The days may be getting shorter, but the list of fun things to do in the north state keeps increasing.
The action always tends to pick up during the fall (and spring) when the area weather tends to settle into a perfect groove.
Last weekend was swamped with activity, such as the new Sundial Music Festival and Rib Cookoff at the Redding Convention Center, 2nd Saturday Art Hop, the Latino Bicentennial Fiesta in Anderson, the Honey Bee Festival in Palo Cedro, a grape crush event at Vintner’s Cellar, a United Way fundraiser and more.
This weekend’s looking almost as full. Here’s a glance at some of what’s going on:
Oaksong Music Society Luau and Concert:
Cyril Pahinui
The sixth annual version of this event in Oak Run takes place Saturday (Sept. 18) and features Hawaiian guitar icon Cyril Pahinui and the Weldon Kekauoha Trio. There is a full luau barbecue available (or attendees may bring their own food) and the Redding traditional dance ensemble — Ke Aloha Polenesian Ohana — will perform.
Pahinui is a slack key guitar master and the Oaksong event tends to a be a way cool mellow affair. Tickets are $25 (for concert only) or $40 (with the barbecue dinner). Tickets are available at Bernie’s Guitar (223-2040) or by clicking here.
The venue site is the lovely Gray Pine Farm in Oak Run (25 minutes east of Redding) with a gorgeous meadow and stage.
Shasta Blues Society 19th annual Blues by the River Festival
Marvin Allen and the Young Blues Musicians
This full day event on blues music in Lake Redding Park is always a treat. Make sure not to miss the opening kickoff event with Marvin Allen and the Young Blues Musicians at 11:30 a.m. The talented youngsters are aged 13-18 and are students of Allen, and Music Max instructors Kenji Kato (drums) and Wade Craver (bass).
The festival will feature the J.C. Smith Band, Willie G, the Craig Allen Blues Band, the Backyard Blues Band and Kyle Rowland. Tickets are $15 at the gate (which opens at 11 a.m.)
Prior to the festival on Friday night at LuLu’s Eating and Drinking Establishment, Chris Bell and 100 Percent Blues will perform with special guest Heavy Dose of Blues. On Thursday night at Lulu’s, Retrofit and the Phil Seymour Band will perform at Lulu’s.
The Downtown Redding Beer and Wine Festival
The annual event featuring a host of local restaurants and regional breweries and winemakers is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Market Street Promenade. In addition to the food and libations, there will also be art displays and live music.
Tickets are $35 and on sale at Raley’s Supermarkets in Redding and Red Bluff. For more information, click here.
Straight No Chaser at the Cascade Theatre
The 10-member male a cappella group has been a YouTube hit and made numerous national TV appearances.
To watch a video of the group and for more information (tickets are $32-$42), click here.
Jim Dyar is a news, arts and entertainment journalist for A News Cafe and the former arts and entertainment editor for the Record Searchlight’s D.A.T.E. section. Jim is also a songwriter and leader of the Jim Dyar Band. He lives in Redding. E-mail him at jimd.anewscafe@gmail.com.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment.
