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08/29/08
What do you get when you combine music, art, dance, food and fun? The annual Art & Soul festival in Downtown Oakland of course—and it’s going on this
holiday weekend.
To those who plan on staying in the Bay Area for Labor Weekend, this is THE place to be. To those who are leaving for the holiday, I do apologize that
you will miss all the fun.
Attendees can catch the Indigo Girls, Stephanie Mills, The Matches, Bobby Hutcherson, Rose Royce and Walter Hawkins as this year’s concert headliners. Or, enjoy other dance, band and choir performances at one of the six stages.
If you’d rather walk around, head over to the many artisan booths. There is something for everyone, from jewelry, imported crafts,...
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08/28/08
I had a fun and delicious dinner at the pre-opening party at Miss Pearl’s Jam House on the waterfront in Jack London Square this week. This lively new spot serves tropical drinks such as the Watermelon-Cachaca “Smash,” and food you don’t find much of in the East Bay: Caribbean specialties Sugar Cane Barbecue Shrimp on corn-griddle cakes, Grilled Skirt Steak with horseradish-garlic puree and onion rings, and a heavenly Island Gazpacho with heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, mango, jicama, and lime. All were fresh and full of spicy, intricate flavors. Plus, they serve Jell-O shots.
The restaurant is a revival of Joey Altman’s original Miss Pearl’s on Eddy Street in San Francisco—which closed on New Year’s Eve in 1996—and Altman...
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08/26/08
Don’t miss your last chance to see the Bedford Art Gallery’s “Local Voices,” exhibition, on display until August 31. The exhibition showcases the work of talented East Bay artists, some well-known in the art world, others new to the scene.
Your best bet to really connect with these works comes tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. when the curator of the gallery along with several exhibiting artists will meet to discuss their work over coffee and pastries. Reservations are required-to reserve your space call (925) 295-1423. The gallery asks for a $7 donation.
Coming up next month at the gallery is “Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the collection of Susan Brooks.” Historically, art crafted by women has been largely...
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08/19/08
In many minds, granola equals Tevas with tube socks. But granola has suffered a bad rap, and the best way for you to give it the love it deserves is to head over to Domenico’s Gelateria in Danville. Their granola is homemade with tons of fresh oats, pecans, sunflower seeds, sesame seed, and coconut by Shannon Pace, the daughter of Domenico’s owner, Joe Giacomini. You have not lived until you’ve tasted its tender, toasty richness. Picture this: thick yogurt topped with a fresh peach cut into chunks and a generous sprinkle of this food of the gods. You’ll never experience the tube socks association again. Phew.
Domenico’s Delicatessen and Gelateria, 682 Hartz Ave., Danville, (925) 837-8301
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08/18/08
Time is running out to see an outstanding exhibition of works by artists who live and work in Contra Costa County. Local Voice 2008: Defining Community Through Art closes August 31 at Walnut Creek’s Bedford Gallery. One artist whose works you can see is part of the Diablo family: Jake Watling. His day job is art director for Diablo Custom Publications. In his spare time, this graduate of St. Paul, Minnesota’s College of Visual Arts paints, draws, writes, and does photography. His vivid, colorful paintings, which depict people, animals, signs, symbols, and architectural and mythical images, have been exhibited in galleries in the Bay Area, including San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, as well as around the country and in...
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08/18/08
Here’s a sure-fire way to get the kids out of the house and away from the TV and computer. Yoshi’s Jazz Club Sunday Matinees are back and this year’s going to be better than ever. The series kicks off August 10 for both Yoshi’s Oakland and San Francisco.
This marks the San Francisco location’s first year in hosting regular matinees for the family. Yoshi’s Sunday Matinee performances are designed especially for parents who wish to introduce their children to the world of jazz. Prices are $5 (17 and under) and a special kid-friendly menu is provided.
Oakland performances include Oliver Mtukudzi, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Maria Muldaur & the Free Radicals. San Francisco’s performers are The...
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08/15/08
Music and arts and crafts—Oh my! Martinez residents have been waiting all year for this. Well now it’s finally here: the annual arts and crafts faire at Susana Street Park in downtown Martinez. Going on its 39th year, Art in the Park will feature artists of all sorts as they showcase their goods Sunday, August 17. Displayed arts and crafts will range from original paintings and photographs to one-of-a-kind crafts using ceramic and jewelry. Wood, metal, and fabric artists are also among those attending the faire. For those who want to channel their creativity in another way, by rockin’ out and shaking their bon-bon perhaps, then come out and listen to the live sounds of local musicians as they take the stage. Troy Riggs kicks off the fun-filled event at 10 am with a...
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08/14/08
Olympic fever is sweeping the globe and we have plenty of athletes to cheer for from Diabloland. The remarkable Natalie Coughlin, who became the first woman to ever defend a gold medal in a swimming event when she won the 100 m backstroke on Tuesday, has been getting the most coverage of the East Bay athletes in Beijing, but there's plenty of others to keep your eyes on.
Sport: Basketball
More info: http://www.usabasketball.com/
Athlete: Jason Kidd-Oakland/UC Berkeley
So far: Team USA has won all 3 games (vs. China, Angola, Greece).
Next up: Vs. Spain on 8/16 @ 10:15 pm and Germany on 8/18 @ 8:00 pm. Team has secured spot in the medal round quarterfinals.
Sport: Volleyball
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08/13/08
Looking for a perfect outfit to usher in the fall season? Well, your best chance to score some designer duds while saving some cash happens this weekend.
From August 14-16, Oakland boutique iniam will be offering its entire line of Marc by Marc Jacobs at 20% off. The store just received a shipment of pre-fall and fall fashion so come early if you want to be the first one on the block with the newest look. You’ll be sure to make a statement with his new cherry red Ridgeback coat or FREE (while supplies last) recyclable canvas tote bearing his name.
Iniam is located at 5902 College Ave in Oakland. For more information, call (510) 597-1558 or go to www.iniam.com
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08/11/08
Just read Natalie Coughlin has won a gold medal in the 100 meter backstroke in the Beijing Olympics. Big congratulations to the Lafayette resident who continues to step up on the world stage, against spectacular compeition from swimmers like Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry. Coughlin reportedly finished the race in 58.96, and six of the eight women in the race finished under 1 minute. Amazing performances by all. Sorry if this is a spoiler for those watching network coverage, but its an incredibly exciting moment for East Bay fans of the swimmer. I spent some time interviewing Coughlin a few months back and she was cool, confident, but also down to earth. She's a dedicated foodie—she's done cooking demonstrations on the Today show—look for her local favorite food...
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08/08/08
Paying homage to the ingredient that defines summer—heirloom tomatoes—Piatti restaurant in Danville will kick off its Heirloom Tomato Celebration on August 8.
For over two weeks, the restaurant will feature an additional menu showcasing various drinks and dishes made from the richness and sweetness of heirloom tomatoes. From heirloom tomato “Bloody Mary” to heirloom tomato risotto with scallops, shrimp & green onions, and heirloom tomato marmellata tart with ginger crema, there’s no better way to celebrate the season’s harvest than by trying it all.
General Manager John Perkins, says that while the entire heirloom tomato menu is popular, don’t miss the Caprese-sliced heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella di...
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08/07/08
My favorite part of the Wizard of Oz has always been the wardrobe. And of course, Dorothy’s purely iconic ruby red sequined slippers with the dainty bow on the top! Look out, because Dorothy is getting a makeover. And so is the entire production of the 1939 classic film.
Belasco Theatre Company (www.belasco.org) presents their young, hip version, of the classic, The Wiz. The Wiz is a musical version of the older story with a lively mixture of rock, gospel, and soul music.
Belasco Theatre Company is a youth theatre training and performance group, which, for 21 years, has delighted audiences with shows including Oklahoma!, Gypsy, Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, and Little Shop of Horrors....
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08/07/08
This week, mix your culture and history with a photography exhibition documenting the changing world of farmers around Brentwood, where the population has increased by more than 40,000 in the past 15 years. The show, put on by the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County, is titled art passages: Shifting Perspective on the Urban Edge and explores the effects of massive population growth where suburban and rural life meet.. The exhibition is the brainchild of Gail Wadsworth, who secured a sizeable grant from the California Council for the Humanities to make it a reality.
Shifting Perspective on the Urban Edge opens on August 5 and runs through October 1 at the County Administration Building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. Visitors are welcome Monday...
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08/04/08
Congratulations, Changes! Longtime local favorite Changes Salon and Day Spa in Walnut Creek took home the “Entrepreneurial Excellence” award for the Western United States at the Global Salon Business Awards (www.salonbusinessawards.com) last month in Hollywood. This award recognizes Changes’ exceptional business achievement, professionalism, and leadership within the salon industry.
Nick Arrojo’s salon, featured on TLC’s hit wardrobe overhaul television show, What Not to Wear, won the same award for the Eastern United States. This is Changes’ second international recognition. In 2006, Changes received a GBSA for Management. Changes owner, Bonnie Waters, says, “Winning the Global Salon Business Award for Entrepreneurial...
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08/01/08
I have to admit- I thought the whole idea was a little crazy when my friend first told me about it. I mean, a vampire love story? A vampire love story? I’m all for teen romance stories, but I’m not into sci-fi at all.
I’ve totally joined the cult. And I’m not even ashamed to admit it. Stephanie Meyer’s novel, Twilight, is incredible. It’s sweeping the world. I couldn’t put the book down. I hung on every word as Bella Swan fell in love with Edward Cullen and discovered his deepest darkest secret. It’s eloquently written, vividly real (as real as vampires go), and intensely intriguing.
I know, I know. It’s technically a “teen” fiction novel, and I’m not a teen anymore. But I know...
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