Monica Turner

Monica Turner
Contributor to Stark Insider for tech, the arts and All Things West Coast for over 10 years.
Lloyd Suh - Playwright - The Chinese Lady - Magic Theatre, San Francisco

What’s Happening: ‘Chinese Lady’ to kick off Magic Theatre 2019-2020 season

The Chinese Lady is scheduled to kick off Magic Theatre's 2019-2020 season. Lloyd Suh's play, inspired by a true story, tells the story of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to arrive on American soil. Mina Morita directs. The run is scheduled for October 9 through November 3, 2019. In...
1881 Napa - Wine Museum and Tasting Room in Napa

What’s Happening: Jean-Charles Boisset opens 1881 Napa, region’s first wine history museum

Napa Valley history and wine tasting all under one massive chandelier.
Mamma Mia! cast at San Jose Stage Company - Theater News

What’s Happening: Musical ‘Mamma Mia!’ coming to San Jose Stage Company

On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

In Wine Country: Sonoma barrel auction has raised $3.4M since founding in 2015

Sonoma County Vintners today announced the results of its most recent barrel auction. At the fifth edition of the Sonoma Country Barrel Auction, 85 "Never Before, Never Again" handcrafted wine lots were auction off for $645,000. Per organizers that brings the total take of the annual auction to $3.4 million...
Maya Rudolph in Wine Country directed by Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler’s ‘Wine Country’ to premiere May 10 on Netflix

This one's good. What's it called again? White wine. Ugh. Freakin' love it. Amy Poehler's Wine Country has a release date. Look for the film May 10th on Netflix. A mid-life crisis. Vineyards. One-liners. And... The Bangles. This one has it all based on what we're seeing in the movie trailer (see below),...
Trader Joe's Wine Wall

Trader Joe’s: Best day and time to shop, avoid big crowds

Trader Joe's is a celebrated tradition here in California. The formula is simple: low prices, fresh and local produce, decent variety. A selection of cheap wines including the (in)famous two-buck Chuck doesn't hurt. Oh, and we should mention -- just like Costco -- samples await at the back of any...
Beach Blanket Babylon

Theater News: Iconic San Francisco show ‘Beach Blanket Babylon’ to close

Unfortunate theater news out of San Francisco this week. The iconic show Beach Blanket Babylon is shutting down after an epic 45-year run. Kitsch. Over the top. Flamboyant. Excessive. Fun. There are any number of ways to describe Beach Blanket Babylon, but no question it's been a hallmark of San Francisco, for...
CampoVelo Napa Valley schedule rides events

What’s Happening: CampoVelo returns to Napa Valley for food, wine and — most on point — cycling

It's called CampoVelo and it's returning to Napa Valley next month. Featuring a weekend of "food, fun and cycling" this year's edition of CampoVelo Napa Valley takes place April 26-28, 2019. As you might expect the schedule is packed with events that befit a beautiful location such as Napa. Chef Chris...

Video Feature: Go inside iconic Flintstone House w/ home tour, dinosaurs & Fred Flintstone

Why so serious? Stark Insider was on location late last year to shoot a special video segment at the iconic Flintstone House. See below for photo gallery of the Flintstone House. Little did the team know at the time the Hillsborough, California property would soon capture local and soon national headlines. Here are...
Elle Fanning - Teen Spirit - Cinequest Film Festival appearance

What’s Happening: Actress Elle Fanning to appear at Cinequest film festival in San Jose

Breaking news. Cinequest has just announced that actress Elle Fanning will make an appearance at this year's edition of the film and creativity festival. Per the email from Cinequest CEO and co-founder Halfdan Hussey: "Cinequest is thrilled to announce Elle Fanning will join us for a Maverick Spirit Award presentation and conversation...