V FOUNDATION ROCKS THE WINE COUNTRY
Channeling the spirit of the late North Carolina basketball coach and inspirational ESPN commentator Jim Valvano, “Laugh, Think, Cry” was the theme at the recent V Foundation Wine Celebration in Napa Valley.
It stemmed from the inaugural 1993 ESPY awards, at which Valvano declared: “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. No. 1 is laugh: You should laugh every day. No. 2 is think: Spend some time in thought. No. 3 is cry: You should have your emotions moved to tears. If you laugh, think and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day!”
Guests followed suit during this fourday fete spread among such haute spots as Far Niente Winery, Spottswoode, Odette, Staglin and Raymond Vineyards. Along that path, participants attended a cancer symposium, awards programs, winery dinners and a gala McCalls dinner auction at Nickel & Nickel Winery that starred a set by Eagles’ artist Don Felder.
In the process, supporters raised a healthy $5.2 million benefiting national cancer research programs funded by the V Foundation.
“There was much laughter on Friday at the Rock the V Party, much thought on Saturday at the Answer for Cancer Research Symposium and many tears at the Saturday night gala,” said Julie Allegro, founder and chairwoman of the V Foundation Wine Celebration. “It was one heck of a weekend.”
Makin’ change: Rallying a 1,000-strong troop in the Regency Ballroom at the Glide Legacy Gala, poet-activist Janice
Mirikitani recalled the congregation’s 53-year history of social change — from Selma, Ala., civil rights marches to Black Lives Matter — led by her husband, Glide’s pastor emeritus the Rev. Cecil Williams.
“At Glide we have built our programs and movements on values that I hope will be carried forward by you,” said Mirikitani, encouraging the fete’s young philanthropists.
This joyful jam raised $100K for Glide Foundation’s wellness programs as local change-makers were honored: prisonerrights advocate Sarah Shourd; Dream Corps co-founder Van Jones; and human rights advocate Felicia Horowitz.
“Glide is the one community I know that advocates for, and welcomes, everybody. And I mean everybody,” Horowitz declared. “If you are hungry, we will feed you. If you are homeless, we will provide you shelter. If you are part of the LGBTQ community, we will celebrate you.”
And, she continued with a teasing aside: “Even if you’re a white man working in technology, like my husband (Ben
Horowitz, VC co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz), you are welcome and wanted in this community!”
Village people: The fantastical three-day music extravaganza known as Outside Lands once again brought its eclectic lineup of headlining and emerging entertainers to Golden Gate Park, yet for music impresario Gregg Perloff of Another Planet Entertainment, its president Sherry
Wasserman and their team, this colorful festival is now equally recognized as a celebration of all things EssEff.
The Outside Lands spectrum is culled from local street artists, neighborhood retailers, a farmers’ market and environmental initiatives along with four-star fare and primo vino provided by our top toques, brewers and vintners.
“Outside Lands is not just about putting on a concert,” Perloff said. “Other elements are equally important, whether it’s artisanal chocolate makers or the amazing baristas in our new coffee area.”
Perloff describes Another Planet’s partnership with San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department SF Recreation & Parks as “phenomenal,” but also lavished praised on other entities assisting the festival, including Muni, the Police Department, Fire Department and, even, parking control officers.
“We can’t do this without their support,” he continued. “We’re grateful to be embraced by the city, its business and communities. Outside Lands has become part of the fabric of San Francisco.”
Aside from basically building a shortterm city in the park for 200,000 people, Another Planet has also accomplished the seemingly impossible in our fair yet oft-NIMBY village: Nearby neighbors have mostly made peace with an influx of folks who flock to the fest.
Cruising into the park along 30th Avenue, there was a carnival spirt among entrepreneurial neighbors, who enticed attendees with bottled water, homegrilled hot dogs and college-fund lemonade stands.
In addition to public schools scoring a fundraiser payday by selling parking spots in their lots, Outside Lands contributed $3 million from its sold-out ticket sales to Golden Gate Park programs.
“Those monies support our park gardeners and fund scholarships to our summer camp and after-school programs for local kids,” enthused Recreation and Park Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Outside Lands is a really beautiful way to appreciate our parks and celebrate San Francisco as we welcome visitors from all over the country.”
But Ginsburg admitted his most difficult OSL decision is not which act to catch.
“Every genre of San Francisco cuisine is represented, from the the hottest pop-up to established eateries, the hardest decision is what to eat,” he said, with a laugh. “Still I managed enjoy Sababa Falafel, Wise Son’s Deli and a 4505 Meats burger.”