SAN FRANCISCO, CA (CelebrityAccess) – Jazz legend, Tony Bennett, will be honored with a street sign on Saturday, June 2nd in front of the storied Fairmont Hotel where his first public performance of the iconic classic “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” took place in December 1961.
From 12noon – 3pm a free-and-open-to-the-public block party with food, music, big-band dancing and a special interactive “Heart Salute” to the legendary crooner will take place on the 900 block of Mason Street, which will now be known as “Tony Bennett Way.”
“Tony Bennett forever immortalized our great city with the legendary song ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco,’ so it is only appropriate that we return the favor by renaming a portion of Mason Street in his honor,” said Mayor Mark Farrell. “Throughout his iconic career, Tony has been a wonderful ambassador for our City, always eager to literally sing the praises of our home. It fills me with pride to formally recognize San Francisco’s longtime relationship with our great friend by announcing the unveiling of Tony Bennett Way.”
Scheduled to be on-hand for the event are U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, House of Representatives Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, former San Francisco Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Italian Consul General Lorenzo Ortona and San Francisco Director of Protocol Charlotte Shultz among other dignitaries. Liam Mayclem, KCBS Radio’s “Foodie Chap”, will emcee the event while the Cosmo Alley Cats, Accordionist Suzanne Ramsey, the San Francisco Girls Chorus, the San Francisco Boys Chorus, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and The Dick Bright Orchestra will provide the entertainment. Shawna Ferris from Beach Blanket Babylon will also lead the crowd in a sing-a-long of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
The legislation renaming the street in honor of Bennett was passed unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors last November.
