By Kathy Chouteau
Local artist Alan Krakauer first attended the East Richmond Heights festival in 2017 as a spectator. The following year, he became a vendor, selling his photography, much of it featuring local scenes like Richmond and Wildcat Canyon. Today, as the free-admission festival heads into its sixth year on Saturday, Aug. 2, Krakauer serves as its vendor coordinator. In other words, he can’t stop coming back.
“I can’t believe my good fortune that we have this amazing event and so many talented people in my neighborhood,” said Krakauer.
Set before the beautiful festive framework of the Gyuto Foundation’s grounds, the East Richmond Heights Arts & Music Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside 6401 Bernhard Ave. between Kensington and Cypress Avenues in Richmond. Volunteers are still needed.
The annual neighborhood event will feature 50 local artists, musicians, food and community booths this year, as well as access to the Gyuto Foundation’s spacious and unique grounds perched alongside Wildcat Canyon and including the Path to Enlightenment, Peace Garden, Buddhist Prayer Wheels, temple and more.
The day will start at 11 a.m. with an opening prayer by the Gyuto Monastery, followed by welcome remarks by Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia at 11:15 a.m.
Musical performances are set to kick off under the towering “Sweet Performance Tree” with Red Shift from 11:45 a.m. to 12:24 p.m.; Leonard Sweet & The Blues Jammers from 1-2 p.m.; The Gentle, Live Looping Innovator, Multi-Instrumentalist, Guitarist, Avant-Garde DJ from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; and Guilty as Sin from 3:30 p.m. to the end of the festival.
Samantha Marie, a Richmond artist from PaperCut Pottery and returning vendor, will showcase her handmade, functional ceramics at this year’s festival. “I love these hyper local events that bring my neighbors and community together to support the arts,” she said. She added that the festival is packed with local talent, musical performances and food vendors. “All can enjoy this family friendly festival with free admission.”
The festival will have over 25 art and craft vendors, according to Krakauer, with the remaining booths split between local organizations, nonprofits, agencies and food vendors. “I’m primarily a nature photographer and I’ll have prints, cards, stickers, magnets, and bookmarks.”
Krakauer said that the festival is always fun for kids, and it will also have facepainting, chalk for chalk art, and a couple of tables with crafts.
Numerous vendors are returning this year. Perfusion Vineyard is offering a wine tasting near the stage. Other returning favorites include SeaWoof sustainable pet products, the aforementioned Papercut Pottery, North & East Leather, Mark Conrad metalworks, plus jewelry from Moon and Leaf and Lauri La Pointe, Krakauer said.
New vendors on the horizon will include children’s book author and editor Karin Fisher-Golton, photographer Arthur Howe, artist Michael Perry Mann and graphics wiz Overcast Co-op.
A small group of nature-oriented nonprofits are joining the festival this year, such as the Golden Gate Bird Alliance (formerly called Golden Gate Audubon Society), Bringing Back the Natives (a native plant gardening and green home advocacy group) and International Bird Rescue, according to Krakauer.
As for food options on the scene, Zaragoza Taco Truck, Whey on Wheels artisanal sandwiches, SnA Lemonade, Green Panda Eats gourmet cookies and Kona Ice (get there early!) will all be there, said Krakauer. Selma’s Pantry granola and Monte Vista Microgreens, Squabish Pretzels and Mr. Dim Sum are also lined up.
While arts/crafts and music spots are filled up, organizers are still in need of volunteers to help with the event; contact [email protected] to sign up or for questions.
