Liam's List: Ben Fong-Torres, Bay to Breakers & Florence + The Machine

KCBS Radio's Foodie Chap and Ben Fong-Torres.
KCBS Radio's Foodie Chap and Ben Fong-Torres. Photo credit Liam Mayclem/KCBS Radio

RUN: BAY TO BREAKERS
Get your wigs and outlandish costumes together and join 10,000 others for Sunday's quintessential San Francisco event: Bay to Breakers. The phrase "Bay to Breakers" reflects the fact that the race starts at the northeast end of the downtown area a few blocks from The Embarcadero and runs west through the city to finish at the Great Highway. Have fun and run.

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CULINARY: BOTTLEROCK NAPA VALLEY
BottleRock headliners Pink and Twenty One Pilots will join in the culinary fun on the Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage. E40 and Luke Combs are also among the stars paired with rock star chefs in this delicious stew of food and fun. The star chef line up is impressive too: Marcus Samuelson, Gail Simmons, The Voltaggio Brothers and Chefs Belle and Todd English to name just a few. I'll be the emcee and can't wait to see you up in Napa over Memorial Day weekend for the first taste of summer.

FILM: LIKE A ROLLING STONE
Ben Fong-Torres, one of Rolling Stone's first famous writers, has his life story told in the brilliant new documentary "Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres." Fong-Torres' era-defining articles in Rolling Stone in the 70s and early 80s helped him become an almost-famous figure in his own right. In the doc, music legends and former subjects make appearances: Quincy Jones, Elton John, Carlos Santana and Ray Manzarek. The doc directed by Suzanne Joe Kai, also shines a light on Ben's personal story. The American-born son of Chinese immigrants, Ben grew up in Chinatown, Oakland and radio was his link to the outside world. Driven by a passion for music and writing, his groundbreaking work through Rolling Stone helped define American culture. Shameless plug alert: Please also watch for my blink and you'll miss it moment attending the Paul McCartney concert with Ben at Candlestick's final curtain.

EVENT: BAKING BREAD FOR UKRAINE
Some of the world's best chefs came together this week for breaking bread for Ukraine. The effort spearheaded by three-Michelin star Chef Dominique Crenn was motivated by the the tragic unfolding events in war torn Ukraine. The live show is available for all to see and the the hope is you will be inspired to donate and also bake. Proceeds to Chef Jose Andres' World Central Kitchen currently feeding more than 300 000 Ukrainian refugees a day. Please give what you can.

EVENT: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FAIR
Enjoy all the fun of the fair daily through Sunday in Antioch. Lots of fun for the whole family including tractors pulls, a petting zoo and fair rides galore. There is also a full menu of fair food favorites like corn dogs, pizza, BBQ and more.

MUSIC: FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
"Dance Fever" is the 5th studio album from Florence + The Machine. Don't be fooled. This is not a dance record, moreso instead it's a commentary on the dance of life, its struggles and challenges. The record deals with the agony of desire and the ebbs and flows of love. Florence also delivers a few songs in a lower register, what she calls her "monster" voice. The video for one of her songs was shot in Ukraine.

FOOD: HEALDSBURG WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE
Located in the heart of California wine country, the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience is a three-day celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. The festival will showcase the region's makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world. Join me on Saturday for a day of star chef demos live from Chef Valette's The Matheson right on the square. Our goal is to highlight the vibrant culinary diversity, sustainable farming practices and deep connection to the agriculture of Sonoma as it relates to the rest of the world. See you next weekend.

Liam's List premieres Fridays on KPIX and is also available to download via iTunes. Please email ideas to me at liam@liammayclemproductions.com.

Facebook: @liammayclem
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Featured Image Photo Credit: Liam Mayclem/KCBS Radio