A Polar Plunge, performances, pancakes, and… bats?
Variety is the spice of life, and you can find it right here on the island! The Alameda Post’s online Community Events Calendar always has a little bit of everything, and this week is no exception. On Thursday, February 27, take a wildlife adventure at the West End Library during the NorCal Bats visit. Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2, catch the opening weeking of The Foodbank Players’ adaptation of The Great Gatsby at Daisy’s Mercantile. The Special Olympics Northern California Polar Plunge and 5k run invites you to have fun at the beach for a great cause on Saturday, March 1. That night, head over Rhythmix Cultural Works for a one-night-only performance of Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends. On Sunday, March 2, Night Heron Bread has you covered for breakfast. Enjoy a delicious meal at the Alameda for Altadena Community Breakfast Benefit at the Healing Garden to raise money for families affected by the Eaton Fire.
NorCal Bats Visit the Alameda Free Library
Thursday, February 27
Are you feeling spontaneous today? Nature lovers of all ages are invited to join NorCal Bats for a special presentation on Thursday, February 27, at 3:30 p.m. Head over to the West End Library, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, to see some special winged friends!
“NorCal Bats is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California,” states their website. The organization also conducts outreach programs—such as this visit to Alameda’s library—to educate the public about the environmental benefits of bats and dispel harmful myths.
Come learn all about the wonderful world of bats at this free event. No registration is necessary, and all ages are welcome.
The Foodbank Players Present The Great Gatsby
Friday, February 28 – Saturday March 15
The Foodbank Players are taking a break from Shakespeare! Catch their adaptation of The Great Gatsby in an intimate setting at Daisy’s Mercantile, 1347 Park Street, starting on Friday, February 28.
In a recent discussion of the play, Director Gene Kahane explored bringing the novel from page to stage: “I’ll share that the greatest challenge and pleasure has been helping the actor playing Daisy do so with dignity and dimension… considering who Daisy is from what the author tells us, then having to fill in the gaps, making thoughtful assumptions in order to have a strong, smart woman in 2025 play someone who seems shallow, from the 1920s.”
The Great Gatsby will run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, beginning on Friday, February 28 and wrapping up on Sunday, March 15. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Venue space is limited to 30 guests, and reservations are strongly recommended. Admission is free, and donations for the Alameda Food Bank are gratefully accepted.
Special Olympics 5K & Polar Plunge
Saturday, March 1
Let’s take the plunge! The Special Olympics Northern California Polar Plunge is coming to the Bay Area—right here in Alameda. Grab your friends for the scenic 5K run, the Polar Plunge, or both to raise money for a great cause. The big day is Saturday, March 1, at Crown Memorial State Beach, and festivities are scheduled from 7:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to enjoy the day however they prefer. Enjoy the 5K at your own pace, and feel free to simply dip a toe into the water for the Plunge if you’re not a fan of getting submerged. Awards will be presented to top individual and team fundraisers, as well as those with the best costumes. After the 5K and Plunge, a Post Plunge Party will be held to celebrate the day.
Register online as an individual or as part of a team. Runners will be required to submit payment for $45 at the time of registration, and Plungers can sign up for no initial charge. Prior to the event, Plungers must raise at least $125 to participate and will receive a Polar Plunge T-shirt and lunch. Participants must raise at least $125 to participate in the Post Plunge Party.
Daughters of the Delta with CHELLE! & Friends
Saturday, March 1
CHELLE! & Friends take the stage at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, for a one-night-only performance on Saturday, March 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. Daughters of the Delta will take a deep dive into the history of music in Louisiana with special attention to female musicians.
“Inspired by Michelle Jacques’ deep love and admiration for the rich folklore of her birthplace, Louisiana, Daughters of the Delta is a compelling project that delves into the often overlooked and underappreciated contributions of women to the unique musical heritage of the Louisiana Gulf region,” says the Rhythmix website. “From the groundbreaking jazz of Lil Hardin Armstrong to the soulful blues of Blue Lou Barker and the powerful gospel of Mahalia Jackson, Daughters of the Delta pays tribute to the pivotal role women have played in shaping Louisiana’s musical culture, a living tradition that remains one of the most richly layered and vibrant in the United States.”
Read more about the performance and reserve your ticket online at the Rhythmix website. General admission is $32 per person, and Angel tickets, which help support the full cost of production, are $44. Discount group packages are available as well. A service fee of $4 applies to individual tickets, and a service fee of $3.50 applies to each group ticket.
Alameda for Altadena Community Breakfast Benefit
Sunday, March 2
Enjoy good food for a great cause at the Alameda for Altadena Community Breakfast Benefit on Sunday, March 2. The fundraiser breakfast is scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon at the Healing Garden, 1435 Webster Street.
Night Heron Bread has teamed up with Tetrahedron Coffee, along with a hardworking team of volunteers, to bring this fundraiser to life. All proceeds from the breakfast will support Letters from Altadena, a wildfire relief nonprofit helping families affected by the Eaton Fire.
Your ticket will include sourdough French toast and/or pancakes, strawberry topping, Tetrahedron coffee, bacon, and fresh juice. The team is also working to organize music and family activities. Help Night Heron Bread reach their goal of selling 100 tickets prior to the breakfast by buying your tickets online in advance. Tickets for adults are $25, and tickets for children at $10.
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].
