Al's Birthday

Our brother-in-law, Al, plays in several bands, including the Rubinoos, an American "power pop" band formed in 1970.  Best known for their singles "I Think We're Alone Now" and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", they're still playing and touring.  It's Al's birthday and one of his traditions is that he gives a concert on his birthday at the Kensington Circus Pub in Kensington, CA (in the East Bay, in the hills just above Berkeley).  This birthday, the Rubinoos join him under the name "Al Oha and the Royal Hawaiians."

Kensington Circus Pub

Tonight, Al Oha and the Royal Hawaiians

The Kensington Circus Pub has a great selection of British and Irish beers, local beers, and traditional English dishes as well as local food (fish and chips, bangers and mash, sheperds pie, fish tacos, burgers, sandwiches, ...).  We get a pitcher of Fullers ESB ("continuously voted England's best bitter") and fish and chips for me, chicken-pesto sandwich for Laura.

The pub is packed when we arrive early for the concert and everyone is watching the Warriers game.  Our server tells us most people will be leaving after the game, but they stay for the concert and the small venue is packed.

Al (and the Royal Hawaiians) play to an appreciative audience.  Several of them have brought in albums from the Rubinoos to get them signed by the band.  Our only regret is that they must end by 10 so the neighbors can sleep.

Al Oha and the Royal Hawaiians

We order another pitcher of beer and keep on enjoying ourselves.  What a great and diverse place we live in and people we know!

 Enjoying the concert