Historic Celebrations

The Bay Area offers an array of Independence Day celebrations today to enjoy, from parades to fireworks, and more. Should you be looking for a unique and historic experience, allow me to point you to the

USS Hornet, the historic aircraft carrier permanently docked in Alameda with its treasure trove of history to explore and experience.

Fourth of July festivities kick off today at 2 p.m. and run through the day until 10 p.m. providing the perfect view (weather permitting) of the Bay Area fireworks. Family activities include a flight simulator, hands-on science and interactive exhibits, among others.

Live music at multiple locations includes The Hornet Band, The M-Tet (Jazz/Funk), Matt Jaffe (Tom Petty

Tribute), Aki Kumar (Chicago/West Coast Blues), Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic (Zydeco/Soul), along with a Zydeco dance lesson with Dane DeSimone from SFZydeco.

Plenty of food will be available including full bars on both the Hangar and Flight Decks. Fireworks displays are slated to begin around 9:15 p.m. and bringing a warm jacket is encouraged.

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com at $25 for adults, $15 for youth ages 7-17, with children under 6 free with a paying adult. Active Military and First Responders are free with I.D. and members of the Hornet are always free.

The Hornet continues special events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Apollo program benchmarks which began in October 2018 and leads to the Apollo 11 mission. Splashdown 50 Celebration Events run from Tuesday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 24, an eight-day event in honor of Apollo 11’s eight-day mission. July 24th marks the anniversary of Splashdown Day where the USS Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts.

A quick rundown of the events, gives you a snapshot of what’s in store – July 16 is Hornet Day at the Oakland A’s Stadium (bring your ticket during the month of July for free admission); July 17 offers a special

behind-the scenes look at the enhanced Apollo exhibition; July 18 is Model Rocket Day; July 19 a special Live-Aboard Overnight; July 20 is the Splashdown 50 Celebration (meet the NASA and USS Hornet Veteran Naval Apollo Recovery Team); July 20 is the Splashdown anniversary dinner and reception; July 21 the USS Hornet Association Meet-and-Greet; July 22 is Aerospace Film Day, July 23 a unique STEM day for educators; and July 24 the Apollo Retrospective.

The USS Hornet is located at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 in Alameda. For more information, call 1-510-521-8448 or visit www.uss-hornet.org.

ENTERTAINING NOTES. Today marks the 28th year of this column and I am grateful to you, dear readers, for your emails, letters, calls, and readership through the years. Many of you also were dedicated readers of my father, Perry Phillips, before me. He penned his Night Sounds column in the Oakland Tribune for 29 years, so combined we have enjoyed a voice on the entertainment and restaurant scenes for 57 years. There is one entertainer in particular who has continued to appear on the local music scene and in our columns as well throughout this duration. Joel Dorham and his Latin Jazz Octet appear this Saturday, July 6, at The Back Room in Berkeley in celebration of his 56 years on the music scene. That’s right, 56 years! In

music circles he has been recognized as the brother of the late legendary trumpeter Kenny Dorham of the Bebop era. Joel, like his brother, has also enjoyed several accomplishments along the way. In February 1981, Dorham was nominated by California Secretary of State March Fong Eu for the Pulitzer Prize for his work as an advocate regarding the suppression of jazz in the mass media. Additionally, a bronze plaque was installed in the Alice Arts Center (now known as the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts) in Oakland with Dorham’s visionary phrase, “Space is not the final frontier, jazz is. I hear footsteps.” You can catch Joel and his jazz octet at The Back Room from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Located at 1984 Bonita Avenue in Berkeley, tickets are $15 in advance at BackRoomMusic.com and $20 at the door. Fans can anticipate special guests joining Dorham as well. For more details, call 1-510-654-3808.

WEEKEND SCENE. Michael Henderson Friday, Najee Saturday, Sunday at Yoshi’s Jack London Square Oakland, yoshis.com … Stu Allen and Mars Hotel Friday, Blues Box Bayou Band Saturday, Soul Sanctuary

Dance, Community Sunday at Ashkenaz Berkeley, www.ashkenaz.com … Marc Levine, Wayne Fettig, Gerry Kennett and John Douglas Friday at the Marriott Walnut Creek … Jim Cordiss Friday, Saturday at Zio Fraedo’s Pleasant Hill, www.ziofraedos.com … The Ray Charles Project Friday, Alvin Youngblood Hart Saturday, Taimane – Elemental Tour Sunday at Freight and Salvage Berkeley … Jimmy Bakersfield Friday, Maurice Tani, 77 El Deora Saturday, Diablo Rhythm Wranglers Sunday at Armando’s Martinez, armandosmartinez.com … Kabir “Kabeezy” Singh Friday-Sunday at Tommy T’s Comedy Club Pleasanton, tommyts.com.

TAHOE SPOTLIGHT. Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe along with the Bay Area’s Another Planet Entertainment present the hilarious host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, tomorrow night,

July 5, at the Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys. Noah brings his Loud and Clear Tour to Lake Tahoe for one night only. The award-winning comedian has been crossing North America with his debut arena tour. Tickets range from $59.50 to $149.50 and are available through Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com or apeconcerts.com … Craig Morgan appears Friday and Trace Adkins Saturday at the Montbleu Resort Casino (www.montbleuresort.com, 888-7829-7630) …Over in North Shore, Tainted Love appear Friday in the Crown Room and Zepparella on Saturday at the Crystal Bay Club Casino (www.crystalbayclub.com, 775-833-6333).