My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

1) Strike A Pose ( now streaming ) is a fascinating look into the lives of one of the most famous troupe of dancers in the world. In 1990  a group young male dancers from varied backgrounds joined Madonna for The Blonde Ambition tour and their lives would never be the same. This heartfelt documentary takes us into the current world of Kevin, Salim, Carlton, Jose, Luis and Oliver as they reflect back on HIV, fame and the friendship that bound them together along with stories of the iconic Madonna.

2) The Handmaid's Tale  a Hulu original series set in a not to distant future ( especially relevant in this political climate) where disease has made many women barren. An unsettling political regime has now taken over for protection of the country's natural resources- in this case fertile women. The women are suddenly fired from jobs, unable to access electronic funds, own property or speak for themselves. The fertile women are ear tagged and farmed out to couples as Handmaids to give birth for these wealthy barren women. The women unsuited for birthing are called Marthas and they become maids. The climate is puritanical and frightening and a chilling reminder of the future that could be as there are public executions of gays (Gender traitors) and resisters. The cast is superb with Elizabeth Moss as the lead, a surprising Alexis Bleidel and Joesph Feinnes and a group of fresh new faces you will be hearing much more from later. Watch this Now!!

3) Blondie's 11th studio album Pollinator is as fresh, innovative and reminiscent as I could wish for. Every track is great. Doom or Destiny is a classic cut right out of the early years and I love it. Long Time has real Heart of Glass chorus and is easily a stand out. Fun is a 70s hybrid with Debbie Harry's wispy vocals weaving in and out. Pop synth, EMD . Rock -it is all there. And some great guest vocalist writers and musicians including Sia, Johnny Marr and Charli XCX. It is good to see you back, now stay this time

4) Wente Winery in Livermore is a lovely Oasis. A large sprawling property that has a concert venue , golf course, a restaurant and lovely place to relax, listen to live music and enjoy a perfectly chilled Chardonnay. This is the place nestled in the hills I what is starting to become the new wine country.

5) Tonga Room a San Francisco institution looming over California Street in The Fairmont. Built by a Hollywood MGM set designer in 1949 this is a  campy Tiki Bar extravaganza. Polynesia abounds with tropical rainstorms and a large boat in the middle of the pool sails out with a cheesy cover band playing Lionel Richie among others. Kahlua Pork, Chowmein, Dumplings and some the best MaiTais around. I say come for the happy hour puupuu platters and drinks and soak up the nostalgia. I have had birthday parties here and love it and you will too.

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

1) Farmhouse Kitchen Thai in San Francisco is a nice treat of fusion and Thai Street food. Amidst all the delicious Curries and Pad Thai there is the amazing Herbal Rice Salad with Coconut,Mango, Lemongrass,Cilantro,Kaffir Lime,Shrimp mixed with a Tamarind dressing Bangkok style and the Panang Neua which is a slow braised bone in short rib in Panang Curry with grilled Broccolini, fried basil and their signature blue rice. Go for dinner and see the street food on parade with delicious  fried pumpkin and grasshoppers.

2) Flour + Water a little Italian gem of a place is doing very well  in a city where restaurants open and close daily. Hand made pastas, crispy thin crust pizzas on a daily menu change plus a chill vibe and fantastic music selection make this a bucket list fav. I had a Meyer Lemon rigatoni with water buffalo short rib and a side of bacon glazed Thumbelina carrots with fried almonds  and fava bean  leaf salsa verde and shared a delicious pizza with friends.

3)  Mommie Queerest at Oasis was the perfect Mother's Day treat. Starring Peaches Christ and Heklina and Lady Bear as Mamacita in sordid tale of drag family dysfunction enough to make any family feel like they are the Brady Bunch. A SLAPstick spoof on Mommie Dearest was highly enjoyable and the icing on the cake was meeting the Earth Girls are Easy star Julie Brown in the audience. A very charming lady.

4) American Gods the new Starz series from the mind of Neil Gaimen is a spectacular showcase for the talented cast including Ricky Whittle, Pablo Schreiber, Cloris Leachman, Crispin Glover, Gillian Anderson, Kristin Chenoweth, Beth Grant and the devilish Ian McShane. A hybrid of fantasy, ancient and modern mythology and a slice of Americana pie. I cannot wait to see how this unfolds.

5) Roys of San Francisco has the best happy hour in the city in my opinion. Roy Yamaguchi's Hawaiian fusion fare is tasty but the Aloha Hour is my time of day. Start with a famous Roy's Island MaiTai and hit up the Lobster Potstickers , Tempura-Crusted Ahi Roll and the Szechuan Pork Ribs. Relax and let the Aloha Spirit take you away.

BarneStorming with Priscilla Barnes and guest Dot-Marie Jones on #RadioTitans

Dot-Marie Jones had a huge impact and was nominated for three Emmys for her role as Coach Bieste on the groundbreaking hit series "Glee." She's had a colorful life herself, and shares her story about growing up bigger than most girls (she's 6'3"), her work as a juvenile probation officer, her time as a weightlifter and arm-wrestling champion, coming out in her 20s, getting married and of course, stories about "Glee" and its famed creator, Ryan Murphy. It's another fascinating episode as your host, Priscilla Barnes of "Three's Company"/"Dallas"/"Devil's Rejects"/"Jane the Virgin" fame, leads her down a truly amazing "this is your life." tune in!

http://www.spreaker.com/user/6733116/dot-marie-jones-of-glee-w-priscilla-barn

bit.ly/2qZSgzQ

My Top 5 Obsessions This Week

Greetings to all my semi constant readers. Another busy week and Summer is around the corner. Here in the Bay Area lots of things going on and here is my top five.

1) A great night out with friends at Susan Sarandon's Spin in the Soma district in San Francisco recently made me realize just how terrible I was at ping pong. Cocktails, pub food and a whole crew of people to pick up your flying balls make this perfect place to vent some aggression. This place is a blast and I would go back in a heartbeat.

2) Great News is that Great News is everything we had hoped it would be. Lots of familiar comedy vets like the irrepressible Andrea Martin, John Michael Higgins, Horatio Sanz, Adam Campbell, newcomer Briga Heelan and a nutty Nicole Ritchie. The story begins with a New Jersey mom played by Martin joins a TV news team featuring her daughter Katie (Briga) as an intern. Creator Tracey Whigfield a  a veteran writer from 30 Rock and The Mindy Project heads the helm. I like what I see so far.

3) When We Rise author Cleve Jones gave a very impassioned call to arms during a recent conversation with author David Talbot (Season of The Witch). I was lucky enough to meet this charismatic man and understand why this energetic man continues to inspire all of us. Pick up the book and watch the acclaimed series by the same name.

4) Girlboss the newest series on Netflix is a quirky girl power comedy set in a San Francisco where people really live.in the time of candy colored bulky Mac laptops , MySpace and The O.C., A young girl finds her passion and a newfound business acumen selling vintage clothing online. Hilarious Britt Robertson heads the show with lots of character actor cameos. The big surprise is Rupaul as her crackup next door neighbor. A little trivia Dean Norris who plays her father played her boyfriend's father in Under The Dome.

5) The Diane Arbus recent show In The Beginning at SFMoma was a glimpse into her early work with small format photography and the  candids of circus performers and drag queens that became her signature. Go see this show and stay for the lovely Matisse exhibit as well as the Larry Sultan photos Here and Home.