Decadent Food, Wine and Dessert Party Celebrates Sweet Reclamation of Banned Books

For Immediate Release

Contact: Dyana Curreri-Ermatinger (415) 565-0545 ext 15

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.—October 14, 2008—The San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB) is pleased to announce it will host the 5th Annual SFCB Gala Party and Live Auction to take place from 6pm until 10pm Friday, November 7, 2008, at SFCB, 300 DeHaro Street in San Francisco. All proceeds from this annual fundraising event support the programs of the San Francisco Center for the Book.

The SFCB provides both a home for Bay Area book artists and a place where the wider community of experienced practitioners and newcomers alike can discover book arts. SFCB workshops foster learning at all levels - from introductory classes to yearlong courses, traditional bookbinding to cutting-edge printing techniques and experimental book forms. Exhibitions also run year round at the Center, each designed and curated to inform and intrigue visitors. As a service to the community, free public programs abound at the Center, from poetry readings, to book signings to gallery talks.

This year's Gala will kick off with an open wine bar with tastings of special vintages provided by Stags' Leap Winery, and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items, including fine art and books from the current exhibition Banned and Recovered: Artists Respond to Censorship.

Hearty hors d'oeuvres and a decadent dessert (catered by Thomas John Events) will be paired with Stags' Leap premium wines and gourmet coffees. Jazz music during the evening will be provided by Michael Gold and guest artists.

The live auction will feature six 3'x 3' prints created at this year's Roadworks Steamroller Event by six local artists: Patricia Curtan, Emory Douglas, Jason Jagel, Rik Olson, Favianna Rodriguez, and San Quentin State Prison students of Katya McCulloch with Art Hazelwood. In addition, the SFCB will auction several themed baskets inspired by the SFCB's current exhibition Banned and Recovered: Artists Respond to Censorship (in the SFCB Austin/Burch Gallery through Wednesday, November 26. 2008) containing banned books, wellness products, wine related items, and more.

New Addition! A seventh steamroller print offered in this year's live auction will be by Rik Olson, done at the first Roadworks event in 2004, titled Ole and is offered to benefit the SFCB Budget Reserve Fund by collectors TJ and Curt Taylor. This exceptional and rare print is the only remaining print available of this image and will be sold at the minimum bid or above only. (Item 9/minimum bid: $2,500.)

The auction portion of the evening will close with a "Dutch" auction to support a new initiative of the SFCB, The Steve Woodall Program Fund, honoring 12 years of service by our outgoing Artistic Director.

Event Details

• 6:00pm: Wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, jazz by Michael Gold Group, silent auction opens

• 7:00pm: Live and Dutch Auction, sponsor level prize drawing at auxiliary space (300 DeHaro, Suite 344) with special presentation by Theresa Whitehill, poet

• 8:00pm: back at SFCB more music, silent auction and "Forbidden Fruits" decadent desserts served (until 10pm)

• 8:30-9:30 pm: Silent auction closes in sections

Tickets are available at three levels

• General Admission Gala ticket: Includes open wine bar, hearty hors d'oeuvres and dessert, live and silent auction ($80/person, $150 for two)
  

• Sponsor Gala ticket: Includes all of the above plus special event memento designed by artist Sara Silva and entry into a raffle for a magnum of Stags Leap 2005 Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon ($125/person; $240 for two).

• Forbidden Fruit Dessert Party and Silent Auction Only: $20.00/person in advance (Pay by phone with MC/Visa only by Wednesday, November 5 at 5 pm.); at the door: $25.00/person. Includes two wine tickets.

For Gala Party (6-10 pm) reservations, please make checks payable to the San Francisco Center for the Book and send to SFCB Gala, 300 DeHaro Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tickets are limited. Requests by mail or phone for Gala Party (6-10 pm) must be purchased by October 31; advance tickets for the Forbidden Fruit Dessert Party available until Nov. 5. For more information, contact Dyana Curreri-Ermatinger by email or call 415-565-0545 x 15.

The SFCB Gala and Auction is sponsored this year in part by Stags' Leap Winery, CrushPad and Kathleen Burch.

About the San Francisco Center for the Book
The San Francisco Center for the Book (SFCB) is devoted to teaching and fostering the joys of books and bookmaking-their history, artistry, continuing presence in our culture, and their enduring importance as a medium of self-expression. For more information, visit sfcb.org or call 415-565-0545

Event/Nightlife Listings
WHO: San Francisco Center for the Book
WHEN: Friday, November 7, 2008 from 6-10pm
WHERE: SFCB, 300 DeHaro Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
TICKETS: $80-250; available by phone: 415-565-0545 x 15 or by email
PHONE: 415-565-0545 x 15

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