Labor Day Weekend Fun, OPA Celebrations
LABOR DAY WEEKEND FUN. The upcoming holiday weekend is shaping up to be another fun-filled array of Bay Area choices that run the gamut from an all day block party to Hollywood classic films, outdoor theatre events and even Scottish Games.
Over in Oakland at Third and Chestnut Streets, Hiero Day offers three stages featuring over 40 local and international artists and DJs, street art, kid’s activities, food trucks, local vendors and more on Monday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more details and tickets, visit www.hieroday.com.
Nothing like a good classic film at the Grand Lake Theatre to transport you back or create new memories for the young ones this Friday, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 5. This Oakland treasure is showing the Wizard of OZ at 4:45 p.m. plus Gone With The Wind at noon and 7:30 p.m., each day. Adding to the ambience will be the sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer organ which will be playing before the start of Gone With The Wind and during its intermission on Friday and Saturday. Purchase $6 advance tickets online at www.renaissancerialto.com. At the door prices will be the regular movie prices. The Grand Lake Theatre is located at 3200 Grand Avenue in Oakland, near beautiful Lake Merritt.
The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe closes its 57th season this weekend with its final performances of the new musical Schooled on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park and Sunday, Sept. 4 and Monday, Sept. 5 at Dolores Park at 18th and Dolores Streets in San Francisco. All shows kick off with music at 1:30 p.m. and show time at 2 p.m. Performances are free and donations welcomed. Visit www.sfmt.org for more details.
Shakespeare in the Park will present The Winter's Tale from Sept. 3-18 on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day at 2 p.m. on the Parade Grounds at the Presidio of San Francisco. Free Shakespeare in the Park began in 1983 and is now in its 34th season. Call 415-558-0888 or visit www.sfshakes.org.
For the 151st time the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games celebrates Scottish culture, traditions, competitions and entertainment for the entire family on Sept. 3-4 at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. Grab your kilts and bagpipes because this is one heck of a party. For complete details, visit www.thescottishgames.com.
OPA CELEBRATIONS. As was reported last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in Redwood City. Coincidentally the occasion also marked a very special anniversary personally for Angelo Heropoulos, co-owner with partner Molly Adams of Opa! Signature Foods as well as Opa! Authentic Greek Cuisine restaurants, Mo’s breakfast burger joint, Tac-oh! Mexican comfort food with a night club above it, and Willard Hicks steak, chops and American fare, complete with a DJ and more hipness. If that weren’t enough, he also produces his own wine for the restaurants, Christeni named after his son Christian and daughter Eleni.
“The day that we actually did the Hillary Clinton event was the day that we first cooked at our kitchen at Opa! Willow Glen,” he told me. That day was in 2008. “Eight years ago today,” Heropoulos posted on Facebook, “myself and two of my best friends decided to start a restaurant where we could feed our friends and spread our love. Today we are cooking for the Democratic Candidate for President, Hillary Clinton.… We are so grateful for this opportunity. No matter what side of the ticket you are on… This is what truly makes America the best country in the world. Follow your dreams!!!”
Team Opa! served the former First Lady and Secretary of State several Greek favorites including their signature lamb chops along with its wines. The word “Opa” is also a Greek joyful expression so with over 400 guests in attendance, there was plenty of joy going around. Currently there are six Opa! restaurants in the Bay Area with another ten on the way. Visit www.opaauthenticgreek.com for a location near you. Opa!
WEEKEND SCENE: Kindred The Family Soul Friday-Saturday, Ann Hampton Callaway, Raul Midon Sunday, Ruthie Foster Monday at Yoshi’s Jack London Square Oakland … Bill and Kathy Evans Family Benefit Friday, Skip The Needle Saturday at Freight & Salvage Berkeley. The legendary Hawaiian guitar virtuoso Willie K appears at F&S on Sept. 9 … Jim Cordiss, Friday, Saturday at Zio Fraedo’s Pleasant Hill … Beyond Words: An Evening of Jazz and Poetry with Amos White and Dillon Vado Friday, Tammy Scheffer Saturday, Mehmet Polat Trio Sunday at California Jazz Conservatory Berkeley … Maria Muldaur Friday, Marina Crouse and Garth Webber Saturday at Armando’s Martinez. Joel Dorham brings his Latin Jazz Octet to Armando’s on Sept. 10.
COMEDY SCENE: Earthquake Friday-Sunday at Tommy T’s Comedy Club Pleasanton … Steve Byrne through Sunday, at the Improv San Jose … David Alan Grier Friday-Sunday at Cobb’s Comedy Club San Francisco … Lachlan Patterson through Saturday, SF Comedy Showcase Sunday at the Punch Line San Francisco.