It’s Friday, Friday; gotta get down on Friday! Behold, the top five events this weekend in the East Bay, lovingly hand-picked just for you by our esteemed critics.
Much Ado About Brew
Lest anyone forget that Oakland loves beer, it seems like almost every weekend some brewery or organization is throwing a beer festival. Not that we’re complaining. On Saturday, April 2, KGO Radio presents Much Ado About Brew at Jack London Square (98 Broadway, Oakland), an event that boasts more than thirty craft and specialty beers for sale, as well as food from various local restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County. Noon-3 p.m., $8.10 in advance or $25 day-of. KGORadio.com. — Ellen Cushing
Shirley Masengill Memorial Gathering
After working for more than sixty years at local bookstores, including Cody’s, Sather Gate, and Books Inc., Northern California Children’s Booksellers Association Otter Award-winner Shirley Masengill passed away in February. A memorial event at one of her former workplaces, Laurel Bookstore (4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland), on Saturday, April 2, includes refreshments and a “Shirley story hour.” 1 p.m., free. LaurelBookstore.com. — Anneli Rufus