Local Events

Montclair Art Picks, From The Streets

The 12th Annual Montclair Village Fine Arts and Crafts Sidewalk Festival took place this weekend, and once again the streets were filled with artists and artisans.

Twice annually, Montclair hosts art festivals on several village streets.  The June show features more fine art, while this past weekend’s event includes a mix of arts and crafts.

Although the Festival is history, you don’t have to miss out.  Here are some of my favorites, as well as links to many artist web sites which you can visit at your leisure.

The Artist Hines works with various pastes and paints so his abstract works have nice, rich depth.  On his web site, he shows you how it’s done.  Hines, who hails from Sausalito, is an art booster and serves as president of the Artists Guild of San Francisco.

Sculptor Phillip Glashoff makes whimsical sculptures, using old junk that’s soldered together.  Everything he displayed on our streets made me smile, similar to what’s shown in this gallery.  Many of the Glashoff works were over seven feet tall, and perfect for a large space.

Today I spent time chatting with Neal Geisler, who finds wood pieces and transforms them into sculptures.  You have to visit this online gallery, filled with interesting results.  I really want the piece called “life,” which was also at the show.

While this just looks like an nice wood rocker, what’s special is that Jim Simons handcrafts them from old winery vats.  He brought a full display of fine-looking redwood tables and chairs to the show, that were comfortable to boot.

Well, there are too many festival artists to showcase here! Please link to these other artists, who caught my eye and seemed pretty special as well:

  • Laura Blacona makes clay pieces that are actually affordable, in the form of shakers and light switches.  These Miro-like designs are great, and I bought a few today.
  • Kelly Morgen creates one-of-a-kind medallions inspired by fairy tales and myths.  These are miniature artworks, like the Greek Goddess Daphne.

What’s most heartening about the Montclair festival?  Just hanging out with the artists and listening to them share their creative muses and stories.  It’s a very relaxed way to appreciate who’s out there.

I asked some of the exhibitors about booth traffic, and they reported things were quieter than in the past due to the rainy weather early yesterday.  A few also felt our current economic times impacted their sales.

Of course, more than a few artists were happy the art show season’s wrapping up – and they can get back to their real work.

Gotta Hear The Spinners Live

Gotta hear The Spinners perform live tomorrow!  They are an iconic R&B group, taking the stage this Saturday at 4:45pm, at the Homefront Festival.  Admission to the festival and concert is free.

Whether young or old, you probably know a lot of their 1970s mega-hits.  As a quick reminder, listen to these clips:  I’ll Be Around – One Of A Kind (Love Affair) – Could It Be I’m Falling In Love.

If you’re a boomer, then doesn’t this Spinners photo take you back?  Don Kirshner was a 1970s music promoter like Dick Clark, with his own show.  I think he produced many hits for The Monkeys, too.

Anyway, The Spinners are a long-lived R&B group who struck gold during the funkalicious era right before disco took hold.  Makes me want to go watch a few old blaxploitation movies, which featured plenty of soul music.

Where can you catch The Spinners?  They will be crooning at the Homefront Festival in Richmond, on the Ford Building Craneway Stage.  Here’s a venue map for the festival, along with a google map to plot your course there.

My sage advice is to make the quick trip to Richmond tomorrow.  One of their singers, Pervis Jackson, died in August – so this may be your last chance to hear these smooth guys in person.

Speak Up About Montclair’s Public Spaces

Streetscape planning for Montclair Village takes another step forward on Thursday evening at 6:30pm, when Montclarions are invited to share their opinions about beautification efforts.  Maybe more than a few benches, like those outside Starbucks?

The meeting takes place on Thursday, from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, down at the Zion Lutheran Church, 5201 Park Blvd (map).  You’ll have an opportunity to learn about and discuss public spaces in the Village.

Last June, the first public meeting was held to set priorities for a landscape architect creating the master plan.  At that time, dining, crosswalks, benches, public art, furniture and safety were identified as priorities.

Since then, architect Leslie Brown has developed plans at the behest of the Montclair Village Association and Montclair Safety & Improvement Council.  When these are finalized, the next step will be to obtain necessary approvals and funding as well.

As the process lumbers on, Villagers are asked to contribute to the plans – so speak up now.

Chabot Telescope Class For Big Kids

Chabot Space & Science Center (map) is a local treasure, best known for its celebrity telescopes:  Leah, Rachel and Nellie.  This year, Chabot celebrates its 125th anniversary of peering into the stars.

While many of the educational programs are geared to local students and families, I’m drawn to a new Telescope Class that has been announced for big kids only.

Chabot’s Telescopes Vision Telescope Class begins this Thursday, at 7:30pm.  Instead of taking a quick look through telescopes, the class really shows you how to use them:

This course will introduce you to the astronomer’s prime tool: the telescope. Gain experience using telescopes as you explore the night sky. Learn the basics of telescopic vision—light gathering power, magnification, and resolution. Find out how to use the sky and its constellations as a roadmap to discovering its hidden treasures—nebulas, star clusters, galaxies, and more—that reside just beyond the reach of the unaided eye.

The four-session course runs Thursdays from 7:30pm – 9:30pm,  on September 18th & 25th, and October 2nd & 9th.  It costs $95, or $85 for Chabot members.  You may sign up through the Chabot Box Office, at 510-336-7373.

If this really turns you on, then start building a Newtonian telescope of your own!  Nearly every Friday night, from 7:00pm – 10:00pm, Chabot conducts a Telescope Makers’ Workshop as well.  Please reach Paul Zurakowski, at 925-447-6837, for more information.

Napa Comes To Montclair This Sunday

Even if you aren’t an oenophile, the Napa experience can be fun.  This weekend in Montclair, there’s no need to travel because the wineries will be coming to the Village.  Dubbed the Montclair Jazz and Wine Festival, this is the place to hang out on Sunday, from 11am to 6pm.

The entertainment lineup features five jazz acts, including New Orleans stylings from Brass Monkey Brass Band, organist David Matthews (not that one) who backed Etta James, vocalist Clairdee, saxophonist Vincent Herring & Earth Jazz Agents, and percussionist Pete Escovedo with his Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Wines will be poured starting at 1pm, and you pay $30/head or $50/couple for all tastings – along with commemorative glasses to use and keep.  Bring this $5 coupon for a discount, too.  You will be able to sample wines from Napa and beyond, with 29 different wineries on hand.

The crowds are large but worth battling.  This is the sixth year the Montclair Village Association has sponsored the event, and they have even invited the Guardian Angels to keep things orderly.  Wine is the main draw, although there’s beer and kids activities as well.

Most of the wines come from Northern California, or are strongly influenced by us.  To whet your appetite, here’s the complete list of who pours this Sunday:  Concannon, JC Cellars, Wente Vineyards, Tamas Estates, Twisted Oak,  Aubin Cellars, Robert Keenan Winery, Dashe Cellars, Andrew Lane Winery, Urbano Cellars,  Carica Wines, R&B Cellars, Cycles Gladiator, Esterlina Vineyards & Everett Ridge, Honig Vineyard & Winery, Lolonis Winery, Tarrica Wine Cellars, Mark West Winery, Watts Winery, Benzinger, L de Lyeth, Bouchard Aine & Fils, Dogwood Cellars, Unti Vineyards, Rock Rabbit Winery, Enat Winery, Beaucanon Estate Vineyards, Bonneau Winery, Chateau Beauchene.

Montclair has finally found its niche with this event.  Even with the crowds, stop by and check out the scene.  There’s free bicycle parking so you can get a little exercise, too.