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“Ardenwood” by Dmitry Grudsky, part of Harrington Gallery’s 2025 exhibition “Level Up – Play and Literature”. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts) 
“Petals and Pages” by Hui Lu. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts) 
Rick Estrin and The Nightcats are playing the Firehouse Arts Center on June 21, 2025. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts) 
“Young Write” by Marie Pascal, part of “Level Up – Play and Literature” exhibition in Harrington Gallery. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts) 
“The Lion and the Sweet Lamb” by Yi Ding. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts) 
Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring vocalist Willy Jordan in concert June 15, 2025 at the Firehouse Arts Center. (Image courtesy Firehouse Arts)
Pleasanton’s Harrington Gallery is featuring works from Bay Area artists that exemplify exuberant expression in its newest exhibition.
A pairing with the Pleasanton Public Library’s Summer Reading Program theme, “Level Up – Play and Literature” opened in the main gallery in the city’s Firehouse Arts Center last weekend and runs through Aug. 2. A special reception and awards ceremony is set for this Saturday afternoon – before a lively concert by Chorus Eclectic in the downtown theater.
“The ‘Level Up – Play and Literature’ exhibition is a unique intersection between art, literature, and playful expression,” Harrington Gallery curator Sydney Tang told the Pleasanton Weekly.
“A collaboration across the Library and Recreation Department, this group show highlights visual storytelling and how creativity and skill-building fuels imagination and learning,” Tang said. “Visitors can expect to see interactive, whimsical, and thought-provoking artworks with an enchanting literary spin at the Harrington Gallery this summer!”
Like the art exhibit, the city library’s Summer Reading Program kicked off last Saturday – encouraging residents of all ages to read books, log their hours and earn prizes based on their progress. Continuing through Aug. 3, the program is themed “Level Up at Your Library”.
The Harrington showing leverages the reading program theme as the inspiration for the artworks created by folks who live or work in Pleasanton, the Tri-Valley or greater Bay Area.
Pieces submitted for the exhibition are being judged for awards by Kelly Cousins, president of the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council. The results will be shared at a reception set for 1-3 p.m. this Saturday (June 7) at the gallery, 4444 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pleasanton.
That same afternoon, the Firehouse is hosting a “Greatest Hits” concert by Chorus Eclectic in its black-box theater at 4 p.m.
“This performance highlights cherished favorites, standout triumphs, and some of the ensemble’s most entertaining songs,” Firehouse reps said. “As they share these treasures from the past, the chorus looks ahead to the next 25 years of music and community building – inspired by nostalgia, enriched by our community, and inspired by past successes.”
The Firehouse’s summer series continues throughout the month, including “Manzil ke Andaaz” by Noorani Dance and its student Ayana Rao on Sunday (June 8), Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring vocalist Willy Jordan in concert June 15, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats for a high-energy blues show June 21 and the High School Music Collaborative’s “A History Lesson” cabaret June 27.
“This summer at the Firehouse Arts Center is a celebration of musical excellence,” Firehouse spokesperson Nick Binzoni told the Weekly.
“From Chorus Eclectic’s heartfelt retrospective to the soul-deep sounds of the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra and the electrifying blues of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, each performance offers something special,” Binzoni added. “It’s a season of unforgettable voices, powerful stories, and the kind of energy that only live music can deliver.”
The city is also hosting its free Juneteenth celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. next Saturday (June 14).
“This free community event promises a delightful mix of dance, storytelling and music,” Firehouse reps said. “Enjoy performances by the PUSD Step Team and Cheza Nami, a Pleasanton-based nonprofit that teaches African culture through dance, play, and movement.”
For more information on the exhibit and summer programming, go to firehousearts.org.
