Gotta Get Down on Friday

It’s a gala night in Martinez (and, as Groucho Marx once said, “a gala night’s enough for me").

On the plaza in front of City Hall tonight is, of course, the event. This is a Chamber of Commerce sponsored event, which is of course a nod to our city allegedly being the home of the martini. The story goes that a gold miner back in the days when there were such things around here requested a drink from the local bartender. He received what the bartender referred to as “The Martinez.” After a couple of them went down, the miner reportedly asked for another one of those “martinis,” and the name for the drink was born.

This was the subject in the 1980s of a mock trial, in which the issue was whether or not the drink was actually originated in San Francisco by a legendary bartender, or was in fact born here. We won the trial, so Martinez holds a quasi-legal distinction of being the legally recognized birthplace of the martini. And people wonder why lawyers don’t get more respect.

Anyway, the event takes place tonight at 6:30. If you go, please try to dress in 1920s attire. Why? Well, that’s a good question. That’s the requested attire. And if you quaff more than one martini tonight, be advised that the police department is only a few steps away from the event, and there will be horse-drawn carriages and limos to whisk you home, should your driving become impaired.

Want to do something with your kids instead? Bring them down to the fishing pier for the annual city-sponsored , from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All you need is a pole and hooks, and the city will supply the bait. The event is open for kids between the ages of 5 and 15 and their families, and no fishing license is required. Who knows? You might bring home dinner.

For a more musical adventure, there are options galore.

In the late afternoon/early evening, I cannot recommend strongly enough that you head to for a little Sin. That would be Sin Silver, an Irish singer/songwriter who sends chills down my soul with her voice and her words. Her skills and talents are treasures to be cherished and savored, and there is no cover between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., when she takes the stage. Drinks are discounted as well. Can’t lose.

The on Main Street tonight is hosting a fundraiser for at-risk kids. A $5 donation will get you in the door, and the music will be provided by local players who are donating their talents for the cause, which will be providing music classes for troubled youth.

For those seeking a dose of jazz and soul, you can’t miss at with Old Skool. This band never fails to satisfy the craving for rhythm. If you haven’t seen them yet, make a point tonight. $10 cover, show starts at 8 p.m.

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1908 - The General Motors Corporation is founded.

1920 - The Wall Street bombing: a bomb in a horse wagon explodes in front of the J. P. Morgan building in New York City — 38 are killed and 400 injured.

1941 - World War II: Concerned that Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Persia, is about to ally his petroleum-rich empire with Nazi Germany, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union invade Iran in late August and force the Shah to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

1959 - The first successful photocopier, the Xerox 914, is introduced in a demonstration on live television from New York City.

2007 - Mercenaries working for Blackwater Worldwide allegedly shoot and kill 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square, Baghdad; all criminal charges against them are later dismissed, sparking outrage in the Arab world.