12th Annual A La Carte & Art. The Bay Area’s popular outdoor festival season officially kicks-off in Mountain View at this vibrant springtime celebration of the arts featuring live rhythm and blues, jazz, Motown, and rock ‘n roll music, a juried arts and crafts show with 250 talented exhibitors showing their latest handcrafted wares, festive food and drink with premium wine tasting, microbrews and margaritas, a farmers’ market with fresh seasonal produce, a chefs’ demonstration tent, street performers, amusements for kids, free facials, hand massages and mini-makeovers. Admission is free.

• Live Music … 11 great bands play an eclectic mix of rhythm and blues, jazz, Motown, and classic rock ‘n roll music on stage and street. The lineup includes Chubby’s All-Stars, Fred McCarty Band, Soul Intention, Old School, Mama Luke, The Hitmen, Kaweh, Dreamroad, Ancient Winds, Emerson & The Growiser Band, and HeartStrings Music.
  
  
• Contemporary Fine Art, Cool Crafts … 250 independent artists and craftspeople show their latest handcrafted work in ceramics, fiber, glass, fine art, jewelry, leather, metal, paper, sculpture, and wood. Vases, flatware, clocks, dishes, wall and table decorations, paperweights, stained and beveled glass, etchings, sculptures, photography, oil and watercolor paintings, beadwork, gold and silver jewelry, vests, handbags, hats, wallets, footwear, windchimes, and waterfalls will be among the fine wares available.
  
  
• Savory Food & Drink … classic Caesar salads, turkey/cheddar and hummus/veggie wraps, grilled rib-eye steak sandwiches, crispy fish and chips, super teriyaki chicken and pork kabobs, jumbo beef, Cajun and veggie dogs, smoked bratwurst and sausages, Thai chicken and pork on-a-stick, pulled pork sandwiches, turkey drumsticks, spicy jambalaya, stir-fried noodles with cabbage, carrots and broccoli, Hawaiian-style shredded pork, barbecued beef and chicken sandwiches, falafel, pita sandwiches, made-to-order crepes, roasted corn-on-the-cob, kettle corn, Hawaiian shaved ice, strawberry shortcake, chocolate dipped fruit kababs and fresh fruit smoothies.
  
  
• Chefs’ Demonstration Tent … top chefs from local restaurants preparing favorite dishes, passing out recipes and samples, and sharing the secrets and shortcuts behind kitchen success under an elegant tent with overhead mirror and plenty of seating.
  
  
• Mountain View Certified Farmers’ Market … growers with farm-fresh strawberries, apricots, cherries, organic produce, honey, almonds, pistachios and walnuts.
  
  
• Kids’ Tons Of Fun Zone … the stomach-tickling Froghopper ride, a 120’ Super Slide, thrilling virtual reality motion theater, Boomer’s Magic Circus, face painting, temporary tattoos, inflatible slide, train rides, hands-on art, police and fire department displays.

May 17-18, 2008.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

On Castro Street, Mountain View, California; between Church Street and Evelyn Avenue. Get directions.

650-964-3395