Arts and Culture

Crumble and Whisk Patisserie, a Black-Owned Bakery and Café, Opens in Laurel District

Crumble and Whisk Patisserie, opened in December near the corner of 39th and MacArthur in East Oakland. Owned and operated by popular chef Charles Farrier, who has garnered a huge following at Bay Area farmers’ markets, the location speaks to Farrier’s roots as a native of Oakland

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2023

Oakland Post

Chef Charles Farrier, owner of the Laurel District's new Crumble and Whisk Patisserie at 4104 MacArthur Blvd. in East Oakland.

By Carla Thomas

A new Black-owned business, Crumble and Whisk Patisserie, opened in December near the corner of 39th and MacArthur in East Oakland.

With its colorfully painted exterior, the cafe along the Laurel district’s popular corridor on MacArthur Boulevard is an artistic addition to the neighborhood.

The shop’s desserts are just as aesthetically pleasing, featuring signature cheesecakes in a variety of flavors. From lemon to berry to chocolate, patrons have a variety of treats to choose from including, savory pot pies and hot cinnamon buns.

Owned and operated by popular chef Charles Farrier, who has garnered a huge following at Bay Area farmers’ markets, the location speaks to Farrier’s roots as a native of Oakland.

Farrier said it was important to open a business in the community and a place where he grew up. Inspired by his father who cooked meals for the family, Farrier knew he always wanted cooking to be a big part of his future, but an unconventional path led him to where he is today.

At his corporate job, Farrier was challenged to bring dessert. His homemade cheesecake was such a hit with his co-workers that a colleague proposed a challenge: With every slice of his bourbon-vanilla cheesecake sold, Farrier had to consider taking his talents to the next level.

“Every slice sold for $2.75,” said Farrier.

Partnering with a paralegal friend with financial knowledge, Farrier was able to focus on developing the company concept and menu. From the San Francisco Farmers’ Market at the Ferry Building to Livermore Farmers’ Market, Farrier gained traction, but it was his hometown that initially supported him. “I started off by selling to the barbershops and small businesses right here on MacArthur,” said Farrier.

As the seasons change, so does the café’s menu. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Farrier’s offerings will include a red wine raspberry cheesecake and roasted sweet potato and bourbon cheesecake. With such a wide range of choices, the cheesecake box is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

“Our cheesecake boxes feature four different mini cheesecakes,” he said. “We’re accepting pre-orders now.”

Like so many businesses that closed during the pandemic, Crumble and Whisk felt the impact when its lucrative catering business slowed down.

“We lost so many accounts. During the pandemic we had to pivot the business and that’s when we started offering cinnamon rolls, cookies, brownies, and chicken pot pies,” he said.

While readapting his catering business to fit the cafe business model, Farrier transformed menu items from frittatas to quiche; made house made turkey patties the star of breakfast sandwiches, and even added a Japanese-style egg salad sandwich.

Farrier has also utilized LaCocina’s small business incubator, which, according to their website, has the mission to “cultivate low-income food entrepreneurs as they formalize and grow their businesses.”

“LaCocina has really been an advocate and helped us sustain our success,” said Farrier.

Farrier finds it a privilege to follow his passion in not just baking, but community building. “Food brings the community together, families together, and it’s so universal. I’m glad to have a shop right where it all began,” he says.

Farrier’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simply, “Strive for your dreams, but do your research so you save time and money.”

For more information visit: CrumbleAndWhisk.com

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Arts and Culture

Richmond Preps for Full Weekend of Cinco de Mayo Festivities

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival. The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Scene from the 2023 Cinco de Mayo parade from Richmond to San Pablo. Photo courtesy The Richmond Standard.

By Mike Kinney

The Richmond Standard

Cinco de Mayo festivities in Richmond and San Pablo are some of the bests in Bay, and organizers say that tradition will be alive and well at this weekend’s annual parade and festival.

The action kicks off Saturday, May 4, with the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Richmond/San Pablo Peace & Unity Parade. The parade of floats, performances, and community organizations starts at 10 a.m. at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue and Richmond and ends at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1845 Church Lane in San Pablo.

The parade’s Grand Marshall this year will be community organizer Diego Garcia, owner of Leftside Printing.

The festivities continue Sunday with the Cinco de Mayo Festival along 23rd Street, which last year drew over 100,000 people, according to the 23rd Street Merchants Association. This year’s festival will again run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between the intersections of Rheem Avenue and Clinton Avenue. It will feature two entertainment stages, one sponsored by La Raza 93.3 FM at 23rd and Rheem, and another sponsored by Radio Lazer FM at 23rd and Clinton.

Both events are important for the city and the region’s Latino community.

San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Calloway, who co-chairs the parade alongside John Marquez, president of the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees, says Saturday’s festivities are about bringing the Richmond and San Pablo communities together in unity.

“This truly connects the spectators and people in the parade as one,” Calloway said. “The parade showcases the real communities of Richmond and San Pablo – our nonprofits, schools, horse riders, classic cars and trucks, our local businesses. All of these people represent the heartbeat of our community.”

Rigo Mendoza, vice president of the 23rd Street Merchants Association, said that at its heart, Richmond’s Cinco de Mayo Festival celebrates the date the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

But John Marquez started up the popular festival to bring the community together and also to exhibit the community’s businesses and culture to visitors, Mendoza said. The gathering was also a way to promote peace in the community.

Oakland Post

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Art

Mario Van Peebles’ ‘Outlaw Posse’ Screened at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theatre

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Film director Mario Van Peebles, who also stars in “Outlaw Posse,” appeared at a press conference held at RBA Creative on MacArthur Boulevard hosted by the Oakland International Film Festival. Photo By Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland International Film Festival hosted a screening of “Outlaw Posse” at the Grand Lake Theatre on Monday. Special guests included director/actor Mario Van Peebles and his co-star, Oakland native Scytorya Rhodes. The film is Peebles’ second western, the first being ‘Posse,’ 13 years ago. Filmmaker Van Peebles shared his passion for independent artistry and producing projects with his son, Mandela, who also starred in the film, along with Whoopi Goldberg and Cedric the Entertainer. Next week, The Post will publish an in-depth interview featuring Peebles’ reflections on his work, future projects, and continuing his father’s legacy and Rhodes on her grandfather, a real-life cowboy.

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Arts and Culture

Kedrick Armstrong: New Music Director for the Oakland Symphony

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director. In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Kedrick Armstrong is the new music director for the Oakland Symphony. Photo credit Scott Chernis.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director.
In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Armstrong is the successor to previous music director and Conductor Michael Morgan, who passed away in 2021 after a 30-year tenure at the Symphony.

Armstrong will open the Oakland Symphony 2024-2025 season on October 18.

Armstrong, who is 29 and hails from Georgetown, South Carolina, is currently the creative partner and principal conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.

The Chicago Tribune has praised Armstrong for his ability to “simply let the score speak for itself.” He enjoys a wide range of repertoire, spanning early music to premiering new works, using his joy and curiosity for all music to cultivate understanding and collaboration within diverse communities.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new music director of the Oakland Symphony,” Armstrong said. “As a Black conductor, I find it humbling to stand on the shoulders of both Michael Morgan and Calvin Simmons,” the most recent and the first African American music directors of the Symphony, respectively.

Armstrong led three programs at the Symphony between 2022 and early 2024, which showcased his broad knowledge of the classical repertoire and enthusiasm for spotlighting diverse voices.
On his Oakland Symphony subscription debut on Feb. 16, Armstrong led the world premiere of “Here I Stand: Paul Robeson,” an oratorio by Carlos Simon on a libretto by Dan Harder, commissioned by the Oakland Symphony.

Armstrong was selected unanimously by the Oakland Symphony’s board of directors and musicians after an extensive two-year search. “The search committee was overwhelmed by Kedrick’s scholarship and curiosity about all kinds of music, from classical and jazz to gospel and hip-hop,” said. Dr. Mieko Hatano, executive director of the Oakland Symphony. “We are thrilled to have him join us at the Oakland Symphony.”