Red Curtain Addict's 'The Bay’s Stage Arts Soirée' 2026 Highlights

April 15, 2026

At Red Curtain Addict, everything we build is rooted in a single idea: making the arts more connected, more discoverable, and more deeply experienced.

The Bay’s Stage Arts Soirée was created as a living expression of that vision. Designed as a curated, cross-disciplinary experience, the soirée brought together leading performing arts organizations across opera, ballet, symphony, jazz, chorus, and theater onto one stage.

The goal was simple but ambitious: to break down silos, introduce audiences to new art forms, and create a shared space where the richness and diversity of the Bay Area’s cultural landscape could be experienced in one evening.

What made this gathering distinct was not just the caliber of performance, but the intention behind it.

This Arts Soirée invited guests to move fluidly across disciplines, discover unexpected connections between art forms, and leave with a broader understanding of what was happening across the region.

Click below to see some of our highlights...

Throughout the evening, each performance offered a window into a different corner of the arts ecosystem, from the precision and discipline of San Francisco Ballet School, to the resonance of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the vibrancy of Healdsburg Jazz Festival, the bold storytelling of Opera Parallèle, the richness of the San Francisco Philharmonic, and the theatrical energy of Transcendence Theatre Company.

What elevated the experience even further were the moments in between. Representatives from each organization joined us on stage to share more about the work behind the performance, what audiences were seeing in that moment, what lay ahead in their seasons, and how their organizations were evolving.

These conversations created a deeper layer of connection, transforming the evening from a series of performances into a more personal, informed experience.

It became less about observing and more about understanding.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS!

"Red Curtain Addict is my go-to for all things arts! If you're just getting into the arts, it's a great place to learn, and if you've been a fan of the arts for a long time, it's a great place to continue to get inspired," said Ryan Lincks, Red Curtain Addict Community Member. 

That sense of connection extended beyond the stage. Guests were not just attending; they were engaging, meeting new people, exchanging perspectives, and discovering organizations they may not have encountered otherwise.

"What I love most about Red Curtain Addict is the unique ability to make connections between the Bay Area artists and audiences," said Jacob Stensberg, Conductor of the SF Gay Men's Chorus. "Events like this are exactly what our city needs: to help artists meet each other and help audiences meet our performing arts organizations."

This is where the impact of the Arts Soirée took hold. It was not just about showcasing talent. It was about creating pathways. Pathways for audiences to stay engaged, for organizations to reach new communities, and for the arts to feel more integrated into people’s lives.

The Bay’s Stage Arts Soirée was one piece of a larger movement for Red Curtain Addict. Through content, community, and technology, we continue to build new ways for audiences to discover, connect with, and support the arts, both locally and beyond.

"The arts have a way of bringing people together that few things can. They invite us to see the world, and each other, through a different lens, often expressing what words alone cannot. That exchange of perspective is powerful, and it’s something we’re committed to continuing to cultivate," said Kari Lincks Coomans, Founder of Red Curtain Addict. "At the same time, this community exists because of the artists on stage and the organizations that support them. Celebrating their work while creating space for audiences to connect with it more deeply is at the heart of what we do.” 

undefinedKari and Parker Coomans

"What’s been most inspiring is seeing people of all ages and backgrounds come together around a shared experience," said Parker Coomans, Co-Founder of Red Curtain Addict. "The Bay Area arts scene has always been rich with creativity, but when you see that kind of cross-generational and cross-cultural connection happening in one room, it reminds you why this work matters.

At Red Curtain Addict, we’re not only focused on supporting the arts as they exist today, but we’re also thinking about how they evolve. It’s about creating new pathways for people to engage, using innovation to expand access, and ensuring the arts continue to grow as a living, relevant part of our culture for generations to come.”

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This evening would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Hendrick's Gin, Duckhorn Vineyards, Relation Insurance, Bear Productions, Bourbon Steak, The Eighth Rule, and Local Edition. Their incredible commitment to the arts ensures these experiences continue to inspire and connect us all!

We thank everyone who came to celebrate the Bay Area arts with us and to everyone who put their love, energy, and time into bringing this monumental event to life.

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