Design savvy bay area shoppers know Rare Device as the place to get everything from nautical lore to laser-etching and everything inbetween.
Co-owners, and designers, Rena Tom and Lisa Congdon take pride in their handmade, beautifully crafted collection of zany wares that add panache to a humdrum home. Every object was hand picked specifically because of it’s unique story, it’s usefulness, and it’s position in the modern, quirky aesthetic of the shop.
Part shop, part gallery, Rare Device enjoys hosting traveling shows for many modern artists of today.
Simply put, Rare Device is good stuff for a good home.
Technically named “Osteria del Figo” but simply called “Figo”, the Howell Mill edition of this popular metro-area upscale Italian chain plays well with both the business and leisure crowd. Casual and cool, Figo is modern with lots of Italian flair beginning with the walls bathed in amber and the wooden bar and tables. It’s more spacious than it appears, accommodating large and small parties alike. Orders are made at the front of the house with guests then receiving colorfully festive pepper shakers to place at their table for food delivery.
Buckhead needed a casual, French-inspired café and Atlanta’s legendary Buckhead Life Group answered the call with Bistro Niko.
There’s no better place to feel like a rock star than Whiskey Blue. Of course the weekends are maddening but the weekdays aren’t too shabby either. Wednesday typically attracts the business crowd but there’s nothing boring about making dollars. 
Taking place in one of the premier wine and food capitals of the world, the Toast of the Town wine tasting festival is the place to go for wine enthusiasts or those just looking for a good time. There are over 500 world-class wines for people to taste. There is also music paired with gourmet dishes from New York’s top restaurants. The festival is organized by WineEnthusiast.com, which means many of the knowledgeable editors and writers of the site will be mingling and wine-tasting with the crowd. From wine experts to novices, everyone here will be enjoying the spectacular evening.
Originally known as the Celebrate Colorado Artists Festival, this fine arts and craft festival has still kept its original vision of promoting local artists from Colorado and connecting them to the community.
Philly wine lovers, unite. This is the festival for you. Featuring nearly 200 of the world’s finest wineries, this event is a must for wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts. The festival will have some of the world’s most famous wines as well as hard-to-find vintages and rare blends, including Allegrini, Michele Chiarlo and Robert Mondavi. The winemakers or local representatives will be at the tables to answer questions and discuss wines.
Some of the most popular nightclubs and bars are located around the intersection of Belmont and Sheffield and serve as a testament to its central role for all that’s happening in Chicago’s trendy Lakeview neighborhood. With its reputation for nightlife, food, and music, it comes as no surprise that the Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival is a reflection of the atmosphere and style that the neighborhood is famous for. The festival boasts some of the best local musical talents in the Midwest. This year, the bands include the Trippin Billies, Wedding Banned, Rock Candy and more. The festival also features arts, crafts, fashion, and a variety of food and drinks. It usually brings out a young crowd, so there will be plenty of partying and dancing here, too.
New York is famous for its street fairs, and none of the street fairs are more known than the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival in Hell’s Kitchen. Started in 1973, this food festival attracts more than a million people every year. The festival reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity that is Hell’s Kitchen. Besides the standard zepplois, funnel cakes, mozzarepas, and egg creams, there is a smorgasbord of unique foods that will only be found here. From Argentinian to Cajun to Moroccan to Peruvian food, the list here goes on and on.
In just one day, catch 20 bands on four stages in downtown Denver. Each stage will feature local acts capped off with a national headliner. This year, the bands include Five For Fighting, Fishbone, the Aggrolites, the Romantics and the Fixx. Best part about the festival? It’s all free!
Quirky and unique is what you’ll find at the Art Star Craft Bazaar, an outdoor retail art/craft show that is juried by Philadelphia’s Art Star Gallery & Boutique. Featuring over 100 local and national artists, shoppers can find a variety of exceptional and high quality handmade goods made from fabric, clay, glass, wood, paper and more. Anything and everything will be found here, including house wares, paper goods, dolls, prints, ceramics, clothing, accessories, paintings/drawings, sculpture and many other unique objects. There will also be music throughout the festival with a line-up of various local bands. For food, there will be plenty of pizza and hot dogs, as well as vegetarian/vegan food from local eateries like A Full Plate Café and the Soy Café. The first 250 guests each day will get a free tote bag filled with various goodies.
With Conan O’Brien finally back on TV with his new TBS show, it seems that we can get back to getting our late night doses of laughter. Yet, for those who don’t just want to see him on a TV screen, Conan is also currently touring the nation on his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour. Already receiving great reviews and an enormous turnout, the tour showcases Conan at his best. Joined by his sidekick Andy Richter and classic characters like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Conan does stand up, interviews, videos and more in his show. If you’ve missed Conan on late night or are just looking for some great laughs, Conan’s tour is for you.
Chicago’s best improv can be found at the 13th Annual Chicago Improv Festival. There will be 65 acts, including Improvised Shakespeare Company, Pimprov, Children of a Lesser God and Improvised Tween Erotica, with 38 of those from Chicago. The rest of the acts come from 24 different cities and eight countries. The events take place throughout 12 locations, from the Apollo Theatre to the Second City. Lifetime Achievement Awards will be handed out during the festival to improv legends Harold Ramis, Dick Schaal and Severn Darden. Dick Schaal will also be teaching a 5 hour-long Master Class geared for improv teachers.
Chicago is known for its unique pub crawls, from the Pug Crawl to the Zombie Pub Crawl. The Snuggie Pub Crawl does not disappoint, as participants go out in their comfy Snuggies to drink and have fun. For a $22 registration fee, Snuggie enthusiasts can roam around Lincoln Park to drink beer and play classic drinking games. There are prizes given to the most outrageously decorated Snuggies as well. For Snuggie lovers or those who want to have some fun at the comfy Snuggie’s expense, this pub crawl is definitely not one to miss out on.
Started in 1977 as a science fiction convention, this event has become a celebration of media entertainment, focusing on all aspects of popular media, film and television. There are over a hundred activities that anyone can enjoy, such as film studio presentations, onstage Q&A with actors, producers and directors, autograph and photo sessions, costume and talent contests, film festivals, model and art shows, collectible merchandise, educational seminars, discussion panels, kids events and fan club presentations. Past actors who have come to the event include Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Tobey Maguire, and William Shatner. This year, specific events include a Klingon bop, Pirates vs. Ninja Olympics, Zombie Survival 101 and Iron Man 2 Balcony Challenge.
