Don’t say it’s over…
I have lived in the Bay Area for 10 years now. September is my favorite month. The weather is usually hot and there is something fun to do every weekend.
On Saturday, I started off the day by walking in the East Bay AIDS Walk around Lake Merritt in Oakland. I later went to an outdoor concert at Yerba Buena Gardens to see jazz sax legend John Handy and Friends including Clairdee on vocals, David K. Matthews on piano, Jeff Chambers on bass, Akira Tana on drums, Carlos Reyes on violin and harp, and a wonderful string section. Next stop, was the Ghiradelli Chocolate Festival benefitting Project Open Hand. Unfortunately, I got there less than 30 minutes before closing and was unable to purchase tickets to try any of the tasty treats. Not to worry, the festival opens on Sunday at 12pm but get there early because there will be long lines.
Today, I am headed up to the Russian River Jazz Festival at Johnson Beach in Guernville. Today’s lineup includes Earl Klugh, George Duke, Urban Jazz Coalition, Guitars & Saxes 2008: Gerald Albright, Peter White, Jeff Lorber & Jeff Golub, Terrence Brewer, and Forté. Bring your water and sunscreen for it will be a hot day of music. Also, Sarah Wilson Brass Tonic opens the Jazz at Intersection at the de Young Museum Sunday Concert Series.
Here are just a few of the upcoming events this month that I definitely want to checkout.
- September 13 – Experience On The Green – A day of music, art, and wine at the Oakland Museum of California featuring a concert with Roberta Flack, Patrice Rushen, Michael Henderson, Donald Byrd, and Kevin Toney
- September 14 – Solano Avenue Stroll
- September 19-21 – Monterey Jazz Festival – 3 days of music on 8 stages!
- September 28 – Out and About in Rockridge