The Rich Welker Big Band

The Rich Welker Big BandOn Monday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. eight of the finest cabaret performers from across the country will take the stage for a special benefit titled The Best of the Best! at Marines’ Memorial Theatre in San Francisco — the official kickoff for San Francisco Fleet Week 2011, presented by San Francisco Fleet Week Association (SFFWA).

SFFWA’s annual mission is to improve disaster preparedness in the Bay Area. Taking lessons from the U.S. Military’s domestic and international humanitarian efforts, such as those in New Orleans, Indonesia, and now in Japan, SFFWA will provide training programs for first responders at all levels of Bay Area governments.

“Thanks to tremendous fundraisers like The Best of the Best!, San Francisco Fleet Week is able to educate Bay Area emergency first responders and residents on how to stay prepared and to update disaster relief plans to deal with natural or man-made disasters,” says Major General Mike Myatt, Chairman of San Francisco Fleet Week Association and President and CEO of Marines’ Memorial Association. “The U.S. military’s significant experience that is being gained in Japan presently and previously in disaster relief operations in New Orleans, Haiti, Chile, Indonesia, and Pakistan will offer our local leaders invaluable lessons.”

The cabaret includes performances from accomplished artists including Shelly Berg, jazz musician; Marcie Henderson, vocalist; Brian Nova, jazz guitarist and vocalist; The Rich Welker Big Band; Jim Salestrom, Emmy Award winning songwriter and guitarist; Tom Scott, three-time Grammy Award winning musician; Erich Stratmann vocalist; and Billy Valentine, vocalist.

San Francisco FleetweekThe Best of the Best!

The official kickoff for San Francisco Fleet Week 2011

Marines’ Memorial Theatre in San Francisco

Tickets ($95) include a pre-show buffet dinner, open bar, silent auction, cabaret performance and a post-show dessert buffet. Proceeds support San Francisco Fleet Week 2011 and its efforts to promote emergency preparedness in the Bay Area and showcase the U.S. Military’s capacity to respond to natural disasters and provide humanitarian assistance worldwide. For tickets, visit www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com, or call 415-771-6900.