The New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco continues its "Celebrating Women Festival" with seventy-four year old solo performer, Betty McAfee Aug. 5 - 22, before audiences hear Holly Hughes start Preaching to the Perverted, Sept. 8 - 25. The festival kicked off with Karen Finley performing her latest solo show, Shut Up and Love Me! in May.

McAfee will deliver her multi-media presentation Wake Up!. Through poetry, storytelling, visual images and music from various eras in her life, McAfee tells the story of 70-plus years of political, historical and personal experiences. Wake Up! has been performed in the Bay Area and across the country.

Obie Award-winning writer Holly Hughes will premiere her Preaching to the Perverted, Sept 8-25. In this performance piece, Hughes -- whom David Gergen called a "threat to national security" -- reports on her recent appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tickets ($10-$25) are available by calling the NCTC box office at (415) 861 8972. The New Conservatory Theatre Center is located at 25 Van Ness Avenue.

-- By Sean McGrath
and Christine Ehren