Thu January 15, 2026
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again
SEE EVENT DETAILS
Featuring Joseph Amster as San Francisco's Iconic Emperor Norton
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (December 4, 2025) -- The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, "Making History Fun Again," designed to honor the city's legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine, appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco's most beloved and eccentric historical figures.
As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city's colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible...making him the perfect guest for the series' second installment.
About the Speaker: Joseph Amster (as Emperor Norton)
A California native and longtime San Francisco resident, Joseph Amster has worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and performer since the 1970s. His background includes theater studies at San Francisco State University, editorial roles at the Orange County Blade and IN Los Angeles, and leadership positions within San Francisco's history community, including the San Francisco History Association and the Emperor Norton Legacy League .
In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours (emperornortontour.com), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico," is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations .
About the Series
The Making History Fun Again series:
Celebrates San Francisco's diverse and vibrant history
Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling
Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons
Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination
Signature Speaker Series Cocktails
Guests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco's storied past, including:
Pisco Punch -- A Gold Rush original from 1853
Martini -- Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez
Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) -- A wink to the city's famed Irish Coffee
Maiden Lane -- A nod to one of San Francisco's most notorious streets
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again -- Speaker Series?Featured Speaker: Joseph Amster as Emperor Norton?When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.?Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel?Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, February 19 - Woody LaBounty: History of Carville-by-the-Sea?Thursday, March 19 - Ray Beldner: History of Art in San Francisco?Thursday, April 16 - John Martini: 1906 Earthquake & Fire
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is -- and always has been -- legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.
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Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (December 4, 2025) -- The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, "Making History Fun Again," designed to honor the city's legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine, appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco's most beloved and eccentric historical figures.
As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city's colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible...making him the perfect guest for the series' second installment.
About the Speaker: Joseph Amster (as Emperor Norton)
A California native and longtime San Francisco resident, Joseph Amster has worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and performer since the 1970s. His background includes theater studies at San Francisco State University, editorial roles at the Orange County Blade and IN Los Angeles, and leadership positions within San Francisco's history community, including the San Francisco History Association and the Emperor Norton Legacy League .
In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours (emperornortontour.com), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico," is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations .
About the Series
The Making History Fun Again series:
Celebrates San Francisco's diverse and vibrant history
Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling
Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons
Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination
Signature Speaker Series Cocktails
Guests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco's storied past, including:
Pisco Punch -- A Gold Rush original from 1853
Martini -- Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez
Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) -- A wink to the city's famed Irish Coffee
Maiden Lane -- A nod to one of San Francisco's most notorious streets
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again -- Speaker Series?Featured Speaker: Joseph Amster as Emperor Norton?When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.?Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel?Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, February 19 - Woody LaBounty: History of Carville-by-the-Sea?Thursday, March 19 - Ray Beldner: History of Art in San Francisco?Thursday, April 16 - John Martini: 1906 Earthquake & Fire
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is -- and always has been -- legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.
Featuring Joseph Amster as San Francisco's Iconic Emperor Norton
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (December 4, 2025) -- The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, "Making History Fun Again," designed to honor the city's legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine, appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco's most beloved and eccentric historical figures.
As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city's colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible...making him the perfect guest for the series' second installment.
About the Speaker: Joseph Amster (as Emperor Norton)
A California native and longtime San Francisco resident, Joseph Amster has worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and performer since the 1970s. His background includes theater studies at San Francisco State University, editorial roles at the Orange County Blade and IN Los Angeles, and leadership positions within San Francisco's history community, including the San Francisco History Association and the Emperor Norton Legacy League .
In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours (emperornortontour.com), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico," is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations .
About the Series
The Making History Fun Again series:
Celebrates San Francisco's diverse and vibrant history
Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling
Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons
Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination
Signature Speaker Series Cocktails
Guests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco's storied past, including:
Pisco Punch -- A Gold Rush original from 1853
Martini -- Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez
Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) -- A wink to the city's famed Irish Coffee
Maiden Lane -- A nod to one of San Francisco's most notorious streets
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again -- Speaker Series?Featured Speaker: Joseph Amster as Emperor Norton?When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.?Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel?Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, February 19 - Woody LaBounty: History of Carville-by-the-Sea?Thursday, March 19 - Ray Beldner: History of Art in San Francisco?Thursday, April 16 - John Martini: 1906 Earthquake & Fire
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is -- and always has been -- legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.
read more
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | The Redwood Room
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (December 4, 2025) -- The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its new monthly speaker series, "Making History Fun Again," designed to honor the city's legendary past through lively storytelling and unforgettable personalities.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, The Clift welcomes Joseph Amster, historian, journalist, performer, and founder of Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine, appearing in character as Emperor Norton, one of San Francisco's most beloved and eccentric historical figures.
As a historian and performer, Amster has spent more than a decade bringing Emperor Norton to life on the streets of San Francisco, leading immersive walking tours, teaching local history, and championing the city's colorful past . His portrayal is both historically grounded and theatrically irresistible...making him the perfect guest for the series' second installment.
About the Speaker: Joseph Amster (as Emperor Norton)
A California native and longtime San Francisco resident, Joseph Amster has worked as a journalist, editor, historian, and performer since the 1970s. His background includes theater studies at San Francisco State University, editorial roles at the Orange County Blade and IN Los Angeles, and leadership positions within San Francisco's history community, including the San Francisco History Association and the Emperor Norton Legacy League .
In 2011, Amster and his husband Rick Shelton launched Time Machine Tours (emperornortontour.com), offering character-driven historical walking tours that quickly became local favorites. His acclaimed embodiment of Emperor Norton, the self-declared "Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico," is now a fixture of San Francisco culture and a sought-after presence at events, lectures, weddings, and historical celebrations .
About the Series
The Making History Fun Again series:
Celebrates San Francisco's diverse and vibrant history
Connects generations through lively, accessible storytelling
Showcases authors, historians, performers, and cultural icons
Invites the public into the Redwood Room for conversations that spark curiosity and imagination
Signature Speaker Series Cocktails
Guests attending the January 15 event may enjoy themed cocktails honoring San Francisco's storied past, including:
Pisco Punch -- A Gold Rush original from 1853
Martini -- Born along the trail between San Francisco and Martinez
Night Moves (Buena Vista Tribute Espresso Martini) -- A wink to the city's famed Irish Coffee
Maiden Lane -- A nod to one of San Francisco's most notorious streets
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again -- Speaker Series?Featured Speaker: Joseph Amster as Emperor Norton?When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.?Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel?Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Thursday, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, February 19 - Woody LaBounty: History of Carville-by-the-Sea?Thursday, March 19 - Ray Beldner: History of Art in San Francisco?Thursday, April 16 - John Martini: 1906 Earthquake & Fire
About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is -- and always has been -- legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.
show less
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