This story was updated June 12 to reflect the location of the El Cerrito Trump protest.
Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights of this week’s What’s Up column include: The kickoff for the Point Richmond summer concert series, a few Father’s Day events and an LGBTQ+ liberation wrestling event at a local brewery.
Also: Several local rallies are planned in protest of President Donald Trump; a popular public swimming pool has been indefinitely closed for repairs, and four WCCUSD high school campuses will be closed all summer for infrastructure upgrades.
And finally, don’t miss this preview of Richmond summer events as well as a roundup of where you can still go swimming and ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free).
Things to know and do
- Things to know and do
- Things to know
- Trump protests to be held in El Sobrante, El Cerrito, Hercules
- The Plunge swimming pool is closed for pump repair
- Four WCCUSD high school campuses closed this summer for repairs
- Richmond schools to receive upgrades to improve classroom air quality
- Deadline extended for job training positions in nutrition
- East Bay parks district launches three-year wildfire prevention effort
- El Cerrito farmers’ market to remain open under new management
- You can still sign up for free children’s summer art classes
- Things to do
- Live music and more at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Trump protests to be held in El Sobrante, El Cerrito, Hercules
Several demonstrations are planned in west Contra Costa County this weekend to protest some of the policies of the Trump administration.
More than 1,800 “No Kings” rallies are scheduled to be held across the United States on Saturday. There are at least three protests happening in west Contra Costa County, including:
- El Cerrito, on east and west sides of the 11400 block of San Pablo Avenue at Cutting Boulevard (near Safeway and IHOP), from noon to 2 p.m.
- El Sobrante, at the corner of Appian Way and San Pablo Dam Road from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Hercules, at the corner of San Pablo and Sycamore avenues from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition, a protest is planned in Albany from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The organizers are also asking for an RSVP before providing the location
The Plunge swimming pool is closed for pump repair
A popular community swimming pool has been closed “indefinitely,” the city said, just before the start of summer.
Richmond city officials announced the closure, stating that the pool needs a new water pump.
They noted that the Richmond Swim Center, 4300 Cutting Blvd., will extend its hours while the repairs are taking place.
The Plunge has been open in Point Richmond since 1926. It’s known for its high ceilings, Art Deco design and 170 windows. It’s estimated that the pool gets more than 20,000 visits per year.
Four WCCUSD high school campuses closed this summer for repairs
West Contra Costa Unified School District officials have announced that four of its high schools will be closed for most of the summer for construction, maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
The closures begin on the following dates:
- Richmond High School: July 14
- Kennedy High School: June 23
- El Cerrito High School: June 23
- De Anza High School: June 23
District officials said in a press release that El Cerrito High continues to operate on temporary generators while workers repair the school’s troubled electrical power system.
Officials said the closures may affect community events, athletic training and summer programs.
The campuses are expected to reopen before the first day of school, which is Aug. 19.
Richmond schools to receive upgrades to improve classroom air quality
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has authorized spending $1.3 million to make health-related improvements to classrooms in west Contra Costa County, which is known to have a higher level of pollution than other Bay Area regions due to its proximity to a number of oil refineries and other industrial sources of emissions.
The money will pay for high-efficiency air filtration retrofits and five years of filter replacements for as many as 14 public schools in Richmond, North Richmond, San Pablo and Tara Hills.
This work is in addition to upgrades already completed at Washington, Dover, Riverside and King elementary schools.
“We are grateful for this partnership with the Bay Area Air District,” said Kim Moses, interim superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, in a press release. “Investments like this strengthen our schools and help us create healthier learning environments where students can thrive.”
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who represents Richmond and is a member of the air quality district board, said the project “reflects our commitment to environmental justice and to improving children’s health, especially in communities disproportionately burdened by air pollution.”
Deadline extended for job training positions in nutrition
Fresh Approach, a Concord-based nonprofit, has extended its deadline for young Richmond adults to apply for two nutrition job training positions. The organization builds food and farming systems to help make communities nutritionally self-sustainable.
The group’s Richmond Nutrition Education Community Ambassador program has a summer cohort and a fall cohort.
The deadline to apply for the summer session has been extended until June 30. The deadline to apply for the fall session is Aug. 31.
Both sessions require eight hours per week of training and supporting the program. The jobs pay $22 per hour. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 24.
The ambassadors provide the community with training and hands-on experience in nutrition and food access. For example, they help in nutrition classes, lead educational cooking demonstrations, support operations at the farmers’ markets and assist with marketing projects.
Visit their website to apply.
East Bay parks district launches three-year wildfire prevention effort
The East Bay Regional Park District is launching a three-year effort to reduce wildfire risks on its properties.
The district’s board of directors has authorized the spending of nearly $11 million to reduce fire fuels in Tilden and Wildcat regional parks, which are in Berkeley and Richmond, as well as in Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Castro Valley), Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve (Oakland) and Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline (Port Costa).
Workers will remove dead and dying trees as well as potentially hazardous vegetation on more than 600 acres. The money also funds ongoing goat, sheep and cattle grazing programs, which reduce flammable vegetation.
“The grant funding enhances our ability to protect the public and safeguard our natural landscapes,” said Park District Interim Fire Chief Khari Helae in a press release. “Securing the funding is a testament to the park district’s efforts — from planning to permitting — to manage the detailed grant application process and its proven ability to carry out large-scale fuel reduction projects in support of the community.”
El Cerrito farmers’ market to remain open under new management
The Farmers Market at El Cerrito Plaza will continue to operate, officials have said.
The El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Regional Farmers Market Association has taken over the management of the twice-weekly market.
Its future was put in jeopardy in January when long-time manager Jean Thompson died.
However, Thompson’s husband, Don Inferrera, worked with local farmers and vendors to keep the market running while new management was found.
The El Cerrito market is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the El Cerrito Plaza shopping center off San Pablo Avenue.
You can still sign up for free children’s summer art classes
You can still register your children for free summer classes at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, 339 11th St. in Richmond.
The classes begin on June 28 and run through Aug. 2. They’re designed for children ages 3 to 18.
Among the offerings are ballet, hip-hop, guitar, woodwinds and brass instruction. The pre-registration deadline is Fri., June 13.
Things to do
Summer concert series starts in Point Richmond
A musical summer concert series is about to begin in Point Richmond.
The annual summer concert series sponsored by Point Richmond Music is being held on one Friday per month.
The first event is June 13. Others are scheduled to be held on July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12.
This week’s performance will feature the rock band Chris James & the Showdowns followed by singer/guitarist Maurice Tani.
Local restaurants will be open during the free event. Displays from The Arts of Point Richmond will be on hand as will activities such as face painting for children. Attendees are known to dance in the streets.
The first summer concert is scheduled for Fri., June 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Point Richmond Music’s outdoor concert venue at Park Place and Washington Avenue.
Robert Moses dance performance at Richmond youth arts school
A dance performance that calls out harmful stereotypes is coming to the stage at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
In Visibility is a powerful dance ensemble brought to life by renowned Bay Area choreographer Robert Moses, in residency for the first time at the arts center.
It will feature East Bay dance students as well as performers from Robert Moses’ Kin troupe.
“In Visibility challenges the narratives imposed on Richmond youth, making visible what systemic oppression seeks to erase,” center officials said. “Through movement and storytelling, it confronts harmful stereotypes, reclaims agency and reimagines the lived experiences of the city’s young artists.”
The In Visibility dance performance is scheduled for Fri., June 13, at 7 p.m. at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, 339 11th St., in Richmond. The center’s shows are free but RSVPs are recommended to ensure you have a seat reserved.
‘Rumplestuntskin’ motorcycle puppet show at the library
A more modern version of the children’s story “Rumplestiltskin” is coming to the Richmond Library.
Pop and Go Puppets will delight youngsters with their performance of “Rumplestuntskin.”
In this adaptation, the main character doesn’t spin gold. He is a Moto daredevil who knows the secret to awesome motorcycle stunts. He’ll share them — for a price.
The puppet performance of “Rumplestuntskin” is set for Fri., June 13, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond.
Celebrate completion of El Sobrante mural
A celebration is scheduled this weekend for a roadside mural in El Sobrante that has just been completed.
Artist Yuli Pinkusevich has been working on the “We Are All in This Together” mural for the past few months. A fundraising campaign brought in more than $2,800 for the project.
She teamed up with the local nonprofit organization Triangle Works to help beautify a stretch of Appian Way with the outdoor painting.
The free celebration will include music, arts, crafts and snacks.
The mural celebration is set for Sat., June 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mural site, 4955 Appian Way in El Sobrante.
Father’s Day pancake breakfast aboard an historic ship
Fathers in the Richmond area will be honored at a special breakfast this weekend.
The Father’s Day 2025 Pancake Breakfast will be held on the SS Red Oak Victory docked in the Richmond harbor.
The breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and apple slices accompanied by orange juice, coffee, and tea. For adult patrons, mimosas will be available for an extra charge.
Entertainment will include live music from The Lovin’ Harmony Trio, a group of three female singers who specialize in songs from the swing era to the 1970s.
Tickets are $20 plus fees for adults and $5 plus fees for children 8 and younger. You can also purchase tickets for docent-led tours of the historic ship.
The SS Red Oak is the last surviving ship of the 747 vessels that were built at the Richmond shipyards during World War II.
The Father’s Day 2025 Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sun., June 15, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the SS Red Oak, 1337 Canal Blvd. in Richmond.
It’s Plant Daddy Day at Curious Flora
Curious Flora is hosting a Plant Daddy Day this weekend to celebrate local fathers.
The nursery is giving away a free annual plant to all fathers who visit. There will also be a free red wagon heist raffle.
Food vendors will also be on site as part of the festivities.
Plant Daddy Day is scheduled for Sun., June 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Curious Flora, 740 Market Ave. in Richmond.
Live music and more at local establishments
A number of establishments in Richmond feature live music, entertainment and other events each week.
The Armistice Brewing Company, 845 Marina Bay Parkway, Ste. 1, hosts a bingo night every Tuesday as well as free trivia games on Wednesday evenings and free game nights on Thursday evenings. On Sat., June 14, the brewery will stage a full queer wrestling event, an event that features a collective of wrestlers and artists elevating the struggle for LGBTQ+ liberation through pro wrestling, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and teens and $15 for children 12 years of age and under.
The Backyard, 205 Cutting Blvd., is a kid and dog friendly outdoor beer and wine garden with food and live music. This weekend’s lineup includes the electric band Phosphorus on Sat., June 14, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. That will be followed by karaoke from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Sun., June 15, there will be a Father’s Day at the Backyard that features live music, food and cold drinks from noon to 7 p.m.
The East Brother Beer Company, a child-friendly and dog-friendly taproom at 1001 Canal Blvd., C-2, hosts food trucks Wednesdays through Sundays.
The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave., which features indoor and dog friendly outdoor patio seating, will host food trucks and pop-up eateries most evenings with karaoke set for Tuesday night as well as Whiskey Wednesday the following evening. On Thur., June 12, special musical guests Duane Patton and Mikelle Morgan will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Wed., June 18, there will be a special comedy evening from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. where a half-dozen Bay Area comedians will each present a short stand-up act.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music on Fri., June 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. when the nine-piece band Corner Pocket takes the stage. There is an $8 music cover charge. On Sat., June 14, the Brazilian Project will perform salsa and bossa nova music from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a $5 coverage charge. On Sun., June 15, the Adrian West Band will bring folk rock songs to the stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is also a $5 coverage charge for this performance.
The outdoor waterfront Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, with views of San Francisco Bay at San Pablo Harbor, will feature live music on Fri., June 13, when Joey Chang, also known as Cello Joe, performs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sun., Junee 15, the Land Shark quartet will bring its 1960s surf band tunes to the stage from noon to 3 p.m. They’ll be followed by keyboardist and singer Kyra Gordon, who will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., is hosting electric blues harmonicist and singer R. J. Mischo on their stage on Sun., June 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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