What to Do in Southern California

Burbank is in California, just inside the San Fernando Valley. That translates into: over the hill from Los Angeles, a distance of some 12 miles from the downtown area, with slightly warmer temperatures. Burbank lies alongside Interstate 5 headed North over the Grapevine driving toward San Francisco.

Burbank, CA is the home of Warner Bros., Disney, and NBC, with a rich small theatrical environment to offset the studios. There are many businesses in the community which service the Motion Picture community, such as Location Sound Corporation on Riverside Drive and Camtec Motion Picture Cameras on Magnolia Blvd.

What is Taste of Downtown Burbank?

Taste of Downtown Burbank is a yearly event, one of many produced by Downtown Burbank Partnership, Inc. in cooperation with the Burbank Community YMCA and sponsored by The Burbank Collection and KOST-FM and is scheduled this year for Thursday, September 21, from 5:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. outdoors on San Fernando Boulevard in the heart of Downtown Burbank.

This culinary street festival, now in its third year, has 40 participating restaurants, and has scheduled three groups of live entertainment, but don't be fooled. Downtown Burbank is unexpectedly tiny and tree-lined with a small-town atmosphere.

Some of the restaurants represented are Pomodoro Cucina Italiana, Picanha Brazilian Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, and newcomers to the area like Granville Gourmet Cafe, Romancing the Bean and NYPD Pizza. All will serve samples of their signature dishes. A Beer & Wine Garden located on the AMC Walkway will offer world class authentic lagers courtesy of Gordon Biersch Brewery and selections from Market City Caffe's Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2006 wine list. There are seating areas which will allow festival-goers to dine while they enjoy continuous live entertainment performing on the band stage at the corner of San Fernando and Palm.

The live music is scheduled as follows:
5:30 P.M. to 6:15 P.M.
Mainstream jazz guitar from The Doug MacDonald Trio
6:30 P.M. to 7:45 P.M.
Harmony and humor from A Capella champions The Perfect Gentlemen
8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Doo-wop and rock 'n roll hits from The Amazing Platters featuring Monroe Powell

Why should I go to Taste of Downtown Burbank?

Burbank is a friendly community, the food will be great, and this event serves a purpose:

All proceeds from Taste of Downtown Burbank benefit the Burbank Community YMCA financial scholarship fund, which makes YMCA memberships and programs affordable to the entire community. Tickets are $25 for food only, $35 for food plus Beer & Wine Garden, $10 for children 12 years and younger. For tickets, directions and further information, please visit www.tasteofdowntownburbank.com.