Eye On The Bay

  Greetings chums,

Another weekend of fun and frivolity looms. Among the highlights: walks and words on the Lit Crawl in San Francisco, sensational sounds at The Treasure Island Music Festival and a restaurant in the Castro that will satisfy your belly.

Have a fantastic weekend.
Cheers, Liam 
twitter.com/liamPmayclem

1 - PUMPKIN FEST
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm
Head to Half Moon Bay - pumpkin capital, USA - for a weekend of all things pumpkin from beer to pie and everything in between. Main street is where you will find all the action; dozens of booths selling art, crafts, fashion and food. The Grand Parade is at 11am. And the 1,658 pound champion gourd will be on display for all to enjoy. 
miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest

2 - LIBATIONS AND LIT
Lit Crawl 2009
Clarion Alley @ 17th Street, San Francisco
Saturday 7pm to 10pm
The literati will be out in full force for the annual Lit Crawl as part of Litquake 2009. The evening centers around literature and libations at a handful of watering holes in the Mission district in San Francisco. Food is also part of the scene here: street vendors will be on hand to dispense nourishment to the lit lads and lasses on the crawl. Arrive early to secure a good spot among the crowd. This is one of the coolest events ever and, yes - it is so San Francisco. 
litquake.org

3 - WHISKY, YOU'RE THE DEVIL
San Francisco WhiskyFest
Mariott Hotel, San Francisco
Friday 6:30p to 9:30pm
"Oh whisky, you're the devil " once sang Irish folk band the Clancy Brothers. However, today whisky is no devil of a drink, but instead a gift from the gods that is celebrated religiously by an army of loyal followers. Now in it's third year, WhiskyFest celebrates the popular malt. Over 200 of the rarest of malts will be on hand at this mega-tasting. And distillers will be on hand to explain how whisky is made, and how to identify, sniff, swirl, and enjoy one of the most revered spirits on the planet. Cheers! 
maltadvocate.com/docs/whiskyfest/san_francisco/default.aspx

3 - AT THE MOVIES
Mill Valley Film Festival
Now through Sunday
Various Venues
It's the little movie festival that could, Mill Valley Film Festival showing the best in cinema from around the corner and around the world. The festival closes on Sunday with two great pieces of British cinema; Looking for Eric, a romantic comedy by Ken Loach and The Young Victoria. Emily Blunt is radiant as the youthful Queen Victoria, who ascended the British throne at age 18, in this sumptuous production tracing her early reign and legendary romance with Prince Albert. Sounds saucy. Head to the festival site for more. 
2009.mvff.com

4 - AT THE THEATRE
American Idiot
Berkeley Rep
2025 Addison Street, Berkeley
Now until November 15th
Green Day's breakthrough 2004 record American Idiot has now found a home on the theater stage thanks to the folks at Berkeley Rep. It was, says director Mike Dirnt, "the beautiful lyrics and poetry that drew me to the project."  As you might imagine American Idiot rocks from beginning to end. The staging is sensational. The music packs a punch for the full 90 minutes. The performances are nothing short of stellar. Punk goes theatrical - who knew - and it works. Props to our East Bay power punk trio and the risk takers at Berkeley rep. The run here is limited so snag a ticket while you can as American Idiot is on its way to Broadway. Special discounts are available for theatre goers under 30. Rock on! 
berkeleyrep.org

5 - MUSIC FESTIVAL
Treasure Island Music Festival
Saturday and Sunday Noon to 10pm
Hang out with the cool kids in musical utopia, on Treasure Island for one of the most sonically sensational music fests on the planet. This two-day music party features the creme de la creme of electronic artists from the Bay and beyond: Brazilian Girls, DJ Krush, The Decemberists and The Streets are just a handful of the many great artists performing. Leave the car and catch a shuttle to the island from AT&T Park. Enjoy. 
treasureislandfestival.com

6 - IT'S SHOW TIME
Sandra Bernhard - Whatever It Takes Tour
Razz Room, Hotel Nikko
222 Mason Street, San Francisco
Now through October 25th
Funny gal Sandra Bernhard brings her one-woman show to the Razz Room at San Francisco's Hotel Nikko. The caustic comedian combines comedy and music in this 90-minute show. She opens with a strong song "Beautiful People" and proves in the opening number that she can sing well and can make you laugh as she does. Bernhard's show wraps with a hysterical rendition of Britney's "Circus". Madonna's former gal pal left the packed opening night crowd wanting more, more, more. 
sandrabernhard.com

7 - KID ROCK
Rocktober Fest
22 Malavear Court, Pacifica
Saturday, 2:30pm to 9pm
Rocktober Fest is an event put together by parents and features young rock musicians who are currently playing around town as a "Band". Six groups will entertain throughout the day and evening. Among the musical highlights, The Thrashers, a band of rockers all aged 9 years old! Log on to the site for more. 
thrashersrock.com

8 - SAVE THE DATE
Bridge School Concert
Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View
October 24th and 25th
Now on sale
Neil Young and his musical pals present two days of Rock and Fundraising for the Bridge School, a school that caters to intellectuality challenged children and young adults. This year the line-up is impressive: Cheryl Crow, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Gavin Rossdale, Jimmy Buffet, No Doubt and my personal favorite Fleet Foxes. Tickets range from $39.50 to $150. A weekend of great music not to be missed for a great cause. 
bridgeschool.org/events/concert.php

9 - EAT HERE
Starbelly
3583 16th Street, San Francisco
Weekdays 10:30am - 11pm
Weekends 10:30am - Midnight
There is a new food spot on the block that promises to make your belly happy. The star here is the food, every single dish satisfied. The playful menu had so much to offer including three mini corndogs, yum. The generous Starbelly salad was delicious: fresh leaf lettuces and luscious cherry tomatoes. Try the pizzas, seven on the menu. Round off your meal with a sweet ending, I did. Humphry Slocumbs balsamic-caramel ice cream did just the trick for me, Full marks Chef Adam Timney for a memorable meal. Starbelly is a comfortable restaurant with a flawless tasty menu and after just one meal here I am ready to return for an encore. 
starbellysf.com

10 - HAPPY HOUR
Grumpy's
125 Vallejo Street, San Francisco
Monday to Friday 5 - 7pm
My local watering hole offers two hours of happiness daily. Enjoy a beer and a shot during the happy hours for $7 and garlic fries for $1. Check the chalk board for other daily specials. "The Karl" is a regulars fave. The service is great, the vibe chilled, and the value unbeatable. No need to be grumpy in this joint. See you there. 
grumpyspub.com
 

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