Media contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Le Dîner en Blanc Comes to Palm Springs First Edition of Sought-After Secret “Pop Up” Event: Saturday, May 16

The Waiting List for the International Sensation is Now Open!

20 February 2020 – Palm Springs, CA:  Le Dîner en Blanc, the popular Parisian-style pop-up picnic characterized by its famous all-white dress code will take place in Palm Springs for the first time ever on Saturday, May 16. A large part of the excitement surrounding Le Dîner en Blanc is the secrecy surrounding the event location which is kept hidden until the very last moment. Guests are given rendezvous to a departure point when they purchase their tickets.

To participate in this first edition: guests must be invited via the hosts’ network or participating partners or get on the waiting list via the official website. To be part of this inaugural event, people can sign up now at register.dinerenblanc.com/palmsprings/en/register.

More than 130,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world have already embraced this unique event. This très chic picnic is equal parts mystery tour, pop-up feast and je ne sais quoi. Over the years, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on six continents. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary in 2018 with a record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principle fuelling this fantastic event has not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations.

Now for the first time ever, Palm Spring will welcome its very own Le Dîner en Blanc, thanks to local hosts Glenn Alexander and Geoffrey Macon.

“Le Dîner en Blanc captures the spirit of friendship, glamour, and European elegance,” said Alexander and Macon in a statement. “We love the history and anticipation of the Dîner en Blanc events around the world. We’re excited to bring the international sensation that is Le Dîner en Blanc to Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley.

In essence, Le Dîner en Blanc promotes friendship, elegance and gallantry.  To maintain its uniqueness as well as staying true to tradition of Le Dîner en Blanc, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules: 

• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions.  This is a rain or shine event. 
• Dress code:  elegant and white only.  Originality and creativity are encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful. 
• Table setting:  all white!
• Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited. 
  • As per Palm Springs and Riverside County laws / regulations, guests may not bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or sparkling wine/Champagne, must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.   
• To ensure that the location secret is kept secret until last minute, guests meet at an assigned departure location and are escorted by Le Dîner en Blanc volunteers.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring:

• A table, two (white) chairs, white tablecloth.
• A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware. 
  • An option to pre-order food which can be picked up at the site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own picnic baskets. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.

About Dîner en Blanc International:

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos and videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – Palm Springs:

Le Dîner en Blanc – Palm Springs will be hosted by Glenn Alexander and Geoffrey Macon.  A seasoned corporate event planner, Glenn Alexander has designed and executed corporate events for over 25 years. Having established his own event management company, Meeting Excellence in the Bay Area, Glenn Alexander now resides in Palm Springs, CA and brings his unique talent to the Coachella Valley. For over 20 years, Glenn has organized national and international events on behalf of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Yvette Flunder. His work with this non-profit and other charitable organizations has proven invaluable.  

Geoffrey Macon is a fourth generation native Angeleno. Following an undergraduate degree in social sciences, Geoffrey forged a 20-year career in banking culminating as a Vice President and Manager in the Beverly Hills/Hollywood community. Forming Macon Enterprises, Geoffrey entered the retail housewares market creating ethnic inspired dinnerware that sold in the marketplace. He later established a haberdashery in West Hollywood creating made-to-measure clothing for professionals and celebrities. Geoffrey spent another 20 years in education and administration instructing elementary students in the Compton Unified School District. Now residing in Palm Springs, Geoffrey is an active volunteer with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre and the BNP Baribas Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells.

To keep up to date on event announcements, visit palmsprings.dinerenblanc.com or

DinerEnBlanc.PalmSprings   dinerenblancpalmspringsca

#dinerenblanc #debpalmsprings2020

Media Contacts:

Jay Cheng, SF Chamber of Commerce, (408) 691-0423 / jcheng@sfchamber.com

David Perry, David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

THE BAY AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE THE INDUCTEE CLASS OF 2020

12 February 2020 – San Francisco, CA – The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are proud to jointly announce the selection of the 2020 inductee class. The inductees will be honored at the 41st Annual Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

We are very honored to present the following inductees for 2020:

• Bruce Bochy (Baseball)
• Paul Cayard (Sailing)
• Natalie Coughlin (Swimming)
• Rickey Henderson (Baseball)
• Bryant Young (Football)

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are joining their organizations to propel the Hall of Fame into its next decade of meaningful work. The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is committed to honoring and celebrating the outstanding athletic achievement of Bay Area athletes.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am extremely excited about the 2020 class of honorees and look forward to celebrating their contributions to the Bay Area community on the evening of May 11,”, said Mario Alioto, BASHOF Board Chairman.

Rodney Fong, President and CEO of The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce stated: “The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is excited to work even more closely together with BASHOF after years of partnership. Together we can take the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame to another level. There’s a great future ahead!”

About Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame:

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that began in 1979 with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Committee and Lou Spadia, former president of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 41st year and adhering to its goal of honoring local athletic legends in the name of benefiting youth sports, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame has donated over $4 million to over 600 youth sports programs in the Bay Area since inception.

Organizations that will be the recipients of funds raised from this year’s banquet will be announced in the near future.

About San Francisco Chamber of Commerce:

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce represents over a thousand local businesses in the City, ranging from small legacy restaurants to large innovation companies. Over 80% of SF Chamber members are small, locally owned businesses. The SF Chamber advocates for a progressive economy and high quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits the City.

Learn more at www.sfchamber.com.

About the 2020 Inductee Class:

• Bruce Bochy – Former MLB player with the Astros – Mets – Padres. Manager of the Padres(1995-2006) – Manager of the SF Giants (2007-2019). NL pennant with the Padres in 1998.World Series Champion with the Giants (2010-2012-2014). 2,003 wins as a Manager.
  
• Paul Cayard – San Francisco native. Graduated from San Francisco State. 7 Time World Champion, 2 Time Olympian (1984 & 2004), 1st American to Win the Round the World Race. Participated in the America’s Cup. Currently Chairman of the St. Francis Yacht Club.
  
• Natalie Coughlin – Twelve-time Olympic medalist, while attending the University of California, Berkeley, she became the first woman ever to swim the 100-meter backstroke (long course) in less than one minute – ten days before her 20th birthday in 2002. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, she became the first U.S. female athlete in modern Olympic history to win six medals in one Olympiad, and the first woman ever to win a 100-meter backstroke gold in two consecutive Olympics. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she earned a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Her total of twelve Olympic medals ties her with Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres for the most all-time medals be a female swimmer.
  
• Ricky Henderson – Four tenures with the Oakland A’s. Graduated from Oakland Tech HS. 10x All-Star – 2x World Series Champion. AL MVP (1990. 1,406 Stolen Bases). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
  
• Bryant Young – SF 49er Defensive Lineman (1994-1997). Super Bowl XXIX Champion. 4x Pro Bowl. First Team All-Pro (1996). NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1999). First team All-America (1993).

Media Contacts:
Jay Cheng, SF Chamber of Commerce, (408) 691-0423 / jcheng@sfchamber.com

David Perry, David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE:
Tuesday, February 11 – 12noon

THE BAY AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME & THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE THE INDUCTEE CLASS OF 2020

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are proud to jointly announce the selection of the 2020 inductee class. Join in-person as we announce the inductees, which will include Bay Area legends in baseball, football, swimming, and sailing.

WHAT: 
Press Conference announcing the 2020 inductees to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

WHERE: 
San Francisco Union Square (Geary & Powell Streets)

WHEN: 
Tuesday; February 11, 2020; 12 noon

WHO:
Mario Alioto, Board Chairman of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
Rodney Fong, CEO and President of the SF Chamber of Commerce
Paul Cayard, 7x World Champion, 2x Olympian
Bay Area Sports Fans and Leaders

Learn more about the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame: https://bashof.org/

Learn more about the SF Chamber of Commerce: https://sfchamber.com/

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

WHO: AsiaSF / Palm Springs Opens Tonight with Sold Out First Weekend

WHAT: Cal-Asian Restaurant, Cabaret, Dinner Theater and Night Club Features Transgender Performers

WHERE: 1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

WHEN: Saturday, February 8: 5:30pm dinner and show

Sunday, February 9: 7pm dinner and show
“Lotus Lounge” Bar opening at 3pm

Regular Hours Starting Wednesday, February 12:

Dinner & Shows: Wednesday / Thursday / Sunday: 7pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm & 8pm
Lotus Lounge Bar: every day, 3pm – close
(Happy Hour Prices: 3pm – 6pm)
Forbidden City Dance Club: Friday & Saturday, 10pm – 2am)

WEB: www.palmsprings.asiasf.com 

HOW TO RESERVE: For individual reservations, groups and special events go to www.palmsprings.asiasf.comcall (760) 249-2766.  

WHY: With Vegas commercial style choreography by Ronnie Reddick and award-winning Cal-Asian cuisine from Chef Jen Solomon, AsiaSF/Palm Springs is a unique interactive, cabaret and dinner entertainment experience. From the moment one enters, the internationally acclaimed “Ladies of AsiaSF” will entertain and enlighten you, complete with stand-out-performances featuring original creations by Julian Mendez Couture and Prime Kreations of Los Angeles who has designed for Beyoncé and Kendall Jenner.  AsiaSF’s spectacular interiors, calling to mind a “1930s Shanghai” aesthetic are by Joshua Rowland Interiors.  In addition, taking advantage of the Coachella Valley’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle, the new location will also feature a special outdoor pool club event space with cabanas, bar and luxurious lawn known as The Sonoran. 

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Films Announced for 17^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival:
San Francisco March 12 – 15, 2020

Celebration of cinema about marine life, the ocean, coastal cultures and conservation features works from 15 countries:

Four World, Six U.S., Nine West and Six Bay Area Premieres

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

5 February 2020 – San Francisco, CA: “Far and away, the greatest threat to the ocean, and thus to ourselves, is ignorance,” Dr. Sylvia Earle once remarked: “But we can do something about that.” For 17 years, San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) has been doing just that – dispelling ignorance with its simple, cinematic and emotion packed mission: Saving Our Oceans –  One Film at a Time. As we head into an election year, arguably the most important one for issues facing environmental awareness and climate change, this year’s Festival taking place March 12 – 15 features 56 films from 15 countries including four world premieres, six United States premieres, nine West Coast premieres and six Bay Area Premieres.

“This is easily the most diverse group of films we’ve ever had, with the greatest international participation,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival, the largest ocean film destination event in the world. 

According to Blanco, for the 2020 Festival, 160 submissions were received from around the world, including films from the USA, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Turkey, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, South Korea, Madagascar and South Africa. The list includes films of all genres – documentaries, narratives, shorts, and animation films of all lengths. As always, the Festival focuses on all ocean centric themes including but not limited to: ocean exploration, wildlife, environmental, conservation, oceanography, seafaring adventures, maritime issues, ocean sports and coastal cultures. 

In addition to screening the films, the IOFF will be aligning itself with the Oceans Unite #Love30X30 initiative to bring more awareness to this global effort. #Love30X30 is a call to action to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030 through a network of highly protected marine areas where no destructive or extractive activities like fishing or mining can take place. 

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 600 films from 50 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Current sponsors for the 17^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary, BigBus of San Francisco, Gray Line Tours, SSA, Alcatraz Cruises, the Port of San Francisco, the Consul General of Canada, Blue and Gold Ferry, RBC Wealth Management, and Pacific Gas & Electric. 

The 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival takes place March 12 – 15, 2020 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, as well as the Smith Rafael Film Center in Marin County and the Roxie Theater in the Mission District of SF. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit. www.intloceanfilmfest.org and social at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest
• Twitter @oceanfilmfest
• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

2020 Film Listings

1. 7 Lessons from Japan, Rafael Mellin & Gustavo Ferolla, Brazil, 13 min
2. A Better Life – Blue Habits Baja (Sustainable Travel), Ben Hamilton**, United States, 7 min – Bay Area Premiere
3. A la Mar (To the Sea), Bruno Monteferri & Dana Bonilla, Peru, 32 min – West Coast Premiere
4. A Voice Above Nature, Annie Moir, United Kingdom, 13 min – West Coast Premiere
5. All Inclusive, Corina Schwingruber Ilić, Switzerland, 10 min
6. Anna and the Thresher Shark, Franck Sanson, France, 52 min
7. Artifishal, Josh Murphy*, Ecuador, 80 min
8. Back to the Roots, Alessandro Piu, Italy, 27 min – US Premiere
9. Be a Better Roommate, Patrick Gilmore, United States, 3 min
10. Black Moon Trent Mitchell, Robert Sherwood, Australia, 5 min
11. The Beauty, Pascal Schelbli, Germany, 4 min – Bay Area Premiere
12. By the Sea, Lynn Bianchi, United States, 3 min – Education Program Only – Bay Area Premiere
13. Changing Seas: Mystery of the Humpback Whale Song, Alexa Elliott*, United States, 27 min – West Coast Premiere
14. Changing Seas: The Cordell Bank: A National Treasure, Alexa Elliott*, United States, 26 min 
15. Dammed to Extinction, Michael Peterson, United States, 51 min – Bay Area Premiere
16. Dick Ogg: Fisherman, Cynthia Abbott*, United States, 9 min – West Coast Premiere
17. Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy, Mimi Armstrong deGruy*, United States, 83 min – Bay Area Premiere
18. Eco-Drone, Michael Hanrahan**, United States, 10 min – World Premiere
19. Elude Surf Film, Perry Gershkow*, United States, 33 min 
20. freeFLY, Avery Bazan**, United States, 4 min  – West Coast Premiere
21. Future Planning Trilogy Blue Green War Part. 1, Woo-gwang Hwang, South Korea, 49 min  – US Premiere
22. Galapagos Evolution, Roberto Ochoa**, Ecuador, 32 min
23. George & The Whales, Nessim Stevenson**, United Kingdom, 8 min – World Premiere
24. In Your Hands, Brandon Moore, United States, 1 min
25. Junk, Chris Jones, United States, 29 min
26. Just Keep Swimming – A Waterlust Film about Sockeye Salmon, Patrick Rynne, United States, 12 min 
27. Kodiak Queen, Rob Sorrenti, United Kingdom, 17 min – Education Program Only
28. Kokoly, Matthew Judge – Blue Ventures*, United Kingdom, 15 min – Bay Area Premiere
29. Last Cast, Ashley Siana, United States, 13 min  – World Premiere
30. Lionfish, David Chang, United States, USA, 5 min – Education Program Only
31. Made in Paradise, Yang Yang*, United States, 34 min – US Premiere 
32. The Mill, David Craig, Canada, 52 min – US Premiere
33. The Mother, Lutfi Tanriover, Turkey, 4 min
34. Norway’s Magical Fjords, Jan Haft, Germany, 52 min
35. Octopus: Making Contact, Anna Fitch*, United Kingdom, 59 min 
36. One Breath Around the World, Guillaume Néry, France, 13 min 
37. Only One World Left, Alican Abacı*, Turkey, 3 min – West Coast Premiere
38. Our Atoll Speaks, Ko Talatala Mai Tō Mātou Wenua, Gemma Cubero del Barrio*, United States, 12 min – West Coast Premiere
39. Picture of His Life, Yonatan Nir & Dani Menkin**, United States, 71 min
40. Rock-Paper-Fish, Colin Arisman & Connor Gallagher, United States, 26 min – Bay Area Premiere
41. Saving Gentle Giants, Justin Dalaba*, United States, 6 min  – Education Program Only
42. Scott Portelli | Swimming with Gentle Giants, Stefan Andrews, Australia, 10 min 
43. Sea of Shadows, Richard Ladkani & Sean Bogle, United States, 65 min
44. Space Sharks, Stefan Schumacher*, United States, 5 min – West Coast Premiere
45. Spinnaker Documentary, Nadine Licostie, United States, 14 min – Bay Area Premiere
46. Spot Stands Up, Zach McCune, United States, 2 min
47. Stories from the Blue: Million Waves Project, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries*, United States, 6 min – West Coast Premiere
48. Street Surfers, Arthur Neumeier, South Africa, 9 min – Bay Area Premiere
49. Tahiry Honko, Matthew Judge – Blue Ventures*, Madagascar, 6 min – US Premiere
50. Tassy, Sarah Niemann, Germany, 8 min – US Premiere
51. The Tide Pool: Where the Ocean Begins, Lim, Hyung Mook*, South Korea, 58 min
52. Transformation, Gui Garcia & Cathryn Castle Garcia, United States, 4 min – West Coast Premiere
53. Under the Sea, Paula Schwabe, Germany, 1 min
54. Under Thin Ice, Denis Blaquière, Canada, 88 min – Bay Area Premiere
55. Warty Sea Cucumbers: A Story of Collaboration in California, Natasha Benjamin*, United States, 6 min – World Premiere
56. Whale Wisdom, Rick Rosenthal*, United States, 50 min

 *Filmmaker expected for post-screening Q&A

**Film representative expected for post-screening Q&A