It is a wholesome Mother’s Day week in Oakland, boy howdy! There are tons of incredibly community-oriented and mom-honoring things to do. Of course, if your mom is kinda rowdy and boozy, you already know where to take her. If she’s not, we have a few suggestions — on Sunday and for the rest of the week. Enjoy!
Friday, May 9
Community Fish Fry at the Tabernacle
3 – 8 p.m.
Memorial Tabernacle Church
Are you ready for a good ol’ fish dinner — hot and right? The menu includes fried snapper / catfish / baked chicken, green beans, potato salad, wheat bread, dessert, and a beverage. Get your meal to enjoy at home, or dine in to enjoy your meal with others in the community. All proceeds will support the Embracing Our Community Outreach Ministry of Memorial Tabernacle Church. Pre-order here and save $3.
Oakland Police Department’s Third Annual Open House
4 – 7 p.m.
Police Administration Building, 455 7th Street
Interim Chief Sean Whent extends a cordial invitation to all of Oakland to join him and the men and women of the Oakland Police Department. The Open House is designed to showcase the interesting work taking place at OPD and to provide opportunities for relationship building and meaningful discussions. Please attend and get to know your police department. Enjoy refreshments and live music. OPD officers and staff are looking forward to meeting the public.
Peace ‘n’ Justice Community Walk: North Oakland
6 p.m.
Bethany Baptist Parking Lot, 5400 Adeline
Opening activity and performance will be lea by Hip Hop Artist and Eco-educator SeaSunZ (Ashel Eldridge). Free refreshing pedal-powered bike smoothies and fair trade iced tea provided by Phat Beets Produce and neighbors like you! Meet neighbors, enjoy cool drinks, learn more about restorative justice and the growing movement in North Oakland to implement it for our youth and as a tool for neighborhood conflict resolution. Join The North Oakland Restorative Justice Council (Rev. Leggett of Bethany Baptist Church, Members of St. Columba Church, Memorial Tabernacle Church, Healers Not Jailers, Bay Area Youth Empowerment Project, Phat Beets Produce, the PLACE for Sustainable Living, Growing Together, and many others) for this monthly peace ‘n’ justice walk in North Oakland. The purpose of the walk is for neighbors to meet each other, build commUNITY and feel safe outside at night in Oakland through a community walk visiting recent and historical sites of violence in North Oakland. They aim to build a multi-faith/class/race neighborhood movement to address violence through community initiated restorative justice projects and work that involves and supports families directly affected by physical, emotional and structural violence in North Oakland and surrounding areas. For more information, check out the North Oakland Restorative Justice Council at www.NorthOaklandRestorativeJustice.org.
Future Fridays at Chabot Presents Carl Haber and “The Future of Saving Sound”
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Boulevard
Listen to the earliest known sound recordings, learn how the process has changed throughout history, and what scientists are doing to restore our oldest sound relics. From the first sounds recorded by Thomas Edison in 1877 to the 1950s, when most recordings were made on wax, foil, shellac, lacquer and plastic, Haber, an experimental physicist, discusses the importance of preserving these treasures. Get tickets here.
30th Anniversary and Affordable Housing Week Kickoff Celebration
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive
This event honors the collective work of East Bay Housing Organizations’ (EBHO) members, board, staff and supporters over three decades—and celebrating all we will achieve together going forward. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.ebho.org.
Talk, Play, and Sip: DJ Davey D
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street
Join noted local DJ, music historian, and activist Davey D in the gallery for this intimate evening as he shares stories and spins old school house and classic hip hop. Enjoy mixed drinks and other beverages during the talk at a special bar located in the Vinyl exhibition during Friday Nights @ OMCA. Beverages will be for sale in the gallery from 5 to 9 p.m. “Talk and Play,” a program series in Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records, features guest participants from DJs to music journalists, record collectors to experimental musicians. Talk, Play, and Sip stirs up the social atmosphere with a bar located in the Gallery during select Friday Nights @ OMCA. With something different every week, you might find yourself swapping albums with collectors, learning from an expert about the mechanics of pressing an album, or listening to a specially curated music set. During Friday Nights @ OMCA, from 5 to 9 p.m., admission is half-price for adults, free for ages 18 and under.
Pickin’ on the Potomac with the Shepherd Canyon Band
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Presidential Yacht Potomac, 540 Water Street
Have fun and do good at the same time! Come listen to some stompin’ good bluegrass on board the USS Potomac, dockside. 100% of the purchase price of your ticket is tax-deductible as it all goes to underwrite educational programs for East Bay schoolchildren. There will be a cash bar available. Tours of the Potomac will be available starting at 6:30 p.m.
57th Street Gallery Presents Tracy J
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
Tracy J sings ballads that tell a story and paint the emotions and express the thoughts of the original artist. Tracy takes her audiences on a journey spanning several decades, with tributes to multiple artists along the way. In addition, she was nominated for Best Female Neo Soul Performer at the 2014 Bay Area Black Music Awards, and won Best Female Jazz Performer. Musicians are Tracy James, vocals; Glen Pearson, piano; Darell Broadnax, bass; Tony DeWayne, guitar; and Billy Johnson, drums. Admission is $15. For more information or to make reservations (recommended), visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Saturday, May 10
Three Corners Neighborhood Group Saturday Neighborhood Cleanup
9 – 10 a.m.
The corner of 66th and San Pablo
It’s the second Saturday of the month: time for a Saturday Neighborhood cleanup! Join neighbors to walk the block and pick up the trash that’s accumulated. Bring a pair of gloves and a trash bag and meet up. It’s a great way to meet neighbors and make things cleaner, too! For more information, visit groups.yahoo.com/group/ThreeCornersNeighborhoodgroup/cal.
Help Improve Transit Within West Berkeley, Emeryville and West Oakland
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
deFremery Recreation Center, 1651 Adeline Street
The Emeryville-Berkeley-Oakland Transit Study (EBOTS) is exploring future visions and improvements for transit in the study area that covers portions of the three cities. They want to hear from you! Based on public input, they’ve developed potential options for better transit in West Berkeley, Emeryville and West Oakland. Help them evaluate these transit options during the 2nd round of public workshops. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information about EBOTS and to receive updates, visit www.emeryville.org/ebots.
Patchwork
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
55 Harrison Street
The Patchwork Indie Art & Craft Festival features more than 140 local artists, crafters and designers showcasing a variety of handmade goods including clothing, art, paper goods, accessories, housewares and more. It’s the perfect place (and it is free) to meet up after Mother’s Day brunch for an afternoon of shopping, music, and free DIY crafting stations, as well as a selection of artisan food vendors and food trucks, in addition to the weekly Farmers’ Market also taking place on the waterfront.
Jack of All Trades
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Throughout Jack London Square
Jack of All Trades is a curated mix of local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more brought together by the Treasure Island Flea. Free to the public, this eclectic market will feature one-of-a-kind items, live music, and several free DIY workshops for all ages. For additional information, visit www.JackofAllTradesOakland.com.
Asian American StoryFest
1:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Suite 290
Check out Eth-Noh-Tec’s Asian-American StoryFest in celebration of Asian-American storytellers and narratives. Shows include “An Asian Occasion” at 1:30, “From the Voice of the Heart” at 3:30, the free “Why Me? Why Storytelling?” panel at 7, and the “Mythos, Message and Mirth” concert at 8. Tickets are available at asianamstoryfest.eventbrite.com. For more information on this event, please visit ethnohtec.org.
Save a Kitten at OakCatVidFest
3 – 10 p.m.
West Grand Avenue between Telegraph and Broadway
The Great Wall of Oakland presents the 2nd annual Save a Kitten at OakCatVidFest! Dozens of the world’s funniest Internet cat videos will be projected on The Great Wall’s 100′ x 100′ urban canvas. The street festival is a cat-lover’s wonderland with cats and kittens available for fostering and adoption, cat-themed art projects and vendors, live bands and comedians, food and beverages, and even celebrity cats. For tickets and more information, visit www.oaklandcatvidfest.com.
Broadway on Broadway: Oakland Youth Chorus’ 2014 Spring Concert
6 – 8 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway
“Ease on Down the Road” to catch Oakland Youth Chorus’ annual spring concert, featuring over 100 talented young singers ages 5 to 18. Tap your toes and “Let It Go” with songs from Annie, Into the Woods, Dreamgirls, Fame, A Chorus Line, Porgy and Bess, and more. OYC’s award-winning Concert Chorus and Chamber Singers, representing middle schools and high schools in Oakland, Alameda and Berkeley, bring the house down every concert with their amazing talent. Tickets are available here.
The Octopus Literary Salon: The Oakland Home Companion: News from Lake Merritt
6 – 11 p.m.
817 E. 24th Street
This variety show of local literary and musical talent features tacos, Tecate, and very special guests:
The New Thoreaus (New EP!: Sinners on the Take)
Laura Schulkind, Poet, author of Lost in Tall Grass (book release)
Lael Gold, Comedienne
Paul Corman-Roberts, Storyteller
Jeff Greenwald, Storyteller
Elvis Presley, Richard Nixon and Hunter S. Thompson
Open Mic
EmmCee/Hostess with the Mostess: Rebecca Grove
Dynamic Kitchen Duo: Erin J. Miller-Johnson and Mark Johnson
Edna Brewer Live Auction and Party
6:30 – 11 p.m.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1658 Excelsior Avenue
This event will feature live entertainment, dinner donated by Everett & Jones BBQ, and most importantly, it’s a great opportunity to support your awesome, local public middle school! They’ll even be raffling off an instant wine cellar at the live auction.
57th Street Gallery Presents Larry Douglas & Jorge Pineda Alltet
8:30 – 11 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
5701 Telegraph Avenue
With a tone that the dean of American jazz critics, Leonard Feather, described as “velvety and silky,” Larry Douglas has ruled as one of San Francisco’s top trumpet and flugelhorn players for more than three decades. Jorge Pineda has created a leading fusion in his music and a unique style of modern Latin jazz with a blend of jazz harmonies and rhythms of Latin America and the Caribbean. With this in mind, Jorge Pineda and Larry Douglas are now collaborating musically and are currently producing a CD featuring their original music, arrangements and interpretations, cross-pollinating a blend of cultures from American jazz, African, Caribbean, and Latin-American roots. Admission is $15. For more information or to make reservations (recommended), visit www.57thStreetGallery.com.
Sunday, May 11
Free Mother’s Day Bike Rentals for Moms
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Bay Area Bike Rentals, 427 Water Street
Spend the day in a healthy way with Mom. Rent one bike and get one free bike rental for her. If you have a bike already, Mom gets to rent for free. Reservations are required.
Mother’s Day at Oakland Zoo
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
9777 Golf Links Road
To celebrate Mother’s Day, moms get to ride the train for free at Oakland Zoo. Take a ride on the Outback Express Adventure Train where you can see wallaroos and emus up close. Spending a day at the zoo is a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Bring the whole family to see siamang swing, lemurs leap, and river otters being incredibly cute.
Mother’s Day Cruise
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Presidential Yacht Potomac, 540 Water Street
Treat your very special mom to a lovely brunch and champagne cruise on the Bay. Enjoy a yummy brunch buffet and a hosted champagne and wine bar.
Mother’s Day High Tea
Noon – 4 p.m.
Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Mother’s Day presents a wonderful opportunity to go above and beyond in expressing appreciation, love and care to mom. You are invited to honor and celebrate mothers and mother figures in your lives by bringing them to be in the company of other mothers sharing nostalgic and memorable moments. The High Tea will feature award-winning delectable creations by a preferred caterer. For more information, visit www.dunsmuir-hellman.com.
Noh Theater on Film: Benkei Aboard Ship
3 p.m.
Oakland Asian Community Center, 388 9th Street, Suite 290
Benkei Aboard Ship (Funabenkei) is the story of the war hero, Yoshitsune, and his loyal retainer, Benkei, as they escape from his evil half-brother, the shogun Yoritomo. The play features a skillful dance by Yoshitsune’s mistress, Lady Shizuka, and a dramatic encounter with ghosts of Yoshitsune’s past enemies on the sea. The play is an inspiration for This Lingering Life, a new play by Chiori Miyagawa, scheduled to premiere at San Francisco’s Z Space in June. For more information about the series, click here. This event is sponsored by JETAANC Kabuki Club and Theatre of Yugen.
Monday, May 12
Oakland’s Unhoused Older Americans
9 a.m. – noon
St. Mary’s Senior Center, 925 Brockhurst Street
This is a two-panel discussion on the problems, proposed solutions, and practical guidelines for providing affordable senior housing and preventing senior homelessness in Oakland. It features special guest speakers from Quixote Tiny Village in Olympia, Washington. RSVP to (510) 238-3121.
Oakland Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Meeting
6 – 8 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
For additional information, call (510) 238-3941 or visit www.oaklandheritage.org. It is recommended to confirm the date and location at www.oaklandnet.com.
Tuesday, May 13
Oakland City Council Committee Meetings
times listed below
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
The City Council is the governing body of the City of Oakland, and consists of eight members who are elected directly by the citizens of Oakland: one representative from each of seven districts, and one at-large representative. The Council sets goals and priorities for the City, as well as approving the City budget, adopting ordinances to help the City serve its citizens, and appointing members to various boards and commissions. Most of the Committees of the City Council usually meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (although it is recommended to confirm the day and time, as this is subject to change). A downloadable agenda is available here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
10:30 a.m.: Public Works Committee
noon: Finance & Management Committee
2 p.m.: Community & Economic Development Committee
4 p.m.: Life Enrichment Committee
5:30 p.m.: Public Safety Committee
F. M. Smith Park Advisory Council Meeting
6:30 – 8 p.m.
F. M. Smith Park, 1969 Park Boulevard
Have questions or want more information? Contact Lisa or Center Director Lois Gomes, or visit groups.yahoo.com/group/15X_NCPC/cal.
Wednesday, May 14
Reception for PROJECT: Vanessa Marsh
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pro Arts Gallery, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Vanessa Marsh is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is rooted in the traditions of photography. Combining photography, sculpture, and drawing, Marsh’s work captures the uncanny moments of real life, expanding upon familiar surroundings and creating otherworldly spaces. Her current exhibition shows work developed in correlation with a pinhole camera workshop at the Savoy, a low-income housing community. On display are a series of four 20″ x 24″ black and white pinhole negatives, along with their corresponding positive contact prints. Taken with a large, curved-back pinhole camera, the images explore the unexpected and distorted views of the landscapes of the East Bay. This reception will be held on during the 18th Annual Affordable Housing Week, the East Bay’s celebration of the benefits affordable homes bring to our communities. The reception will celebrate the PROJECT series and include words from Marsh; residents of participating housing communities; Asha Beene-Clarke, Community Engagement Manager of Satellite Affordable Housing Associates; and Margo Dunlap, Executive Director of Pro Arts. Light refreshments will be provided.
AC Transit Board of Directors Meetings
times listed below
Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, 1600 Franklin Street, 10th Floor
The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District is the third-largest public bus system in California, serving 13 cities and adjacent unincorporated areas in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. AC Transit has been serving the East Bay since 1960, taking over from the Key System and its predecessors, which carried passengers via buses, horse-drawn rail, electric streetcars, and ferries over the previous 100 years. AC Transit’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, courteous, and reliable transit service.
3 p.m.: Operations Committee Meeting
3:30 p.m.: External Affairs Committee Meeting
6 p.m.: Board of Directors Meeting
For more information, visit www2.actransit.org/main.wu.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
4:30 p.m.
Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Avenue
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission reports and makes recommendations to the Oakland City Council on Office of Parks and Recreation policies. It consists of 11 seats, appointed by the Mayor and Council to represent the citizens of Oakland. The public is welcome to attend the Commission’s monthly meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday of every month except for August. Please call the Director’s office, (510) 238-7532, to confirm meetings in case of cancellation or change of venue. For more information, click here.
Oakland Board of Education General Meeting
5 – 9 p.m.
Paul Robeson Building, 1025 2nd Avenue, Board Room
The Governing Board, commonly called the Board of Education, is the elected policy-making body of the public education system within the City of Oakland. The Governing Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that every student served by the District is well educated and demonstrates high academic achievement. For more information, visit bex.ousd.k12.ca.us.
Manzanita 18Y NCPC Meeting
6:45 – 8:15 p.m.
Salvation Army, 2794 Garden Street
For more information, please contact Neighborhood Services Coordinator Edith Guillen at (510) 238-7159 or.
Thursday, May 15
Oakland City Council Rules and Legislation Committee Meeting
10:45 a.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 1
The Rules and Legislation Committee usually meets at this time (although it is recommended to confirm the day and time, as this is subject to change). A downloadable agenda is available here. For more information, click here or call (510) 238-7370.
Oakland Food Policy Council Work Group Meeting
5 – 7:30 p.m.
1000 Broadway, 5th Floor, Room A or B
The mission of the Oakland Food Policy Council (OFPC) is to establish an equitable and sustainable food system in Oakland. It strives to: ensure access to healthy, affordable food within walking distance of every Oakland resident; bring underserved neighborhoods to the food policy table and increase “food literacy” among Oakland residents; put food, hunger, and food systems on the City of Oakland’s agenda and contribute to the national dialog on food policy; and turn the Oakland food system into an engine for local economic development and involve local and regional agricultural communities.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting
5:30 p.m.
Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 4
Oakland’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) committee was chartered in 1995 to advise the City on the design of bicycle and pedestrian facilities and related issues. Meetings are held at City Hall on the third Thursday of the month. Members of the public are welcome to attend all or part of any BPAC meeting. For more information, visit oaklandpw.com/Page124.aspx.
AYPAL’s 16th Annual May Arts Festival
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street, Suite 290
Come join AYPAL for an exciting night of cultural performances by AYPAL Youth. Performances include Mien, Cambodian, and Chinese Fan Dance to Filipino Tinikling, Korean Drumming, Spoken Word, Guerilla Theatre, and Hip Hop. For more information, visit the event page at tinyurl.com/MayArts.
OSD Advisory Committee Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Hunter Hall, Paul Robeson Administrative Building, 1025 2nd Avenue
Representative parents, staff, students and community members make up the District Advisory Committee (DAC). The DAC provides a community perspective to the Board of Education and the District leadership on important educational issues. They also assure the District and individual schools are in compliance with state accountability laws. Each school appoints a representative to the DAC.
Publication Party for Tai Moses’ Zooburbia
7 p.m.
Diesel, A Bookstore, 5433 College Avenue
Wildlife conservation, nature preserves, eco-mindfulness: these are terms we’ve all become familiar with, understanding intrinsically the importance of staying somehow connected to the natural world, especially as we increasingly feel removed from it. Urban and suburban environments have done much to isolate us from the wild (for better or worse, depending on your point of view) but that reverence, wonder, or fascination that we so often feel in the presence of wildlife — that raccoon perched in the arbor, the deer standing on the side of the road — is proof that to live a life alienated from animals is not natural. In Zooburbia, a lively blend of memoir, mindfulness practices, and urban natural history, Tai Moses points out that nature is just around the corner, that a myriad of wildlife shares our environment, ready to teach us and enrich our lives, if only we’re willing to step out and look around.
Melrose High Hopes NCPC Beat 27X Meeting
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Horace Mann School, 5222 Ygnacio
The NCPC is the main organizing group for the neighborhood. The Steering Committee, which is the NCPC leadership team, makes decisions about monthly meeting agendas and major events (e.g., speakers, priorities for OPD, elections, and projects like the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Annual Block Party, Courtland Creek Rejuvenation Project, Support for our Neighborhood School, Redevelopment on Foothill, and the like). The monthly meetings at Horace Mann School are a great opportunity to let the designated City Council Member and Community Policing Officers know about neighborhood concerns and engage them in helping the neighborhood. Visit ncpcbeat27x.org for updated agenda items, general information, or to get on the mailing list for future meetings.
To list an event for May 16 – 22, send the details to meg@oaklandlocal.com by noon on Tuesday, May 13.