Pro Arts is moving from Second Street this month to downtown and re-opens June 23 in the Oakland Art Gallery with “Bay Area Currents 2009.” The artists’ reception is 5-8pm June 25. Also, the Last Fridays Concert Series picks up in the new gallery on 7:30 pm June 26. No word yet on what will replace Pro Arts that occupies the space next to Swarm Gallery, which is staying put and is ready for East Bay Open Studios 2009, which began last night. Here’s a glimpse (okay, a badly shot one…sorry) of the opening party last night at Pro Arts, when the move was announced. (Tell me too, do you think the Oaktown Night Owl moniker I am using on Twitter and Qik — see embedded logo on video below – is too annoying?)
Aarrrgh! Where is my attention span? I just realized tonight is the opening of East Bay Open Studios. I’m heading down to Pro Arts to see if I can get some of the gala action that’s going on until 10 p.m.
The hot news in hooch is Jim Beam’s roll out of one of the first flavored whiskeys. I guess they figure that if people will shell out money for grape, mango, espresso and pepper Vodkas they’ll do the same for Red Stag, which is the name of the Jim Beam’s black cherry infused 4-year-old bourbon. Anybody tried this yet? According Jim Beam, Kid Rock is Red Stag’s spokesman and the company is sponsoring his 25-city tour.
You probably already know by now that investors stepped forward to keep the Parkway Speakeasy running. Here is an update for more information about the group and what the future holds for the brew and view venue.
- Oakland Tribune Outtakes