May

May 15, 2012 | Volume 20, Number 5

There's No Shortage of Entertainment Options in the Tri-Valley

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Whether you're looking for an opportunity to kick back after work or a special weekend event, Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley offer a host of entertainment opportunities.

In Hacienda

Faz
5121 Hopyard Road
(925) 460-0444
www.fazrestaurants.com

Faz is well known throughout the area for fabulous Mediterranean and Near Eastern cuisine, but the restaurant's lounge is a local hotspot for fun music and other events. Weeknight happy hours - 5:00 to 7:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday - feature drink specials, complimentary food, and music. Mary & Terry play Top 40 on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Joey T playing a mix of jazz and Top 40 on Thursday , while Chauncey Presents jazzes the place up on Fridays. Starting Friday, June 1, Faz kicks off First Fridays, themed evenings which will bring happy hour outside to the restaurant's beautiful patio.

In Town

Barone's
474 St. John Street
(925) 426-0987
www.baronespleasanton.com

Barone's is open nightly for both happy hour and dinner, but the action heats up with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Starting May 31 and continuing throughout the summer, their popular continental cuisine will be accompanied on Thursday evenings with "Music Under the Stars," featuring dining and dancing on Barone's outdoor terrace with music from local bands.

Blue Agave Club
625 Main Street
(925) 417-1224
www.blueagaveclub.com

A downtown institution celebrating its 15th anniversary, this restaurant featuring "alta cocina Mexicana" - upscale Mexican cooking - is open daily for lunch and dinner. On Thursday through Saturday nights, you can enjoy your dinner while being serenaded by a solo musician.

Epic Lounge & Sports Bar
3059D Hopyard Road
(925) 462-7674
on.fb.me/ISjNJs

The Epic is open nightly from 5:00 pm with happy hour specials, darts, and pool tables to keep patrons occupied, along with a number of big screens to watch the big game. The dance floor is the center of attention on Friday and Saturday nights with DJs providing the grooves, and Thursday nights have been known to feature live bands as well. Check out their Facebook page for details.

Main Street Brewery
830 Main Street
(925) 462-8218
www.mainstbrewery.com

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays as well as Monday evenings, Pleasanton's only brew pub offers live music Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9:00 pm. Main Street's music lineup features rock, blues, R&B, soul, jazz, and more, and the bar offers five or more house brews as well as a dozen rotating guest taps. Check out their web site for a complete schedule.

Redcoats British Pub & Restaurant
336 Saint Mary Street
(925) 462-6600
www.redcoatspub.com

Food is served all day at this full-service restaurant and pub located in "a lovingly restored old building" downtown, and you'll find a daily happy hour from 3:00 - 6:00 pm as well. Dancers hit the floor as a DJ spins the tunes year round on Friday and Saturday nights; summertime sees that schedule expanded Thursdays and after the downtown First Wednesday Street Parties. There's also a trivia night.

Sunshine Saloon
1807 Santa Rita Road
(925) 846-6108
www.sunshinesaloon.com

"The Shine," established in 1978, is a sports bar and more, with activities like darts, pool, shuffleboard, and ping-pong to go with the 15 different video screens showing sporting events. Their extensive menu features breakfast served all day, there's a trivia contest at 8:00 pm on Tuesdays, and you can enjoy karaoke and dance music on Wednesday and Thursday nights after 9:00 pm with DJ AK.

Tommy T's Comedy Steakhouse
5104 Hopyard Road
(925) 227 1800
www.tommyts.com

With live comedy six nights a week, Tommy T's is your place for laughs in the Tri-Valley. Upcoming acts include former Saturday Night Live cast member Finesse Mitchell as well as Craig Shoemaker, named Comedian of the Year by the American Comedy Awards on ABC.

Regional Draws

Amador Theater
1155 Santa Rita Road
(925) 931-5361
www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/community/arts/amador-theater.html

Owned and operated by the City of Pleasanton, the Amador Theater has served as the area's principal performing arts facility for over 60 years. With the opening of the Firehouse Arts Center, the program here has been scaled back, but do check their web site for times and tickets and scheduled performances.

Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street
Livermore
(925) 373-6800
www.livermoreperformingarts.org

The Bankhead Theater is the 500-seat home of area arts organizations including Del Valle Fine Arts, Livermore Valley Opera, Livermore-Amador Symphony, Valley Dance Theater, Pacific Chamber Symphony, and the Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre. In addition, the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Council uses the five-year-old facility to present performers from around the globe, such as upcoming concerts from country-rock pioneers Pure Prairie League, classical guitarist Robert Gruca, western swing from Asleep at the Wheel, and the 20th anniversary performance of the Cantabella Children's Chorus.

Campo di Bocce of Livermore
175 E. Vineyard Avenue
Livermore
(925) 249-9800
www.campodibocce.com

This restaurant features traditional Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list, and eight world class bocce courts for an opportunity to "escape to Italy in your own backyard." Campo di Bocce offers bocce instruction and you can play by the hour or even join a league. Opens 9:00 am daily, with food served from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm and late-night bocce on the weekends.

Cinema West
2490 First Street
Livermore
(925) 443-SHOW
www.cinemawest.com/liv.html

The first all-digital projection movie theater in the East Bay, Cinema West features stadium seating with luxury rocking seats, THX-certified auditoriums, and a convenient location in downtown Livermore's new entertainment district. View current and coming attractions and buy tickets online.

Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
10550 Albion Road
San Ramon
(925) 973.ARTS
www.SanRamonPerformingArts.com

Located on the Dougherty Valley High School campus, this 600-seat proscenium theater hosts entertainment ranging from theater to music both contemporary and classical, in addition to comedy. Visit the web site for the calendar and ticket information.

Firehouse Arts Center
4444 Railroad Avenue
Information: (925) 931-4850
Box Office: (925) 931-4848
www.firehousearts.org

Firehouse Arts Center, "dedicated to inspiring passion through the arts," consists of the intimate, 238-seat Firehouse Theater and the 2,000 square foot Harrington Gallery, both housed in a structure that has at its foundations Pleasanton's 1929 main firehouse. Upcoming performances at the theater include 70's pop heroes Pablo Cruise, American Idol finalist Josh Gracin, singer/songwriter Karla Bonoff, and comedian Brad Upton. Check out their web site for the full event calendar.

Garre Winery
7986 Tesla Road
Livermore
(925) 371-8200
www.garrewinery.com

Cafe Garre is open daily for lunch and, on those warm summer Friday nights, the beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards hosts live music. The summer will also see the return of the winery's Wednesday evening bocce ball. Call or visit the web site for reservations and other events.

Hacienda Crossings Stadium 21 & IMAX
5000 Dublin Boulevard
Dublin
(925) 560-0900
www.regmovies.com

Regal Cinemas bring the supersized IMAX experience to the Tri-Valley. Other screens show first-run films, and all theaters offer digital sound and stadium seating.

Karma Fusion Lounge
4100 Grafton Street, Suite 1
Dublin
(925) 551-0850
www.karma4100.com

The "fusion" in this venue's name could come from many different ideas: the blend of Asian and western influences in both cuisine and design or the promised combination of high-end San Francisco and Las Vegas lounge scenes. With both DJs and live performers delivering the danceables - Bay Area rap legend E-40 performed here recently - Karma offers a varied entertainment lineup. Check their web site for the latest schedule.

Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association
(925) 447-WINE (9463)
www.livermorewine.com

With over 40 member wineries, the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association offers a tremendous selection of festive events, including themed tastings, and special music, food, and wine happenings. Access the association's web site for the current calendar of events.

Sanctuary Ultra Lounge
2369 First Street
Livermore
(925) 373-0521
www.sanctuaryultralounge.com

This lounge "was created to be a place to relax, unwind, and be amongst friends," offering cocktails, an extensive wine list, tapas, and entrees in their main lounge, with seating on sofas, loveseats, and lounge chairs. There's also entertainment: karaoke on Thursday nights, live music or a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, and Latin/salsa dancing on Sunday nights with free lessons. Now open daily for lunch - their web site has a full listing of hours and events.

Vine Cinema & Alehouse
1722 First Street
Livermore
(925) 447-2546
www.vinecinema.com

The cornerstone of the recently renovated Vine Center, this movie theater offers an assortment of first-run and classic films as well as craft beer on tap, local wines, and food from the nearby Zephyr Grill & Bar. Upcoming special features include Cleopatra (starring Elizabeth Taylor) on May 24 and Robert Altman's M*A*S*H on June 14. View schedules and trailers of coming attractions at their web site.

Wente Vineyards and Restaurant
5050 Arroyo Road
Livermore
(925) 456-2300
Ticket office: (925) 456-2424
www.wentevineyards.com

What could be more pleasant than a splendid meal eaten on a warm patio in a vineyard setting, followed by a concert from world-class performers? This year's Wente Concert series features music from Foreigner, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Diana Krall, and Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers.

Photos: Top to Bottom
Singer/Songwriter Karla Bonoff (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Photo courtesy of Bankhead Theater)
The Doors Legacy Band (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Friday evenings at Faz feature music from keyboardist Patrick Sturgis and Chauncey Presents.
Asleep at the Wheel (Photo courtesy of Bankhead Theater)
Comic Brad Upton (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Pablo Cruise (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)

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