Blues, Brews & BBQ Brings the Enjoyable to Washington Park

Cloudy skies didn’t discourage 1000’s of competition goers from filling Washington Park on Sunday, September 20, for the ninth annual Blues, Brews & BBQ, introduced by the West End Arts District (WEAD). The free competition, which ran from midday to six p.m., paired dwell blues music with regional beers, wine, barbecue, arts distributors, and actions for youngsters.

Blues, Brews & BBQ started in 2015 and has grown into one of many West End Arts District’s cornerstone occasions. Last yr, WEAD Executive Director Tara Pilbrow instructed the Alameda Post that attendees got here from 48 ZIP codes all through the Bay Area, with roughly half touring from exterior Alameda. WEAD, a community-led nonprofit based in 2015 by Fireside Lounge proprietor Sandy Russell, goals to foster performing and visible arts in West Alameda. Blues, Brews & BBQ helps to assist WEAD’s year-round programming all through the island.

A couple of volunteers stated they have been initially involved that the grey and funky climate would possibly suppress attendance, however these worries proved pointless. Organizers estimated final yr’s crowd at roughly 4,000 – 5,000 and volunteers agreed this yr’s turnout gave the impression to be comparably spectacular. By the time the solar emerged later within the afternoon, there have been dozens of individuals forming a line for YaYa’s Classic Soft Serve, and far of the park’s grass was hid by picnic blankets and folding chairs as teams of associates and households settled in for hours of festivities.

This yr’s essential stage featured Bay Area blues guitarist Chris Cain because the headliner. Attendees have been overheard expressing pleasure about this headlining act; in spite of everything, Cain is award-winning, holding previous titles of Blues Music Awards Guitarist of the Year and extra. The occasion additionally showcased Terrie Odabi and an prolonged Aki Kumar Blues Jam that includes Jules Leyhe and Marina Crouse. Many attendees acquired as much as dance close to the stage all through the occasion.

The remainder of the competition unfold throughout Washington Park like a set of small neighborhoods. A big cluster of cubicles featured native artists promoting jewellery, clothes, equipment, and different wares. A separate space was dedicated to meals, and naturally, there have been many smoking barbecue choices. Families lined as much as purchase scorching canines from Evergood Sausage, an organization impressively celebrating its 100th anniversary this yr. Perhaps unsurprisingly for an occasion with “BBQ” in its title, vegetarians had fewer selections among the many essential dishes. That stated, fried mushrooms, cheese sticks, and sweets meant that non-meat eaters didn’t must go hungry.

Meanwhile, beer, wine, and cocktail stations fashioned a closely trafficked lane inside the park. This beer backyard featured craft choices from all around the Bay, together with hometown breweries like Alameda Brewing and Faction Brewing. Alameda’s Urban Legend equipped wine, whereas Alameda Soda Company provided nonalcoholic drinks.

Children had their very own Family Zone, and Ozzy’s Music Academy supplied a roving stage and chalk-art station. There have been additionally actions from the Creativity Center of Alameda.

Teenage volunteers appeared to have enjoyable circulating by means of the group promoting raffle tickets in assist of West End Arts District programming for 2027 and past. One fortunate raffle winner received a set of present certificates and distinctive experiences from Alameda donors like Radium Arts and Craft Chocolates.

The occasion felt very distinctly Alamedan. Dogs and kids performed all through the park, and neighbors listening to the thrilling music wandered into the competition to seek out the supply of the enjoyable. Recycling and compost stations have been obtainable all through the grounds, so regardless of the big crowd, the grounds remained remarkably freed from litter. For that afternoon, Washington Park supplied a scrumptious, musical setting for everybody hoping to discover a joyful strategy to say goodbye to summer season.

For anybody who want to assist the humanities within the West End, there may be an upcoming WEAD occasion, ArtBeats Soirée & Auction, on October 2 at The Yard at Saltbreaker operating from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Vivian Delchamps Wolf (English PhD, UCLA, 2022) is a professor of English at Dominican University of California and a contributing author for the Alameda Post. She can be a incapacity justice advocate, ballroom dancer, cat lover, and board recreation fanatic. Contact her by way of [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Vivan-Delchamps-Wolf.