Ho! Ho! Ho! Richmond is Poised for the Holidays!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Richmond is Poised for the Holidays!
Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau Highlights Seasonal Offerings
Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
12 November 2015 — Richmond, CA: Ho! Ho! Ho! The Holidays are here, and the Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitrichmondca.com) puts on a festive and artful face for the end-of-year celebrations in the Bay Area’s most diverse city.
“Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years all bring something special and unique to Richmond,” said Beth Javens, Executive Director at Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau. “For the next six weeks, the focus is on arts, crafts and culture as Richmond will welcome kids of all ages as 2015 comes to a close and a new year beckons.”
More city-wide Holiday events in Richmond: In addition to the every-day activities along Richmond’s trails and waterfront, there are a number special events taking place throughout the city this Holiday season: November Opening Month for Kaleidescope (109 Park Place, Point Richmond) Storyteller Cassie Cushing brings to life traditional stories for adult and young adult audiences. She finds the personal in the traditional and creates unique retellings for the contemporary audience, entering the world of “Once upon a time” to go beyond happily ever after. Welcome to Cassie’s storytelling coffee shop – Kaleidoscope Coffee – in the quaint, artistic neighborhood of Pt. Richmond. www.kaleidoscopecoffee.com
November 13 – December 12: Masquers presents The World Goes ‘Round, a musical smash by Kander & Ebb, the men who created Cabaret and Chicago. www.masquers.org
Saturday, November 14 Point Richmond History Hike led by Karen Buchanan 2pm – 5pm. Start and end: Point Richmond History Museum, 139½Washington Street at West Richmond Avenue, next to the Library and Community Center Karen will lead a 4.5-mile hike through historic downtown Point Richmond, up to the top of Nicholl Nob, down some trails to Miller-Knox Shoreline Park and Keller Beach, then out to the northern neighborhoods of Point Richmond. Learn some local history, get some exercise (there’s a fairly strenuous section going up to the top of the hill) and see some fabulous panoramic views. Hope you can join us! RSVP: kgb.sf63@gmail.com
November 13-December 23* Deck The Walls 3: Holiday Show; Classic Drawings From Sylvia Fragoso; Kiss My Grits: Recent Work Of Alice Sampson and Holiday Lounge 4 at NIAD Art Center. Admission is free. All work (regardless of size, medium or artist) in “Deck The Walls 3” will be only $40. Holiday Lounge 4. The studio has been busy as elves creating loads of craft objects and filling the storefront with seasonal items and unique gifts: quilts, coloring posters and books, baskets, monographs, wall hangings, tree ornaments, hats and scarves and mittens, ceramic animals and more. The comfy chairs will be back, so will the turntable spinning Christmas records. * Opening reception is November 21.
Saturday, November 14, 10am – 4pm: Richmond Arts Center presents Jogakbo: Patchwork Bojagi. Bojagi, Korean wrapping cloths, are used to wrap, cover, or carry things in daily life from precious ritual objects to everyday clothes, household goods, and food. Jogakbo refers to a colorful patchwork bojagi that is strikingly contemporary and was historically made with remnants of fabrics from leftover cloths. Learn the basics of bojagi, including hand-stitching techniques such as gamichiljil, homjil, and settam sangchim and create a jogakbo wall hanging using beautiful Korean silk fabrics and threads. $30 materials fee due to instructor includes fabric; additional materials list online. Bring a lunch. Taught by Youngmin Lee. Cost: $150. Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave (510) 620-6772
Saturday, November 14, 1pm – 5pm: Richmond Arts Center presents Wrap It Up! Give your holiday gifts individual flair by screen printing wrapping paper with seasonal motifs. Come play in the studio in this light-hearted, “no mistakes” workshop and leave with paper – or fabric – that you can use to wrap up gifts and wow your friends and family. Screens, ink, and rolled paper provided, or bring your own paper or fabric if you’d like. Prior screen-printing experience not required. Taught by Monica Gyulai. Cost: $50. Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave (510) 620-6772
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26, 9am: Richmond Bay Trails sponsors the Nitro Turkey Thanksgiving Run at Point Pinole, Richmond. 5k/10k and Little Turkey Run supporting the holiday food drive for Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Thanksgiving-themed costumes (for children & adults) highly encouraged. Walkers welcome. http://brazenracing.com/nitroturkey.html
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 26, 10:30am. Make it a Point Richmond Thanksgiving by “Shooting the Wild Turkey” and heading up to the First United Methodist Church for a short service and a community Thanksgiving Dinner. Meet in front of the Plunge! Bring noise makers including animals and kids! The arrival of Thanksgiving means it’s time for the annual Turkey Shoot in Point Richmond. The morning procession will meet at the Richmond Plunge at 10:30am for a trip through the business district to the front of The Spot, a local watering hole where celebrants will listen to the ceremonial reading of the Turkey Shoot poem. Monroe Benschop has the honor of reading the poem, which gets an additional verse each year. The celebration concludes with the “Gobble, gobble, gobble” cry and a toast consisting of a shot of Wild Turkey. Organizers advise those who join the parade to bring a musical instrument or other noisemaker. See Our Neighbors: Gobble! Gobble!
Friday, November 27, 7:30pm: Point Richmond Jazz presents Solene Le Van. This 18 year old prodigy is originally from France, but now lives in L.A. She has toured the world as part of the La Van Family Band, led by her classical pianist father, Eric Le Van. She is “breaking out” on her own as a jazz violinist and singer. She is currently attending Princeton and majoring in voice and violin. Don’t miss this new talent. See her first right here in the Point! Tickets are $18 online at prjazz.org or $25 at the door. Bring the whole family. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Friday, November 27, 9am – 12noon. Santa’s Arrival at Hilltop Mall –Santa Set, JC Penney wing, lower level. www.shophilltop.com
Sunday, November 29, 11:30am – 2:30pm (and every last-Sunday-of-the-month) Assemble Restaurant at the Craneway: Outside Oyster Bar. A casual experience where we will offer fresh oysters on the half shell, oyster shooters, wine and beer to enjoy on our outside patio. You can also purchase unshucked oysters to take home and enjoy!
Tuesday, December 1, 5pm – 8pm, Hotel Mac Sparking Wine Tasting. The Hotel Mac always has something exciting on the horizon. From their regularly scheduled wine and spirit tastings, to our beloved Winemaker Dinners, to our half price bottled wine specials on Fridays, you will always find a good reason to visit us at 50 Washington Avenue, in historic Point Richmond, California. Live music seven nights a week
Saturday, December 5, 11am – 3pm: Holiday Arts Festival. This annual event is the go-to place for buying local holiday gifts. Peruse a marketplace of local arts and crafts vendors, our famous ceramics sale featuring hundreds of plates, mugs and objects made by the Art Center’s ceramic enthusiasts, and so much more. Enjoy delicious food and wine from our holiday cafe, fun art-making activities for the kids, musical entertainment and both a silent and live auction with fine art by Bay Area artists, East Bay experiences and much more. The Holiday Arts Festival Live Auction will follow the day-time free event, the admission price is: $25 for Richmond Art Center Members, $35 for non-members.
Saturday, December 5, 11am – 4:30pm: Arts of Point Richmond (AOPA) 2015 Holiday Fair. Fine arts and crafts by local artists. Point Richmond Community Center, 139 Washington Avenue, Richmond, CA. www.artsofpointrichmond.com
Friday, December 11, 7:30pm. Point Acoustic Christmas At the Oasis show with Maria Mauldaur. Point Richmond. $20 in advance or $25 at the door. www.pointacoustic.org
Saturday, December 12, 3pm: Holiday Movie Magic at the NIAD Art Center (551 23rd Street, Richmond). Screening of Art And Craft, directed by Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, and Mark Becker, and starring art forger Mark Landis. Preceded by a short show of the conjuring arts by magician Nick Magick. Running Time 90 minutes. Sponsored by PBS’ POV. Admission is free. Food and drinks — from the NIAD Food Initiative — available. Perfect for the whole family
Saturday, December 12, 10am – 3pm: Gingerbread House & More (ages 6 – 12) at the Richmond Art Center. Create wonderful, imaginative, and delicious gingerbread houses using cardboard, foam core, and beautiful tasty treats! Make cards and presents for friends and family using a variety of materials, too! Bring a lunch. Taught by Lisa di Prima. 2540 Barrett Avenue, $ 80 registration. Call (510) 620-6772
Saturday, December 12 & Sunday, December 13, 7pm: East Bay Center for the Performing Arts “Sharing the Spirit.” (339 11th Street at MacDonald Avenue, downtown Richmond.) East Bay Center presents a FREE Winter showcase of the Center’s Fall performing arts group classes. Share the accomplishments of our students and invite friends and family. The day will feature our youngest new performers as well as experienced pre-teens and teens with eclectic music and dance. This is a FREE event!
Saturday, December 19, 9am – 3pm: Annual Bake and Crafts Sale, Point Richmond Community Center. Bring your baked goodies by 9am for sale. Donations for the crafts can be given any time.
Saturday & Sunday, December 19 & 20, 10am – 5pm: Craneway Pavilion KPFA Winter Crafts Fair. Admission is $12; $8 for seniors 65 and over and disabled people; Under 17: FREE https://kpfa.org/event/45th-annual-kpfa-winter-crafts-fair/
Thursday, December 31, 8pm – 12:30am: Playland-Not-at-the-Beach A Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Party! Playland-Not-at-the-Beach throws a New Year’s celebration the entire family can enjoy! Play pinball, carnival games, and arcade games all night long along with our New Year’s-themed treasure hunt. We will have a “quiet room” for sleepy young partiers and countdowns for each American time zone (Eastern through Pacific) with sparkling-cider provided as well as a few live magic shows. Join us for this unique chance for all generations to ring in 2015 together. Guests pay one low price to enter and play all night: $30 for everyone ages 3 and up (no reservations required). Sorry, no coupons or discounts accepted for this event. Guests are welcome to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages (Playland-Not-at-the-Beach will provide sparkling-cider and coffee). Please contact us for additional information or to reserve a private party room (alcoholic beverages are permitted with party room rental). Also, throughout December a myriad of family friendly Holiday activities. For more info go online to www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Established as a 501c-6 tourism business improvement district established in 2004, the Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing organization for the City of Richmond, California.