Okay, people, it's Valentine's Day —as President Obama noted, "it's important to remember this." (He also opined, "Go big.")
But in San Francisco, it might be hard to forget because Tony Bennett will be blasting from radio stations, City Hall, even loudspeakers at noon today as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Here's a brief list of the things to expect, from a press release:
*At noon, Tony Bennett himself will be at City Hall-but not singing. Also featured will be performances by the San Francisco Girls Chorus, the San Francisco Boy’s Chorus, the Choir from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Misa Malone from Beach Blanket Babylon.
*Video tributes from politicos, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz and others.
*All SF-based radio stations have been asked to play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at or near noon. (KOIT 96.5FM will do it exactly at noon.)
*The song will play over public speakers in Union Square and at Hallidie Plaza, courtesy of the Union Square Business Improvement District. Singing in public is encouraged.
*Special "Tony Bennett" themed cable cars will be running and tonight, City Hall will be lit red.
*Super hardcore fans can go to the Fairmont Hotel to celebrate. Tony Bennett first sang the song in the hotel's Venetian Room in 1961. Tonight, he'll he hosting an event to raise money for heart research (!).
Correction:
An earlier version of the post incorrectly stated that Tony Bennett would be singing at City Hall at noon. He will, in fact, not be singing until a UCSF fundraiser this evening.