Given the choice. . .
“I received some rough medical news last week.” So began the email written by poet Elliot Harmon, sent to friends and family on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 11:28 pm. Elliot explained that the treatment for melanoma he’d received two years prior had not been as successful as the doctors believed. “This is scary news,” he said. But Elliot was optimistic about the possibilities of the immunotherapy he would begin the following week, though he knew it would be a difficult course.
“I’m not excited about the year ahead,” Elliot wrote. “And I could use your support. Last time around, I very much appreciated the supportive notes I got from people. Especially in this time of social distancing, I would love to hear from you.”
This request is familiar. Elliot’s specificity is notable. He went on to explain the type of contact that would be most beneficial to him. “I’d prefer not to field lots of questions and comments about treatment options,” he wrote. “Given the choice, I’d rather hear about how you’re keeping yourself and your family entertained in the quarantine than get a lot of news articles about melanoma in my email.”
In his time of need, Elliot wanted to know how people were living, what was making them happy, keeping them “entertained.” He wanted song recommendations and funny stories. He wanted to know which games his friends were playing. He wanted to know what was keeping their spirits uplifted during tough times.
Elliot didn’t survive his fight with cancer, but his words did. We like to think that some of his wisdom lives on as well. Because he was right to ask for entertainment. A simple word, which can be defined as “the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment,” entertainment is the part of life that makes it liveable. It bonds families and friends; it connects humanity through space and time. Entertainment is sustenance.
Tonight, on Sunday, February 1, 2026, we will answer Elliot’s call to action together, in real time, irl.
In the comments below, tell us what is keeping you entertained. What is bringing you joy?
Thank you,
Elliot Harmon’s Launch Party
Berkeley, CA
2/1/26
Image:Mark Angelo Sampan
Claim your joy!
At DKW Productions we create artful events and experiences that are specifically designed to connect communities and evoke positive emotions.
We believe that joy is a necessary part of a healthy life. It sustains us during tough times. It heals us when we are hurting. Joy makes us feel connected to other people.
We are here to uplift people through joyful parties, plays, concerts, poetry readings, gallery openings, workshops, classes, and creative happenings.
We're in the business of producing transformative events, and you're invited.
Yours truly,
Della Watson, founder
She’ll be seeing you!
Meet jazz singer Delorian Gray. She’ll be slinging tunes and delivering some diva drama at Tipsy’s Hideout this Sunday. She’s also hiding a big secret. . . can you find out what it is? Come help us solve a mystery!
Wear your finest vintage attire and join us this Sunday at @tipsy.yeti for a night to remember!
✔️Murder mystery show
✔️ Live jazz performances
✔️ Card games
✔️ Classic cocktails
✔️ Curated dinner menu
✔️ Prizes!
Follow the clues and solve the mystery!
Murder at Tipsy’s Hideout
Sunday, May 17
5pm to 8pm
Tipsy Yeti Restaurant and Bar
Berkeley, CA
Tickets available at www.dkwproductions/events
#murdermysterydinner #thingstodoinberkeley #improv #immersiveexperience #dkwproductions
Come in style!
Wear your finest vintage attire and join us this Sunday at @tipsy.yeti for a night to remember!
✔️Murder mystery show
✔️ Live jazz performances
✔️ Card games
✔️ Classic cocktails
✔️ Curated dinner menu
✔️ Prizes!
Can you guess which character will be arriving in this car? Will they be a crooner, a card shark, a con, . . . or a killer? Follow the clues and solve the mystery!
Murder at Tipsy’s Hideout
Sunday, May 17
5pm to 8pm
Tipsy Yeti Restaurant and Bar
Berkeley, CA
Tickets available at www.dkwproductions/events
#murdermysterydinner #thingstodoinberkeley #improv #immersiveexperience #dkwproductions
Performer and Workshop submissions open on MAY 18 for the 2026 Diablo Improv Festival! Learn more and submit your application at DiabloImprovFestival.org.
Behind the scenes…
We snapped a few shots of some our cast members practicing looks of shock, surprise, horror, happiness, meanness, excitement, and curiosity (not in that order).
Come see our full cast in costume and in character on Sunday, May 17 at Tipsy Yeti in Berkeley. Tickets at www.dkwproductions/events.
Murder at Tipsy’s Hideout
ONE SHOW ONLY!
Featuring:
Arastoo Darakhshan as Tipsy Malone
Griffen Davis Bier as Junior Malone
Charlotte Hollingsworth as Vera Haskell
Nikki Vilas as Delorian Gray
Addam Ledamyen as Stormy Amore
Tiff Dressen as Big Jimmy
Mark Bulmer as Fast Hands
Jerod Espinosa-Setchko
#improv #immersiveexperience
@tipsy.yeti@arastoo_darakhshan@griffendavisbier@nikkivilas@bulmer.mark@jerod_espinosasetchko@addamledamyen
One night only!
Get your tickets before we sell out! This experience is not to be missed.
Immerse yourself in the 1940s, at smoky speakeasy, where mobsters, jazz singers, and card sharks mix and mingle. When someone gets murdered, it’s up to you to solve the mystery!
Enjoy classic cocktails, a curated menu, and live music as you interact with the characters for an unforgettable experience.
Wear your finest vintage attire for a chance to win the prize for Best Dressed!
May 17
5pm
@tipsy.yeti
Berkeley, CA
Tickets: /events
Join us!
Step into a smoky 1940s speakeasy and experience an incredible adventure. Featuring live jazz, classic cocktails, card games, curated cuisine, and an improvised murder mystery, this immersive experience is not to be missed!
Great for:
✔️date night
✔️groups of friends
✔️singles looking to meet new friends
This exclusive event is happening at @tipsy.yeti in Berkeley, CA on May 17. Get tickets at www.dkwexperience/events or eventbrite.
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
#murdermystery #immersiveexperience #dkwproductions #joy
Last chance tonight!
Congrats to our friends at @synergy_theater for selling out their last show of Improvised Clue on Sunday. We’ve heard there are a few tickets left for tonight (4/25), so get one while you can! It’s a great production; we loved it!
And well done @griffendavisbier — hope to see more directing from you in the future.
#improv #murdermystery
Want to solve a murder?
Join us on May 17 for an immersive experience like no other! Travel back in time to a 1940s jazz club and secret gambling den run by mafia boss Tipsy Malone. Enjoy live music, classic cocktails, a curated menu, and an interactive, improvised theatrical show featuring an unforgettable cast of characters.
Bring friends, make it a date night, or go solo and meet new people! Vintage or semi-formal cocktail attire required. Tickets are on sale now!
Murder at Tipsy’s Hangout
Sunday, May 17
5pm
@tipsy.yeti
2512 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, California
Tickets available at dkwproductions.com/events
Photos by:
@cwagnerphotography@dkw_experience@cottonbro
Malcolm Oliveria
@veritabledistillery
Bruce Wayne
Tanya Volt
Paul Espinoza
#dkwproductions #improv #thingstodoinberkeley
Preview…
These lovely musicians were kind enough to take our request to play one of the jazz classics we’ll be featuring in our next show on May 17. Thank you Karabà Duo!
Join us at @tipsy.yeti on May 17 to hear live musical performances by @eddiemichaelsuperstar@addamledamyen and Eric Kong!
