Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
The LAB: Featuring Legado Avanzado
The Lab is a monthly gathering that allows songwriters and poets to workshop and collaborate on new and existing pieces through exercises and brief performances, in front of and among friends. This month’s featured artist is local Norteno band Legado Avanzado!
Starts at 7:30pm
Invitation by email only: info@smalltownsociety.com for more info and location.
Secret Screen: Hitsville: The Making Of Motown
Join us for our next Secret Screen in collaboration with the Chabot Cinema. We will be showing the Hitsville: The Making Of Motown. This documentary takes a look at the birth of Motown in Detroit in 1958 until its relocation to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. Featuring rare performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage offer insight into the history and cultural impact of Motown Records. (100% on Rotten Tomatoes - Trailer)
Custom pre-show starts at 7pm featuring classic and rare Motown performances, behind the scenes videos, music from local artists, and more. Film starts at 7:30pm. $5 admission. You must be a Smalltown Society member or a member of Chabot’s Secret Screen to attend.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Proposition Party - CANCELLED
Apologies, due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to cancel our proposition party. For non-partisan and easily understood resources on the upcoming props, visit KQED’s Prop Fest or CalMatters.
Special Guest Secret Screen Horror Takeover: Mandy
This is a fun one. Award winning writer, actor, and director Alex Backes is coming up from LA to host a special screening of the fantasy-horror film Mandy (90% on Rotten Tomatoes - Watch a Trailer.)
Starring Nicolas Cage and featuring a killer soundtrack, Mandy takes place in the Pacific Northwest in 1983. Outsiders Red Miller and Mandy Bloom lead a loving and peaceful existence when their pine-scented haven is savagely destroyed by a cult led by the sadistic Jeremiah Sand. Red is catapulted into a phantasmagoric journey filled with bloody vengeance and laced with deadly fire.
Alex is an award-winning writer/director. His first independently produced pilot presentation, Shark Bites, landed a development deal with The Walt Disney Company, where it was adapted into an animated comedy series. While Alex has been in front of the camera for national commercials for Apple and Nike, he's also directed campaigns for AAA video game titles like PUBG and The Elder Scrolls Online. But perhaps his proudest moment came when he was tasked to travel to a galaxy far, far away and write an animated short film for Lucasfilm. Star Wars: The Old Republic-Disorder has garnered 20+ million views online since its debut in 2022.
However, Alex hasn't lost touch with his independent spirit. He continues self-publishing comics and directing independent films. His short film, That's Our Time, was awarded the Grand Jury Prize by the American Cinematheque's Proof Film Festival. Most recently, he directed the latest music video for Demolition Man by the band Drug Church.
To see more of Alex’s work, check out his website.
Custom pre-show starts at 7pm featuring a screening of Alex’s award-winning short film That’s Our Time. Check out the trailer for That’s Our Time here.
Film starts at 7:30pm. This film is for mature audiences. 18+ recommended. $5 admission. You must be a Smalltown Society member or a member of Chabot’s Secret Screen to attend.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
District 9 State Senate Canidate Forum
Join us for the ONLY Candidate forum to take place in State Senate District 9! The Eden Area is new to District 9 so this will be important to get to know the Candidates and make an informed decision. This is hosted by Castro Valley / Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of the Eden Area, and Smalltown Society.
Secret Screen: Buena Vista Social Club Screening and Mixer
Join us for our next Secret Screen in collaboration with the Chabot Cinema. The event starts at 7pm with a mixer featuring drinks & music from Luna Jenn.
Afterwards, we will be showing Buena Vista Social Club - a documentary which follows aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba. These artists are brought out of retirement by guitarist Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana, resulting in triumphant performances in the US and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
92% on Rotten Tomatoes
Watch a trailer
Music starts at 7pm. Film starts at 7:30pm. $5 admission. You must be a Smalltown Society member or a member of Chabot’s Secret Screen to attend.
Open Art Reception Featuring Alana Landrum
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Join Pampas Cafe and Smalltown Society, for a special installation reception celebrating the vibrant art of local artist Alana Landrum. Embrace community spirit, artistic innovation, and cultural expression as we introduce exciting new artwork into the cafe. Gather with us from 5:30 -7:30pm at Pampas Cafe, 22222 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA (adjacent to Trader Joe’s).
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Secret Screen: Wayne’s World
Join us for our next Secret Screen in collaboration with the Chabot Cinema. We will be showing the classic music comedy Wayne’s World.
A big screen spin-off of the "Saturday Night Live" skit. Rob Lowe plays a producer that wants to take the public access "Wayne's World" to the world of commercial television. Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) battle to save their show and Wayne's girlfriend from Lowe.
Trailer
Custom pre-show starts at 7pm featuring classic Wayne’s World skits, behind the scenes videos, music from local artists, and more. Film starts at 7:30pm. $5 admission. You must be a Smalltown Society member or a member of Chabot’s Secret Screen to attend.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.
Smalltown Members Night - Oakland Roots Game
We are taking our community out to an Oakland Roots game! We have a limited number of free tickets for members (sold out), but you can buy tickets here and enjoy a night out with us!
We will be sitting in the General Admission section (GA).
Marketplace Monthly Mixer
We're partners in the monthly marketplace / mixer at the CV Natural Market.
The Marketplace Monthly Mixer is a new recurring event celebrating the Castro Valley community. The event is curated and co-hosted by the Merchants of the Marketplace and Smalltown Society, and offers a rotating blend of samples, specials, music, art, and activities for all ages. It takes place on the second Thursday of the month.
Join us for an unforgettable night at the Castro Valley Marketplace! We're thrilled to announce the launch of our membership and invite you to celebrate with us at our last official Marketplace Mixer of the summer.
Date: Thursday, June 13
Time: Mezzanine: 5 - 7 pm | Cellar: 7 - 9 pm
Location: Castro Valley Marketplace
Featured Artists:
DJ Dsern
Kisura
Safiyah
Chano Tizón
Share the excitement with your friends and let's make this night one to remember!
Secret Screen CULT CLASSIC Takeover: Prince’s Under the Cherry Moon
Join us for our next Secret Screen in collaboration with the Chabot Cinema. We will be showing another Cult Classic - Prince’s ‘Under the Cherry Moon’, a captivating musical romantic drama directed by the iconic Prince. Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Riviera, the film follows the charismatic gigolo Christopher Tracy and his partner Tricky as they navigate love, passion, and intrigue.
Come early for a free poster (limited to the first 25 people). Starting at 7pm we will have a custom pre-show featuring rare clips, music performances, behind the scene looks, and music / performances from local Smalltown Society artists. Film starts at 7:30pm.
Admission is $5, and you can secure your Secret Screen membership for an additional $1 or be the first to sign up for a Smalltown Society Membership for $10 a month. This is a private event for Smalltown Society & Secret Screen members only.
For more info on the Secret Screen membership, visit www.thechabot.com.
Poster designed by artist and musician Kate Lamont, who is also your host for the evening:
Creative LAB
The Creative Lab is our "open house," where we invite our community to join us in creating and collaborating. No agenda, just space, gear, and dedicated time dedicated to your art. Bring a project, bring an instrument, or simply come and meet fellow artists. Additionally, we'll be collaborating on long-term projects, such as a Smalltown album, which will be recorded from scratch in our space during these events.
To find the Clinic, follow the painted records from Pampas Cafe.