3541 Plaza Way, Lafayette
Earlier this year we learned that A Runner’s Mind would be opening a new location in Lafayette and they have now opened. Learn more about this locally-owned business here. On Memorial Day they will be presenting a new race in Lafayette called the Salute and Scoot 5/10K Memorial Day Fun Run. Check out the details here.
San Damiano Retreat Center
710 Highland Dr, Danville
Thursday, May 26th, – Sunday, May 29th, 2016The 2016 International Harp Festival will be held at the beautiful San Damiano Retreat Center in Northern California. We will bring together many of the harp community’s best clinicians and performers. Our mission is to educate and inspire you and to connect you to harpists from around the globe.
The festival will include One Day Intensive workshops as well as numerous 1 – 2 hour workshops. Topics include healing harp, Celtic and world music, liturgical harp, improvisation, and much more.
You will have time throughout the day to shop for harps, music, and accessories, and meet and mingle with other participants, the performers, and facilitators.
Every evening you will enjoy concerts featuring harpists performing The Blues, Straight Ahead Jazz, World Music, Folk and Classical repertoire.
3535 Plaza Way, Lafayette
The much anticipated opening of Danville-based comfort food restaurant Sideboard took place last week and over the weekend I dropped by to check it out and was happy to see that same casual charm their Danville location offers. I tried the skirt steak sandwich with chimichurri sauce. arugula and caramelized onions and it was delicious! I look forward to going back to try some more dishes out. Check out their morning menu here, lunch menu here, dinner menu here, and beverage menu here. Like their Danville location (and nearby Roam Burgers), you order directly at the cashier, get a tag and sit down where your food is delivered.
From their website:
Sideboard neighborhood kitchen and coffee bar is dedicated to creating handcrafted comfort food taking into account the season and availability of natural, local, organic, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible. All menu items and condiments are house made or sourced from purveyors who share our vision and passion in creating products which we believe to be the best available. Simply prepared, our rustic comfort food comes from the heart. Signature items will be available daily.
More photos of the inside after the jump…
3569 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
In December we learned that a new luxury clothing boutique and home accessories shop called piece. opened in the Lafayette Clocktower in downtown Lafayette and they have completed their expansion next door.
From their Facebook page:
Carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories for the woman and the man, as well as special pieces for the home.
Explains owner Renee Sitzman: “One thing I’ve learned in my years in the fashion and design industries is that “perfect” comes in all price points. And that’s what you’ll find at piece. – a large variety of truly unique pieces for women, men and home across a wide range of prices.”
By design, piece. offers a wide selection of items with limited inventory to ensure that all customers who shop our locally owned stores have truly unique pieces to enjoy!
Play it Again, Sam by Woody Allen:
Town Hall Theatre
3535 School St, Lafayette
Saturday, June 4th – Saturday, June 25th, 2016
“What’s the matter with me? Why can’t I be cool? What’s the secret?”
When Allen Felix’s wife leaves him, he seeks advice from the coolest guy he knows: Humphrey Bogart. Filled with the fast-paced neurotic humor you’ve come to expect from Woody Allen at the top of his game, Play It Again, Sam is guaranteed to be a must-see! Town Hall favorite, Søren Oliver, returns to direct.
70 Moraga Way, Orinda
Earlier this month we learned that Reem’s Steaks would be replacing Turquoise Mediterranean Grill in Orinda and they have now opened. They offer Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, hamburgers, fish & chips, salads, Nutella crepes and more. Check out their menu here.
I had a chance to check out the best of the opening night selections at the Walnut Creek International Short Film Festival which took place over the weekend at the Century Theater in downtown Walnut Creek and enjoyed the selections. Being a fan of comedies I quite enjoyed the Australian short film First Date. Check it out here. Warning Labels, directed by actress Jennifer Morrison, was enjoyable as well.
Although I’m not big on horror/thriller movies I have to admit there was an excellent, surreal short film about a girl and a beetle… Does anyone know the name of this film? For those that went, what was your favorite short film?
Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse
2020 Addison St, Berkeley
Friday, May 20th – Sunday, May 22nd, 2016This May, the Freight & Salvage celebrates the incredible talent in our own backyard with the first Berkeley Bluegrass Festival. Northern California has been a bluegrass stronghold since the 1960s and we’re proud to continue our support of legendary local artists and up-and-coming musicians. In collaboration with Grammy-award winner Laurie Lewis and the California Bluegrass Association, we’re bringing together leaders of the genre, up-and-coming artists, and music fans for three days of concerts, panel discussions, jams, free workshops, and good old-fashioned merriment to kick off the summer music festival season. We hope you’ll join us!
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
It’s been over two years since Boudin Bakery & Cafe closed in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek due to the redevelopment taking place but they’ll be reopening in early summer in the spot you see above, right near Nordstrom. As you can see in the photo below and this Craigslist posting, they are “now hiring”. Who’s ready for some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl?
Photo by Flickr user mbiddulph
Yesterday I posted about the annual Maker Faire event taking place this weekend in San Mateo. I usually post about events in the East Bay but I made an exception in this case since it’s such a cool and unique event. What other really cool events take place in the Bay Area?
I know the Berkeley Kite Festival is cool. Bay to Breakers is fun to watch. What other must-see events take place in the Bay Area? Are there any good Renaissance Faires?
