Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org

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MAYOR LONDON BREED ON UNION SQUARE MACY’S

“Macy’s has decided to close 150 stores nationwide over the next few years, and sell property, including closing 50 stores this year.  While San Francisco’s Macy’s is not part of this first wave of 50 closures, I’ve been informed that Macy’s is looking to sell their Union Square property. The process to undergo the sale of their building to a new owner with their own vision for this site will take time, and Macy’s will stay open for the foreseeable future and people will remain employed at the store.  Macy’s has expressed to me their commitment to remaining a part of Union Square and our City while they undergo this transition. 

The City will continue to work closely with Macy’s and any potential new owner to ensure this iconic location continues to serve San Francisco for decades to come. The City is committed to fostering the building’s best possible future, including through the use of potential tools such as zoning, air right contributions and transfer tax revenue. I’m also continuing to talk to leaders in retail, business, and real estate about how we can continue to focus on the long-term success of this site and others. There is tremendous opportunity at this site, and I know this City will continue to draw new investments and ideas. I appreciate Macy’s partnership and their commitment to working with us.   

That being said, as someone who grew up in San Francisco, Macy’s has always meant a lot to the people of this city. It’s where families came to shop for the holidays. It’s where many people from my community got their first jobs, or even held jobs for decades. It’s hard to think of Macy’s not being part of our city anymore.   

Change is happening in San Francisco, and that change can be positive if we channel it to the benefit of San Franciscans. This is why it’s so important we continue to make law changes at local and state levels, and that we reform our tax laws to recruit and retain businesses. It’s why we are working to provide incentives for residential conversion. It’s why we keep recruiting new types of businesses, making it easier to open and operate small businesses, and working to bring more arts and entertainment to Downtown. It’s why we are pursuing big, transformative ideas like bringing new universities to our City. We will keep our focus on moving this City forward and creating opportunities for growth.” 

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Union Square Alliance Macy’s Statement

“Macy’s at Union Square is not closing their store until a buyer can be found for their building. Macy’s will remain open and could still be open for years to come. In all likelihood, there will be a Holiday shopping season and Macy’s great tree in 2024,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “Having said that, the situation is fluid and there is no getting around the fact that this announcement hurts.

For generations, Macy’s has been synonymous with Union Square. I believe that we should work toward a solution that allows Macy’s to keep this iconic store open. However, if that does not come to pass, our expectation is that a new owner for this iconic site will come forward to continue a fresh and vibrant vision at this critical location. Macy’s has long been a strong partner for the Union Square Alliance, and the Alliance will be here for Macy’s during this challenging period.”

media contact:  Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Dezart Performs Concludes Record Setting 16^th Season with 
MR PARKER by Michael McKeever April 12 – 21

26 February 2024, Palm Springs: In acclaimed playwright Michael McKeever’s MR. PARKER, an inter-generational relationship leads to a complex web of family soul searching. This “Gay to December” romance finds a widower trying to come to terms with the loss of his longtime spouse while balancing a new potential love interest against the disapproving glares of his overpowering sister-in-law. Randy Brenner, returning to direct MR. PARKER, was last season’s director  of Dezart Performs’ A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE GYNECOLOGIC UNIT… Rex Reed describes MR. PARKER  as “a very intelligent, absorbing look at contemporary relationships and the conflicts that keep us all from aging with joy and peace of mind. This play is a real discovery.”  MR PARKER runs April 12 – 21 at the Pearl McManus Theatre at the Palm Springs Women’s Club, closing out the company’s record-setting 16^th season. Audience members will remember Parker’s DANIEL’S HUSBAND as a stand-out hit of the Dezart Performs’ 2020 Season.

“MR. PARKER is a mirror to the complexities and challenges of adapting to life’s unexpected turns,” says Dezart Performs’ founding artistic director Michael Shaw. “This is a story that resonates with anyone who has faced the need to reinvent themselves at a crossroads in life. It’s a journey of self-discovery and reflection on love, loss, and identity in contemporary America.”

At 54 years old, Terry Parker (David Pevsner) finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the death of his partner of 30 years, he finds himself suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him, attempting to “step gingerly out of grief’s stasis and into the unknown” (New York Times.) After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender-slash-Uber-driver, Justin (Nick Giedris). These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, looked at askance by Terry’s formidable former sister-in-law, Cassie (Marsha Mercant). What starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward, while dealing with the pressures of being middle-aged, gay and alone in the ever-changing landscape of today’s America. The result is “a stunning work by an accomplished playwright; an amusing, heartfelt and emotionally astute look at love, loss and the struggles of facing an uncertain future” (OnStage Blog).

All performances of MR. PARKER take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Ticket prices are $48 – $55 and may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org , or by calling (760) 322-0179. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm and 7pm.

Alongside this season’s closing show, Dezart Performs continues its plans for a new permanent home in Cathedral City,  to be called the Dezart Playhouse. The campaign, driven by the generosity of the Palm Springs community and beyond, is making significant strides towards establishing a dedicated space for Dezart Performs. This new venue will not only enhance the theater-going experience but also allow for expanded educational and outreach programs.

“We are deeply grateful for the support our campaign has received thus far, and very encouraged by the response since we announced the campaign in December,” said Shaw. “A permanent home for Dezart Performs means we can continue to bring high-caliber productions like MR. PARKER to our audiences and further enrich the cultural tapestry of our community.”

The new Dezart Playhouse will have versatile, movable seating for up to 125, including the flexibility for proscenium, thrust, theatre in-the-round, or cabaret-style formats. A modern, warm and inviting lobby with a full bar and patio area will be available for use both during performances, and for other non-theatrical events. Full expanded dressings rooms, backstage areas and a designated box office are all part of the design. Besides use by Dezart Performs, the venue will also welcome other businesses and non-profit organizations in the community to make use of the space. Based on the current plan, the Dezart Playhouse will be ready for the 2025 / 2026 Season.

The campaign has been in the silent phase for over a year, with the goal to raise $ 2,200,000 to convert the former retail space into a state-of-the-art Equity Theater.  In addition, the campaign seeks another $200,000 per year over five years to help sustain program and operation costs.

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

16th Dezart Performs’ Season Listing

MR. PARKER
A drama written by Michael McKeever
Directed by Randy Brenner
April 12 – 14; 19 — 21

At 54 years old, Terry Parker finds himself at a crossroads in his life. After the loss of his partner of 30 years, he finds himself suddenly single and unable to adjust to a world that has moved on without him. After a night of heavy drinking, he wakes up with a 28-year-old bartender-slash-Uber-driver. These two very different people begin a tentative relationship, and what starts out as a one-night stand becomes a journey of self-discovery for a man trying to let go of the past and move forward, while dealing with the pressures of being middle-aged, gay and alone in the ever-changing landscape of today’s America.

“A very intelligent, absorbing look at contemporary relationships and the conflicts that keep us all from aging with joy and peace of mind. This play is a real discovery!”

– Rex Reed

“The protagonist of this new play by Michael McKeever steps gingerly out of grief’s stasis and into the unknown.”
–The New York Times

Dayna Steele’s “The Woman in the Mirror” Makes Its West Coast Premiere in Palm Springs
March 8 – 31

“It’s charming, oddly inviting, and a love letter to an often-unsung group of people: caregivers” (Houston Press)

THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR explores Steele’s experience of her mother’s Alzheimer’s in a comic tour-de-force based on her best-selling book, Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine.

21 February 2024 – PALM SPRINGS, CA:  Sometimes it’s hard to face Facebook when your mother can’t remember your face. What’s a loving rock-and-roll DJ daughter to do? In Dayna Steele’s tour de force, THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR, the audience is invited to laugh, cry, and nod with recognition and hope at an issue that has become all-to-real in the lives of many Americans: Alzheimer’s. Based on Steele’s critically acclaimed best-selling book Surviving Alzheimer’s with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine, THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR is “a love letter to an often-unsung group of people: caregivers” (Houston Press). The play has its West Coast Premiere, March 8 – 31 at the Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs (611 S Palm Canyon Drive). The production is directed by Laura Stearns who is  known for her twelve years with the acclaimed Guthrie Theatre of Minneapolis. The role of JO is played by Rebecca McWilliams

“I want caregivers to know they’re not alone in this crazy journey, and it’s okay to laugh,” says Steele, whose mother passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2015..“Palm Springs is well and rightly known as, perhaps, the country’s greatest care-giving community. The lessons of Alzheimer’s, and the experiences of aging with and caring for a loved one make this area the perfect spot for The Woman in the Mirror’s West Coast premiere.”

Steele takes audiences on an inspirational journey filled with laughter, wit, and the resilience required when facing extraordinary and unexpected circumstances. When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013, Steele began posting online, detailing the family’s alarming— sometimes humorous—struggles, turning it into a therapeutic community of support and information encompassing thousands of followers. Steele’s refreshing honesty, laced with biting humor, is a beacon of strength and resiliency. Her play is not only a theatrical triumph but also a living on-stage caregiver’s manual.

“THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR is certainly not meant to be a preachy guide on how one should deal with a loved one’s deteriorating health and capacity,” says Steele, 64. “However, my hope is that it does give everyone living through this permission to laugh and learn.

A native of Houston, Texas, Dayna graduated from Dulles High School at the tender age of 16 and immediately enrolled at Texas A&M University as a pre-med student.

“It wasn’t a fit,” laughs Steele, who quickly changed her major to theatre.  “Although the fascination with medicine came in handy in taking care of my mom, and in preparing my book and for writing this production.”

On a dare, Dayna tried out for the new student-run radio station at Texas A&M University. She began her career in 1977 at KAMU, and after a few months, moved to Top 40 WTAW (“92W” 92.1FM) in Bryan, Texas. In 1978, she left Texas A&M University early to pursue her career as a major-market radio disc jockey. Dayna’s first big break came just after she turned 18 and began working at KRLY (Y94) in Houston. Over the next twenty years, Dayna Steele became synonymous with Houston radio, lending her voice to CHR/Top 40 104 KRBE (1979-1981), 97 Rock (KSRR) (1981-1982), and AOR rocker 101 KLOL where she became known as “The First Lady of Rock ‘n Roll.” Steele was featured as one of the top female disc jockeys in the country on the Friday Morning Quarterback “Women of Rock.” That next year, Steele was nominated as Radio Air Personality of the Year by Billboard Magazine. Of the five nominees, Steele was the only woman to be nominated. In 2010, Steele was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. 

THE WOMAN IN THE MIRROR runs March 8-31 (Fridays, 2pm; Saturdays, 7:30pm; Sundays, 5:30pm; Tuesdays, 7pm; Wednesdays, 2pm). Ticket prices: $25 and $35 with a $45 VIP Meet & Greet with a really big glass of wine. Previews for the show are Friday, March 8 at 2pm and Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm (all seats $20). Tickets are on sale at www.revolutionstagecompany.com or by phone at (760) 318-4115. Revolution Stage Company is located at 611 S Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs (near Revivals). 

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

Union Square in Bloom Enlivens Downtown San Francisco
This Spring & Summer Beginning with March 9 “Tulip Day” Kickoff

Area Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, and Merchants Burst With Floral Decor in 3^rd Annual Activation Celebrating District’s Floral History
with Wide Range of Events, Passport, and the Bloom Gown
www.visitunionsquaresf.com 

21 February 2024 San Francisco, CA: Like fresh spring bulbs bursting forth following a long, damp winter, Union Square in Bloom returns for its third year with oversized floral displays cascading from area hotels, restaurants, bars, and stores. In addition, retail establishments, a wide range of events celebrating arts, culture and nightlife, and cocktail offerings all combine to highlight Union Square’s rich floral history with a modern twist. Residents, workers, and visitors are invited to explore and enjoy the vibrant floral activations by participating in a passport program.

“Union Square in Bloom, our spring and summer initiative, is once again bringing bright color, beauty and positive energy back to San Francisco’s iconic center,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “Dozens of vibrant floral displays and interactive programming will create a cohesive and enticing theme throughout the district for guests to explore. Don’t miss out on the main 5 events in the Square: American Tulip Day, Spring Fling, Mother’s Day, Blooms & Bubbles Bar Crawl, and the Bloomies Awards where we announce the best blooms in 10 categories.”

This year’s Union Square in Bloom campaign will feature a wide range of events and activities that will keep visitors and locals entertained throughout the Bloom season. Updates and further information will be available online at www.visitunionsquaresf.com. Below are some of this year’s signature events and activations:

• Saturday, March 9, 12pm – 4pm: Tulip Day:
• Saturday, March 23, 3p-6pm: Spring Fling- Vinyl DJ, Flower Giveaway, Bloom Passport debut.
• Saturday May 12, 3pm -6pm: Mothers Day event- Fashion Show and Salsa Dancing.
• Saturday, July 6, 6pm-10pm: Blooms & Bubbles Bar Crawl
• Saturday, August 17, 3p-6pm: Closing Event & Bloomies Awards

As Union Square in Bloom blossoms each year, the celebration goes beyond embracing the season of flowers. It also serves as an invitation for the community to commemorate our Union Square legacy, interwoven with the timeless allure of flowers. For decades, flowers, particularly daffodils, were handed out to visitors walking through Maiden Lane. Macy’s used to host their annual flower show established here in San Francisco in 1964, and several flower stands brightened up the district.

Adding a refreshing touch to this floral legacy is the revived tradition of Tulip Day scheduled to return on Saturday, March 9 (1pm – 4pm) “… presented in collaboration with Royal Anthos, Consulate General of the Netherlands, the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Office of Mayor London N. Breed, and the Union Square Foundation. In honor of International Women’s Day, a day celebrated globally on March 8, the tradition of American Tulip Day continues, recognizing and appreciating the contributions of women in our community. Since last year’s event attracted an impressive 35,000 attendees and went “viral” on social media, this year, attendees will be limited to 5 minutes in the Tulip Field and crowd management tools will be employed to reduce overcrowding and keep the line moving forward. Volunteers in orange jackets will be on hand to guide people. Anticipating an even larger turnout this year, visitors are encouraged to opt for public transportation and make a day of it in the Square: check out Miller & Lux Provisions in the Park, or make dinner reservations at John’s Grill, Chotto Matte, or Corzetti.

“Union Square continues to bloom with more businesses opening and people shopping and visiting one of the City’s most beloved areas,” said Mayor London Breed. “I am pleased to support this year’s Tulip Day and Union Square in Bloom festivities that will bring more people into our Downtown and boost foot traffic for our local businesses. Events like this build on the excitement and momentum we are seeing as a result of the important work the City and our partners have done to strengthen public safety and make sure businesses, workers, and visitors feel safe and welcome in San Francisco.”

Union Square in Bloom will feature a partnership with a local designer for a bespoke bloom gown to add a fashionable flair. The Bloom Gown, sponsored by Britex Fabrics, is set to bear the exquisite touch of the renowned San Francisco-born Chinese American couturière, Colleen Quen. Colleen’s trajectory has been marked by a decade-long design career for prominent brands like Wilkes Sport, Eileen West, Gap, and more. Her couture designs are inspired by nature’s motifs, portraying the delicate blossoming of flowers and the quiet beauty of butterflies. 

“In the heart of San Francisco, my cherished city, I’ve encapsulated its nostalgic charm and cultural richness in a couture creation for the Union Square in Bloom initiative.” said Quen. “The Dahlia flower, symbolizing elegance and beauty, graces our Bloom 2024 Couture Gown, an ode to 28 years of honoring nature through my couture artistry.”

Local florists from the flower mart will also lend their artistic touch to craft floral installations.

 “Bloom offers local florists the opportunity to collaborate with our Union Square businesses to beautify the district and foster a celebration of art, creativity, and exploration, said Peter Bonavita, Zaddy Blooms. “Transforming the urban landscape by adorning it with flowers is the highlight of my year. With each passing year, the Bloom project grows bigger and brighter.”

One of Bonavita’s projects is in Union Square’s historic theater corridor.

“American Conservatory Theater is excited to continue our participation with In Bloom,” said Adam Thurman, Director of Marketing at A.C.T. “This year the program will help us spotlight ‘A Strange Loop’ and ‘The Lehman Trilogy’, two of the biggest theatrical events in the Bay Area.”

“I am thrilled to celebrate another Union Square in Bloom and show off the floral stylings of the talented SF Flower Mart floral artists,” said Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. “It’s one of our most popular attractions every year, starting with free wall-to-wall tulips for International Women’s Day and blooming throughout the spring on top of bus shelters, across hotel canopies and hanging from historic lamp posts. Whether you’re staging a photoshoot, taking in a show on the Square or planning a day of shopping, Union Square in Bloom is a fantastic welcome of spring for all ages!”

Last year, the iconic Westin St. Francis Hotel transformed its historic lobby and external facade with Flowers by Edgar.  This resulted in over 105 million media impressions and was an incredible opportunity for foot traffic to the district.

“We’re delighted by the extraordinary success in commemorating Bloom last year, thanks in large part to our partnership with the Union Square Alliance,” says Clif Clark, General Manager of The Westin St. Francis and Area General Manager of Marriott Hotels of San Francisco. “We’re excited to participate once again this year, adorning the Tower Lobby in full bloom with Flowers by Edgar. Additionally, we’ll be offering the ‘Room in Bloom’ package, Sips N Sweets, a special Mother’s Day Tea, and much more.”

The full list of businesses installing floral décor at their entrances, interiors, or in public spaces include: 

291 Geary Street, Axiom Hotel, American Conservatory Theater,Beacon Grand, Chotto Matte, CK Contemporary, Donatello, Harlan Records, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Hotel Adagio, Hotel Nikko, Iron Horse Cocktails, John Fluevog Shoes, John’s Grill, King George Hotel, Marriott Union Square, Moscone Center,The Parc 55,Samuel Scheuer Fine Linens,Taj Campton Place, The Barnes, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Chancellor Hotel, The Clift Royal Sonesta, The Flood Building, The Grand Hyatt,The Handlery Hotel, The Inn at Union Square, The Marker SF, Ula Mediterranean Restaurant, and the Westin St. Francis Hotel.

The Union Square Foundation will be supporting a few surprising bursts of flowers in Union Square’s public space. Other sites include:

Maiden Lane gates, SFMTA Bus Stops, Union Square Garage sign, and the Union Square Plaza stage and the “blooming” of a Cable Car courtesy of San Francisco Travel.

“San Francisco Travel is so excited to partner with Union Square Alliance on the annual Union Square in Bloom celebration. We are even more excited to be sponsoring the ‘blooming’ cable car and its display of flower power. Cable cars and flowers, what a perfect way to showcase this incredible city,” said Scott Beck, San Francisco Travel Association’s President and CEO.

Moreover, Bloom’s floral cocktail program not only promises delightful libations but also serves as a dynamic way to promote our district’s active nightlife.

“Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 are thrilled to be part of Bloom once again. We love to see Union Square, and our hotels, bursting with color, creativity, and smiling faces,” said Nick Graham-Wells, Complex Director of Marketing. “It is such a great way to celebrate the arrival of Springtime, and to welcome visitors to San Francisco. In addition to our floral displays, we’ll also be serving several new Bloom-inspired cocktails at our hotels. At Parc 55 guests can look forward to the return of ‘Smoke on the Water’, which won ‘Best Bloom Cocktail’ of 2023.”

Businesses offering floral-inspired cocktails include: 

E&O Kitchen and Bar, Harlan Records, Hotel Nikko, John’s Grill, King George Hotel, Marriott Union Square’s bin480, Parc 55’s Cable 55,The Barnes Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Clift Royal Sonesta’s Redwood Room, The Marker SF, and Ula Mediterranean Restaurant.

Guests can discover all of the Bloom programming through thePassport which will be available to download from the Union Square Alliance website by March 23, 2024. Visitors can vote for their favorite blooms on www.visitunionsquaresf.com between March 23 and August 2. Winning Union Square businesses will be highlighted at the finale event during the Bloomies award show. 

The presenting sponsor for the 3rd Annual Union Square in Bloom is Amazon.

“Union Square is an iconic part of San Francisco,” said Sally Kay, Public Policy and External Affairs at Amazon. “Amazon is grateful for the work of Union Square Alliance and Union Square Foundation in creating beautiful and immersive experiences in our city that invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy and support our downtown businesses.”

Union Square in Bloom is a vibrant local activation that uniquely merges the artistic expressions of local florists, theater, fashion, and nightlife, creating a dynamic celebration of culture and creativity. The event is one of many programs put on by the Union Square Foundation, Union Square Alliance, and partners to support the vibrancy of Union Square and the greater downtown area. Bolstered by recent investments in public safety and visitor-centered ambassador programs, events like Bloom, Winter Walk, and last summer’s concert series, continue to invite locals and visitors alike to visit Union Square and patronize downtown businesses.

About the Union Square Alliance:
The Union Square Alliance serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the District’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors come to enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is generally bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and on the west by Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go to www.visitunionsquaresf.com.  

About the Union Square Foundation: 
The Union Square Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization existing to establish a renewed ‘sense of place’ for the Union Square Area by supporting diverse artistic, cultural, and culinary programs and projects – and by cultivating a welcoming caring community for all humankind. We provide critical support to both create and maintain a clean, safe, and beautiful environment that serves to enrich its public spaces for the enjoyment of San Francisco’s residents and visitors. For more information on the Foundation, go to https://www.unionsquarefoundation.org/. 

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