Diversity Advocate - Gary Stanford

Hey — Lisa Horry-Garcia takes us behind the scenes of the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2026 summer show, Wreckage, a sharp, funny, and surprisingly hopeful musical about our messy moment — from AI and misinformation to community and civic power. It’s free in the parks (opening Dolores Park on July 4th), full of live music, satire, and heart. Bring a blanket, get there early for the band, and check sfmt.org for dates — come for the laughs, stay for the conversation. Click Here for the Schedule

Hey friend — come sit with us for a warm chat with Lisa Vroman, the beloved soprano who went from playing Christine thousands of times to stepping into Madame Giry on the Phantom tour. She talks about touring, teaching, the magic of costumes and tech, and those moments when fans tell her she changed their lives. It’s funny, nostalgic, and full of heart — a peek at what keeps a performer passionate after decades on stage. If you love theater, this one feels like a backstage letter from an old friend. Tickets for "Phantom of the Opera" Orpheum Theatre1192 Market Street, San Francisco , CA 94102__________________

Hey — want to catch something joyful and totally free this summer? Circus Bella’s new show, “AHA,” leans into laughter, fresh clowning, and a real community vibe (plus a 10-year-old co‑ringmaster who steals the spotlight). It’s playful, heartfelt, and full of surprises. Check the schedule at circusbella.org, grab a picnic, and come laugh with us — you’ll leave smiling, I promise. ___________________________________________ Abigail Munn - Director & Ringmaster Since its inception, Abigail has been directing, creating and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, who was born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and later with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the New York Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham’s Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significantly lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in California. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance.

Hey friend — come with me for a quick peek behind the scenes of the Golden Gate Park Band. Hermann Gonzalez shares how 60-minute rehearsals turn into 90-minute concerts at the beautiful Spreckels Temple of Music, why the shows stay free, and how the band blends tradition, culture, and surprise for every Sunday performance. Whether it’s foggy or sunlit, there’s something special about their community of musicians, guest artists, and regulars — plus the little tricks (a touch of PA magic, a trusted soundboard pro) that help the music sing. If you’ve never been, Sunday at 1pm is calling. https://goldengateparkband.org/

Hey — come hang with me and Patricia Milton as we dig into After Happy, a sharp, hilarious play about pirate festivals, oil execs, and the messy, laughable world of greenwashing. It’s funny, warm, and exactly the kind of comic medicine we need right now. Runs through March 29 at Central Works in Berkeley — intimate theater, three brilliant women on stage, and big laughs. Snag your tickets at centralworks.org and bring a friend. Tickets: CentralWorks.org