Got a firecracker of a weekend coming up, topped off by the annual Freedom Festival fireworks show in Redding on Saturday night.
The fireworks were delayed three months last year because of fire danger and the thick smoke that choked the North State, but everything’s on schedule for this year. City officials urge folks to arrive at the Redding Convention Center early to get a good spot. No pets or alcohol allowed.
The event, emceed by radio personalities Carl and Linda Bott, starts at 6:15 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Kids Unlimited, WeR1, the Country Gold Dancers and Shasta College Community Band. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. and the accompanying music will be simulcast by North State Public Radio at 88.9 FM.
For more information, click here.
- Speaking of explosions, the new Shamrock Cereal Cafe & Creamery in the Cypress Square shopping center is making giant banana splits on Friday. Each $50 banana split will include three gallons of ice cream, six bananas, various toppings, nuts and ten cherries. Eat a whole one by yourself in 30 minutes, and it’s free. Three gallons of ice cream? I imagine you have to pay for the ambulance yourself.
- On Friday in the city of Shasta Lake, the Prima Donna Bongo Band performs folk and folk-rock at Clair Engle Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Part of the “Friday Nights in the Park” program hosted by the city. Take a picnic, but alcohol’s not allowed.
- I made a new friend the other day at the party where we unveiled the partnership between ANewsCafe and HawkMan Studios. Artist, musician and fellow tall guy John Stewart has a gallery in Lake California, and he performs at venues around the North State, including at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Five Windows Gallery in Weaverville. John will play keyboards while patrons enjoy the watercolors of Joy Wiltsee.
- John alerted me to another event as well. The always-enjoyable Charles Valona Trio will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Lake Club in Lake California.
- MJ OD: I knew I’d had enough of the Michael Jackson coverage even before I read the item that said the Iowa State Fair was planning a statue of the King of Pop made out of butter. Yes, butter. Urp. Full story here.
- DVDs We’ve Seen: “Happy-Go-Lucky,” a quirky British comedy written and directed by Mike Leigh. Sally Hawkins won a best actress Golden Globe for her role as an irrepressible schoolteacher who refuses to let her insane driving instructor get her down.
Tips appreciated: Send news tidbits to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.
