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The Experience, Berkeley: Bay Area Book Festival

The Experience:

Are you a book worm? Passionate about our future!

If so, don’t miss out on the Bay Area Book Festival that is coming to town and celebrating its 12th year Fri – Sun, May 29-31.  Engage yourself in a cultural celebration in a critical gathering space where activists, authors, and audiences can unite around today’s most urgent issues and uplift marginalized voices.

Participate in first-rate live conversations with top authors on compelling topics, authors’ readings, writing workshops, democracy dialogues and even a bookworm block party! There’s a free lively outdoor fair that directly connects you/your company with engaged book lovers eager to learn about new literary and consumer products and services.

Headliners. Over the course of three evenings and five separate headliner sessions, join them at the The Freight for mesmerizing and timely discussions about world building and movement building, how to foster diversity and equity in publishing, globalist pasts, presents, and futures, horror as cultural critique, and black feminist futurescaping! Arrive and build community in a packed house of 500 like-minded folks. Headliners tickets.

Festival Map

Festival Schedule

Abou:t

The Bay Area Book Festival unites readers, writers, and changemakers. Their mission is to uplift and honor the full spectrum of literary voices, with particular care for those who have been historically excluded or marginalized, while encouraging reading, creative expression, and critical thinking across all ages and backgrounds.

Location: Downtown Berkeley.

  • Main Outdoor Fair & Bookworm Block Party: Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park
  • Youth Activities & Readings: Berkeley Public Library (Main Branch, 2090 Kittredge St.)
  • Panels & Readings: The Freight & Salvage (2020 Addison St.)
  • Author Talks & Locus Awards: Hotel Shattuck Plaza (2086 Allston Way)
  • Performing Arts & Sessions: The Marsh Arts Center (2120 Allston Way)

Where:

Downtown Berkeley

Berekeley, CA

The Experience, Alameda: Urban Legend Cellars Sips + Nibbles + Music

The Experience:

Your Sunday vibe on the water!

‘Here comes the sun…’ Drew and Scott from the Sun Kings, an acoustic Beatles tribute band duo, will fill the patio with tunes you love. Sazon Latin Kitchen will be serving up those fabulous Baja Fish Tacos, Tostadas, Quesadillas and more while you enjoy the wine experience that fits your day. By the glass or bottle. Reservations are suggested–tables fill up fast.

You can pick your experience, and relax with:

  • Tastings–Enjoy a curated tasting of 4 current releases with vegan/gluten free small bites–a wine exploration just for you. With indoor and outdoor options, tailor your perfect experience.
  • Glasses & Bottles–Settle into one of their pergolas on the patio or indoors in the wine studio with your favorite sip–and up to 8 of your favorite people. Tasty nibbles are available, too, or bring your own picnic.

Summer hours: Saturday, Noon-7:30; Sunday, Noon-5:30. Last call 30 minutes before closing.

  • Don’t forget to pick up your Alameda Trail Guide!
  • Owners Steve and Marilee Shaffer are both passionate about great and interesting food wines. They can’t wait to see you and introduce you to their wines. Reserve your experience now!  Questions? 510.545.4356

Where:

1951 Monarch St, Building 25
Alameda Point

https://ulcellars.com

The Experience, San Pablo: La Strada Ristorante Italiana Happy Hour

The Experience:

Kick off your summer with Happy Hour Italiana!

The evenings are getting longer and you deserve a respite and something to look forward to with your friends. Meet up with them. You may just want to hang out on the serene patio or hang inside. But let’s get it right with La Strada’s amazing appetizers.

Check out a few of the Happy Hour Menu items available Monday through Friday, 3-6pm:

  • Fried Prawns & Chips – deep fried prawns with French fries
  • Garlic Parmesan Wings – served with Ranch Dressing and house-made BBQ Sauce
  • Calamari Friti – served with cocktail and tartar sauces with lemon
  • Beef Skewer –  Angus beef, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, Demi-glaze
  • Crostini, Garlic Bread, Garlic Cheese Fries, Meatballs and more!

There’s something for everyone with Well Drinks, Cocktails, Bottled Beer, Wine (including a Bella Sera Pinot Grigio from Tuscany).

The full menu is available at https://lastradasanpablo.com/happy-hour-menu 

Where:

La Strada
2215 Church Lane
San Pablo

https://lastradasanpablo.com

By |2026-05-21T14:26:57-07:00May 21st, 2026|0 Comments

The Experience, Emeryville: Emeryville Commerce Connexions

The Experience:

Let’s meet up + have some fun on Wed! Don’t miss out!

Gather around the fire pit with us at Pipple Regional Indian. It will be an amazing night out on the patio  on Wed May 27, 5:30 – 7:30pm.

We will be on a culinary journey through India! It may be your new place to hang with friends after work or for lunch.

Come for the vibe. Stay for the connexions. Meet new biz friends. Talk with city officials innovators, entrepreneurs and other businesses that propel Emeryville.

Join the fun! The crew at Pippal and at ECC  can’t wait to see you!  Register.

Pippal is located at 5614, #235 Bay Street in Emeryville. Questions? 510-336-1047.

PS Thank you to Pippal our venue, food & drink host; Husic Vineyards Wine by FACE FOUNDRIE, our wine sponsor; Working Images, event sponsor; and Communications Team & SF on the Bay  for event graphics and support.

More info about ECC:

https://emeryvillecommerceconection.com

By |2026-05-21T13:44:34-07:00May 21st, 2026|Tags: , , |0 Comments

The Experience, Emeryville: Bay Street Emeryville Brunch

The Experience:

Sunny skies. Salty rims.

If your plans don’t include margs and guac yet for the Memorial Weekend, consider this your sign. Spend the three-day weekend brunching at Flores Cocina & Bar, over tacos spicy chilaquiles, fresh margaritas and a table full of your favorite people.

  • Chilaquiles crispy tortillas, salsa roja, sunny eggs, pickled onion, crema, pico de gallo, avocado, and beans
  • Pancake de Elote corn pancake, maple crema, berries, powdered sugar.
  • Ensalada Mixta gem lettuce, black beans, quinoa, corn, bell pepper, avocado, lime-jalapeño dressing.
  • Tacos – Two tacos served with beans, escabeche and salsa dorada
    • Carnitas – slow-roasted pork, slaw
    • Chicken Tinga – shredded poached chicken, pickled habanero onion
    • Vegetariano – king trumpet mushrooms, poblanos, caramelized onions, pico de gallo
    • Carne Asada – grilled steak, pico de gallo
    • Pescado – chipotle aioli, slaw; fried cod or grilled adobo +

Margaritas

  • Classica – Tequila, lime, agave
  • De Flores – Mezcal, Cointreau, lime, orange
  • Fresa – Reposado, strawberry, lime, agave
  • Paloma – Tequila, grapefruit, agave, lime

Beers, Specialty Cocktails and Wine

Refreshing Non-alcoholic Cocktails:

  • Guadalupe – orange, grapefruit, lime, agave, salted rim
  • Pina No-Jito – pineapple, mint, lime, soda

It’s fun in the sun with salty rims at Flores this weekend!

Hours: M-Th11:30am – 9pm; F 11:30am-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm. 510-301-7683

Flores is located in the Bay Break Terrace at 5614 Bay St, Ste 244 in Emeryville

Where:

5616 Bay St

Emeryville

http://baystreetemeryville.com

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