There is plenty to keep you entertained, educated and civically engaged this week in Richmond, from the annual increasingly popular tour of local art studios to a mixer about the future of the Hilltop Plaza shopping center and an opera singer jam session.
For more, see our events roundup, which includes activities through September, and our lists of where to go swimming and ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free). You can also visit Richmondside.org on Fridays for a list of upcoming live music shows.
Envision the future of Hilltop Plaza shopping center at a mixer
You can join a conversation about how to reinvigorate a Hilltop neighborhood shopping center at a community mixer.
Hilltop Voices, sponsored by the city, a developer and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, will provide Richmond residents with a chance to discuss the future of Hilltop Plaza, the shopping center just off the Interstate 80/Richmond Parkway exit on Bloom Drive and Klose Way.
Primestor Development bought the 245,000-square-foot retail center, which is anchored by the Cinemark Century movie theater, in June of 2024.
The company describes itself as a “prominent minority-owned and led real estate development and investment firm based in Los Angeles.”
“Hilltop Plaza matches our criteria and goals for redeveloping centers tailored to the communities they serve,” company officials said.
Initial plans for the property, which has a few vacancies but is home to a fitness center, a couple of fast food restaurants and discount stores, hint that there’s space for a grocer. It also includes 50 acres of high-density housing with 40 to 135 dwelling units per acre. The city of Richmond is also in the process of discussing the housing density plan for Prologis’ proposed redevelopment of Hilltop Mall less than a mile away.
Event promoters say the mixer is an opportunity for “conversation, interactive activities, cocktails, and light bites as we explore what Hilltop means to us and what it can become.”
Hilltop Voices mixer, Thur., Sept. 4, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott on Klose Way. Free.
Festival Opera — an ‘operatic jam session’ — returns to Hotel Mac
Catch a night at the opera at a historic hotel in Point Richmond.
This month’s Festival Opera at the Mac will feature soprano Lila Kahzoum and mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm.
The series, which began on July 11, presents opera on the first Friday of every month at the Biancoverde, the Italian restaurant at the Hotel Mac. Future performances are scheduled for Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5.
The monthly events are described as an operatic jam session that gathers opera artists from all over the Bay Area. There is no cover charge, but registration is recommended.
Festival Opera at the Mac, Fri., Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Biancoverde at Hotel Mac, 50 Washington Ave. Free.
New ‘scary’ play opening at Masquers Theater
A comedy about an older couple that moves into a gay neighborhood will light up the stage at a Point Richmond theater this month.
“Big Scary Animals” will debut at Masquers Playhouse this weekend and run through Sept. 28.
The play centers on a couple from the country that moves to the city to be closer to their grandchildren. The comedic story follows the couple’s adventures through a “hilarious collision of race, sex, guns and sports.”
“ ‘Big, Scary Animals’ examines shifting generational beliefs and just how hard it is to raise a child regardless of who you are and where you live,” the playhouse website states.
Tickets are $35 for general admission and $30 for seniors and students.
The Masquers Playhouse has been operating in west Contra Costa County for the past 70 years. The theater is closely tied to the community and provides a place for actors from around the Bay Area to perform and local residents to gather.
“Big Scary Animals” opens on Fri., Sept. 5, 8 p.m., Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place. Tickets are $30-$35.
Richmond Open Studios: Visit the workspaces of more Richmond artists than ever
More than 90 local artists will open up their studios and show their work at locations citywide at this weekend’s celebration of all mediums of creative arts.
At the annual Richmond Open Studios event, artists welcome visitors into their individual studios. In addition, participating artists show their work at the Richmond Art Center, the NIAD Art Center, the Richmond Museum of History & Culture and the Point Richmond Gallery.
The free event is artist-organized and volunteer-driven.
Among the shows will be the “Somewhere in Time” exhibit featuring paintings, sculptures and textiles from 12 Bay Area artists at the NIAD Main Gallery, a venue at 551 S. 23rd St. that nurtures artists with developmental disabilities.
Open Studios event organizers say they are delighted to announce that they’ve doubled the number of participating artists this year.
“We are thrilled with the increase in participation this year,” said Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez, director of the Visual Artists of Richmond. “These numbers show how community organizing is turning Richmond into an arts destination, and highlight the huge need artists have for inclusive, affordable opportunities to show their work.”
You can get more details and a map on the Visual Artists of Richmond Open Studios guide page.
Richmond Open Studios, Sat., Sept. 6, and Sun., Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at studios citywide. Free.
Learn about the Port of Richmond at community open house
You can get a closer look at the Port of Richmond as well as search for a new job during a community event this weekend.
The free Community Open House & Workforce Development Day allows visitors to meet industry professionals, attend workshops and discover an array of job opportunities.
“Whether you’re looking to explore career options or simply curious about the inner workings of the port, this event is perfect for everyone,” port officials said.
Community Open House & Workforce Development Day, Sat., Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to noon, Port of Richmond, 1322 Canal Blvd. Free.
Clean Air bike and hike this weekend
You can get in a bicycle ride and a leisurely hike at two Richmond parks this weekend.
The Clean Air Day Bike and Hike is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Fierce Advocates.
Bicyclists will meet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Lucas Park, 724 10th St. They will ride to Point Pinole Regional Shoreline at 5551 Giant Highway. A hike begins there at 10 a.m. Participants are expected to return at 12:30 p.m.
The free event is described as a “moderate level” of exercise intended for children 10 years and older as well as adults.
Clean Air Day Bike and Hike, Sat., Sept. 6, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Lucas Park and Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Free.
Take a guided hike in the hills above El Sobrante
You can get a rejuvenating dose of nature during a weekend hike sponsored by the Greenbelt Alliance.
The Kennedy Grove Nature Hike will take participants along the Sea Foam and Black Oak trails in the hills above El Sobrante.
Organizers describe the jaunt as a moderate hike with only a few hundred feet of elevation change.
The free outing will be led by Lily Parry, a naturalist currently studying environmental science at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.
Kennedy Grove Nature Hike, Sun., Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, Kennedy Grove Recreational Area, 6531 San Pablo Dam Road. Free.
Go on a Monday morning bird walk along the Richmond shoreline
You can start next week with a casual coastline walk in search of bird species.
The East Bay Regional Park District is hosting a free Monday birding event along the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond.
There is no limit on the number of participants and need to sign up in advance. The tour will be led by EBRPD naturalist Anthony Fisher.
Bird watching walk, Mon., Sept. 8, 9 a.m. to noon, Dotson Family Marsh, Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Free.
Dance and exercise while you mingle and socialize
Put on your dancing shoes while you socialize with neighbors at a free community event.
Dance & Mingle is sponsored by Neighbor-to-Neighbor, a program of the governor’s California Volunteers project.
The get-together will feature a variety of multicultural dance classes from hip hop to Latin to ballroom.
There will also be a chance after the lessons to meet with neighbors as well as community organizations.
“Meet your neighbors and find out about volunteer and community engagement opportunities,” event organizers said.
Dance & Mingle, Tue., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Location is shared after you register. Free.
Richmondside hosts air pollution panel discussions
Richmondside, which recently completed a year-long in-depth look at why the area’s air is polluted, is hosting an evening where two panels, featuring some of the many people we interviewed as well as community leaders, will explore the issue.
The free event, Working Towards a Cleaner Richmond, will feature a discussion led by Richmondside journalist Brian Krans, the reporter who produced the series. His guests include Dr. Emily Hunter-Adamson, a family medicine physician, Rafael Castro-Chavez, an Urban Tilth organizer, and Destiny Ndeke, a community and outreach coordinator at Groundwork Richmond. They will discuss how environmental pollution has affected them personally and the work they’re doing to create change in their communities.
The second panel will be moderated by Cityside Community Journalism Director Jacob Simas. He will talk with Richmond City Council member Jamelia Brown, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and B.K. White, policy director for the mayor of Richmond. They will detail what is currently being done from a policy perspective and what roadblocks might stand in the way of improving Richmond’s environment.
Audience questions will also be taken, and light refreshments will be served.
Working Towards a Cleaner Richmond, Thur., Sept. 11, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., RYSE Youth Center, 3939 Bissell Ave. Free but RSVPs are required as space is limited. When we reach capacity your name will be added to a waitlist.
