Thanks to @DrMichelleXO‘s wonderful idea, we brought the Marin TweetUp’s to a whole new level of fun.

Last night was the Girl’s Night Out Twitter Dance. Which basically means if you are a girl on Twitter in the local area you were invited.

Eight fabulous women showed up at George’s Night Club in San Rafael around 7:30pm to have a glass of wine and chat before the concert started. (@DrMichelleXO @CurtisFinancial @RebeccaElia @RuthWetherford @HylaMolander @Pobutler @Sally_K @alembic)

George’s Night Club in San Rafael is awesome! It’s been newly remodeled and is a great spot for dancing in Marin.

We were fortunate enough to see Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings at George’s. We chatted and danced the night away. (One woman sitting nearby thought we chatted a little too much and little too loud. I think she thought she was a library instead of a night club.) We closed the place down!

Afterward we took a stroll down 4th street in San Rafael and headed to Yet Wah (Classic Chinese Cuisine). Nothing like a big plate of Chow Mein after dancing all night!

Yet Wah closes at midnight, we arrived at 11:50pm. They were nice enough to stay open for us.

I didn’t get a chance to take many pictures from last night because it was too dark, but I did get this video using my iPhone. The band was amazing!!!

Last night I went to the Sausalito Cruising Club. This is one of Marin’s best kept secrets. It’s actually a yacht club but I have a feeling it is nothing like what you visualize when you hear the words yacht club.

The Cruising Club founded in 1949 is a funky old barge turned in to a bar/restaurant/dance club with live music. It’s actually a “refurbished WWII ammunition barge”. You have to be a member or know a member to get in. Fortunately my friend Jessica is a member and she invited me to come see The California Honeydrops. For a $15 entry fee I got an awesome concert and a buffet dinner. I invited my friend SFDoug to go because I thought it would be a fun experience for him. If you follow Doug’s blog you know his dining style is more the kind that goes with fine wine, not serve-yourself-all-you-can-eat buffet. Doug was a good sport. I think he actually enjoyed himself.

The buffet had fresh Caesar salad, a mixed veggie salad, chicken legs, cheese bread, pesto, pasta, rice with chicken and another pasta with red sauce. I tried a little bit of everything and enjoyed it all!

I almost forgot to mention the view! The barge is located on the Bay in Sausalito with an amazing view! (that my iPhone did not do justice to)

I loved The California Honeydrops! Their music is fun and happy! The kind that makes you want to dance.

Digging deep into the roots of American music, The California Honeydrops embrace the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Second Line New Orleans Jazz, and early R&B. -www.cahoneydrops.com

The Sausalito Cruising Club is located at the foot of Napa Street in Sausalito, docked at Dunphy Park.

Cool things to do around the Bay Area this weekend.

Music & Dance
I just discovered the San Francisco LovEvolution which is happening this Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
“America’s biggest dance movement event” www.sflovevolution.org

To find live music in Marin and all around  the Bay Area check out www.marinlocalmusic.com

Happy Hour
Cafe Flore in San Francisco (near the Castro) is my favorite place for Happy Hour! I was there last Saturday night and had the 2 for $5 Cosmo special! www.cafeflore.com Molly makes awesome Cosmos! They have different special every night.

Mellow Marin ***Update Feb 2012*** Teapod is no longer in business in San Anselmo but there is a cool new coffee shop in this same location.
If you are looking for a more mellow weekend. How about taking a stroll in San Anselmo and drinking some tea. I just discovered the Teapod this week and loved it! It’s an Organic Tea Bar. I had lunch there with my new friend Marilyn. The salad was delicious and the tea was really good! I had a green chai tea latte. The place is so relaxing. Doesn’t this picture just make you relax?

After you go to the Teapod make sure to stop by Gioia’s and say hi.

Petaluma
Looking for something new and original to do? How about visiting a farm! Tara Firma Farms is a cool place to visit!

The Seafood Peddler in San Rafael will have live Salsa music and dancing this Saturday.

Salsa music by Orquesta Bakan.

Dance lessons start at 8:30pm, band will play until 1:30am.

It’s been years since I’ve been to the Seafood Peddler but I do remember the food was delicious and the service was great.

Happy Dancing!

Upcoming Events in Marin and San Francisco

May 10, 2009 – Mother’s Day
Free Museum Admissions on Mother’s Day – all around the bay!

May 14, 2009
Bike to Work Day – Marin County

May 16, 2009
Marin Women’s Dance, Greenbrae, CA
www.marinwomensdance.com

May 17, 2009
Bay To Breakers – The San Francisco annual footrace.
History of the Bay to Breakers

May 17, 2009
Mountain Bike Film Festival, San Rafael, CA
www.access4bikes.com

May 21, 2009
LGBT-Friendly Business Networking Event – Mill Valley, CA
A great networking opportunity for entrepreneurs and people looking to learn about LGBT-friendly businesses in Marin.
www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org

May 30, 2009
WordCamp San Francisco

All of May
Marin Local Music – lots of music events happening in Marin and around the bay in May.  Event Calendar: www.marinlocalmusic.com/calendar

Last night I went to the Marin Women’s Dance. I was impressed with how many women were there. I don’t know the exact count but my guess would be around 200. The dance was held at Jason’s restaurant in Greenbrae. The cover charge of $15 was well worth it. I’d say the crowd was mostly 35 and older and very friendly and welcoming. The venue offered a delicious buffet  included in the $15 cover. The buffet had Dragon Prawns, Tempura Green Beans (healthy fries), Salad, Lasagna, Pizza, Sandwich fixins and Cheesecake!

What I especially liked about this dance club was the set up. The room had tables and chairs around the dance floor. Outside there was a very nice open seating area, along with a covered heated patio area with a view of Corte Madera Creek. It was great to be able to go outside and talk with others in between dancing. Most dance clubs are so loud you can’t talk to your friends. I enjoyed the mix of dancing and socializing. The DJ from Denon and Doyle had a selection of music for everyone. The music ranged from Big Band to Two-Step to Hip Hop to Rock to Disco.

It is different to dance on an all women’s dance floor. No one is trying to grope you or freak dance with you. You can squeeze through the crowd without someone grabbing your butt or “accidentally” brushing against your chest. (I’m not implying that all men do this just saying this often happens at co-ed dances/bars and has never happened to me at all women dances.) Everyone is just dancing and having fun.

To find out more information about the Marin Women’s Dance visit: http://marinwomensdance.com