‘Calendar Girls’ benefit for Project Pink

Sonoma Arts Live has re-launched its Calendar Project to benefit Project Pink, Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation’s low-cost or no-cost mammogram program.

The project was inspired by the play “Calendar Girls,” about a group of women who posed playfully for a calendar to benefit a local hospital in Britain. Last spring, while staging the play, the Sonoma Arts Live team got the idea to try it here in Sonoma.

“We pulled 12 dazzling, daring women together, and in a very short time produced a beautiful black and white calendar,” said executive artistic director Jaime Love. “The photos by local photographer Miller Oberlin are truly tasteful and artful. The spirit, beauty and individuality of these women shine through on every page. In addition, the stunning and dramatic backdrop of the John and Deborah Emery Estate was the perfect location to showcase these women who stepped out of their own comfort zones for a great cause.”

When asked why she chose to pose, Mara Lee Ebert said, “Cancer has touched us all in some way. Cost should not prohibit availability of screenings for women. The photo shoot was a fun afternoon with a lot of laughs for a great cause.”

The participating models include Carol Patterson, Julie Forstadt, Jennifer Wood, Nancy Chimsky, Lori Bailey, Jaime Love, Mara Lee Ebert, Laela French, Paula Parks, Gemma Gallovich, Cynthia Frank, Diana Tate and Deborah Emery.

Calendars for 2017 can be purchased at Readers’ Books, Sonoma Valley Vitality Cafe, Synergy Dentistry Group, Kats Meow Art Gallery, Julie Forstadt Dentistry, Donna Kelly Makeup or by emailing info@sonomaartslive.org.

Calendars will also be for sale Nov. 29 and 30 at the production of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and on Dec. 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 at the production of “Polar Bears,” presented in Andrews Hall SCC by Sonoma Arts Live.

“We look forward to presenting a nice donation to Project Pink with all of the wonderful gals who participated,” says Love.