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| June 3, 2005
SUMMER FESTIVALS: Homestyle Mill Valley These events are part of a long tradition of summer fun BY LIZ WICKHAM You may be too late to sign up for this year’s Dipsea Race, but you are invited to wander downtown to watch the start on June 12, regardless of your athletic inclination or ability. For those whose morning coffee at Peet’s, the Depot or Bonavita is de rigueur on Sunday mornings, toasting the 1,500 competitors in the now 100-year-old event is a rite of passage (assuming you are not one of those fortunate 1,500). Start times are handicapped and begin at 8:30am. World events got you down? Depressing news everywhere you turn? The solution is easy! Just put down that newspaper, switch off NPR, throw an old shoe at CNN and head down to the Depot Plaza June 15 for some therapeutic and TOTALLY FREE laughs—all yours thanks to Comedy in the Plaza. This year’s version of the annual event features funny folks Greg Proops, famous for his improv hilarity in Comedy Central’s Whose Line Is It Anyway?; Mark Pitta, whose comedy nights on Tuesdays at 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley are a solid hit; and Diane Amos and Bill Santiago of Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. The Mountain Play is more than just a couple of hours of fine outdoor theater—it holds the potential of being an all-day event, depending on how you approach it. Hike up the mountain, catch a Mountain Play Express Bus at the Manzanita Commuter Lot or Tam High, or ride your bike. Bus up, hike down or vice versa. Go early, and take a mountain hike before the show begins, or enjoy the pre-show entertainment—such as square dancing or puppeteers—or watch cast members rehearse between 9-11am. If the weather is exceptionally warm, veteran playgoers like to get an early start in order to snare the shadiest spots (it’s general seating for all). In any case, bring sunscreen and hats. And then sit back and enjoy this year’s production of Oklahoma! The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic has been around since 1950, but who could ever get enough of Curly, sweet Laurey, quirky Ado Annie, tough but lovable Aunt Eller and evil Jud Fry? Tickets are still available for all performances. Special play events this year include Soda Day, June 11 (giveaways of many flavors of yummy Thomas Kemper soda), and the annual picnic contest June 19—hey! Just like in the play! Regardless of whether Jud will top every bid on your basket with “two bits,” Left Bank CEO and proprietaire Ed Levine will judge your entry for menu, taste, creativity and presentation. Prizes will be awarded to finalists. But don’t pack a picnic June 26—especially if you’re planning to go to the Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting in Lytton Square. If you do, you’ll graze on some of the finest food Mill Valley has to offer. This annual event will feature varietal wines from Napa, Sonoma and the Alexander Valley including Merry Edwards, Silver Oak, Landmark, Pride Mountain and ZD Winery. And the chow? Variety from wonderful local eateries including Champagne Bakery Café, Gourmet Garden to Go, Piatti, Small Shed Flatbreads and more. Don’t miss this “gourmet fantastyland,” sponsored in part by the Mill Valley Market. Tickets are available from the Chamber of Commerce at 85 Throckmorton. The day of the drive-in movie may be virtually over, but that doesn’t mean alfresco movie viewing is a thing of the past. Thanks to Film Night in the Park, the whole family can relax at Old Mill Park and watch such classics as The Princess Bride (June 10), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (July 15) and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (September 9). And unlike regular movie theaters, this open-air theater actually invites you to bring your own food. June and July showings begin around 8:30pm; the September show begins at 8. The Mill Valley Aquatic Center folks would like you to think Family Fun on the First Friday of the month when they have organized special evening events, and admission is free for all. July 1, win a prize at the door just for wearing red, white and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July Aquatic Jubilee night! This holiday weekend will kick off with sliding, grilling, music—and of course, swimming. August 5 is Summer Sunken Treasure Night, and the whole family is invited to explore the Pirate’s Cove for sunken treasure. Avast, me hearties—but leave the parrots and swashbucklers at home. The frustrated artist inside you may find an outlet July 16 at Mill Valley’s annual Paint Off in the downtown plaza. Pick a spot in the plaza, and paint any scene visible from where you stand behind your easel, using any medium and any style you choose. Just don’t be shy—people from everywhere will be looking over your shoulder, “oohing” and “aahing.” Paint as many pieces as you like, but by 3pm, be prepared to choose one for display—and possible prize-winning! The event is limited to 35 artists. To participate, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with name, address, phone number and a $20 check to the Mill Valley Arts Commission, 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley 94941. All 35 entries will be displayed in the City Council chambers for September’s Tuesday Art Walk. For more music in your life, Mill Valley offers Thursday Concerts on the Plaza—and the price should be music to your ears, as well: free. June 16, the Motown/rock infused Lynn Bobby Band is followed by the Latin and rock fusion of Freddy Clarke. July 21, it’s the Oscar Reynolds Trio with Afro-Bolivian, Afro-Peruvian and Flamenco arrangements, and then the Tennessee Valley Orchestra. August 18, enjoy the Hounds—featuring several members of Tam High’s highly regarded jazz band—and Citrus Circus, a rock band made up of recent Tam High grads. Technically, it’s summer until September 21—especially around here. So the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, which takes place before then, is a fall festival in name only. Generally considered the most community-minded arts event in Southern Marin, this festival has been around since 1956 and encourages awareness and appreciation of arts and crafts. It also provides a showcase for new and emerging artists, and the proceeds help contribute to the improvement of Old Mill Park, where the festival is held annually. Come browse, admire and by all means buy wonderful examples of the creative arts—textiles, ceramics, jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture, woodwork and more. Also enjoy a plethora of musical entertainment. Please: No pets or bicycles within the festival. Your kingdom for a horse? To be or not to be? Out, damned spot? Whatever your favorite Shakespeare quotation, the play’s the thing, and you’ll have one this summer at the amphitheater in Old Mill Park. That’s where the Curtain Theater Company will produce Shakespeare in the Park beginning September 9. This year’s presentation: q. SUMMER FESTIVALS BY CITY Corte Madera |
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Comedy in the Plaza, Wednesday, June 15. 6:45-8pm in the Depot Plaza. Free. Info: 415/721-1856. Mountain Play presents Oklahoma! June 5, 11, 12, 19 at 1pm. Mountain Theatre, Mt. Tamalpais State Park. $20-$30. Children 3 and under free. Info: www.mountainplay.org or 415/383-1100. Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting, Sunday, June 26. 1-4pm, Lytton Square. $30 in advance; $35 the day of. Info: www.Millvalley.org/ Film Night in the Park, June 10, July 15, September 9. Suggested donation: $5 adults/$3 kids. Info: 415/453-4333. Mill Valley Aquatic Center Family Fun Night. July 1, August 5, 7-9pm. Free. Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. Info: 415/383-1370. Mill Valley Paint Off. Saturday, July 16. 10:30am-3pm. Downtown. $20 to participate; viewing is free. Info: www.cityofmillvalley.org/. Concerts on the Plaza. Thursdays June 16, July 21, August 18. 6-8pm. Downtown. Free. Info: Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. Saturday, September 17, 10am-6pm. Sunday, September 18, 10am-5pm. Old Mill Park. Admission $7; children under 12 free. Info: 415/381-8090. Shakespeare in the Park. September 9 through October 9. Old Mill Park. Free. Info: 510/845-4007. SUMMER FESTIVALS BY CITY Corte Madera |
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