It’s rained a lot in Contra Costa County in 2026. According to Contra Costa County Flood Control District stats, by mid-May parts of the county had received 18–39 inches of rainfall. Of course the rain is welcome—but it presents hazards.
These include, according to the Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP), untreated runoff, which flows directly from streets to streams. “Contra Costa relies heavily on the Delta for its drinking water supply, making the filtration of urban contaminants essential,” program materials state.
Other problems include stormwater picking up motor oil, pesticides, pet waste, plastics and legacy pollutants—like PCBs from older industrial areas—directly harming aquatic life and water quality, and fast-moving runoff causing channel erosion in local creeks, altering natural biological habitats.
The CCCCWP is conducting a survey of residents and business owners to find out where clean water, and especially the effects of stormwater, stand in people’s concerns. One of the first questions asks respondents to rank their major community issues and includes options such as “rising sea levels,” “overflowing river/creek when it rains” and “water pollution in our creeks and the Bay.”
Rinta Perkins, interim program manager for the CCCWP, said the focus of the survey is to listen to respondents. “We want to understand what problems they have, and where there might be gaps in our information,” she said. Often, she noted, people don’t think about stormwater—until flooding occurs. “Or they see beach debris or trash in the creeks,” she added. “We want to see if our program is making a difference.”
Other survey questions ask how long the respondent has lived in the county, do they engage in outdoor recreation, are they concerned about trash and litter, and how involved they are in their community.
Other responses included: “I worry about how water problems, like floods or droughts, will affect my community 10 years from now” and “To the best of your knowledge, what is the main source of water pollution in Contra Costa County’s local creeks and the Bay?”
The data the survey provides will go into a stakeholder database, said Perkins, that will be used by 21 agencies within county government.
“[The agencies] will use the information to prioritize projects and make better decisions,” she said. The survey will also help to identify gaps in outreach, she added, perhaps extending community input to schools, for example.
“When people understand how their everyday actions can impact clean water,” Perkins said, “they are more likely to become involved.”
Climate change is affecting stormwater runoff differently in different areas of the county, she emphasized. Low-lying coastal areas are dealing with the effects of sea-level rise, which will become more of a problem in years to come. But polluted stormwater can also seep through to groundwater. Inland areas such as Walnut Creek have different, but related, issues than the coast, and the agency wants to understand how these needs can be tied into its messaging.
“Areas with older buildings still have septic tanks, for example,” Perkins said. A study from Penn State Extension pointed out, “Too much water in your septic system’s drainfield can overload it and slow or stop wastewater treatment…[risking] septic waste backing up into your home… In wet weather, a rain-soaked drainfield may become saturated, preventing the effluent (liquid portion of your wastewater) from percolating down through the soil.”
Ultimately, Perkins said, survey results will be used to help community members understand how their actions impact clean water. “Getting folks to engage and help achieve solutions is the goal,” she said.
When Yesenia Chavez and her family were creating the menu for Leña, their first restaurant, they decided not to feature tacos as entrées. Chavez told me they wanted to make Mexican dishes that aren’t routinely served. “Both of my parents have a passion for food,” Chavez said. “You see the love and the time and dedication that goes into making a plate that takes hours to make.”
Beyond tacos, burritos and enchiladas, the cooks in Leña’s kitchen are making mole, Cornish game hen and grilled lobster. Many of her parents’ recipes are featured on the menu with additional ones from her brother-in-law, head chef; her brother, sous chef; and Chavez herself. While her parents are from a small town in Guanajuato, the food doesn’t represent one particular region. Chavez has traveled across Mexico. She brought the best-tasting dishes back with her. “It’s just a blend of experiences that we’ve had with what we grew up with,” she said.
Leña also has a mission to change the perception that Mexican food equals fast food. “Hearing people speak about it, there’s a misconception that it’s cheap and easy to make,” Chavez said. “And that’s totally not the case.” Her parents’ recipes are the point of departure for authentic flavors. “But we wanted to put more of a modern elevated twist to it,” she added.
I spoke with Chavez after eating dinner at Leña without knowing that the tacos were meant to be appetizers. The menu is large, long and full of options. I scanned the “Platos Fuertes” section, which included pork shank, ribs and “colossal” shrimp, but succumbed to my particular fondness for tacos. From the list of seven choices—under the headline “Las Siete Maravillas Del Taco”—I ordered three.
My halibut al dorado ($6) was the best fish taco I’ve had this year. The fish was beer-battered and served with chipotle mayo, cabbage, pico de gallo and an aguacate salsa. They’re described as “mini,” but they’re really street-sized. The kitchen smartly makes the protein the star of the plate and gets the supplemental proportions right. Salsas, herbs, radishes and onions are added as enhancements.
As Chavez noted, tacos can be built with practically any ingredient. To narrow down the taco choices to only seven, they started with her father’s signature dishes, carnitas and birria. “And then we’re doing our style of carne asada,” she said. “We’re using a 14-ounce ribeye.” Diners can order all seven tacos for $32. Chavez said, “It’s the best way to introduce yourself to the flavors that we’ve got going on in the rest of the menu.”
Another taco maravilla that’s popular in Mexico is lengua, or beef tongue. “We were very iffy about that one because when people see or hear ‘beef tongue’ some people are turned away,” Chavez said. “In our household, you can’t go wrong with a taco de lengua.” She described it as a super-tender meat that pairs well with their salsa verde. She added, “We wanted to keep that as well so people can explore it and see it in a different light.”
The tortillas were delicious and tasted like they were freshly made. “We use masa from La Finca Tortilleria in Oakland,” Chavez said. “All of our vendors are smaller. Most of them are family-owned businesses because that’s the only way that we survive, right? Supporting each other.”
In addition to tacos, we tried the poblano enmolado ($22), which comes with tortillas and two sides—guacamole and beans in our case. The sauce was sumptuous, velvety maroon and it made me want to try Leña’s other sauces. We also tried the oxtail and short rib birria, pork belly smothered in salsa verde, and a whole branzino marinated in achiote, garlic and citrus.
Leña’s chile verde keeps the essential flavors of her mother’s recipe intact, but she decided to make it with strips of pork belly. The Cornish game hen is also served in a mole sauce. “It’s the same flavor, the same authenticity that we grew up with, but it looks a lot nicer,” Chavez said.
Customers have told her, “This is so different from what we’re used to seeing at Mexican restaurants,” particularly on that part of the island.
Leña, 2431 Central Ave., Alameda. Open Tue-Sun for dinner and weekends for brunch. IG: @lena.alameda.
Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig have come a long way since shoveling grapes through a basement window in Orinda. Walking into the Les Lunes cellar in Richmond makes that clear. High ceilings and climate-controlled storage rooms house brand-new equipment and an office space for the occasional staff tasting. They’ve worked for every inch of it, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Both their wines and their story are intriguingly unique.
Roig was brewing beer in his garage before he ever considered wine. His plan changed after a friend introduced him to natural wine. Instead of going to law school, he made a 180-degree turn and decided to work a harvest. Years later, he had multiple international harvests under his belt—including stints in France and New Zealand—as well as a viticulture and enology degree from UC Davis.
He and Oungoulian met while working for the same producer in Burgundy, where both were equally driven in their pursuit of making great, honest wine. The rest is history. Their goal: To introduce a product like the ones that inspired them to start making wine in the first place.
It’s an interesting balance of control that Les Lunes navigates. On one hand, the product is strictly low-intervention. Vineyards must be certified organic, meaning implementing the use of cover crops and no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. For vineyards they want to source from that aren’t yet organic, they take the time to transition them, often enduring a couple of years without financial return as the vines recover from previous treatments. It’s so naturally conscious that the Les Lunes staff eats the peas and radishes grown between the rows of vines. It seems fitting, given how carefully they tend the soil.
On the other hand, Oungoulian and Roig understand the variables they can control—mother nature notwithstanding. Both have experience in vineyard management and farm their own vines. It’s a rare skill that speaks to Les Lunes’ intentionality: 50 acres across 10 properties, all chosen for varietal-specific soil structure, diurnal shift—the difference in temperature between the heat of the day and the cold of the night—and other key enological factors.
Because of this careful vineyard selection, the vinification process at Les Lunes requires almost no adjustments or stabilization steps.
I’d be surprised if there’s even one new oak barrel in the entire cellar complex. Les Lunes wines rely on—and thrive on—their natural acidity. “When it comes to aging, I think that natural acidity is a forgotten yet much-needed component. Tannins just don’t buy you as much as good, crisp acid,” Roig says.
Les Lunes is technically three labels in one. “Les Lunes” is the flagship, focusing on single-vineyard wines that highlight the character of their self-farmed sites. Offerings include a Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir and a Venturi Old Vine Zinfandel—both structured yet malleable enough to chill on a hot summer day.
Their second label, “Populis,” aims to make by-the-glass wine both affordable and high quality. While they don’t grow this fruit themselves, Roig and Oungoulian buy only from deeply trusted growers, where longstanding relationships come first. Wines include a nuanced sauvignon blanc and the popular “Astral Blend,” a zany fusion of zinfandel, syrah, pinot noir and chardonnay. “We love the people we buy from; have for a long time,” Roig says.
And their third label rarely exists in commercial winemaking: It’s fully experimental. When Les Lunes encounters an unfamiliar grape or something goes unplanned in the cellar, it becomes the newest addition to the Licorne Méchante label. A carbonic red blend? Absolutely. Repurposed pressed lees from every barrel and tank in a single season? Why not?
“We make the wines we want to drink,” Roig says. It’s a simple philosophy that results in genuinely expressive wines.
I asked Roig a question I pose to many winemakers: Why do you make wine? “I love taking something and turning it into something else,” he says. It’s a mindset that serves Les Lunes well.
The owners have achieved their original goal of introducing inspiring wines to the public. East Bay drinkers can only hope they’re already chasing the next one.
Les Lunes Wine, 425 S. Third St., Richmond. 510.813.3730. lesluneswine.com
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the weeks ahead, simply being right won’t necessarily lead to success. Having strength, intelligence, wealth or connections might help, though not as much as usual. But a different approach will work well as you strive to overcome challenges: a blend of cleverness and integrity. I invite you to be cunning while remaining honorable. Practice subtle strategy in service of higher aims. And here’s one more secret to ensure victory: Let go of any need to receive full recognition for your efforts.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Dear Horoscope Guy: Two astrologers have assured me that as a Taurus, I’m a natural-born money magnet. So why am I broke? I keep begging the Divine for cash miracles, and I buy lottery tickets twice a week. Still nothing! Please tell me when I’ll finally hit the jackpot. Better yet, give me the winning numbers. –Taurus Desperate for Dollars.” Dear Desperate: The “luck” you crave will arrive as you diligently pour yourself into building your sweetest dreams, spurning shortcuts and enjoying yourself as much as possible. The Divine prefers to fund eager co-creators, not wishful thinkers. I predict that a slow-motion jackpot will ultimately arrive through your devoted attention to doing what excites you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Among the Dogon of Mali, Sigui so is a secret language. It’s used in a sacred ritual when people gather to retell their beginnings and patch up strains in tribal harmony. I’m borrowing “Sigui so” here as a symbol for a way of talking that I hope you will specialize in during the coming weeks: language that eases tensions, soothes friction and fosters unity. Start like this: Unleash your trademark wit but spike it with sly blessings and tactful probes. Wield your fluency to burn away confusion and uncover unspoken feelings. If you’re in an extra-bold mood, give everyone tacit permission to be their idiosyncratic selves instead of their polished personas.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): What’s the holiest, most healing trouble you could rustle up right now? I mean trouble that freshens what’s stale but doesn’t scorch the earth. Maybe it’s a buoyant disruption, like telling wild truths you usually tend to soften. Or maybe it’s asking for what your future self pines for instead of what your past self regards as polite and reasonable. As a Cancerian soul myself, I dare both you and me to give ourselves permission to rumble. Let’s be brazen as we instigate creative upheavals in service to our cheerful vigor. Let’s instigate at least one concrete action that will rattle the stagnant pattern just enough to make life more interesting.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Sea otters are a keystone species. Their presence is essential to the health of their entire ecosystem. As they eat sea urchins, the kelp forests flourish. Without otters, the urchins overgraze and kelp forests may collapse, which in turn affects hundreds of other species. One creature’s appetite helps regulate an entire undersea neighborhood. I suspect you’re serving a similar function, Leo. You’re having more impact and wielding more influence than you realize. No pressure! But please act accordingly: with maximum integrity and robust responsibility.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A Dutch woman who died left her grand-nephew an inheritance of 220,000 euros. The only problem is that he’s homeless and constantly on the move, so the executors haven’t been able to find him. This echoes a recurring pattern in your life. Even now, sources of blessings are searching for ways to reach you, but you are slow to notice their approach or to magnetize yourself to their arrival. My prayer: May you figure out what needs to be done to make yourself fully available for these gifts—and then ingrain that capacity in your habit mind.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Visualize your fears. Consider how few of them rest on a genuine likelihood that the scary events could ever take place. Then ask yourself how much of your uneasiness springs from vivid fantasies or from a practiced tendency to fret. You might also ruminate on how you absorb the background worry that’s amplified by mass culture. After reflecting on all that, I invite you to take one concrete action to lower the level of tension you have come to treat as normal. Take another action to weaken the grip of your deepest dread. The current planetary patterns suggest you now have the bold, creative power necessary to shrink your baseline anxiety.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Even more than usual, you have a sacred duty to celebrate your poignant sweetness and dark intelligence. For the sake of your emotional health, you should pay wild reverence to your deepest, most mysterious yearnings. To be the person we all need you to be, you must tenderly nurture the parts of your inner world that resemble the aurora borealis. I want to support you in these sublime sacraments, which is why I suggest you memorize the following prayer by Rainer Maria Rilke: “Be attentive to what is arising within you, and place that above everything you perceive around you. What is happening in your innermost self is worthy of your entire love.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Linguists use the term “false friends.” These are words in different languages that seem similar but don’t have the same meaning. For example, the Spanish word embarazada resembles “embarrassed” to English speakers but actually means “pregnant.” I suspect you’re dealing with another type of false friend, Sagittarius: people or situations that turned out to be at variance with what you initially imagined. But rather than feeling unsettled by these revelations, I suggest you treat them as a prod to see with fresh eyes. Your disorientation could be the beginning of more interesting understandings.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a code assigned to a book for commercial and cataloging purposes. It contains key information and includes a built-in error-detection notation. If you transpose two numbers when entering an ISBN, the last digit will tell you something’s wrong. In this spirit, Capricorn, I heartily recommend that you build more mistake detection into your life. Invest in extra safeguards. Add verification steps. Build in double-checks. The goal is to create systems robust enough to survive oversights and gaffes. I very much want you to give yourself the gift of safety nets that will empower you to take smart risks and intriguing gambles.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You may not yet grasp how richly creative you are right now, nor how much more abundant your generative powers could become. So it’s auspicious that you are reading this horoscope now. Consider this your advance notice: Your capacity to originate ideas, projects and connections is surging, and it’s crucial to choose with care which possibilities you nurture and which you decline. If you are selective and intentional about what you sow, then about six months from now you will be far more likely to gather lush, beautiful harvests instead of wrestling with overgrown, unruly tangles.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Ethnobotanist Wade Davis documented how different cultures perceive entirely different realities despite inhabiting the same physical world. It means that two people can stand in the same forest and see different forests through their cultural lens and personal mythology. This is simultaneously the problem and the opportunity you face, Pisces. You and others in your orbit are inhabiting divergent realities that superficially seem the same. If you hope to reconcile the differences, you must first acknowledge them as real. You’re dealing with fundamentally different ways of constructing meaning, not just small misunderstandings.
Homework: If you knew you would live to 100, what would you do differently in the next five years? tinyurl.com/aaa22aaa
This article was contributed by Apex Interactive Media
Fancy discovering the best real money slots and the best sites to play them at? We offer this up-to-date guide on the top online slot casinos, where players in the United States can spin for real money. Here, you’ll find the most trusted real money slots platforms to join. We’ll also compare bonuses and game libraries, and we’ll also help you choose sites with strong payout rates, mobile support and engaging real money slots titles.
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Lucky Rebel—Big reel variety with generous bonuses
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The casinos outlined below are the sites we consider top for playing online casino slots real money mode. So that you can determine which of these platforms is the most ideal for you, we have put together reviews of each one.
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Some players have reported mixed experiences with support and bonus terms. Yet the online casino slots real money remains a comfortable and compelling option for slot fans.
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BetOnline Casino is one of the longer-running platforms in our list of sites providing real money slots online. It combines its casino with a sportsbook and poker, all operating under one roof. Its casino section includes more than 1,000 slot games, including classic, progressive and Megaways releases. They operate alongside table games and live dealer titles, making this casino a solid choice for diversity.
When you sign up for an account at BetOnline, there is a welcome reward of 100 free spins waiting for you. The platform also supports Bitcoin and other cryptos, so you can enjoy rapid withdrawal speeds, often within 24-48 hours. Traditional payment methods can also be used.
While the interface at BetOnline is mobile-optimized and easy to navigate without the need for an app, bonus terms can be steep. Even so, it’s one of the best-loved offshore casinos in the USA, delivering breadth and versatility.
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Super Slots is a fantastic online slot-focused casino, appealing to U.S. gamers with a nice set of 300 free spins as a welcome. Plenty of ongoing incentives are available alongside that, keeping you returning for more. This means there is a long runway to explore the reels of various real money slots titles.
Speaking of which, the slots available at the site come from Betsoft, Rival, Win Go! and various other developers. It bolsters its lobby even more with a compelling set of more than 70 live dealer titles to play. What makes it even more inviting is that there is a great selection of table games, video poker options, virtual sports and specialty games.
Frequent cash races, weekly rebates and reload specials make your time at the online slots real money casino even more enjoyable. Super Slots does accept both fiat and cryptocurrencies, plus it works smoothly on mobile devices. Yet there are some strict rollover requirements on some bonuses, and the website layout looks quite busy in areas.
Fancy playing the best online slots real money? Try the five we have recommended below as a starting point.
A Night with Cleo by Woohoo!
Released in 2021, this is one of the best online slots real money plunges you into an Egyptian scene, with five reels and three rows to spin. Wins can form on 20 paylines, and you can wager up to $200 per spin. A free spins round is also active within, which features multipliers, and there is a maximum payout of 2,500x available.
A Night with Cleo gives you the opportunity to gamble after every win, while scatters and wilds can land on its reels. It also features a progressive jackpot which can be won at random, adding to its appeal.
Fortune Frog by Dragon Gaming
This game also came out in 2021, and it offers a 96% RTP rate with a high volatility level. Even so, it only features three reels and a single payline to win on. The base theme is enjoyable, and the developer executes it with high-quality, crisp graphics. Bets of between $0.25 and $20 per spin are possible in Fortune Frog.
During gameplay, you will be able to experience a couple of special features, starting with the multipliers. A wild symbol can also land on the reels, helping to form wins. Should two of them land, a re-spin occurs, too.
Rags to Witches by Betsoft
One of the best developers catering to the USA, Betsoft is responsible for this spooky-themed real money slots game. It is another high volatility slot, focusing on a scary witch. The maximum you can win from spinning the reels is 3,355x your bet, and this occurs across 30 paylines.
One of the most noticeable features of the game is its progressive jackpot. Yet the graphics and animations also stand out, with a free spins round also able to trigger. Scatters, wilds and multipliers also exist in Rags to Witches.
10x Wins by Rival Gaming
How about spinning the reels of a game, having the chance to win on three paylines and experiencing classic symbols? 10x Wins by Rival is that slot, released in 2016. Yet despite it being an older slot, it maintains a high level of popularity with U.S. players. Other than the standard symbols, wilds can also land on the reels. That wild comes with a 10x multiplier, hence the game’s title.
This real money slots may feature fewer special features than others in our list, but it’s the simplicity that appeals.
Spin It Macao by PureRNG
This game may come from a lesser-known developer in PureRNG, but it offers a maximum win of 90,000x your bet. Among the best slots to play online for real money offers 50 paylines to win on across its five-reel, three-row layout. You can wager up to $10 per spin and there is the chance to activate free spins while playing.
Random multipliers can hit while you spin the reels, and scatter symbols bring more appeal to it. The Chinese theme that runs through it is expressed in high-quality graphics and animations, with a stunning soundtrack to accompany gameplay.
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Jackpot Slots
These real money slots online games are designed to offer large fixed or progressive payouts to players. Some jackpot slots feature multi-level jackpots. These are often in place as mini, minor, major and mega rewards. They may also incorporate bonus rounds, free spins, or other special mechanics to trigger jackpot payouts.
While many of these jackpot real money slots games are high-risk, their potential for huge rewards attracts thrill-seekers. The main difference from regular slots is that a single spin can lead to a massive reward. They can be standalone slots or part of a progressive network, as explained above.
Best Features:
Large fixed or progressive jackpot payouts
Multi-tier jackpot levels for extra excitement
Bonus features that trigger big wins
RTP and Volatility
Return to player (RTP) is a percentage that indicates how much of the total money wagered on a slot is expected to be paid back to you over time. For example, real money slots with a 96% RTP theoretically returns $96 for every $100 you wager. While RTP does not guarantee outcomes in a single session, it helps you to compare games and make informed choices. This can help with maximizing the potential returns.
Volatility, also called variance, measures the risk level and payout frequency of a slot. Low volatility slots offer smaller and more frequent wins. This makes them ideal for cautious players seeking longer gameplay. Medium volatility slots balance win frequency and size, making them suitable for most casual players. High volatility slot games deliver larger yet less frequent payouts. They attract thrill-seekers willing to risk more for big rewards.
You should choose real money slots games matching your risk tolerance—low for steady play, high for potential jackpots and medium for balanced gameplay.
<h2>Best Slot Games by RTP Rate</h2>
Our Rating
Real Money Slot
Return
1st
Moody Fruits
99.91%
2nd
Golden Kick
99.62%
3rd
Stone Hominid
99.54%
4th
Greatest Circus
99.54%
5th
Maya King
99.54%
6th
Coin Rat
99.54%
7th
Arcane Burst
99.50%
8th
Fushen Coming
99.29%
9th
Booming Gems
99.29%
10th
Chef Lady
99.29%
Bonuses That Slots Sites Offer
When you join an online casino slots real money, you can usually also receive bonuses and other promotions. Here is insight into the top bonus types at these real money slots platforms.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus is available for new players when they sign up and make a first deposit. It often includes a deposit match—for example 100% up to $500, and sometimes free spins on selected online casino slots real money. While generous, these bonuses also come with wagering requirements, meaning you must bet the bonus amount multiple times before you can withdraw. Welcome bonuses are designed to provide you with a bigger starting balance. From this, you have extra chances to explore a casino’s slot library.
Available to new players only
Deposit match + possible free spins
Larger bonus amounts than other promotions
Free Spins Bonus
A free spins reward gives you a set number of spins on specific online slots real money games without using your own money. Winnings from free spins are usually subject to wagering requirements, too. These bonuses can come as part of a welcome package, a standalone promotion, or provided as a loyalty perk. Free spins are popular because they allow you to try featured slots risk-free, while still having the chance to win real money.
No stake required per spin
Valid on selected slot titles
Often part of larger promotions
Cashback Bonus
A cashback bonus refunds a percentage of your net losses over a specific period, such as daily or weekly. For example, a 10% cashback promotion means if you lose $200, you will receive $20 back. Cashback can sometimes be wager-free, though it sometimes also carries light playthrough requirements. This type of bonus reduces risk and softens losses, making it appealing to regular real money slots players who seek added protection.
Refunds a percentage of losses
Can be daily, weekly, or monthly
Sometimes wager-free
Reload Bonus
A reload bonus rewards existing players when they make additional deposits following the first one. It typically matches a percentage of the deposit, such as 50% up to a specific limit. Reload bonuses are often offered weekly or during special promotional periods. They also come with wagering requirements in most instances. These bonuses help returning real money slots players stretch their bankroll and maintain momentum.
Deposit match on subsequent deposits
Offered regularly or during promotional periods
For existing players
VIP/Loyalty Program Bonus
A VIP or loyalty program rewards you based on your wagering activity. You earn points when you place bets, which can be exchanged for bonuses, cashback, free spins and more, when you amass enough. Higher VIP tiers may unlock faster withdrawals, exclusive promotions and personal account support. These schemes are designed for regular players and provide long-term value, particularly for high-volume real money slots enthusiasts.
Earn points for real money wagers
Tier-based rewards system
Exclusive bonuses and perks
Software Providers
The best real money slots online come from different developers. In the same vein, the top casinos host games from a range of these brands. Here are some of the best real money slots providers catering to U.S. gamers.
SoftSwiss
SoftSwiss is a leading iGaming software provider known for powering crypto-friendly online casinos and offering a large game aggregation platform, rather than developing slots directly.
Key Details:
Founded: 2009
Popular Slots (via aggregation): Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, Starburst
Specialty: Crypto casino solutions and white-label platforms
Notable: One of the first companies to support Bitcoin casinos
NuxGame
NuxGame offers turnkey casino platforms and game aggregation services. It focuses on flexible back-office tools and multi-provider slot integration.
Key Details:
Founded: 2018
Popular Slots (aggregated): Titles from Pragmatic Play, BGaming and others
Specialty: White-label casino solutions
Notable: Customizable operator platforms
Slotegrator
An iGaming solutions provider, Slotegrator provides game aggregation, too. It also includes API integration and casino platform development.
Key Details:
Founded: 2012
Popular Slots (via aggregation): Games from NetEnt, Microgaming and Amatic Industries
Specialty: APIgrator solution
Notable: Casino and sportsbook integration
<h3>Microgaming</h3>
One of the oldest and most respected online slot developers, Microgaming is known for its pioneering games and progressive jackpot networks.
Key Details:
Founded: 1994
Popular Slots: Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Immortal Romance
Specialty: Progressive jackpots
Notable: Helped launch the first online casino software ever
SoftGamings
Another real money slots casino platform and aggregation provider, SoftGamings also offers white-label solutions and access to multiple slot studios.
Key Details:
Founded: 2007
Popular Slots (via aggregation): BGAMING originals, Wazdan, Betsoft titles
Specialty: Turnkey casino systems
Notable: Crypto-friendly integration options
Playtech
A major global gambling software developer, Playtech is known for its premium real money slots titles. It also features branded games and live casino titles that are popular in the United States.
Key Details:
Founded: 1999
Popular Slots: Age of the Gods, Buffalo Blitz, Gladiator Jackpot
Specialty: Branded and progressive jackpot slots
Notable: Operates one of the largest iGaming jackpot networks
Pros & Cons of Playing at Real Money Slots Casinos
Pros:
Cons:
Convenient access anytime, anywhere
Risk of financial loss
Large variety of slot games and themes
Can encourage overspending if unmanaged
Generous bonuses and free spins
Wagering requirements on bonus funds
Higher RTP than many land-based slots
High volatility can mean long losing streaks
Progressive jackpots with huge payouts
Withdrawal limits or verification delays
Fast deposits and crypto withdrawal options
Offshore casinos can lack strong regulation
Mobile-friendly gameplay
Payment Methods—How to Deposit and Withdraw Your Funds
When you play at a real money slots casino, you can deposit and withdraw through various methods. Here is further insight into the best banking options you can use for your transactions:
Credit/Debit Cards—Visa and Mastercard remain widely supported. Deposits are instant, but many offshore casinos may not support withdrawals back to cards.
Bank Wire Transfers—Direct bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals offer secure transactions but are slower.
ACH/e-Check—Direct debit from a U.S. bank account. This is often used for deposits with lower fees, though withdrawals take longer to complete.
Cryptocurrencies—Options like Bitcoin, Ethereum and others provide fast deposits and withdrawals. They feature low fees and a high level of anonymity.
Prepaid and Voucher Services—Some real money slots casinos support vouchers like PaysafeCard for quick, anonymous deposits. However, these are not usually available for withdrawals.
E–Wallets—Services like Skrill, NETELLER, or PayPal may be supported at some casinos. They offer faster withdrawals than cards or bank transfers.
Conclusion
There is a great selection of online casino sites catering to the U.S. market, which serve as ideal real money slots gaming platforms. These casinos feature the best online slots real money gameplay, as highlighted in this guide. Consider the casino sites we recommend and all their features to determine which is the best real money slots site for you.
Remember to consider all details about bonuses (including T&Cs) and understand the different types of real money slots before you choose a casino. Most of all, have fun and always practice responsible gambling.
FAQ
What Are the Best Real Money Online Casinos in the USA for Slot Gaming? Many casinos provide top-quality real money slots gaming experiences. We recommend signing up to platforms like Lucky Rebel, Ducky Luck, BetOnline, Wild Casino, or Super Slots. They provide different setups and features, but all have inviting real money slots lobbies.
What Are the Best Slots to Play Online for Real Money? This all depends upon your preferences when gaming, but some games do come with better RTP rates than others. The list includes slots like Moody Fruits by Relax Gaming, Golden Kick by StakeLogic and Stone Hominid by Dragoon Soft. Yet the real money slots casinos we recommend joining include popular real money slots like A Night with Cleo by Woohoo, Fortune Frog by Dragon Gaming and Rags to Witches from Betsoft.
Which Casino Has the Largest Collection of Slot Games in the U.S.? The lobbies of slot games at our recommended casinos all feature hundreds of real money slots titles. For the biggest collection, we suggest joining either Wild Casino or BetOnline. Both casinos offer more than 1,500 real money slots to play.
Can You Win Real Money on Free Slots? Yes, you can win real money by playing slots without using real money. Many casinos, including those we recommend, offer free spins bonuses for you to claim. These provide spins of one or more real money slots online titles that don’t require you to use your own deposited money. Remember to check any terms and conditions surrounding wagering requirements before claiming one, though.
What Is the Best Free Spins Offer from the Top Real Money Slots Casino Our top five recommended real money slots online casinos all provide free spins as part of their welcome offers. One of the best real money slots comes from Super Slots, which awards you 300 free spins when you make your first deposit.
The editorial staff of the East Bay Express was not involved in the creation of this content. The content is for general information and does not constitute the financial, medical or professional advice of this publication. Readers should consult qualified professionals regarding their individual circumstances. The East Bay Express disclaims any liability for loss or damage resulting from reliance on this content.
High-quality artificial intelligence has spared no industry. In a creative space like music, these days generating a song only takes typing in a prompt.
But this magic and power comes with controversy. Using AI in music has created a new form of intellectual property theft from AI clones mimicking artists’ vocal features and musical styles.
The Bay Area is a major hub for the tech industry, with its 3,300 AI startups and nearly 130 AI companies that specialize in media and entertainment, according to Tracxn, a global market intelligence company in over 50 countries.
Apps like Suno, originally from Massachusetts, specialize in generating music prompts. They opened up an office in San Francisco last month, looking to expand their presence and recruit skilled workers.
Another app called Kits AI focuses on AI voice cloning, bending and changing; AI mastering; and instant voice cloning. Founded in 2021, it’s used by over 7 million artists, music producers, songwriters, content creators and others.
Udio, a major AI music generator, switched to licensed remixing due to intense copyright infringement lawsuits from major record labels.
Chris Ansuini, a musician from Livermore, is the current owner of Seeds of Music Academy in Pleasanton. He said it’s already complicated being a musician in the Bay Area, with rent and costs being exorbitantly high, which creates a bitterness among artists toward the tech industry.
“If some of these businesses are doing work to take away work for musicians, that definitely doesn’t feel good,” Ansuini said. “But it also seems par for the course.”
However, not all apps specialize in generating AI music. With the rise of technology stealing sound, beats, rhythm and other aspects that make songs unique, some apps—such as SoundPatrol—are supposed to detect just that.
SoundPatrol spots copyright infringement in AI-generated music and audio content by analyzing vocal identities and music semantics.
The big music-streaming companies are addressing AI in music creation as well. In a move for transparency, last month Spotify put the responsibility on artists to voluntarily disclose AI use in song credits and metadata. However, Spotify is not mandating AI labels.
Apple Music, by comparison, requires AI involvement to be disclosed in metadata at delivery.
Another musician, Pablo A. Puente from El Cerrito, worked for the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. He feels that AI in music downgrades the quality for artists and listeners.
“I think maybe people who don’t understand music or who struggle to make music, maybe feel like they need a tool to fill in the parts where they don’t have training, or they don’t understand music,” Puente said. “When you look at AI, you’re having something created for you. You’re not creating, you’re having something generated.”
He added, “There’s no part of it that engaged me in any meaningful way. It’s like music that’s also at the same time incomplete,” since there is no story behind the music, like the storytelling artists use to express themselves.
Nicole Cooper, a vocal instructor at Park Avenue Music Center in San Jose, said that to a musician’s ear, AI music will always sound false.
“It doesn’t have the same emotional content because it is a copy of emotion,” Cooper said. “It’s not the real person expressing what they wrote.”
A music student at San Francisco State University (SFSU), Luc Chasse, said that as a musician it’s very hard to make money touring, but it still has meaning.
“Maybe they make 20 bucks a show or something,” Chasse said. “But at least it’s real life, at least it’s based in human empowerment.”
Chasse added, “It’s like the music equivalent of poison”—referring to the Velvet Sundown, an AI band specializing in ’70s-style rock that came out last year and released multiple albums rapidly. “It’s because it’s not only bad music, but the effects of it are inhumane,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Silvestri, a guitarist and real estate agent in San Jose, said the band’s music “didn’t sound bad.”
“I feel nothing because I heard Velvet [Sundown],” Silvestri said. “I actually like it. Some of it’s pretty good. It sounds very psychedelic.” But he admits some parts could be improved.
The AI music boom can also affect music stores as well. Ethan Lee, manager of Subway Guitars in Berkeley, said that if culture becomes too obsessed with passive digital consumption, it will affect music instrument businesses and artists.
“People would cease to value acquiring these objects, maintaining them, making their own music, throwing themselves into the pursuit of music,” Lee said. “In theory, that is a risk of people seeing music as a completely disposable commodity that is not worth paying for/paying individual artists [for].”
In March, independent musicians sued Google for copyright violations involving music generated by AI, claiming that Google operates AI music products, such as Producer AI and Lyria 3, which allow users to create complete songs, refine lyrics and melodies, among other things, via chat.
Those products can do that because they copied millions of copyrighted works, removed the copyright management information (CMI) and redistributed them on platforms like YouTube.
Saxophonist and composer Francis Wong, who is also a professor at SFSU, said it is outright stealing and that there should be a use fee.
“That’s what’s crazy about this AI thing, is that it could be millions and millions of plays, right?” Wong said. “So I think that’s where the monitoring part also comes in.”
In addition, Cooper, the vocal instructor in San Jose, also remembers an interview about a woman who played the banjo and discovered that songs that had been in her family for generations were copyrighted by a group. Later on, they sued her.
The woman was Murphy Campbell, an Appalachian folk singer-songwriter from North Carolina. According to Music Business Worldwide, in January, Campbell noticed that AI-generated covers of her songs featuring her voice and style were uploaded onto Spotify and other platforms without her consent.
Campbell suspects that “someone had scraped her YouTube performances, run them through AI voice-cloning tools and uploaded the results to streaming platforms under her name.”
In late March, “a series of videos were uploaded to YouTube through Vydia [a music distribution company] by an individual using the name ‘Murphy Rider’ … and filed ownership claims against several of Campbell’s legitimate YouTube videos via the platform’s Content ID system.”
Cooper said, “To have your material taken from you and then to get sued backwards for it—that is quite astounding.”
Although there’s no clean resolution yet, Campbell and Vydia currently share revenues from her work.
On the other side of the argument, AI can have a positive impact on music if tools are used appropriately.
“Maybe people can write more pieces and produce more pieces in a year than they previously would have been able to,” Ansuini said. “But you know, that creates a new demand.”
Some musicians have used AI for creativity, not for replacement. One of them, Patrick Lew Hayashi, a San Francisco musician, admitted to using AI tools for his music projects.
“I admit wholeheartedly with the music I do on the internet that I do use AI-assisted tools to create some of the music or the backing tracks in the elements of Lewnatic’s music,” Hayashi said. “The music I do after Patrick Lew Band, of course.”
Despite the potential usefulness of AI, many artists still place a higher value on human creativity.
“Well, I think it’s very hard to make a song,” Chasse said. “As a musician, I try really hard to make original songs. So when I see that people are kind of relying on something that isn’t themselves to make something, then it’s frustrating because I’m trying really hard to make something my own, and someone else is just not doing that.”
Puente, the musician from El Cerrito, related to Chasse about the amount of time and effort that went into writing the song, “How Do You Write?”
“I had that first chunk, and sometimes I’ll write like, OK, I get the A and B chorus, I got a verse and a chorus,” Puente said. “Then once that’s done, I’m trying to figure out the second chorus, and the words keep changing over time.” He said that the song took him a few months, because he was trying to find the right ending.
Chasse encourages the public to support musicians.
“Go to shows, go to the Warfield, go to the freaking Great American Music Hall because then those musicians will feel more like, ‘OK, I’m doing a good thing, I want to keep doing this,’” Chasse said.
Cheryl Dunye, an Oakland-based Liberian-American filmmaker, director and producer, says telling stories about Black queer identity, history and culture is energizing.
“I’ve always worked in the space where identity gets complicated,” she says. “That’s not new for me. What’s new is the scale of it.”
Dunye, who continues to tip the scales, is one of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation’s 2026 Rainin Arts Fellowship recipients. The annual awards since 2021 recognize four artists whose work is grounded in the Bay Area, emphasizes community and pushes beyond expected boundaries in the arts field. The unrestricted $100,000 grant comes with additional marketing, legal and financial planning support. Fellows are nominated by Bay Area artists; the winners selected by national reviewers and a panel of four local jurors. In 2026, in addition to Dunye, the recipients are Cece Carpio (Public Space), Sarah Crowell (Dance) and Danny Duncan (Theater).
Dunye, who was born in Monrovia and grew up in Philadelphia, holds a bachelor’s from Temple University and received her MFA from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of Art. With her work centered on race, gender and sexuality, Dunye quickly received attention as part of a “Queer New Wave” of young filmmakers in the early 1990s. Her first feature film, Watermelon Woman, earned considerable critical acclaim, including winning the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the 1996 Berlin International Film Festival.
After springing out of the gate early in her career, Dunye’s forward momentum accelerated. This resulted in awards, fellowships, residencies and having her work presented in the 1993 Biennial Exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art and at subsequent festivals in San Francisco, New York, Melbourne and Berlin. In addition to several independent films, Dunye has directed episodes of television series such as Queen Sugar, Dear White People, Bridgerton, Lovecraft Country and The Hunting Wives.
In 2018, Dunye established Jingletown Films, a production company specializing in cinematic storytelling and focused on serving underrepresented filmmakers. The cultural, political and artistic legacy of Oakland is foremost; undergirding the company are philosophies anchored in Dunye’s recognizable, signature filmmaking style. Sometimes appearing “as herself,” other characters in a film might make comments on the film itself. The films invite unusual combinations to coexist on the screen—Watermelon Woman’s rom-com narrative dangles on a sturdy exploration of Black and queer women in Hollywood, an example from early in her career.
A later, short film made in 2014, Black is Blue, sets up a Black trans man in near-future Oakland whose life becomes enmeshed with a Black trans woman. As two working professionals in AI tech, the dystopian sci-fi film’s characters introduce and query why stories of trans people in the field are seldom told. Issues such as power—who holds it, who does not and how it is sought—add gravity without becoming burdensome.
Dunye says Black is Blue is the first film to which she will apply the Rainin funds. “The short has been waiting to grow into the feature it was always meant to be, and now it can,” she says.
She continues, “The Rainin matters because of what I’m building, not just what I’ve already made. Jingletown Films was never just a production company. It’s meant to be a home, a fixture in queer cinema where I’m seen not only as a maker but as a producer creating infrastructure for other people’s work. This fellowship sees that full picture. At this point in my career that means a lot.”
Dunye insists a high priority is ensuring the next generation of filmmakers has the right tools in place. Speaking about her core philosophies, she says, “I am an Audre Lorde-ian. The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. You cannot do this alone. Community is the practice, not the outcome. The two things that keep me moving are collaboration and documentation. I build with other people because that is the only way the work survives, and I keep the record because if we don’t, nobody will.”
Beyond that, she believes in taking what’s given, even if it is not meant for oneself, and creating something that never existed before. The structural barriers as a Black queer artist are not new, but have not and never will intimidate Dunye. “What’s changed is me,” she said. “I’ve stopped waiting for the structures to move before I do.”
The first album by Emma Gerson, the artist who goes by the name of lucky break, was made it! Gerson said she used lowercase letters for her musical pseudonym and the album title because she didn’t want to follow the usual rules.
“I like to be silly,” she said. “I also wanted an artist name that felt lucky. I’m a Sagittarius rising, which means my chart is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of luck. When I started making music, I was anxious all the time. The name helped me feel confident enough to keep pursuing it. I also like the work of bell hooks, a feminist writer and social critic, who uses lowercase to decenter identity and challenge hierarchy.”
The songs on made it! cover a lot of musical ground. The arrangements dip into rock, pop, folk and country, ignoring easy categories.
“I started writing this album at 19 and finished it at 24,” Gerson said. “It was a huge transition period in my life. I was moving from being a teenager into becoming an adult. I experienced my first real relationship ending, tried out different jobs, moved to L.A. and came back home to San Francisco. These songs served as intuitive guides, as I learned from those experiences.”
Gerson made the album with her friend, producer Elliott Woodbridge. “I opened for his band when I was still a teenager,” she said. “He came to me after the show and said he was just starting to produce other artists. He asked me if I wanted to make a record. I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ I was excited. The first time we recorded something it was in his girlfriend’s parents’ music school, WOW Music, in Mill Valley.”
They cut “Red Balloon” that day. It went so well, they kept working together. When Woodbridge moved to L.A., Gerson went down south to cut the rest of the songs that appear on made it!
“In Burbank, [Woodbridge] had a small warehouse space,” Gerson said. “We also recorded one of these songs in my living room in San Francisco. We both have a ‘by any means necessary’ punk approach to making music.
“I showed up with my guitar and played him the songs, and we’d get to recording!” Gerson continued. “Nothing was changed structurally or anything. That’s something I really appreciate Elliott for. He believed in the songs and wanted to deliver them as raw and authentically as possible.
“He let me have a voice in the studio, which I think is the best thing a producer can do. Instrumentally he composed everything you hear, other than the acoustic guitar. He brought all the magic to it.”
“Camp Song” opens with a thumping drumbeat and Woodbridge adding soaring, sustained electric guitar notes that suggest the tearful playing of a pedal steel. Gerson delivers the lyric with an understated passion as she describes the façade one presents to hide the heartache at the end of a relationship.
She plunges into the grief of a failed relationship in “Head Down.” She sings softly, expressing a combination of anger, longing and grief. The atmospheric sounds in the background intensify the bleak chanting of the chorus: “I walk around with my head down …”
Now that the album is out, Gerson will begin her first national tour. “I’ll be playing the songs the way they were written, just me and my guitar,” she said. “I’ll be driving around, spending most of the summer in a car, but I like that, so it’s OK.
“I try to make things that I think are beautiful, and hope people come along and enjoy it,” Gerson continued. “I don’t want to be a TikTok star, but I do put stuff up there, like throwing messages in a bottle into the sea. Sometimes it works. A girl told me the other day that she found my music online. It helped her grieve the death of her dog. That’s the only thing social media is good for.
“My music is for anybody looking for a path forward, for anybody trying to love themselves in chaotic circumstances. I wrote songs out of necessity before. Now, I’m writing out of curiosity. I feel totally free,” she concluded.
lucky break and her trio play on Sunday, May 24, at 1pm at the Kilowatt Bar, 3160 16th St., San Francisco. 415.861.2595. kilowattbar.com. Listen to ‘made it!’ at: luckybreakofficial.bandcamp.com.
American democracy is facing some serious challenges, according to California registered voters in a recent poll. A UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies (IGS) poll of 5,962 registered voters revealed that 68% feel American democracy is under attack, 64% said voter suppression is a major concern and 79% said corporations have too much influence on elections.
These results, and an extensive amount of additional collected data, were highlighted at an April 27 event in Sacramento, co-hosted by the UCLA Voting Rights Project and also featuring opening remarks from current California gubernatorial candidate, Xavier Becerra.
“We conduct four or five polls a year,” said Jeffrey & Ashley McDermott Endowed Chair, IGS, Eric Schickler. Findings from this poll indicate “widespread concern about the state of democracy that cuts across racial groups.” The poll was conducted before the Supreme Court ruling affecting voters in Louisiana, but a majority of those polled were already opposing rollbacks in voting rights, he said.
Reported in the data: “When asked whether attempts by the federal government and FBI to interfere with the administration of elections in California was a problem, 60% of Californians believe it is a major or somewhat of a problem, including 79% of Democrats and 64% of No Party Preference voters, but only 22% of Republicans.”
Schickler noted that a proposal currently making its way through the California legislature, the California Voting Rights Act, resulted in partisan results. “This proposal divided the parties sharply,” the report said, “with 88% of Democrats in favor, as compared to 25% of Republicans.”
On the question of Big Money in politics, the question was asked several ways, Schickler said. Voters favor reforms to ensure greater equality and transparency in the state’s electoral process. Fully 76% of California voters supported requiring that the top three funders in support of and the top three funders opposed to a state ballot measure are listed as part of the official ballot summaries provided to voters.
Just 3% are opposed, with 21% offering no opinion. The data noted: “This is a rare reform issue on which Democrats (78%), Republicans (74%), and No Party Preference (75%) all agree by overwhelming margins.”
However, no further questions were asked about deceptive names used by supporting and opposing funders, such as “Californians for Fair Government,” which could mean anything, and no specific questions were asked about the 2010 Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision, which effectively allows unlimited spending on political campaigns by corporations and pacs.
Another interesting and significant aspect of the polling focused on “low-propensity voters”—those who don’t vote on a regular basis. Asked what might increase their frequency of voting, “the most common response [41%] was the need for unbiased and trusted news sources.”
Other comments from the data: “Those who report being less likely to vote in the upcoming June primary election offer a variety of reasons for not participating. Mentioned most frequently are a lack of information about the issues and candidates (38%), concerns that moneyed special interests have too much influence (35%), and the belief that their vote does not matter (28%).”
Yet in a media environment where many people insist on using social media, including ultra-partisan “influencers” and podcasters as a primary source of news, how are these potential voters going to find “unbiased” news sources without making the effort to do so?
“Voters’ self-explanation of why they don’t vote often isn’t really the reason,” Schickler said. “This presents a struggle for us. We think a lot about politics, but a lot of potential voters don’t pay that much attention to it.” This, he said, makes it harder for them to evaluate what is actually trustworthy about candidates and issues.
He pointed out that the time when many, if not most, people regularly read the same newspapers and listen to the same radio and television news programming is gone, replaced by a fractured information environment that promotes siloed “confirmation bias” and echo chambers.
The results of the recent polling show, Schickler said, “that California voters broadly agree that American democracy faces deep challenges, but they are deeply divided about the source of these problems and what should be done to resolve them.”
Three voices from punk’s restless lineage share a stage as Chad Price and Scott Reynolds, both former frontmen of ALL, revisit decades of melody-driven hardcore. Price’s path has wandered through alt-country and folk-leaning side roads, while Reynolds brings a sharp solo presence honed across a handful of post-ALL projects. Special guest Russ Rankin of Good Riddance and Only Crime has also built a solo career, with politically charged songwriting grounded in punk’s enduring sense of conscience. It’s a rare gathering of the voices that helped define melodic punk, then successfully spilled over into other genres. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Thu, 7:30pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $15. 510.526.5888.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
THEATER
‘THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA’
Completed in 1936, two months before his assassination during the Spanish Civil War, Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba tells the story of a domineering matriarch and her five daughters. But it is also widely regarded as Garcia Lorca’s warning, as a gay man and a socialist, about Spain’s descent into fascism. Oakland Theater Project presents a new adaptation by Chay Yew of the tragedy, which merges dance and theater to depict what happens when choice and freedom are ruthlessly suppressed. The significance of the message today cannot be missed. Runs until June 7. – JANIS HASHE
INFO: Fri, 7:30pm, Oakland Theater Project at Omni Commons, 4799 Shattuck Ave., Oakland. $40-$70. 510.646.1126.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
FOLK
RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT & FRIENDS
Something is going on with 90-year-olds—and it rocks. By 1968, when the Freight was launched, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott had already studied with Woody Guthrie and recorded three albums in the U.K. Now, at 94, he’s recorded more than 40 albums, won two Grammys, been a founding member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and has nothing left to prove. But he has a lot more to sing and play, and will prove it with multiple pals at the Freight in an evening of folk, Americana, roots, blues and tales of the road, which continues to unfurl before him—to our good fortune. – JH
As part of a month-long series focusing on the Bay Area’s deep history of Asian-American jazz, the Vernaculars play music by tenor saxophonist Francis Wong, who’s been at the movement’s forefront since the early 1980s. A co-founder of Asian Improv Arts, which released dozens of albums and produced the Asian American Jazz Festival for decades, Wong has been buoyed in recent years by younger artists performing his music, which often combines traditional Chinese and Japanese elements with New Thing jazz approaches of the 1960s and ’70s. He’s joined by guitarist Karl Evangelista, electric bassist Chris Trinidad and drummer Jimmy Biala. – ANDREW GILBERT
West Coast punk-rock history runs straight through the Zeros. Formed in 1976 in Chula Vista, the band distilled early punk to its essentials: Fast songs that rush in and out before the audience can catch their breath, raucous choruses and no-frills instrumentation. Dubbed “the Mexican Ramones,” Robert Lopez—later known as El Vez—Javier Escovedo, Hector Penalosa and Baba Chenelle helped define a stripped-down California sound shaped as much by garage rock swagger as by the emerging DIY scene. Decades later, their music is still lean and loud. – SBB
INFO: Sat, 8pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $20. 510.526.5888.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
THEATER
‘CONTINUITY’
Continuity is the kind of production at which Shotgun excels. A meaty, meaningful topic dressed up in mayhem. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Emilie Whelan, the customary chaos of a Hollywood film soundstage is lit up by confronting the climate crisis. Ramped up to full volume, there is doom, drama, comedy and a colossal contest between high-stakes “let’s pretend” and real science. Can people wake up to reality and change their minds? Do they really want to? Hollywood does not have the answers … or does it? Goes until June 21. – LOU FANCHER
New Zealand indie-rocker Elizabeth Stokes realized before most folks that the Straight Line Was A Lie. Which is also the title of the band’s fourth album. Joined by bandmate, guitarist and creative partner Jonathan Pearce; bassist Benjamin Sinclair; and drummer Tristan Deck, the vocalist/guitarist takes the stage in Berkeley during an international tour. This is rock for all ages. Sure, there’s angsty, honest lyrics and some fierce guitar and drum riffs that blow away cognitive cobwebs. But there’s also dreaminess, harmony, hope, tenderness and a charm that feels nostalgic in today’s brutal world. The Folk Bitch Trio and French Cassettes fill out the bill. – LF
INFO: Sun, 8pm, The UC Theatre, 2036 University Ave., Berkeley. $55. 510.356.4000.
TUESDAY, MAY 26
ROCK
TELEHEALTH
Formed in 2022 by husband-and-wife duo Kendra Cox and Alexander Barr, this synthpop quintet picks up where Devo left off with retro-future sounds and humorous commentary on the apocalyptic wasteland modern society finds itself in. Earlier this year they signed to Seattle’s biggest little label, Sub Pop, and just released their sophomore album, Green World Image. This is synth-rock for fans of Kraftwerk, the Epoxies, Atom & His Package and Shiny Toy Guns. Or as Barr described their sound to The Seattle Times, it captures the entangled society we find ourselves in and “how it might feel to doomscroll for 20 minutes … Sometimes it makes you feel amazing, and other times you feel dreadful.” – MAT WEIR
How can one tell if their band is on the right trajectory or not? Well, opening up for the Rolling Stones after being a band for only a year is a pretty good gauge. That’s exactly what the Last Dinner Party, then known as the Dinner Party, did in 2022. With Siouxsie Sioux-style vocals and sounds that draw influence from Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and Roxy Music, the Last Dinner Party is an amalgamation of old souls meeting new sounds. They released their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, in 2024 and immediately dropped their second album, From the Pyre, the next year. This year, they’ve already released two brand-new songs. – MW
As a founding member of the SFJAZZ Collective, Puerto Rican alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón’s regular presence in the Bay Area used to be a given. But these days, any performance by the virtuosic altoist is a special event. With multiple Latin Grammy and Grammy Awards, and just about every other distinction, Zenón possesses a molten-copper tone and slippery phrasing that imbues every note with a singing quality. He’s created an expansive book of original tunes, but he’s also deeply versed in turning boleros, salsa hits and Puerto Rican standards into sleek vehicles for improvisation. His superlative working band features Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, Italian bassist Luca Allemano and Cuban drummer Henry Cole. – AG
It’s rained a lot in Contra Costa County in 2026. According to Contra Costa County Flood Control District stats, by mid-May parts of the county had received 18–39 inches of rainfall. Of course the rain is welcome—but it presents hazards.
These include, according to the Contra Costa Clean Water Program (CCCWP), untreated runoff, which flows directly from streets to streams....
When Yesenia Chavez and her family were creating the menu for Leña, their first restaurant, they decided not to feature tacos as entrées. Chavez told me they wanted to make Mexican dishes that aren’t routinely served. “Both of my parents have a passion for food,” Chavez said. “You see the love and the time and dedication that goes into...
Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig have come a long way since shoveling grapes through a basement window in Orinda. Walking into the Les Lunes cellar in Richmond makes that clear. High ceilings and climate-controlled storage rooms house brand-new equipment and an office space for the occasional staff tasting. They’ve worked for every inch of it, but it’s just the...
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the weeks ahead, simply being right won’t necessarily lead to success. Having strength, intelligence, wealth or connections might help, though not as much as usual. But a different approach will work well as you strive to overcome challenges: a blend of cleverness and integrity. I invite you to be cunning while remaining honorable. Practice...
This article was contributed by Apex Interactive Media
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High-quality artificial intelligence has spared no industry. In a creative space like music, these days generating a song only takes typing in a prompt.
But this magic and power comes with controversy. Using AI in music has created a new form of intellectual property theft from AI clones mimicking artists’ vocal features and musical styles.
The Bay Area is a major...
Cheryl Dunye, an Oakland-based Liberian-American filmmaker, director and producer, says telling stories about Black queer identity, history and culture is energizing.
“I’ve always worked in the space where identity gets complicated,” she says. “That’s not new for me. What’s new is the scale of it.”
Dunye, who continues to tip the scales, is one of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation’s 2026 Rainin...
The first album by Emma Gerson, the artist who goes by the name of lucky break, was made it! Gerson said she used lowercase letters for her musical pseudonym and the album title because she didn’t want to follow the usual rules.
“I like to be silly,” she said. “I also wanted an artist name that felt lucky. I’m a...
American democracy is facing some serious challenges, according to California registered voters in a recent poll. A UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies (IGS) poll of 5,962 registered voters revealed that 68% feel American democracy is under attack, 64% said voter suppression is a major concern and 79% said corporations have too much influence on elections.
These results, and an...
This week's calendar picks feature Chad Price and Scott Reynolds, Oakland Theater Project's 'The House of Bernarda Alba,' Ramblin’ Jack Elliott & Friends, Vernaculars play the music of Francis Wong, The Zeros, Shotgun Players' 'Continuity,' The Beths, Telehealth, The Last Dinner Party, and Miguel Zenón.
