inn will be welcomed on arrival by a small springtime bouquet and two tickets to visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to witness the rhodies in full-bloom splendor. Open since early 2016, The Inn at Newport Ranch offers a breathtaking oceanfront experience, situated on 2,000 pristine private acres with 50-mile views across the Pacific. Guests have exclusive access to the vast property that encompasses virgin redwood forests, grasslands and beach. Some guests opt to tour the acreage on horseback or have a private ATV tour guided by a local with intimate knowledge of the terrain. They have all the amenities of a high-end hotel, from Ranch cuisine cooked from locally sourced ingredients (much of which is from their own organic gardens), to sumptuously appointed guest rooms, to the onsite Fireside Spa and a hot tub perched atop an old water tower.
The Inn’s interior spaces are designed to enhance the natural beauty of the location and each room is a bespoke masterpiece filled with handcrafted objects and fascinating items from the owner’s world travels. Recycled redwood trunks soar to cathedral ceilings, local wines are poured in front of a 20-foot fireplace, and stunning views are at your disposal all the time. The Main Inn Building includes the capacious Captain’s Quarters, with views of the crashing ocean; the Redwood House is held up by 24 recycled tree trunks, and each of the three elegant suites has a living room, dining area, kitchen, fireplace, and private deck; and the Sea Drum House is perched on an ocean bluff and has panoramic views, a chef’s kitchen and its own garden. The Inn at Newport Ranch, 31502 N. Highway One, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, (707) 962-4818, www.theinnatnewportranch.com.
TasteTV and the California Music Video Awards would like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees and winners, as well as those who attended the California Music Video Awards Dinner. Watch some of the Winning Videos Here.