Hello Richmondside readers. Here are some highlights of things to do and know this coming week and beyond. Monday is Labor Day so you can expect city and other government offices and banks to be closed. If you’re looking for something for fun to do over the long weekend, head to Baltic Kiss in Point Richmond where you’ll find a five-day lineup of music and comedy. Later next week, you can view inspiring artwork, attend a neighborhood meeting or learn about fraud prevention.
For additional events, check our calendar and be sure to add your own listings as well.
Community-based exhibits open Sept. 4 at Richmond Art Center
Four new exhibits open Fri., Sept. 4 at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave.
The works will be on view from Sept. 4 to Nov. 21. The art center galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. An opening reception will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thur., Sept. 7.
The “Right Here, Right Now” Richmond-inspired exhibit features artists Anthony Delgado, Art Hazelwood, e bond, Erin McCluskey Wheeler, Helia Pouyanfar, Quinn Keck and Taro Hattori.
Much of the artwork reflects the Richmond community and some of the issues it is facing such as trash along the shoreline and the experiences of refugees.
An exhibit of two artists’ works designed to help inspire as well as guide people through turbulent times also opens that day at the Richmond Art Center’s South Gallery.
The “Sentinels & Saviors: Iconic Avatars” exhibit showcases two Oakland artists, Joell Jones and Kim Thoman with a goal to “remind us to pay attention to our inner lives and those avatars or symbols of our own choosing that can be our signposts giving guidance and encouragement,” according to the art center.
Jones’ work captures her “adventure into her unconscious or inner self.” It is “made safe” by Thoman’s work that portrays “guardians standing strong.”
“I have painted a woman engaged in a struggle for transformation, and my paintings portray her as a fluid, shape-shifting creature adrift in liminal environments,” Jones said in a press release.
Thoman’s work was inspired by her recovery from cancer.
“I decided I’d like an army of bodyguards for protection in this life,” Thoman said.
Also opening are “Abi Mustapha: Recent Work,” by Sierra Leonean/American contemporary artist Abi Mustapha of Santa Cruz, and a student showcase of Japanese ink brush paintings from Fumiyo Yoshikawa’s beginner sumi-e class at Richmond Art Center. Sumi-e is a traditional East Asian painting technique that uses black ink (sumi) on paper.
Neighborhood connection meetings continue Wednesday
Another neighborhood gathering will be held as part of the citywide Neighbor-to-Neighbor initiative sponsored by the California Volunteers organization through the governor’s office.
The local program is funded through the end of 2025 and will eventually encompass 20 Richmond neighborhoods with a goal of exploring social connections and brainstorming neighborhood improvement ideas.
The next meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 2, at the May Valley Community Center, 3530 Morningside Drive. The meeting focuses on the Fairmede-Hilltop, Greenbriar and May Valley neighborhoods.
Story stroll for children through Alvarado park today
The Richmond Library is sponsoring a “story stroll” for elementary school age children through Alvarado Park, 5755 McBryde Ave., from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today.
Richmond librarians will join East Bay Regional Park District naturalist Melissa Fowlks for an exploration of the park. One of the focuses of this hike will be dragonflies.
Fraud prevention seminar for older adults is today
Officials from the Contra Costa Senior Legal Services will hold a seminar for older adults on fraud and scam prevention.
The program is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza.
Legal experts will advise seniors on how to spot scams, protect their identity and report fraudsters.
Labor Day weekend music at Baltic Kiss
There will be five straight days of music and comedy this holiday weekend at the Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place in Point Richmond.
The festivities kick off tonight with a performance by the classic rock band ABC. The trio is on stage from 7:55 p.m. to 11:55 p.m.
On Friday, three musical groups will hit the stage from 8 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. The Dirty Feeling will kick off the evening followed by M Jones and the Melee. The final act is Don’t Tell Kate.
On Saturday, two bands will perform from 8 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. The Tahoes will be followed by Don’t Tell John.
On Sunday, a Car-B-Que will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Jeff Tauber Jazz group will then play from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Monday, the weekly I Heart Monday Night Comedy evening will be on stage from 9 p.m. to 11:55 p.m.
After the holiday weekend, the Echo Beach Band will perform from 8 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday.
Jazz, electrified acoustic music at Sailing Goat
Another weekend of music is ahead at the Sailing Goat restaurant, 1950 Stenmark Drive at Point San Pablo Harbor in Richmond.
On Friday, the East Bay electrified acoustic band, Cornbread Willie, will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the Missing Man Quartet (MM4), a jazz band that features an electro-acoustic mandolin, will be on stage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the Seattle-based Foleada group will display its musical talents from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
‘Eat, drink and think’ Trivia Wednesday nights
Are you able to “eat, drink and think?” Test your knowledge of obscure facts at a weekly trivia night in Point Richmond.
The next Head Games Trivia session is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 4 at East Brother Beer Company, 1001 Canal Blvd.
Farmers, artists and miniature golf at Party Next Door Saturday
You can view some jewelry and clothing and play some miniature golf at the Party Next Door celebration.
The event is from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Exit Now, 3223 Pierce St. Before you go in, you can also visit the 7 Stars Holistic Healing Center next door.
At the party, there will be artists’ pop ups that feature clothing, jewelry and crystals. There will also be local cannabis farmers who will share their knowledge of the industry.
The new miniature golf course at Exit Now will also be available for those who want to play.
Banda Carnaval at the Community Center Saturday
The musical group Banda Carnaval will perform beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
Banda Carnaval is a Mexican Latin Grammy-nominated band from Mazatlan that has been together since 2001.
Comedian W. Kamau Bell at Berkeley Rep
W. Kamau Bell continues his limited performance run in Berkeley this Saturday.
The nationally known comedian will be on stage at 4:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. at the School of Bakery Studio at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, 2071 Addison St.
The W. Kamau Bell Gets His Act Together performances are being held every Saturday until Oct. 12. All the performances are sold out, but there is a waitlist for unused tickets that are handed out 30 minutes before each show.
In his act, which lasts from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, Bell experiments with new material including fresh stories about his life and family.
Final preparations for Fiestas Patrias parade
Organizers are making final preparations for the Fiestas Patrias parade.
Anyone who wants to enter the parade needs to submit an application by Friday, Sept. 6.
The event, which celebrates Latin American Independence Day, was rescheduled from its original May 5 date due to rain.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Sat., Sept. 14, at the intersection of 23rd Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond. It ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.
Coming soon: Solano Avenue Stroll
The popular Solano Avenue Stroll is coming to the region again.
Solano Avenue Stroll 48 is scheduled to fill the streets of Albany and Berkeley from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The event will feature more than 400 vendors, including entertainers, government agencies, food specialists, artists and jewelry makers, along Solano Avenue.
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit what’s billed as the East Bay’s largest street festival.
Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Committee needs new members
The Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications for three open seats on the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.
The 10-member commission is seeking two new at-large members as well as an at-large alternate member.
Applications are due by Nov. 4. Applicants must be residents of Contra Costa County.
Ongoing events, news and government meetings
Every week, local agencies and organizations host a variety of recurring events. See our calendar for more and add your local events for free.
- Two farmers markets are held weekly in Richmond. The Civic Center Farmers Market runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday in front of the main library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. The Marina Bay Farmers Market is held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday at Marina Bay Park in the parking lot near Regatta Boulevard and Melville Square.
- A farmers market is also held weekly in El Sobrante. The market, organized by Planting Justice, is held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5166 Sobrante Ave.
- Visit a museum, get a free transit ride. The Contra Costa Library is offering free $20 Clipper cards to residents when they make a reservation to visit a museum. There are nearly 30 museums in the Bay Area that qualify under the program. Offer is limited to two Clipper cards per household. The program runs through the end of December.
- For seniors, every Thursday the Seniors Network Activity Program hosts free Tai Chi from 11 a.m to noon at Lifelong William Jenkins Wellness Center, 150 Harbour Way. Attendees are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Sessions are open to both seated and standing participants. For more information call (510) 684-9266.
- Saturdays at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3230 Macdonald Ave. Enjoy instructional activities such as Zumba, soccer, basketball, and chess Visit the website to register. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Infant & Toddler Music and Movement Storytime, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Mondays, Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. This Richmond Public Library Children’s Room program includes songs, fingerplays and books that are designed for families with babies and toddlers, but all ages of children are welcome.
- Family Storytime, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays, Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. This Richmond Public Library Childrens Room program is geared toward families with toddlers. The event is a storytime session with a Richmond librarian.
- The Knit ‘n’ Needle Club meets Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave. The gathering is for knitters, crochet and needleworkers of all levels. The meeting is a chance for people who enjoy this craft to get together while they work.
- The Richmond City Council usually meets on the first, third and fourth Tuesday of every month. The meetings are held at City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza. Its next regularly scheduled meeting is Sept. 10.
- The Richmond Planning Commission usually meets on the first Thursday of every month. The commission’s next meeting is Sept. 5. The meetings are usually held at City Hall, 440 Civic Center Plaza.
- The West Contra Costa Unified School District board usually meets twice a month, often on Wednesday nights, in the multipurpose room of Lovonya DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond. Back-to-school nights are being held at all campuses this evening. Visit the WCCUSD calendar for the most current meeting information.
Be sure to add your Richmond events to our calendar. If you know of an event that you think we should highlight in What’s Up, please email hello@richmondside.org at least two weeks in advance if possible.
