Veteran comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno spent 17 years at the helm of America’s flagship late-night television talk show. After passing the mic to successor Jimmy Fallon in 2013, Leno has been active as a touring standup comedian, appearing in about 200 live performances a year across the U.S. and Canada. The former Tonight Show host, who will be serving up laughs to a local crowd this Thursday, is bringing his prominent jaw line to the intimate Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre.

Jay Leno
Thu, 7pm, $35+
Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga

Saturday night’s Super Bowl 50 parties throughout the Bay Area featured an eclectic mix of celebrities and musicians—Lil’ Wayne appeared at Maxim’s bash at Treasure Island; Cuba Gooding Jr., lead actor in the new television miniseries, The People v. O.J. Simpson,  showed up at Playboy’s party in San Francisco on Friday. But one of the most exclusive of this year’s Big Game soirees was held at the Silicon Valley estate of venture capitalist Jillian Manus, and it was the only place you could receive a smooch from two live seals swimming in her front yard as you made your way in.

About 700 people, who sprung between $3,000 and $18,000 per ticket to attend the “Big Game Big Give” benefit, flooded Manus’ 18,000-square-foot home in Atherton, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Joe Montana, DeMarco Murray and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. The event, hosted by former San Francisco Giants slugger Matt Williams and the aforementioned Manus, was MC’d by Jay Leno, who auctioned items, such as the privilege to travel with the 49ers for a road trip on the team charter. For $41,500, you had the opportunity to snag the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix Ultimate VIP Package, and for $86,500, you had the chance to bid on a week-long stay for 10 at Sir Richard Branson’s private island.

For a mere $50,000, guests were presented with the opportunity to catch a pass from Montana, and participate in a private film session, re-living his football glory days with the San Francisco 49ers. The package also included a signed football, and a VIP experience for Super Bowl 50.

Other celebrities who were scheduled to attend the event included Jim and Sarah Harbaugh, David Beckham, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, just to name a few.

The goal was to raise one million dollars for charities such as the Stanford Cancer Institute, the Four Rings Montana Family Foundation, and the Giving Back Fund.

Known for going all-out on her bashes (once placing and elephant at the door to greet guests at a previous party), Manus was clad in a glamorous, white, floor-length gown, complete with 20-karat yellow diamond earrings and a 50-karat yellow diamond ring on her finger. The jewelry was loaned to Manus from jeweler-to-the-stars Martin Katz, who was also a sponsor of the event.

Manus cleared out the ground level of her home, and pitched a tent in the backyard, which housed a giant scale-replica of the Golden Gate Bridge—the party was California themed. Underneath the bridge were 10 mixologists serving drinks; her kitchen was transformed into the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, complete with a Beach Boys cover band, and a Fisherman’s Wharf out back. The Rodeo Drive room was draped in white curtains, boasting jewelry cases featuring Katz’ creations for sale. One diamond necklace for sale carried a $200,000 price tag.

Guests dined on braised short rib dumplings and horseradish sauce, lamb burger sliders, tuna tartar and a variety of exotic dessert selections, including delicious rose-infused French macarons.