I love making good food but there’s another thing that feeds my soul and that’s art. Ever since I studied in Florence I’ve loved going to museums.   Recently I was in San Francisco on a Friday afternoon and I looked up and saw a banner for the de Young Museum’s Keith Haring exhibit. I checked to see if there was a Friday night event that night and happily there was – the last one of the season.   Friday Nights at the de Young are after-hours art “happenings” that include a mix of live music, dance and theater performances, film screenings, hands on art activities and more.

This one was incredible – a visual feast for the eyes and ears with music and dance, theater performances and more – I even got to dance with one of the performers who was dancing on a platform with some headphones on.   There was another set of headphones at her feet for anyone to pick up and hear the music and dance with her and I decided to take the plunge and go along with her. The music was great to dance to and she was fun to play off of so we had a great time! I know she did too cause she told me after. Seeing great art and getting to dance at the same time – what could be better!   And of course the Keith Haring exhibit was fabulous!! I didn’t know much about his work – so it was great to get the audio tour and learn more about him – what an incredible genius he was! The Friday night series is finished for the year but will resume in 2015.   Meanwhile the exhibit is open through February 16^th.   I went into the gift shop and bought an umbrella with a Keith Haring design emblazoned on it hoping the rain gods will come through and I will need it this year. I really want to use it! I also love the food at the café. McCalls Catering does a fabulous job – the food is top notch but the prices aren’t astronomical.

Art in Sonoma is alive and happening as well. The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is a beautiful museum and a great way to spend some time in the morning or afternoon.   I’m looking forward to seeing one of the current exhibits – Eleanor Coppola, a Retrospective Exhibition. A conceptual artist, documentary filmmaker, and writer based in Napa, she also happens to be the wife of Francis Ford Coppola.   The exhibit is open until January 25^th.  Hours are Wednesday through Sunday 11-5pm.