Filed under: Big Screen, Classics, Film Appreciation, Lark Odds & Ends, Musings
She was the living embodiment of beauty, of glamor – perhaps more than anything, of romantic passion. She survived lifelong stardom, scandal, addiction, a host of serious illnesses, a handful of near-death experiences. She never had sex with a man she didn’t marry, and “how many girls can say that?” When her beauty no longer made her the white-hot centrifugal center of Hollywood, she used her still-unparalleled fame to fight HIV/AIDS at a time when its sufferers were being stigmatized and ignored. She packed more life and love into her 79 years than most of us can begin to imagine.
We love you, Elizabeth.
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March is Member Madness at the Lark. We have a cluster of wonderful, award-winning documentaries coming up on environmental topics (see last post), with director screenings that are open to the public and FREE to members at all levels. Become a member at our affordable Individual level ~ $75/year ~ and attend director screenings for PLASTIC PLANET (3/18, Werner Boote joins us by Skype) and QUEEN OF THE SUN (3/26 & 3/29). See both and it’s like getting $20 off your already low membership dues! And there will be more special screenings to come.
Best of all, you’re supporting the Lark. We wouldn’t be here without community support, and we appreciate your help in keeping us aloft!
Our members do not resemble penguins, this being a casual environment, but nice linocut from Nicole Antrobus.
Local shopper Steven Spielberg
Okay, maybe not every day (though a friend did find himself in line at the checkout at Lucky Supermarket behind Steven Spielberg. For real! It went like this: “Hmmm, that guy’s got some nice shoes… Wow, he’s buying expensive wine…Whoa! That’s Steven Spielberg!”). But around Oscar time, that’s how we like to think of ourselves. We had a fantastic Award Night bash this year. We were sold out in advance for the event (make a mental note for next year), and our audience/community came through with imaginative costumes, lots of fun and hilarity, and generous support.
Please scan the list of local merchants who supported us with in-kind donations for this year’s party, and visit them. They are all wonderful.
Acqua Hotel
Ambrosia
Bloomers of Larkspur
Bryan’s Fine Foods
Burritoville
Chad Carvey
Courtyard by Marriott Larkspur Landing
Walt Disney Family Museum
D.J.’s Chinese Cuisine
Donna and Chuck Huggins
Donut Alley
Emporio Rulli
Eliza Haskins Koeppel
Fabrizio Ristorante
flourchylde Bakery
Gala 484
Il Fornaio
Infineon Raceway
Insalata’s
Jesse et Laurent
Left Bank Brasserie
M Clothing
Marin Country Mart
Marin Symphony
Marin Theatre Company
Mary Clyde
Melting Pot of Larkspur
M & M Team of Pacific Union International
Pizzeria Picco
Red Robin Catering
See’s Candies
Stefano’s Pizzeria
Table Cafe
Tavern at Lark Creek
Tutu School
Ward Street Cafe
Yankee Pier
YogaWorks
Saw IN THE RED AND BROWN WATER at Marin Theatre Company yesterday, a wonderful production that makes simple yet layered poetry out of flesh and blood and breath. The play is part of a trilogy, THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney.
THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS have been widely heralded as marking the emergence of a major new voice in American theater (“It’s what people must have felt during productions of the early works of Eugene O’Neill in the 1920s or of Sam Shepard in the 1960s.”) Recognizing their importance, MTC, The Magic Theatre and A.C.T. have pooled resources to bring us all three plays. This collaboration, the first of its kind, is an inspired and generous gift to local audiences.
We left the theater engaged in deep conversation about language, race, lust, Louisiana, mythology, and more. Meanwhile, back at the Lark, the first in our fall Sunday Salon series had just wrapped up – a screening of ALAMAR with audience discussion moderated by Garth Twa, who will also be leading our World Cinema Workshops later this fall. The Workshops and the Salons are a way of fostering conversation that is informed and illuminating and sparks the imagination. We hope you’ll join us; and also that you’ll take advantage of the wonderful work on offer at our neighboring cultural outlets. And tell us what you think.
…but first a word about our sponsors. On March 7, 2010 the Lark Theater held its Sixth Annual Academy Awards Party. This year we were blessed with a beautiful day, so our elegant and imaginative party-goers didn’t have to worry about their Forties-style hat feathers drooping or blue body-paint running in the rain. We were also lucky to have unprecedented support from friends in the local merchant community, who generously donated delicious food, wine and an array of very special items for our live and silent auctions. Thanks to them we had our most successful Awards Night Gala ever.
Please follow the links for more information and frequent these terrific local businesses. We are grateful to ~
Akinoms Creations by Monika Eggen
Ambrosia
Balloon Delights
Bodhana Bed & Breakfast
Book Passage
Bryan’s Fine Foods
Burritoville
Cavallo Point
Mary Clyde
Courtyard by Marriott Larkspur Landing
Cuisine by Lela
DJ’s Chinese Cuisine
Donut Alley
E&O Trading Company
Emporio Rulli
Fabrizio Ristorante
Handley Cellars
Donna & Chuck Huggins
Il Fornaio
Jessie & Laurent
Eliza Haskins Koeppel
Korbel Winery
Left Bank
M Clothing
Magnolia Avenue Salon
Marin Country Mart
Marin Suites Hotel
Marin Symphony
Marin Theater Company
Tina McArthur
Melting Pot Larkspur
Mountain Home Inn
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
Peter Paul Wines
Pizzeria Picco
Red Robin Catering
Richard Rubenstein
Rustic Bakery
See’s Candies
Stacy Scott Catering
Stefano’s Pizzeria
The Tavern at Lark Creek
The Walt Disney Family Museum
Tutu School
Ward Street Cafe
Yankee Pier
YogaWorks
So, we were saying: We’d like to thank the academy for bringing back last year’s spectacular 60,000-pound Swarovski crystal curtain, with all-new topaz fringe. Against that clean, snappy white set – to die! Next year maybe a row of rubies? Also for a classy show across the board, and the lovely Mr. Baldwin and always delightful Mr. Martin. A marvelous time was had by all. ‘Till next year!
Thanksgiving is coming and we are grateful as ever for our diverse, engaged, appreciative audience, for our loyal volunteers, and for the wonderful local community of merchants that are supporting us most recently as part of our new Business Membership program.
We’re also thankful for the brand spankin’ new live music sound system that makes us truly a must-visit venue for live music and performance – you’ll see as we continue our Onstage at the Lark performance series in January with legendary jazz vocalist Kenny Washington. Oh, and to Google for supporting us with a generous grant. And to Women’s Initiative for honoring Executive Director Bernice Baeza with a 2009 Woman-owned Business of the Year Award. And to the people who so kindly nominated us for Heart of Marin Awards in three categories: Excellence in Leadership for Bernice Baeza; Volunteer of the Year for Arthur Corbin; and Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence for the Lark Theater.
Enjoy your holiday!
Filed under: Lark Odds & Ends
Today’s Birthday Celebration Open House at the Lark Theater was great fun. A friendly crowd milling about the sidewalk, lots of kids with icing all around their mouths watching cartoons in the theater – and of course no 5th birthday party is complete without a visit from the California State Senate. They presented the Lark with a Certificate of Recognition for… well, I can’t say it any better than they did on the certificate itself:
Congratulations on celebrating the 5th anniversary of the re-opening of the Lark Theater. Not only has the beautifully restored Art Deco theater re-created the glamour, wonder and magic of the movie-going experience, it has also served the community as a center for social and cultural events. The Lark Theater is a historical treasure and a living testament to a golden age. Congratulations again!
And it’s signed Mark Leno, Senator, 3rd District.
Not bad, eh?
