Richard Garwacki is the founder and Promoter for Bark 4 Arts and is celebrating his 42nd year in show business. His first show was May 17, 1981, and his new one-of-a-kind “Pup-Up” event is exactly 42 years later, on May 17, 2023.
Richard started his career in the late 70s and early 80s while living in Key West, Florida. There he began producing shows in his 150-seat nightclub, Fitzgeralds. His first show was Dave Mason in 1981. Other acts included; Leon Russell, Phoebe Snow, George Thorogood, Judy Collins, Peter Tosh, Greg Allman, Spyro Gyra, and Chubby Checker among others. |
|
Richard and his family later moved to Sebastopol, CA. He managed the historic Fillmore and Warfield Theatre in San Francisco in the 1980s and 1990s.
”I am a very lucky guy,” says Garwacki. “I worked out of Bill’s original office when he frequently stopped in during shows. He shared many stories about life and the business.” Richard then became a vice president of the company and started “Bill Graham Special Events”, a division of Bill Graham Presents. There, Richard brought the magic of the company to the corporate, private, and non-profit worlds. |
Some of the celebrations include:
Corporate clients include: Chase, Industrial Light & Magic, Warner Brothers Pictures, Ebay, OSISOFT, Genentech and others.
Richard is the author of “Front of House”
Look for upcoming book due out in Spring, 2024. It includes Inside stories of rock scenes, unique times, and people of the Bay Area.
“These 42 years have given me a great life. I’m anxious to continue to combine my passions in music, all things dogs, and creating memories in the coming days. ” Richard Garwacki
- a 30th Anniversary of Applied Materials for 15,000 guests in San Jose headlining Bob Dylan with his son Jacob's band The Wallflowers, opening the show. Also same evening performing were Stevie Wonder and Margaret Chu.
- Entertainment and events for the first Oracle Open World in San Francisco for 12,000 guests. Talent included The Village People, Jefferson Starship, Elvis Herselvis, and Tower of Power.
- The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the SF Giants at Pac Bell Ballpark. The celebration included Shawn Estes pitching to Barry Bonds on the roof of the warehouse that was to be demolished the next day. Barry hit the first home run into what became known as “McCovey Cove." Confetti cannons hit the crowd with confetti to commemorate the groundbreaking event.
- Silicon Planet event in San Jose for 5,000 guests with Beck, Devo, David Spade, and the Flying Other Brothers.
- Major fundraisers for the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.
Corporate clients include: Chase, Industrial Light & Magic, Warner Brothers Pictures, Ebay, OSISOFT, Genentech and others.
Richard is the author of “Front of House”
Look for upcoming book due out in Spring, 2024. It includes Inside stories of rock scenes, unique times, and people of the Bay Area.
“These 42 years have given me a great life. I’m anxious to continue to combine my passions in music, all things dogs, and creating memories in the coming days. ” Richard Garwacki