Hello Richmondside readers. Some highlights of this week’s What’s Up column include: A library literacy festival, a family art day and two health fairs.
Also: You can join a community roundtable discussion about access to parks and the outdoors, and there’s also another public meeting about one of Richmond’s Superfund sites.
And finally, don’t miss this preview of Richmond summer events as well as our new roundup of where to go swimming and ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free).
Things to know and do in Richmond
- Things to know and do in Richmond
- Things to know
- Things to do
- ‘Thrive Thursday’ health events start this evening
- Enjoy a night of jazz at Contra Costa College
- Library hosting literacy festival with book giveaway
- Posters and ‘seed bombs’ at family art day this weekend
- Fundraising festival for Richmond preschool
- Hop on over to the House Rabbit Society open house
- Get your tickets for El Cerrito school spring concert
- Art by young children goes on display at the history museum
- Kurdish music featured at weekend concert
- Masquers Playhouse’s first 2025 show coming to a close
- New audio tour for historic SS Red Oak ship now available
- Senior health fair to feature interactive exercises
- Live music and more at local establishments
- Related stories
Things to know
Join a roundtable discussion on parks, outdoors activities
The Richmond-based organization YES Nature to Neighborhoods has organized a statewide virtual discussion about issues related to parks and outdoor activities.
The free online event entitled “Access for All” will focus on leadership, equity and belonging in the outdoors.
The roundtable will feature speakers from California State Parks, the National Park Service, philanthropy groups and West Contra Costa County youth leadership.
YES organizers say the discussion is particularly relevant in Richmond because of a recent federal decision to rescind a $19 million grant for environmental justice projects in North Richmond.
The event also previews YES’s Base Camp Campaign and the forthcoming groundbreaking for a community-designed outdoor center on Macdonald Avenue.
The “Access for All” virtual roundtable discussion will take place on Wed., May 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Richmond high school graduations are happening soon
There will be a number of graduation ceremonies for West Contra Costa Unified School District high schools in the Richmond area in the coming weeks.
- The Reclassification ceremony will be held on Sat., May 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Richmond High School, 1250 23rd St.
- The African American/Black Graduation is scheduled for Fri., May 27, at the Richmond High School Theater. The time hasn’t been determined yet.
- The Kennedy High School graduation is set for Fri., June 6, at 6 p.m. at the school’s football field, 4300 Cutting Blvd. in Richmond.
- The Richmond High School graduation will be held on Thur., June 12, at 6 p.m. at the school’s football field.
More opportunities to discuss proposed Richmond arts corridor
A series of public meetings hosted by Richmond Renaissance will continue in an effort to gather input for a plan to create an arts corridor in Richmond that would turn Macdonald Avenue and 23rd Street into a regional cultural destination.
The remaining listening sessions on the calendar this month include:
- Mon., May 19, a listening session is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the RYSE Youth Center, 3939 Bissell Ave.
- Wed., May 28, a listening session will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Richmond Main Street Initiative offices, 1600 Nevin Plaza.
- Sat., May 31, the final session, focused on BIPOC artists, is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Rich City Gallery, 1500 Macdonald Ave.
The gatherings are designed to spark creativity, connection and community spirit for the arts corridor plan.
The Richmond Arts Corridor plan was approved by the Richmond City Council in October. A November report on funding for Bay Area arts organizations noted that the corridor idea has the potential to “bring visibility and resources to the rich tapestry of arts and culture in Richmond.”
One item in the proposed plan is to create a museum on Macdonald Avenue to honor the city’s Black history.
Second public meeting on Heckathorn Superfund site in Richmond
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a second online public forum next Wednesday about an environmental cleanup site in Richmond.
The topic of this latest Zoom meeting is why the first cleanup of the United Heckathorn Superfund site was ineffective.
You can register for the May 21 Zoom meeting by clicking on this website.
Other online meetings are scheduled for June 26 and July 29.
The United Heckathorn site is located on the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay in an industrial area of Richmond. The EPA states that from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s several companies used this land to process, package and ship pesticides, including those that contained dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and dieldrin.
The online session for the United Heckathorn Superfund site is set for Wed., May 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Things to do
‘Thrive Thursday’ health events start this evening
You can improve your health and wellness on Thursday evenings this summer with the Thrive Thursday/Pasos Health Event, which kicks off today at Nicholl Park.
Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Richmond City Council member Doria Robinson and members of the nonprofit organization Rising Juntos will be there to help get things started.
There will be free fruits and vegetables as well as a dance class, a walking club and a Contra Costa County Health Department doctor to answer questions.
The Thrive events will be held every Thursday evening, except for July 3, through Aug. 14.
The Thrive Thursday/Pasos Health Event kickoff will take place Thur., May 15, from 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
Enjoy a night of jazz at Contra Costa College
The sound of jazz music will fill the concert hall at Contra Costa College tonight.
The Jazz Night Concert 2025 will feature jazz singers as well as JazzNova, jazz-ology and the college’s chorus.
Tickets are $12.51 for students and $23.18 for general admission, including fees.
The Jazz Night Concert 2025 is scheduled for Thur., May 15, beginning at 8 p.m. in the John and Jean Knox Performing Art Center at Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive in San Pablo.
Library hosting literacy festival with book giveaway
Free books, a talk with an author and a book-making workshop are all part of a free event sponsored by the Richmond library system on Saturday.
The theme of the annual Richmond Literacy Festival is “building a brighter future one page at a time.”
The activities include a book giveaway and a session with local author JaNay Brown-Wood from 11 a.m. to noon. In addition, a workshop on making books with LaVera Wilson will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event also includes a free lunch and music.
The Richmond Literacy Festival is set for Sat., May 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
Posters and ‘seed bombs’ at family art day this weekend
The entire family can get into the act at a community art day this weekend.
The Richmond Art Center is hosting its annual Spring Family Day with activities for adults and children of all ages.
This free event features drop-in art activities that celebrate creativity, curiosity and making art side-by- side. These activities include screenprint posters, handmade zines and “native seed bombs” to take home.
There will also be an exhibit of artist John Wehrle’s work along with a search-and-find game. In addition, another show will spotlight work by West Contra Costa Unified School District middle and high school students.
The Spring Family Day will be held on Sat., May 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave.
Fundraising festival for Richmond preschool
The Skytown Preschool in Richmond is hosting a festival to raise money.
The SkyJam 2025 Festival will feature bounce houses, face painting, a children’s book exchange and an up-close look at a fire truck.
Entertainment will be provided by Buki the Clown as well as the Hawaiian music ensemble, ‘AHAmele, from Oakland’s Academy of Hawaiian Arts.
Admission to the event is free. The preschool will be holding a silent auction and garage sale to raise money.
The SkyJam 2025 Festival is scheduled for Sat., May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Skytown Preschool, 5714 Solano Ave. in Richmond.
Hop on over to the House Rabbit Society open house
You can check out some adoptable bunnies and learn more about these animals at the House Rabbit Society this weekend.
The nonprofit is hosting its 2025 Spring Open House with a free festive family gathering.
The activities will include special giveaways and light refreshments. You can also check out rabbits up for adoption as well as items for sale in the Hop Shop.
There will also be volunteers at booths to provide information about rabbits as well as the organization’s programs.
The 2025 Spring Open House is set for Sat., May 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the House Rabbit Society offices, 148 Broadway in Richmond.
Get your tickets for El Cerrito school spring concert
There’s still time to get your tickets for a popular annual school concert in El Cerrito.
Families can reserve up to two additional tickets to the Madera Spring Concert 2025, which is next week.
The concert has been split into two sessions due to its popularity. The transitional kindergarten through third-grade group will perform during the first half. Older pupils will perform in the second half.
Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance. Food trucks will be stationed outside the venue.
The Madera Spring Concert 2025 will be held on Thur., May 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito High School Theater, 540 Ashbury Ave.
Art by young children goes on display at the history museum
Works of art by children ages 2 to 5 years are being spotlighted at Richmond’s history museum.
An opening reception for the “Worlds Imagined by Children” exhibit will be held this weekend.
The exhibition features paintings, sculptures and prints by the children. The free opening reception will include docent-led tours and hands-on art activities.
The exhibit has been organized by the Children’s Art Studio Richmond, which provides free arts-based classes to local children.
The show opens on Sunday and will be on display until July 20.
The opening reception for the “Worlds Imagined by Children” exhibition is on Sun., May 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Museum of History & Culture, 400 Nevin Ave.
Kurdish music featured at weekend concert
The sounds of Kurdish music will be in the air at a concert in Richmond this weekend.
“Vengê Waran: Voices of the Highlands” is being presented by Diaspora Arts Connection and the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies at San Francisco State University.
The free concert will feature Işık Berfin on vocals, Nariman Assadi on percussion and Asaf Ophir on the clarinet.
Tickets are $50 per person, plus fees.
“Vengê Waran: Voices of the Highlands” will be presented on Sun., May 18, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Central Stage, 5221 Central Ave. in Richmond.
Masquers Playhouse’s first 2025 show coming to a close
The Masquers Playhouse has kicked off its 2025-2026 season with the play “Other Desert Cities.”
The show began on the Masquers’ Point Richmond stage on April 25 and continues until Sunday.
The play centers on a young woman who returns home for Christmas with plans to publish a memoir on a tragic event in her family’s past.
General admission tickets are $35. Students and seniors can purchase tickets for $30.
There are three other plays scheduled at Masquers for the remainder of 2025. You can purchase season tickets for $135.
The Masquers Playhouse is celebrating its 70th season this year. The volunteer nonprofit community theater was started in 1955 by choir members at Hillside Community Church in El Cerrito.
The Masquers Playhouse production of “Other Desert Cities” runs until Sun., May 18, at 105 Park Place in Point Richmond.
New audio tour for historic SS Red Oak ship now available
Starting on Sunday, visitors to the SS Red Oak can go on a self-guided audio tour of the historic World War II ship.
The tour features 26 locations around the victory ship, each with its own narration. The tour is available in English and Spanish and uses the new Guide ID system.
Visitors are given a handset that can be pointed at each location to hear the audio about it.
Admission to the ship with the self-guided tour is $15. The price for admission and a docent-led tour is $20.
The SS Red Oak is open to the public on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s at the end of Canal Boulevard along the Richmond shoreline.
The self-guided audio tours of the SS Red Oak Victory ship begin on Sun., May 18.
Senior health fair to feature interactive exercises
Older adults can get helpful information on health as well as some exercise demonstrations at a health fair next week.
The 41st Annual Senior Information and Health Fair will include interactive exercises, informational vendors and entertainment.
The free event will also feature door prizes.
The Senior Information and Health Fair will take place on Wed., May 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
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 pianist and guitarist Courtney Kelly, who will perform on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, it’ll be Los Bahianatos on stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with their soulful rhythms.
The East Brother Beer Company, a child-friendly and dog-friendly taproom at 1001 Canal Blvd., C-2, hosts food trucks on Wednesdays through Sundays.
The Factory Bar, 12517 San Pablo Ave., which features indoor and dog friendly 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, the special musical guests will be Duane Patton and Mikelle Morgan, who will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the bar will host Punchlines & Good Times, a stand-up comedy fundraiser for the Infinite Learning Resource Center, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person with VIP seating available.
The waterfront Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Blvd., will have live music on Sunday when accordionist Andre Thierry and his band present their Roots, Rhythm and Vines show from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Loft Kitchen will prepare classic dishes such as Crawfish Monica, jambalaya and beignets. The event is a fundraiser for the “Are You Ready to Learn” music program for children and their families. General admission is $11, reserve seats are $20 and tables are $210.
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 Saturday, the East Bay cover band Groove Portal will lay down soulful and funky tunes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, the jazz quintet John Kalleen Group will play the blues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Windchaser Wine Company, 1352 S. 49th St., is hosting pizza and oysters on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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