There’s something for everyone this week
Alameda’s online calendar presents a delightful smorgasbord of events this week. Kick off the weekend with a Happy Hour Fundraiser at Rhythmix Cultural Works. A rock star lineup of comedians is ready to make you laugh at the Alameda Comedy Club’s All-Star Comedy Jam. And keep the party going at Alameda Strolls’ inaugural Rum Stroll.
A few family favorites are on the schedule as well. Walkers, runners, and all donut lovers are invited to the annual Donut Fun Run and Donut Festival. Then, catch a show for kids of all ages with Curious and Curiouser – ‘The Alice in Wonderland’ Musical at the Elks Lodge.
As Halloween draws closer, two events this week are sure to get you in the spirit for “Spooky Season.” Grab your costumes for The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival aboard the USS Hornet. Later in the week, hear a lecture from a college professor on the “monstrogenealogy” of the golem—“A Monster Made by Human Hands” is sure to be a fascinating dive into the iconic figure throughout history. Now, the only question that remains is, “How do I fit all these great Alameda events into my schedule?”
Happy Hour Fundraiser at Rhythmix Cultural Works
Friday, October 18
Enjoy sips and snacks for a good cause at Rhythmix Cultural Works’ Happy Hour Fundraiser on Friday, October 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., 2513 Blanding Avenue. One $20 ticket will get you two drinks and light appetizers.
Bring a jacket for this indoor/outdoor fundraiser on the beautiful Rhythmix courtyard. Attendees are welcome to explore the Rituales: Reflections on Death and Spirits exhibit, take a tour of the theater, and more.
All donations will go towards Rhythmix’s year-end fundraising, which helps produce arts programs for the community. Tickets are available online or at the door.
All-Star Comedy Jam
Friday and Saturday, October 18-19
Prepare for a night full of laughs at the Alameda Comedy Club’s All-Star Comedy Jam at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, at 2413 Central Avenue. They’ve hand-picked a rockstar lineup of comedians from the past four years of Alameda Comedy Club shows.
The club’s food menu features mouthwatering temptations, including charcuterie boards, flatbread, sliders, and salty shareables. Guests can choose their drinks from a full bar, too. Please note that there is a two-item minimum for all guests.
Due to financial strain, the Alameda Comedy Club will not be renewing their lease after four years of great shows in Alameda. Let’s show them some love and appreciation for their time by filling the seats at the All-Star Comedy Jam. Tickets are available online.
The Donut Fun Run and Donut Festival
Saturday, October 19
Did somebody say “donuts?” The second annual Donut Fun Run and Donut Festival is headed to the Alameda Point Taxiway, 2149 Ferry Point, on Saturday, October 19. The race starts at 8 a.m., and the festival goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Donut Festival has lots of fun planned for after the race, including:
- The “Dancing Donuts” performance, featuring Alameda’s Dance/10 studio dancers.
- Donut-themed photo opportunities.
- A donut eating contest.
- A live DJ and dancing.
- Local food and beverage booths.
- A craft market.
Advance registration is required to participate in the Fun Run. The Festival is free to attend, and participants are not required to run the race in order to party at the festival. See more on @thedonutfunrun on Instagram or on the event website. Bring your sunscreen and an appetite, and get ready to celebrate all things donuts!
The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival
Saturday, October 19
Halloween is coming soon! Join The Gathering of the Goths Halloween Festival for a night of frightful delights on Saturday, October 19, aboard the USS Hornet, 707 West Hornet Avenue, from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. the following morning. Dress up for a costume contest, shop local goods, and dance the night away.
The night’s festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with the Halloween Bazaar & Goth Market in Hangar Bay 2. Starting at 7 p.m., an “all star cast of Post-punk, Dark Wave, and Synth Punk bands” take the stage for a concert in Hangar Bay 3. If you haven’t had your fill of dancing after the live bands, keep the party going with the Club Enigma after party in Hangar Bay 3, starting at 11 p.m. A full schedule of events—and a complete explanation of all ticket types and additions—is available on the ticketing website.
The Halloween Bazaar & Goth Market is open to all ages, and the rest of the festival is restricted to guests aged eighteen and up. The USS Hornet has a parking lot with free parking for festival attendees. The market, the concert, and the after party are all ADA accessible. For more information, visit the festival’s Eventbrite page.
Rum Stroll
Saturday, October 19
Lace up your shoes and arrange a designated driver for Alameda Strolls’ first-ever Rum Stroll on Saturday, October 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. The tour starts at Dragon Rouge, 2337 Blanding Avenue, and will visit more than 10 businesses in the area for rum tastings.
Rum Stroll standard ticket holders will receive a collectible tasting glass, local and international rum tastings, small bites at some locations, and a commemorative guide. A limited number of Designated Driver tickets are available for a reduced price and include small bites and the commemorative map.
Want the VIP treatment? Rum Stroll VIP Tickets include an early check-in at Dragon Rouge for a special tasting and chat with Justin D’Olier of Ko’Hana rum and rum educator Bryan Inman. Michael Thanos from Forbidden Island will also be at the VIP event to discuss the tiki lounge’s rum blend and will offer a rum and cocktail tasting.
Alameda Strolls events are very popular and usually sell out early, so grab your ticket online for the inaugural Rum Stroll and keep an eye out for future strolls.
Curious and Curiouser – ‘The Alice in Wonderland’ Musical
Sunday, October 20
East Bay Children’s Theater is bringing Curious and Curiouser – The ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Musical to Alameda for one show only on Sunday, October 20 at 2.p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue. The production, adapted from the Lewis Carroll classics, promises timeless fun for the whole family.
“Take a tumble down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland!” writes East Bay Children’s Theater. “Join Alice as she encounters a curious collection of cracked eggs, singing flowers, mad hatters, and screaming queens in the world-premiere production of Curious and Curiouser – ‘The Alice in Wonderland’ Musical.”
Advance ticket purchase online is strongly recommended for this high-demand show. Children are encouraged to come in costume, and are invited to take photos with the cast onstage after the show.
Profs & Pints Alameda: A Monster Made by Human Hands
Wednesday, October 23
Order a drink and pull up a chair for “A Monster Made by Human Hands,” a fascinating lecture by Professor Michael M. Chemers at Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street, on Wednesday, October 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Chemers is a Director for the Center for Monster Studies and a Professor of Dramatic Literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz. In this lecture, he’ll explore the “monstrogenealogy” of the golem, discussing how it originated and how it has changed over centuries.
This lecture is presented by Profs & Pints®, an organization with a mission to bring “college faculty members into bars, cafés, company offices, and other off-campus venues to share their knowledge.” Read more about the lecture online. Tickets are available for advance purchase online, or may be purchased at the door.
What else is going on in Alameda?
All these events and more, in Alameda and beyond, are always posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Reach her at [email protected].Sounds goo
