Hello Richmondside readers. This week’s What’s Up column is packed with things to do, with this weekend shaping up to be particularly busy with a number of Black History month events.
We’ll also tell you about a fundraiser for Bay Area birds, an open mic talent show in downtown Richmond and evening viewing hours for a gravity-defying dance film by a Richmond aerial choreographer.
Other upcoming activities of note include a church vigil to support immigrants and a seminar on planting a “flower forward” garden in your yard. And finally, if you’re looking for information about things that happen on an ongoing basis, such as exercise classes, government meetings and library family activities, see our daily things to do listing.
Richmond things to know and do at-a-glance
- Richmond things to know and do at-a-glance
- Things to know
- Things to do
- Open mic talent show at CoBiz is tonight
- Interfaith Immigration vigil at St. Mark’s Catholic Church
- Golden Gate Bird Alliance 2025 Birdathon fundraiser is coming
- Earlier viewing hours for Richmonder’s Salesforce Tower redwoods film
- City’s Black History Month celebration
- Poetry book signing at Multicultural BookStore and Gifts
- Webinar highlights powerful stories from Black women
- Learn how to plant a ‘flower forward’ garden at Curious Flora seminar
- Urban Farm Fair and soil check is Saturday
- Auction to help animal foundation is this weekend
- Arts of Point Richmond winter members’ exhibit
- Live music, comedy at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
County seeks advice on North Richmond, property taxes, mental health and more
Contra Costa County officials are looking for volunteers to fill positions on several advisory committees.
The committees that need new board members include:
- Assessment Appeals Board, which assesses and equalizes the valuation of taxable property in the county.
- Behavioral Health Board, a new committee that advises county supervisors on community mental health and substance use disorder programs.
- Economic Opportunity Council, which makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on Community Block Grant and weatherization programs.
- North Richmond Municipal Advisory Council, which advises the supervisors on issues and concerns affecting the unincorporated community of North Richmond.
More information on these and other committees can be found on the county’s website.
County extends job application deadline for auditor-controller
The deadline has been extended to March 14 for people who want to be considered for the position of Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller.
The current auditor-controller, Robert Campbell, is retiring next month from the elected position he has held since 2011.
Applicants must be registered to vote in Contra Costa County. Other qualifications:
- A valid and active certificate issued by the California Board of Accountancy showing that they can legally practice as a certified public accountant.
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, college or other four-year institution with a major in accounting.
- Experience as a county auditor, assistant county auditor, chief deputy county auditor or an equivalent position for a continuous period of not less than three years.
Questions can be directed to the Contra Costa Human Resources Department at (925) 655-2100 or jobs@hrd.cccounty.us
Things to do
Open mic talent show at CoBiz is tonight
Would you like to show off some of your hidden talents?
You get the chance to do that every third Thursday of the month in downtown Richmond.
That’s when the Afterword Press Presents Talent Night open mic events are held.
The next open mic, which is hosted by the city of Richmond’s poet laureate Stephen Sharpe, is tonight.
Cost is $12.51 with fees. Food and beverages will be available.
The event is open to anyone with the courage to sign up and step up on the stage.
The talent show is scheduled for Thur., Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CoBiz Richmond, 1503 Macdonald Ave., Ste. A.
Interfaith Immigration vigil at St. Mark’s Catholic Church
An Interfaith Immigration Vigil will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Richmond on Friday.
The community is invited to join religious and political leaders to take a united stance in supporting and protecting immigrant families.
The event is being billed as “a first step toward advocating for a county-level policy with strong language in protection of our immigrants. Leaders and congregations from all faith traditions are invited to attend.”
The vigil is set for Fri., Feb. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 159 Harbour Way, Richmond.
Golden Gate Bird Alliance 2025 Birdathon fundraiser is coming
The Golden Gate Bird Alliance is inviting all wildlife lovers to join their 2025 Birdathon.
Sign-ups begin soon for the alliance’s annual fundraising event, which runs from March 1 to May 30.
As part of the campaign, you can register for one of the 30 birdwatching tours sponsored by the alliance. You can also set up your own fundraising campaign or form a team to compete in the Bay Bird Challenge on April 26.
The alliance is hoping to raise $200,000 this year to help fund youth education programs, habitat restoration and conservation advocacy.
Registration for the birdwatching tours begins on Fri., Feb. 28. The deadline for the Bay Bird Challenge is Thur., April 10.
Earlier viewing hours for Richmonder’s Salesforce Tower redwoods film
A film that pays tribute to the redwood trees of Mendocino has been playing in the wee hours of the morning on the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco all month.
But this weekend you can see it a bit earlier. “Sequoia Spirits,” an aerial dance tribute to the majestic trees by Richmond choreographer Cherie Carson and Novato filmmaker David Creech can be viewed Friday through Sunday from sundown to 6 a.m.
“’Sequoia Spirits” is more than just a film; it is an immersive experience meant to connect viewers with the beauty of nature through the art of dance,” said Carson in a press release.
The film will be visible at the top of San Francisco’s Salesforce Tower on Feb. 21, 22 and 23rd from sundown to 6 a.m.
City’s Black History Month celebration
A celebration of Black History Month will be held this weekend.
The cost is $15 per person. Advanced registration is required.
There will be food, music and line dancing as well as a recognition of local leaders who have contributed to the community.
The event is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
Poetry book signing at Multicultural BookStore and Gifts
The author of a collection of poems will speak and sign books at a special gathering.
Arielle Desere will read from her book, “Village Talk,” at the free spoken word event this weekend.
Snacks and refreshments will also be served.
The event is on Sat., Feb. 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts, 260 Broadway in Richmond.
Webinar highlights powerful stories from Black women
Four Black women will tell their stories of power in a special webinar tonight.
The women are among 22 people featured in the book “Unleashing the Power of HER.”
The free event is sponsored by Fierce Advocates, a Richmond-based program that amplifies the voices of Black, Latinx and other parents and caregivers of color.
The webinar is set for Thur., Feb. 20, beginning at 7 p.m.
Learn how to plant a ‘flower forward’ garden at Curious Flora seminar
An expert at Curious Flora Nursery will be providing advice this weekend on how to plant a flower forward native garden.
The instruction will include how to layer plantings and manage gardens year-round for native blooms.
The free event is part of the 2025 Native Plant Extravaganza sponsored by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour.
The “flower forward” seminar will be held on Sat., Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Curious Flora Nursery, 740 Market Ave. in Richmond.
Urban Farm Fair and soil check is Saturday
You can pick up gardening tips and check the health of your soil at an educational event.
The Urban Farm Fair is a free event for gardeners of all levels. Participants can get advice about water conservation and urban gardening.
You can also bring in a soil sample from your yard to have it tested for lead contamination and nutrient levels.
The fair is set for Sat., Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Tilth North Richmond Farm, 323 Brookside Drive.
Auction to help animal foundation is this weekend
An afternoon of music, food and a live auction will raise money to help stray animals.
The Citizens for Rescue Auction event, organized by Animal Advocates of Contra Costa County, will be held Sun., Feb. 23, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at a local private residence. The address of the fundraiser is provided after tickets are purchased.
Tickets cost between $75 and $125.
Items to be auctioned range from Oakland Zoo tickets to SFMOMA, DeYoung and symphony tickets to pet-related items and more.
Proceeds go to Stitch in Time Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization that helps provide vet care and homes for animals in Contra Costa County.
The auction is on Sun., Feb. 23, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Arts of Point Richmond winter members’ exhibit
The Arts of Point Richmond is showcasing some of its members’ works of art at a waterfront restaurant.
You can meet the artists as well as enjoy some food and drinks.
The reception will be held on Sun., March 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lara’s Fine Dining, 1900 Esplanade Drive in Richmond.
Live music, comedy at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live entertainment and other events each week.
The Baltic Kiss restaurant, 135 Park Place, will feature a variety of bands on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Three groups will play on Friday evening between 8 p.m and 11:30 p.m. They are the Oakland-based Lady Starbeast, the heavy emo rock band Mid-Course Correction from the East Bay and the Oakland-based Kevin Moan & The Howling.
The Factory Bar will host special musical guests Duane Patton and Mikelle Morgan on Thursday evening. Food trucks are also at the establishment every night with karaoke set for Tuesday evening and Whiskey Wednesday the following night.
The Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd, will have live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Joe Brennan Band will take the stage from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., The Elmwoods will present their rockabilly stylings. From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Juke Joint will entertain the crowd with classic soul and rhythm and blues music. There is a $5 coverage charge on Friday and Saturday as well as an $8 cover charge on Sunday.
The Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, will feature live music on Saturday and Sunday. The David Correa Trio will perform from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Nathan X Moody will be on stage from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Be sure to check out our listing of recurring activities and our calendar for more things to do in Richmond and add your local events for free.
