Eat, Drink, Listen and Shop at Lafayette's Art and Wine Festival
By Cathy Tyson
The Spazmatics will play at the
Art and Wine Festival again
On September 19 and 20, Lafayette will hold its biggest event of the year, the Art and Wine Festival. A portion of Mt. Diablo Boulevard will be closed to cars, but open for strolling, drinking, munching and shopping - possibly even dancing.
With easy parking at BART, the Festival features top notch food, wine and micro-brews, along with more than 250 booths carrying a wide variety of one of a kind art, textiles, jewelry, glass, photography, and a special "Local Artist Alley." If that weren't enough, three stages will host musical entertainment to rock even more than the plaza for these two days.
Between Chow and Ferrari, those who really want to "Try Lafayette First" can check out the wares of artists that call Lamorinda home. The "Local Artist Alley" is located in the first row of La Fiesta Square's parking lot facing Storyteller, along Lafayette Circle. Fifteen to twenty artists, many of whom don't normally do fairs, will be displaying one of kind treasures. For example Tom Tanyehill, who lives and works just blocks away from the Festival, normally sells his artwork at galleries in Carmel and Tiburon. His paintings can be found as far away as New York, Washington D.C., London and even Scotland.
"It's the one time of year when you can meet the artist directly," said Taneyhill. Growing up in the area, he's inspired by local surroundings, for example the Lafayette Reservoir and the rolling golden hills of Mt. Diablo and Lamorinda. "I like a lot of movement in my paintings. As a kid I did a lot of sailing - the wind on tall grass is similar to waves on the ocean." In addition to local artists, both the Lafayette Art Gallery and Moraga Art Gallery will be represented.
There's art even where you may not expect it. Shelby Sexton Salon, tucked between Teacake Bake Shop and the rear of Chicos in La Fiesta Square, has recently merged with the Lisa Johnson Gallery. Original oil paintings, sculpture and blown glass are on display and are for sale throughout the contemporary salon. Champagne will be served while the salon is open for hair as well as aesthetician services. Attendees that feel the need for waxing, a facial, or perhaps just to pick up some sunscreen are welcome. Come for the art, stay for a haircut.
For the first time ever, there will be a Power of You(th) used book sale, spearheaded by Brad Green for his Eagle Scout Project. He has organized book donations at all of the Lafayette schools to benefit the new Library. Kids who donated 15 or more gently used books received a specially designed T-shirt. Look for a variety of inexpensive, previously owned books at his booth.
The Festival is presented by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce to benefit the Lafayette Arts and Science Foundation (LASF) along with other non-profits. This fundraiser could not have come at a better time for these deserving organizations.
"Without LASF, Lafayette public schools simply could not offer the top quality programs in art, music and science that contribute to our schools' top rankings. And LASF supports much more than our name suggests -- writing and technology, for example. At the high school level, this includes funding for courses that are required for entry to UC schools -- what will happen if our kids can't get the courses they need to apply to our state universities? This year LASF is raising an unprecedented $1.5 million dollars -- $300,000 more than last year. We can only do this with the help of the entire Lafayette community," said Barbara Serwin, LASF President 2009 - 2010.
The Lafayette Art and Wine Festival:
Hundreds of fine arts and crafts booths, restaurants, food vendors, wineries and microbreweries,
plus a kid’s area with entertainment and activities.
Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and
Sunday, September 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Lafayette www.lafayettechamber.org/pages/artwine
Lafayette Farmers' Markets
Lafayette Plaza Park from 4 – 8pm
Thursdays, September 3, 10 and 17th.
With easy parking at BART, the Festival features top notch food, wine and micro-brews, along with more than 250 booths carrying a wide variety of one of a kind art, textiles, jewelry, glass, photography, and a special "Local Artist Alley." If that weren't enough, three stages will host musical entertainment to rock even more than the plaza for these two days.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA