June is in bloom, or in gloom some days – but no matter the weather, it’s time for summer fun. June brings us the start of the bay area festivals where an abundance of food and frolicking can be found around the bay including the iconic North Beach Festival in year 67! We have two Shakespeare offerings that you won’t want to miss, an outdoor art installation in Tiburon and Juneteenth celebrations are here.

It’s Festival and Fair Time

We just love a good wander through the streets of our bay area cities. Aromas emanating from food trucks entice us and we can’t help but purchase a local artist’s creation or two. Something for everyone is on hand. Read on and find your favorite.

June 10. The Downtown Redwood City Car Show

Get ready to rev your engines and head to Redwood City for an exciting car show, unlike any other. This is the ultimate celebration of automotive excellence, featuring some of the most stunning and unique vehicles from around the world. During the event, the square and neighboring streets will be closed for the vehicles on display. Experience the thrill of seeing classic cars, modern sports cars, muscle cars, and custom-built creations up close and personal. Marvel at the sleek designs, the intricate detailing, and the sheer power of these automotive wonders. But it’s not just about admiring the cars – there’s plenty of entertainment for the whole family too, featuring live music and food trucks. This Saturday the 10^th, Courthouse Square 10 – 3. https://redwoodcitydowntown.com/events,

June 10-11. Golden Gate Park Band Festival

Grab your boogie shoes and join fellow big band enthusiasts at the 15^th annual this weekend. A foot stomping, swing dancing line-up of big bands will be performing every hour on Saturday and Sunday from 11 – 4. So, grab your favorite dance partner, comfy shoes, and boogie like you mean it. If you can’t make it this weekend, there will be free performances every weekend through October 1^st. https://sfrecpark.org/1570/Golden-Gate-Bandshell-Concerts

June 17-18. North Beach Festival

This is one of the most iconic festivals in SF is and it is celebrating 67 years. (Fun fact – It’s the same age as your SF Three Tomatoes Editor!) This is considered one of the country’s original outdoor festivals.  This year it will span 9 blocks and feature over 100 arts and crafts booths, some of the Bay Area’s best gourmet food vendors, several stages of live music, DJ’s, beer gardens, Makers Block activities, Italian Street Art, the Blessing of the Animals, performances from Club Fugazi acrobats, and so much more all in the heart of North Beach, nestled amongst its many charming and unique shops and restaurants. It is worth getting there early to experience the joy and flavor that is Little Italy. June 17 – 18. https://www.northbeachfestival.org/

Now – July 9. Collaborative Nature

An amazingly beautiful art installation just opened in the middle of nature, in a park in Tiburon with a peak-a-boo view of the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and of Downtown San Francisco. The Tiburon Heritage & Arts Commission announced the unveiling of their newest piece of public art – Collaborative Nature by Thomas Jackson. Jackson’s work centers on our relationship with the environment – and the forces of nature, time, and change.

Hurry and go as the exhibit is only up until July 9^th. The art piece is made up of colorful lightweight fabric attached to the ground by nearly 800 poles and took about a week to set up. Jackson’s work is the first public work of art envisioned in a series of temporary public art exhibitions celebrating Tiburon’s cultural potential. Walk or drive to Blackie’s Pasture on Tiburon Boulevard. Follow the Old Rail Trail south past McKegney Green and the Knoll at the south end. Past the Knoll is South of Knoll Park. The distance is approximately one-half mile. GET THE DETAILS.

June 10-11. The Tempest and a Picnic

What could be better than The Tempest, a play that pushes theatricality to its limits? Join the Inferno Theatre company on their imaginary island and meet the unique inhabitants. Experience the magical world of Shakespeare through movement, verse, and live music. Bring a low seat, cushions, blankets, and a picnic, and enjoy the revival of free, open-air theater under the oaks.  John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre in Berkeley – Saturday & Sunday, June 10-11, 2023. Amphitheatre opens at 3pm. All performances start at 4pm. https://infernotheatre.org/show-information

June 7-25. Othello

Across the Bay Bridge and south in San Jose, The Stage presents a reimagined, jazz-infused version of William Shakespeare’s OTHELLO, set in the gritty and dark world of a 1950s film-noir jazz club milieu, providing a unique twist and an extra layer of intensity to the already powerful drama. The cast of eight actors takes on multiple roles in this Brechtian cabaret-style performance, creating an intimate and disturbing exploration of Shakespeare’s timeless themes.

At its core, this production delves into the tragic love story of Othello and Desdemona, complicated by the cunning manipulations of Iago who leads Othello to believe that Desdemona is unfaithful. With themes of love, deceit, betrayal, and murder at its core, this reimagined version of OTHELLO provides a powerful commentary on these timeless themes and offers a fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy while remaining true to its enduring relevance. June 7^th – 25^th  https://www.thestage.org/season/othello

Juneteenth Celebrations

Celebrate local Black-owned businesses at the 3rd annual Juneteenth on the SF Waterfront on Saturday, June 10. Kick off a month of Juneteenth celebrations in San Francisco with a day of delicious food, community, and family fun at the Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza (south of the Ferry Building) and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Entry is free and open to the public, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Juneteenth on the Waterfront is part of Pop-Ups on the Plaza, a series of events celebrating Bay Area Black-owned food businesses.

The big Juneteenth celebration takes place on Saturday June 17^th on Fillmore Street from 11 – 6 p.m. There will be live performances, Food Trucks with ethnic cuisine, Soul Food and dozens of sweet delights will be provided by some of the Bay’s top chefs and restauranteurs alongside a refreshing Beer & Wine Garden. https://juneteenth-sf.org/