It’s August. I don’t know how it happened, but Labor Day is coming up fast (one month!), which means this summer’s on its final stretch. If you’re anything like me, life doesn’t change much with the seasons--summer just means work with more sun shining through the windows.
But there are still a few weeks left, and tons of great events and concerts scheduled all over the Bay Area. You haven't missed the whole party! Don’t you owe it to yourself to get out of the office and to connect with the community? Or, if you're less socially-minded, to eat some killer food?
Here are a handful of August highlights. My apologies if these are skewed toward foodie culture--I’ll include some links at the end of the post for those of you aren’t quite as obsessed with food.
One of my favorite things about Palo Alto is that it’s just a quick drive to San Francisco. I might try and make it up there for this one. Eat Restaurant is the city’s only pop-up restaurant (run by chef Tommy Halverson)--it switches venues all the time. Tonight Eat’s at the gorgeous Minna Gallery, and the mouth-watering menu features local, sustainable produce and cocktails developed by San Francisco’s finest mixologists.
Here’s the menu:
$5 SAILOR JERRY RUM COCKTAILS ALL NIGHT!
Creekstone Sliders (2 for $10 from 5pm-6pm): with havarti or blue - $6 each
Nachos: House fried tortilla chips, Carnitas, queso fresco, cilantro-cabbage slaw, black beans, avocado, lime, salsa - $8
"Franks And Beans": Housemade Baked Beans, Whiskey-Fennel Sausage, Bacon, Sweet Roll, Braised Greens - $9
"BBQ" Chicken and Corn: Braised then Seared and Basted Chicken Quarter, Cilantro Wrapped Corn on the Cob, Grilled, then Roasted Potatoes - $10
Red Trout: Dwelley Farms Romano Beans, Blue Lake and Yellow Wax Beans, Ancho Cress, Red Onion - $10
Melon: Compressed Water and Sharlyn Melon, Feta, Basil, Balsamic Redux, Cold Pressed Olive Oil - $9
Panzanella: Heirloom Tomatoes, Levain, Tomato-Sherry Vinaigrette, Wild Arugula, Reggiano - $9
S'mores: Housemade Chocolate Brownie, Graham Cracker Crust, Marshmallow Brulee, Chocolate Sauce - $6
This two day festival celebrates the talents and culture of San Francisco's community of Pacific Islanders. It's a free event, featuring arts and crafts, Polynesian dancing, island cuisine, workshops and educational exhibits, games for kids, and something called an 'Ohana Korner (I'm definitely going to find out what this is). There's no alcohol permitted on premises. This seems like the kind of event that's great for the whole family.
Promo materials are billing this re-occuring event (every Friday throughout August) as a food adventure. Which sounds about right, considering this description: "Off The Grid brings a diverse group of mobile food vendors, with music, to the Marina neighborhood. Enjoy such delights as the Chairman Bao Bun Truck, Kung Fu Tacos, El Porteno Empanadas, Curry Up Now, and Chaac Mool."
Also, it's in a parking lot. For some reason street food just tastes better when you're standing on concrete.
The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of my favorite places in the Bay Area. It’s the quintessential summer scene--sandy beach, an ocean dotted with surfers, the smell of hot dogs, and that brightly lit Ferris Wheel turning in the background. The bands play right on the beach, and every concert is free. This Friday catch A Flock of Seagulls, followed in the coming weeks by Spin Doctors, Papa Doo Run Run, and Starship.
Okay, so I know I've given you three and half food events so far, but here's another local food showdown that sounds particularly noteworthy. For $30, you can join a group of adventurous eaters on a dish crawl through Cupertino. It’s your chance to try Taiwanese food, if you’re unfamiliar with the cuisine. The dish crawl official website offers a hunger-pang inducing description: Taiwanese cuisine has an extremely unique flavour. Dishes range from sticky oyster pancakes with egg and sweet chili sauce to meatballs encased in a mochi-like shell. Sometimes it's the simplicity of a well executed pork chop over rice and served with pickled veggies. If your tastebuds are up for it, you must come explore. ;) $30 for 4+ courses at a few local hidden faves.
Don’t forget to RSVP!
San Jose Super Toy, Comic, and Collectible Show: August 14th, 11-4, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
Get in touch with your nerdy side (or make your kids happy) at the annual toy/comic book/vintage collectible bonanza. No seriously, it’s a bonanza--with over 250 tables offering toys and collectibles that range from Transformers and Star Wars figurines to vintage lunch boxes, this event promises to be a wonderland of nostalgia. Tickets are cheap too--five bucks for adults, and kids get in half price.
AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival: August 13-15th, 5:30-11:45
The San Jose Jazz festival is one of the most exciting and well-attended jazz festivals in the country. Last year over 100,000 people swarmed the Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose to listen to a truly international line-up of musicians. Whether you’re into funk, blues, fusion, Latin, R&B, folk--there’s a band on the schedule for you (Tower of Power is playing the first night!). Check out the official website for online discounts and more information, including past attendee memories of the festival, and the details on joining a Salsa Flash Mob… Tickets go fast!
Shakespeare Santa Cruz: shows run through August 29th, weekend matinees at 2pm, weeknight shows at 7:30 & 8:00
A couple of years ago I saw the Shakespeare Santa Cruz production of Beckett’s End Game on the mainstage, and couldn’t have been more impressed with the quality of the performances, the gorgeous and bleak set design, and the directorial interpretation of such a difficult play. There’s world-class theater happening right in our neighborhood, and you really shouldn’t miss it--there’s something spectacular about seeing a show outdoors in the Festival Glen, as the sky darkens and the redwoods seem to creep closer to listen. Starting at $15 a pop, tickets are cheap. August offerings include The Lion in Winter (a contemporary family drama), Love’s Labor’s Lost, and the heart-searing Othello.
OTHER EVENT RESOURCES
*photos courtesy of Planetware and SFGate Blog
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