Last night I went to the Gala Show for the Help Raise Healthy Children event in San Francisco - and it was absolutely fabulous!

First off, the venue was gorgeous. It was my first time in the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. Not because I am not cultured, but because I had no reason to go there. I must say that it is quite a stunning building. I would suggest that every Bay Area citizen go to this place at least once:

Woman standing and looking around the theatre vacantly is not included with admission

The event honored Alice Waters and the Chez Panisse Foundation for their work in creating The Edible Schoolyard for the Berkeley public schools. It will also give funding to three Bay Area hospitals to fight childhood obesity.

It’s a really good cause - and I could relate, but that’s a story I’ll save for later.

The evening also featured a performance by the North Carolina-based jump roping wunderkinds of The Bouncing Bulldogs:

I got tired by just watching them. These kids had energy that was off the charts! At one point I wondered if they were uber-agile humanoids pumped full of Red Bull. But then I just realized that they are just talented.

Then came a performance by musical legend Marvin Hamlisch, who has won every single award under the sun: Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Oscar, perfect attendance - okay, maybe not the last one, but he was quite a funny guy.

I’ll admit, I had no idea who he was at first - but then I found out that he was responsible for so many movie and musical scores that I enjoy such as “A Chorus Line,” “The Swimmer” and “The Sting.” Okay, I haven’t seen “The Swimmer” and I barely remember “The Sting,” but I certainly remember these songs:

Do you recognize the song? It’s the theme from “Ice Castles!” He even went on to play “The Way We Were” sans Barbara! I sat there misty eyed and held the hand of the stranger next to me.

I am so glad I know the man behind all these great songs. He is one hell of a piano player. And now, I am a better person for knowing who he is - and knowing is half the battle.

After the wonderful piano stylings of M. Ham, it was time for the main event…J. Hud!

AND

I

AM

TELLING

YOU!

Sorry folks. Miss Jennifer Hudson did not sing that. She even playfully said, “No, I am not going to sing ‘And I am Telling You.’” I think she might be tired of that song. If she isn’t, she is better than me. If I was pinned to that song, I would be really annoyed. But whatever - Hudson can sing the same song repetitively and I would still give her a standing ovation.

Hudson looked ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS in a high-waisted chocolaty frock with light-as-air movement and gold decolletage that shimmered in the spotlight with her charm.

Even though she only sang a couple of songs, I was still satisfied. She even did a cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Mockingbird.” Once she started singing it, that annoying scene from “Dumb and Dumber” immediately dissolved from my head.

Before she sang it she said, “Hopefully I will get to play her in a movie in the future,” she said with a giggle. “Pray for me y’all!”

I think she would be able to do it. J. Hud can do anything. She can even be Carrie’s assistant in the new Sex and the City movie.

Okay, okay, I’ll stop rambling, I know you want to get a little taste of what I saw….so hear ya go:

And I am SPENT! Bravo Jennifer! Your voice makes my soul shiver with tonal ecstasy.