Hello, Richmondside readers! From the arts to live music and children’s stories, some highlights of this week’s What’s Up column include: The return of Music on the Main to downtown Richmond, a stroll through Kennedy Grove and a “dream circus” at the library.
Also: Teens can sign up to attend a firefighting academy; county officials to discuss how the sheriff’s department interacts with immigrants; and you can join a free seminar on how to get solar panels on your home at no-cost.
And finally, don’t miss this overview 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
- Demonstration to remember activist John Lewis
- Richmond Fire Youth Academy accepting applications
- Contra Costa County supervisors to discuss law enforcement and immigrants' rights
- Richmond Tennis Association teams capture league championships
- Richmond Annex Senior Center closed the rest of the month
- Learn about no-cost solar and electric vehicle recharging
- Things to do
- Live music and more at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Demonstration to remember activist John Lewis
Indivisible West Contra Costa County is dedicating one of its ongoing demonstrations to remembering civil rights activist John Lewis, while continuing to voice their dissatisfaction with some of the policies of the Trump administration.
The political action group plans to gather on the Amador Road overpass at Interstate 80 to unfurl a banner for freedom and democracy that reads “Good Trouble Lives On,” a reference to Lewis’ famous statement that people sometimes need to get into “good trouble” when advocating for human rights.
The West Contra Costa County organization has been holding weekly protests on Friday evenings at the corner of Dam Road and Appian Way in El Sobrante.
The “Good Trouble Lives On” demonstration will be held on Thur., July 17, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Interstate 80 overpass walkway near Riverside Elementary School, 1300 Amador St. in San Pablo.
Richmond Fire Youth Academy accepting applications
Richmond teens ages 15 to 18 have an opportunity to learn about public safety and leadership.
The Richmond Fire Youth Academy is now accepting applications for its 2025-26 class.
Those interested can fill out an online form and submit a resume and school transcript. Applicants will also need to complete a 15-minute in-person interview and pass a physical fitness test.
The academy, which is part of Support for Actively Rising Youth (SFARY), is designed to provide youths with hands-on training, mentorship and skill development in fire safety and emergency response.
The project is a joint effort by the Richmond Fire Youth Academy, the Richmond Fire Department and the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
Program organizers say the academy helps build “a stronger, more resilient community by equipping young people with the tools they need for success.”
Contra Costa County supervisors to discuss law enforcement and immigrants’ rights
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is holding a community forum on California’s TRUTH Act to discuss civil immigration enforcement activities.
The hearing, which has been held annually since 2017, will center on the TRUTH Act’s goal of increasing transparency and accountability among law enforcement agencies and ensuring that local law enforcement agencies provide people in their custody with basic due rights should federal immigration authorities seek to detain them.
The supervisors will also hear a report from Sheriff David Livingston detailing information on federal immigration actions in the county.
“The TRUTH Act forum is an important opportunity for community dialogue and trust,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, the county board’s chair, in a statement. “It gives our immigrant neighbors and those who are concerned about these issues the chance to ask questions, share concerns, and be part of a transparent conversation about how local law enforcement interacts with [federal authorities]. This forum is one way we show that every resident matters, and that Contra Costa County is committed to accountability and inclusion.”
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors TRUTH Act hearing will be held on Tue., July 22, at 9:30 a.m. at the supervisors’ chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez.
Richmond Tennis Association teams capture league championships
Two teams from the Richmond Tennis Association (RTA) are advancing to the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Northern California championships.
The RTA’s 18-plus 4.0- and 3.5-rated men’s teams won their USTA league titles last week by defeating squads from the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley.
The league matches were played at Nicholl Park in Richmond. The NorCal championships will be held in Sacramento during the first week of August.
The RTA was founded in 2012 by Garry and Maryn Hulburt as a way to provide an outlet for tennis players in the Richmond area. The non-profit group has about 120 members. About 40% of them live in Richmond.
Richmond Annex Senior Center closed the rest of the month
The Richmond Annex Senior Center is temporarily closed while maintenance work is performed.
The city manager’s office said the center at 5801 Huntington Ave. shut its doors on July 14 and will remain closed until July 31.
Annex classes have been moved to the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, for the remainder of the month.
Learn about no-cost solar and electric vehicle recharging
The city of Richmond and the nonprofit organization GRID Alternatives is sponsoring an energy-related workshop for local residents.
The free workshop will provide members of lower-income households with information on no-cost solar energy systems as well as electric vehicle recharging infrastructure.
The program’s goal is to install 130 solar systems per year in Richmond.
Those interested in attending the seminar should bring a copy of their 2024 income tax return and their June 2025 utility bill.
The energy workshop is scheduled for Wed., July 23, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Richmond City Council chambers, 400 Civic Center Plaza.
Things to do
Music on the Main returns to downtown Richmond
The sounds of live music are returning to Richmond’s downtown area.
The first of two Music on the Main summer concerts will be held next week, featuring local bands highlighted by a performance from accordion soul music specialist Andre Thierry.
The second concert is scheduled for Thur., Aug. 21, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with music from the nine-piece Sacred Fire Band, a San Francisco-based group that specializes in Latin rock and pays tribute to legendary musician Carlos Santana.
The events will also include food and beverages for sale from a variety of vendors.
Music on the Main is sponsored by the Richmond Main Street Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reviving the city’s downtown core along Macdonald Avenue.
The Music on the Main concerts began in 2001. They were interrupted by the COVID pandemic but have now been rejuvenated.
The first Music on the Main concert is Thur., July 24, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Lot, 1401 Macdonald Ave.
See ‘Mufasa’ under the stars in San Pablo
You can capture a bit of summer fun with a free community-sponsored movie this Friday evening.
The Movie Under the Stars program will show the Disney film “Mufasa” as part of this summer series in San Pablo.
This program will also feature the movie “Moana 2” on Aug. 1.
Pre-registration is required to attend these showings.
The “Movie Under the Stars” presentation of “Mufasa” will be held on Fri., July 18, at 6 p.m. at the San Pablo Community Center, 2450 Road 20, in San Pablo.
There are only a few days left to view a children’s art exhibit at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture.
The “Worlds Imagined by Children” project premiered on May 18 and will remain on display through Sunday.
The free exhibit features artwork created by young people in Richmond. It is co-sponsored by the museum and the Children’s Art Studio Richmond, a nonprofit that provides free, quality arts-based classes to low-income children in the belief that that the arts create a more just and equitable society and act as a driver for economic change.
“All children should have access to quality arts education and have the opportunity to express themselves through art,” the organization states.
The “Worlds Imagined by Children” will be on display through Sun., July 20, at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, 400 Nevin Ave.
Take a walk through the trees at Kennedy Grove
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is sponsoring a walk amid the trees at Kennedy Grove Regional Recreational Area.
The free 2-mile hike will be led by EBRPD ranger Paula Urtecho. There will be some small hills and the group will proceed at a slow to moderate pace.
No pre-registration is necessary. Participants are urged to bring along a reusable coffee cup.
The nature walk is set for Sat., July 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreational Area, 6531 San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante.
The final days of children’s art exhibit at the history museum
‘Dream Circus’ performance at the library
A colorful adventure will unfold early next week at one of Richmond’s branch libraries.
“Dream Top Circus” follows the adventure of Drea, who stumbles into a Blast-a-Rama machine that zaps her with super vibes.
The free show with children’s performer Andrea Ives and her sidekick, Quackers the Emu puppet, encourages children to discover their own super powers and travel on a secret mission.
The Dream Top Circus performance is scheduled for Mon., July 21, from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the Bayview Library Branch, 5100 Hartnett Ave.
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 Sat., July 19, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Sun., July 20, pop artist Kaitlyn Williams will be on stage from 2 p.m. to 4 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 on most weeks. On Thur., July 17, DJ Sir Slushalot will spin tunes from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is also a karaoke night on Tues., July 22, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music starting with the Bob Roden Quintet, who will bring their jazz ensemble to the stage on Fri., July 18, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Sat., July 19, the Karen Sudjian and Alex Markels Trio will unleash their international flavor of jazz from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sun., July 20, jazz guitarist Jinx Jones will be in the house from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There’s a $5 music coverage charge for all three performances.
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 Fri., July 18, versatile singer/guitarist Jimmy Leslie will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sat., July 19, Hobo Paradise will play 1920s jazz and blues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sun., July 20, Sweet Sally will provide the melody of mandolin, bass and fiddle from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., will play host to live music on Sun., July 20, when guitarist Pete Madsen performs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Annex is an area for shopping, dining and relaxing adjacent to The Natural Grocery Company’s El Cerrito Store at 10387 San Pablo Ave. It features live music every Wednesday evening. This coming week, the George Brooks Project will be on stage with saxophonists and percussionists from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Add your events to our free calendar.
