Liam's List

  Greetings chums,

It's Labor Day weekend and for most I hope that means three days sans work and an opportunity to spend precious time with family and friends. With that in mind here are ten cool things to explore for your entertainment pleasure this weekend.

Cheers, Liam
p.s. And please feel free to follow me on Twitter. twitter.com/liamPmayclem


1 - LABOR DAY WINE PARTY
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Various venues
Head to Sonoma for three days of wine, food and music at the annual Sonoma Wine Country Weekend. More than 200 wineries and dozens of chefs will descend upon the town. Taste your way through the region at wine showcase. Enjoy a winemaker dinner at various venues. And do not miss the wine auction at Cline Cellars. I can think of nothing better than this over Labor Day Weekend. Hope to see you there. 
sonomawinecountryweekend.com

2 - ART ATTACK
Sausalito Art Festival
Marinship Park, Sausalito Waterfront
Saturday, Sunday, Monday 9am - 6pm
One of the Bay Area's biggest art events sets up camp in Sausalito for the weekend. This three-ay party is about more than art. There is delicious food and fine wine to be enjoyed.  Great live performances with something to satisfy every musical palette: English Beat, Jefferson Starship, Night Ranger, Big Brother and the Holding Company and many more. Soak up the art, sounds and scenes at this festive and fun Labor Day Weekend party. 
sausalitoartfestival.org

3 - FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
39th Annual Millbrae Art & Wine Festival
Broadway between Victoria and Meadow Glen, Millbrae
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm
One of the Bay Area's biggest Labor Day weekend events, more than 100,000 festival lovers transform downtown Millbrae into the "Big Easy" with a Mardi Gras-style feast featuring two sun-splashed days of live music with headliners Tainted Love, Big Bang Beat and The Delta Wires. Artists and craft makers will be showing their latest handcrafted wares, plus festive food and drink, premium wines, micro brews and margaritas, artisan specialty foods will also be offered. Oodles of fun for the wee ones with the Rising Star Music and Dance Showcase and endless amusements in Playland. 
miramarevents.com

4 - MUSICAL: GREEN DAY
American Idiot
Berkeley Rep, Berkeley
Through October 11th
The East Bay band's breakthrough 2004 record American Idiot has now found a home on the theatre 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". The run here is limited so snag a ticket while you can. A full review to appear soon. 
berkeleyrep.org
 
5 - WILD WILD WEB
Tacolicious
A tasty website dedicate to the love of and consumption of Tacos. If you love tacos - and who doesn't - you will love this site. 
tacolicioussf.com

6 - CD: HEAR THIS
Rachael Sage - "Chandelier"
This New York song siren gets personal on her new musical offering. She clearly has here own style but there are echoes of Tori Amos on almost every track. The 13 track CD is stacked to the gills with striking melodies and strong vocals. Sage has created a sonically perfect album here, and it hits all the right notes. 
rachaelsage.com

7 - GREAT ESCAPE
Paso Robles
Escape to America's fastest-growing wine region for a weekend of fun and frivolity. Drive three hours south of the Bay Area to this rustic retreat where a world of wine tasting and fine dining awaits. Among the wineries at the top of my list: Justin and Eagle Castle Winery. The region offers lodging and homes that cater to all for a weekend or week long stay. The main town of Paso Robles boasts restaurants, coffee shops, antique stores and more. Visit the lavender farm, take an olive oil tasting and - if time allows - hop on the bike and explore the many miles of bike trails. Paso Robles, unspoiled wine country that I highly recommend for a weekend escape or week long getaway.
prcity.com 

8 - SAVE THE DATE
38th Annual Mountain View Art & Wine Festival
Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View
September 12th and 13th 10am - 6pm
One of America's top art festivals, more than 200,000 arts lovers gather in Silicon Valley's epicenter for this vibrant multicultural celebration featuring 600 professional artists and craft makers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, live music by big name cover bands with headliners The Joe Sharino Band and The California Cowboys, festive food and drink with premium wines, micro brews and margaritas, an organic and green products showcase, health and wellness displays, home and garden exhibits and action-packed Kids' Park with the new Best Buy School of Rock Stage, entertainment, amusements and hands-on art. 
miramarevents.com

9 - GOSPEL BRUNCH
1300 Fillmore
1300 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
Sunday 11am and 1pm seatings
Come on down this Sunday for San Francisco's one-and-only Gospel Brunch.  Seating times are 11am and 1pm and the music and mimosas are sure to awaken your happy spot. Chef David Lawrence cooks up a sensational soul food brunch. Perfect way to spend the best part of a Sunday. See what everyone's talking about here. 
1300fillmore.com

10 - TASTE OF MOROCCO
Marrakech
419 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
Dinner: Nightly 5.30pm to 1am
Enjoy a taste of the food and culture of Morocco at California's original Moroccan restaurant in the heart of San Francisco. They offer a set menu nightly for $34:95. It includes an appetizer, main and dessert. The prawns and perfect, the couscous and spicy chicken is heaven. Try the magic triple fruit cocktail. Mmmm. It's the details that matter: the bowl and hot oil infused water they bring to the table for you to wash your hands, the tea poured a foot from the cup, the post prandial hookah: all unique to Marrakech. An added bonus, belly dancers nightly complete with a live band. The restaurant is family run and it shows. They care here from the greeting at the door to the service throughout the dinner. I highly recommend Marrakech as a great spot for an intimate dinner for two or for a large group. 
marrakechsanfrancisco.com

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