The Fine Art of Poisoning: Perils, Pleasures and Protocols October 19, 2011

Come to the Conservatory of Flowers for an evening of toxic indulgence and murderous melody that celebrates its soon-to-close exhibition Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues & Assassins, based on author Amy Stewart's 2009 New York Times Bestseller, Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities.

The evening begins with a primer on plant poisons by Dr. Kent Olson, Medical Director, San Francisco Division, California Poison Control System. Then take fatal pleasure in the Conservatory's poison garden as you enjoy wicked elixirs in the galleries.

As night falls, chanteuse Jill Tracy, called San Francisco's "femme fatale for the thinking man" by the San Francisco Chronicle, will divulge true perils from the plant kingdom. Backed by members of her Malcontent Orchestra, Tracy will weave a web of cautionary tales, lusty murderous obsessions, and shadowy stories of secretly-served revenge in words and song. There will also be a special screening of Tracy's short musical film, created in collaboration with Bill Domonkos, called The Fine Art of Poisoning.

Jill Tracy, a San Francisco-based singer/pianist/storyteller has garnered multiple awards and a passionate following for her evocative cinematic music, sophisticated lyrics, old-world glamour, and curious passion for strange tales. She has shared the stage with luminaries like Nina Hagen, Lydia Lunch, Richard Strange, Skinny Puppy, Jello Biafra, Faith and the Muse, Armen Ra, and has collaborated and toured with music icon David J (Bauhaus/Love and Rockets). With five albums to her credit, Jill Tracy’s music has appeared on CBS, NBC, PBS, and numerous independent and feature films. The song “Evil Night Together” has become a sultry underground anthem for neo-burlesque, gothic cabaret, and modern belly dancers all over the globe. Her acclaimed short “The Fine Art of Poisoning,” (a collaboration with Bay Area filmmaker Bill Domonkos) has won over 30 film festival awards internationally and screened at London’s famed National Gallery in 2010.

Official Website: http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/events/specialevents