Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights of this week’s What’s Up column include: Juneteenth celebrations, a Latin music fest and how to take the ferry to a Giants game.
Also: The city’s $2 clean energy ride service has expanded; you can volunteer to help clean up a creek; and you can meet fellow gardeners at a summer plant swap.
And finally, don’t miss this preview of Richmond summer events as well as a roundup of where to 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
- Things to do
- Free showing of ‘Casablanca’ on historic ship
- Juneteenth parade, festival honor’s Richmond’s Black history
- Greet the start of summer with meditative dance
- Exhibit honors Arts of Point Richmond founder
- Art fair for local artists will be held at a park
- Festival showcases Latin artists and culture
- Creek cleanup set for San Pablo Creek Watershed
- Summer plant swap at the library
- Documentary on Iranian life in the United States
- Live music and more at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
‘Silence the Violence’ summit to help communities change
A series of workshops has been scheduled to help promote a regional strategy for producing change in local communities.
The #Juneteenth Silence Our Violence Leadership Summit is a gathering described by event organizers as a way to “explore the U.S. history of harm and honor those we have lost to death, deportation and systemic injustice.”
“In the spirit of Juneteenth, we stand in remembrance and resistance, calling our communities together to chart a new way forward — one rooted in unity, justice and healing,” the organizers said.
The free event will feature panel discussions from thought leaders, elected officials and survivors of violence. There will also be spoken word, live music, community art installations, food and fellowship.
“Let this be a space where stories are heard, art is healing, and our collective voice rises. Together, we will remember the past and reclaim the future,” event organizers said.
The #Juneteenth Silence Our Violence Leadership Summit is scheduled for Fri., June 20, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CoBiz Richmond, 1503 Macdonald Ave.
You can now get $2 Richmond Moves rides citywide
The Richmond City Council has expanded the Richmond Moves transit program to include the entire city.
Richmond residents can now book on-demand clean energy rides to and from anywhere in the city for just $2. (See the above city of Richmond map for popular destinations.)
Richmond Moves was established in 2022 as a cooperative effort with Via Metropolitan Transit. Their van fleet is all plug-in, hybrid electric vehicles.
Take the ferry to a Giants baseball game
You can take a ferry from Richmond to Oracle Park this summer for select weekend San Francisco Giants baseball games.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry, which normally only travels between Richmond and the San Francisco Ferry Building, is offering direct service for the following games:
- Sat., June 21, against the Boston Red Sox
- Sat., July 12, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Sat., July 26, against the New York Mets
- Sat., Sept. 13, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Sun., Sept. 14, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
The ferries depart from the Richmond Terminal and arrive at Pier 48 in San Francisco. It’s about a 12-minute walk to the ballpark from there.
The ferries depart from Richmond 90 minutes before the start of that day’s game. They leave Pier 48 30 minutes after the game. The excursion across the bay takes about 30 minutes.
One-way fares are $10.75 for adults and $8.25 for seniors and children 5 to 17 years old; kids younger than 5 can ride for free.
Baseball game ferry tickets must be purchased in advance. (Clipper cards are not accepted for this route.)
Local environmental nonprofit seeking board members
Groundwork Richmond is seeking board members to help the nonprofit organization fulfill its mission to make the city a “cleaner, greener and more livable” place.
The group is looking for board members who are “dedicated, skilled and passionate” with strong communication and creative skills.
Groundwork Richmond was founded in 2010. Its mission is to revitalize and maintain the city’s natural spaces. They work on programs to expand Richmond’s tree canopy, monitor air quality, transform vacant and empower youths through education.
RYSE Center offers free summer programs for youths, young adults
Youths and young adults can still sign up to participate in the free summer programs being offered at the RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave. in Richmond.
The sessions start on June 24 and last until Aug. 7. The programs are offered Mondays through Fridays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The activities are for children and young adults ages 13 to 21. They include cooking classes, art spaces, writing and poetry, gardening, dance and resume assistance.
Free catered meals and snacks are provided daily.
Things to do
Free showing of ‘Casablanca’ on historic ship
You can watch a classic film on a historic ship today. “Casablanca,” the 1942 Academy Award winning film, will be shown for free aboard the SS Red Oak Victory.
The showing is the final in a monthly series of film screenings. The movies are free, although a $10 donation is requested.
The SS Red Oak is the last of the 747 ships that were built during World War II in the Richmond shipyards.
A free showing of “Casablanca” is set for Thur., June 19, at 6:30 p.m. on the SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd.
Juneteenth parade, festival honor’s Richmond’s Black history
Richmond will celebrate the emancipation of slaves with a large parade and festival this weekend.
The city’s annual Juneteenth celebration will start with a parade through the heart of Richmond before settling in at a Nicholl Park festival.
The festival will feature live music from Tonyies Original Band and other performers. There will also be dance, cultural performances, food vendors and family activities.
“More than a celebration, this is a call for unity, peace and justice,” event organizers said. “Let’s come together to reflect, uplift and build a brighter future — side by side.”
The Richmond Juneteenth parade and festival will be on Sat., June 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave.
Greet the start of summer with meditative dance
You can kick off the official first day of summer with a relaxing solstice event.
The Solstice Dance Alchemy: Open Floor Move Mediation offers an evening blend of conscious dancing and sitting meditation.
“We move, sit, walk, and breathe into what’s most alive — in ourselves, with each other, and in the space between,” event organizers said. “This special solstice session celebrates brightness and brilliance, inviting us to honor the light within and around us as we move into summer’s peak.”
This year’s summer solstice, by the way, is Friday at 7:42 p.m. Pacific time.
The Solstice Dance Alchemy: Open Flood Move Mediation will take place on Fri., June 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Bridge Arts, 23 Maine Ave. in Richmond. A $19 donation is suggested.
Exhibit honors Arts of Point Richmond founder
Courtesy Arts of Point Richmond.
The founder of the Arts of Point Richmond will be remembered with the opening of a new exhibit in her honor this weekend.
The Altha Humphrey Memorial and Retrospective Exhibition will feature some of the longtime Richmond resident’s work.
Altha Humphrey worked for Pacific Telephone, Kaiser and other firms before deciding to hone her knitting and sewing skills into works of wearable and viewable art.
At age 75, Humphrey formed Arts of Point Richmond in 2008 as a way to connect all the diverse artists from the Point Richmond area.
Humphrey died last November at the age of 91.
The Altha Humphrey Memorial and Retrospective Exhibition will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at the ar*ti*fact gallery, 109 W. Richmond Ave.
Art fair for local artists will be held at a park
Visual Artists of Richmond has organized an art fair where local artists can sell their creations.
Art in the Park will feature artists booths as well as live music, art activities, food and beverages.
Visual Artists of Richmond is a nonprofit organization that consists of 100 visual artists living and working in Richmond. Their mission is to have a “well-known, diverse, inclusive community of artists supporting each other by organizing opportunities to celebrate and promote our work, share resources, and support each other’s art practices.”
Art in the Park is scheduled for Sat., June 21, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Burg Park, 2910 Clinton Ave. in Richmond.
Festival showcases Latin artists and culture
A festival this weekend will spotlight various Latin artists and their diverse styles.
Fiesta Latina Fest will celebrate Latin culture through music, dance and food. Music genres will include salsa, reggaeton and mariachi.
Fiesta Latina Fest will be held on Sat., June 21, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza. Early ticket sales are closed. General admission tickets start at $65 per person.
Creek cleanup set for San Pablo Creek Watershed
A local environmental group is asking for volunteers this weekend to pick up trash, pull weeds and plant new vegetation along Wilkie Creek.
Officials at Spawners have organized the event. They are asking volunteers to bring their own reusable water bottle and to wear sturdy shoes. Water and snacks will be provided.
Volunteers should gather at 4805 Santa Rita Road in Richmond.
Spawners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the San Pablo Creek Watershed and educating the public about the value of local creeks.
The Wilkie Creek Outdoor Classroom cleanup will be held on Sat., June 21, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
Summer plant swap at the library
The Richmond Public Library is sponsoring a summer plant swap for home gardeners.
Participants are encouraged to bring plant seedlings, clippings or divisions to trade with others.
All levels of gardeners are invited to discuss summer plants with their neighbors.
The summer plant swap will be held on Sat., June 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the courtyard at the Richmond Civic Center, 325 Civic Center Plaza.
Documentary on Iranian life in the United States
A documentary on Iranians who live in the United States will be shown this weekend in Richmond.
“The Dawn is Too Far” is a 55-minute film featuring interviews with 25 people who live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area. It portrays the history of Iranian Americans and the challenges they have faced.
The screening is sponsored by Diaspora Arts Connection, a nonprofit organization based in Pleasant Hill, and the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University.
The screening of “The Dawn is Too Far” is set for Sun., June 22, at 5 p.m. at Central Stage, 5221 Central Ave. in Richmond. Tickets are $15 per person plus fees.
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.
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 guitarist Nilo Ayele who will perform on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, reggae artist Jah Omi will take the stage from 2 p.m. to 5 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 Thursday, DJ Sir Slushalot returns to spin tunes from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music starting on Friday when jazz songstress Yolandra Rhodes performs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, it’ll be the versatile jazz ensemble Bob Roden Quintet from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There’s a $5 cover charge. On Sunday, Lost in the Fog will bring its upbeat Latin, funk, jazz and soul sounds to the stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There’s an $8 cover charge.
The outdoor waterfront Sailing Goat restaurant, 1900 Stenmark Drive, with views of San Francisco Bay at San Pablo Harbor, will feature live music this weekend. On Friday, singer and guitarist Zoe FitzGerald Carter will perform her rich fabric of folk, country, rock and blues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the David Correa Trio will feature its Latin rhythms sound from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, Tom Conneely & Birds of Paradise will take the stage from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., is hosting oysters and music from The Art Springs Quartet on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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