The Encinal High Drama Department is currently presenting the mega opus extravaganza: Hairspray.

Based on the 1988 John Waters film of the same name, this musical is ostensibly centered on 1960s-style dance music and “downtown” rhythm and blues; but don’t be fooled.

Another art exhibition opening for second Fridays, Naturally, features nine Bay Area artists displaying works with a spring-like theme.

Coinciding with the second Friday openings happening all over town tomorrow night is the presentation of one particularly giant piece of art by local artist d’Arci Bruno at the Pacific Pinball Museum (PPM).

The Figure, A Bay Area Legacy, the latest exhibition of works at Gary Francis Fine Art, opens tomorrow night at 6 p.m. as part of Alameda’s second Friday art opening tradition.

Alameda celebrated the "Year of the Horse" at the Spring Festival held at Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center last Saturday.

Alameda author and editor Julia Park Tracey annouced Monday her latest book in The Doris Diaries series: Reaching for the Moon won the grand prize at the Great Northwest Book Festival, which honors the best titles of the late winter and early spring season.

The Lincoln Middle School (LMS) Marching Band, directed by Tyra Ingram Cable and led by drum major Emily Tran, made its eighth appearance in San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Lunar New Year is one of the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This year, the Lunar New Year began on Jan. 31 marking the start of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac.

Like most gluttons, culinary obsessives, annoying recreational eaters, imperious food snobs and occasionally successful cooks, I have entertained the dubious notion of opening a restaurant.

A unique show of mixed media work by clients of Oakland’s Clausen House are now on display in the Signature Gallery of the Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA). The show continues through March 2.