Community 'Free Movie' Day, Ariana Savalas, On the Red Carpet 'Idols & Icons'

INAUGURAL COMMUNITY ‘FREE MOVIE’ DAY. Cinemark, one of the world’s largest motion picture exhibitors (Century Theatres, CineArts, Tinseltown, Rave Cinemas), celebrates its inaugural Community Day this Saturday, August 20, with a morning of free movies and discounted concession items. Proceeds will benefit WE Charity, a charitable division of WE (we.org). A unique family of organizations, WE brings people together and gives them the tools to change the world, locally and globally.

Movie-lovers are invited to visit any Cinemark theater on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free DreamWorks Animation movies including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda 3, Home, How To Train Your Dragon 2, and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.

Select concession items that include small popcorn, 16-ounce soft drinks, and all packaged candy will also be available at $2 as well as exclusive ME to WE Rafiki bracelets at $3. Proceeds from the promoted concession items and bracelets will be donated to WE Charity.

“Cinemark is proud to be a part of the communities that our theatres serve and Community Day is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude while giving to a worthy cause,” said Mark Zoradi, CEO of Cinemark Holdings, Inc. “We would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to DreamWorks Animation for providing the movies and making our first Community Day a reality.”

“We are so excited to be hosting our first annual Community Day with Cinemark – a company committed to inspiring their communities to create positive change at home and around the world,” said Craig Keilburger, co–founder of WE Charity. “It’s truly incredible to have a day where families and friends from all over the country can come together to live “WE’ and create positive impact for those in need.”

All Cinemark domestic locations will open its doors at 8:30 a.m. with the first movies slated to begin at 9 a.m. Seating for each movie is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For show times and movie offers by location, visit cinemark.com. For more information on Cinemark’s Community Day, visit cinemark.com/we-partnership.

WHO LOVES YA BABY? When you are the daughter of a performing icon, it’s natural for his spirited career to be linked with you too. Such is the case with the lovely Ariana Savalas, daughter of Telly Savalas of “Kojak” fame. Make no mistake about it though, Ariana, just like her father, holds her own on stage sharing her sassy and seductive style. Anointed by the Washington Post as “a top-notch cabaret jazz singer,” she doesn’t disappoint. In addition to her captivating live shows, online audiences have flooded the Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) sites that include her collaborations. PMJ has garnered millions of views and reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts. Ariana has toured with them worldwide including their San Francisco appearance last December. Prior to that engagement, she made her San Francisco debut at Feinstein’s at the Nikko where she also showcased her original song “One Man Show.” Next month she opens season seven of the Firehouse Arts Center at 4444 Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton Saturday, September 3 at 8 p.m. Joining Ariana is internationally renowned two-time Grammy Award-winning jazz violinist Mads Tolling. For tickets and information, call 925-931-4848, 925-931-4850 or visit www.firehousearts.org.

IDOLS AND ICONS. The 22nd annual gala benefiting Meals on Wheels of San Francisco and the AIDS Legal Referral Panel takes place this Sunday, August 21. HELP IS ON THE WAY 22 – On The Red Carpet, Idols & Icons features tributes to Stephen Sondheim, Carole King, David Bowie, Natalie Cole, Prince, and more at the Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. Presented by the Richmond/Ermet Aids Foundation, the 7:30 p.m. show features 17 stars from Broadway, film, TV and the music industry including such favorites as Constantine Maroulis, LaToya London, Jason Brock, Sally Struthers, Paula West, the cast of Beautiful, among others. The VIP Gala seated dinner is sold out, however tickets are still available for the performance and after party (Gala Underwriter Tickets at $175, www.reaf-sf.org) or the performance only ($75 Dress Circle, $50 Balcony). Help is on the Way is Northern California’s largest annual concert benefiting AIDS and hunger programs. For tickets and information, call 415-392-4400 or visit www.cityboxoffice.com.

WEEKEND SCENE. The Brian McKnight 4 Friday-Sunday, Chris Cain Monday at Yoshi’s Jack London Square Oakland … Red, Meat, Maurice Tani and 77 El Deora Friday, Ray Charles Project Saturday, Laurie Lewis, Mary Flower, Suzy Thompson Sunday at Freight & Salvage Berkeley … Jim Cordiss Friday, Saturday at Zio Fraedo’s Pleasant Hill … Ranzel Merritt Friday, Guinga Saturday, Dick Hindman, Scott Thompson Sunday, Jazzschool Community Music School Performances start Monday at California Jazz Conservatory Berkeley … The Jones Gang Friday, Annie Sampson Band Saturday, Hillbilly Hootenanny Revue Sunday, Blues Jam Monday at Armando’s Martinez … Spencer Day Friday-Saturday at Feinstein’s at the Nikko San Francisco.

COMEDY SCENE. Sinbad Friday-Sunday at Tommy T’s Comedy Club Pleasanton … Rocky LaPorte Friday-Sunday at the Improv San Jose … John Caparulo through Sunday at Cobb’s Comedy Club San Francisco … Bryan Callen through Saturday, SF Comedy Showcase Sunday at the Punch Line San Francisco.