Welcome to the Festival Website!
2006 *** 2006 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT MAP ***Forget about the gourmet ghetto! For sheer diversity and intensity of flavor, the West Berkeley neighborhood around the intersection of University and San Pablo Avenues can't be topped. This small area offers restaurants, markets, and clothing boutiques from over a dozen countries.
Recent years have seen an influx of a wide range of immigrants in this West Berkeley neighborhood where rents are slightly cheaper. Many have opened up clothing boutiques, restaurants and specialty food markets. Branded as Berkeley's new "International District," it has the highest concentration of independent and family owned shops in the City. And, it's home to the most ethnically diverse retail mix in Berkeley.
On Sunday, April 30th, the West Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation, in conjunction with the City of Berkeley, hosts the inaugural Berkeley International Food Festival to celebrate community, diversity, and of course, food. With three entertainment locations, it will be a big party to welcome people to the neighborhood and give them a sampling of what it has to offer.
For the festival, several blocks surrounding the University and San Pablo Avenues intersection will be transformed into a vibrant festival site. Specialty markets will introduce foods and cooking products to new audiences. The many ethnic restaurants will offer samples and run specials. There will be food booths, music, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts booths, and sales at local import shops.
Festival stages will feature cultural presentations, music, DJs and dance from around the globe. Local community organizations will have vendor booths and tables describing their services.
Berkeley residents, accustomed to up-scale specialty grocers and restaurants, will be surprised to see the variety and quality available in this often overlooked part of town. The ethnic groceries in this area offer ingredients from Pakistan to South America, Mexico to Thailand. Many have adjoining restaurants; after a spectacular meal, a diner can step next door and purchase the ingredients to make an attempt at home.
So, bring your friends and family to the first annual Berkeley International Food Festival on Sunday, April 30th from noon to 5 p.m., and prepare to be surprised. You'll discover a revitalized neighborhood, a vibrant community and above all, a huge range of exquisite dining and shopping opportunities. See you there.
Press Release
FROM: West Berkeley Neighborhood Development CorporationPRESS CONTACT: Sally Douglas Arce at 510-525-9552 or sally@arce.com
FOR QUESTIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS PLEASE CALL WBNDC at 510 845-4106
The Berkeley International Food Festival
From the World to West Berkeley
The inaugural Berkeley International Food Festival, that takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 30, showcases West Berkeley's International District and its many restaurants and markets. Festival goers will visit eateries and food markets along a promenade area running two blocks in each direction from the intersection of University and San Pablo Avenues. Expect restaurant specials, cooking demonstrations, the sampling of dozens of international foods and live entertainment.
WHAT: The Berkeley International Food Festival
From the World to West Berkeley
WHEN: noon 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30
WHERE: University and San Pablo Avenues, Berkeley
North and south from Delaware to Addison Street
East and west from Curtis Street to 8th Street
ADMISSION: No charge. There is a cost for restaurant specials, but music and entertainment is free.
PARKING AND BIKE PARKING: Free at Bonar and Allston Way (parking lot of the old Berkeley Adult School)
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: The Event will be a brightly defined promenade, fanning out from the intersection in each direction. Festival goers can visit eateries and food markets along the promenade for restaurant specials, cooking demonstrations, exotic food products and the utensils needed to prepare them, family recipes, and the sampling of dozens of international foods. Staged entertainment, specialty food booths, community tables and amusements such as henna painting will be featured along the way.
WHY: The Festival celebrates this West Berkeley district as a distinct gateway an International Marketplace with a concentration of culinary traditions that is unique to Berkeley, a city known the world over for its culinary sensibilities. The area running two blocks in each direction from the intersection of University and San Pablo Avenues has a unique concentration of almost two dozen ethnic grocery stores and restaurants one of the densest concentrations anywhere in the region. The many excellent restaurants serve a wide variety of specialty cuisines from India, Turkey, Thailand, Jamaica, China, Pakistan, Hawaii and Mexico. Arabic, Mediterranean, and South American foods area are also available. The markets in this small area sell an extraordinary range of foods and spices representing South Asia, Asia Pacific, Mexico, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands and many others.
ENTERTAINMENT: A stage by Wells Fargo Bank on University near San Pablo Avenue will feature entertainment beginning at 1pm. First up is world class Oakland trumpeter Khalil Shaheed's eclectic group, the Mo'Rockin Project, offering a mix of straight-ahead jazz with melodies and musical traditions from Morocco. Bay Area Balinese arts ensemble Gamelan Sekar Jaya, known to be the best gamelan orchestra and dancers outside of Indonesia, performs at 2:15. Next will be The Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band, which hails from the neighborhood's Templebar. At 4pm local import shops will present a lively fashion show of the latest and hottest in International fashion and jewelry, done to live classical tabla and sitar music from critically acclaimed artist collective Dhamaal. Dhamaal will then end the day with Dhamaal, featuring Maneesh the Twister , Ferhan Qureshi (tabla) & Srini Reddy (sitar).
A second activity area on Addison Street at San Pablo Avenue will be directly in front of and inside Festival partner, Freight and Salvage Coffee House. The popular club is opening its doors for the entire day to bring exciting entertainment to everyone. Music also will be piped out onto Addison, where folks can listen as they enjoy more food, and browse merchandise and information booths. On hand at the Freight will be internationally renowned performing and recording group Los Cenzontles, from the Mexican Art Center of the same name in San Pablo. Also appearing is West Berkeley's own Irene Sazer and the School of String Improvisation, offering a vibrant synthesis of world and roots music with jazz, classical, and pop stylings. Lastly, on its way to a string of summer Festivals, the David Thom Band will stop by to perform its own brand of hard-driving California Bluegrass, playing both standard and original tunes. Food booths with exotic international fare, and local business and community tables will be set up on the portion of Addison Street in front of the club, from San Pablo to Byron Streets.
SUPPORT AND SPONSORS: The City of Berkeley and the West Berkeley Development Corporation (WBNDC) are working to strengthen the economic base of the culturally diverse mix of businesses located the vicinity of University and San Pablo Avenues in West Berkeley. In order to stimulate commerce the City provided seed funds for this first annual Berkeley International Food Festival, to be organized and produced by WBNDC. Additionally, there is support from the University Avenue Association, many area businesses, and University of California Community Relations Office. Sponsors include the City of Berkeley East Bay Express, Wells Fargo Bank, Karma, Design Site, Freight and Salvage Coffee House, Ahlishan Fashion Fabrics, Mi Tierra Foods, University of California Printing Services, India West, and the Berkeley Daily Planet.
A Festival builds community pride and brings people together in shared enjoyment. It is also an effective way to introduce West Berkeley businesses to the entire Bay Area. Please join us.
www.berkeleyinternationalfoodfestival.com
######
