Two new solo exhibitions featuring works by Scooter LaForge and Dariusz Labuzek at 111 Minna Gallery, S.F. through July 30.

The 111 Minna Gallery presents two concurrent solo exhibitions, "Lacrimosa," with paintings by  Dariusz Labuzek, and "Invitation to Nothingness," with paintings by Scooter LaForge. 

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Through July 30. 111 Minna Gallery, S.F. (415) 974-1719, www.111minnagallery.com

All images courtesy of the 111 Minna Gallery.

"Herbal Remedy" by Dariusz Labuzek 

"A Conversation between East and West" by Dariusz Labuzek


 

"Because I can" by Dariusz Labuzek



Dariusz Labuzek



"Ed" by Scooter LaForge


"Rembrandt punches Brutus" by Scooter LaForge


"Roadside Memorial" by Scooter LaForge


Scooter LaForge

"Red Velvet" makes its Bay Area premiere at the San Francisco Playhouse

The compelling drama, "Red Velvet," makes its Bay Area premier at the San Francisco Playhouse.

Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by Margo Hall, the story centers upon Ira Aldridge, a successful, African American actor who is the first black man to portray Othello on the London stage in 1833. It features a powerful, gripping performance by Carl Lumbly as Aldridge and a strong supporting cast.

Through June 25. San Francisco Playhouse, Second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel,

450 Post St., S.F. (415) 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org

In “Red Velvet,” Carl Lumbly portrays Ira Aldridge, an American actor who became the first black man to portray Othello at Covent Garden theatre and on a British stage. 

L-R: Arriving in London, Ira Aldrige (Carl Lumbly) meets Covent Garden theatre company manager Pierre LaPorte (Patrick Russell) and fellow thespian Henry Forester (Devin O’Brien).

Carl Lumbly (Ira Aldrige) and Susi Damilano (Ellen Tree) performing as Othello and Desdemona in “Red Velvet.”

Photos by Ken Levin

“Animal Artist-in-Residence” project at the San Francisco Zoo

Angie the Mandrill, chimpanzees Cobby, Maggie and Minnie, Leann the Sumatran tiger, Tenzing the red panda and other animals living at the San Francisco Zoo created the works featured in the first “Animal Artists-in-Residence” there.

A painting by a wolverine. Image courtesy of the San Francisco Zoo.

To create the pieces on canvas, the animals used brushes, their paws or simply stepped through water-based paints. In addition to enriching the lives of the animals the process resulted in playful works of art.  

A painting created by black and white ruffled lemurs. Image courtesy of the San Francisco Zoo.

A number of these paintings will be available for auction during Zoo Fest, a fundraiser benefiting and taking place at the San Francisco Zoo, 6 p.m., Saturday, April 30. Each painting is framed and comes with information about the animal artist who created it.

Founded in 1929, the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens is where more than 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals from more than 250 species live. 

San Francisco Zoo and Gardens, 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco. (415) 753-7080, www.sfzoo.org.

"Hovering: Photographs at the Boundaries of Nature," through May 12 at the Dryansky Gallery, S.F.

For his solo exhibition, "Hovering: Photographs at the Boundaries of Nature," theoretical physicist and senior principal scientist at Adobe, Gregg Wilensky created a series of large-scale works as an ode to nature and spring.

"Yellow, Cowell Ranch, " (2015), pigment print on cotton paper, by Gregg Wilensky. Image courtesy of The Dryanksy Gallery.

A series of abstract landscape tableaus, they begin as photographs taken by Wilensky in California and France, which he then transforms into dreamy, ethereal works by utilizing some of the tools that he helped develop at Adobe.

Artist talk, 7-9 p.m., Thursday, April 7. R.S.V.P. at http://bit.ly/205M0mc

12:30-5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The Dryansky gallery, 2120 Union St., S.F. (415) 932-9302, www.thedryansky.com.

“One for All: A Solo Artist Festival,” April 8 through April 17, Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre presents its inaugural “One for All: A Solo Artist Festival,” April 8 through April 17.

Featuring Marga Gomez, Josh Kornbluth, Ann Randolph, Unique Derique, Linda Ayres-Frederick, Carolyn Doyle, Amy Kilgard, Margery Kreitman and Rachel LePell.

Josh Kornbluth’s “Ben Franklin: Unplugged,” 8 p.m., Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9

Unique Derique: “Fool La La!,” 2 p.m., Saturday, April 9 and 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16

“One x 5: Short Pieces by five local solo artists: Linda Ayres-Frederick, Carolyn Doyle, Amy Kilgard, Margery Kreitman and Rachel LePell,” 2 p.m., Saturday, April 10

Ann Randolph’s “Loveland,” 8 p.m., Thursday, April 14

Ann Randolph’s “Inappropriate in all the right ways,” 8 p.m., Friday, April 15

“Marga Gomez: Latin Standards,” 8 p.m., Saturday, April 16 and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 17.

$20 general admission and $5 children younger than 12. For tickets call the box office at (510) 881-6777 or go to www.dmtonline.org.

Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 North Third street, Hayward. 

Island City Waterways, Alameda, May 21-22

Right to left: Janet Koike, Megan Lowe and Tina Blaine on the Park Street Bridge in Alameda. Photo by Andy Mogg. 

Rhythmix Cultural Works, in association with Epiphany Productions, presents “Island City Waterways,” a fun and unusual free public art event happening on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 in Alameda.

Via music, theater, dance, storytelling and the visual arts, the event takes participants on a 90-minute walking tour that introduces them to island city’s maritime heritage and its rich cultural diversity.

Dreamed up and directed by Janet Koike, Rhythmix’s founder and artistic director, “Island City Waterways,” is interactive. Tour goers can weave grasses into abstract forms in the same fashion that Ohlone Indians once did, add to a large chalk mural illustrating the waterways of the estuary and join performers in songs in the traditions of immigrants who once worked in the maritime trades.

The event includes original choreography by Kim Epifano and actor and director Ed Holmes as the lead storyteller. Other collaborators include video installation artist Alessandro Moruzzi, members of Maze Daiko ensemble and environmental artist Ginny Parsons. East Bay historians Dennis Evanosky and Eric Kos served as consultants.

Encompassing a half-mile path along the Waterfront trail and led by volunteer guides, the walking tours begin at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 near the foot of Fruitvale Bridge at Blanding Avenue in Alameda.

Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance for parking and registration. Tours allow approximately 100 people per tour and individual, advance reservations for 50 available spaces per tour are available at www.islandcitywaterways.org. Check the website for other related events 

"Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective," at the de Young museum through May 30

Truly a visual feast, "Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective," takes viewers on a sumptuous fashion journey through significant periods of the iconic designer's career.

Ranging from his early work to pieces inspired by Spanish, Russian and other cultures, the exhibition presents more than 130 of de la Renta's creations. Encompassing five decades, the ensembles range from chic day wear to elegant ball gowns. Curated by Andre Leon Talley, Vogue magazine's former American editor-at-large, the show also offers a glimpse into de la Renta the man through two documentaries shown in a separate viewing room near the exhibition space.

"Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective," through May 30. Herbst exhibition galleries, de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, S.F. (415) 750-3600, www.deyoung.famsf.org

All photographs by Stephanie Wright Hession

                                                     
                           

Block Report, Richmond Waterfront

I relish discovering hidden gems and the Richmond waterfront is one of them:



http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Richmond-waterfront-yields-treasures-on-land-and-6837149.php

Marina Bay Harbor. Photo by Stephanie Wright Hession.

“My Hero! Contemporary Art & Superhero Action,” exhibition at the Bedford Gallery through March 20

If you've ever admired or adored a superhero, then go see “My Hero! Contemporary Art & Superhero Action," a playful group exhibition with works by Mel Ramos, Enrique Chagoya. Laurina Paperina and other artists who give their interpretation of a superhero.

Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 295-1417, www.bedfordgallery.org. Open noon-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday and 6-8 p.m. during evening performances in the Lesher Center for the Arts. 

Admission: $5 adults; $3 Youth ages 13-7; free for children 12 years old and younger. Free general admission on the first Tuesday of each month. Free admission with same-day performance ticket at the Lesher Center for the Arts. 

All content and photographs by Stephanie Wright Hession. If you share, include a link to my blog.

Some of the works from the show:

“Mary Button Durell On View,” at the Some Time Salon, S.F. through January 29.

By Stephanie Wright Hession

Artist Mary Button Durell utilizes humble materials such as tracing paper and acrylic paint to create dreamy, complex works. Her solo exhibition, “Mary Button Durell On View,” is at the Some Time Salon through January 29.

Join the artist for dinner and conversation at 7 p.m., Friday, January 29, at the Some Time Salon. It features a four-course meal and libations created Margo Imbert. $60 per person. Contact the salon for tickets at www.sometimesalon.com

Some Time Salon, 91 Walter St., S.F., www.sometimesalon.com, www.marybuttondurell.com.

Images courtesy of the artist and the Some Time Salon.

Mary Button Durell working in her studio.

Some of her works: