May

May 20, 2014

Now That's Entertainment - Tri-Valley Style!

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, Pleasanton
(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, Pleasanton
(925) 426-0987
www.baronespleasanton.com

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 4:00 - 6:00 pm Barone's is open nightly for both happy hour and dinner, but the action heats up with live music on Thursday's throughout the summer months with "Music Under the Stars" (May through October, weather permitting) for live music. Gates open at 5:00 pm, music ends at 10:00 pm.

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

A downtown institution, the restaurant featuring "alta cocina Mexicana" - upscale Mexican cooking - is open daily for lunch and dinner, with daily margarita specials. On Thursday through Saturday nights, you can enjoy your dinner while being serenaded by a solo musician.

Main Street Brewery
830 Main Street, Pleasanton
(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, Wednesday, 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, Pleasanton
(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 2:00 - 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, Pleasanton
(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 Questionnairey on Wednesday and karaoke on Thursdays with dance music after 9:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday nights with DJ AK.

Tommy T's Comedy Steakhouse
5104 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton
(925) 227 1800
www.tommyts.com/pleasanton/index.html

With live comedy six nights a week, Tommy T's is your place for laughs in the Tri-Valley, there is something for everyone with montly ladies nights, Taco Tuesdays and bi-weekly open mic nights. Upcoming acts include Tommy Davidson, Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh, David VanAVERMAETE, Sheryl Underwood, Cocoa Brown, Joey Guila, and Corey Holcomb.

Regional Draws

Amador Theater
1155 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton
(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 507-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 facility to present performers from around the bay are and the globe, such as upcoming concerts from bluegrass three-part harmonies group Red Molly, Menopause the Musical, New Christy Minstrels, The Tubes, and Asleep at the Wheel. View their website for a full event listing.

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

This restaurant features traditional Italian cuisine, a fully stocked bar, and an extensive wine list, with indoor and outdoor seating. With 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 Close.

Cinema West - Livermore 13 Cinemas
2490 First Street, Livermore
(925) 443-SHOW
www.cinemawest.com/liv.html

The all-digital projection movie theater and sound, Cinema West features stadium seating with luxury rocking seats, with D-Box motion seats available for select feature, 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, Pleasanton
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, 20,000 square foot cultural arts center features a 227-seat 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 Swingin' Blues Stars of the USS Hornet, STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, Joni Morris presents a tribute to the Music of Patsy Cline, MADS TOLLING and WESLA WHITFIELD: Mads About Broadway, The Golden Follies, and Rocky LaPorte Comedy. 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. Call or visit the web site for reservations and other events.

Hacienda Crossings Stadium 20 & 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 projection and sound and stadium seating. The theater is also wheelchair accessible, and has a cafe and game room.

Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association
(925) 447-WINE (9463)
www.lvwine.org

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. Happy Hour is Monday - Friday 3:00 - 6:00 pm, in addition to other daily food and drink specials. There's also entertainment: Comedy and 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 7 days a week for lunch and dinner - 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 are available at the theatre. Upcoming special features include Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on May 22 and Jurassic Park on June 12, 2014. 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 Chris Isaak, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Tony Bennett, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Beach Boys.

Photos:
International singing sensation Clairdee (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Red Molly (Photo courtesy of Bankhead Theater)
Mike Amaral's California Beach Boys Tribute Band (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Patio dining available overlooking the beautiful gardens at Faz Restaurant
Menopause the Musical (Photo courtesy of Bankhead Theater)
Asleep at the Wheel (Photo courtesy of Bankhead Theater)
Firehouse Arts Center (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)
Chris Motley "Emotion" (Photo courtesy of Firehouse Arts Center)

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